Thank you, Dr. Welch

Tyler—Dr. William C. Welch was one of those rare individuals whose influence continues to grow long after the person is gone. With his passing on June 8, 2026, those of us fortunate enough to know him lost a friend and a mentor, but his legacy lives on abundantly in the landscapes, libraries, and lives he helped shape across Texas and the South.

Dr. Welch devoted more than four decades to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, where he became one of the most recognizable and trusted voices in Southern horticulture. His work reached far beyond campus. He poured his energy into teaching county Extension agents, mentoring young horticulturists, and training generations of Texas Master Gardeners.

Those Master Gardener volunteer educators became his living legacy. Through his tireless efforts, volunteers were not only trained, but elevated, equipped with the knowledge and confidence to provide sound, research-based gardening advice in their own communities. His work ensured that good horticulture did not stay in the classroom but spread across counties, cities, and communities throughout Texas.

While his teaching was powerful, his writing may be what most gardeners will remember and continue to rely upon. Dr. Welch had a gift for taking complex horticultural concepts and presenting them in a way that was both beautiful and inspiring. He began by sharing practical updates with Extension agents and gradually expanded his audience through magazines such as Texas Gardener, Neil Sperry’s Gardens, and Southern Living.

But it was his books that truly cemented his influence. Titles such as Perennial Garden Color, Antique Roses for the South, The Bountiful Flower Garden, Heirloom Gardening in the South, and The Rose Rustlers became staples for gardeners who wanted not just to grow plants, but to understand their history and place in the Southern landscape. These were not simply gardening manuals. They were celebrations of Southern culture, tradition, and beauty.

Dr. Welch understood something many overlook. Gardening is as much about people as it is about plants. His work on heirloom plants and antique roses helped preserve living pieces of history, connecting modern gardeners with generations past. His collaborations with fellow horticulturists further enriched that body of knowledge and ensured it would endure.

On a personal level, he was equally impactful. He had an uncommon ability to see potential in others and gently guide them forward. He challenged his students and colleagues, including me, to write, to teach, and to share what they knew. Many careers, including my own, took root because he took the time to invest in us.

It is impossible to measure how many lives he touched, how many gardens he inspired, or how many careers he nurtured. His influence is woven into the fabric of Texas horticulture and will continue to blossom for generations.

Dr. Bill Welch may be gone, but his passion remains perennial. Every time a gardener opens one of his books, plants an antique rose, or shares a pass-a-long plant, his legacy takes root once again.

Greg Grant, Ph.D., is the Smith County horticulturist and Master Gardener coordinator for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Tyler.