Horticulture Review - November 2008

Horticulture The Voice of Landscape Ontario

Review

November 15, 2008

Garden Industry Showcase

Ninth edition of Garden Expo offers buyers great product selection Page 24

Reaching consumers - Page 8 • Summer of fun - Page 17 • Vineland’s new era - Page 33

Exciting Listings

Great

Sale plants

Unique

Specialty plants ...AND MUCH MORE!

‘A Field of Quality’ WHOLESALE CATALOGUE 2009 269 Sunset Drive, St. Thomas, Ontario N5R 3C4 telephone 519 631 1008 • facsimile 519 631 0818 • email tji@canadale.com

269 Sunset Drive St. Thomas, Ontario N5R 3C4 Phone: (519) 631-1008 Fax: (519) 631-0818 E-mail: tji@canadale.com

Landscape Ontario and industry events

Chapter events LO chapters host an array of great events! To publicize your chapter’s event, please e-mail chapterevents@landscapeontario.com November 15 London Chapter Fall Freeze up and Social Lamplighter Inn, Regency Room, 591 Wellington Rd. S., London Enjoy a delicious gourmet meal, great music and a fun-filled evening of socializing, dancing and door prizes. Please join the Chapter for cocktails in the atrium at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6:30, social and dance at 8:30 with A&M Sounds DJ Service. Cost is $60 per person with a 10 per cent discount for groups of eight or more. Pre-registration is required. Contact Wendy Harry at 1-888-211-5606, ext. 2356.

winners for the Awards of Distinction. See a slide show presentation of all entries and find out how you can enter next year.

There is no charge for this meeting which begins at 4 p.m.

November 18 Ottawa Chapter Meeting RA Centre, 2451 Riverside Dr., Ottawa Join the Ottawa Chapter for an inside look at vehicle leasing with Laura Catalano.

Learn about the best options for leasing equipment and vehicles. For more information, contact Lynn Lane at 613-796-5156.

December 4 Golden Horseshoe Chapter Christmas Social Dundas Valley Golf and Curling Club, 10 Woodley’s Lane, Dundas The Golden Horseshoe chapter Christmas social. For more information, contact Stephanie Smith at 1-800-265-5656, ext. 354.

November 19 Upper Canada Chapter Meeting New Strathcona Paper Centre Arena, 16 McPerson Dr., Napanee Join the Upper Canada Chapter for a presentation on landscape photography.

Jeff McMann will discuss how to get the best shots of your work. Helpful hints, solutions and how-tos will be covered in this meeting, which begins at 7 p.m.

November 20 Georgian Lakelands Chapter Meeting Georgian Manor Georgian Lakelands chapter meeting begins at 7 p.m. Featured speaker is Brad Rice of Central Credit, speaking about collections. For more information, contact Stephanie Smith at 1-800-265-5656, ext. 354.

November 20 Windsor Chapter Meeting Griffs Restaurant, St. Clair College, 200 Talbot St., Windsor Join the Chapter as it presents this year’s

November 21 Waterloo Chapter Annual Fall Freeze up and Social Golf’s Steakhouse, 598 Lancaster Street W., Kitchener Join the Chapter for an evening of food, fun and fellowship. For more information and to purchase tickets, contact Paul Grobe at 519-648-2247.

December 4 Toronto Chapter Meeting Mandarin Restaurant, Markham Join the Toronto Chapter for a special presentation on Landscaping in China.

Dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call Stephanie at 1-800-265-5656, ext. 354.

December 5 Georgian Lakelands Christmas Dinner and Dance Georgian Downs, 7585 5th Side Road, Innisfil The Georgian Lakelands chapter annual Christmas social takes place at Georgian Downs. Dinner 6:30 p.m., dancing starts at 8:00. Tickets are $60/person. 10 per cent discount with the purchase of 10 or more tickets. For more information, contact Stephanie Smith at 1-800-2655656, ext. 354.

Continued on page 4

November 17 Supervisor training for the landscaping industry Landscape Ontario, 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton This Farm Safety Association seminar will introduce supervisors to their core responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). It will also cover communications skills and training methods on how to instruct workers. The supervisor will also need to understand accident investigation techniques, hazard identification and controls and emergency procedures. They will learn the need for written records for due diligence and how to document safety issues. The front line supervisor is a key element in your health and safety program. Meeeting runs 10-12:30 and lunch is included.Go to www.horttrades. com/prodev to register and look under the Safety heading.

November 20 David Suzuki Public Lecture John Bassett Theatre, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building David Suzuki will speak about the importance of trees in Greening Our Cities in a public lecture presented by the Toronto chapter of LO. The event begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $50 each and members can purchase them on line at www.locc.ca. The public can purchase tickets at www.landscapeontario.com.

Proceeds from this event will go to the Sick Kids Foundation and the Toronto Botanical Garden.

November 20 Environmental Awareness Day with David Suzuki Toronto Botanical Garden, 777 Lawrence Ave., E., Toronto Join David Suzuki for lunch and ceremonial tree planting at the Toronto Botanical Garden as he gives input on the green industry and its future impact on the environment. Limited seating available. Tickets can be purchased for $75, including lunch and free parking, from www.locc.ca.

Continued on page 4

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - november 15, 2008

December 8 Certified Horticultural Technician – Interior Certified Irrigation Technician Landscape Ontario, 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton The written exams for CHT interior and CIT will be held Monday, December 8, at 9 a.m.

For information visit www.horttrades.com/ cht, or contact Ashleigh Woodhall at awoodhall@landscapeontario.com.

Chapter events Continued from page 3 December 11 Windsor Chapter Meeting Zehrs, Malden Community Room, 5890 Malden Rd., Windsor Have you outgrown your paper log sheets? Then Timescape is your tracking solution. Please join the chapter and Modeco Systems as they introduce a new tracking solution which can save you time and money. There is no charge for this meeting, which begins at 7 p.m.

January 6 - January 9 Congress 2009 Toronto Congress Centre, 650 Dixon Road Canada’s International Horticultural Lawn and Garden Trade Show and Conference.

New at Congress this year is the Green Forum, featuring environmental stewardship seminars and innovative green products. For exhibitor information contact Landscape Ontario at 1-800-265-5656. Paul Day, Show Manager, ext. 339; Linda Nodello, Show Coordinator, ext. 353; Lorraine Ivanoff, Show Sales, ext. 366, or visit www.locongress.com

December 12 Certified Horticulture Technician - written re-test Landscape Ontario, 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton The written re-evaluation for the CHT installation and maintenance modules starts at 9 a.m. For information visit www.horttrades. com/cht, or contact Ashleigh Woodhall at awoodhall@landscapeontario.com.

January 20 Ottawa Chapter Meeting RA Centre, 2451 Riverside Dr., Ottawa Join the Ottawa Chapter for its annual LO round table update with Tony DiGiovanni and LO president Bob Adams. For more information, contact Lynn Lane at 613-796-5156.

NEG09 7.125x4.875 HR:Layout 1

At the end of this two-day course, candidates will graduate with a Paver Installer certificate. Instructors are Ross Yantzi of Pavestone Plus and Rob Burak of the International Concrete Paver Institute. LO and ICPI members cost $275, non-members, $325. Fee includes all instructional materials, lunches and exam. To download a registration form, visit www.horttrades.com under Events.

December 15 - December 16 ICPI Paver Installer Certification School Landscape Ontario, 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton

10/16/08

11:21 AM

Page 1

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

Learn about the latest in landscape design, sales, technology, and plant trends from the brightest minds and the best suppliers in the green industry today.

More than 25 cutting-edge sessions featuring industry luminaries like:

February 4 – 6, 2009

Ben Falk, MALD

John Kinsella

Whole Systems Design, LLC Moretown, VT

Anthropologie/Urban Outfitters/terrain Philadelphia, PA

Climate Change and Peak Oil: Post Petroleum Landscape Design

Cutting-Edge Garden Center Trends

Boston, Massachusetts Registration

Lynden B. Miller

Christy Webber

Public Garden Design

New York, NY

Christy Webber Landscapes Chicago, IL

Tough Urban Plants: Making Magic in our Cities

Putting the “Green” in Landscape Management

By January 15 After January 15

� all new!

EDUCATION • EXPOSITION • CONNECTIONS HORTICULTURE REVIEW - November 15, 2008

Boston Convention & Exhibition Center

$39.00 $55.00

www.NEGrows.org 508-653-3009

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - november 15, 2008

Landscape Ontario staff Landscape Ontario’s mandate is to be the leader in representing, promoting and fostering a favourable environment for the advancement of the horticultural industry in Ontario.

Suffix for all e-mail addresses below: @landscapeontario.com

Executive board

Windsor Chapter

LO staff members are committed to member service. Please call with your questions or concerns.

7856 Fifth Line South Milton, ON L9T 2X8 Tel: (905) 875-1805 or 1-800-265-5656 Fax: (905) 875-3942 Web: www.landscapeontario.com

President

President: Karl Klinck, kklinck@ Board rep: Garry Moore

E-mail suffix for all staff members: @landscapeontario.com

Past president

Commodity groups

Executive director Tony DiGiovanni, CHT, ext. 304, tonydigiovanni@

Designers

Executive assistant Kathleen Pugliese, ext. 309, kpugliese@

Robert Adams, robertadams@ Bob Tubby, CLP, bobtubby@ First vice-president

Tom Intven, tintven@

Chair and board rep: Beth Edney, CLD, bedney@

Second vice-president

Garden centre

Tim Kearney, CLP, tkearney@ Secretary/treasurer

Phil Charal, pcharal@

Chapters reps Durham Chapter

Chair and board rep: Bob McCannell, bmccannell@

Grounds management Growers

Membership coordinator, Ottawa Chapter Lynn Lane, 613-796-5156, llane@

Georgian Lakelands Chapter

Interiorscape

President: Michael Laporte Board rep: Mark Goodman

Chair and Board rep: Stephen Schell, CHT

Golden Horseshoe Chapter

President: Tim Cruickshanks, tcruickshanks@

Chair: Chris LeConte Board rep: Steve Macartney, CIT, smacartney@

London Chapter

Landscape contractors

President: Tim Cradduck, tcradduck@ Board rep: Michael Pascoe, CHT, mpascoe@

Chair: Peter Guinane Board rep: Phil Charal, pcharal@

Ottawa Chapter

Lawn care

Toronto Chapter

Lighting

Upper Canada Chapter

President and board rep: Paul Doornbos, CHT, CLP, pdoornbos@

Waterloo Chapter

President: David Wright Board rep: John Keenan, jkeenan@

Administrative assistant Jane Leworthy, ext. 301, jleworthy@ Membership and chapter coordinator. membership services team Stephanie Smith, ext. 354, ssmith@

Co-chairs and board reps: Bart Brusse, Dave Braun

President: Fiona Penn Zieba Board rep: George Urvari, gurvari@

Project coordinator, member services team Kristen McIntyre, CHT, ext. 321, kristenm@

Chair: Mike DeBoer, CHT Board rep: Brian Marsh

President: Brian Marsh, bmarsh@ Board rep: Mark Humphries, mhumphries@

President: Tim Dyer Board rep: Bruce Morton, CLP, CIT

Controller Joe Sabatino, ext. 310, jsabatino@

Irrigation

Chair: Gavin Dawson Board rep: Alan White, awhite@ Chair: John Higo Board rep: John Scanlon

Snow and ice management Chair: Ed Hewis Board rep: Gerald Boot, CLP, geraldboot@

Members at Large Jacki Hart, CLP Gregg Salivan

CNLA Board Rep

Gerald Boot, CLP, geraldboot@

Horticulture Review Views expressed in Horticulture Review are those of the writer concerned. Horticulture Review and Landscape Ontario assume no responsibility for the validity or correctness of any opinions or references made by the author. Copyright 2008, reproduction or the use of whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited. Published 12x per year. Rates and deadlines are available on request. Subscription price: $40.43 per year (GST included).

For subscription and address changes, please e-mail subscriptions@landscapeontario.com

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - November 15, 2008

Manager, Pesticide Industry Council Tom Somerville, ext. 351, tsomerville@ Manager, education and labour development Sally Harvey, CLP, ext. 315, sharvey@ Education and labour development Ashleigh Woodhall, ext. 326, awoodhall@ Education and labour development Ken Tomihiro, ext. 319, ktomihiro@ Education and labour development Kathy McLean, ext. 306, kathym@ Trade show manager Paul Day, CDE, ext. 339, paulday@ Trade show sales Lorraine Ivanoff, ext. 366, lpi@ Trade show coordinator Linda Nodello, ext. 353, lnodello@ Sales and business development manager Gilles Bouchard, ext. 323, gbouchard@ Manager, public relations Denis Flanagan, CLD, ext. 303, dflanagan@ Manager, information technology Ian Service, ext. 325, iservice@ Publisher Lee Ann Knudsen, CLP, ext. 314, lak@ Editorial director Sarah Willis, ext. 313, sarahw@ Editor Allan Dennis, ext. 320, aldennis@ Web editor Robert Ellidge, ext. 312, rob@

The Voice of Landscape Ontario

November 15, 2008 • Volume 26, No. 11

Membership coordinator, London and Windsor Chapters Wendy Harry, 519-488-0818, wharry@

ISSN 0823-8472 Publications Mail Agreement No. PM40013519 Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses To: Circulation Department Horticulture Review 7856 Fifth Line South Milton, ON L9T 2X8

Art director Melissa Steep, ext 347, msteep@ Graphic designer Mike Wasilewski, ext. 356, mikew@ Sales manager, publications Steve Moyer, ext. 316, stevemoyer@ Communications assistant Susan Therrien, ext. 305, stherrien@

your window to

imagination

$UNDAS 3T 7 (WY $UNDAS /NTARIO s 4EL s &AX s WWW CONNONNURSERIES COM s EMAIL MAIL CONNONNURSERIES COM HORTICULTURE REVIEW - november 15, 2008 

RS’ LOGO

RS’ LOGO

NSUMERS’ RS’ LOGO s, Website Media, etc.)

