CNLA Newsbrief - October/November 2007 by Canadian Nursery Landscape Association

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CNLA News brief

CNLA Newsbrief

October - November 2007

sponsored by:

October - November 2007

Growing Associations, Working For You!

Vol. 17 Issue 7

South Africa Shares the Ultimate in Garden Centres

Executive Board: Michael Murray - NL Christene LeVatte, CLP - NS Paul Olsen - ON Bill Stensson - ON Cary van Zanten - BC

by Brian Minter, Chairman of the 2008 IGCA Congress in Vancouver

The 50th IGCA Congress in Vancouver is off to a great start, having received many registrations in South Africa. This was due, in part, to a trip for two from Vancouver –Toronto by rail, courtesy of Via Rail, which was used as incentive to register (a big thanks to Karl and Val Stensson of Sheridan Nurseries for securing this trip) and the energetic contingent of Canadian ambassadors who helped to sell the event. Nevertheless, the South African Congress will be a hard one to match. Over the five-days event we were treated to some amazing retail concepts. It was a real treat to see such diverse, innovative and visionary garden stores. The South Africans brilliantly blended their history, culture and music, adding incredible value and, throwing down the gauntlet for future garden centre congresses. It’s our turn next September 8th to 12th in Vancouver, and we look forward to showcasing our part of Canada and seeing you all there!

Directors:

Harold Deenen, CLP - ON Jim Wotherspoon - AB Bill Hardy, CLP - BC Bruce Hunter, CHT, CLD, CLP - BC Vic Krahn, CHT - SK Gerald Boot, CLP - ON Doug Conrad, CHT, CLP - NS Dominic Angers - QC Bruce McTavish - BC Anthony O’Neill - NL Philip Ronald, Ph. D - MB Rene Thiebaud, CLP - ON Peter Levelton - BC Darrell Nameth, CLP - NB Phil Paxton, CHT, CLP - AB

Staff: Victor Santacruz, CAE

Rita Weerdenburg

victor@canadanursery.com

rita@canadanursery.com

Executive Director

Growers Manager

Joseph Salemi

Lydia Couture-Comtois

joseph@canadanursery.com

lydia@canadanursery.com

Joel Beatson, CLP

Julia Ricottone

Member Services Manager

Professional & Business Development Manager joel@canadanursery.com

Peter Isaacson, B.Sc., M.P.M.

Minor Use/IPM Co-ordinator peter@canadanursery.com

Executive Assistant

Certification Services

julia@canadanursery.com

Rebecca Wetselaar

Atlantic Region Co-ordinator rebecca@canadanursery.com

Agnes Zawartka

Member Services Co-ordinator agnes@canadanursery.com

Landscape Manitoba Presents: The Manitoba Green Show Landscape Manitoba Presents: The Manitoba Green Show Manitoba’s leading horticulture trade show and conference on February 19-20, 2008 Victoria Inn, Winnipeg, MB. Registation: please contact Rebecca Wetselaar at 1-866-383-4711 or rebecca@canadanursery.com before January 31st, 2008.

Look Inside: • • •

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CIOPORA launches anti-infringement initiative It’s time to Renew Your Certification New CHT Retail Study now Available

• • •

Certification champion looks to better industry Another successful Garden & Florist Expo Upcoming Certification Test Dates Representing Members Internationally

Canadian Nursery Landscape Association

• • • •

News from the International Garden Centre Association Congress Plans Coming Together New Garden Centre Chair - Anthony O’Neill That Time of Year

7856 Fifth Line South Milton, ON L9T 2X8 P h : 9 0 5 - 8 7 5 - 13 9 9 T o l l F r e e : 1 - 8 8 8 - 4 4 6 - 3 4 9 9 F a x : 9 0 5 - 8 7 5 - 18 4 0 T o l l F r e e : 1 - 8 6 6 - 8 3 3 - 8 6 0 3 E m a i l : c n l a @ c a n a d a n u r s e r y. c o m

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CNLA News brief sponsored by: Another successful Garden & Florist Expo!

