Landscape Trades - October 2023

LANDSCAPE G R O U N D S

M A N A G E M E N T

I S S U E

TRADES

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CREATING LANDSCAPES THAT STAND UP TO WILDFIRES

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GROUNDS MANAGEMENT ISSUE

11 16

8

20

26

FEATURES 7

NEW PLANTS FOR 2024

Stunning new cultivars are headed to Canadian nurseries and garden centres next spring.

We’ve got your sneak peek at the most exciting introductions.

26

CATCHING FIRE

How thoughtful landscaping can protect homes from wildfire.

BY KARINA SINCLAIR

8 ANNUALS 11 PERENNIALS 16 WOODY PLANTS

20 A ROSE OF OUR OWN

How the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association and Vineland Research and Innovation Centre are creating cold-hardy roses that thrive across Canada.

BY KARINA SINCLAIR

ABOUT THE COVER Supertunia Saffron Finch Petunia PROVEN WINNERS

TRADES

OCTOBER 2023 VOL. 45, NO. 5

LANDSCAPETRADES.COM COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

Kali Pearson

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Mike Wasilewski

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Robert Ellidge

MULTIMEDIA JOURNALIST

Karina Sinclair

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Greg Sumsion

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Liz Lant

COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

Angela Lindsay

GROUNDS MANAGEMENT ISSUE

LANDSCAPE

40

DIGITAL MARKETING SPECIALIST

Charlotte Guena ACCOUNTANT

Joe Sabatino STAFF CONTACT INFO AT LANDSCAPETRADES.COM/CONTACT

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Gerald Boot CLM, Lindsay Drake Nightingale, Jeremy Feenstra, Mark Fisher, Hank Gelderman CHT, Bob Tubby CLM, Nick Winkelmolen Landscape Trades is published by Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 comments@landscapetrades.com www.landscapetrades.com

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COLUMNS 6 GREEN PENCIL

Embracing the magic of fall… and daydreaming about how landscape professionals can make a difference come spring.

BY KALI PEARSON

36 LEGAL MATTERS

‘Cost-Plus’ vs ‘Time and Materials’ contracts and claims in Canada.

BY ROB KENNALEY

40 ART OF GARDENING

How networking empowers growth and drives positive change.

BY ART VANDEN ENDEN

42 DESIGNERS CORNER

Standardizing the sector's approach to design in the face of climate change.

BY CHRISTENE LEVATTE

DEPARTMENTS 44 50 54 57 58

NEWSSCAPE CNLA NEWS NEW PRODUCTS ADVERTISERS AND EVENTS MENTOR MOMENT - BRENT VANDERKRUK

PLEASE RECYCLE YOUR MAGAZINE AND POLY BAG.

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GREENPENCIL

Easing into sweater weather … and dreaming of spring

BY KALI PEARSON FALL IS IN FULL SWING — kids are back in school, the air is getting cooler and in many areas of the country leaves are blazing red, yellow and orange against crystal blue skies. It’s certainly one of my favourite times of the year.

But even before the first frost, landscapers and gardening enthusiasts across the country (myself included!) are already dreaming about what to plant come spring. That’s one of the reasons why we’re so excited about our annual New Plants and Ground Management issue.

This year, we had the good fortune to collaborate once again with Rodger Tschanz, manager of the University of Guelph’s trial garden, for our New Plants feature. Rodger has handpicked some of the most exciting annuals, perennials, and woody shrubs coming to market — and you definitely won’t want to miss them (see page 7).

We also had the chance to get an insider's look at what it takes to create unique cold-hardy roses (see page 20) at the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre in Vineland Station, Ont. A unique collaboration between the research centre and the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) has produced the 49th Parallel Collection of roses — cold-hardy cultivars that are nothing short of spectacular.

6 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

Of course planning for the seasons and grounds management is becoming more and more complicated as the effects of climate change continue to wreak havoc across the country. We had a record-breaking wildfire season in Canada this year. And with effects felt from coast-tocoast, we’re learning no one is immune to the effects of scorching temperatures and tinder-dry conditions.

While we can’t combat climate change single-handedly, those in the landscape trades are uniquely positioned to help mitigate risk and make a positive impact. Read on for Karina Sinclair’s thought-provoking feature on landscaping with fire safety in mind (page 26).

I also encourage you to head on over to the CNLA News (page 50) features to see how the association is working with the industry to reach carbon zero. Plus, learn more about how the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association’s Landscape Designer Committee is working to create a LEED-style approach to support designers in green projects (page 42).

Like many, I always see fall as a time of new beginnings and a chance to pause and reflect on the year ahead. We hope this issue provides you with plenty of inspiration — and food for thought — as the busy season winds down and we head into this “new year.”

LT We’re always planning our next issue and we’d love to hear your feedback, story ideas and thoughts. Just reach out to me at editor@landscapetrades.com and let’s chat!

Even as we are putting this summer’s gardens to bed, we’re dreaming of what to plant come spring.

Read on for some of the most exciting plants coming to market, handpicked by Rodger J. Tschanz, University of Guelph trial gardens manager.

OCTOBER 2023 | 7

Coleus Down Town series offers finely-textured and multi-toned foliage on a compact habit that gives small spaces a bold look, plus it has great sun and shade tolerance. The series currently has seven colours.

DÜMMEN ORANGE

The Petchoa EnViva series is an intergeneric hybrid of petunia and calibrachoa, combining the best attributes of both. Plants have excellent cold/hot/rain weather performance and a more controlled habit compared to market standards. This series launches with four colours for 2024 – with EnViva Pink as the rock star.

