Capt.. Richard (Dick) Steele

A sad period in the gardening world hearing that Capt.. Richard (Dick) Steele passed away on  March 14,2010 after a short illness. Dick was a premier breeder of rhododendrons and magnolias as well as a skilled plantsman, propagator.He was in his early 90s but looked and acted about  30 years younger.

Along with his daughter Diana Steele, , they operated the garden centre at Bayport Plant Farm in Bayport Nova Scotia (near Lunenburg). To visit the garden centre and listen his enthuasm about plants and his yearly expeditions to Labrador and Northern Newfoundland  on plant hunting trips to was a real treat.

His door was always open to vistors (just call ahead) and would welcome you with a tour and a cup of tea                                                                                                             

                                                                                                    

He was a guest speaker to the Fundy Garden club in October 2007 and delighted the members with his plant knowledge,wit and charm. One member questioned  him on what to do with the deer. With a direct approach he told the member to shoot them.

Capt. Steele was a great man and he will be sorely missed

  

                                                                      Touring  the Kennedy-Steele Park in Rothesay  Oct. 2007

Jodi DeLong of Canning, Nova Scotia, Canada

writes in her blog about the Capt.

"The Plant Does all the Work!" Remembering my friend... "

Remember Jodi she spoke to the club on container

plants Spillers,Thrillers and Fllers for containers.