October - November 2007

MILTON, October 19, 2007: Garden & Florist Expo 2007 was a great success with bustling crowds, over 175 new products on display, a highly popular New Product Showcase, and record attendance for the Grower and Garden Centre Awards of Excellence programs. “Buyers from all sectors appreciate three shows under one roof; Garden Expo, Florist Expo and The National Hardware show,” said Paul Day, CDE, show manager. “We deliver one-stop shopping for the coming season, and also provide the most current product and trend news to help industry professionals prepare for the spring season.” CNLA Newsbrief

One of the show highlights this year was the unveiling of the first ever New Product Showcase. It was an instant success, and displayed over 100 products that will soon be on retail shelves. “The success of the New Product Showcase signaled us that we must increase its prominence even more in years to come,” said Paul Day. Attendance at the 2007 Garden & Florist Expo trade show (Toronto Congress Centre) was 4,791 visitors. Education scored high and drew attendees from all across Canada with the new Interiorscape Conference and the always-popular Garden Centre Symposium. Registrants also visited the show floor before the show officially opened for a sneak preview that facilitated buying once the show opened.

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CNLA News brief

sponsored by:

Representing Members Internationally

By: Vic Krahn, CHT (Government Liaison / COHA Chair / SNLA Rep, CNLA Board)

The 59th International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) Congress was held in Brighton, England from September 2-4, 2007. Vic Krahn, CHT (CNLA Board Member and member of the Saskatchewan Nursery Landscape Association) represented the Canadian green industry as he sits on the AIPH Executive Committee. The AIPH is a co-ordinating body representing horticultural producers’ organizations all over the world. It was set up in Switzerland in 1948 to stimulate international marketing of flowers, plants and landscaping services. An increasing number of grower organizations have joined AIPH with 25 countries represented in 2000. The United Farmers Union hosted the 59th AIPH Congress in Brighton, England. As a result of the Board meetings in Brighton was the single biggest advancement for the AIPH in its history is the ability to charge a gate levy on World Floral Exhibitions of 1%. This was accepted by the membership and will come into affect in 2009 at the Taipei Exhibition. This levy will generate approximately $500,000 and $750,000 Euro in revenue per year to the AIPH. Funding has always been an issue preventing AIPH from growing to its full potential. This levy will alleviate their funding woes and will allow them to have physical office space with a full-time Secretary General, fully fund their committee secretaries and chairpersons’ expenses as well as the regional representatives expenses, expand their standing committee structure which will allow AIPH to be proactive in dealing with the ongoing issues of commercial ornamental horticulture worldwide, and will be able to fund projects that further the mandate of the AIPH. We are at the beginning of a very exciting time. AIPH will continue to set its course and build an infrastructure that will be relevant for its time. During the General Counsel Meetings we take the time to hear about the horticultural statistics of our host country. This is of great interest because it gives us an ability to grade ourselves and compare our industries. There was some very interesting information that was presented. For instance, of the total

value of agriculture in Great Britain, 40% is horticulture. Their value of field crops has risen 20% in the last twelve years while the value of protected crops has risen 40%. What is interesting is that in the last three years traditional garden centre sales have dropped and so has DIY stores (Do it yourself stores). AIPH has hired Mr Sjaak Langelag to work as their Secretary General on a parttime basis with the intention of bringing him on full-time. Sjaak brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience. He works as a consultant for the Dutch Bulb Association (Director of Agiraad). He is the Past President of the Dutch Association for Growers of Young Plants, Past President for the Dutch Association for breeding, tissue culture, trade seeds and young plants and is and has been involved in a number of boards involving horticulture in the Netherlands. I have known Sjaak for four years and I cannot imagine getting a better person for this position. The general counsel agreed to set up a meeting in Essen, Germany, this November for all the organization worldwide that promote and are promoting horticulture to the masses. Organizations like Communities in Bloom, Project EverGreen, Plants for People, the Green City, Etante Floral and any others that arise. The effort is to get these great organizations in one room and to share platforms, to feed off each other and work together.

October - November 2007 The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association in partnership with Landscape New Brunswick Horticultural Trades Association will be hosting this gala night with continued support from John Deere Ltd and Caterpillar Canada. As an added bonus, CNLA has also partnered with Communities in Bloom Winter Lights Festival and will be having many joint events bringing together CNLA members and Communities in Bloom delegates. Twenty five entries have been submitted and are presently being judged. CNLA wishes the best of luck to the following members that have been entered in the National Awards of Landscape Excellence: Dusty Miller Landscaping Cavan’s Landscape Design/Build Salivan Landscape Ltd. Kent Ford Design Group Inc. Oriole Landscaping Ltd. Stonetech Corporation Earth-Craft Landscape Ltd. Coastal Grounds Maintenance Ltd. Down To Earth Landscapes North By Northwest Ventures Inc. Para Space Landscaping Inc. Scholten Landscape Ltd. Watermark Gardens Countryside Garden Centre & Landscaping JVR Landscape (2006) Inc. Art et Jardins Les Innovations Paysagees Ladouceur Price Landscape Services Corn Hill Nursery Ltd. Swiss Alpine Landscaping Ltd. For more information on the National Awards of Landscape Excellence, please contact Joseph Salemi, Member Services Manager, CNLA, joseph@canadanursery. com.

