Dr. Nickolas Nickou
Dr. Nickolas Nickou was born in Astoria, New York in 1921. He attended Cornell University. From there he was drafted into the U.S. Army, which sent him to medical school at the University of Cincinnati and then to Germany where he served as an army physician. He later moved to Branford with his wife Doris and their seven children. He was a general practitioner for over forty years, taking care of three generations of Branford families. Dr. Nickou loved Branford and took great pride in being a member of the community. His grand passions were botany and horticulture. He traveled extensively, observing plants in China, Russia, Greece, Patagonia, South Africa, Australia and many other destinations. Upon his returns he gave numerous slideshows and talks sharing his observations.
His garden on Sunset Hill Drive was a mecca for plant enthusiasts. He planted numerous rare plants and trees, with a specialty in rhododendrons. Dr. Nickou loved to share his vast knowledge. He was a valuable resource to the James Blackstone Library as he coordinated the donation, purchase and planting of many special and unusual trees from around the world, many of which he donated himself. Today they form a beautiful collection on the library grounds. A guide of the plantings is always available for anyone to use at the library. He consulted on many additional planting and plant identification projects at locations such as Young’s Pond, the Branford Green, Foote Park, on Pine Orchard Road and hiking trails throughout Branford.
Dr. Nickou’s love of the natural world is carried on by the many friends and family that he taught throughout the years. He belonged to numerous botanical and horticultural organizations and was widely known and respected in these circles. He opened his garden many times to the public and loved inspiring and educating others by sharing his knowledge and imparting his expertise.
Dr. Nickou was a member of the Hortus Club, Rhododendron Society of Connecticut, Hardy Fern Foundation, Hardy Plant Society, Connecticut Plant Society, Magnolia Society International, American Rhododendron Society, Rhododendron Species Foundation, North American Rock Garden Society, Connecticut Horticultural Society, Royal Horticultural Society, Daphne Society and many more. He lectured on many occasions at these organizations and contributed articles for their journals. The Nickou Garden was included in several books including, The Private Gardens of Connecticut by Jane Garmey and The Collector’s Garden by Ken Druse. Numerous magazine and newspaper articles have been written about Dr. Nickou and he received awards from many of the organizations to which he belonged. He also received the Connecticut Bronze Medal from the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut and was an honorary member of The Branford Garden Club.
Dr. Nickou passed away on September 1, 2015. He is survived by his companion, Carol Hanby, six of his children, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The garden was his classroom and he loved teaching about the plants within. He was truly an extraordinary man and educator.
His garden on Sunset Hill Drive was a mecca for plant enthusiasts. He planted numerous rare plants and trees, with a specialty in rhododendrons. Dr. Nickou loved to share his vast knowledge. He was a valuable resource to the James Blackstone Library as he coordinated the donation, purchase and planting of many special and unusual trees from around the world, many of which he donated himself. Today they form a beautiful collection on the library grounds. A guide of the plantings is always available for anyone to use at the library. He consulted on many additional planting and plant identification projects at locations such as Young’s Pond, the Branford Green, Foote Park, on Pine Orchard Road and hiking trails throughout Branford.
Dr. Nickou’s love of the natural world is carried on by the many friends and family that he taught throughout the years. He belonged to numerous botanical and horticultural organizations and was widely known and respected in these circles. He opened his garden many times to the public and loved inspiring and educating others by sharing his knowledge and imparting his expertise.
Dr. Nickou was a member of the Hortus Club, Rhododendron Society of Connecticut, Hardy Fern Foundation, Hardy Plant Society, Connecticut Plant Society, Magnolia Society International, American Rhododendron Society, Rhododendron Species Foundation, North American Rock Garden Society, Connecticut Horticultural Society, Royal Horticultural Society, Daphne Society and many more. He lectured on many occasions at these organizations and contributed articles for their journals. The Nickou Garden was included in several books including, The Private Gardens of Connecticut by Jane Garmey and The Collector’s Garden by Ken Druse. Numerous magazine and newspaper articles have been written about Dr. Nickou and he received awards from many of the organizations to which he belonged. He also received the Connecticut Bronze Medal from the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut and was an honorary member of The Branford Garden Club.
Dr. Nickou passed away on September 1, 2015. He is survived by his companion, Carol Hanby, six of his children, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The garden was his classroom and he loved teaching about the plants within. He was truly an extraordinary man and educator.