SELECTA ONE

8 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

Diascia Trinity Grace is a

Petchoa SuperCal Premium Red Maple is an exciting new

robust hybrid cross with great tolerance to heat, cold, wind and rain and shows resistance to damping-off. Trinity Grace is a prolific producer of white- or blushcoloured blooms and has a moundingupright habit suitable for containers and the landscape.

colour in this popular series, with large, iridescent flowers of scarlet to an orange glow and a well-branched, mounding plant habit. SuperCal Premium Red Maple has exceptional weather tolerations making it an excellent choice for a season extender (early spring through autumn).

DANZIGER

SAKATA

Asparagus densiflorus ‘Sprengeri’ FuzzyFern Frizz was developed by PanAmerican Seed to create a reliable supply of improved seed to meet high market demand for asparagus fern. FuzzyFern Frizz has an 80 per cent germination rate. It brings a fun texture to mixed containers, hanging baskets, landscapes and indoor planters.

Petunia SweetSunshine Magenta Sky is unique in

being the first “sky” pattern in double petunias. The flowers of this series hold up in all weather conditions. Magenta Sky is a unique, eye-catching colour and pattern that will impress in mixed plantings.

Angelonia Aria Angelonia Pink Bicolour is a new and

exciting bicolour flower addition to the Aria series. This selection provides non-stop colour in the garden and withstands the summer heat.

DÜMMEN ORANGE

SELECTA ONE

PANAMERICAN SEED

Capsicum Onyx Orange

Petchoa Caliburst Yellow

Bidens Campfire Marshmallow is a new pure

has striking black/dark purple foliage that contrasts with the vibrant, round, orange fruit produced in clusters all over the plant. Onyx Orange has an attractive compact, branching habit that makes a lovely presentation even without fruit. It is best in six-inch and gallon pots.

is a vibrant yellow new petchoa from seed that supplies an economical choice for greenhouses wanting the same easy production and maintenance in large containers of petunias, plus the colour intensity of calibrachoa. Caliburst has a naturally compact/medium habit, and it makes a great mixed container component.

white bidens that adds a cool touch to full sun landscapes. A showy tuft of gold in the centre of each blossom draws in pollinating bees. Petals shed cleanly once spent, leaving the plant with a tidy appearance — no deadheading required.

AMERICAN TAKII

PANAMERICAN SEED

PROVEN WINNERS

OCTOBER 2023 | 9

Annuals Zinnia Belize and Zinnia Belize Double are two new

series of interspecific Zinnias that are floriferous, have a naturally compact, branching habit and have excellent heat tolerance. They thrive in containers and gardens. The single Belize flowers are available in cherry, orange, rose and white, while Belize Double is available in orange, rose, scarlet, white and yellow.

Bidens Blazing Star has a

vigorous mounding-upright growth habit. Its semi-double bloom is golden yellow with red slashes in the centre of the petal. This patterning is very consistent throughout the spring to fall bloom period.

DANZIGER

Cuphea Sweet Talk series

produces beautiful blooms that are a natural source of pollinator-attracting nectar. Sweet Talk is available in three colours for 2023: Lavender Splash, red and pink. These plants have a nice tight branching habit with few gaps, lots of bloom and low susceptibility to oedema. They are suitable for both container and landscape applications.

PANAMERICAN SEED

AMERICAN TAKII

Verbena Superbena Pink Cashmere has a delicate pink

Dianthus Capitán is a new

bicolour fuchsia and white blooms.

The plant is well-branched and has excellent performance in both containers and beds.

flower colour, extremely vigorous growth and huge umbels that rival Superbena Whiteout and Violet Ice in size. Mounded trailing plants produce loads of continuous blooms all season without deadheading.

series of large, upright dianthus that has XL vigour and novel bicolour double blooms. It is also prized for its lovely fragrance, and holds up well during shipping. The series launches with seven colours, including Magnifica.

DANZIGER

PROVEN WINNERS

SELECTA ONE

Dahlia Darlin Abstract Fuchsia freely produces stunning

10 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

Perennials Perennials Salvia nemorosa Pink Nebula produces huge pink florets

Heuchera Summer Haze

series is available in three flower colours. The tall flower stalks with large individual flowers are striking against the bright green foliage, creating a “haze” of colour in the landscape.

The long stalks are also suitable for cut flower applications.

(Hardiness Zones: 5-9) MUST HAVE PERENNIALS

Leucanthemum Sweet Daisy Izabel produces a

on extra large flower spikes. The result is both a heavy and stunning spring flower show. Moderate rebloom can be expected after the primary spring bloom season. It is suitable for mixed containers and beds.

(Hardiness Zones: 4-9)

remarkable yellow flower which really stands out in the summer Canadian landscape. Its compact habit is a breakthrough. Cooling and vernalization during greenhouse production can benefit its early flowering, improve flower count and enhance colour.

(Hardiness Zones: 4-9)

THINKPLANTS/DANZIGER

DÜMMEN ORANGE

Hemerocallis Sky series

features five bold colours (Radiant, Saffron, Stormy, Blazing and Titan) of large, tetraploid blooms on a plant with a compact habit. Flowers open just above the foliage to display strong ruffled petals. (Hardiness Zones: 4-11)

THINKPLANTS/UNEX INC.

OCTOBER 2023 | 11

Perennials Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Water to Wine’ produces flowers that emerge black against bright green foliage then fade to cinnamon. As temperatures cool, the foliage blushes red and purple and the flowers turn tan. It has a dense, compact growth habit and is tolerant of poor soil conditions.