National Awards of Landscape Excellence The fifth annual National Awards of Landscape Excellence will be held Friday February 8, 2008 at the Hilton Saint John in Saint John, NB.

Canadian Nursery Landscape Association

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CNLA News brief

sponsored by:

October - November 2007

Certification Corner Congratulations to the following people who have successfully completed a certification program recently.

First Name

Last Name

Province

Corinne Diana Michelle Veronica Amy

Matheson, CLD Snow, CLP Cocks, CHT Baas, CHT Doan, CHT

BC ON ON ON ON

It’s Time to Renew Your Certification By: Julia Ricottone, Regional Certification Co-ordinator, CNLA

All CNLA certifications (CHT, CLD, and CLP) are required to be renewed annually. The deadline for next year’s renewals is January 1, 2008. Check the back pages of your passport to see if you are due to renew for the upcoming 2008 year. What is involved in the renewal process? In order to renew your certificate, you must earn continuing education or industry service credits throughout the year. Many activities qualify for renewal credits, including but not limited to, attending seminars, judging at certification tests, or volunteering for industry events. 2 renewal credits are required for CHT; 3 credits for CLD; 4 credits for CLP. Please keep in mind that if you have multiple designations, you only need one set of credits. What if I don’t have enough credits? It’s not too late to obtain your renewal credits before the end of the year. This is your chance to take advantage of the winter workshops and other events offered by your regional office. Now is the time to get involved! What happens after I renew? Once your renewal has been processed, you will receive confirmation and a 2008 sticker to place in your passport. You will be put on the mailing list to continue to receive the CNLA Newsbrief, and will continue to be able to market yourself as a certified member of our industry. Marketing materials are available to all renewed individuals. Why is renewal required? Certification sets an individual apart from others in the industry. It demonstrates a high standard of

education and skill sets. The renewal process sustains the value of certification by requiring all certified individuals to continue to improve their skills and increase their success. Requiring renewals each year maintains high industry standards, allowing all certified individuals to benefit from their certified status that they worked so hard to achieve. If you have any questions about your renewal status, or the renewal process, please contact Julia Ricottone at the CNLA office. Downloadable renewal forms are available at www.canadanursery.com. Be sure to fill out all contact information, credits earned, and include your renewal fee, paid by cheque or credit card only.

New Retail Garden Centre Training Manual now Available The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) and its provincial partners are proud to announce the release of a new training manual for the Certified Horticultural Technician (CHT) Retail Garden Centre evaluation. This new manual has been improved both contextually and visually to better reflect the occupation and prepare candidates get CHT Retail Garden Centre evaluations across the country.

Plant Hardiness, Basic Plant Morphology, Basic Plant Needs, Soil & Soil Nutrients, Planting & Design Principles, Pruning Methods & Techniques, Lawn Installation & Maintenance, Pests & Diseases, The Garden Centre Environment, Customer Service & Etiquette, and Making the Sale. A glossary of terms, suggested resources, and regional plant lists are also included, making it a valuable resource. The CHT Retail Garden Centre evaluation is one of four industry sectors that CHT candidates can specialize in. It has been designed to focus on tasks that are specific to garden centre employees. It consists of a series of written and practical tests that measure overall comprehension of the trade, and examine an individual’s competence through a series of timed, hands on evaluations. The new training manual is available to all CNLA members at a cost of $80 through their local association. Although connected closely to the CHT program, this is an excellent resource for all employees in the Retail Garden Centre sector. Visit www.cht.canadanursery.com for more information on the CHT program.

The development of this manual involved re-working old material and adding new information to make a more comprehensive study tool for all garden centre employees. Chapters include: Plant Nomenclature, Canadian Nursery Landscape Association

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CNLA News brief sponsored by: Certification champion looks to better industry Few people have devoted more time and energy to PLANET’s certification program than John van Roessel, CLP, CHT. President of JVR Landscape, Inc., in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Van Roessel was a member of the original steering committee charged with bringing the certification program to the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association’s (CNLA’s) Prairie Region 12 years ago. He has since been involved at the local, national, and international level to help develop and fine tune certification. During that time, the Alberta native has served as chair for the Prairie Region and chair of the International Landscape Technician Council (ILTC). Van Roessel is currently Test Revision chair for the International Certification Council (ICC) and represents the Landscape Alberta Nursery Trades Association (LANTA) on the CNLA Certification Council. Considering the fact that this certification champion has been in business 25 years, he has spent nearly half his career working on behalf of certification. “I have a deep-rooted belief that the industry needs a certification program to boost professionalism and the quality of knowledge of people in the industry,” says van Roessel.

got him involved with the production of the new training manuals being developed in Colorado, first as the metric consultant, and later with the technical editing and illustrations. “I am comfortable working with numbers and facts, a skill set that came in handy when I was redoing the drawings, and something that is useful, today, as we revise all the tests on an ongoing basis.”

