Samuel McGredy was born in Gilford, County Armagh and educated there. He inherited his father's nursery business at Woodside, Portadown, County Armagh and began to grow his own roses in 1891. Already there was competition from Dicksons in Newtownards, County Down. He began by raising a few hundred seedlings and in 1886 won first prize for roses at Douglas, Isle of Man. This was followed by a first prize and cup in Glasgow the following year and many awards followed. He won a Gold medal for his salmon pink rose "Countess of Gosford" with the National Rose Society and in 1921 won the Society's Dean Hole Medal. He became a justice of the peace and was known as "The Irish Wizard".

Born:	1861
Died: