Newsletter Spring 2012
Technical Landscaping Expertise... ...it’s in you to give
H
ey, guess what? We (or more accurately the Landscape Horticulture Training Institute) now has 3 blocks of apprenticeship training under our belt. It seems like just yesterday that Landscape Horticulture was designated as a Red Seal Trade. To quote Jack Frost; “We were so much older then, we’re younger than that now.” We now have upwards of 40 journeypersons in the NB, as well as 2 certified (similar status) individuals in PEI. If you can’t count yourself as one of these, then you should ask youself the question “Why?... or reverse the question and ask “why not?” or digitize it and ask “01101”? I know some of you who took the initiative early on and really bite into this tasty opportuninty. Ernies Landscaping in Saint John stepped up to the plate right away and Jeff and Rodney Lamrock became our first 2 journeymen. Next year, if all goes according to plan Ernie’s will have 3 apprentices indentured (this means they are Preferred Suppliers:
formally connected to a journeyman, and has no meaning related to teeth). Scholtens Landscaping is in a similar boat. They are also in Saint John. Maybe there is something in the water there! Well, that is for sure, but maybe it is something having a positive effect. I like to think they are issuing a challange to the rest of the province. An employer who takes advantage of the apprenticship opportunity, will receive the following rewards in return: • A serious employee on a career path. • An eager employee with a willingness to learn. • An employee that returns every year, with greater knowledge than when they left. • An employee who has a broader understanding and appreciation for workplace safety, as this is a significant component of the apprenticeship program. • You’ll be part of a more professional and respected industry. • You’ll be helping industry solve some of it’s own human resource issues. • You will receive tax credits for your efforts. • You will be taller than you once were, but not as tall as you someday will be. Silver Sponsors:
Bronze Sponsors:
www.nbhta.ca
1
Buxi-Cola - Not as Refreshing As You Might Think
Use it or lose it
Even though the article on the cover makes the apprenticeship program sound so very rosy, the fact of the matter is that is more dandelion like. In the sense that it continues to be difficult to get industry to embrace it. Our volunteers put a great deal of work into getting the trade designation, and if we don’t make use of it, by getting our journeypersons in place and apprrentices involved in training, then we will lose it. And then guess what? It will be very difficult job to get it back as a designated trade. Please, you owe it yourself to at least look into it. It’s your trade after all.
Cylindrocladium buxicola (C. buxicola) more commonly known as‘boxwood blight’, has been detected in several US states (CT, MA, RI, PA, MD, VA, NC, OR), British Columbia and Ontario. It is a devastating disease and once a plant is infected, it is very difficult to control and therefore plant mortality rates are high. Boxwood is an iconic plant in many countries, particularly in warmer climates. However, it is sold in New Brunswick and has shown to be quite hardy and quite deer resistant. Many new landscapes are incorporating this plant into design plans, so garden centres, designers and landscape contractors need to be aware of this disease.
In related news: It has been brought to the attention of the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association that some growers of boxwood are claiming to be “free” from C. buxicola or boxwood blight based on negative test results that have been supplied to growers by their CFIA inspectors. Growers that have been inspected by CFIA as part of their detection survey and have had all negative results are able to receive documentation to that effect from their CFIA inspector. However, it is important to note that THIS DOCUMENTATION FROM CFIA IS NOT VERIFICATION THAT THE GROWER IS “FREE FROM” BOXWOOD BLIGHT, but rather that the samples taken were negative. There is no program or process in place to guarantee 100% freedom from boxwood blight. The wording that is recommended by CNLA is “apparently free from boxwood blight.” While there is no 100% assurance test that determines whether a grower has the blight, chances are miniscule that your plants will contract the blight if you buy from reputable growers who have been tested and continue to test their crops for the disease. Boxwood is still an important plant in the landscape and by asking your suppliers for their written assurances, you should feel safe in knowing that the chance of boxwood blight showing up in your garden centre is slight..
Misquote: What Will Rogers really said was “I never met a man, that I didn’t like his horse.”