Public promotion initiative:

What does a smart car have to do with LO?

By Denis Flanagan and Lee Ann Knudsen

L

ast month Horticulture Review gave an overview of the consumer outreach program under the guidance of LO’s Branding Committee. This month, let’s share an update on the progress the team has made through early October. As you may recall, the program is designed to help inspire consumers to use more landscape products and services.

There is approval on the new logo and the ‘look’ of the program. LO will be using a ‘wordmark,’ a trademarked phrase that will be owned by LO and its members — Green for Life. Around this wordmark will be three versions of artwork, each with its own audience.

One will be a version used on all LO association outreach, a second in retail and consumer settings and a third can be used by any member as needed.

All logos will have the same look and feel. Members can use them on business cards or letterheads, as well as POP signs at retail, as truck signs or truck vinyl wraps, or online with your website. We enjoyed fitting one version on the quarter panel of a typical pick-up truck, and then we went nuts and ‘wrapped’ a smart car! Imagine 2,000 LO members driving around in these truck and car billboards!

To help all members get familiar with the new program, we will hold a series of marketing webinars where you can listen and contribute on a conference call, while watching a presentation on your computer. We will

have the whole marketing team on the webinar call to explain details of the program, and how you can take advantage of it in your business. If you have not tried a webinar before, they are very straightforward: we will e-mail you an invitation for a specific date and topic. If you want to sign up, simply click the ‘register’ button. We will keep you informed as the dates near, and you will be able to follow the program from your own computer screen. In addition to webinars on the specifics of the LO program, we will have a few on general marketing skills so you can tap into the LO marketing team’s brain trust.

We have also done initial design on the new LO consumer website, which is scheduled to launch in time for Canada Blooms. The site will help connect potential clients to your business, be a place to inspire consumers to do more landscaping and be a forum for LO to get out messages from plant care to topics about the environment. The team is busy with site content, adding great images that we know will help inspire consumers. We will have a section with general gardening care, as well as the ‘connect to a pro’ section. Next month we will show you our progress on the website.

Questions or comments? Please fell free to contact Lee Ann Knudsen, 416-848-7557 (direct) or 1-888-211-5606, ext. 314.

RS’ LOGO

NSUMERS’ RS’ LOGO s, Website Media, etc.)

ON LOGO

NSUMERS’ RS’ LOGO es, Website Media, etc.)

LO’s new visual identity strategy allows members to choose options appropriate for different audiences.

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - November 15, 2008

Webinar schedule Webinar #1: Intro to program

Nov. 11, 4:30 p.m.

Webinar #2: Getting the most from the program

Nov. 11, 10:30 a.m.

Dec. 9, 10:30 a.m.

Webinar #3: PR basics

Jan. 13, 10:30 a.m.

Webinar #4: Getting marketing stuff done – plans and actions

Jan. 20, 10:30 a.m.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Association membership provides many benefits

By Robert Adams LO president

W

hen you consider membership with Landscape Ontario, or any organization, do weigh the benefits before making your decision? Ask yourself if it is right for you? What am I going to receive if I am associated with this group of people?

First, remember that when challenges facing your business become too much, it is the strength of an organization that will help Robert Adams carry you through the tough times. It is when the going gets tough, that the tough get going.

Membership allows this driving force to emerge.

Successful business people associate with other successful business people. It is a great way to learn from each other. If you want to serve a particular type of client, then it is beneficial to rub shoulders with those who have been there and done that.

from one another and form communities of winners.

To attract more members, we need to: • Sell LO and the green industry as a career.

• Be on the cutting edge of what is important.

• Continue to be accountable to the membership.

• Encourage involvement.

• Continue to provide the opportunity to serve.

Landscape Ontario is the right vehicle for professionals who want to be in “Communities of Success.” Associations like this are good for employers who want more effective, longterm employees.

Robert Adams can be reached by e-mail at robertadams@landscapeontario.com

Quote of the Month

“If you learn from your mistakes, then your mistakes were worthwhile.”

— Anonymous

At a recent leadership forum, we were presented with the results of a study that proves “association members make more money,” are more satisfied in their jobs, happier and generally more successful in life than non-members.

In a nutshell, being a Landscape Ontario member will provide you with many tools and opportunities to rise above your competitors who are not part of this great association.

In the past, membership in the association would lead to success in life and business. Now success leads to membership.

Data from the study shows associations are the meeting grounds for winners. Through association involvement, upwardly mobile professionals will differentiate themselves, learn HORTICULTURE REVIEW - november 15, 2008

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

Thriving and surviving in all economies

By Tony DiGiovanni CHT LO executive director

I

started working for Landscape Ontario in September of 1989. It was the tail end of an economic boom cycle. In 1990, the housing market suffered a major setback and the frenetic building and development that characterized the late 80s seemed to stop overnight. Sound familiar?

History teaches us that everything goes in cycles. History also documents that storms come and go. The economic Tony DiGiovanni cycle will turn around in time. It always has and always will.

There are many things we have no control over, however, we always have the power to react to the forces and conditions we face.

I believe this simple statement holds one of the secrets to survive and thrive in all economies. Here are some memories and observations

from the last economic downturn. These are true stories. Real names will not be used, but I am sure some of you can guess of whom I am writing about.

In 1990, many larger contractors and nurseries were casualties of bad debt. Over-exposed developers did not pay their contractors.

Contractors, in turn, did not pay their suppliers.

Huge losses resulted. Here is what happened.

On the contractor side, a few of the larger

“There are many things we have no control over, however, we always have the power to react to the forces and conditions we face.” contractors went bankrupt. These were the ones that had huge overhead, were not diversified, or some who focused on just one sector of business. A few companies consolidated. Many did what they had to in order to reduce their size and cut back on overhead. In the midst of all that turmoil, I observed a number of start-up contractors that were able to expand their business and thrive.

On the nursery side, because of the multiyear production cycles, firms that had expanded production during boom times, in anticipation of an ever-increasing market, were stuck with inventory they could not sell. A few companies took drastic steps to rid themselves of inventory.

Many reduced their prices. Some disposed of un-saleable material. Some expanded their markets to other areas of Canada. A few completely re-invented themselves to focus on different markets. I even observed a number of nurseries expand production, anticipating the next growth cycle. The fact of the matter is during the last recession the nursery industry continued to increase sales of individual units, at a lower price. In the midst of all this, a number of new nurseries started up and thrived. Most companies survived the period of economic downturn.

In the early 90s, Ed Bryant from Unilock challenged the association to stimulate demand by promoting the benefits of “staying home for your holidays and build paradise in your back yard.” These days it’s called the ‘staycation’ movement. Instead of retreating, Ed’s advice at

10 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - November 15, 2008

that time was to stimulate demand through collective promotion. LO began featuring pioneers and elders of our industry. They shared their experiences with economic cycles at number of seminars that were scheduled for members. I still remember some of the sage advice: “Stay out of debt. Spend wisely. Ensure you have exemplary credit and collection policies. Expand cautiously. Be aware of potential markets. Operate lean. Serve your customers well and continue to build trust in relationships.

Work together. Learn from each other. Expand the market. Monitor your finances. Collaborate.

Prepare. Forecast and budget conservatively.

Re-invent your business, if need be. Keep your company lean. Take action. Be proactive.

Expand your sales activity. Know your costs.

Fire your unprofitable customers. Add value to your customer base. Develop a long range plan.

Cycles do pass - keep promoting your business.

Develop partnerships and relationships of benefit.” These basics were true then, and they are true today. Principles remain the same, no matter what the economy does.

Most of you are in business because you have entrepreneurial leanings. An entrepreneur finds opportunity and works hard to add value to a customer base. In all market cycles there are opportunities. Stay positive. The industry has not even begun to tap its potential. Our industry offers immense societal value from an economic, environmental, aesthetic, therapeutic, lifestyle, recreational, tourism, pride and even spiritual perspective. There is great opportunity for those who take positive action.

Column inspiration This column was inspired by a discussion with Landscape Ontario’s vice president Tom Intven from Canadale Nurseries. At a recent meeting, he issued this challenge: “What can Landscape Ontario do to help its members thrive in a down economy?” It is a great question. It is worthwhile to remind ourselves that Landscape Ontario is simply a name for a community of members. You are Landscape Ontario. The question could be rephrased: “What can we (members of Landscape Ontario) do collectively to help ourselves thrive in a down economy?”

See page 26 for Tom Intven’s Letter to the Editor I hope you will take the time to send your suggestions to tonydigiovanni@landscapeontario.com.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

LO members help fight skin cancer

By Denis Flanagan CLD Manager, public relations

L

andscape Ontario was contacted a couple of months ago with a request to become involved in a new project launched by the Southwest Public Health Skin Cancer Prevention Network. This organization represents eight regional health units in southwestern Ontario.

The network’s mandate is to work towards reducing the risk of skin cancer through awareness and education, community mobilization, advocacy and policy development.

Denis Flanagan With our new Green for Life branding imitative, this seemed a perfect fit.

To launch the campaign, a forum was held at the Hilton Hotel in London, Ont., entitled Where’s the SHADE? Presentations were given on a variety of topics, including The Effectiveness of Shade and Creative Solutions for Shade.

As quoted from the forum: “One in seven Canadians born today will experience a skin cancer in his lifetime, so seeking shade is smart.

Shade not only reduces air temperature, it can lower harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays by 50 per cent or more. Trees cool the environment, clean the air, help conserve energy, reduce soil ero-

Richard Shives surrounded by the medical personnel who make up “Where’s the SHADE?.“

sion, provide wind breaks, lessen noise, increase property values and provide beauty.”

As part of the event, organizers wanted the hotel decorated with live plant material. That’s where our London chapter member Clintar Landscape Management played an important role. Dave Moore and his team did a wonderful job of greening the hotel and establishing an important partnership with the health network.

I will leave the last word to the health pro-

fessionals: “To Dave and Richard of Clintar, a huge appreciation for all that you and your crew did for us and participants at the forum. It was a pleasure working with you. We look forward to another opportunity. Warmest regards.” Kaylene McKinnon RN, BScN, Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention Team.

Denis Flanagan can be reached by email at dflanagan@landscapeontario.com

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - november 15, 2008 11

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Make a Wish garden benefited all involved

By Stephanie Smith Membership and chapters coordinator, membership services team

T

here is a well-known song by the group Supertramp entitled, Give a Little Bit. It is what I reflect upon when I remember taking part in creating Rachel’s Make a Wishbutterfly garden (see story in October issue of Horticulture Review). Just like I feel when I listen to the song, the worksite was also a very good natured place to be.

Everyone there made it work. We were all there Stephanie Smith together, working as a great team.

By the time I had arrived to help, it was day two and things were moving along. I was lucky to have the opportunity to paint the mural with a great bunch of ladies. We worked with each other, one of us painting blue, while another had pink and another purple for the flowers and butterflies.

That day we talked about our families, friends and how happy we were to be part of this amazing project. As we painted, the men came to install irrigation, put in the water feature and start the base of the interlocking seating area.

It was like a ballet as it all flowed with such ease. Everyone was smiling.

As has been reported, Rachel has an aggressive form of cancer that has already taken an eye. There is a chance that the cancer has spread to the other eye, leaving her blind.

This fear motivated the volunteers to build the garden in four days.

Rachel’s mom is a lovely lady and a very generous hostess. There was nothing that she couldn’t, or wouldn’t, get for anyone who was helping out. Her generosity and great nature made it a pleasure to give back. Even in the bathroom, a sign read, “Thank you for Rachel’s garden.”

A project such as this makes you realize how much we have and that no matter how bad your day, it really isn’t quite so bad. We all know from our experience that it could be much worse.

Building the garden was an excellent team

Beth Edney, in centre of photo, designed the garden and worked with a team of volunteers to bring it to reality.

building project that I would highly recommend to everyone. The reward in this type of project is really like nothing I have ever experienced. I hope I am fortunate enough to work on more projects like this with our AMAZING members. Beth Edney, LO’s Landscape Design Commodity Group chair, created the plan for the garden with the team of volunteers consisteing of LO and CNLA members.

A gigantic thank you to everyone involved in this project for your time and your donations!

Some courses have already filled up!

We’re on Facebook In other news, Landscape Ontario is now on Facebook. This Internet phenomenon offers an opportunity for our members to network, have open discussions and to proudly display everything we do. It’s also an excellent method of communication to reach students thinking about entering the industry.

If you are already on Facebook, check out our group listed under non-profit organizations and join today.

Supplier night Durham Chapter Supplier Night was held on Sept. 23, at Direct Landscape Supply in Oshawa. The evening offered a meet and greet with suppliers to the trade. There was an awesome barbecue dinner of roast beef, plus salads. The event was well-attended on a beautiful sunny day.

