Everett retired in 1968, but remained active at the Garden. He set out to publish The New York Botanical Garden Illustrated Encyclopedia of Horticulture. This ten-volume project took 14 years to complete. He described it as “the biggest garden reference work undertaken in this century.” Along with Elizabeth C. Hall, former NYBG librarian, he also fielded questions from the gardening public as part of the new Plant Information Service, established in 1981 under the auspices of the Mertz Library. Throughout his career he was honored with many medals and awards from prestigious organizations such as the Horticultural Society of New York and Garden Club of America.
Everett had significant research help from Elizabeth C. Hall, former Garden librarian, and administrative support from Lillian Weber, former supervisor of the Gardencraft Program.
Everett and Hall were well-matched in intellect and wit. She sometimes called him “Curator of Useless Information.” In return, he christened her “Miss Information.” On less acerbic days, they referred to one another as Mr. Everett and Miss Hall.
NYBG Illustrated Encyclopedia of Horticulture, 1981
Of the Encyclopedia, Everett once said, “It isn’t a compilation. There are over three million words, and I wrote every word.”
Telephone, ca. 1970s
Most plant information queries were handled by phone. But for the cactus owner who couldn’t grasp his directives for moisture requirements, he suggested watering whenever it rained in Arizona. (Courtesy of Jeanne Lapsker)
Liberty Hyde Bailey Medal, 1987
The American Horticultural Society awarded the prestigious Liberty Hyde Bailey Medal to Everett posthumously for his Encyclopedia, the first in America since Bailey’s Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture was published in 1918.