First test The test was held at Olds College in a new indoor pavilion, a site that continues to host CHT testing and functions as a training facility for the college’s landscape programs. The first metric CHT test was offered at Olds College in spring 2001 and soon was made available to other Canadian provinces. Van Roessel’s expert hand at converting the drawings did not go unnoticed that fall at the Green Industry Conference (GIC) in Tampa, Florida. He was recruited to be a member of ILTC, and, the following year, he updated all of the imperial drawings for the Certified Landscape Technician-Exterior (CLT-E) exam, as well. His work on the metric conversion

That time of year!

12 years later How much has the CLT-E exam changed over the years? “There have been numerous and continuous small changes, but nothing dramatic,” says van Roessel. “The biggest change has been with the governing body. If there are to be dramatic changes, they will occur within the next several months as the ICC works to ensure the exams correspond to the OA and that the content is appropriately weighted. “After working with certification for 12 years, I now have a better understanding of its full potential, but, as I mentioned earlier, it takes a huge amount of volunteer effort to deliver a practical test. The important point is to have a program that is best for the industry.” Originally published in “Inside Certification” by PLANET

By: Joel Beatson, CLP

That time of year can mean so many things, Thanksgiving turkey, trick-or-treaters at your door, the first snowfall, Christmas, or the New Year. It is all of those things; it is also for our industry the time for training. Whether you spend the winter in shutdown or clearing snow and ice this is the best time of the year to expand your knowledge and skills and that of your employees or peers. Skill upgrading is essential to running a more productive and profitable business. By investing in your employees you can raise the skill and knowledge quotient of your entire

Canadian Nursery Landscape Association

October - November 2007 company. I know you might be saying, but what if I train them and they leave? I always quote back the response Hank Gelderman of Burlington, ON uses “But you could not train them, and they could stay!” Profound words. As I sit here in Louisville at the Green Industry & Equipment Expo, which is packed with great professional development opportunities it makes me think of another industry members philosophy on human resources. Brent Ayles of Riverside NB has an idiom that goes “If you have work for ten, hire five, and pay them like eight.” The way this works is by hiring the very best five individuals you get those that are both skilled and motivated. By paying them like eight you can provide some motivation and you can also effect their skill level by having a strong company policy on professional development. Your local association can be a key part to your company’s professional development plan. Whether it be CLP seminar series being offered by Landscape Ontario along with all of their Winter Workshops, or the ACES conference through Landscape New Brunswick, and the great seminars that are held as part of the winter trade shows including the Green Industry Show & Conference in Edmonton or the Manitoba Green Show in Winnipeg there are ample opportunities to get out and get educated. Let’s not forget that many colleges and universities offer great continuing education programs in horticulture and business as well as suppliers customer-training offerings. If staying in by the fire is more your style, CNLA and its partners offer a wide variety of printed study materials including the CLP series for owner/managers, the CHT series for technicians including the newly printed Retail employee manual. Also on the way in the next month is the new Landscape OnSites training system that focuses on twentyminutes back of the truck training sessions to be delivered company wide. As the first frosts begin to set in, please take the time in your company to plan for professional development training. The success your company will reap from investing in people this winter will be an excellent return on investment and time.

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CNLA News brief sponsored by: Your company featured CNLA Member Honored in the 2008 Membership by Margot Bridgen, IPPS Eastern Region Directory...update your Tom Intven was recently presented with the prestigious Award of Merit information from the Eastern Region of the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association is putting together the 2008 Membership Directory. The 2008 CNLA Membership Directory is a complete membership guide including a comprehensive membership listing indexed by provincial association and membership type. Each listing includes the various services/products offered by each of our 3,400+ member companies across the country in the landscape, nursery, and garden centre sectors.

International Plant Propagators’ Society. The Award of Merit is the highest recognition the Eastern Region bestows upon its membership. A single Eastern Region member is selected each year for significant contributions to the field of plant propagation. Tom has been a member of the society since 1978. In his nearly three decades of membership, he has served on at least nine different committees, including the local site committee for two annual conferences. Tom has been a Director and Officer on the Board of Directors, serving as President of the IPPS Eastern Region in 2005.

