Berckmans

The Berckmans family were prominent figures in the history of horticulture, particularly in the Southern United States. Prosper Jules Alphonse Berckmans (1830-1910), a Belgian immigrant, is considered the founder of the fruit and ornamental tree industry in Georgia. He established the Fruitland Nurseries in Augusta, Georgia, which became a leading supplier of fruit trees and ornamentals throughout the South.

Fruitland Nurseries played a significant role in the development of Southern agriculture and horticulture. Berckmans introduced and popularized many new varieties of fruits, including peaches, pears, and apples, that were better suited to the Southern climate. He also advocated for improved horticultural practices and helped to establish standards for the industry. The nursery also introduced a wide variety of ornamental plants to the region.

P.J. Berckmans was a founding member and first president of the American Pomological Society (now the American Pomological Society). His work helped to transform the Southern landscape and economy. His son, Louis Alphonse Berckmans (1853-1915), continued the operation of Fruitland Nurseries after his father's death.

The legacy of the Berckmans family is remembered through the preservation of portions of the original Fruitland Nurseries site at the Augusta National Golf Club, home of The Masters Tournament. The site includes remnants of the nursery's greenhouses and orchards.