HortWest 2008-12

B. C. L A N D S C A P E & N U R S E R Y A S S O C I AT I O N P U B L I C AT I O N • D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 8 / J A N U A R Y 2 0 0 9

Stock’s Service Commended 19 Exceptional Landscapes Membership’s Bests of the Season Bulletins from the AGM HortWestDecJan08.indd 1

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Message from the President

Close of the Year No Less Active As you scour these pages, you will find the usual mindboggling record of industry activity since the last HortWest. We congratulate all the Landscape Awards of Excellence and Member Award winners (see page 5): their efforts are appreciated and lauded. Equally important, we honour the past by remembering Barry Peters, Past President of BCLNA (Hedy Dyck’s husband) and Margaret Hunter, founding member, who recently passed.

Their lives are celebrated on page 16.

By the time you are reading this, it is safe to assume that the usual winter malaise

has cast its spell on our members—even upon the retailers, now that their eagerly anticipated Christmas rush is nearly over.

It’s time to relax, take a deep breath and perhaps a trip to sunny locales for some well earned respite from the crush of the last few busiest years ever.

And it’s time to plan.

The recent overabundance of work (and few people to do it) may be changing.

However, while ongoing education is always vital, it is paramount in difficult times. Certification— CHT, CLP, CLD— and apprenticeship are invaluable tools to set your company apart, and CHTs now have the opportunity to easily become journied; details are on page 17.

The Red Seal program will now add

value to employees considering taking an apprenticeship. And there are many other BCLNA education programs of which to take advantage. Participate.

Earnest thanks to both our newly elected and returning board members and executive. Rest assured that your board of directors, with the exceptional assistance of Werner Knittel and our staff, is constantly and consistently working to forward your best interests.

And last, but not least, thank you for your vote of confidence in electing me president of your association. I will do my best.

Wishing you all the best opportunities.

Ruth Olde, President, B.C. Landscape & Nursery Association

HortWest DECEMBER 2008/JANUARY 2009 MANAGING EDITOR Renata Triveri ADVERTISING Barb Nelson

Phone: (604) 574-7772 Fax: (604) 574-7773 HortWest is the Newsletter of the B.C. Landscape & Nursery Association for the horticultural trade in Western Canada.

For further information, contact us at: Suite 102, 5783 – 176A Street Surrey, B.C., Canada V3S 6S6 Telephone (604) 574-7772 Fax (604) 574-7773

18598 Advent Road Pitt Meadows, BC Canada, V3Y 2G8 Toll Free 1-800-471-4448 Phone: 604-465-7122 Fax: 604-465-8100 inquiry@specimentrees.com

HortWest is owned by the B.C. Landscape & Nursery Association, and is published 10 times a year. Views expressed inside do not necessarily reflect the attitudes of the Association but are those of the writer concerned.

Material may not be reprinted from this magazine without the consent of the publisher.

All advertising and editorial material is to be received one month in advance of mail out date.

HortWest is mailed under Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement N. 0288608 This magazine is printed in Canada by Globe Printers.

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BCLNA AGM Highlights

November 14, 2008 Four Seasons Resort Whistler CanWest, given workload associated with its purchase, will not be combined with the AGM in 2009; the committee will discuss this option for coming years.

The next show will be September 23-24; the theme is “Gold, Silver, Bronze”.

Island Chapter looks to increase its presence at the Victoria Home & Garden Show by 20% next year. Turnout at chapter meetings has grown significantly, attributable to more informative sessions, and efforts to raise BCLNA’s profi le among non-members.

CNLA is working on a carbon

Insurance claims for long-term disability rose considerably in 2008 due to the aging demographic, leading to increased premiums. All other benefits renewed at increases less than market trends.

Growers’ Commodity continues to work on a number of issues including SAWP, nursery certification, harmonization of US and Canadian host plant lists for P. ramorum, Environmental Farm Plans, and government talks.

offsets program, small engine emissions reduction, and other environment projects. The national association is also taking a stand on HRDC’s official opinion that “the Landscape/Nursery industry is to be avoided as it is not a good choice for future employees.”

College will need to be reallocated due to the closure of its horticulture program. The annual golf tournament will return to Redwoods Golf Course on June 25, 2009.

Membership chair, Michael Kato, struck a committee to address questions surrounding member classifications, and recruitment/retention.

Certification / Education BCLNA delivered 15 workshops plus the CanWest educational lineup. Red Seal for landscape was approved. There are currently 57 Retail CHTs, 337 Landscape CHTs, 14 CLPs, and 5 CLDs in British Columbia.

