None of us achieve anything in life without help, and I am eternally grateful to the teachers who nurtured my love of science, the professors who challenged me, and the experts who made me a better forecaster and gardener.
On July 18, my friend and mentor, Wayne Mejitt, longtime gardening columnist for The Globe, died from a tick-borne disease. This is a loss for the entire gardening community, but also a great personal blow to me.
I've always loved plants. I was gardening long before I hit puberty, and my love for growing things continues to this day. I don't have a degree in horticulture, but I did study biology and meteorology. Along the way, I've tried to surround myself with people who know more than I do. There are lots of options, and Wayne was just one of those consummate experts.
Nearly 20 years ago, Wayne hired me to work part-time at Weston Nurseries. I knew it was a premier place in the plant world and I wanted to learn more about the industry. Wayne always took the time to answer my questions and was truly a walking horticultural encyclopedia.
His experience helped strengthen my foundation in botany.
Around 2007, when I wanted to film educational horticulture videos to upload to YouTube, Wayne and his family were extremely supportive, including funding my company, Growing Wisdom, for the first year to hire a videographer. Wayne let me use the grounds of Weston Nurseries, or even his own backyard, as a backdrop to share my gardening knowledge and his wealth of expertise with the public.
Wayne and the rest of the Weston crew have appeared in many of my videos and always made time for me, not only because he was happy to help me, but because it ignited his passion to share all things plant related with anyone interested.
Wayne Mejitt takes a break while pruning birches at Heritage River in July 2003. By Pat Grove Staff, Greenhouse
When I did plant segments on WCVB-TV and WBZ-TV, Wayne would drive up to my house and deliver a set of plants that he agreed would be interesting to share with the public that weekend.
Without him, this whole segment wouldn't have happened. Our goal is to inspire others to look at landscapes and add something interesting to any size space, whether it's a small container or a large garden. After the show, he would often call me and compliment me on my work. It was so nice to hear his compliments.
Iberis and phlox are two of the many plants featured in the gardening segment. Dave Epstein
When he invited me to serve on the board of directors of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, I was honored and grateful.
Wayne Mejit, at left, talks to me about planting trees in the landscape. Dave Epstein
I was looking back at some text threads we'd shared just eight weeks ago. We'd exchanged numerous comments about our mild winters and things blooming so early. I'd sent him a photo of a flowering shrub I wasn't too familiar with in Mount Auburn Cemetery. Within the hour he'd replied: “Apparently it's Illicium floridianum, as the flowers have a 'fishy' smell. I'm sure the plant isn't hardy around here. Wayne.”
After researching this plant, I discovered that it is indeed not cold hardy, but perhaps because of the mild winter or the environment, it is thriving now. Another piece of knowledge, thanks to my friend Wayne.
Next to the driveway is a magnolia tree called “Sunspire.” It's a tall, upright plant with yellow flowers. It's quite unusual. Wayne helped me choose one to plant in the space, but the first two attempts were unsuccessful. Wayne was adamant about choosing a third one, and now, almost a decade later, it's one of my proudest early-flowering trees.
Magnolia “Sunspire” by R. Wayne Meggitt
The Mejit family's horticultural traditions are engraved throughout New England, and Wayne's horticultural footprint will forever be etched in mine. Thank you, Wayne, for all you have taught me. I hope the plant world continues to surround you and welcome you with the care and love you have shown.
I wish you good luck.
A third-generation nurseryman, R. Wayne Mejit was a Massachusetts Certified Horticulturist, chairman of Weston Nurseries and owner of the horticultural consulting company Hort-Sense, according to his obituary. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, July 30th, from 4-7pm at Chesmore Funeral Home, 57 Hayden Row Street, Hopkinton. A memorial service will be held in the coming days, according to the family.
