Tucked away in a quiet corner of the St. John in the Wilderness churchyard, a small bronze plaque rests on a simple stone, nestled among pine straw and fallen leaves. It sits humbly within a garden of azaleas, magnolias, and rhododendrons—planted in tribute to the man it commemorates. Modest and unassuming, the memorial is easy to miss.

But the life of Dr. August Kehr and his time in Flat Rock should not fade into obscurity. His legacy - rooted in our small village - deserves to be remembered. His story here.

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Early Life and Academic Pursuits

Dr. August “Augie” Ernest Kehr (1914–2001) was a pioneering plant geneticist and hybridizer whose contributions to horticulture, especially in the development of ornamental plants, have left an enduring legacy. While his professional career spanned various institutions and locations, it was in Flat Rock that his passion for plant breeding truly flourished, leading to innovations that continue to enchant gardeners and botanists alike.

August Kehr (pronounced “Care”) was born in Frankfort, Kentucky, and raised in Unadilla, New York, where he developed an early appreciation for the natural world. His rural upbringing fostered a deep connection to the land and its flora—an affinity that would blossom into a lifelong vocation. He earned his B.S. in General Agriculture from Cornell University in 1936. After teaching high school science for several years, he returned to Cornell for graduate studies, ultimately earning his Ph.D. in 1950 with a specialization in plant breeding, pathology, and cytology. His academic prowess and inquisitive nature made him a rising star in plant research circles.

Kehr’s academic career included teaching and research positions at Louisiana State University and Iowa State University. His work focused on the practical applications of plant genetics to improve vegetable crops, which led to a long and impactful tenure with the U.S. Department of Agriculture beginning in 1958.

During his time with the USDA, Kehr participated in several international projects, helping to improve crop yields and sustainable practices in developing countries. This global perspective enriched his approach to plant breeding and broadened his understanding of ecological diversity. His ability to apply rigorous scientific methodology to real-world agricultural challenges earned him wide respect.

Retirement and Horticultural Innovations in Flat Rock

Upon retiring from government service in 1978, Kehr and his wife, Mary Lou, settled in the quiet, wooded neighborhood of Tranquility in Flat Rock. They built their home on a peaceful property that became a haven for the couple’s next great adventure. With the Blue Ridge Mountains as a backdrop, Kehr transformed the land into an experimental botanical paradise. His gardens became both a workshop and a sanctuary.

Augie Kehr had a wide range of plant interests, including developing heat-tolerant rhubarb to seedless pawpaws. However, his primary focus was on yellow magnolias, rhododendrons, and evergreen azaleas. One of his lifelong goals was to develop a true yellow evergreen azalea—a feat that had eluded hybridizers for decades. Although he never fully achieved a vibrant yellow before his death, he came close, producing cultivars with golden tints that paved the way for future breeders.

He found greater success with magnolias. Cultivars such as ‘Sunspire,’ ‘Sunburst,’ and ‘Tranquility’ broke new ground in color variation, flower shape, and plant form. His azalea introductions were equally admired. Cultivars like ‘Mary Lou Kehr,’ named in honor of his wife, and ‘White Rosebud,’ a double white-flowered azalea, are cherished for their beauty and reliable performance.

Kehr approached hybridizing with both scientific discipline and artistic intuition, meticulously recording parentage, bloom times, and environmental conditions. He was among the first to promote freezing pollen for off-season crosses—an innovation that has since become standard practice. He once told a friend he considered this his greatest contribution to the hybridization and growth of new plants.

Kehr was featured in a 1999 article in Go Upstate. Regarding his Flat Rock gardens, the article stated:

Today, his Flat Rock garden is home to what has been called the largest private collection of magnolias in the world. Dr. Kehr is reluctant to confirm that title, but his wife, Mary Lou, who keeps close track of his honors and records, says he has some 600 listed on his computer. About 85 percent of those were started by him from seed. His garden also contains about an equal number of rhododendrons and azaleas.