The chapter thanks the following companies for making the day a success: New Roads National Leasing, Beaver Valley Stone, The Miller Group, Battlefield, Durham Truck Isuzi, Turbo Technologies Ontario. And last, but not least, a big thank you to Direct Landscape Supply for providing the venue and being the major sponsor for this event.

Meeting season The chapter meeting season is now fully underway. Keep in touch with your chapter by visiting our new-look website at www.horttrades. com and while there, don’t forget to register for all the fall and winter seminars this season. You need to book early to avoid disappointment.

12 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - November 15, 2008

David Suzuki speaks November 20 Don’t miss David Suzuki’s presentation at Toronto’s John Bassett Theatre. We have a very limited number of tickets left, so if you don’t have them already visit www.landscapeontario.com and purchase yours today. It’s a great gift idea for your customers, friends and family. Proceeds raised from this event are all going to charity.

Stephanie Smith can be reached by e-mail at ssmith@landscapeontario.com

LO MEMBER PROFILE

PAO Horticultural finds success by focusing on niche markets

By Allan Dennis

P

AO Horticultural is a business that has achieved great success by serving a niche market.

Company president Paul Offierski says the business has continually re-invented itself over the past number of years. It has become known for its selection of mature specialty plants, achieved a positive reputation for removing and transplanting large specimen trees and is successfully marketing the company’s newest attraction, custom-made statuary.

Located on Trafalgar Road in the Milton area, PAO cultivates 125 acres that contain some of the largest and most unique tree specimens found anywhere. Anyone wanting instant gratification for their landscaping requirements can find it at PAO. Paul notes that what his company offers is not often available in the industry. “It is not our ambition to be all things to all people, but rather to offer a unique selection that will meet

specific needs,” says PAO’s president.

It can be difficult to determine the value of PAO’s products. “What is a 60-year-old Japanese maple worth?” asks Paul. “We found out that it’s about $28,000, because that it what we sold one for.” Many other mature trees go for around $10,000.

ATV rides A number of Paul’s clients are landscape architects or contractors who bring their clients to PAO, where they can select the exact specimen they want for their home. “Our yard was built to allow complete access to our inventory of plants,” says Paul. Customers can jump aboard one of many ATVs available and browse the acreage to seek just the right plant for them. “Many customers enjoy the opportunity to take their time and select the exact tree that will be placed in their property,” says Paul.

A great deal of effort was put into mulching the PAO property. Paul said he worked

mulch into the ground to depths of six feet in order to provide the best plant health.

In business for 30 years, Paul has a long history with Landscape Ontario. He remembers one of the most influential people for him was Neil Vanderkruk of Connon Nurseries/ NVK Holdings, an honourary lifetime member of LO. “He has an unbelievable sense of this industry,” says Paul. “He taught me a great deal about the how the business operates.”

When it comes to moving large trees, PAO has both the equipment and expertise. “If people find themselves faced with plantings that are simply in the way of new construction, or the city has told you that a plant must be kept and remain unharmed, we can help,” says Paul. One recent job involved a 140-ton beech tree that had to be moved because of a construction project. “Many people today don’t want to see mature trees destroyed, so they will pay well to have them re-located,” says Paul. This portion of the business continues to see more and more demand.

Unique statuary Another new area of interest for PAO is a unique line of statuary. There are numerous items displayed on site and the company also offers custom orders. The selection of art provides some of the most creative and unique statues available anywhere in Ontario.

While touring the grounds of PAO, Paul showed Horticulture Review two statues that were purchased by a client and ready for shipping to his home. Each piece was sold at $100,000.

Paul has his pieces made in China. They may be made to order, and clients may choose to purchase the sculptures or rent them, a growing trend.

After hosting a recent open house for the public, Paul is looking at expanding into the area of retail sales.

It’s all part of the re-invention process for PAO Horticultural.

Paul Offierski with a custom-order statue valued at $100,000.

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - november 15, 2008 13

PROFESSIONAL AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Survive the economic downturn through training

By Sally Harvey CHT, CLP Education and Labour Development Department

M

uch of today’s news is about our economy going sour. Well fear not, for we have much to celebrate now and in the future. We are the green industry!

Many of us in the landscape industry have weathered this type of storm before. As we prepare our homes and vehicles for the coming winter, we must also winterize our businesses to survive this economic downtown. Embark on a journey to prepare your business for tomorrow.

Take time this winter to understand your business and develop or update plans for strategy, finance, operations, human resource and risk management. LO offers many educational programs.

Whether you own a garden centre, wholesale nursery, are a contractor or designer, strategic planning is step one to success in any economic environment. You and your staff must know where the company is heading, and then understand the method to achieve a vision for the plan. You must be aware that change is necessary. Instill strategies to enable change. A training and professional development plan is part of solving the puzzle.

Most of us in the landscape industry become overwhelmed working in our businesses, and forget to work on our businesses. We owners and managers must take the time to learn how to do this. Learning is part of the journey.

Professional development guide LO’s Kathy McLean has created the winter workshop professional development guide. It is inclusive and geared to the needs of our owners, managers, supervisors, lead hands and field staff members. Ken Tomihiro is planning progressive seminars and symposia at Congress. As an industry member, I have always been puzzled by the mind set of some owners afraid to train their employees, for fear that they will become so well trained that they will find employment elsewhere. This past summer Karl Stensson of Sheridan Nurseries spoke to CHT retail candidates: “If we don’t train them, do we really want them working for us?” This is definitely a great question. Professional development and training is the best investment in you, your staff and your company, regardless of the economic times.

Every employee requires and deserves a

training plan. You should expect staff to embark on training and development opportunities. If they do not, you know they are not ‘keepers.’

Gone are the days when we hire beating hearts with strong backs. The consumer is far more educated and savvy for that. If you witness a lack of attendance at the various opportunities provided, then encourage the employee to move on. You will discover that you will retain a more consistent core staff by educating and training them. I consider all professional development, including certification and apprenticeship, important components to any retention strategy. Give your staff the opportunity to train and develop this year. Visit www.edu.gov.on.ca.

The apprenticeship programs are starting again. Contact an employment training advisor at your MTCU office to register employees. As our department continues to partner with the MTCU, we will improve upon the process of the program.

Contact me, should you have any challenges in registering an employee. Signing employees now allows them to reap the benefits of some sense of security over the winter months. It provides you with a more stable and loyal work force. Go to: www.5x10.ca/Home/tabid/411/Default.aspx to find an office near you.

Ashleigh Woodhall has been involved in the delivery of seven practical and written test opportunities for the Certified Horticultural Technician designation. While the release of a new test format from PLANET has led to some hiccups in the process, the test days were a great success. The work by certification committee members made CHT possible in Ontario. Over the winter months, we offer opportunities to challenge the full or re-test written portion of the CHT. This allows opportunity to practice in the workplace prior to challenging the practical stations in 2009. Check the winter workshop guide for dates and times.

We are offering the same flexible opportunity for the CLD, CHT-interior, CIT and CLP designations.

Prosperity Partners Prosperity Partners is back to guide business owners and managers through the introductory seminar.

Many owners fear discovering and/or admitting to what they don’t know. Some find it an admission of weakness. The truth is many of us are technical people who started a business due to our passion for the landscape industry. We do not know all of the nuts and bolts of sound

14 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - November 15, 2008

business ownership.

Prosperity Partners will undertake a series of assessment tools that will provide a better understanding of your strengths and next steps needed to work within your organization to achieve goals for your company or department. Jacki Hart encourages us to identify and maximize the strengths within our companies, strategically plan how the strengths and weaknesses are best managed for long term success and how to balance time for work and home.

Jacki reminds us that she too was once there, when business consumed her life and she was constantly putting out fires. I highly recommend you register. There is light at the end of the tunnel.

Jacki has augmented the program for the next level: Best Practices. Learn and understand industry-specific strategies to implement in your business in order to progress closer to your vision and goals.

Safety training Safety is important to us all. It is an integral part of our risk management strategy. By law we are responsible to ensure that our staff and the public remain safe at all times when performing landscape activities. We urge you to register for either regional SCIP program, or the Landscape Ontario Safety Group. I speak from experience.

The Safety Group transformed my company several years ago, as we learned about compliance and prevention. It is extensive, but will result in employee retention by showing that we care.

Further, it provides a wonderful marketing tool to our residential and commercial clients. SCIP is an opportunity for all of our members to start a safety program. You will develop a basic safety program by attending the meetings and fulfilling the minimum program obligations, with the help of local WSIB representatives. Successful completion will result in rebates.

The Safety Group at Landscape Ontario, hosted in Milton, provides the opportunity for companies to develop and improve their existing safety programs. Join us at six meetings over the year, network with peers and learn from each other and the many speakers who attend the meetings to update new regulations.

Check out the Winter Workshop Guide www.horttrades.com/seminars/semdex. php for registration information.

Sally Harvey may be reached at sharvey@landscapeontario.com

CANADA BLOOMS

Gardens are great marketing tool

By Charlie Dobbin Canada Blooms horticultural director

O

ver the last 13 years, many of Ontario’s well-established landscape contractors have used Canada Blooms as a marketing tool and an opportunity to take their companies to new levels of creativity, work prospects and profits. Overwhelming evidence indicates that when 80,000-plus hobby gardeners get together in acres of gardens in downtown Toronto at the end of a bleak winter, they are very open to learning about what you can do for them.

Canada Blooms will be held from Wednesday, March 18th to Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Building. The theme this year is ‘Canada Blooms.’

Construction of the gardens will start at noon on Friday, March 13th. We strongly recommend all builders do as much off-site pre-construction of their garden as possible.

What better way to keep your best people still employed by you during the down days of winter…?

We always urge all garden builders to design gardens that are accessible by all festival visitors. This includes strollers, wheelchairs, etc.

As a matter of fact, a ‘Universal Accessibility Award’ is given each year after a panel of differently-challenged individuals tours each garden with a fine-toothed comb. We know, as they do, that the goal of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act is to achieve accessibility of public spaces, venues, goods and services for Ontarians with disabilities through the identification, removal and prevention of both visible and invisible barriers. Honestly, all of this leads to a better bottom line. Since implementing accessibility improvements legislated by the Americans with Disabilities Act, the U.S. hospitality industry has increased its annual revenue by 12 per cent.

We all recognize that Canada Blooms requires support from sponsors. Without the financing and interest of keen sponsors, we really wouldn’t have a world class show. If you have a company interested in supporting your efforts at Canada Blooms, we are happy to provide assistance to both them and you. It is extremely important to understand that everyone who contributes at Canada Blooms comes out a winner.

Canada Blooms needs sponsors to succeed.

Canada Blooms is proud to help all eligible garden builders by providing the following: • Sand (for construction) • Composted mulch (for garden beds) • Access to volunteer labour • Access to environmentally friendly propane-powered machinery • Water (for filling water features, and for maintenance of gardens) • Forced plant material (including trees, shrubs, evergreens, flowers and bulbs) all at their visual peak at wholesale prices • Payment of $9.00 per square foot to be paid within 30 days of the end of the show • Access to consignment tickets (garden builders only pay for the tickets that are used) at $12 per ticket • Up to 15 complimentary tickets to the show and two opening night party tickets

Guinane at (416) 696-5110, ext. 23, or peter@oriolelandscaping.com or Charlie Dobbin at (905) 508-3806, or charliedobbin@canadablooms.com.

“Eligible garden builders” are defined as active members of Landscape Ontario. For 2009, we are subsidizing a total of 16,000 square feet. Therefore, this year we have had a competition for space. We sincerely hope that all potential garden builders have proposed new, creative and innovative ideas in an effort to be awarded this amazing marketing opportunity.

The companies selected to install feature gardens at Canada Blooms 2009 were announced at Garden Expo.

If you have any questions – do not hesitate to contact Canada Blooms co-chair Peter HORTICULTURE REVIEW - november 15, 2008 15

Chapter News

keeping your chapter connected

Golf and raffles part of London’s annual event The third annual London Golf Tournament was held on September 12 at Pine Knot in Dorchester. The day started out with threatening skies and a few rain dances, but the weather held off, resulting in a perfect day for the 120 golfers in attendance. Golfers also enjoyed a box lunch sponsored by Triple H Landscape Supplies.

A delicious steak dinner, sponsored by Oaks Concrete Products and Fisher Topsoil, finished off the day. This was followed by raffles giving out over $4,000 in prizes.

Some major prizes were the first to be raffled: a power washer donated The winning foursome

by Nevtro Sales (2004), a line trimmer and hedge trimmer from Stihl, and a lawn- Crystal Denison of Van Horik’s Greenhouses.

Special thanks to Darcy DeCaluwe, Jay mower from Toro Canada, in addition to many Murray, Jerry Hakkers and Grant Harrison for more top prizes.

The foursome with the best score was the their many hours of time volunteered to make Horta-craft team. Men’s longest drive went to this annual event a continued success.

Mike Wardell of Rural Roots, men’s closest to The London chapter thanks the following the pin was won by Mark Rutledge of Mackenzie sponsors for their continued support to make Irrigation and ladies’ longest drive was won by this tournament an event that members look for-

ward to each year. Sponsors include: Platinum - Stratford Farm Equipment, Unilock Concrete Products and Echo Power Equipment; Gold – Stihl, Oaks Concrete Products, Fisher Topsoil and Landscaping and Nevtro Sales (2004); Silver - Triple H Landscape Supplies, Huron Tractor and Toro Canada; Bronze - LO Congress/ Garden Expo, Delaware Nursery and NewRoads National Leasing.

