The American Horticultural Society is pleased to present Keith A. Mearns with the 2021 Emerging Horticultural Professional Award. This is one of the Society's Great American Gardeners Award and recognizes significant achievements and/or leadership that have advanced the field of horticulture in America. A native of Columbia, South Carolina, Keith A. Mearns has always held a deep connection with plants and the natural world. Working for several years as the horticulturist and now over two years as the director of grounds at Historic Columbia, Mearns is responsible for the development, planting, and maintenance of all six of Historic Columbia’s properties, as well as the creation and upkeep of the first publicly accessible online garden database in South Carolina. With support from the Darnall W. and Susan F. Boyd Foundation, Means is steering the planning and implementation of a significant garden expansion, site enhancements, and a forthcoming glasshouse project. Help us congratulat...