12 years later: Evaluating Joe Brueckner’s hybrids in Nova Scotia

 At the turn of the 21st century, ARHS members John Weagle and Ken Shannik led an effort to propagate some  Joe Brueckner rhododendron hybrids with an eye to assessing their suitability in Atlantic Canada.  Kristina Woodward, Brueckner’s daughter, provided cuttings from the gardens in Mississauga, Ontario, to Dick Steele at Bayport Nursery. These were rooted and in 2002 were planted out at a number of garden locations in Nova Scotia. One collection of about 60 rhododendron hybrids was planted on Morris Island, in coastal Yarmouth county. John Brett will show photos of many of these plants taken in the Spring of 2014, 12 years after planting. He will also supply an update on the other Brueckner test collections, and a brief bio of this important but little known Canadian plant breeder with ties to Atlantic Canada.  A long-time Mississauga Ontario resident, Brueckner had lived previously in Fredericton.