Hole Sponsors: Baseline Nursery, Battlefield Equipment Rentals, Canadale Nurseries, LO Congress/Expo, Gro Bark (Ontario), Hanson Hardscape Products,HortaCraft, HortProtect Insurance (CNLA and Investment Guild), Lafarge Canada, McBain Graphics and Design, Silverthorn Landscape and Supplies, Turf Care Products Canada, Turf Revolution, United AgriProduct Canada, Commander Industries and Moore Water Gardens.

Proceeds for this year’s tournament will go to the Banting House National Historic Site of Canada and the London Chapter.

Windsor enjoys golf in October Rain, rain go away…. After postponing the Bob Girard Memorial Golf Tournament, 24 members of the Windsor Chapter were finally able to enjoy a great day out on the course on Sat., Oct. 4. The sun was shining, and eager golfers were anxious to finally play.

Winner of closest-to-the-pin and longest drive was Christian Quirion of Al’s Lawn and Garden.

Best score was won by the foursome from Bellaire Landscaping.

Lunch on the fly was sponsored

by Santerra Stonecraft, followed by a feast of all-you-could-eat chicken and ribs at 5:00. Door prizes were distributed to the The foursome from Bellaire Landscaping lucky winners, and everyone left and Jay Terryberry for all of their volunteer with a prize, thanks to the generous sponsors. efforts to make this a successful and fun-filled A special thank you goes to Dan Garlatti outing.

1 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - nOVEmbER 15, 2008

Thank you also to the following sponsors: Gold Lunch Sponsor: Santerra Stonecraft; Bronze Hole Sponsors: Cancover Systems, Landscape Ontario Congress/ Garden Expo, Moe Mailloux Financial Services and Unilock.

Door prize donations came from All Treat Farms, Moe Mailloux Financial Services, Agris Cooperative, Steam Whistle Brewery, Colbro Equipment, Stihl, Checker Industrial, Strongco Equipment, CNLA - Hort Protect, St. Clair Marketing, Hub Insurance, St. Clair Foundation, Landscape Ontario, St. Clair SRC, Reaume Chevrolet, The Benefits Company, Southwestern Sales Corporation and Vehicle Venture.

Chapters have a busy summer

By Stephanie Smith membership and chapters coordinator We had such an exciting summer with so many successful events it has been a challenge to capture them all in one edition of Horticulture Review.

Making a difference!

The Georgian Lakelands Chapter held a trade show with the proceeds going to their local charity, Gilda’s House. It was a very attractive trade show that featured everything from garden centres to equipment. The weather co-operated beautifully, and we thank all of the companies who participated in the trade show to benefit the Gilda’s House charity!

Upper Canada golf This golf tournament is growing every year and is a great event that benefits all. We would like to thank all of the sponsors for making this day a great one!

40th Annual Dick Sale Memorial Golf Tournament Once again, the Dick Sale Memorial Golf Tournament was another huge success! Donations went to the great causes of Sick Kids and Toronto Botanical Garden.

Durham supplier night The Durham Chapter hosted its first Supplier Night and barbecue.

The weather was lovely, and many members came out to enjoy the free dinner. They had also the opportunity to meet some of the area’s suppliers to find out about the many benefits that are offered by our member companies.

We thank all of the suppliers for their time and donations to the Chapter! Thank you also to Direct Landscape Supply for hosting this event.

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - nOVEmbER 15, 2008 1

NEW MEMBERS Georgian Lakelands Chapter Hutten & Co Mark Hutten RR 3, Grey Road 18 Owen Sound, ON N4K 5N5 Tel: 519-376-9364 Membership Type: Active Golden Horseshoe Chapter Castlerock Landscape Contractors Ltd. Rick Robinson 43 Keswick St. St. Catharines, ON L2P 1M1 Tel: 905-520-5281 Membership Type: Active Day & Campbell Limited Terry Carr 1074 Upper Wellington St Hamilton, ON L9A 3S6 Tel: 905-385-5315 Membership Type: Chapter Associate Neptune Horticulture Nick Bhatt 75 - 702 Glenburn Court Stoney Creek, ON L8E 1C7 Tel: 905-578-0768 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

London Chapter Mario Scopazzi London, ON Membership Type: Horticultural Ottawa Chapter Prebbel Enterprises Inc Bert Minor 1408 Forest Valley Ottawa, ON Tel: 613-913-3936 Membership Type: Active Colleen Hobbs Pembroke, ON Membership Type: Horticultural Toronto Chapter Landad Advertising Corporation Gordon McCallum 13 - 2131 Williams Parkway East Brampton, ON L6S 5Z4 Tel: 905-799-8212 Membership Type: Associate ProScape Land Design & Construction Tom Henderson 7 - 1050 Grand Blvd Oakville, ON L6H 2S5 Tel: 905-842-0069 Membership Type: Active

LO member over the edge

AJL Janssen Landscaping of Bracebridge takes pride in being a bit over the edge. Voted “Muskoka’s Favourite Landscaper,” in consecutive years from 2001 to the last awards in 2005, the company has taken landscaping to new heights, as evidenced in the accompanying photograph.

The project took place on Lake Joseph in northwest Muskoka. The purpose was to construct a large granite step and walkway combi-

nation joining the upper level boathouse bridge to the bottom of the cliff, where the excavator was lowered. The excavator was lowered down a 40 foot cliff onto a plateau in order to install a hard landscape around a cottage, which is perched on a granite bluff above the water, making barge access impossible.

It’s all part of the challenge of creating landscapes in cottage country.

18 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - November 15, 2008

SCP Distributors Natalie Marlow 100 Vinyl Court. Unit A Woodbridge, ON L4L 4A3 Tel: 905-850-5161 Membership Type: Associate Tuitman’s Garden Centre James Wegenast 12771 Hwy 25. RR 4 Halton Hills, ON L7J 2M1 Tel: 519-853-2480 Membership Type: Interim Ann Todt Queensville, ON Membership Type: Horticultural Kris Hall Toronto, ON Membership Type: Horticultural

For a detailed list of LO staff please visit www.horttrades.com/ contactus

Challange issued on Quebec’s ban of 2,4-D The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) will be used to test the Province of Quebec’s ban of 2,4-D. Dow AgroSciences, a U.S. corporation, served a notice to submit a under Chapter 11 of the NAFTA, for losses it claims were caused by a Quebec ban on the sale and certain uses of lawn pesticides containing the active ingredient 2,4-D. Dow claims the province began its campaign against the pesticide without any scientific basis for a ban and in violation of the trade agreement. Just this year, Health Canada ruled that 2,4-D may be used safely if label directions are followed correctly.

One of the arguments made by Dow is that Quebec’s ban could open the door to making public policy without scientific criteria.

Jim Wispinski, president and CEO of Dow AgroSciences, states, “This challenge is aimed at ensuring that important public policy decisions are based on scientific evidence, predictability and a clear set of principles, and are managed within a transparent framework.”

LO supports Niagara high school training partnership The name Landscape Ontario was Landscape Association (CNLA), front and centre when the Niagara Niagara Parks will be considered a Parks Commission (NPC) and future test site for the modular testNiagara Catholic District School ing format for the CHT program.

Board officially announced the This test will be made available Niagara GROWS Educational to all industry members, as well Partnership on September 26. as secondary students enrolled in The partnership is the first of the horticulture and landscaping its kind in Canada, providing high SHSM program. school students with an opportunity One Niagara Catholic student to study horticulture and landscapreceived lots of attention during the ing, while earning the new Ministry official ceremonies. Christopher of Education Specialist High Skills Bemke became the first to graduMajor (SHSM) designation. The proate with a Specialist High Schools gram is designed to assist students Major in Horticulture. He achieved with the transition from secondary In photo, about to cut the wreath to officially open the classroom, are from the final component of the SHSM school to apprenticeship training, col- left, Terry Murphy of Landscape Ontario, Jim Williams, chairman of the as part of the provincial examiNiagara Parks Commission, student Christopher Bemke, John Crocco, lege, university, or the workplace. nation conducted by Landscape director of education of the Niagara Catholic District School Board, and Ed The partners were proud that Niewesteeg, chairman of the school board.

Ontario. With the SHSM desstudents will study on the grounds ignation, Bemke was accepted of the Niagara Parks Commission able to all students across the Niagara Catholic into the Niagara Parks School of School of Horticulture, an institution recog- board. “As a school board we are extremely Horticulture for March 2009. nized internationally for its expertise in teach- appreciative of this unique partnership. The Terry Murphy, LO’s retired manager of ing horticulture. Jim Williams, chair of The experiences at Niagara Parks will provide our human resource development, took part in the Niagara Parks Commission, said, “This part- students with a strong foundation to further official document signing and the ceremony to nership between Niagara Catholic and NPC is their post secondary studies or directly enter the open the classroom. intended to lead to the further development of world of work.”

Niagara Catholic’s program focuses on a horticulture program for secondary students Niagara Catholic Board installed a por- greenhouse management, product development, throughout Niagara.” He lauded both LO and table classroom adjacent to the Butterfly landscape design, construction, installation CNLA for fostering the program.

Conservatory within the Niagara Parks and maintenance. SHSM students must pass Niagara Catholic’s director of education Commission’s Botanical Gardens. three practical stations of the CHT test to work John Crocco said that the program is availOnce sanctioned by the Canadian Nursery towards gaining their CHT certification.

Warning offered on freight scam An LO member is warning other companies who may receive a request to ship products overseas. What seems like a straightforward business transaction is actually yet another Internet scam. The fraud was caught in time, and no harm was done, but companies need to be aware of a potentially dishonest transaction.

The process began with an e-mail requesting information on one of the member’s products. Following several e-mails, a female confirmed the order for shipment to Morocco.

She said she wanted it shipped by a specific company, and that the company would provide the quotation and complete the paperwork for shipping.

She requested an expensive air freight option (worth double what the product is worth) and asked what form of payment the company would accept. She was told Visa and Mastercard, and she provided the company with not one, but three, credit card numbers, requesting the

amount to be split into three equal charges.

“The alarm bells went off then,” says the LO member, “and if we had continued with the purchase, the freight company would have asked for the money to be wired immediately.

The address for the freight company wasn’t on the Internet, so we sent them an e-mail asking for a physical address, phone number and received no response. The credit card company could have come back to us for payment.”

Watch for the following warning signs to prevent being scammed: 1. The inquiry will come over the Internet.

While there is interest in the product, it won’t be significant. There will only be enough quantity to build credibility. They will likely ask for bulky or heavy products to build up the case for a large freight bill.

2. No address or phone number will accompany the message. If you ask for the phone number, the request will be ignored

and diverted back to e-mail.

3. The destination will likely be overseas, with Africa the most common. While they will supply a shipping address, it is likely fictitious.

4. The purchaser will supply the freight company contact, via the Internet.

5. They will choose the most expensive option — air freight.

6. There will be no contact information on the e-mail from the freight company, other than the Internet contact person.

7. Amounts to be charged to the credit card will be small enough as to not likely exceed the limit.

8. The purchaser will ask you to notify them immediately when the amounts go through.

9. If it had gone through, the freight company would have asked for an immediate money order to be sent electronically.

10. No one comes to pick up the product.

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - november 15, 2008 19

Hillen Nursery Inc Botanical Name

Vines - 1, 2, 3 gal.

Akebia quinata ‘Silver Bells’ Ampelopsis glandulosa ‘Elegans’ Aristolochia durior Campsis ‘Balboa Sunset’ Hydrangea anomala petiolaris Lonicera japonica ‘Halliana’ Lonicera X ‘Mandarin’’ Lonicera per. ‘Belgica Select’ Lonicera per. ‘Serotina’ Polygonum aubertii Parthenocissus quinq ‘Engelmannii Parthenocissus tri ‘Veitchii’

1 gal 2 gal 3 gal price price price

8.00 8.00 6.00 11.00 11.00 6.00 8.00 8.00 8.00 8.00 6.00 6.00 6.00

13.50 13.50 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 5.20 11.20 5.00 11.00 5.20 11.20 5.00 5.00 11.00 11.00 5.00 9.00 5.00 7.00 7.00 5.00 9.00 7.00 7.00 5.00 7.00 7.00 5.00 7.00 7.00 5.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 11.00 5.00 6.00 13.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 11.00 5.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 7.00 5.00 11.00 7.00 11.00 7.00 7.00 5.00 11.00 7.00 11.00 13.00 7.00

Evergreens - 1, 2, 3 gal.