The 2008 CNLA Membership Directory will be mailed out to the decision maker of every member company across the country in 2008, just in time for the big buying season. Contact your provincial green industry association to update your membership information so we can provide an up to date Directory or visit www.canadanursery.com/contact us and update your company information.

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October - November 2007

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Tom Intven is the President and Manager of Canadale Nurseries, Ltd. In St. Thomas, Ontario. Canadale grows a wide selection of plants for their own garden centre and for the wholesale trade to other nurseries and garden centers across Ontario, Quebec and the United States. On 110 acres, they specialize in the production of Japanese Maples (30 varieties), top-grafted ornamentals (such as globe Catalpa, Rose Tree of China, Purple Sand Cherry, Fragrant Viburnum, Weeping Mulberry, Weeping Caragana, Weeping Pussywillow ), Upright Japanese Yew and many unique plants. Tom is highly involved in the green industry. He has twice served as the president of the London Chapter of Landscape Ontario (LO) and is currently 2nd Vice President of the Provincial Board of LO. Tom is the recipient of LO Past President’s Award for outstanding contribution to the industry. Tom also serves as a Board member of the Canadian Ornamental Plant Foundation and has been a radio garden talk show host for CJBK and CFPL in London in recent years. The International Plant Propagators’ Society is a non-profit organization of nearly 2500 members organized into eight separate regions around the world. The membership is made up of those with a professional interest in plant propagation and production from businesses, colleges and universities, botanic gardens and arboreta. The motto of this non-commercial organization is “To Seek and To Share” knowledge and experience in plant propagation and production.

Canadian Nursery Landscape Association

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CNLA News brief CIOPORA launches antiinfringement initiative CIOPORA is an international nongovernmental organization, representing the interests of breeders of asexually reproduced ornamental and fruit varieties worldwide. It is a high priority of this organization to monitor and improve plant breeders’ rights laws around the world, to ensure these laws are properly interpreted and enforced as necessary. Recently, CIOPORA has initiated an world-wide campaign to educate growers on the importance of breeders’ rights and how infringement of these rights can have a very real impact on all sectors of the horticultural industry. Briefly stated, all consumers are looking for new and improved varieties of plants. Whether it is resistance to pests, improved tolerance of climatic conditions or enhanced aesthetics, including shape, colour, fragrance or shelf/vase life, new varieties can return improved returns to growers, retailers and landscapers. Without a return on their own investments, however, breeders will not be encouraged to bring these new products to the marketplace.

sponsored by:

October - November 2007

Move rocks with a company that moves mountains.

For more information on CIOPORA please contact info@ciopora.org.

Work continues on production insurance project By: Rita Weerdenburg, CNLA

Whether you’re moving flagstone or trees, you can do it all with the experience of Caterpillar. With Multi Terrain Loaders featuring the lightest footprints in the industry and a full line of work tools, Cat compact equipment handles all the specific needs of landscapers. Be part of the legacy. See your Cat Dealer or visit cat. com/legacy to learn more.

By now, most nursery and floriculture greenhouse growers across Canada have been made aware of the production insurance initiative that has been undertaken by the CNLA and Flowers Canada Growers on behalf of the ©2005 Caterpillar All rights reserved. ornamental production sector. Through mailings, e-mail campaigns, magazine Following up on a series of cross-country and on-line newsletter articles, websites, focus group meetings held in the fall of 13278 ROCKS Sngl.indd 1 meetings, focus groups and management this year CNLA and FCG have delivered seminars, every effort has been made to a series of Business Management Seminars deliver the production insurance message to across Canada, in BC, Alberta and the industry across Canada. Ontario. Speakers included a variety of risk management topics, including a preview look Fully funded by Agriculture and Agriat the new suite of risk management programs Food Canada, through their Private Sector currently being developed by AAFC such Risk Management Partnership (PSRMP) as AgriStability and AgriInvest, two new initiative, this project addresses the programs that will soon replace the current industry’s need to have in place a product CAIS program. The main focus of these that will help them to mitigate losses when meetings, however, was to collect statistical faced by perils at any stage of the production data from the industry critical to the cycle.

Canadian Nursery Landscape Association

development of models on which insurance programs can be based. 6/30/05 11:59:53 AM All producers will have an opportunity to participate in this very important survey. Hard copies can be completed and forwarded to the consulting team at Oliver Wyman by mail or fax. An on-line survey will also be made available for anyone preferring that format. As it is vitally important that sufficient information is made available to the consulting firm in order to develop relevant statistical models, all producers are encouraged to participate in this survey.