2
www.nbhta.ca
O
ur 9th Annual Awards of Landscape Excellence Gala took place at the Delta Brunswick in Saint John at the end of March. What a time we had! There was much dancing and singing. Ok, no dancing, but lots of singing, thanks to our hired gun Mike Biggar. Makes one wonder why we don’t socialize more often. Maybe it’s because we only have one set of clean clothes. It was quite special to have the MLA from Saint John-Fundy, Glen Savoie and his wife Mary with us for the evening. Here is a list of our winners along with a shot of Envirem’s Colin Murray presenting to Brent Ayles. Landscape New Brunswick presented 10 awards during the evening, along with The Honorary Lifetime Membership Award to Darrell Nameth. Congratulations to all of our winning member companies! • • • • • • • • • •
Best Commercial Lawn & Garden Maintenance - Ayles Natural Landscaping Ltd Specialty Award – Pavers - OakView Landscaping Best Residential Construction Project Over $25,000 - Price Landscaping Services Specialty Award Design - Price Landscaping Services Best Commercial Construction Project - Red Oak Landscaping Best Residential Construction Project Under $25,000 Signature Landscape Specialty Award Unique Landscape Feature - Signature Landscape Specialty Award - Water Feature - Urban Landscaping Best Residential Lawn & Garden Maintenance - Wanamaker’s Horticultural Services Specialty Award – Lighting - Wanamaker’s Horticultural Services
Winners of Landscape New Brunswick provincial awards will compete with entries from all over Canada, in the 2013 Canadian Nursery Landscape Associations (CNLA) National Awards of Landscape Excellence to be held in January 2013 in Niagara Falls.
Winning submission for Best Residential Lawn and Garden Maintenance Wanamakers Horticultural Services
P
lease plan now to enter for next year. It’s the 10th anniversary of the awards and we really want to create a wonderful showcase of the landscape industry. Never thought I’d live to see it. The Awards of Excellence program encourages landscape contractors, designers and maintenance companies to continue their efforts to raise the industry’s image by consistent use of quality materials and competent workmanship. Entries were voluntary and judging was anonymous and done by industry experts from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
Envirem’s Colin Murray presenting to Brent Ayles.
www.nbhta.ca
3
Upcoming expansion of regulated areas for North American Gypsy Moth visit: http://www.inspection. gc.calenglishlplaveg/protect/dir/d-9809e.shtml#9e http://www.inspection.gc.ca/vegetaux/ protection-des足 vegetaux/directives/forets/d-98-09/ fra/1323885774950/1323886065560
4
www.nbhta.ca
Upcoming expansion of regulated areas for North American Gypsy Moth ...cont...
HOSTS Oaks (Quercus sp.) are the preferred host of this pest but over 300 other tree species and shrubs are attacked among these are apple (Malus), alder (Alnus), aspen (Populus), basswood (Tilia), hawthorn (Crataegus), willow (Salix), beech (Fagus), birch (Betula), cherry (Prunus) and maple (Acer). DISTRIBUTION Africa: Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia Asia: Afghanistan, China, Cyprus, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Korea, Lebanon, Ryukyu, Syria, Taiwan, Tibet, Turkey, Russia Europe: Austria, Corsica, Czech Rep., Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sardinia, Sicily, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Yugoslavis. North America: Canada (ON, PQ, NB, NS, PE), USA (CT,DC, DE, IL, IN, ME, MD, MA, MI, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT, VA, WI, WV). BIOLOGY There are four stages in the life cycle of the gypsy moth: egg, larva ( the destructive stage), pupa and adult. The adult moths usually emerge from their pupa cases in July, but can vary depending on the climatic conditions in the region. The size of the adults can also vary depending on the size of the infestation and on the availability of host material. The male (a strong flyer) is brown, with a small body and well developed wings. The female is white with black markings on her wings, and is much larger. Despite her well-developed wings, she cannot fly and only moves a short distance from her pupal case - she relies on a sex pheromone to attract the male. After mating the female lays her eggs in masses covered by buff hairs from her abdomen. The egg masses resemble small pieces of chamois on tree trunks and the underside of branches, under loose bark and in tree cavities. They also cling to things under or near trees, such as outdoor furniture, boats, trailers vehicles, toys, camping equipment, piles of wood and lumber. The egg masses over winter and in the spring usually late April and May the larvae emerge. The newly hatched larvae stay on the egg mass for several days before they disperse in search of food. The young larvae display a phototropic response and migrate to the tops of the trees