Azalea ‘Golden Hi Lights’ Azalea ‘Orchid Hi Lights’ Buxus microphylla Buxus semp. ‘Green Mound’ Buxus semp. ‘Green Gem’ Buxus ‘Green Mountain’ Buxus ‘Green Velvet’ Buxus micr.’Faulkner’ Chamaecyparis pis ‘Filifera Aurea Chamaecyparis pis ‘Aurea Sungold’ Cotoneaster adpressus ‘Compactus’ Cotoneaster ‘Coral Beauty’ Cotoneaster dammeri ‘Major’ Cotoneaster microphyllus Cotoneaster salicifolius ‘Repens’ Euonymus fortunei ‘Canadale Gold’ Euonymus fort.’Emerald Gaiety’ Euonymus fortunei ‘E.T.’ Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald n Gold Euonymus fortunei ‘Goldtip’ Euonymus fortunei ‘Sunrise’ Euonymus fortunei ‘Sarcoxie’ Euonymus fortunei ‘Surespot’ Euonymus fortunei ‘Vegetus’ Ilex meserveae ‘Blue Prince’ Ilex meserveae ‘Blue Princess’ Juniperus media ‘Mint Julep’ Juniperus media ‘Pfitz.Compacta’ Juniperus procumbens nana Juniperus communis ‘Repanda’ Juniperus conferta’Blue Pacific’ Juniperus hor ‘Blue Horizon’ Juniperus hor ‘Blue Prince’ Juniperus hor ‘Icee Blue’ Juniperus hor ‘Andorra Compact’ Juniperus hor ‘Torquoise Spreader Juniperus hor ‘Wiltonii’ Juniperus hor ‘Yukon Belle’ Juniperus hor ‘Youngstown’ Juniperus sabina Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Carpet’ Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Star’ Juniperus virginiana ‘Grey Owl’ Larix laricina Microbiota decussata Metasequoia glyptostroboides Myrica pensylvanica Picea abies Picea abies ‘Nidiformis’ Picea glauca Picea glauca ‘Conica’ Picea pungens ‘Baby Blue’ Picea glauca ‘Densata’

20 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - November 15, 2008

Botanical Name

1 gal 2 gal 3 gal price price price

Picea omorika Picea pungens kiabob Pieris jap ‘Mountain Fire’ Pinus mugo mughes Rhododendron ‘Northern Starburst’ Rhododendron Aglo(PJM) Thuja occidentalis Thuja occidentalis ‘Brandon’ Thuja occidentalis ‘Danica’ Thuja occidentalis ‘Hetz Midget’ Thuja occidentalis ‘Little Giant’ Thuja occidentalis ‘Nigra’ Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’ Thuja occidentalis ‘Wintergreen’ Thuja plicata ‘Spring Grove’ Tsuga canadensis Tsuga canadensis ‘Jeddeloh’ Tsuga canadensis ‘Pendula’ Taxus cuspidata ‘Aurescens’ Taxus cuspidata nana Taxus media ‘Densiformis’ Taxus media ‘Hicksii’ Taxus media ‘Hillii’ Taxus media ‘Wardii’ Yucca filamentosa Yucca flaccida ‘Golden Sword’

7.00 5.00 7.00 11.00 11.00 11.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 5.00 7.00 11.00 13.50 13.50 5.00 11.00 5.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00

Acanthopanax sieboldianus Acer campestre Acer ginnala Alnus rugosa Amelanchier laevis Aronia melanocarpa Aronia melanocarpa ‘Autumn Magic” Aronia melanocarpa ‘Viking’ Buddleja davidii ‘Black Knight’ Buddleja ‘Ellen’s Blue’ Buddleja davidii ‘Ile de France’ Buddleja davidii ‘Nanho Purple’ Buddleja davidii ‘Pink Delight’ Buddleja davidii ‘Petite Plum’ Buddleja davidii ‘Purple Prince’ Buddleja davidii ‘Royal Red’ Buddleja davidii ‘White Profusion Berberis thunbergi’Rose Glow’ Betula papyrifera Caryopteris cland. ‘Dark Knight’ Cephalanthus occidentalis Cercis canadensis Cercidiphyllum japonicum Chaenomeles speciosa ‘Nivalis’ Chaenomeles superba’Texas Scarlet Clethra alnifolia ‘Paniculatum’ Clethra alnifolia ‘Pink Spire’ Cornus alternifolia Cornus alba ‘Elegantissima’ Cornus alba ‘Ivory Halo’ Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’ Cornus amomum Cornus kousa chinensis Cornus racemosa Cornus stolonifera (sericea) Cornus stolonifera ‘Bud’s Yellow’ Cornus stolonifera ‘Kelseyi’ Corylus avelana Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’ Corylus avellana ‘Red Majestic’

7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 6.00 9.50 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.45 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 16.00 17.00

Deciduous Shrubs - 1, 2, 3 gal

8.00

8.00 8.00

c.

Botanical Name

Many More Cultivars and sizes available 1 gal 2 gal 3 gal price price price

Cotinus coggygria’Royal Purple’ Cotoneaster acutifolius Cotoneaster horizontalis Diervilla lonicera Deutzia crenata ‘Nikko’ Deutzia gracilis Deutzia x ‘Strawberry Field’ Euonymus alatus ‘Compactus’ Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’ Forsythia X int. ‘Goldtide’ Forsythia int.’Lynwood’ Forsythia ‘Northern Gold’ Forsythia ‘Kumson’ Forsythia ovata ‘Ottawa’ Hibiscus syr.’White Chiffon’ Hydrangea arbor. ‘Annabelle’ Hydrangea macroph.’Forever Pink Hydrangea macroph.’Nikko Blue’ Hydrangea’Endless Summer Blushing Hydrangea mac.’Endless Summer’ Hydrangea macroph.’Glowing Embers Hydrangea macroph.’Merritt’s Beau Hydrangea macr’Princess Beatrix’ Hydrangea macroph.’Penny Mac’ Hydrangea pan. ‘Grandiflora’ Hydrangea pan. ‘Kyushu’ Hydrangea pan. ‘Little Lamb’ Hydrangea pan.’Limelight’ Hydrangea pan.’Pinky Winky’ Hydrangea pan. ‘Tardiva’ Hydrangea serrata ‘Bluebird’ Hydrangea serrata ‘Little Geisha’ Hamamelis virginiana Ilex verticilata Ilex vert.’Afterglow’F Ilex vert.’Winterred’F Ilex vert.’Southern Gentleman’M Kolkwitzia amab ‘Pink Cloud’ Kerria japonica ‘Pleniflora’ Lonicera tatarica ‘Arnold Red’ Lonicera xylost.’Clavey’s Dwarf’ Lonicera xylost.’Emerald Mound’ Magnolia loebneri ‘Leonard Messel Magnolia stellata ‘Royal Star’ Philadelphus coronarius ‘Aureus’ Philadelphus ‘Innocence’ Philadelphus ‘Natchez’ Philadelphus schrenkii ‘Snowbelle Philadelphus ‘Minn.Snowflake Dwar Physocarpus opulifolius Physocarpus opulifolius’Coppertin Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Diabolo’ Physocarpus opulifolius’Dart’sGol Physocarpos opulifolius ‘Luteus’ Physocarpus opulifolius’Summer Wi Populus tremuloides Prunus cistena Prunus virginiana Potentilla frut ‘Abbotswood’ Potentilla frut ‘Cor.Triumph’ Potentilla frut ‘Dakota Sunrise’ Potentilla ferrari ‘Gold Drop’ Potentilla frut ‘Goldstar’ Potentilla frut ‘Pink Beauty’ Potentilla frut ‘Tangerine’ Quercus bicolor Quercus robus ‘Fastigiata’ Quercus rubra Ribes alpinum Ribes aureum

7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 5.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 5.00 8.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 5.60 7.00 7.00 7.00 14.00 14.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.30 7.00 7.00 7.60 7.60 7.60 7.00 7.00 7.60 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 11.00 11.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.85 7.60 7.00 7.00 7.85 7.00 5.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00

8.00

9.00

8.00

8.60

8.00

Botanical Name

Rosa Bonica Rosa Carolina Rosa Henry Kelsey Rosa X ‘J P Connell’(ex) Rosa ‘Pavement Scarlet’ Rosa rugosa Rosa rugosa ‘Hansa’ Rosa x ‘Champlain’ Rosa X ‘The Fairy’ Rubus odoratus Rhus aromatica Rhus aromatica ‘Low Grow’ Rhus typhina Salix bebbiana Salix discolor Salix eriocephala Salix exigua Salix gracilis ‘Purpurea Nana’ Salix integra ‘Flamingo’ Salix integra ‘Hakuro-nashiki’ Salix matsudana ‘Tortuosa’ Salix nigra Sambucus canadensis Sambucus canadensis ‘Aurea’ Symphoricarpos chenaultii ‘Hancoc Spiraea alba Spiraea arguta Spiraea bumalda ‘Anthony Waterer’ Spiraea bumalda ‘Crispa’ Spiraea bumalda ‘Froebelii’ Spiraea bumalda ‘Goldflame’ Spiraea betulifolia ‘Tor’ Spiraea fritschiana Spiraea japonica ‘Alpina’ Spiraea japonica ‘Dakota Goldchar Spiraea japonica ‘Dart’s Red’ Spiraea japonica ‘Goldmound’ Spiraea japonica ‘Golden Princess Spiraea japonica ‘Little Princess Spiraea japonica ‘Magic Carpet’ Spiraea japonica ‘Manon’ Spiraea japonica ‘Neon Flash’ Spiraea japonica ‘Shirobana’ Spiraea japonica ‘White Gold’ Spirea tomentosa Spiraea vanhouttei Sorbaria aitchisonii Sorbaria sorbifolia Sorbaria sorbifolia ‘Sem’ Syringa hyac. ‘Pocahontas’ Syringa meyeri ‘Palibin’ Syringa patula ‘Miss Kim’ Syringa vulgaris Syringa vulgaris ‘Beauty of Mosco Syringa vulgaris ‘Monge’ Syringa vulgaris ‘Sensation’ Tilia cordata Tamarix pentandra Viburnum dent.’Chicago Lustre’ Viburnum ‘Emerald Triumph’ Viburnum lantana Viburnum lentago Viburnum opulus ‘Nanum’ Viburnum recognitum/dentatum Viburnum trilobum ‘Bailey Compact Viburnum trilobum ‘Compactum’ Weigela florida ‘Alexandra’ Weigela ‘Elvira’ Weigela florida ‘French Lace’ Weigela florida ‘Minuet’

1 gal 2 gal 3 gal price price price

5.00

5.00

7.50 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.25 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.60 7.60 7.60 7.00

Botanical Name

Weigela florida ‘Purpurea Nana’ Weigela florida ‘Rumba’ Weigela florida ‘Victoria’ Weigela florida ‘Nana Variegata’ Weigela ‘Red Prince’ Weigela ‘Polka’ Weigela ‘Tango’

1 gal 2 gal 3 gal price price price

5.00

Botanical Name

Evergreens - 5 gal.

8.00

7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00

5 gal price

Chamaecyparis nootk ‘Green Arrow’ Chamaecyparis nootkatensis’Pendula’ Juniperus chinensis ‘Spartan’ Juniperus scop. ‘Blue Haven’ Larix laricina Metasequoia glyptostroboides Metasequoia glyp. ‘Goldrush’ Picea abies ‘Acrocona’ Picea glauca ‘Conica’ Pinus mugo mugo Thuja occidentalis ‘Brandon’ Thuja plicata ‘Green Giant’ Thuja occidentalis ‘Holmstrup’ Thuja occidentalis ‘Little Giant’ Thuja occidentalis ‘Nigra’ Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’ Thuja occidentalis ‘Wintergreen’ Tsuga canadensis

Acer palmatum’Bloodgood’ Acer palmatum ‘Dissectum Acer palmatum ‘Garnet’ Acer rubrum Amelanchier canadensis Cercis canadensis Cotinus coggygria’Royal Purple’ Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’ Hydrangea mac.’Endless Summer’ Hydrangea pan. ‘Compacta’ Hydrangea pan. ‘Grandiflora’ Hydrangea pan. ‘Kyushu’ Hydrangea pan.’Limelight’ Magnolia loebneri ‘Leonard Messel’ Magnolia ‘Susan’ Magnolia stellata ‘Royal Star’ Populus tremuloides Quercus robur ‘Fastigiata’ Spiraea bumalda ‘Flaming Mound’ Spiraea bumalda ‘Goldflame’ Syringa meyeri ‘Palibin’ Syringa prestoniae ‘Donald Wyman’ Syringa pres’James Macfarlane Syringa prestoniae ‘Minuet’ Tilia cordata Viburnum ‘Emerald Triumph’ Viburnum trilobum ‘Compactum’

36.00 36.00 19.00 16.00 17.00 25.00 40.00 35.00 28.00 19.00 19.00 19.00 19.00 19.00 19.00 19.00 19.00 33.00

51.00 51.00 51.00 25.00 19.00 19.00 18.00 35.00 21.70 17.00 17.00 17.00 17.00 25.00 25.00 25.00 16.00 25.00 13.00 13.00 16.00 16.00 16.00 16.00 17.00 18.00 16.00

Deciduous Shrubs - 5 gal.

8.00 8.00

8.00

8.00 8.00 8.00

Botanical Name

Evergreens - 15 gal.

Chamaecyparis nootkatensis’Pendula’ Metasequoia glyptostroboides Thuja occidentalis ‘Brandon’ Thuja occidentalis ‘Nigra’ Thuja occidentalis ‘Wintergreen’ Thuja plicata ‘Spring Grove’

15 gal price

49.00 41.00 41.00 41.00 41.00 41.00

RR 2, Mount Brydges, ON N0L 1W0 Tel: 519-264-9057 • Fax: 519-264-1337

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - november 15, 2008 21

Growers Auction raises over $24,000

Buyers check out the lots of superior plant material donated to the auction before bidding begins.

Skids of plant material and products raised over $24,000 at the annual LO Growers Auction on September 25, at Mori Nurseries in Niagaraon-the-Lake.

Proceeds from the auction are used to fund industry research and horticultural scholarships.