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CNLA News brief Garden Centre Congress Plans Coming Together By: Renata Triveri, IGCC Coord. for Canada

With only a year to spare until BCLNA and CNLA co-host the International Garden Centre Association Congress, plans are beginning to fall into place. In anticipation of welcoming up to 300 international garden centre owners, the Congress committee has been working hard to create a program that is both educational and enjoyable. Participants in the IGCA Congress are leading garden centre owners from all over the globe, who actively seek new products and ideas for their respective markets. “These folks tour garden centres all over the world to see how their peers make themselves stand out amid growing competition and the battle to gain consumers’ interest and attention. ” Local garden centres will showcase some of their marketing successes, such as Fraser Valley retailers’ participation in Circle Farm Tours, a Tourism initiative that highlights cottage industries and agri-tourism. The committee also plans to bring the “green” theme to Congress, and will encourage delegates to share their ecologically-friendly practices with one another. Congress 2008 promises to facilitate an exchange of ideas between all delegates to generate a greater benefit for everyone involved. Jane Stock, Executive Director of the BCLNA, indicated: “We don’t profess to have all the answers for making garden centres as environmentally-conscious as possible, but we are certain that those participating in the IGCA can each offer a tip or two. In this way, every garden centre owner can take away a menu of possibilities for creating cleaner, greener businesses. That’s something that we in the green industry need to strive for and promote.” To get involved in IGCA Congress 2008, contact Renata Triveri at rtriveri@telus.net. For more information on the International Garden Centre Association, go to www. IntGardenCentre.org and for the Congress 2008 go to www. igcaCongress.com.

sponsored by:

October - November 2007

News from the International Garden Centre Association By Lydia Couture-Comtois, CNLA

While in South Africa, the International Garden Centre Association (IGCA) held its board meeting and its Annual General Meeting. Erwin Meier Honegger of Switzerland did a brief review of his two years as president; his accomplishments included moving the IGCA office to Canada, lowering the membership fee for each country, securing board succession and ensuring continuity of the annual congress. Erwin will remain involved on the board as past president. The board is now composed of the following directors: Tom Courtright, United States – President Erwin Meier Honegger, Switzerland– Past President Sue Allen, United Kingdom – Vice President Nick Stodel, South Africa – Second Vice President Rachel Doyle, Ireland - Director Christian Dinger, Germany - Director John Zaplatynsky, Canada – Director Victor Santacruz, Canada - Administrator The IGCA has many projects lined up for the next year: the website will be revived and will be kept up-to-date with the association activities, a publication of trends and innovation in the garden centre industry will be put together and distributed to each member country and, of course, the 2008 Congress in Vancouver, Canada and the 2009 Congress in Manchester, United Kingdom! We hope to see you there in 2008 for another great International Garden Centre Congress.

Canadian Nursery Landscape Association

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CNLA News brief sponsored Les Jardineries de l’Afrique du Sud

by:

October - November 2007

By Lydia Couture-Comtois, CNLA

Le 49e congrès de l’association internationale des jardineries (AIJ) fut en grand succès et plus de 180 représentants se sont réunis en Afrique du Sud pour participer aux différentes visites. Le congrès donna la chance aux représentants de visiter la ville de Le Cap et celle de Johannesburg. L’industrie sudafricaine doit faire face à des problèmes que vit aussi l’industrie canadienne. L’un de ses problèmes est causé par les plantes exotiques envahissantes et les membres de l’industrie font beaucoup d’efforts afin que les clients soient tenus au courant des avantages que procurent les plantes indigènes et des problèmes que causent les espèces exotiques. Un autre point commun est le manque d’intérêt que le jardinage suscite chez la nouvelle génération. Qui plus est, ceux qui sont intéressés ne veulent pas fournir trop d’efforts, ils veulent le beau jardin, mais ne sont pas prêts à y mettre le temps et l’énergie. C’est pour cette raison que les paniers suspendus ne sont pas très populaires en Afrique du Sud, vu le climat sec, ces plantes demandent trop d’attention et de soin - Qui peut prendre le temps d’arroser ses plants tous les jours?!