or shrubs. Here they suspend themselves via silken threads to be carried away by the wind. The wind is the major means of natural dispersal for this pest. Young larvae are known to have been carried over 16 km from their point of origin. The larvae develop rapidly, feeding continually until they reacha length of 7.7 cm in the last instar. At this point they look for a sheltered place to pupate. The pupae are dark reddish brown usually with a few yellowish hairs. You can distinguish male from female pupae as the female ones are much larger. DETECTION & IDENTIFICATION SYMPTOMS: Damage from early instar larvae may resemble shotgun holes in the leaf. As the larvae grow the holes will become larger and feeding will occur along the leaf margin. In the final instar stage the larvae will consume the entire leaf. IDENTIFICATION: The adult female has a wingspan of up to 6 cm, the wings are white in colour with a few black wavy lines or flecks; the large body can exceed 3 cm in length (fig. 5.). Adult males are mottled brown with black wing markings and feathered antennae; unlike the female which do not fly, males are strong fliers. Male moths are usually 2.5 cm in length with slender bodies (fig. 6.). Egg masses contain 100 to 1000 eggs, are covered with buff coloured hairs, are typically convex, 3 to 6 cm long and 2 to 3 cm wide resembling pieces of chamois leather (fig. 1.), the buff colour fades to white with time, older egg masses will have pin-sized holes on the surface left by emerging larvae. The larvae undergo 6 instars before pupating. The first instar are about 3 mm long, black with long hairs; the second instar is about 5 mm long, brown with short hairs; the third instar (fig.2.) is about 7 mm long, black with long hairs; instars 4, 5 and 6 are similar to each other and may be light to dark grey in colour with flecks of yellow and long hairs that may be dark or golden in colour. These last instar stages all have the very recognizable double row of tubercles along the back, normally five pairs of blue followed by 6 pairs of red (fig.3.), but some variation are known including all eleven pairs of tubercles being blue. The pupa are dark red-brown in colour, with sparse tufts of buffcoloured hairs with no cocoon (fig. 4.), male pupae are normally 1.5 cm in length, female pupa are up to 3 cm in length, both are freely suspended or sparsely webbed in place with a few strands of silk.
www.nbhta.ca
5
LNB hosted the Landscape Management Network’s Budget Workshop for the second go round in January, and it was the session that created the most positive buzz since the last one we put on a few years ago. I really feel this is a workshop that every member should put themselves through. New companies, old established firms, struggling enterprises or succesful operations will benefit from this. I guarantee it. I also argue that it is virtually free. Sure you pay an registration fee of less than a couple of hundred bucks, but you get http://www.landscapemanagementnetwork.com/ fed for 2 days. Below are actual responses from actual participants who actually participated in this years workshop, who responded when I asked for their evaluation.
- Jim Landry
These guys know the landscape business. AtlanticCat was great to have there as well. Someone sat on my hat, and now it’s ruined
Thank you for a fabulous seminar! we both got a lot of useful information from it that I know we will use in our business plan right away. We were very impressed by Mark’s presentation
I was sitting with Vet’s of the Industry, including myself who realized ONLY NOW some of the things they are doing wrong and some of the things they could do better.
It was well done!
6
It will benefit my business going will hopefully plug forward. I also enjoyed the social a few holes in my aspect and chatting with my own systems that we peers and the opportunity to net- have figured out the work with others in the industry. hard expensive way. What a great fantastic workshop, I wish i had taken it 10 years ago....more than fantastic, incredible eyeopener. It was awesome! well put together, excellent location and great group that LMN.
www.nbhta.ca
So says Christene Lavette of Highland Landscapes for Lifestyles, upon receiving the prestigious national award, DynaSCAPE Award of Excellence for Landscape Design at the 9th Annual National Awards of Excellence for Landscaping Gala held in Halifax on February 8, 2012.
