Tuesday, October 27, 2020

Thank you Ron McKitrick—my cactus buddy. May you rest in peace

I am writing these words with tears in my eyes—feeling like I was just punched in the gut—and yet I have a smile on my face because I'm thinking of Ron, my "cactus buddy". That's how Ron identified himself whenever he returned a phone call, and he returned a few while I was working on my book.

My friend Bryon Jones (horticulturist at the Pt. Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, WA) called on Sunday afternoon to let me know that Ron McKitrick had passed away. Bryon had visited Ron and purchased several plants from him over the years, many of which are growing at the zoo. You may remember Ron as the man behind the Hillside Desert Botanical Gardens in Yakima, Washington. I am so glad I took the above photo of him when I visited in May of 2019. 

Bryon was researching one of those plants from Ron, when he found the online obituary, Ron passed away last January. Of course he had a full and rich life beyond plants, and those of us that knew him through his garden—but didn't know his family—had no way of knowing that the plant world lost one of its local greats.

Ron was a talented and generous man, I was just thinking of him a few days ago while working on a post for Fearless Gardening on Instagram. I interviewed Ron and profiled his garden in my book, I was highlighting one of the several wonderful quotes he gave me to work with...

I was excited for Ron to receive his contributor copy of the book in the mail soon. He freely shared his passion for plants and I was honored to share his story and the work he was doing there in Yakima. It makes me sad to think those who read about him in the book won't get the chance to visit the garden and talk with Ron in person.

When I started to outline which gardens I wanted to include in the book, Hillside Desert Botanical Gardens was a must, who expects to see a 10ft tall Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia) along with countless agaves, cactus and other exotic yuccas growing in Yakima, Washington? Ron's "how do you know it won't grow here unless you try it?" way of doing things was a perfect fit, and I'm thankful he was willing to be a part of the project from the beginning—although I'm not certain he really understood what I was putting together. It didn't matter, he trusted me to do right by him, I can only hope that I did.

Please take a moment and click over to read the first post I did on Ron's garden when I visited—on a rare rainy day in Yakima—in 2012 here, and then the post on my 2019 visit, here. Below (in no particular order) are a few of my favorite photos from my last visit to his unforgettable garden. Thank you Ron, for being a gardening trailblazer, believing in me, and being so giving of your time and knowledge. 

Weather Diary, Oct 26: Hi 59, Low 32/ Precip 0 

All material © 2009-2020 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

22 comments:

  1. A sad post. I clicked the links to your previous visits to Ron's amazing garden, and admired again his creation of love. I wondered if the plant Ron dug up for you in 2012 (a hybrid form of Echinocereus triglochidiatus v. gonacanthus), survived the Portland rain. Roy will be remembered through his plant passion and amazing garden.

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    1. This is going to be hard to believe, but that plant actually succumbed to summer drought rather than winter wet. It did great every winter and then late one summer I realized it had sort of dried up. I assumed—wrongly—that it would be fine with whatever I happened to toss its way, which bordered on nothing. Lesson learned!

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  2. Ron seems like a wonderful man. His sage advice is perhaps the simplest, yet hardest thing to learn for new gardeners - "how do you know it won't grow here unless you try it?" Don't be afraid to try and keep that compost pile out of site, just in case!

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    1. Yes indeed. He had an amazing garden, but was excited about every little plant and chance to be successful, always in teaching mode.

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  3. So sorry for the loss of your cactus buddy. His memory will live on in all who knew him as a mentor and avid plantsman.

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    1. Thank you. He really was an amazing plantsman.

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  4. I'm so sorry to read this! Ron was a wonderful person and his special garden reflected that. I'll always treasure the advice he gave me about growing his plants. So sad.

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    1. So sad! I am glad you made it over to see him.

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  5. I'm sure Ron would've loved your book, Loree, and that he'd have been tickled by your coverage on him. I like to believe that there's a special place in heaven for devout gardeners but, wherever he is, I'm sure he appreciates the personal connection he had with you, as you'll continue to appreciate that link forever. I note that Ron's garden looks FAR better than the desert garden at my local botanic garden - he had a great eye, as well as a passion for plants.

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    1. Thanks Kris, the last few days I keep thinking of him and find myself so sad that I won't be chatting with him again. Life is too short.

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  6. I am so sorry about the loss of Ron, Loree. He will certainly be remembered in your book which is so special. I wonder what will happen with his garden in the future and whether he had a friend or relative to take it over. I always worry about such wonderful gardens without the creator there to continue.

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    1. One of his sons and his wife are taking over. I found this story later in the day, after posting what I did above.

      https://www.yakimaherald.com/lifestyle/yakimas-hillside-botanical-garden-creator-leaves-legacy-of-love-laughter-and-cacti/article_48ecaae0-5212-59b7-9860-fe98dbd154ab.html

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  7. I remember your last post of Ron's impressive gardens. I'm glad he is memorialized in your book. It is always sad to lose a friend and garden buddy. Do you know what will become of his collection?

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    1. Yes! His wife and one of his sons are caring for the garden, thank goodness.

      https://www.yakimaherald.com/lifestyle/yakimas-hillside-botanical-garden-creator-leaves-legacy-of-love-laughter-and-cacti/article_48ecaae0-5212-59b7-9860-fe98dbd154ab.html

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  8. That's a great loss, but a lovely tribute. We learn as we garden that there are really good people behind the really good plants.

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  9. Your start to this post reminds me of many moments in my life during the past several years. Losing mentors, family, and friends is rough. It's so sad, but then the memories start, so the smiles and tears happen at the same time. It sounds like Ron was a special guy and how lucky for you that he was your friend.

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    1. I am lucky to have known him, for sure. I'm sorry you know that feeling.

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  10. I'm sorry to hear about his passing. It looks like he had a full life filled with family and friends. His garden will probably be around for years to come as a testament to his passion. I hope Kris is right about there being a special place in heaven for gardeners!

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    1. Yes heaven could be quite the garden paradise...

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  11. I thank everyone for the kind words regarding my father. He was a very passionate man no matter what he was involved in. Love and Miss you Dad! (Christy McKitrick-McCabe)

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    1. Thanks for commenting Christy, so sorry about the loss of your dad.

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