In Memoriam
The Society is sad to announce the deaths of the following members and clematarians. Formal tributes have been published in Clematis International 2008.
Dr. John Howells - 1918 to 2007
Erich Pranno - 1930 to 2008
Dr. John Howells - 1918 to 2007
It is with great sadness that I report the death on Monday 12th November 2007 of Dr. John Howells M.D., F.L.S.. John Howells was a man of many skills. We know him as an eminent clematarian. He was a very early member of this Society and was our Editor for a number of years. He was a prolific author of clematis books and frequent contributor of articles to Clematis International, ranging from research into the first mention of clematis in a publication (by the Greek, Theophrastus) to the very practical subject of how to plant a clematis. He was an exceptional public speaker, witness the lecture he gave at our Conference in Cambridge in 2004 where he spoke for one hour completely without notes on "The Finding of Clematis Montana", such was John's knowledge and recall of the subject. He was also prominent in the British Clematis Society, holding positions of Chair and also Editor. But perhaps he should best be known as an enthusiastic and skillful grower of clematis in his large and beautiful garden near Colchester, Great Britain. He used his garden for research for many of his books, saying that he couldn't write about a clematis unless he'd grown it first. I remember visiting one time when it was planted with viticellas. On a subsequent visit a couple of years later virtually all had been taken out and replaced with montanas, ready for his next book. And all this from a man who's career was in medical sciences. He was also a recognized expert in Italian opera and wrote a number of publications on the subject. The picture to your right was taken by Wim Snoeijer in 2005 and shows John at work in his garden, specifically by his "wall of clematis". This wall, running the length of the property beside the road, was planted on both sides with clematis such that those behind would grow up and over, to meet those at the front. When in full bloom it was one of the most formidable displays of clematis one might find. The Society sends its sincerest sympathy to Ola, his wife, and to his family. |
Erich Pranno - 1930 to 2008
It is with sadness that I report the death on 9th March 2008 of Erich Pranno of Estonia. Erich was known to members of this Society through our visits to Estonia and his attendance at other events. In the clematis world, Erich Pranno is best known for his beautiful viorna cross, C. 'Kaiu', though in fact he bred and selected many others. I thank Erika Mahhov of Estonia for her tribute to Erich Pranno, published in abbreviated form below. Her complete tribute will be published in the forthcoming issue of our journal, Clematis International 2008. I also thank his daughter, Aanika, for the picture of Erich, taken in the summer of 2007 with one of his selections, with either C. mandschurica or C. recta in the foreground. The Society sends it's sincere condolences to his family and friends. Erich Pranno - 13 March 1930 - 9 March 2008Just as the first buds are opening in early springtime the enthusiastic Clematarian and collector, Erich Pranno, left us after a severe disease, a few days before his 78th birthday. Erich was born in a farmer's house in Kaiu village, Estonia. He was orphaned at two years old when his mother passed away but was fortunate to find a good and kind stepmother and later had twin brother and sister. Erich's schooling in Kaiu was short-lived as he had to stand in for his sick father on their farm. After military service, he studied at Sompa Mining School, but started to work as a refrigerator mechanic in the local collective farm. Erich was good at what he did, but his heart was pulling him to work with nature, animals and plants. After establishing a family and buying a house of his own in his home village in 1960, he turned to gardening. His garden, nominated for several best gardens awards, contained both clematis and other interesting and rare plants. Erich also kept bees, raising parrots, and was also a passionate hunter. He was the first person in Estonia to raise German long-haired bassets, an activity which his daughter continues to do. Everything he ever did, Erich did with thoroughness and commitment. Clematis remained his favourites and he amassed a collection of some 300 hybrids, one of the largest in the then USSR. he was a founding member of Estonian Clematis Club in 1987, the same year when he received a service medal award from the Estonian Horticultural Society. With Uno Kivistik, he was one of the leading promoters of clematis in Estonia. Together they arranged exhibitions in Estonia and other countries and visited internationally recognized Clematis specialists. As a member of the Estonian Clematis Club he participated in the meetings of the International Clematis Society, be it in Germany, Sweden, England, Japan or elsewhere. Erich Pranno tried his hand also in breeding new Clematis. From seed of C. 'Alionushka', he got differing seedlings but with integrifolia characteristics, being hardy and resistant to diseases as well as easy to take care of. They became quite popular and were known as "Pranno's hybrids". Erich was world-famous for his viorna-group hybrid C. 'Kaiu', with its small white urn-shaped nodding flowers, named after his home village. It came from seedlings he obtained from Ukrainian Nikitsky Botanic Garden. He grew these and made a selection in 1982. This hybrid was unknown internationally until some 10 years later when the Soviet "iron curtain" had fallen and the International Clematis Society visited Estonia in 1992. Apart for the beautiful blossom, the cultivar is highly appreciated for its vigorous and hardy growth, and strong health. In our garden, the plant flowers from July to October, almost until the first snows. With this extraordinary hybrid, Erich Pranno remains in the memories of all the Clematis-lovers of the world. As a person, Erich was a humorous, friendly and sparkling companion, with lot of knowledge and experience. He was a wonderful father and the best grandfather for his grandchild. His daughter, sister and brother and their families will mourn for him, as well as his relatives and friends and all Estonian Clematarians. Erika Mahhov |