(Hardiness Zones: 5-9)

Salvia nemerosa Caramia Rosa brings a new colour addition to the Caramia series with its deep rose-coloured blooms. It is a medium-late cultivar with a medium compact habit and very large flower spikes. (Hardiness Zones: 3-9)

DÜMMEN ORANGE

MUST HAVE PERENNIALS

lives up to its namesake with its unique characteristic of weekly colour transitions as the foliage ages, beginning with peach and cherry to champagne and then into shades of green. (Hardiness Zones: 4-9) TERRA NOVA NURSERIES

12 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

flower count and timing of the established Sombrero series to this improved double flowered collection.

It’s more compact than typical doubleflowered echinacea cultivars and is available in vibrant orange, raspberry, strawberry, and watermelon colours.

(Hardiness Zones: 4a-9b) DARWIN PERENNIALS

Hosta Shadowland ‘Love Story’ bears long, heart-

Heuchera ‘Changeling’

Echinacea Double Scoop Deluxe series brings the branching,

shaped green leaves with chartreuse jetting that bleeds into the creamy white centre. It’s made extra special by variegation that extends from petiole to leaf tip and wavy pie crust leaf edges.

Tall scapes hold large clusters of white flowers in early summer.

(Hardiness Zones: 3-9) WALTERS GARDENS/ PROVEN WINNERS

Caryopteris ‘Emerald Crest’ produces dense

clusters of pollinator-attracting, blue flowers in late summer and fall. The plant features glossy green leaves and a nice, compact, mounded habit, which makes it an excellent addition to landscape designs.

(Hardiness Zones: 6a-9a) DARWIN PERENNIALS

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PPAF CPBRAF

A new dark-leaved sedum of rich purple color.

Rose red flowers appear late in the season with attractive dark red seedheads following.

The domed habit is a good match to other ROCK ‘N GROW® cultivars like ‘Coraljade’ and ‘Lemonjade’. Zones 3-9.

TM

Premium Perennials. Rewarding Results.

OCTOBER 2023 | 13

Perennials Helleborus Rocky Mountain

series is bred specifically for unique foliar interest which extends the season for these early spring bloomers. There are six colours in the series and have foliage colours ranging from grey-blue to creamy marbling, to shades of red and pink. (Hardiness Zones: 6-9)

Monarda didyma ‘Jefsnow’ Arctic Snow is a newly released

dwarf-statured white bergamot. It is hardy in zone 2 and should perform well to zone 6. It is resistant to powdery mildew and propagates well from softwood cuttings.

JEFFERIES NURSERIES

MUST HAVE PERENNIALS

Nepeta Nova Blue is an

incredibly clean and crisp new catmint that blooms early while continuing to look tidy long into the season. Bright lavender purple blooms make this a fantastic pollinator attractor, especially bees and butterflies. Distinctive small foliage has a sweet scent and looks great when used as a groundcover, on edges or in containers.

(Hardiness Zones: 5-9)

THINKPLANTS/ TERRA NOVA NURSERIES

Anemone PUFF ‘Pink’

Sedum Rock ‘n Grow ‘Midnight Velvet’ has deep

showcases an exceptional growth habit with a stunning display of pompom flowers supported by stems long enough for cutting. New flowers open a rich rose colour and progress to an antique silver pink, making this plant a brilliant addition to flower beds and borders. (Hardiness Zones: 4-9)

Coreopsis Sunstar series has rose, gold and orange cultivars. These large, red-eyed, molten gold-coloured blooms smother the green, feathery, mildew-resistant foliage of this easycare, well-behaved plant. It blooms all season long. (Hardiness Zones: 5-9)

purple foliage when it emerges each spring. The full, domed habit is adorned in late summer with large clusters of mauve buds which open to reveal rosered flowers that transition to dark red seed heads. (Hardiness Zones: 3-9)

TERRA NOVA NURSERIES

THINKPLANTS/ MONROVIA

PROVEN WINNERS

14 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

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Bobcat ® and the Bobcat logo are registered trademarks of Bobcat Company in the United States and various other countries.

Bobcat ®, the Bobcat logo and the colors of the Bobcat machine are registered trademarks of Bobcat Company in the United States and various other countries. ©2023 Bobcat Company. All rights reserved. | 3841 ©2022 Bobcat Company. All rights reserved.

Hydrangea macrophylla ‘SMNHMTB’ Let’s Dance Lovable has a deeply pigmented

colour, abundant blooms and a high degree of rebloom. The dark glossy foliage turns burgundy in the autumn.

It has a compact growth habit.

(Hardiness Zones: 5-9)

SPRING MEADOW NURSERY/ PROVEN WINNERS

‘WEKmostadabre’ Painted Porcelain is a hybrid tea rose from

Sunblaze Roses are easy to

grow and bloom throughout the season.

Sunblaze Watermelon is the

Easy Bee-zy Knock Out is

the newest addition to the Knock Out family of roses. This rose delivers flower power like no other with fragrant yellow flowers that bloom repeatedly from spring to frost. Plant individually, in a group, or mixed with other perennials, shrubs or roses.

celebrated breeder Christian Bédard.

Each bloom has 25-30 petals and a butter-yellow centre, a white base and light pink outer petals, giving it the look of delicate, hand-painted porcelain.

This selection has a sweet fragrance, attractive dark green foliage and good resistance to powdery mildew and rust fungus.

STAR ROSES

STAR ROSES

WEEKS ROSES/JCBAKKER

newest addition that displays vibrant red blooms that are very disease resistant. Sunblaze Dragon Fruit is covered with deep pink flowers that make a bold statement.