The Landscape Industry’s best friend, Garth NIckerson, Specialist Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries
“There is no question, winning a Landscape Awards of Excellence is very good for our business! It is the perfect testimonial but what we find more rewarding is that it is a shared recognition....our company, our staff, our client, our city and our industry. Anybody who has entered projects into the Awards, including Highland, can speak to the benefits of the Awards of Excellence entry process. The compiling of a project entry is a very good exercise for any company, small or large. It is an analysis, an introspective and an appreciation that we rarely get the chance to look at in any constructive detail because of the fast paced nature of our industry. It is also an excellent opportunity to include staff in the process; a winwin for the entire company. My best advice... do it to better your own professionalism. My best tip.... Most people are overwhelmed with the submission package. Read the Award Criteria now, then pick your project and category(s) for submission early in the season so you are prepared.“
Do you know of any candidates for membership?, or just individuals or companies that could benefit from being added to my contact list? please let me know. If any of the interimactive members listed below cause you joy or grief, now is the chance to say your piece. Turf Works Landscaping & Lawn Care of Fredericton Nabuurs Gardens of Montague PEI New Active Members: Oakview Landscaping of Hanwell Treecologic of Fredericton HighLand Vegetation of Rothesay
www.nbhta.ca
7
Are you
?
A New Season Start with the Landscape Industry Certified Exam
T
he Landscape Industry Certified exam marks the start of the spring season in Atlantic Canada. This year’s test took place on April 21st at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College. With 32 candidates, it was a great way to kick off the year. Judges and candidates came from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI to take part in the exam. Test days continue to grow in the region showing that certification is something that adds value to companies. The Atlantic Region Certification Com-
mittee would like to thank Shaw Brick for being our Silver Sponsor, and Atlantic Cat for sponsoring our lunch for the day. Also thanks to Highland Landscapes for Lifestyle, Earth-Craft Landscape Ltd., and McGinley’s Yard & Garden Equipment for sponsoring stations for the test. Materials and equipment were provided by Advance Motorsports, Echo, Stihl, Atlantic Cat, McGinley’s Yard & Garden Equipment,
CNLA Ramps Up Online Presence
8
Elmsdale Landscaping Ltd., and Shaw Brick. A big thanks to the NSAC for hosting our test and continuing to support the industry. If you are interested in learning more about the Landscape Industry Certified program, please contact Julia Ricottone at the CNLA office (1-888-4463499, ext. 8615, julia@canadanursery. com), and get yourself prepared to register for our next test in the fall.
In the same week, CNLA has launched its new website (www.cnla-acpp.ca) and online member directory (http://directory.cnlaacpp.ca) to significantly raise the online profile of the industry and the association. CNLA's website is repository of industry wide news, statistics, and information as well as a resource for learning about all of the benefits and services available to the membership across the country. Recently, CNLA has made the decision to move from a printed version of the Membership Directory to a completely online version. The project has been in the works for several weeks but is now ready to be launched. The online member directory allows users to search WANT YOUR for professional industry members across the country HARDSCAPE PROJECT narrowing their search by province, business type, FEATURED ON OUR business name, contact, and city. To prevent spammers WEBSITE OR IN OUR from misusing membership information we have opted to NEXT CATALOGUE? not include fax numbers and we have built a form that the user must use in order to email a company in the search Contact us at Shaw Brick for more details or email us at results. The CNLA website receives over 200,000 hits salesinfo@shawbrick.ca on average per year with traffic from all over the globe. Also be sure to check out CNLA on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn!
www.nbhta.ca
Automobile Risk Management
I can assist your company to put a program in place for your specific needs and provide you with great customer service and employee satisfaction.