certaines ont même un grand restaurant. Comme si ce n’était pas suffisant, la plupart des jardineries visitées possédaient aussi un coin pour les enfants. Les jardineries sud-africaines portent aussi une attention particulière à la présentation dans leurs magasins. Ainsi, les plantes sont organisées selon leur couleur, la hauteur de leurs fleurs et leurs parfums afin que les sens du client soient en éveil dès son entrée dans le magasin; les pots sont aussi placés à des endroits stratégiques un peu partout dans le magasin afin de compléter le décor et de donner des idées aux clients; les fontaines sont distribuées à travers le magasin et le son de l’eau qui coule apaise les clients pendant qu’ils choisissent leurs achats. Les vendeurs

font aussi usage d’écriteaux afin d’indiquer les propriétés de certaines plantes telles que: excellentes pour repousser les insectes ou demandant peu de soins. Il ne fait aucun doute que le congrès sudafricain fut un grand succès et tout le monde est repartie chez soi le sourire aux lèvres et des idées plein la tête. Une expérience à répété en 2008 alors que le congrès aura lieu à Vancouver, Canada!

Nos deux industries comportent aussi de nombreuses différences. Ainsi, la maind’œuvre est loin d’être un problème en Afrique du Sud et vous pouvez vous en rendre compte au moment où vous entrez dans une jardinerie. De la sélection des plantes qu’il vous faut jusqu’au moment où vous repartirez avec vos achats dans votre voiture, quelqu’un sera là pour vous assister. De plus, la plupart des jardineries sud-africaines possèdent aussi un centre animalier et/ou vendent des produits pour animaux domestiques. Beaucoup possèdent en plus un petit café, Canadian Nursery Landscape Association

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October - November 2007 CNLA News brief sponsored by: 2007 International Garden Center Congress Held at the Cradle of Mankind South Africa By: Anthony O’Neill, CNLA member/GCC Chair/LNL President By all accounts the 49th annual International Garden Centre Association’s (IGCA) Congress was a great success. In between centre visits we were treated with cultural events, wine tasting, a superb botanical garden and hospitality unique to the rainbow nation. South Africa was ready for our visit to say the least. With the South Africa Nursery Association celebrating their 60th anniversary and their Garden Centre Competition happening post IGCA Congress, garden centres around South Africa were looking spiffy. Water displays were everywhere proving that water gardening is expanding globally. Gardening and garden centres are well and alive in South Africa. This country has embraced the concept of the destination garden centre more than most. They have mastered a concept based around making the garden the focal point of a shopping experience. Entrepreneurial garden centre owners and developers have created operations which incorporate like minded businesses within their garden centres. The garden centres are actually the nucleus of a shopping center. Spaces are created and then leased in cases where the owners do not wish to run them on their own. Boutiques providing art, furniture, pets, pet supplies, candles, landscape design, gifts, BBQ supplies, coffee, fabrics, crafts, jewelry, health care products, and others showed up repeatedly as we toured. The petting farm and children’s play areas were standard throughout. Flora Farm in Johannesburg had a full fledged health spa/wellness centre that everyone agreed was spectacular. Michael Rahner has mastered the connectivity between the environment and health with the spa providing vistas of gardens and the garden centre from every room. Planted display gardens were not so prevalent which was a surprise considering the advantageous labor rates garden centres enjoy in South Africa. Displays within the garden centre retail areas using container material to give consumers design ideas for what

seemed to be small gardening spaces was the preferred marketing strategy. That being said, Garden Shop at Broadacres Shopping Mall in Johannesburg provided a unique experience with a large courtyard display garden complete with fish pond surrounded by two restaurants. Dining and providing customers with eating options were also standard fare

in all garden centres, from venues with up to 450 seating capacity and coffee bars. Lifestyle Home Garden also in Johannesburg has incorporated a national recognized

is the flag ship garden for the protection of indigenous plant material. This desire to protect has spilled over successfully to the public and garden centres have embraced their native biodiversity. Indigenous plant displays are present in all centres. A program of identifying and eradicating alien species is functioning strongly and completely supported by the garden centre industry. The global issue of water has not evaded South Africa. There is a marketed effort to educate the public on the use of water wise plant material. As well there was a noticeable lack of colorful hanging plant material which was indicated to us as a trend moving past its time. By contrast there is enormous attention given to large container planters. Getting a complete sense of a journey such as this is only possible by participating. The IGCA Congress web site www. igcacongress.com gives a sense of the value in such a trip. Canada will be hosting the 50th IGCA Congress in Vancouver during September 2008, where we hope to see many Canadian participants. Canada was well represented in South Africa with 22 delegates. Everyone was very enthusiastic about promoting the congress in Vancouver. Many thanks to Brian Minter for accepting the Congress Bell as well as Karl Stensson for securing a great Vancouver to Toronto train trip as a gift from Via rail which we presented to the lucky winner after accepting over 70 registrants for Vancouver.

