The Unsung Hero of the Cherry Blossoms: The Life of Botanist Paul George Russell

On April 24, 1889, Paul George Russell, an American botanist, is born.

Paul George Russell was born in Liverpool, New York. He worked as a botanist for the United States government for over five decades.

Paul George Russell went on collecting trips in Northern Mexico. He's remembered in the names of several different plants, including the Verbena russellii, a very pretty woody flowering plant.

And he's also remembered for naming the Opuntia russellii, a prickly pear cactus.

A botanist of great skill and passion, Paul dedicated his life to studying and preserving plant life. His contributions to the world of botany are many, but perhaps most notably, he played a pivotal role in bringing the enchanting cherry trees to Washington, D.C.

Oh, the cherry blossoms! Their delicate, fleeting beauty, with its soft, pink blush, makes them the star of the springtime landscape.

It's almost impossible to imagine a time when the Tidal Basin was devoid of the vibrant spectacle we now cherish. Yet such a time did exist, and it was Paul, with his keen eye for detail and unwavering determination, who helped select and introduce these exquisite trees to our nation's capital.

Today, Paul George is most remembered for his work with cherry trees. He was a vital part of the team that was created to install the living architecture of Japanese cherry trees around the Washington Tidal Basin.

In March 1934, in response to the public's desire to grow cherry trees, Paul George Russell put together a little bulletin, a little USDA circular called Oriental Flowering Cherries. It was his most impressive work.

Paul's guide provided all kinds of facts and detailed information about the trees just when it was needed most. People were curious about the cherry trees and fell utterly in love with them once they saw them blooming in springtime.

Paul's extensive research and expert guidance ensured that the cherry blossoms would thrive in their new home and delight future generations.

Beyond his work with the cherry blossoms, Paul was a pioneer in the field of seed botany.

During his career, Paul developed the ability to identify plants based on the appearance of their seeds. One of the ways that he developed this skill is he compiled a seed bank of over 40,000 different types of sources, a testament to his dedication and foresight.

Paul Russell passed away at the age of 73 after having a heart attack.

On a poignant note, he was supposed to see his beloved cherry trees in bloom with his daughter. They had planned a trip to the tidal basin together. Unfortunately, that last visit never happened.

Today, Paul Russell's legacy lives on in the beauty of the cherry blossoms synonymous with springtime in our nation's capital. So, the next time you find yourself beneath their enchanting canopy, take a moment to remember Paul and the invaluable contribution he made to the world of botany. And if you can get your hands on a copy of that 72-page circular he created in 1934, that's a find. It's all still good information.