Plant in containers for bold patio colour spring to fall. (Hardiness Zones: 5-11)

16 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Bocotoso’ Bloomin’ Easy Toy Soldier is an oakleaf hydrangea with white and green flowers sitting atop sturdy stems each summer and fall with foliage that change to a rich vermillion red in autumn. This improved native hydrangea stands as strong as a toy soldier. (Hardiness Zone: 5-9)

Hydrangea serrata ‘SMNHSG’ Tuff Stuff Top Fun is a reblooming, compact

mountain hydrangea with pink or purple lacecap inflorescences.

(Hardiness Zones: 4-9) SPRING MEADOW NURSERY/ PROVEN WINNERS

Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Bailmacseven’ First Editions Eclipse is a large-

leaved hydrangea with astonishing colour. The rich colour of the flowers combined with the groundbreaking deep purple foliage brings colour to the landscape and other outdoor spaces, even in warm and sunny climates.

BAILEY NURSERIES/JCBAKKER

VAN BELLE NURSERY/JCBAKKER

Hydrangea paniculata ‘HYLV17522’ Bloomin’ Easy Dragon Baby is an improved hardy hydrangea that delivers extraordinary flower power in a petite form for modern outdoor spaces.

Blooms start cream and lime before igniting to a rich pink as summer fades to fall. (Hardiness Zones: 3-8)

VAN BELLE NURSERY/JCBAKKER

Hydrangea paniculata ‘ILVOHPPRM’ Pinky Winky Prime combines the Hydrangea macrophylla My Beautiful Riviera produces gorgeous flowers that are available in soft shades of blue or pink. Large, firm blooms on a vigorous habit are ideal for finishing in two-gallon pot sizes or larger. (Hardiness Zones: 5-9)

THINKPLANTS/ CREEKSIDE GREENHOUSES

beauty and reliability of the original with bigger, fuller flowers that age to an extra-vivid pink. Sturdy stems keep the blooms upright all summer. This coldhardy selection features large blooms with a vibrant two-toned colour which can be used as cut flowers.

(Hardiness Zones: 3-8)

SPRING MEADOW NURSERY/ PROVEN WINNERS

OCTOBER 2023 | 17

Woody Plants Sarcococca ‘Purplerij1’ Sweet & Lo is a sweet box that

brings fragrant, thread-like flowers in early spring to deeply shaded spots in the landscape. It is evergreen, durable and deer resistant.

(Hardiness Zones: 5-9) SPRING MEADOW NURSERY/ PROVEN WINNERS

Chaenomeles Double Take Eternal White quince is

thornless and is the longest-blooming flowering quince on the market. Its large, doubled blooms appear in spring, and the show continues for months, often into early autumn. This is a lower, wider growing shrub, making it useful in an array of landscape situations.

(Hardiness Zones: 5-9)

Tilia x flavescens ‘Jefhouse’, also known by trademarked name Lighthouse, is a new linden with a narrow crown and strong branching.

It has performed well in prairie tests and is introduced to other growers for production by Jeffries Nurseries Ltd. (Hardiness Zone: 3) JEFFERIES NURSERIES

SPRING MEADOW NURSERY/ PROVEN WINNERS

Syringa x pubecens ‘SMNSPTP’ Bloomerang Purpink is a prolific rebloomer

Physocarpus opulifolius ‘ZLENora’ First Editions Honeycomb is a ninebark

Weigela florida ‘SMNWFG’ Sonic Bloom Wine is the first-ever purple-leaf

with three seasons of fragrant bloom, disease resistance and a compact growth habit. Decide for yourself if the bloom is purple or pink.

(Hardiness Zones: 3-7)

rebloomer which means you get months of bright blooms and colourful foliage instead of only a few weeks.

(Hardiness Zones: 4-8)

SPRING MEADOW NURSERY/

SPRING MEADOW NURSERY/

PROVEN WINNERS

PROVEN WINNERS

18 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

selection with large, vibrant, chartreuse leaves that hold colour all season long, even in full sun. The honeycombshaped white flowers appear in spring and contrast nicely with the foliage, which turns shades of gold in fall. This ninebark grows nicely both in containers and the landscape.

(Hardiness Zone: 3) BAILEY NURSERIES/ JCBAKKER

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OCTOBER 2023 | 19

A Rose

of our own

W

ith thousands of varieties of roses in Canada, it can be difficult to choose the perfect one for your landscape.

If you’re looking for roses that can specifically withstand our harsh Canadian winters and are resistant to Black Spot Disease, research performed by two horticulture industry leaders have just made your decision a whole lot easier.

BACK IN THE DAY

The Morden Research and Development Centre in Morden, Man., had been developing cold hardy roses for nearly 80 years. In 2008, the Agriculture and AgriFood Canada (AgCanada) facility announced they were closing their well-renowned ornamental rose breeding program and put its research materials up for private bids. The opportunity to take on the program opened the door for a powerful collaboration between the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) and Vineland Innovation and Research Centre (Vineland) near Niagara, Ont., resulting in a new series of roses that are proudly Canadian. continued >

20 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

COLLABORATING TO CREATE ROSES THAT THRIVE ACROSS CANADA

BY KARINA SINCLAIR

OCTOBER 2023 | 21

49th Parallel Rose Canadian Shield

49th Parallel Rose Chinook Sunrise

Jamie Aalbers is the grower sector specialist for the CNLA. He helps support the New Plant Development Committee, which guides the development of new plants through the CNLA. That committee was instrumental in the initial acquisition of the genetics from AgCanada.

Having won the bid for the retired program, CNLA knew they needed a scientific partner to take the program to the next level. Aalbers explained: “The partnership is really established by CNLA owning the genetics for the roses, and Vineland conducting all the research, breeding and selection with the support of CNLA with funding and industry interaction.”