Prior to the start of the live auction, attendees were given tours of the Mori site, and then treated to a delicious lunch. After lunch, the Growers Group took time to provide a brief overview of the many industry projects it is working on in co-operation with local colleges, universities and the Horticultural Research Institute of Ontario (HRIO) and Vineland Research Station to benefit all nursery growers.

With many industry experts and innovators in attendance at the auction, it provided the perfect opportunity for judging plant material entered into the LO Growers Awards of Excellence Program. All plant material was then auctioned off as part of the annual event, with winners recognized for their achievements.

Landscape Ontario thanks the judges who volunteered their time and expertise for this year’s Growers Awards Program: Jen Llewellyn, chair, University of Guelph; Chris Graham and Luba Taylor of BritAli Gardens; Len Mancini, Holland Park Garden Gallery;

Rodger Tschanz, University of Guelph and Glen Lumis. The Landscape Ontario Growers Commodity Group also thanks Mori Nurseries for hosting the auction.

And thanks go to the following companies for the generous donations of plant material, product and cash to the auction: Blue Sky Nursery, Braun Nursery, Brookdale Treeeland Nurseries, Canadale Nurseries, Connon Nurseries - AVK Holdings, Connon Nurseries - NVK Holdings, Downham Nurseries, GroBark (Ontario), Ground Covers Unlimited, J.C. Bakker and Sons, JM Peters Nurseries, Bill Mori (left) accepts a plaque from Bart Brusse, LO Growers’ Group co-chair, thanking Kord Products, Langendoen Nurseries, Maple Mori Nurseries for hosting the annual Growers Leaf Nurseries, Mori Nurseries, Moristar Research Auction.

Perennials, Plant Products, M. Putzer Hornby Nursery, Riverbend Nursery, Sheridan Nurseries, Somerville Nurseries, Source ID, Sylvite Agri Services, Timm Enterprises, V. Kraus Nurseries, Willowbrook Nurseries and Winkelmolen Nursery.

Next year’s Growers Auction will be hosted by Somerville Nurseries in Alliston.

On the morning nursery tours, visitors got a sneak peek of some new

22 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - November 15, 2008

plant varieties for 2009 and an overview of the Mori facility.

2008 Growers Awards of Excellence winners Category 2: Evergreens - Container Grown Upright and Spreading Winner: Canadale Nurseries For: Assorted evergreens

The Growers Awards of Excellence program serves a number of purposes. Participants receive honours in the judged categories, while those present can obtain some of the best plant material available through the auction. The plant material donated to the LO Growers Auction provides funds for the Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation to support industry research and scholarships. Congratulations to all of the winners: Category 1: Evergreens - Field Grown Upright and Spreading Winner: Connon Nurseries, NVK Holdings For: Taxus x media ‘Fairview’

Category 9: Perennials Winner: Mori Nurseries For: Assorted Perennials

Category 3: Broadleaf Evergreens Winner: Willowbrook Nurseries For: Broadleaf evergreens

Category 10: Unusual and Rare Plants Winner: Connon Nurseries, NVK Holdings For: Metasequoia glyptostroboides ‘Miss Grace’

Category 4: Deciduous Shrubs Winner: Connon Nurseries, NVK Holdings For: Assorted deciduous shrubs

Category 11: Design on a Skid Winner: Mori Nurseries For: Assorted plant material

Category 5: Deciduous Ornamental Trees, 300 cm or less Winner: Connon Nurseries, NVK Holdings For: Parrotia persica Category 6: Deciduous Ornamental Trees, Top Grafted/Worked Winner: Maple Leaf Nurseries For: Assorted top grafted deciduous trees Category 7: Caliper Trees Winner: Braun Nursery For: Malus ‘Prairiefire’ Category 8: Vines and Groundcovers Winner: Willowbrook Nurseries For: Assorted Vines

Judges’ Choice Award for best overall entry chosen by the judging panel: Winner: Connon Nurseries, NVK Holdings For: Category 11: Unusual and Rare Plants Metasequoia glyptostroboides ‘Miss Grace’ For details on the Landscape Ontario Awards programs, visit www.loawards.com.

The awards ceremony for the construction, maintenance and design categories will be held in conjunction with Congress at the Doubletree

by Hilton – Toronto Airport Hotel on January 6, 2009.

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HORTICULTURE REVIEW - nOVEmbER 15, 2008 2

Garden Expo showcases the industry’s best

It was a busy floor both days at Garden Expo

Garden and Florist Expo 2008 kicked it up a notch (or two) as it continues to showcase the best of the garden and floral industries.

Landscape Ontario, in partnership with Flowers Canada - Toronto Chapter, hosted the ninth edition of the fall buying show for the green and floral industries at the Toronto Congress Centre on October 21 and 22.

While attendance this year was down 3.8 per cent from 2007, the visitors who did attend were buying product. And that’s great news for

the industry The first-ever wine and beer garden party at Garden Expo was a big hit. Held at the Doubletree Hotel, across from the Congress Centre, more than 200 people came out to the event sponsored by Greenstar Plant Products, Turf Revolution, Qualitree Propagators and Steam Whistle Brewery.

Booth award winners were Nincompoop Farms, winning the 200 square feet or less category, and Universal Rocks that won the trophy

Some of the team responsible for the success of Garden Expo, from left, Congress Committee chairman Brian Lofgren with Garden and Florist Expo 2008 vice-chair, Beth Edney CLD; Greenstar representative Bill McGowan and show manager, Paul Day CDE.

24 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - November 15, 2008

for over 200 square feet. The pre-show promotion winner was Fernlea Flowers.

Also announced were the winners of the

Flowers Canada Toronto Chapter Gold Cup Awards. First place and the Gold Cup winner was Tina McQuaid, second place went to Heidi Oeschlager and Susan Sottile and Sandra Karser, and CAFA came in third. On hand to present the Gold Cup to McQuaid were Gary Gander, Pick Ontario, and Derrick Foss, Flowers Canada Toronto Chapter.

Over 150 new or green products and new plant varieties were presented in the New Product Showcase this year. In a garden-like setting, with gazebos from Camilla House and containers from Apex Elegance, more than 600 buyers flocked to the showcase to get a glimpse of some “hot” new products including a series of custom-made TV programs for display in garden centres, aerated biodegradable flower pots and generic landscape plans that help homeowners solve specific problems.

Sponsors included Sester Farms, for the show bags, Pick Ontario, for the floral stage and Gold Cup Floral Design Competition, Greenstar

Plant Products, Turf Revolution, Qualitree Propagators and Steam Whistle Brewery for the wine and beer garden, Fafard for speaker Anne Obarski, and Agriculture and Agri-Food through Agricultural Adaptation Council’s CanAdvance Program for speaker Roy Prevost.

Outstanding Display of Goods Seasonal Georgina Garden Centre Giftware Pathways To Perennials Canadale Nurseries

Awards of Excellence, Garden Centre program One of the highlights at the show was the annual Landscape Ontario Awards of Excellence which were handed out on October 20 at the Garden Centre Symposium and Interiorscape Conference luncheon. On hand to give out the awards were LO president Bob Adams and executive director Tony DiGiovanni. Denis Flangan acted as MC.

Merchandising Techniques Outstanding Print Advertising Gardens To Go Sheridan Nurseries Humber Nurseries Creative POP Area (Cash register or immediate surrounding area) Canadale Nurseries Outstanding Promotional Event Canadale Nurseries Cut and Dried Flower Farm Mori Gardens Outstanding Web Site Development Ego’s Nurseries Georgina Garden Centre

Outstanding Display of Plant Material Deciduous Shrubs/Trees Angelo’s Garden Centre Canadale Nurseries Georgina Garden Centre Annuals and/or Perennials Canadale Nurseries Pathways To Perennials

Permanent Display Gardens Under 500 square feet Mori Gardens Over 500 square feet Pathways To Perennials

The next big show for Landscape Ontario is Congress, Canada’s 36th International Horticultural, Lawn and Garden Trade Show and Conference, January 6-8, 2009. Visit www. locongress.com for more information.

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HORTICULTURE REVIEW - november 15, 2008 25

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

I wanna be like Bill A few years ago, Nike ran a popular advertisement for its sneakers with the catch phrase, “I wanna be like Mike.” Michael Jordan, that is.

The concept of modeling our behavior after a prominent figure was used very effectively.

Many of us changed our buying habits and purchased the same shoes worn by Michael Jordan.

In this uncertain and volatile era, it is time that we model our vocabulary and behaviour to reflect a positive, optimistic attitude toward the prospects for business in the coming year.

After sharing some time at Garden Expo with a fellow nurseryman, I’d like to declare that with respect to attitude, “I wanna be like Bill.” Bill Van Belle, of Van Belle Nursery in Abbotsford, B.C., that is.

Bill is ‘bullish’ on the future of our industry and here’s why: • While up to ten per cent of the population may be unemployed, 90 per cent are gainfully employed, with many in highpaying jobs • The shortage of labour may well be less of a problem in the coming year • Let’s take confidence from what happened in the last two recessions — people stayed at home instead of going on long vacations and spent money fixing up their number one investment, their home. In the early 80s and 90s, it was called cocooning, now the term is ‘staycation.’ (In many parts of the U.S. this past year, this has happened and, YES, people did spend money on their gardens and landscaping.)

• We are resourceful, intelligent entrepreneurs who adapt well to change.

• There is tremendous untapped potential in every market and every community — we

need to re-work and re-design our focus in order to take advantage of the opportunities in crisis. We may have to work harder and smarter, but the potential is there.

These were Bill’s reasons for being optimistic about the future. I agree with all of them.

I recently re-joined our local Optimist Club, primarily because I feel so strongly connected to The Optimist Creed. A few highlights include: Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind, to talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet; to look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true; to think only of the best; to work only for the best and to expect only the best; to forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future; to be too large for worry; too noble for anger; too strong for fear and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

Surely, we are in for some challenging times in the next few years, but let us promise ourselves to be optimistic. Attitude determines behaviour: a healthy optimistic attitude will make the rocky trip a lot easier and enhance our personal happiness and the mood of those around us. Let us model our behavior, attitude and vocabulary after positive energetic people like Bill Van Belle.

That’s why, “I wanna be like Bill.”

Tom Intven Canadale Nurseries and first vice president, Landscape Ontario

26 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - November 15, 2008

Turfgrass symposium to examine challenges The theme of the 18th annual Ontario Turfgrass Symposium is ‘The Challenge of Green.’ Speakers from both industry and academia will be on hand at the event scheduled February 18-19, 2009 at the University of Guelph’s Rozanski Hall.

Recent government policies that require new insight and skills have placed demands on turf managers. Sessions will provide current information on the complexities of maintaining healthy turf in today’s more restrictive growing environment. Sports and recreation staff, lawn care operators, golf course workers and nursery sod growers can all benefit from the many topics including the economics of the turf industry, new pest and disease controls, safety issues and other industry-related topics.

The conference website address is www.open.uoguelph.ca/ots.

Great deal on Canada Blooms tickets for LO members Tickets for Canada Blooms 2009 are being offered at a greatly reduced rate to Landscape Ontario members. The price of tickets to Canada Blooms retail at $18 per adult visitor, but Canada Blooms is offering them to LO members for just $12 each. That’s a savings of 33 per cent off the face value.

The bar coded tickets are available in packs of 100. They may be given to your clients or sold at a cost of $16 each (same as the website price). You will only be charged for the tickets that are redeemed. Canada Blooms will invoice companies in April only for the tickets used to enter the show.

This fabulous and cost-effective opportunity is a great way to thank customers and staff at Christmas. To order special-rate tickets, contact Kathleen Pugliese at 1-800-265-5656, ext. 309, or e-mail kpugliese@landscapeontario.com.

HIGH SCHOOL HORTICULTURE

The future looks green

By Eckhard Lutz Landscape instructor, Glenview Park Secondary School

A

t Glenview Park Secondary School in Cambridge, the landscape and horticulture program is alive and well with five to six classes of students each school year.

Since its humble beginning in 2004, with two classes and some grow lights in a classroom, it has grown at an incredible pace. It is part of the board’s direct-to-workplace program, known as Fastforward. Each passing year brings a new piece of equipment for the students to train on, which now includes a 21-inch mower, snow blower, rototiller, string trimmer and power edger, quick cut saw and tractor with finishing mower.

In 2005, thanks to a grant from the Ministry of Education, the school was able to purchase a 24 by 48 foot polycarbonate greenhouse. With the support of the Waterloo district school board’s tech coordinator, Gary Berscht, and the school’s principal, Jim Woolley, a big believer in the Fastforward program, the students built the entire greenhouse structure. The project came together with the help of many local businesses that donated material and equipment to the tune of $15,000.

Recent projects have included a major softscape project at a local elementary school, starting cannas in the greenhouse for the local sculpture gardens, along with the 400-plus trays of annuals and perennials and a vegetable garden each year for the school’s hospitality program. Through a generous donation of $1,500 from Landscape Ontario and by partnering with LO members Kerr and Kerr Landscaping, the senior students were able to complete a hard and softscape renovation of the school’s front entrance in time for our 50th reunion.

This past year has produced the first graduates of the Fastforward program, with one landscape major, Billy Parsons, opting into the school’s OYAP (Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program) and doing a co-op placement with Kerr and Kerr Landscaping. Billy graduated with special awards in horticulture and principal’s award in Fastforward. He is now a full-time apprentice with Kerr and Kerr. Owner Rob Kerr has expressed his delight with Billy as a product of the program and sees a great future for him in the industry. He believes that being involved in the program is a key to future company success and is eager to meet this

Graduate Billy Parsons, left, with Kerr co-owner Rob Kerr

year’s co-op students and graduates.

