Long Island has lost a wonderful plantsman 

Werner Brack

October 15, 1930-August 12, 2018

I am saddened to learn that we have lost a local and influential plantsman,

 Werner Brack.  I first learned about him while touring his home garden in Nissequogue, many years ago when I became a member of the local chapter of

the American Rhododedron Society.  Over the decades Werner with his wife Patricia have generously opened up their home garden to rhododendron and

garden enthusiast, to share in the pleasure and passion of growing and 

hybridizing rhododendron and gardening on Long Island.

Werner became interested in rhododendrons as a result of  walks he and his

 wife took at Planting Fields Arboretum.  When he bought his home in

 Nissequogue he began to develop his own garden, eventually hybridizing rhododendron of which he has 9 named plants.  Rhododendron: 'Janet's Flair', 'Gotham Rheingold', "Great Gatsby', 'Orange Leopard', 'Shoreham', 'Stonybrook', 'Voluptuous', and 'White Elegance'.

Werner joined the NY chapter of the American Rhododendron Society in 

1971 and soon served on the Board of Directors locally and then nationally. 

His never ending involvement earned medals of honor from both the local

chapter and on the national level, where he served as Director for two terms. Ultimately Werner became treasurer of the American Rhododendron

 Society's Research Foundation, responsible for funding those conducting research in the field.  As Bud Gehnrich another local hybridizer and close

 friend said: "Werner had amazing powers of observation and he noticed things about the plants and the way they grew that eluded many of us. He was most generous with his knowledge and in sharing his plants with all of those who expressed a keen interest."  We can all honor Werner by remaining 

dedicated to the plant world.  Continuing to learn, grow and share knowledge 

in the world of plants.