Sara Munshaw, Group Benefits Specialist, The Investment Guild
Customizable programs and exclusive coverage: • Commercial and general liability, including snow removal operations • Automobile fleet coverage • Group of “ONE” flexibility • Employee Assistance Program • Group RRSP & Critical Illness • Group Life, Health & Disability Insurance programs brokered by:
The Investment Guild is a People Corporation company
1-800-459-8990 Group Life, Health and Disability Representative
Marsh Canada Limited 1-888-949-4360 Property & Casualty/ Business Representative
For All Your Insurance Needs
For more information on HortProtect, please visit: www.HortProtect.com Endorsed by:
Uniquely developed to protect the green industry
With more than 23,198,000 drivers on the road, it’s likely that many of us will experience or witness some kind of automobile accident this year. In order to help you do everything you can to protect your business from insurance claims, we have listed below a few points that may help you determine who you want driving your vehicles. Statistically, the use of driver controls has been shown to improve loss results for companies who are involved in hiring drivers to support their business functions. Reduced losses can help result in reduced insurance premiums, which in turn result in lower business expenses. It’s important that you implement driver controls to minimize the cost of insurance and to protect the reputation of your company from being damaged by bad publicity. Here are a few suggestions: 1. Motor Vehicle Records (MVRs) should be obtained on all new drivers and reviewed for license status, license class, and conviction history. 2. MVRs should be updated every three years for drivers with clean driving records, and every year for drivers who have conviction histories. 3. As a business owner, you must determine what is acceptable with respect to conviction history, what disciplinary action is to be taken, and apply that criteria consistently. Insurers generally recommend there are no more than three minor convictions (e.g. speeding under 50 km/hour (over the posted speed limit), not coming to a complete stop, improper turn, seatbelt infractions, etc.). Drivers who have any major convictions (e.g. drunk driving, speeding over 50 km/hour (over the posted speed limit), careless driving, etc.) should not be placed in driving positions. 4. Drivers should be assigned to a
vehicle in order to ensure that they are operating the correct vehicle for their class of license. For example, a driver who is only licensed to operate a private passenger or light commercial vehicle, should not be assigned/operating a heavy commercial vehicle for which a different class of licensing is required. 5. Employers must be familiar with licensing requirements and ensure that a driver is only assigned to a vehicle when the insured is certain that the driver is appropriately licensed for that type of vehicle. 6. A minimum age for drivers and a minimum number of years of driving experience should be determined. The minimum driving experience should be applied to the type of vehicle being operated. For example, a driver being hired to operate a dump truck must have the minimum driving experience of “x” years on that type of vehicle. The total years licensed is not the measure of experience for this type of unit. Listed below are some hiring standards that will help you manage your fleet of vehicles and in turn can help reduce your insurance costs: 1. The insured should have a job description for all positions. 3. The insured should use an application in order to collect all relevant information, including driver’s license numbers. 3. All applicants should be interviewed prior to hiring and asked to supply a copy of their MVR for review during the interview process. 4. Minimum age and driving experience criteria should be applied to applicants. No drivers under the age of 25 as they are considered higher risk drivers and you will be charged an additional premium for them. 5. References should be checked.
If you have any questions regarding your auto insurance, please contact Tyler MacLaren, Marsh Canada Limited at 1 902 490 2147.
www.nbhta.ca
9
Newest Member Benefits Programs!!!! With the new season upon us, the CNLA would like to share some information with you on some of the new and updated membership benefits programs that Active and Associate members have access to as LNS and CNLA members!
New Quick and Easy Equipment Leasing with RBC | Royal Bank Hassle free equipment leasing option now available to members through RBC | Royal Bank Program Background: Specialized equipment lease program created to support CNLA members in Canada for the acquisition of industry related equipment. Program Features
• Low fixed interest rate on lease payment at 6.99% under $10,000 and 5.99% over $10,000. • 100% financing can include training, fabrication and shipping • No maximum lease size. Minimum transaction size is $1,000 O.A.C. • Choice of 12 to 60 month terms, fully-amortizing in equal, monthly payments. • Full payment to authorized vendors upon confirmation of delivery.
Retail Council of Canada (education, information, Simply Accounting discount, Chase Paymentech Solutions payment processing)
Canadian Landscape and Nursery Association is now a proud member of Retail Council of Canada and CNLA members can now access select Retail Council of Canada (RCC) Group Discount Programs with a username and password. For your username and password or to learn more about the benefits available through CNLA’s RCC Membership, please contact the CNLA Membership Team today at 1-888-446-3499 or email info@ canadanursery.com. • Preferred Merchant Processing Rates with Chase Paymentech • Accounting Software with Sage • Traffic Counting Solutions with HeadCount • Professional Development and networking at RCC Events
Schooley Mitchell Telecom Consulation
Want to lower your telecom costs? Schooley Mitchell customers save an average of 30% yearly on their local services, cellular, long distance, internet and conferencing. Their savings concept is simple: • They start with a no cost, no obligation review of your current phone services • They do not represent any telecom supplier or accept commissions from them • You take NO RISK – they will either save you money or give you a no cost validation that you are receiving the best value for your existing services.If you approve their suggested changes, Schooley Mitchell will manage the implementation and resolve any phone company errors. They document and track your savings for three years, keeping you up-to-date on the best offers out there. You will share 50% of your savings with Schooley Mitchell for 24 months, after which you receive all savings. You have the choice to accept some, all or none of their recommendations. The goal of this program is to recover any unnecessary
10
www.nbhta.ca
telecom fees your company is spending. The process is very unobtrusive since you can either send your statements to your Schooley Mitchell consultant to be analyzed or they can come to you. Schooley Mitchell is the largest independent telecom consulting company in North America, with offices from coast to coast. They have experience dealing with both large and small companies and are committed to making recommendations that are tailored to each client’s needs.