Special Events The annual fundraising auction raised more than $35,000 for scholarships and other projects; funds previously donated to Capilano

Safety If approved, ornamental nurseries will enjoy a 7.6% reduction in 2009 premiums.

Environmental Farm Planning • Protect the Environment - Protect your Business • Workshops tailored to specialty horticulture • Access funding for P. ramorum initiatives Contact the BCLNA office for workshop details Phone: 604-574-7772 Fax: 604-574-7773 E-mail: info@bclna.com

For program information go to http://www.bcac.bc.ca/efp_programs.htm

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BCLNA Member Awards

2008 Winners’ Achievements Celebrated Outstanding Service Award: Jane Stock Sponsor: Pacific Coast Nurseryman Article: Kathleen Pyle When Jane Stock Jane Stock began work as the executive director of the BCLNA and its three overworked staff, she brought with her skills of perseverance, self-reliance, and a knack for getting the job done—skills she acquired growing up in the rural town of Cecil Lake. She also brought an uncanny ability to mentor and empower her team.

Annika Ingram of the BCLNA remembers, “Jane would give me a new project and tell me all the things that I would learn, and I would walk away feeling good about it. In the back of my mind I would be thinking, ‘There is no way I can do this,’ so I would talk to her about it and she had this magical way of putting things in perspective, and helping me break them down into small pieces. As she would always say, ‘How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.’”

In her job, Jane has met—and managed— many presidents. Past president Peter Levelton says, “Working with her was a joy. We got along very well. And most of the time we agreed. However, when she started her responses with ‘Well, Peter, you know that such and such will not be a comfortable fit’ or ‘I’m not sure that we really want to go in the that direction,’ I knew that she disagreed with me and the wearing down process was about to begin. The great thing was that she was always right and it was something that our industry needed.

Very carefully and quietly, she showed

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me how and what a wonderful asset she has been and still is.”

Friend and former Minister of Agriculture (now Solicitor General), John von Dongen, remarks, “I always found her to be exceedingly outstanding to work with, undoubtedly way ahead of virtually anyone else who I worked with representing the agricultural industry on many different issues.

“A notable example that I cite to people when I’m explaining how to lobby government happened when I was Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. The issue was Sudden Oak Death. The meeting was scheduled for one hour. Due to her high level of organization, her leadership and ability to work collaboratively with my Ministry staff, the meeting was over in 35 minutes.

So here we had a very serious, complex issue, 25 people in a meeting scheduled for one hour, and we were done and gone in 35 minutes. It was breathtaking because it was so efficient—now that’s performance! I believe 90 percent of the credit goes to her. That’s one of the reasons why I’m such an unabashed fan and admirer of Jane. She is in a class by herself. I could count on one hand the number of meetings I have had in seven years as a Minister that went under time at all, never mind 40 percent under time.”

John Humes, former editor of Pacifi c Coast Nurseryman Magazine, is certain that Jane Stock knows how to play hockey.

“She has quiet talents far beyond what most other executives possess. She took an organization with a good heart and strong volunteers and turned it into an extremely professional association that takes a back seat to none. She defi nitely knows how to put a team together. She might not often take the opportunity to get out on the ice, but she knows people, she hires strong players and knows how to put them ‘in play’ flashing to the net and scoring. She has an ability to get governmental grants to finance opportunities for BCLNA that other associations

only dream of. She knows how to bring a variety of green industry groups and educational institutions together to work on common causes. She knows how to tame the chaos of a trade show into a smooth operation that is the envy of others across Canada.”

BCLNA President Ruth Olde concurs.

“She had a dizzying vision of so many areas that would advance our association, kept them remarkably straight in her mind, and put all the pieces of the puzzle together. In order! She took the association to a higher level, always with the members’ needs in mind. Talking to her, one would never have known that she was usually in the eye of a tornado.”

A little less than a year ago, Jane was faced with a new tornado, one that forced her into early retirement. She’s determined to recover from non-Hodgkins lymphoma and she knows how to do it: How do you eat an elephant? One small bite at a time.

The PCN Outstanding Service Award has seldom been given to association directors.

Says Humes, “Many have come and gone over the years. In more than 30 years the award has been given to an executive only once in each of three states. That’s three out of some 120-plus times.”

Jane is a truly worthy winner. She sets the standard for service to the industry.

Member of the Year: Cable Baker, RCB Garden Service Sponsor: Northwest Landscape Supply Ltd. A Niagara Parks graduate, Cable Baker began his career out west working for Allgreen Landscaping Ltd. under the guidance of Frank Schortinghuis’, before starting RCB Garden Service in

Baker (right) with wife Tanya.