horticultural college into their operation. The Cape area of South Africa, apparently untouched by the ice age, houses 8,700 plant species with 68% of those being endemic to the region. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens situated within the Cape Floristic region World Heritage Site sits on 528 hectares near Cape Town and

Check your calendars and see if from September 8th-12th 2008 you can participate in what will be a great 50th anniversary IGCA Congress. Happy Gardening! Anthony O’Neill

Canadian Nursery Landscape Association

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CNLA News brief New Garden Centre Chair - Anthony O’Neill

sponsored by:

By: Rebecca Wetselaar, CNLA Staff

Garden Centre members from across Canada will be hearing a lot more from Anthony O’Neill, current Landscape Newfoundland and Labrador President, as he has recently been appointed as the new Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) Garden Centres Canada (GCC) Chair. In this national position Anthony will be responsible for growing prosperity of garden centres across Canada including developing long term plans, policies and programs to address garden centre needs, creating programs to enhance consumer awareness of, and interest in gardening. “In the position of GCC Chair”, says Anthony, “I am looking forward to learning more about national activities and concerns and meeting with as many members as possible”. With the IGCA Congress coming to Vancouver in 2008 Anthony feels that there is a good wave of excitement to ride on. “I hope that garden centres will take advantage of this event to not only come together as a group but also to re-build membership and implement strategies that will benefit our garden centers in this rapidly changing environment”. To speak with Anthony regarding Garden Centres Canada please email him at aoneill@ nl.rogers.com.

Canadian Nursery Landscape Association

October - November 2007

Des nouvelles de l’association internationale des jardineries By Lydia Couture-Comtois, CNLA

Alors que les représentants se trouvaient en Afrique du Sud, l’Association internationale des jardineries a tenu une réunion de son conseil d’administration et son assemblée générale annuelle. Erwin Meier Honegger de la Suisse a fait un bref résumé de ses deux ans en tant que président de l’association. Parmi ses accomplissements, il y a eu le déplacement des bureaux de l’AIJ de la Suisse au Canada, la baisse des frais d’adhésion pour chaque pays membre, l’établissement d’une succession pour le conseil d’administration et il s’est aussi assuré que le congrès annuel continuerait pour encore plusieurs années. Erwin demeurera sur le conseil en tant que président sortant. Le conseil d’administration se compose maintenant des directeurs suivants: Tom Courtright, États-unis – Président Erwin Meier Honegger, Suisse– Président Sortant Sue Allen, Grande-Bretagne – Vice Présidente Nick Stodel, Afrique du Sud – Deuxième Vice Président Rachel Doyle, Irlande - Directrice Christian Dinger, Allemagne - Directeur John Zaplatynsky, Canada – Directeur Victor Santacruz, Canada - Administrateur L’AIJ a plusieurs projets en tête pour l’année à venir : le site Internet sera totalement refait et sera régulièrement mis à jour avec les activités de l’association, un rapport des innovations et tendances en jardinerie à travers le monde va être créé et sera distribué et, bien sur, le congrès de 2008 se tiendra à Vancouver au Canada et sera suivi par l’Angleterre en 2009 dans la ville de Manchester.

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CNLA News brief

sponsored by:

October - November 2007

Upcoming Certification Test Dates - Nov 2007 There are many test dates scheduled for the rest of the year. Visit www.canadanursery.com, or contact the CNLA office to find out test locations and more information. British Columbia CLD/CLP Cloverdale: January 16, 2008 Victoria: January 16, 2008 Alberta CLD/CLP Edmonton: November 15, 2007, February 5, 2008 Calgary: February 13, 2008 CHT Olds: March 25-26, 2008 Manitoba CLD/CLP Winnipeg: February 20, 2008 Ontario CLP December 3, 2007 Atlantic CLP Halifax: November 29, 2007 CHT Truro: April 19, 2008

Prairie Association Co-ordinator The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) is a national trade association that represents 3400 plus companies in the ornamental horticulture industry.

We are seeking a Prairie Association Coordinator who will be responsible for working with the Prairie Region associations (LANTA, SNLA, LMB) and assisting each with growth. The Prairies Association Coordinator will be accountable to the provincial representatives on the CNLA board of directors and the associated Executive Directors. To work on external and internal communications, marketing and membership recruitment campaigns. To assist with the tradeshows’ logistics, increase sponsorship and profitability for the associations. Forward your resume and cover letter to: hr@canadanursery.com

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Canadian Nursery Landscape Association