Mark’s Work Warehouse
Members of Landscape Nova Scotia will continue to receive 15% off regular priced items at Mark’s Work Warehouse stores across Canada. This discount is available to all members and their employees. It took some time but we now have an electronic discount card instead of one that would be mailed to you. Please contact us for the link to download the PDF. Once you have the electronic voucher, print it off and take it to the store with you and have it scanned at the register to receive your discount. It’s the exact same as the last card you had, you just have to print it off yourself. We suggest that once you print it off that you laminate so that you only have to print it once. We have also found that for those with smartphones that the cashier can scan the PDF on your phone and that would suffice. This discount card expires March 1, 2013.
Global Payments (Visa, MC, and Interac processing)
Global Payments introduces a Payment Solutions Package exclusively for CNLA members. Redefining Customer Service: • Significant cost savings • Transparent and predictable pricing
• One on one consultation to understand your business needs. • 4 hour on-site replacement service for terminals and PIN pads • Dedicated customer service representative.
Call CNLA for more information... 1 (888) 446-3499 or visit http://www.canadanursery.com
The Canadian Rose Story
~ by Rita Weerdenburg, CNLA
T
he rose is not just any ordinary flower. Time after time, it has captivated an audience. This flower has become a symbol for love and beauty. It has played leading roles in art, lore, and poetry. As far back as 500 BCE, civilizations have been cultivating these flowers, grown for their exquisite beauty and scent. Because of this mysterious allure, growers have sought to tame, hybridize, propagate, and relocate this thorny shrub. The story was no different in Canada. Early settlers came to this country with memories of the flower flourishing in milder climates. But bringing plants over from other countries was not the only hurdle to introducing roses in Canada, there was the cool climate with harsh winters to deal with. For a rose to survive in Canada, it needed to be disease resistant, and incredibly hardy. Thus began the history of rose breeding in Canada. The first rose hybridization in Canada can be accredited to two individuals. Both of these men worked simultaneously, but on separate projects. One of these men was William Saunders. Saunders was a true Renaissance man, mastering the fields of Pharmacy, Entomology, and Botany as well as being involved in the arts and music, all the while rearing his six children along with his wife Agnes. In 1862, Saunders bought a plot of land and began his work in plant breeding. He started with apples, and by 1873 had moved on to berries and flowers. Out of this, came “Agnes Rose”. He obtained this rose by crossing Rosa rugosa with Rosa foetida persiana. Saunders work was well recognized by government organizations and he was soon appointed to direct some of the first
experimental farms in Canada. He contributed greatly in developing plants that could survive the rough Canadian climate. “Agnes” was never released by Saunders, as it was a gift to his wife. It eventually was released by his successors-the first hybridized rose in Canada--and is still in commerce today! In 1884, a few years after “Agnes” was created, a man named John Dunlop was also working to breed roses that were hardy in Canada. Upon noticing a market for cut flowers in winter, he took it upon himself to build a small greenhouse and begin propagating roses. He imported hardier under stock from Europe and eventually opened the first florist shop in Toronto. In 1898, “White Bougère” was released. He continued to release more roses, winning prizes for many of them. He helped to found the Rose Society of Ontario, later to be dissolved into the Canadian Rose Society. These were the humble beginnings of rose breeding in Canada. From this point on, there were many advancements in the field of horticulture, many due to the experimental farms. One in particular, Morden, in Manitoba, made great contributions to the rose growing tradition in Canada. Campbell Davidson, former director of Morden quotes “One of the most important steps in the Morden Rose breeding program was taken was taken by the late Henry Marshall when he used one of our hardy native roses, Rosa arkansana as parent. This bridge helped to bring cold tolerance to the otherwise rather tender garden roses and opened door for future breeders.” Another great contributor to the rose breeding tradition was Dr. Felicitas Svejda. Working out of Ottawa at the Central Experimental Farm, she developed twenty-five rose cultivars from 1961 to 1985, thirteen of which she personally released as the famed Explorer Series.