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BCLNA Member Awards

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2001. Schortinghuis’ encouragement to continually self-educate, and his mentorship—along with that of colleagues and friends along the way—propelled Baker toward both success in business and dedicated service at the BCLNA .

Baker’s efforts as BCLNA’s Certification chair, his role as vice-chair of the national Certification committee, chairing of the Landscape Awards of Excellence committee, and directorship on the board of HortEducationBC keep his association schedule packed. Seasonally, Baker has worked in coordinating BCLNA’s presence at the BC Home & Garden Show and volunteering his time and his staff’s at the CanWest Hort Show.

BC’s ornamental nursery industry in the process.

Loewen’s work extends to top-level meetings at the provincial and federal level, and has come with tomes of background reading in order to grasp their scientific and bureaucratic scopes.

He has handled the challenge with calm, informed ease.

The efforts, says Tim, are not without rewards; “The association gives members a strong voice within the community as well as politically. Together we have achieved things that otherwise would not happen. It’s good to be part of that.”

Of being mentored and mentoring others in the association, Cable emphasizes that it’s a win-win. “Surround yourself with successful people. Listen. Ask questions, and don’t be afraid to say ‘I don’t know— but I will find out’. The horticulture industry is ever changing so don’t be afraid to always reinvent what you do.”

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The BCLNA growers’ portfolio is far from a simple one. Growers’ issues are diverse and complex, surrounding regulatory controls for the likes of P. ramorum and Tim Loewen labour. They include government negotiations and partnerships to deal with nursery certification, Environmental Farm Planning and more.

Yet Tim Loewen of Pine Meadows Tree Farms has steered the commodity group through two consecutive terms of these challenges, attending countless meetings and conference calls on behalf of

Andy Mitchell (left) and Craig Stewart of Brandt Tractor.

Supplier of the Year: Brandt Tractor Sponsor: Inline Nurseries Inc. BCLNA’s suppliers to the horticulture industry are extremely appreciated for their ardent support and sponsorship.

This year, Brandt Tractor has ramped up participation in BCLNA events, donating funds to the Annual General Meeting and convention, the annual golf tournament, the fundraising auction in benefit of BCLNA scholarships, a growers’ commodity meeting and landscape commodity business building seminar, and through advertising consistently in HortWest. The

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company has also hosted monthly “Highway 7 Landscaper & Contractor Networking Breakfasts” and invited BCLNA to talk to their non-member clients about benefits of membership.

The combined efforts to support the association in providing member services, and assisting with membership recruitment have made Brandt Tractor this year’s top supplier.

with horticultural research summaries.

Says Woodske, “Well-run industry associations, like the BCLNA , play an invaluable leadership role in bringing industry members together to identify and implement solutions to the issues that challenge the industry.”

Steve Jones David Woodske accepts his award from Michelle Pain of Terralink.

Educator of the Year: David Woodske, BCMAL Sponsor: Terralink Horticulture Inc. During the past decade, BCLNA members have come to rely on the road map David Woodske provides for accessing the resources of the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands. Acting Manager for the Horticulture Unit and Industry Specialist for Ornamentals, his insights both into the BCMAL’s workings, and the science of horticulture have assisted growers considerably through the years.

Woodske organizes numerous opportunities for the education of growers: his annual nursery growers’ short course, ornamental/greenhouse session at the Pacific Agriculture Show, and his presentations at industry events, are trusted sources of information. Woodske also volunteers countless hours to various committees and regulatory reviews, edits the Nursery & Landscape Pest Management and Production Guide, and provides HortWest

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Communicator of the Year: Steve Jones, urban-escapes Sponsor: Clearview Horticultural Products With remarkable energy, goodwill, and keen skill, Steve Jones of urban-escapes has sought out modern and innovative ways to share his passion for the industry with both peers and the general public.

The owner of a Vancouver-based landscape installation company, Jones developed a Certified Landscape Professional (CLP) mentoring and study group to help colleagues and competitors study difficult material and overcome apprehensions about the exam. The group included an online forum and weekly conference calls, giving fellow professionals incentive and motivation to pass the new qualification.

This past year has seen Jones working with a local TV production company to develop a show that will bring viewers into the real-life world of landscaping, focusing not just on the plants but also on the challenges of quirky clients and

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BCLNA Member Awards do-it-yourself disasters, along with the pitfalls of owning and operating a high-end landscaping business. While the show has not yet been contracted to air, Jones has been chosen as one of the top 20 fi nalists in the W Network’s Expert Search.