“Vineland is a not-for-profit horticulture research station with the goal of helping grow and support the horticultural economy in Canada,” said Travis Banks, director of plant variety development at Vineland. “Without the involvement of industry, without the association [CNLA], our rose program wouldn’t be here. So I think it’s a really great example of what can be achieved when industry and organizations like Vineland come together. We get to do really wonderful research that has an impact for Canadians.”

WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A 49TH PARALLEL ROSE

The crown jewel of the CNLA/Vineland collaboration is the 49th Parallel Rose Collection, the result of advanced breeding guided by a deep understanding of the Canadian marketplace thanks to consumer insights research. To qualify for this collection, a cultivar must be able to withstand harsh winter conditions, surviving temperatures as low as -35 C. “For landscapers, the 49th Parallel roses offer a couple things that will appeal to them and to their customers.

They’re bred in Canada for Canadian conditions. In a sense, they’re local roses and they’re winter hardy,” Aalbers said. “So when they’re planted in the landscape, as a landscaper, you won’t have to replace them or explain to your customer why

22 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

49th Parallel Rose Aurora Borealis

49th Parallel Yukon Sun

they didn’t survive. They will survive and they will be in that garden for years to come.”

Cultivars are rigorously tested at Vineland, but since the Niagara Region does not often reach such low temperatures, potential roses get sent to colder test sites.

Experienced nursery growers in the pan-Canadian test network share feedback on how well the selected roses overwinter, handle disease pressures and appeal to the marketplace. “We want to make sure the products we’re developing for Canadians can be accessible to lots of people in Canada, not just Ontario and British Columbia, but through Manitoba, through Saskatchewan, through Alberta.

I think that’s what makes it so special — it’s a collection that is available for all Canadians to enjoy.”

A ruby-red bloom named Canadian Shield was the first cultivar to be released under this collection in 2017. Next came the two-toned coral and light pink Chinook Sunrise.

The third release introduced a vivid pink Aurora Borealis.

Yukon Sun, a warm yellow rose reminiscent of sunlight with a compact growth habit, is the fourth cultivar in the collection.

49th Parallel roses aren’t just bred to be winter hardy — they are resistant to Black Spot Disease as well. “Black Spot is a pretty terrible disease for roses around the world,” Banks said. “One of our goals is to make sure that everything we release out of our program is resistant to that disease.”

To accomplish this, Vineland leverages advanced technology. “Our program was, as far as I know, the first rose breeding program in the world to apply molecular markers. So that’s a simple lab test that will predict whether a rose plant will be resistant to Black Spot or not.”

Once Banks and his team of scientists and greenhouse technicians identify plants that don’t have the resistant genes, they are removed from the study. “If we know that’s going to be susceptible, we’re not going to test it because consumers aren’t going to want to buy it,” Banks said.

Vineland’s effort to eradicate Black Spot has earned the

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Vineland tests thousands of roses to evaluate how they perform in the landscape.

looking at opportunities to introduce those roses for different markets,” Albers said.

“What’s been interesting is that there have been organizations that have come to us looking for roses that they would like to introduce for a particular event, like, the coronation of King Charles. So the exciting part has been that other organizations have learned that Vineland is breeding roses and have started to come to see if they have roses that would meet a particular need that this organization may have.”

PATIENCE, PERSEVERANCE AND POTENTIAL

researchers some international accolades.

“Vineland does send these roses out for trials in the U.S. and in Europe,” Aalbers said. “Chinook Sunrise was sent to the International Rose Trial in Nyon, Switzerland, and it was a no-spray trial so the plants were just planted, fertilized and watered, but they weren’t treated in any way for disease or insects. The Chinook Sunrise won a gold in that particular trial. So that’s a testament to its ability to resist Black Spot.”

EARNING A SPOT IN THE MARKETPLACE

Vineland's research extends beyond their greenhouses and three-acre rose research fields. “We have a really great consumer and market intelligence group at Vineland,“ Banks explained. “They spoke to consumers, nursery owners and retailers to understand what they wanted out of landscape roses, which gave us a direction for creating new rose varieties.“ Besides winter hardiness and Black Spot resistance, the market is looking for better fragrance, colour, petal count and glossy foliage. Banks says Vineland aims to bring “all those characteristics together into just a few roses that we can then release to our Canadian partners and they can put up for sale at nurseries all across the country.“ “We’re in an industry that is always looking for new and exciting plants to sell. A big part of ornamental breeding is finding that new trait or colour or plant 24 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

structure that is appealing to retail garden centres,” Aalbers said.

Banks agrees. “Horticulture in general is driven by the want of something new, and in roses, preferences change. The makeup of Canada is changing. We’re getting lots of new Canadians; they’re going to have different preferences and they want to establish their own gardens,” Banks said. “And so there’s always this constant evolution of what people want. That’s just from a consumer preference point of view.”

Another reason to continue breeding new varieties of plants is to address climate change and new disease threats. “If those pressures are unique to Canada, there’s no one who’s going to be breeding for them except for us,” Banks said, referring to the collaborative efforts between Vineland and CNLA. Additionally, it’s important to continue providing improved roses to nursery retailers: “So that they have material they can confidently sell to consumers, and say, ‘Look, this rose is going to do very, very well for you.’”

Although many new rose seedlings don’t end up meeting the hardiness criteria to be a 49th Parallel rose, there may still be a place for them in the marketplace. “We’re

Banks reflected on why it’s important to continue the work started by AgCanada. “If CNLA had decided they didn’t want to take this on, or if AgCanada decided not to reach out, what would have been lost was, well, really a piece of our history,” he said. “There’s a worldwide recognition of the great coldhardy roses that have come out of Canada, so we would have been throwing that away.”