With the Ministry of Education releasing its new technological studies curriculum over the next few months, the all new Green Industries will replace locally developed programs and include agriculture, floristry, forestry, horticulture and landscaping. These are exciting times for these industries with the province recognizing the need for these courses at the high school

level, thanks to the tireless lobby of industry representative like LO’s Terry Murphy.

This presents great opportunities for local businesses to partner with their high schools and become involved in training the next generation of industry stakeholders. To learn more about Glenview’s program, or how to get involved, contact me at eckhard_lutz@wrdsb.on.ca.

Riverbend Farms (Ontario) Ltd. 1980-2008

Award winning evergreens and broadleaf evergreens

51240 John Wise Line Aylmer, ON N5H 2R5

O

u

us rB

iness is

Growing!

Flowering shrubs Perennials Phone (519) 765-2130 Fax (519) 765-3171 E-mail riverbendfarms@amtelecom.net

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - nOVEmbER 15, 2008 2

HORT PROTECT

When is it okay to double-dip?

By W. Michael Thomas, CFP, CLU, CH.F.C., R.F.P.

M

any people, especially those with young children, struggle every year with a tough decision: do I save for retirement through Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs), or do I save for my children’s education through Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs)?

Worry no more, because there is a way to do both.

First, make your RRSP contribution before the deadline each year and then use the resulting tax refund to make an RESP contribution. That’s the ultimate “double-dip.” Here

is why it works so well: When you make your maximum allowable RRSP contribution, you may enjoy tax savings that can be applied towards establishing or adding to your childrens’ RESPs. The federal government’s CES grant program provides a matching grant for each RESP contribution made for an eligible child. The basic CES grant is worth 20 per cent on the first $2,500 of an annual RESP contribution, or $500 per year. Families with children born after December 31st, 2003, who also receive the National Child Benefit Supplement, may also qualify for additional funds through the Canada Learning Bond.

If you have any questions, please contact

Michael Thomas at the address below.

W. Michael Thomas is a partner with The Investment Guild, endorsed provider of the HortProtect Group Insurance Program and is a director of Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation.

The Investment Guild/HortProtect 1-800-459-8990 11 Allstate Parkway Markham, ON L3R 9T8 www.hortprotect.com info@hortprotect.com

Windsor scholarship donation The Windsor Chapter presented a cheque, reflecting half the proceeds from Winter Blooms 2008, to St. Clair College and the Lex Kraft Scholarship. Remaining proceeds will go to The Hospice of Windsor/Essex County. The scholarship was created in recognition of Lex Krafts’ contribution to the industry.

The cheque is for the Lex Kraft Legacy Bursary Scholarship which is offered through the St. Clair College Foundation. Karl Klinck, left, presents the cheque to Fred Sorrell, vice president of advancement of the St. Clair College Foundation. A perpetual scholarship, the inaugural one will be awarded in February 2009 to a student who achieves both academic and practical skills, while showing dedication to the industry.

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OMAFRA NURSERY-LANDSCAPE REPORT

There is an alternative to green ash

By Jen Llewellyn, OMAFRA Nursery Crops Specialist

I

t’s getting a little tricky for nursery growers and landscapers to decide what shade trees they should plant. Every time we turn around there is a new invasive alien species being found associated with ornamental or forest trees. Or, it’s announced that there’s a need to expand the quarantine zone for a pest like emerald ash borer (EAB). The larvae of borer feed in the phloem, in the cambial tissue under the bark. Their galleries disrupt the flow of water and nutrients in the plant. Most trees are killed within three years of the first symptoms of the infestation.

A research team at the University of Guelph has graduate student Shelley Stewart looking at ash species in Essex County that are resistant to EAB. The pest has been reported to attack and kill all five ash species in eastern North America. Green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) is highly susceptible to attack. In contrast, blue ash (F. quadrangulata), a species of special concern in Canada, is the least preferred species.

Point Pelee National Park (PPNP) presents

a unique situation with its natural populations of blue ash and green ash occurring in very close proximity. A case study was conducted in 2008 at Northwest Beach in PPNP to compare the effects of EAB on blue and green ash trees. All green ash trees at this site exhibited symptoms of EAB infestation and reduced health; most were either dead or dying from EAB damage.

In contrast, we found no evidence that EAB had infested the blue ash at this site; they were all in excellent health and no EAB exit holes were observed. Resistance to the EAB, coupled with excellent drought and salt tolerance, make blue ash a suitable tree species for urban areas in southern Ontario to replace other ash trees killed

by EAB. Blue ash is not a species commonly available in a nursery catalogue. It is slower growing, somewhat difficult to propagate and often it has a slightly irregular crown of spreading branches.

After all, when there was green ash available, which grows fast and is easy to propagate, why choose a difficult species like blue ash? Now EAB has changed all the rules, making blue ash look pretty good. Unlike green ash, blue ash has

gorgeous, glossy, dark green foliage and is very well suited to our calcareous soils. The stems are four-sided with corky wings that make identification easy. Personally, I think it is a beautiful tree.

Even if the propagation challenges are worked out, all Fraxinus species are regulated for EAB and the number of regulated areas is growing. This means that more nurseries are getting caught in EAB regulated areas. Since shade trees can take three to seven years before they become saleable, nurseries that plant blue ash today may not be able to ship their blue ash by the time it’s ready to harvest. These are the same nurseries that have already had to destroy their pre-existing green and white ash inventory and absorb all of those costs due to a collapse in the market.

Jen Llewellyn may be reached at (519) 8244120, ext 52671, or by e-mail at jennifer.llewellyn@ontario.ca. See her Nursery-Landscape Report at http://apps.omafra.gov.on.ca/scripts/ english/crops/agriphone/index.asp.

Helping their community Nutri-Lawn Kitchener prides itself on thinking outside the box. Having just completed its third annual food drive, the company used its business model to leverage collection of an entire skid of food, which was delivered to the local food bank. A total of 1,189 pounds was collected one donation at a time by the LO member. The residential lawn care franchise called ahead to notify customers of a visit, and that Nutri-Lawn would pick up donations, specifying the type of food needed and requesting that the food be left on the porch.

Each of the three years has seen more donations. This year, the company committed to matching one dollar for every pound of food donated. “The drive is part of the continual awareness the food bank needs to stay front and centre in the mind of the community,” says Nancy Mulhall, Nutri-Lawn Kitchener’s production coordinator.

“We feel very good about this idea and want to share it with LO members to encourage others to go ahead with ideas that meld community needs with their business model, in order to give back to the community that

supports them. For a small business such as ours, this made giving part of our every day work, rather than a line item on the balance sheet. It also positively involved our employees and customers,” says Mulhall. In photo,

from left, are the Nutri-Lawn Kitchener gang who took part in delivering the food: Jack Becking, Scott Hopkinson, Garrett Morrow, Dave Newbigging, Eric Ferreira, Bill Pacheco, Gary Mulhall and Nancy Mulhall.

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - november 15, 2008 29

Beautification award

Big Impressions Small Footprints Tailgate XIII

Wednesday January 7, 2008

The 4th Annual Commercial Beautification Award, sponsored by the Upper Canada Chapter of Landscape Ontario, in partnership with the Quinte West Horticultural Society, was presented to Dan and Tammy Tolj of the Quinte West Foot Care Clinic. In photo, Dan Clost, at left, member of the Upper Canada Chapter, presents Tammy and Dan Tolj of Quinte West Foot Care Clinic with their award. The televised presentation occurred during the Quinte West city council meeting. Mayor John Williams commented on the appropriateness of the award going to the

Tolj’s, remarking that they had done an outstanding job in improving the city’s appearance. The award was created to recognize the efforts of commercial businesses that demonstrate pride and respect for their communities by beautifying their premises. In each instance, professional members of LO are involved in the completion of the landscaping project. The award is unique in that it represents the only collaboration of its kind between two of the province’s best known horticultural organizations, the Ontario Horticultural Association and Landscape Ontario.

Tailgate XIII features 50’s to 90’s dance music Guaranteed foot-stomping fun.

5 pm to midnight Hosted by the Congress Committee Doubletree by Hilton Toronto Airport International Ballroom Congress badge required for entry.

Winkelmolen Nursery Ltd.

For Bareroot and Container Grown Trees • Native • Shade • Ornamental 148 Lynden Road, P.O. Box 190 Lynden, Ontario L0R 1T0 Tel: 519-647-3912 Fax: 519-647-3720 www.winkelmolen.com 30 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - November 15, 2008

High school students test skills at LO

Working towards certification.

The LO site in Milton played host to two Certified Horticultural Technician (CHT) evaluations in October.

Oct. 9 was re-test day, when candidates who missed stations could come back and retake them. A total of 45 industry professionals took advantage of the opportunity to upgrade their skill sets towards attaining their CHT designations.

The following day, 35 students from four high schools visited the LO site to challenge some of the CHT evaluation stations. The students are all registered in the Secondary High

Skills Major (SHSM) horticulture program, and are required to pass three CHT stations to receive their SHSM certificates and Secondary School diplomas.

Wendy Peters, head of Technological Studies at White Oaks Secondary School in Oakville, says the 15 students she brought gained valuable experience from their first test day. “They not only gained the experience of challenging some areas within CHT, but they also gained further knowledge of industry standards and operations (including the skid steer demonstration). The students interacted well with each other and gained self-confidence through this experience.”

Sally Harvey, LO’s manager of education and labour development, explained that it was the first secondary school group to challenge the test in Canada. She told the students they were SHSM pioneers for the landscape industry. “Our team was impressed with the calibre of the students, both during the test times and while on the property. The conduct and behaviour of the students was fantastic and very much appreciated.”

Students came from White Oaks S.S., Oakville; Coburg District Collegiate Institute East, Coburg; Thomas A. Stewart S.S., Peterborough and Notre Dame Catholic S.S., Burlington.

Landscape Ontario extends a big thank you to all the volunteers, sponsors and suppliers who supported the two test days. Without your help, this valuable industry certification wouldn’t be possible.

Members proudly displaying the LO logo This month the following members were observed proudly displaying the LO logo through advertisements, posted on their vehicles or on their website. Each month Horticulture Review will print the names of those members we see displaying the fact they are proud members of LO. DeKorte’s Landscaping, Fenwick www.dekorteslandscaping.com Boot’s Landscaping and Maintenance, Richmond Hill www.bootslandscaping.com Solty Garden Centre, Cookstown www.soltygardencentre.com Custom Lawn Care, Nepean www.customlawncare.biz BDC Irrigation Systems, Cambridge www.bdcirrigation.com Evergreen Landscaping, Tecumseh www.evergreen-landscaping.com Great Lakes Lawn Care, London www.greatlakeslawn.ca Nature’s Way Landscaping, Gananoque www.natureswaylandscaping.net

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - nOVEmbER 15, 2008 1

Expanded gardens

Journey nearly complete to achieve Red Seal The long road to achieve Red Seal status for the landscape industry was greatly shortened in late October with the approval by the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA).

According to Joel Beatson, CLP, CAE, professional and business development manager of CNLA, the next step is for CCDA is to place the category of Landscape Horticulturist in its development schedule and begin work on validating a National Occupational Analysis (NOA). This is expected to involve using the work developed by the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC) with the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA).

The trial gardens sponsored by Grounds Management Commodity Group at the Landscape Ontario’s offices in Milton will double in size for 2009. In late October work began to remove the sod and bring in soil to develop the gardens that the University of Guelph will utilize in the spring of next year.

Delivering superior sod and quality service • Healthier, greener sod • No.1 Kentucky Bluegrass • Premium Bentgrass • Extreme Fescue • Large or small rolls •Custom grown sod available 17525 Jane Street, RR1, Kettleby, Ontario L0G 1J0 (905) 727-2100 • (877) 727-2100 • (416) 364-5700

www.zandersod.com

2 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - nOVEmbER 15, 2008

“Red Seal status will help the industry with labour mobility, public image and youth recruitment .”

“Once an NOA is established, Ontario will act as host province via the Ministry of Colleges, Training and Universities for exam development. This will include industry members, educators and apprenticeship specialists from each province tasked to create the item bank for the Red Seal examination,” says Beatson.

The name Landscape Horticulturist is a proposed title. It was forwarded for further discussion, but some variation of this name is expected to become the national title. This does not preclude provinces from retaining unique titles at their level.

Those working on the program feel that Red Seal status will help the industry with labour mobility, public image and youth recruitment right across Canada, all of which may, over time, help alleviate the current labour shortages. According to Sally Harvey, manager of LO’s education and development department, Red Seal will also provide opportunities for tax credits, branding possibilities and reinforce the image that the industry is a professional trade.

Beatson thanked the HRSDC, CAHRC, and the NOA development volunteers, Terry Murphy, Dr. Abate Wori Abate, Doug Muir, and Linda Jones for their efforts in making Red Seal status a reality.

New energy and objectives for Vineland Research Station

Visitors to Vineland are greeted with a beautiful setting.

For over 100 years, the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre has contributed to the horticultural industry. Those behind the wellknown institution are now working hard to ensure it has a successful second century. In 2006 it moved into a new era, when the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs began transforming Vineland into a world-class research and innovation centre.