These dedicated efforts, along with his willingness to volunteer and publicly promote the industry at every turn, give action to Jones’ belief that there is power in numbers, and people helping people. He believes associations like the BCLNA benefit not just the members, but also protect and educate the public.

Marketing Innovation of the Year: Cannor Nursery Sponsor: Myers Norris Penny Initiated in 2000 to send out quarterly newsletters, the Cannor Garden Club was

Corinne Smith, Vice President of Production at Canada Wide Media Limited (left) with Janet and Sandy Mathies of Cannor Nursery.

designed to educate the customer base to encourage multiple visits to the store throughout the year. The club began with 2,400 existing database members, who paid a $10 membership fee each year.

Within five years, it had blossomed to more than 6,000 members. With a critical mass achieved, Canada Wide Media came on board to elevate the quality of the articles

and create more value in the newsletter.

Janet Mathies, co-owner of Cannor Nursery, works with Canada Wide to ensure that the content provides a great mix for readers with varied gardening interests.

Members also receive a free subscription to GardenWise magazine, 10% off Cannor’s offerings, and free delivery. The program has been a great success, now attracting 8,000 members, at an annual fee of $25.

Escape to the Tropics

❅

BCLNA Fundraising Auction

February 10 at UFG 4085 Marine Way, Burnaby Previews 2:00 p.m. | Auction 3:00 p.m.

Come dressed for the occasion! Swimsuits, shovels, starfish and sand welcome. Bring your friends!

To donate contact Heidi: hhenderson@bclna.com

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Th e Holiday ❄ jSeason ❄ is k

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upon us and we find ourselves reflecting on the past year and on those who have helped to shape the BCLNA in a most significant way.We value the support of our members, volunteers, sponsors, and industry allies, and look forward to working with you in the year to come.

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Your BCLNA board and staff, wish you a joyous holiday season and a new year filled with peace and prosperity.

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BCLNA News Bulletins

CanWest A+ for Networking BCLNA’s purchase of the CanWest Horticulture Show nearing completion, the association held a meeting at last month’s convention to obtain feedback from members on the show’s direction and potential.

Admittedly, the show is regional in scope, attracting more than 90% of its visitors and exhibitors from within B.C. The show’s strengths are predictably its networking opportunities, collegial atmosphere, and convenience of location. Its downfall is that expansion options are restricted in reach, and show organizers will be forced to look for growth opportunities both close to home and within complementary industries.

This certainly was an aim of the show in partnering with United Flower Growers early on; however, market differences have, in recent years, caused limited additional success in the nursery-floriculture pairing. Meeting attendees echoed this sentiment and proposed that efforts be made to strengthen the show’s appeal to landscaper, turf maintenance, landscape architect, and related segments more directly associated with the show’s primary exhibitors.

BCLNA will reconvene the CanWest committee in the coming months to analyze these and other results of the meeting to hone the show’s appeal.

Three New Directors Elected

The BCLNA Board of Directors includes, left to right, Fred Giesbrecht (Past President), Stephan Cranz (Island Chapter Chair), Sandy Mathies (1st Vice President), Ruth Olde (President), Mike Byland, Laurie Anderson (Landscape Commodity Chair), Blair Veitch, Michael Kato, Tim Loewen (2nd Vice President), Michelle Pain, Cable Baker, Bill Hardy (Treasurer).

Board of Directors 2009 Season Executive Officers President Ruth Olde, Blasig Landscape Design & Construction 1 st Vice President Sandy Mathies, Cannor Nursery 2nd Vice President Tim Loewen, Pine Meadows Tree Farms Ltd. Treasurer Bill Hardy, Northwest Landscape Supply Ltd. Past President Fred Giesbrecht, Loon Lake Contract Service

Directors at Large Growers’ Chair Andrew Flokstra, Inline Nurseries Inc. Landscape Chair Laurie Anderson, Anderson Garden Services Inc. USA, and Ontario sales for Bylands Nurseries Ltd. Veitch’s role with the Urban Forest Council is hoped to strengthen arborists’ representation on the board; meanwhile, Byland will provide a much-needed voice for B.C.’s Interior and Okanagan professionals.

Returning to the board after a few years’ hiatus is Jeff Hicks (Pickett’s Nursery Ltd.). Hicks has a long history as Growers’ chair on both the BCLNA and CNLA boards, currently sits on the Western Agriculture Labour Initiative steering committee, and is involved with the North American Plant Protection Organization.