Generosity and Mentorship

Kehr was not only a brilliant scientist but also a generous teacher and mentor. He welcomed visitors to his garden with warmth and took time to explain his work in detail. A colleague remarked that Kehr seemed to operate on a different level, always happy to share knowledge and make others feel welcome. Whether corresponding with fellow scientists or hobbyist gardeners, Kehr remained humble, approachable, and kind. His gentle demeanor earned him admiration throughout the horticultural world.

Of the many hundreds of crosses he made and thousands of seedlings he raised, Kehr’s humble approach to his work led him to register only 11 azaleas, 14 rhododendrons, and 31 magnolias.

One person who deeply appreciated Kehr’s kindness was Dan Veazey of Hendersonville. A devoted friend, Veazey played a key role in planning and planting the August Kehr Memorial Garden at St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church in Flat Rock. The two met through monthly meetings of the American Rhododendron Society held at the church. “I met Dr. Kehr at my first meeting,” Veazey recalled. “And then from then on, it was just a friendship.”

Their bond was rooted in a shared love of horticulture, and Veazey was continually struck by Kehr’s character. “I knew of his national acclaim and recognition. And the fact that this man was so humble just kind of blew me away,” he said.

Kehr’s generosity also left a lasting impression on Veazey. “He was so cotton-pickin’ generous you were almost afraid to tell him you liked one of the plants in his garden,” Veazey laughed. “Because if it were movable, he would grab a shovel and wheelbarrow and put it in my truck.” One of Kehr’s favorite places to spend time was “The Field” on the property behind Kehr’s home, where he cultivated his magnolias. Among the many plants Kehr introduced and nurtured, Kehr and Veazey agreed the Daybreak Magnolia was their favorite.

A Leader in the Horticultural Community

Kehr’s influence extended far beyond his own garden. He served as national president of the American Rhododendron Society and played a critical role in establishing its Research Foundation. He also helped found the American Rhododendron Society Vaseyi Chapter in Hendersonville, where he freely shared his expertise and inspired local gardeners. In 2000, he helped create the Magnolia Research Foundation, donating rare books, papers, and artwork to raise funds for its launch.

Kehr Memorial Garden at St. John in the Wilderness

Following his death in 2001, the horticultural community sought a meaningful way to honor Dr. Kehr’s life and work. The answer was the creation of the Kehr Memorial Garden on the grounds of St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church in Flat Rock. This sacred and historic site, where Kehr had attended many Southeastern Chapter-ARS meetings, became the ideal location for a living tribute.

The garden includes many of Kehr’s hybrid plants—rhododendrons, azaleas, and magnolias—all arranged with the same care and aesthetic vision he brought to his personal collection. It serves not only as a place of remembrance but also as a source of education and inspiration. Visitors can walk among his creations, admire their blooms, and appreciate the vision and patience it took to bring them into being.

Enduring Influence

Dr. August Kehr’s life was one of quiet genius and profound generosity. Through decades of research, innovation, and mentorship, he expanded the possibilities of ornamental horticulture and enriched gardens - and lives - around the world. But perhaps more enduring than his plants is the spirit in which he worked: open-hearted, patient, curious, and kind. Whether in the hush of his garden in Flat Rock or among the graceful blooms of the Kehr Memorial Garden, his legacy lives on in every flower that reaches toward the sun.

Special thanks to John Vining, who advocated for this story for several years and did much of the initial research. His assistance (and persistence) are much appreciated. Reference sources for this article include:

https://www.pbase.com/kehr

https://www.azaleas.org/wpcontent/uploads/azalean/23/4/articles/In_Memory.pdf

https://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JARS/v56n1/v56n1-flick.html

https://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JARS/v46n4/v46n4-kehr.html

https://www.goupstate.com/story/news/1999/05/11/a-mountain-away-gardeners-choose/29610309007/