A Green Legacy: Steve Edwards and the Heart of Our Greenhouse

At The Fountains, our community is enriched not just by the programs we offer, but by the people who bring them to life. One such resident is Steve, who has lived here since October 12, 2015. In that time, Steve has become the driving force behind our greenhouse space that brings life, beauty, and serenity to our building. His dedication to horticulture has touched nearly every corner of our community.

Steve didn’t arrive here, planning to become our in-house plant expert. In fact, when he first moved into our Independent Living, he entered the greenhouse reluctantly. But soon after settling in, Steve found solace and purpose in the greenhouse. He was drawn to a variegated jade plant, and when the greenhouse’s caretaker, Florence, at the time gifted him a clipping, it sparked a passion that blossomed into something much bigger.

Though their first conversation was a bit rocky (Steve chuckled recalling their first “argument”), he and Florence grew close over a shared love of plants. Eventually, when Florence stepped down from managing the greenhouse Steve took over. Around 2019, he assumed full responsibility, bringing new life and innovation to the space.

One of his standout methods? Growing orchids in two-liter soda bottles. “The typical orchid pots are too small,” Steve explained. His homemade approach allowed the roots to grow long and strong, resulting in orchids that bloom twice a year, an impressive feat, considering orchids usually bloom just once annually.

Over the years, residents who passed away often donated plants to the greenhouse. Steve embraced the challenge of caring for these plants, learning about them, and finding ways to make them thrive. What began as curiosity has become a deep well of knowledge about everything from succulents and orchids to ZZ plants and ponytail palms. He’s revived plants others gave up on, sometimes going so far as to cut off all the leaves, repot them, and nurse them back to health.

Steve is humble about his expertise, chalking it up to trial, error, and a lifelong curiosity, rooted from his mother teaching him to care for African Violets. A former night-shift fire inspector and special education teacher, he brings both analytical thinking and a nurturing spirit to his work with plants. “It teaches us respect for life,” he said, “and shows us the wonders of God’s world.”

His plants now grace nearly every floor of the building. If you walk through our hallways, you’ll see “stations” of greenery that Steve has cultivated over the years. “Plants are like people,” Steve says, “you have to take the time to pay attention to what they need.” That thoughtful approach shows in every pot and planter, where nothing is neglected and everything has a place. From rare African Violets to towering rubber trees, his work has become part of the very fabric of our home.

Steve doesn’t host formal workshops, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t sharing his gifts. Residents often come to him with sick plants, and he helps them repot, diagnose, and rejuvenate their greenery. His knowledge is vast and practical. Need to get rid of fungus? Try watering with diluted hydrogen peroxide. Wondering how to keep a ZZ plant alive? “Don’t water it,” Steve says with a smile. “It stores water in its roots. It can go six months without a drop.

Steve’s dedication hasn’t just made our greenhouse flourish—it’s also helped build quiet connections. He’s found like-minded friends with people like Ed and Eric, who now help care for the greenhouse and the plant stations around the building. Together, they’ve made the greenhouse more than a hobby room. It’s a sanctuary.

For Steve, spending time among the plants feels like walking through the pine barrens of his youth. “It’s peaceful,” he said. “Like walking down a jungle path.” That peace is something many of us here can relate to—residents and staff alike. The greenhouse has become a source of calm, beauty, and inspiration, all thanks to one man’s quiet dedication and love for growing things.

So, the next time you visit The Fountains at Atco, take a stroll through the greenhouse. You’re not just seeing plants—you’re witnessing the living legacy of Steve.