Back in 1906, the Vineland Research Station was created through a gift from Moses F. Rittenhouse. This endowment is one of the reasons the Niagara Peninsula became one of the major producers of fruit, and in the last few years a Canadian centre in the wine and greenhouse industries.

Now under the leadership of chief executive officer Dr. Jim Brandle, and a board of directors chaired by Donald Ziraldo, Vineland is seeing a major renewal and plans to restore some of the 35 buildings (165,000 square feet) on its 218-acre property. The centre is located in the town of Lincoln, and the property touches the shores of Lake Ontario. The site has a unique micro-climate and represents the “urban-rural” environment protected by Ontario greenbelt legislation.

Brandle says the objective is to make Vineland a world-class research institution and international hub for horticulture and floriculture research, innovation and commercial activity. The process involves a whole value chain including business, science, academia,

industry and government.

“The partnerships are the key to our success,” says Brandle. “Vineland could become the centre of interaction for all segments among the players in the agriculture and horticulture industry.”

In order to create the strong partnerships, Vineland has outlined a list of goals: • Provide a unique and compelling environment where growers, grower organizations, their industries, scientists and the general public can comfortably gather to have discussions, share information and collaborate — both physically and virtually.

• Demonstrate a clear, unbiased understanding of key issues pertaining to horticulture, agricultural sustainability, as well as related food and health issues.

• Discuss farm issues for knowledgeable stakeholders and the public, and engage partners across all areas, including the media, tourism, academia, and retail, to carry key messages on pertinent issues, such as food security, health, the environment and trade.

• Create opportunities.

• Draw attention of potential partners in the horticultural, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries to growers and their value chain players, governments and the general public to the work at Vineland and the benefits of that work.

• Ensure that growers and the general public can track the progress of research programs and activities.

Brandle expects the goals set for Vineland to be attained by 2012 to 2013. “Our success must be what generates dollars to sustain the operation. And that will be all about the people who work here,” says Brandle. A major part of the potential income will come through research dollars. Money will be generated by the success of that research. The CEO envisions a staff of 40 and 50 people working full time when Vineland is at full strength.

Two recent appointments should help enhance the scientific reputation of Vineland.

Dr. Hannah Mathers of Ohio State University was named senior research fellow (see October Horticulture Review) and Dr. Daryl Somers is the new research chair, molecular breeding and biotechnology, for the centre. He was a senior research scientist of molecular genetics, bioproducts and bioprocesses at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Cereal Research Centre in Winnipeg, Man. Vineland’s mission is to provide: • A tender fruit, grape and floriculture industry where pesticides are no longer necessary to control insects and diseases • Innovative cold-hardy plants, as a result of Ontario research, both outdoors and under glass • Enhanced year-round capacity to supply locally grown products to satisfy Ontario’s consumers • An internationally recognized greenbelt focus and socio-economic research team • New links developed among better horticultural produce, better health, better use of resources and better living • An international hub for horticultural research, innovation and commercial activity • A destination for world-class horticultural and food/health related research scientists to innovate and transfer their knowledge to Ontario growers • Enhancements in culinary tourism • A new, exemplary model for federal and provincial agri-food research and innovation centres and networks featuring sustainable and green building best practices With the talent, energy and a far-sighted plan in place, many feel that Vineland will achieve these goals.

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - november 15, 2008 33

LEGAL ISSUES

The cons of one-sided contracts

By Rob Kennaley mcLauchlin & Associates

I

n the seminars and tutorials we give in relation to contracts, contractors will often tell us that their clients agree to clauses which substantially assign most of the risk associated with the work to the owner. When asked whether or not we think this is a good idea, we sometimes struggle to provide a complete answer to the question.

It might seem from the contractor’s perspective that Rob Kennaley attempting to obtain as many rights as possible under a contract, and attempting to transfer as many obligations and risks as possible to the owner, would be a good thing. This, however, is not necessarily true.

First, from a business perspective there is probably no better and faster way to make a client lose confidence in your professionalism and service than to ask him or her to sign a ridiculously one-sided contract.

It is one thing to ask a client to assume risks or obligations that a client might reasonably take on, for the right price. Thus, for example, a winter maintenance contractor might want the contract to say, in legal terms, “I’m happy to do your work but, for the money you want to pay and given your wish to limit my use of ice melting products, you will have to assume all the risks associated with a slip and fall.” But it is something entirely different, however, to expect the client to assume risks or obligations that he or she could not, ever, reasonably agree to assume.

We were recently asked by an owner to review a contract which had been presented to him for signature by a landscape contractor, in relation to a large-scale residential project.

Suffice it to say, we were shocked at what the contractor actually expected the client to sign.

Among other things, the contractor expected the owner to: • control the worksite and protect the contractor’s materials; • ensure the contractor installed his work in accordance with the Ontario Building Code; • assume the obligations of the “constructor” for the purposes of the Occupational Health

and Safety Act; • purchase a “builder’s risk” insurance policy to cover contractor mistakes; • add the contractor to the homeowner’s property insurance policy, to again cover contractor mistakes; • and ignore the holdback provisions of the Construction Lien Act (which you cannot do).

Most contractors and their residential clients, of course, understand that it is the contractor, and not the client: • who must assume responsibility to control what happens in the performance of the work; • who must assume the responsibility to perform the work in accordance with standards of good workmanship and the building code; • who must ensure that the contractor’s equipment has been properly maintained and is safe and that all workers on the site follow all applicable safety requirements; • and who must have insurance in place to cover his own mistakes.

“It is also nonsensical to suggest that the homeowner should review and/or develop policies.”

To suggest that the owner should oversee and manage the work, and assume responsibility for any deficiencies or code violations is, of course, ridiculous. It is also nonsensical to suggest that the homeowner should review and/or develop policies for health and safety on site and then train the workers to ensure that those policies are followed. Yet this contractor, in an overzealous effort to have a bullet-proof contract, wanted his client to accept these obligations. You can imagine what the owner’s reaction was when we explained the true meaning of this contract.

You might assume that this contractor was of the “fly-by-night” variety, looking to take advantage of unsuspecting homeowners.

I don’t, however, believe that this is the case.

We understand, in fact, that the contractor does

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - nOVEmbER 15, 2008

very good work. Rather, I think the contractor has, in his own mind, separated the role of the contract from his role as a contractor and businessman. We think it’s a mistake to do this.

The risk of losing the confidence of potential clients does increase as we move into an economic downturn, when work will become more and more scarce, and clients become more and more demanding. The risk, of course, should also be of great concern to those contractors who rely on word-of-mouth referrals.

It should also be understood that, even if your client agrees to sign such a one-sided contract, it may not help you in a court of law.

There is no question that a judge who wants to avoid the application of a particular clause can, usually, find a way to do so. There are many legal principles available to the court in that regard, which we will not review here.

There is also probably no better and faster way to make a judge dislike you than to allow him or her to think you are in the business of taking advantage of unsuspecting and trusting homeowners. From this perspective, as well, the use of an unrealistically one-sided contract should be avoided.

Reasonable contracts From a business perspective, we recommend that, particularly in the residential context, contractors develop contracts that are reasonable and fair to both sides. One way to do this is to seek the advice of those who know what clauses are historically standard in the industry. Doing so may also make it easier to justify the contract to your client. There are, of course, certain risks and obligations which contractors may want to transfer to the owners, on the understanding that the transfer of those risks and obligations shall generally affect the contract price. For the reasons discussed above, however, it is in our view a mistake to overreach in your contractual expectations.

Robert Kennaley is a former Landscape Design Build Contractor and an Honourary Member of Landscape Ontario who now practices construction law in Toronto. He can be reached at (416) 368-2522 or at kennaley@mclauchlin.ca. This material is for information purposes and is not intended to provide legal advice. Readers who have concerns about any particular circumstance are encouraged to seek independent legal advice in that regard.

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DEADLINES: January - December 10 February - January 16 March - February 18

Fax your ad to 905-875-0183 with your name and phone number or e-mail classifieds@landscapeontario.com and we’ll fax you a proof and a price.

Prices and sizes online at www.horttrades.com/ses

36 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - November 15, 2008

GARDEN CENTRE AND LANDSCAPING BUSINESS IN SOUTH WESTERN ONTARIO Well established since 1975. Prime site.

Located just 15 minutes from U.S.A. border.

Great future development potential. 48+ acres including: • Planted mature field nursery stock • Large retail store with 4 attached greenhouses • Large maintenance workshop and utility building All vehicles, tools, nursery and gift shop inventory included for turnkey operation.

Call (519) 982-2018 NO BROKERS PLEASE OUTDOOR RENTAL SPACE Central Toronto (Laird/Eglinton). Rent a portion of the space or the entire 1/2 acre.

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Ideal for parking, equipment, portables, etc.

For viewing and rates, call (416) 605-5442 BUSINESS PARTNER Established landscape company is looking for a working partner.

Please fax resume to: (416) 757-3845

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING INFORMATION

All classified ads must be pre-paid by VISA or Mastercard. Rates: $42.00 (GST included) per column inch Min. order $42.00. 10% discount on 6 consecutive insertions of the same ad. Annual rates available. Box Numbers: Additional $10.

Deadlines: 20th day of the month prior to issue date. (eg: June issue deadline is May 20th).

Space is limited to a first come, first served basis. To advertise: E-mail your ad to Robert at classifieds@landscapeontario.com or fax to (905) 875-0183. Online advertising: Website only ads are available for $42.00 (GST included).

Website ads are posted for 30 days and are limited to 325 words. View online ads at:

www.horttrades.com/ classifieds

ADVERTISER’S INDEX COMPANY

PAGE

PHONE

WEBSITE

Agrium Advanced Technologies................................ 5..............519-770-3137........................................... www.prohort.ca Braun Nursery Ltd.................................................. 10,26..........905-648-1911................................. www.braungroup.com Canadale Nurseries Ltd............................................ 2..............519-631-1008..................................... www.canadale.com Clintar Groundskeeping Services............................ 37.............800-361-3542.......................................... www.clintar.com Congress 2009......................................................... 35.............800-265-5656.................................. www.locongress.com Congress Tailgate XIII.............................................. 30..................................................................... www.locongress.com

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HORTICULTURE REVIEW - november 15, 2008 37

PROSPERITY PARTNERS

Program will help chart your business’s direction

By Jacki Hart CLP Prosperity Partners program manager

T

here are two things I can guarantee about your business: • Figuring out what needs changing is tough.

• Actually making changes that stick is even tougher.

Essentially, to make changes you must decide what needs to be done differently.

To do that, you must step back and take a look from the outside.

Presumably the change that you identify is a need to do something Jacki Hart better, or more profitably. But how do you make those changes and when? I think it’s simple, really. You need to

A RCHITECTURALLY D ESIGNED

GARDEN BUILDINGS

The ‘STOP’ doing list includes: It absolutely drives me crazy when my staff ____________________.

It frustrates me to no end when my equipment/trucks ____________________.

I never have enough time in my work day to____________________.

I consistently do these things on my list last, or only if they can no longer be ignored ____________________.

Deliveries drive me crazy when ____________________.

Plant material inventory frustrates me when ____________________.

I am disappointed at work when ____________________.

My customers push my buttons when they ____________________.

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STOP doing something one way, and START doing it another way. Sounds simple, right?

Yes, but it’s just not entirely easy to do. That’s especially true if you have staff, spouses or partners who you must convince to ‘buy into’ the idea. That’s where the Prosperity Partners program can really help you to get some solid ground under your feet in order to move forward.

Back in July, I gave readers a checklist to get started on thinking about the changes needed this winter to improve business. We called it the November Files – a place to put ideas for tomorrow on the back burner. Well, ahem, it’s November — and tomorrow has arrived! So, unless you want to find yourself heading down the exact same road you just traveled in April, now is the time to start planning on what you (or your staff) need to STOP doing, and what you need to START doing.

Here’s the list of thoughts I suggest you ask yourself, if you haven’t already, on brainstorming your business improvements for this winter.

The ‘START’ doing more of this list includes: I am really proud of my staff when ____________________.

I am really proud of this company when ____________________.

38 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - November 15, 2008

Time passes by SO quickly when I am busy doing ____________________.

The best three things about my job are ____________________.

The best feedback I’ve heard from customers this year is ____________________.

The most surprising compliment we’ve had as a company is ____________________.

I can see the improvements we worked on last winter in ____________________.

Back in July, I also suggested that you schedule an entire day in November to retrieve these thoughts, and have a quiet, focused brainstorming day all by yourself. It’s a time to work ON your business rather than just IN it.

So what’s your date? Now is the time to plan for some sort of change to improve your business. Getting started is the hardest part of the process. We’re here to help with that.

By taking time to revisit what’s working and what’s not, you will be able to make a solid plan to make the most of your available resources and work effectively to take your business to the next level.

The Prosperity Partners introductory seminar is designed to lead you through that day of planning, and help take stock of your business in an entirely new and clear way. If you’re having trouble getting started in trying to figure out what to do next, come to the introductory seminar. You will learn a new system of how and where to see the blind spots and gaps in your business, how to leverage the strengths of your business (which is sometimes the hardest to recognize) and how to recognize your strengths and where you need help.

There are already six seminar dates scheduled at various chapters this winter. Seating is limited, so register now, or to learn more go to www.horttrades.com/prospart and follow the links to view seminar dates, locations, or to register online.

Jacki Hart is available by e-mail at prosperity@landscapeontario.com. Jacki’s earlier columns are available online at www.horttrades.com/prospart

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