BCLNA is pleased to welcome three new

directors to the board, as of the November 14th Annual General Meeting.

Joining the board for the first time are Blair Veitch, District Manager of Davey Tree Expert Company (Vancouver) and Mike Byland, who handles corporate,

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With much appreciation for their service, we bid farewell to retiring Landscape Chair Barbra Fairclough (FarmHouse Gardens), Director at Large Richard Desmarteau (Liard Horticultural Enterprises Inc.), and Past President Peter Levelton (East

Retail Chair Mary Ann Van Den Berge, Trice Farms Pond & Garden Centre Island Rep Stephan Cranz, Landscape Solutions Blair Veitch, Davey Tree Expert Co. Cable Baker, RCB Garden Services Mike Bylands, Bylands Nurseries Ltd. Michael Kato, Kato’s Nursery Ltd. Michelle Pain, TerraLink Horticulture Products Ltd. Jeff Hicks, Pickett’s Nursery Ltd. Gurjit Sidhu, Sidhu & Sons Nursery Ltd. Ian Van Zanten, Pan American Nursery Products Inc.

Richmond Nurseries Inc.) who leaves the BCLNA after a decade on its board. We also extend sincere thanks to Fred Giesbrecht, whose term as president concludes this year, and congratulate Ruth Olde who is BCLNA’s fi rst female president in its 55-year history.

Membership Committee Struck BCLNA Membership Director Michael Kato struck a committee to focus on services to existing members, and membership retention. Kato also requested a review of current BCLNA bylaws to clarify both chapter and classification structures to ensure all segments of the membership are adequately defined.

The Island Chapter’s activities are

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accelerating, and this new committee will determine how to better support and communicate through both chapters. In addition, recent applications by golf courses and other institutions to join BCLNA have caused some discussion in to which membership classification (active, associate, individual) such organizations would fall. With a growing number of arborist members, the committee will also have to address the threshold for establishing future commodity groups, taking into account their potential contribution to programs such as PlantHealthBC and municipal landscaping issues.

The new membership committee will be comprised of each commodity chair plus one commodity representative, and it has been given a four-month timeline to accomplish these major tasks with support from BCLNA’s staff.

Taxonomic Shift Tabled A title change, proposed to better reflect the operating structure of the BCLNA , came to a membership vote at the general meeting. The change would have seen the current title of president changed to “Chair of the Board,” while the executive director would have assumed the title of “President”. In generally agreed-upon corporate lingo, the chair is senior to the president and is responsible for leading the board in determining an association’s strategic direction; however, the president (or president/CEO) is responsible for day-to-day operations.

While members agreed that the board is indeed a strategic one, some commented that such a change should be put to the CNLA and provincial associations, so that the network might maintain parallel structure. The motion was tabled, however a BCLNA governance committee will further review the bylaws and proposed shift.

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BCLNA Awards

Landscape Awards of Excellence This season’s Landscape Awards of Excellence projects showcase the remarkable breadth and diversity of BCLNA’s landscape professionals, whose winning entries range from the storybook to the sublime. Each project is has a unique appeal; yet all share a skillful union between the site’s existing building style and the fi nished landscape, and nearly all demonstrate broad consciousness of environmental concerns.

The Honeybee Express, for instance, was created by Anne Talbot-Kelly Garden Design with Fireworks Marketing Group to work toward Hasting’s Park’s mission to return substantial green space to the property. The design combines a variety of native plants

SoundGarden Landscape & Design Ltd. Installation: Residential

and trees in a child’s enchanted tour through a canyon, marsh and meadow.

The same designer, this time with Ray Lachance Handcrafted Pond & Garden, gilded the renovation of a 1920s-era home with a complete landscape installation that recycled the home’s brick chimney, windows and concrete foundation. The repurposed elements connect the heritage home to its garden, while new touches—a rainwater collection system, drainage field, and green roof inspired by the works of

eco-visionary architect, Glenn Murcutt— bring it into the modern age.

Two winning entries by Heike Stippler, a designer who has perfected the art of recreating alpine environments for her Whistler clientele, show a preference for native plantings that thrive in the mountain climate, and offer a seamless transition from landscaped yard to natural forest. Paying special attention to water conservation, Heike’s projects utilize strategic planting and placement

Pacifica Landscape Works Installation: Residential

Blasig Landscape Design & Construction Installation: Residential

Anne TalbotKelly Garden Design with Ray Lachance Handcrafted Pond & Garden Unique or Special Feature

Para Space Landscaping Inc. Maintenance: Multi-Unit Residential

Westbank Nursery Ltd. dba Dogwood Landscaping Installation: Commercial

Pure Landscapes Ltd. Installation: Residential

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Blasig Landscape Design & Construction Maintenance: Residential

Heike Designs Unique or Special Feature

Heike Designs Installation: Residential

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Hunter Landscape Design Installation: Residential

Pure Landscapes Ltd. Installation: Residential

of water features to take advantage of naturally wet or arid areas.

