A horticulturalist who left his stamp all over the island’s capital has been honoured with a commemorative plaque at Fort Hamilton — a landmark that he prided himself on beautifying with a major overhaul in the 1960s.

George Ogden, who died in January, was the Hamilton parks superintendent who devoted nearly 40 years to shaping the parks, gardens and green spaces that continue to define the city’s character

Mr Ogden called Fort Hamilton his “pride and joy”, once recalling: “It was in dreadful condition.

“It was used as a local dump. The moat was blocked with vegetation and trash.”

Mr Ogden led its transformation into one of Hamilton’s most treasured parks.

He retired from the post in 1997.

Charles Gosling, the Mayor of Hamilton, told the gathering for the plaque unveiling how Mr Ogden, originally from Merseyside, England, brought “expertise, passion and an artist’s eye to the city’s landscapes” when he started on the job in 1962.

Mr Gosling said: “At the time of his arrival, Hamilton’s parks were underdeveloped, unpaved, with little formal landscaping and no structured planting programme.

“Flowerpots were scarce, and Mr Ogden famously had to repurpose old paint tins just to get plants in the ground.

“Undeterred, he transformed Hamilton into a city of greenery and floral displays, establishing parks at Fort Hamilton, Barr’s Bay and along the waterfront, while redesigning Queen Elizabeth Park and Victoria Park.”

Mr Ogden’s handiwork altered the look of Hamilton, from the flower beds at City Hall and the ferry terminal to the more than 1,100 trees he planted along its streets.

Mr Gosling said: “His efforts softened the city’s landscape, making even utilitarian spaces like parking lots and commercial areas more inviting.

“Under his direction, the corporation’s plant nursery at The Willows flourished, producing over 20,000 flowers annually to keep Hamilton in bloom year-round.

“His work extended beyond the city, serving on the Government’s Parks and Beaches Committee and the Bermuda Parks Commission.

“His expertise was sought for landscaping projects at Dockyard and other sites across the island.”

Mr Gosling added: “A passionate advocate for knowledge sharing, he mentored young horticulturists, taught apprentices and even held evening lectures at his home, ensuring that his wealth of knowledge was passed on.”

Mr Ogden made a name for himself as a palm specialist, becoming an authority and producing a comprehensive survey of the island’s species, documenting 64 different varieties.

He also edited A Gardener’s Guide for the Garden Club of Bermuda, sharing insights from his decades of experience.

Mr Gosling said: “For his extraordinary contributions, he was awarded the Queen’s Certificate and Badge of Honour in 1992, the Bermuda Silver Palmetto Award in 2001 and the prestigious Gold Veitch Memorial Medal from the Royal Horticultural Society in 2003. But despite these accolades, he remained a humble and dedicated man, happiest when working in the soil.”