“I think that foresight by the [CNLA New Plant Development] committee was pretty good,” Aalbers added. Given how long it takes to bring a new rose to market, that foresight also required patience, which Aalbers appreciates: “I really have to hand it to that committee for their dedication and continued support of this program.”

There are still plenty of discoveries to be made. According to Aalbers, new varieties tend to sell well within their first five years, but market interest begins to wane as new varieties are introduced. “Plants can always be improved. The future in breeding has to be long term,” Aalbers said. “Every year there are new seedlings and new selections. The challenge at this point is to release roses on a regular schedule, but not to flood the market with new roses. And so in five to 10 years, I would hope there’s another three or four roses on the market from our program and that are doing well. And if any 49th Parallel roses lose some of their appeal, I’m hoping it’s due to the introduction of new ones that are even better.” LT

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HYBRIDIZING AND DEVELOPING NEW CULTIVARS AT VINELAND, WATCH OUR VIDEO LandscapeTrades.com/49th-parallel-collection

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CATCHING

F IRE A

s the record-breaking 2023 wildfire season in Canada has demonstrated, no one is immune to the effects of scorching temperatures and tinderdry conditions. It’s been a volatile and eye-opening summer across the country. Toxic smoke and orange haze were inescapable, permeating the air with the smell of charred pine and

HOW THOUGHTFUL LANDSCAPING CAN PROTECT HOMES

BY KARINA SINCLAIR

stinging unease. By Aug. 31, wildfires had burned in all 13 provinces and territories, affecting major swathes of Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, Yukon and the Northwest Territories. Scores of communities experienced evacuation orders, leaving many Canadians waiting and wondering if they’d have a home to return to. continued >

Wildfire near Osoyoos Lake, British Columbia.

OCTOBER 2023 | 27

Wildfire in Kelowna, British Columbia.

A property’s chance of surviving wildfire could depend on the condition of the landscape around it and its readiness to burn. Professional landscapers can make a genuine difference by understanding how certain plants, and their placement, can promote or resist burning.

Karla Hoffman, a horticulturist and arborist in Kamloops, B.C., realized she had more to learn about landscaping best practices in a fire-prone environment back in 2012. In an attempt to reduce water consumption, Hoffman had been recommending plants suited for the local semi-arid climate, such as junipers. A colleague who was involved with FireSmart Canada (a national program dedicated to helping Canadians understand wildfire) reached out to tell her that her advice conflicted with their best practices for fire resiliency. “Having junipers within a certain

distance of a structure is a horrible choice from a fire risk perspective,” Hoffman said.

“Great from low pest problems, great from the soil perspective, great from a water needs perspective, but awful when it comes to FireSmart. So that was the big thing. I realized I’ve got to learn more about this.”

So Hoffman did learn more, and she encourages her peers to do the same. In this feature, we explore how wildfires grow out of control, and how landscape professionals can think about designing, installing and maintaining more resilient properties.

THE GENESIS OF GIGANTIC WILDFIRES

Many factors have come together to create what federal Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson called the “worst wildfire season on record.” Climate change, compounded by El Niño, has brought hotter

temperatures, especially in Canada’s North where the mean temperature has risen by 2.3 C since 1948. Warming in the Arctic has weakened the jet stream, allowing for stationary weather patterns to form, such as heat domes. For every increase in mean temperature, there’s also a 10-12 per cent increase in lightning. Lightning is responsible for starting roughly 50 per cent of wildfires in Canada.

Another critical ingredient of wildfire is vegetation. Dense boreal forests have been stressed by drought and ravaged by invasive pests, such as the emerald ash borer and mountain pine beetle. These infected stands become fuel for a very hungry force of nature. A 2014 study by Natural Resources Canada showed flames move two to three times faster through crowns of trees affected by mountain pine beetles compared to healthy green trees. continued >

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Aftermath of a forest fire, Jasper National Park, Alberta.

FROM DEEP IN THE FOREST TO DOWN THE STREET

Wildfires are an important part of nature’s life cycle. They clear out dead vegetation to make way for new growth and help release nutrients into the soil. Wildfires become a danger for people and property when they become powerful enough to advance into the wildland-urban interface (WUI). This is a transitional area where undeveloped wilderness meets human development (think of properties adjacent to provincial parks or even backing onto ravines). From there, it’s just a matter of heat and flames gobbling through fuel sources into more populated areas.

According to the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation (ICCA) at the University of Waterloo, 60 per cent of all cities, towns,

settlements and reservations across Canada have a significant risk of damage from wildfires. An estimated 12 per cent of Canadians and up to 80 per cent of Indigenous communities are located within the WUI. A 2022 Fire Underwriter’s Survey

by Opta Information Intelligence revealed insured wildfire damage to homes has increased more than 10 times since 2000.

Nearly three quarters of Canadians live in large urban centres, according to Statistics Canada. Since wildfire risk is considered to be low in these areas, it can be tempting to ignore FireSmart recommendations when installing and maintaining properties in metropolitan areas.

Cheryl Evans is the director for flood and wildfire resilience with Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation, and also has a background in landscape design. She

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understands why landscapers and homeowners outside a WUI might hesitate to adopt FireSmart guidelines, but points out that extreme temperatures have left urban canopies (like ash trees) stressed and vulnerable to disease and pests.

“They’re standing dead, waiting to go if there’s a lightning strike or some person throws a cigarette. There are sparks that get away and you can have a grass fire,” Evans said. “So we need to think: what are the current drought conditions? What are the stress conditions for the trees? And what are the conditions projected to be in the future? How do we make sure we are building in ways that are resistant to ignition by fire? It is a lower risk [in urban areas] but we still want to be vigilant.”