In a massive, from-scratch installation, SoundGarden Landscape and Design Ltd. reclaimed a yard that had been awkwardly left by a home constructed on more than eight feet of steep pre-load.

In order to soften the grade and create accessible space, the company dug a pond and used the excavation’s soil to contour a gentle slope. Sculpted in a floodplain, the pond served a second purpose: to provide catchment of naturally occurring water while creating a marsh habitat for wildlife.

There are countless additional examples of keen design ability and eco-sensitivity among the 19 Landscape Awards of Excellence winners, certainly raising the bar for next year’s slate of entries.

Watch for more photos from these winning projects on future covers of HortWest, and read about each project and how to prepare your award entry online at www.bclna.com (click on “Awards”).

Special thanks to this year’s sponsors and to our judges, Dominique Massot, Barry Auger, Pawel Gradowski, Catherine Kennedy, Susan Minton-Green, Jason Stower, and Audrey VanderWerf.

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Bronze Sponsors: Abbotsford Concrete Products, Cedar Rim Nursery Ltd., Denbow, East Fraser Richmond Soil & Fibre, Echo Power Equipment (Canada), GardenWise Magazine, Quality Seeds West, Richmond Nurseries Inc., Selections Nursery Supply, Waterscene, TerraLink Horticulture Inc.

Para Space Landscaping Inc. Maintenance: Multi-Unit Residential

Blasig Landscape Design & Construction Ltd. Installation: Residential

Hunter Landscape Design Installation: Residential

Allgreen Landscaping Installation: Residential

HortWestDecJan08.indd 13

Anne Talbot-Kelly Garden Design with Fireworks Marketing Group Installation: Commercial

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BCMAL Report

Research Snippets Consumer Preferences for Price, Color Harmony, and Care Information of Container Gardens (HortScience 43(2):380-384) – Data from 985 web-based surveys were analyzed. The respondents averaged 50 years of age, and 82% were female, 94% resided in a single-family home, and their median household income was >$75,000. Some findings were: 37-42% would replace a container garden if it got overgrown or died during the season; >70% would be likely to purchase new plants to refresh overgrown or dead plants in their container gardens; 72-83% preferred to make their own container gardens; ~85% would visit a website for plant care information; price was the most highly rated factor in choosing a container garden (70.7%), followed by the amount of care information provided (22.9%) and the color harmony of plants (6.4%). The authors concluded that providing plant care information would increase the value of container gardens, and there is opportunity for retailers to improve customer satisfaction by offering replacement plants.

Nitrogen Availability in Fresh and Aged Douglas Fir Bark (HortTechnology 18(4):619-623) – The study evaluated plant growth and rates of nitrogen immobilization and carbon loss (= bark decomposition) in fresh and aged (7-month-old) Douglas fir bark substrate.

Aged bark had a lower pH and a higher nitrate level relative to fresh bark. The ammonium level was higher in aged bark by 10 weeks after planting. Plants grown in fresh bark had less growth and lower levels of foliar nitrogen relative to aged bark. The data suggest the difference in growth was not due to greater nitrogen immobilization in fresh bark. A large fraction of available nitrogen was immobilized by both aged and fresh bark, and the rates of immobilization and decomposition did not differ significantly between them. The authors suggested that differences

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in the water holding capacity between the two substrates may have been responsible for the differences in plant growth. The water-holding capacity of aged and fresh bark was 40% and 32%, respectively. The higher water

holding capacity of aged bark may have resulted in more water and nitrogen available for geranium growth. The data suggests the rate of preplant incorporated nitrogen should be similar for both bark types.

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12/8/08 11:02:52 AM

In Memoriam THE FAMILY OF MARGARET HUNTER SADLY ANNOUNCED her passing on November 15. David Hunter’s beloved wife of 65 years, mother of Ron (Deni) and Gail (Jim Fenyedi) and cherished grandmother of five, Margaret co-owned David Hunter Garden Centers, and was a founding member of what was to become the BCLNA. In that day, a small group of dedicated nurserymen gathered for the inaugural meeting of an unnamed industry association, of which Margaret Hunter H.M. Eddie was president. The group became “The Lower Mainland Division of Canadian 1921 - 2008 Association of Nurserymen,” and Margaret volunteered to assist with secretarial and bookkeeping duties. She spent many hours contacting agents and nurserymen; she typed and distributed minutes, and was responsible for most of the Executive’s correspondence. In 1955, Margaret was instrumental in the organization of the first AGM and tradeshow.

