On January 18, 2014 we lost John, a NARGS member for 44 years and expert grower and propagator of rock garden plants. For the last 30 years, he specialized in Daphnes. He was a Charter Member of NARGS- LI Chapter and served as its Chairman for many years and was the founder and president of the Daphne Society—leading it to international recognition. He lectured extensively in the Northeast and taught at local Arboreta In 2007, he earned the NARGS Award of Merit.
In spite of many honors and recognition, John was known to all of us as the kind, friendly, always smiling, humble mentor---always with a word of encouragement and wonder. He was a expert carpenter, devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. On Thursday mornings, you would find him leading volunteers in the Daphne Garden at Planting Fields, advocating for its restoration, which was accomplished in 2006, and always supplying his crew with coffee and bagels or donuts. We miss him, dearly!!!
NARGS LI is accepting donations for a tree as a memorial for John to be planted at Planting Fields. Please send your donations to NARGS LI, Kathy Gaffney, Treas., 590 Concord Ave, Williston Park, NY 11596. Put John Bieber Memorial in the memo line on the bottom of the check.
Daphne Garden, Planting Fields Arboretum
[photo: Planting Fields Foundation]