Morden and Central were two of the centres for ornamental plant breeding for many years under Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada. Out of Morden came the much celebrated Parkland series of roses. Recently all ornamental plant breeding has been passed on to private companies. John Bakker, of J.C. Bakker & Sons Ltd. nursery, has been volunteering with the Canadian Artists rose consortium. He comments on this change, “Agriculture and Agri-foods Canada (AAFC) has made a name for itself in the area of cold hardy roses, but we are still somewhat limited in plant selection due to colder climates. With the private sector taking over the breeding program from the government, we will be able to build upon what AAFC has started in cold hardiness, and begin to offer roses that are not only hardy, but also contain many other desirable traits that are sought after today, such as disease resistance, vibrant colours, repeat bloom, etc.” Future rose (and other ornamental plants) breeding and research has been passed on from AAFC to Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) and Canadian Ornamental Plant Foundation (COPF), led by Vineland Research and Innovation Centre. The Canadian rose story is one that continues. Even among all of this change, the newest rose is set to be released in 2012--Bill Reid. It is a part of the Canadian Artists series, along with the Felix LeClerc and Emily Carr roses. It is truly amazing to see how far Canadian rose breeding has come. Roses are no longer a plant associated with warm climate exclusively. They have risen above the stigma of fragile organisms that require a lot of attention, and can now be easily cultivated in any landscape.
www.nbhta.ca
11
Landscape Horticulturist
OJT Training
T
he Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC) has worked with the Canadian Landscape Nursery Association (CNLA) to produce a video and mobile app to demonstrate how to use the ‘job instruction method’ to train new and experienced workers in the ornamental sector. These on-the-job training (OJT) tools are simple in design, practical to use in the field, and provide employers with a standardized approach to training. They are intended to coach employers in teaching the video and mobile app provides employers with the tools required to train their new workers quickly and efficiently. Videos can be ordered through the CAHRC store. The mobile app is available for sale at the Android Marketplace.
We’re living in the future, I’ll tell you how I know, I read it in the paper, fifteen years ago John Prine Redefine Leadership
Daniel Tremblay did such a great job for us at HortEast as well as ACES this past winter, We thought it a good idea to keep you in touch with him, in the case that something might develop that is mutually beneficicial.
What can Redefine Leadership do for you? We work with organizations to bring them to the next level of growth using our proven method of long term strategic plan of action retreats. Companies having done this are seeing their revenue grow exponentially, their cost of operation reduce significantly and overall, their organization is healthier and its people happier. To give you a little more insight into Redefine Leadership, Barb MacLean and Daniel Tremblay you can visit our website www.redefineleadership.com For a free assessment, call our offices at 1 877 506 7600.
12
www.nbhta.ca
Office of the Executive Director P.O Box 742 Saint John, NB E2L 4B3 Toll Free: 1-866-752-6862 Fax: 1-866-595-5467 Email: lnb@nbnet.nb.ca Website: www.nbhta.ca Board of Directors President Neil Pond, JP Vice President Joe Wynberg, CLT, JP Past President John Evans, CLP Secretary/Treasurer Michelle Gillespie CNLA Rep Darrell Nameth, CLP Directors Andrew Lawson Jamey Smith, CHT,CLD, JP Brian Sanders Bob Osborne Ben Scholten, CLT,JP Craig Train Sherry Claybourn Karen Carrier, JP Certification Rep David Milburn,CLP, JP APANBC Rep George Scott, CHT LNB Staff Bookkeeper Theresa Landry Executive Director Jim Landry, CLP, JP Prov. Relations Coordinator Christine Finn Newsletter Editor Seth Marriot