IT IS WITH MUCH SADNESS THAT THE FAMILY OF Barry Barker Peters announced his passing on October 26, 2008 in Langley. Barry, formerly of North Vancouver, is survived by his wife Hedy Dyck; his children, Scott, Lisa, Julia, Sarah and April; grandchildren Holly and Sam; daughterin-law Mary; and son-in-law Joachim. He also leaves his former wife, Berna, and many dear friends.

Barry was born on April 3, 1928 in Vancouver and worked and lived in Greater Vancouver his Barry Peters 1928-2008 entire life. He served in the Seaforth Cadets in his youth and the Training Corps in University and always had a love of military paraphernalia—collecting toy soldiers, model planes and history books.

Barry kept active through cycling, fencing, archery and later, long walks. His heritage inspired a keen interest in Scotland and he took up the bagpipes at age 68 and wore his MacGregor kilt proudly. His travels later in life with his wife to England, Scotland and Turkey were a source of endless stories.

Horticulture was his career and his passion. Barry served on the BCLNA board, was president in 1963, received the Outstand-

Her talents and commitment were recognized and, then and there, she was elected Secretary-Treasurer.

Margaret spent countless hours organizing lobbies for government support, working toward the amalgamation of Lower Mainland and Island nursery associations, and working with Washington and Oregon State parallel organizations—all in between a day’s work at the family garden centre and landscape company. It wasn’t long before the Hunters’ garden shop also became home to the association’s first head office.

Margaret had a love of the nursery trade and was an ardent volunteer. She supported not only the budding association, but also served on the board of its ladies’ auxiliary. She was active with the Girl Guides of Canada for most of her life, and later served with a hospital auxiliary thrift store on the Sunshine Coast.

In 2006, Margaret received BCLNA’s Outstanding Service Award and honourary membership, which she shared with husband David, who was presented the award in 1982.

Margaret’s family and friends will miss her joy and warmth always.

ing Member Award in 2003, and was granted an honourary membership in the association. He served the industry admirably in many ways, from touring with UBC Ag Students on the provincial study tour, serving on the Ethics Committee of the BC Agrologists Association, to serving as a Councilor of the Agricultural Institute of Canada. Barry went to UBC and wanted to be a landscape architect, but they didn’t have a program at the time, so they cobbled together courses so he could qualify. While he went to school, he worked for John Murray selling plants door to door, which was common at the time. He was also a partier, so at times he would jump over the back fence at Murray Nurseries just in time for work. He was in the landscaping business for several years and worked with Mr. Bouchard, who was the pre-eminent Landscape Architect at the time.

After 32 years working as Manager of Sales & Marketing for Green Valley Fertilizer, he spent his last years advising gardeners about plants and landscaping at a local nursery and writing gardening columns. He spent countless hours outdoors on his farm, growing everything from holly trees to his favourite: rhododendrons. Barry is now strolling in the eternal garden, scotch and cigar in hand, with his canine buddy Digby.

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HortEducationBC

One Step to Journied Status The HortEducationBC board recently approved a transition period of one year (to expire on October 31, 2009) to allow professionals already operating within the horticulture industry to receive their Certificate of Qualification (Journeyperson equivalency) if they meet two specific criteria.

During this transition period, individuals wishing to obtain a Certificate of Qualification as a Landscape Horticulturist may apply to the Industry Training Authority, and in lieu of writing the challenge exam can provide proof of the following qualifications: 9720 hours in Landscape Horticulture or Production Horticulture, and hold a valid CHT designation, OR a diploma or degree (transcript required) in either horticulture, agriculture or plant science.

The challenge application form currently posted on www.itabc.ca can be used for these applications. Upon receipt, HortEducationBC will assess all packages to validate work hours and credentials.

HortEducationBC believes that this transition period will encourage more industry professionals to seek their Certificate of Qualification. It is hoped

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BCLNA Members

that this will inspire these same individuals to mentor new apprentices in the future.

Red Seal Approved The application for the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program for the landscape sector was approved this fall.

Some variation of the proposed name, “Landscape Horticulturist,” is expected to become the national title.

