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Anuenue Protea & Ka'u Protea

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Dr. Robert J Armstrong

Dr. Armstrong, acclaimed Geneticist and Research Horticulturist of Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania (1967-1999), travelled the Pacific rim introducing and cataloging ornametal plants, and is creditted with the creation of several cultivars that enhance floral arrangement the world over. Robert moved to the Kingdom of Hawaii and began development of the Ka'u Protea and Anuenue Protea farms on the southern slope of the Big Island's Mauna Loa Volcano, where his work continues with the propagation of many species of Proteacea including Australian Banksia.

Born to a small farming family, Dr. Armstrong completed his Ph.D. in Horticulture studying the genetics of tomatoes and peppers, at the University of Illinois in 1967. His introduction to Longwood Gardens occurred on February 4, 1967. When he arrived that morning to be interviewed for the position of Geneticist, there was a blizzard occurring making it difficult to get around. He was met by Joe Carstens, the Floriculturist, and taken over to what was known then as the "Big House" (now called the Peirce-du Pont House) where he was initially introduced to the Director, Dr. Russell J. Seibert. After the interview, it became obvious that the decision to hire him had allready been made as he was escorted on a tour of the Conservatory, greenhouses, and research facilities. Research, at that time, consisted of four 25’ x 60’ greenhouses connected to a very large 40’ x 130’ head house, a 32’ x 60’ office and laboratory wing, a 30’ x 32’ label and print shop, plus a 50’ cold-frame and an outdoor trial plot.

When he asked Dr. Seibert if his lack of experience with ornamental plants would be a problem, the reply was "You can learn, can’t you?"

Approximately two weeks later Robert accepted the position of Geneticist at Longwood Gardens and later began his employment on May 9, 1967. The reason he required two weeks to accept the position was because he was considering a position at La Jolla, California, breeding grapes for the USDA, and the thought of living in California was definitely attractive. However, the prospect of working with many different exotic plants at a place as elegant as Longwood Gardens, even though the climate was colder, won out in the end.

The title of Dr. Armstrong's position was Geneticist, and his main task was to breed new plant cultivars to improve the Longwood Gardens’ display. As his responsibilities evolved over the years and less emphasis was placed on plant breeding, his title was changed to Research Horticulturist.

Towards the end of his tenure at Longwood, Robert became interested in Proteaceae. He created a program at Longwood Gardens to attempt the development of Proteaceae cultivars "under glass" in the inappropriete Pennsylvania climate. After some success, Dr. Armstrong was invited to speak at a grower's convention on the subject and was met by an incredulous Dr. Phil Parvin, who is cited as the pioneer in the development of Hawai'i’s Protea floriculture industry. While Dr. Parvin was surprised to find any knowledge of Proteaceae coming out of Longwood, he and Robert soon became good friends. Dr. Armstrong, who had often visited Hawai'i for recreation was now easily enticed to move to the Big Island and begin working with Proteaceae full time, after his retirement from Longwood Gardens in 1999.

For the first few years, Dr. Armstrong labored alone on a few acres of lava, building his home and farm with his own hands and savings, finding it impossible to acquire financial backing on such a risky venture. At the age of 67, Robert can still be found pitching rocks, shovelling volcanic cinders, and tending the plants. Building upon the lessons of his long time role model, Pierre S. Dupont and Longwood Gardens, Dr. Armstrong’s drive to create a viable long-term Protea enterprise led him to begin to seek out a way for his farm to continue beyond himself. That search, along with his own soul-searching, led him create the Anuenue Trust, an entity directed to allow for the continuation of the Anuenue farm by passing the assets from generation to generation within his own gay family. He now mentors a new generation of gay men on the propagation and cultivation of these beautiful flowers.