Simon Godfried Albert Doorenbos

Career

Doorenbos started his career as a nursery representative in 1915, visiting the United Kingdom and United States of America. His long career was distinguished by the raising of a number of important cultivars, including Symphoricarpos × doorenbosii, Betula utilis "Doorenbos", and numerous Dahlias. Doorenbos was also responsible for the introduction of the Himalayan Elm Ulmus wallichiana to Europe, cuttings of which he obtained from the Arnold Arboretum in 1929. The species was later to play a major role in the Dutch elm breeding programme.

In 1926, Doorenbos founded the 14 hectare Landengebied Arboretum in Zuiderpark, The Hague.

The arboretum currently (2014) holds 695plant species including exotic rarities such as the Japanese Horse Chestnut. Symphoricarpos × doorenbosii, Betula utilis "Doorenbos", Iris "Gerrie Doorenbos", Rosa "Anneke Doorenbos".

Achievements

• Perhaps his most famous achievement was the hybrid elm cultivar "Den Haag", indeed it has been postulated that he was the first to think of crossing elms to obtain varieties resistant to Dutch elm disease.

Membership

Doorenbos was a founding member of the International Dendrology Society. Beyond the world of horticulture, he was also a keen pigeon fancier.