FIRE AT THE FRONT PORCH When conditions are prime, wildfires have the power to travel great distances quickly.

A Home Owner’s FireSmart Manual states crowning forest fires often spread at up to 5.5 kilometres per hour. They can also produce burning embers that can travel several kilometres in the wind before falling, and still be capable of spreading fire given the right fuel. If even a tiny spark lands on fuel (such as dry, dormant turf, unhealthy trees with low branches or canopies arching over a roof, fallen pine needles and brush, wood piles, and so on), there’s major potential for combustion and damage to a home. In fact, research shared by the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation says an estimated 50-90 per cent of home fires attributed to wildfire are ignited by embers.

If an ember lands on a home or yard

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TIPS FOR LANDSCAPERS

BY FIRESMART CANADA Firesmart Canada recommends landscapers plan based on ‘zones’ corresponding to their proximity to the home.

PRIORITY ZONE 1A (IMMEDIATE ZONE): 0 — 1.5 METRES FROM THE HOME

Create a noncombustible zone around the building and any attachments (such as decks, porches, balconies and pergolas). Landscaping stones, pavers, concrete or bare soil would be suitable in this immediate zone. If healthy trees are already established and must remain, prune at least two metres up from the ground.

PRIORITY ZONE 1 (INTERMEDIATE ZONE): 1.5 — 10 METRES

Here, landscapers can plant fire-resistant plants, trees and shrubs in low density (keeping mature sizes in mind), while still avoiding bark mulch, woody debris and evergreen or coniferous trees. Woodpiles should be relocated at least 10 metres away from the home. Keep grass watered and mowed.

PRIORITY ZONE 2 (EXTENDED ZONE): 10 — 30 METRES

If this area is within your control, thin the amount of shrubs and trees so the crowns are three to six metres apart to reduce the potential for a crowning fire. Make it less crowded, so if a fire does happen, it’ll burn less fiercely and be easier to put out.

PRIORITY ZONE 3 (EXTENDED ZONE): 30 — 100 METRES

This extends beyond many typical lot sizes, but should be considered when planning neighbourhood green spaces and properties adjacent to densely wooded areas. City planners, parks departments, property developers, IPM specialists and landscape architects all have influence in creating resilient buffer zones.

32 | LANDSCAPE TRADES Canada Graphic credit: FireSmart

that has been optimized for fire resilience, though, it will typically burn out or remain small enough for fire crews to extinguish it before it spreads.

That’s why FireSmart Canada is on a mission to help identify ways to improve our resilience to wildfire risk at home. The non-profit was founded over 20 years ago and provides practical recommendations that address wildfire concerns, based on postfire inspections and research performed at living labs and test plots, where various construction and landscaping materials are tested in fire simulations.

Each province has their own recommendations, tailored to their climate and topography. FireSmart BC also created a resource hub for professional landscapers that offers strategic recommendations for where, and what, to plant to build resilience.

Since homes and their surrounding areas are particularly vulnerable, FireSmart prioritizes the zones within 10 metres from the home (see sidebar for more).

When considering landscaping with fire protection in mind, addressing the zone within 10 metres of a home has the biggest impact. If this area is an open, fuel-free space, burning embers landing here are much less likely to spark a critical situation.

SPREADING THE MESSAGE, NOT MISINFORMATION

To help landscapers understand their role in fire risk mitigation, a national committee involving FireSmart, the Fire Chiefs Association of British Colombia, the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation at the University of Waterloo and Canadian Nursery Landscape Association is developing standardized training for all landscape professionals. The foundational course is expected to be delivered online, with future modules being added to reflect different provincial specifications. Landscapers who complete the course would be recognized and accredited in FireSmart fundamentals.

Evans, who is part of the course planning committee, acknowledges that homeowners might balk at the idea of replacing beloved garden beds close to their homes. “You have to get the contractors excited, but they have to be able to motivate their clients to get excited. Some residents would say ‘I don’t know if this actually works so why would I do this?’” She recommends contractors frame resilient landscape designs in a way that matters to their clients, by demonstrating their beauty, comfort, affordability, and of course, safety.

Hoffman, the landscape consultant from Kamloops, represents FireSmart BC on the committee, and was also a key contributor to the FireSmart BC Landscaping Guide. “The idea behind this course is to target people already in the industry and give them the knowledge and information so that when they’re out there making recommendations, they’re good recommendations.”

Landscapers may mistakenly assume adopting FireSmart principles will impact their creative choices; Hoffman hopes the training will demonstrate it’s still possible to create landscapes with beautiful design and function. “That’s the point — getting the knowledge out there to folks so that they realize that you still can achieve those things. And we just have to be a little more creative or substitute different materials.”

CHOOSING FIRE-RESISTANT PLANTS AND MATERIALS

By incorporating fire-resistant plants, landscapers can still create beautiful designs that will stand up to natural disasters — not all plants are equally combustible. The riskiest plants are those that have aromatic leaves or needles, contain resin or oils, have papery or flaky bark, and accumulate fine, dry dead materials. Instead, look for plants that have

moist, supple leaves, low amounts of sap or resin, and accumulate minimal dead vegetation. Some participating nurseries even stock and label wildfire resilient plants.

The FireSmart BC landscaping hub also includes a searchable database of fireresistant plants that categorizes them by hardiness zone, sun/shade requirements, water use, suitability for pollinators and so on.

