14 Apr 1904 – 15 Jan 1993
Great-Granddaughter of Philip Cardon and Martha Marie Tourn
Granddaughter of Catherine Cardon and Moses Byrne
Daughter of William Henry Byrne and Cecile Elvara Easton
Minnie Hummel, former nursery owner, dies at 88
CARLSBAD – Minnie Hummel, known to even her closest friends as “Mrs. E.C. Hummel,” died Jan. 15 at 88.
Mrs. Hummel was the wife of Edward Hummel, the late pioneer horticulturist who introduced a variety of succulents and other plants through hybridizing.
The couple began their horticultural trade in the 1930s in Inglewood. Hummel’s Exotic Gardens was well known among agricultural writers and collectors of cacti and succulents.
Their later interests were bromeliads, crown-of-thorns, orchids and other rare plants.
In 1953 they moved their nursery to Park Drive in Carlsbad, and operated their wholesale operation and worldwide service until 1978.
In 1976 Mr. Hummel was honored as Outstanding Horticulturist in California. He died in 1979.
Bill Drysdale, a retired teacher in Riverside, is writing an article on the Hummels for the Bromeliads Journal, named after the pineapple-like plants the couple raised.
“Her husband was probably one of the greatest hybridizers in California,” Drysdale said. “He was world famous. O course, Mrs. Hummel worked right alongside him in the nursery. He always spoke of “we,” because they were partners.
“Their nursery was really a mecca for people who wanted uncommon things.” he said.
The Hummels donated collections to the Wild Animal Park, Quail Gardens and the famed Mitchell Park Conservatory in Milwaukee. They also contributed many articles to professional journals, and horticultural books.
Mrs. Hummel is survived by her sister, Etta Byrne of Oceanside, her brother James Byrne of Simi Valley, her daughter and son-in-law Marky and Norman Shultz of Carlsbad; her son and daughter-in-law, Edward and Phyllis Hummel of Soquel; a granddaughter, Melody Hobson, and her husband, Mark, of Simi Valley; grandson Trent Edward Shultz of San Diego; and great-granddaughters Keri and Vicki Hobson of Simi Valley.
Cremation was arranged by Eternal Hills Mortuary. A memorial service is pending, and the family suggests donations to Quail Gardens or Hospice of the North Coast.
-Published in the North County Times (Oceanside, California), 21 Jan 1993, Thursday, Page B-3