Once an occupational analysis is developed and validated, Ontario will act as host province via the Ministry of Colleges, Training and Universities for Red Seal exam development. The exam development process will include industry members, educators and apprenticeship specialists from each province.

Red Seal status will help industry with labour mobility, public image and youth recruitment right across Canada, all of which may, in time, help to alleviate the current labour shortages.

Final Approval The BCLNA welcomes the following new members as of November 13, 2008: Atlas Pots, Tarie & Maninder Tennessey, North Vancouver, Active Retailer B&C Lawns & Gardens Ltd., Edward Cooper, Vancouver, Active Landscaper Eaglecrest Golf Club, Paul Kim & Suhb Kim, Qualicum Beach, Active Landscaper GroundWorks Construction Ltd., David Kiraly, Vancouver, Active Landscaper Lionheart Horticulture Ltd., Dave Clement & Billy Bouden, Surrey, Active Landscaper Neufeld Bros. Nurseries, Dave & Doug Neufeld, Agassiz, Active Grower Smith Plywoods Ltd., William Deeley & Eric Huberts, Surrey, Associate

Tentative Approval The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association thanks HRSDC, CAHRC, and the NOA development volunteers for their efforts making Red Seal status a reality.

Corporate and Environmental Stewardship Awards

The following companies will become BCLNA members at the next board meeting unless a member provides a valid reason for not accepting the application: Cedar Ridge Tree Care, Jason Timmis, Richmond, Active Landscaper Rob Reny, City of Surrey, Individual

Quails’ Gate Shows Corporate Flair

Kemper’s Landscape, Keath Kemper, Kelowna, Active Landscaper

When reprising the BCLNA Corporate Award, committee members noted that a deserving candidate should show efforts to go the extra mile in enhancing their landscapes and public-access environments. Such a company would place a high value on green spaces, and be both neighbourly and community-minded in their installations. The work should produce a quality landscape that comple-

Seymour Greenery, Clinton Scarth, North Vancouver, Active Landscaper

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Tom Baumann, University of the Fraser Valley, Chilliwack, Individual West Coast Harvesting Ltd., Yaddy Kallu, Richmond, Active Grower Stephanie Holmes, Victoria, Student

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Corporate and Environmental Stewardship Awards ments the business—whether professionally installed or created by staff—and showcase how plants, hardscapes and good design come together to form useable, beautiful, environmentally-sound outdoor spaces.

Quails’ Gate Estate Winery achieved all of this and used the result to emphasize the quality of its product, the sophistication and warmth of the company, and its internationally acclaimed agri-tourism destination. The property welcomes visitors to stop for a sip of wine, a meal in its world-class restaurant, or simply a rest from travel. Meandering paths lead one through a landscape that takes advantage of spectacular natural views of Lake Okanagan and the company’s vineyards, framing them in bowers of blooms.

Maintenance is completed with care. This landscape truly complements an already inviting business.

BCLNA is pleased to award Quails’ Gate Estate Winery the 2008 Corporate Award. The honour has been matched by a 2008 Landscape Award of Excellence for Westbank Nursery (dba Dogwood Landscaping), and the “Most Beautiful Frontage” designation from the national Communities in Bloom competition.

Richmond Gardens Habitat for Wildlife

Environmental Stewardship Award Sponsors: Peel’s Nurseries Ltd. & Linnaea Nurseries Ltd.

In awarding the Environmental Stewardship award, the BCLNA and its sponsors seek to recognize outstanding achievements in maintaining and promoting a sustainable, healthy environment. Consideration is given to any project that represents a significant horticultural undertaking, such as the use of native plants, IPM rehabilitation of riparian areas and wetlands, or special

events in support of environmental stewardship.

Since the 1970s, Richmond Nature Park Society has been developing its lands into a place where visitors can explore nature. In 2004, the society received funding to add a wildlife garden. Part was used to develop a design, and at the end of the 2008 nesting season, the project was put into gear. So successful was it, that the wildlife garden now includes a shade garden, activity space for children, group and secluded seating areas, and a bird feeding station. A vernal pond, constructed in a depression where drainage had been a concern, promptly became home to ducks, frogs and dragonflies. As a result, the area has seen increased wildlife and bird species, and welcomed more nature watchers.

The garden has also inspired people to learn about wildlife gardening and conservation, and how they can make their home gardens friendlier for wildlife.

Project organizers say that gardens are one answer to our footprints on the environment; “environmentally sound gardening practices can create habitat as well as beautiful gardens.”

Sumas Gro–Media Ltd.

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