A self-educated botanist and horticulturist, Frank Skinner, a native of Scotland, devoted his adult life to the development of plants and trees capable of beautifying the farmsteads and landscapes of his adopted country.

Included in his achievements were the introduction of 12 species of trees, 88 species of shrubs and wood climbers, two species of fruits, 26 species of herbaceous perennial bulbs, and 120 species of other herbaceous perennials. Many of these species were of foreign origin, or developed from material of foreign origin, which he was able to acquire as the result of the high regard in which he was held by leading horticulturists throughout the world.

According to his own appraisal, his six most outstanding developments were: the Dropmore Scarlet Honeysuckle; the Maxwell Lily; the Donald Wyman Lilac; the Snow White Spirea; the George Will Rose; and the Blue Boy Clematis.

In recognition of his outstanding contribution to horticulture, he was awarded the Member of the British Empire in 1943; an Honourary LL.D. from the University of Manitoba in 1947; the Minnesota Horticultural Bronze Medal in 1943; the North American Lily Society award in 1964, and a citation from the American Horticultural Council that same year.

In 1971, the Skinner Memorial library at the University of Manitoba was dedicated in his honour.