It may be hard to believe that swapping out plant choices or tidying a yard can

make much difference when faced with a monstrous wildfire, but Evans says every small action done at the lot level is crititally important. “The 10 metres from where a home and attachments are — that is a single most critical influence on whether a home is going to be slightly damaged, destroyed or able to completely survive a wildfire,” Evans said. Landscape maintenance crews can reduce risk by ensuring fallen leaves and pine needles are raked up, thirsty plants are replaced with

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drought-resistant options and trees are properly trimmed.

If the landscape design includes adding structures, the FireSmart home construction guide recommends using noncombustible or fire-resistant materials such as Class A fibreglass roofing shingles and tempered glass porch railings. For decks, use noncombustible flashing at deck/house wall junctions and sheath the underside of the deck in fire-resistant materials, such as metal screening, to prevent embers falling through boards.

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Researchers have identified several concerning trends when it comes to climate change. The fire season now starts one week earlier and extends one week later than it did when records started being kept 70 years ago.

Evans says by the end of this century, it is expected that the fire season will lengthen by an additional 30 days. The whole country will feel the effects, but the Atlantic provinces can expect to see hot wildfire season days increase by 200-300 per cent. “They don’t have a very long or impactful wildfire season now, but the hot, dry weather will impact them and be quite a shock to the system. They’re not as prepared as B.C. or Alberta,” Evans said. “It’s important to look at the current climate projections and say ‘What can we expect in the future? How can we be thinking about landscaping?’

Hoffman feels an obligation to apply her FireSmart insights by suggesting safer practices for her clients. Whether the client chooses to adopt the measures or not, she knows she is giving them an educated choice, which reduces anxiety for all involved. “Knowing what I know now, as much as I want a landscape to look a certain way, I just wouldn’t want to be responsible for contributing to fire risk on a home,” she said. “Ignorance is bliss, but once you know something, you have a responsibility to use those best practices.” LT

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LEGALMATTERS

‘Cost-Plus’ vs ‘Time and Materials’ contracts and claims in Canada

BY ROB KENNALEY IN THIS ARTICLE we will explore how Canadian Courts treat claims for payment under “cost-plus” or “time and material” contracts. The two are very similar. In “cost-plus” arrangements, the hiring party agrees to pay the supplier’s actual costs, plus a fee for profit. Under a time and materials (or “T&M”) contract, the client agrees to pay fixed rates for labour (on an hourly-basis), along with the actual cost of materials supplied. Under a T&M contract, the supplier’s profit is included in the labour rates.

In the 2023 case Sjostrom Sheet Metal Ltd. v. Geo A. Kelson Company Limited, Associate Justice Todd Robinson of Ontario’s Construction Lien Court in Toronto, Ont., offered a very useful summary of the law in relation to such contacts. In doing so, he referenced a case law review conducted by Healey, J. in Infinity Construction Inc. v. Skyline Executive Acquisitions Inc. in 2020.

Associate Justice Robinson firstly found that the T&M contract at issue was sufficiently similar to a cost-plus arrangement to apply the case law principles

applicable to cost-plus contracts. His Honour then noted that courts will often deny payment on the basis of an implied term guarding against the “wasteful or uneconomic use of labour and materials,” even where the contracts are “open-ended.”

He then confirmed that generally speaking, where an estimate is given and unless the contract expressly provides otherwise: a) The supplier of the services or materials must “exercise a degree of diligence” to not incur costs “significantly higher” than the estimate, without prior approval; b) The supplier should give timely notice to the client if it is going to exceed the estimate; and c) The final price should be reasonably close to the estimate, based on an assessment of a number of factors, including “the relative sophistication and knowledge of the parties,” how the estimate was given, the knowledge

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and expertise of the supplier, whether it was relied upon by the client, whether the supplier made it clear that it would not be responsible for exceeding the estimate, whether the supplier provided its rates for labour, equipment rental and materials and whether the client encouraged the supplier to proceed with the work despite knowing (expressly or by implication) that the estimate would be exceeded.

Perhaps more importantly, Associate Justice Robinson noted the cases place a heavy onus on a supplier to prove the amounts claimed under such a contract. He noted that while the accounts and backup don’t need to be kept in any particular way, they must adequately show the quantum of the costs, as well as why they were incurred.

If the dispute proceeds to litigation, His Honour noted the onuses of proof will shift back and forth between the parties: (i) if the supplier shows that it kept proper records with supporting backup, the onus shifts to

the client to show that the documents are incorrect or unreliable; and (ii) if the client does, in fact, cast doubt on the records, the onus shifts back to the supplier to satisfy the court that the accounts are, in fact, accurate. His Honour then noted that, upon hearing the supplier’s evidence, “If the court is left in doubt, the contractor fails.”

In regards to the difference between labour and materials, the Court held that while the cost of the materials “may be proved upon evidence somewhat less conclusive, so long as the building is in existence and the system of recording material is capable of providing a substantially accurate result… the records for the time of workers must be strictly proved since it is difficult to verify after the fact.”

While Sjostrom Sheet Metal and Infinity are both Ontario decisions, Healey, J.’s review in Infinity references cases from across Canada, including the Supreme Court of Canada and courts in Alberta, British Columbia and Newfoundland.

While the laws of the jurisdiction where the contract arose should be considered, we believe the common law principles set out by Associate Justice Robinson are generally applicable across Canada (with the exception of Quebec, where the Quebec Civil Code applies). To be clear, the expressed terms of a contract will generally override the common law principles, so long as they are clear and unambiguous and not void for illegality, unconscionability or on public policy grounds.

It should be noted that where the client is a “consumer” (as would be the case with virtually all contracts for “residential” clients), consumer protection legislation will generally apply to set out the minimum contractual requirements and put statutory limits on the extent to which an estimate can be exceeded. See Ontario’s Consumer Protection Act, 2002, S.O. Alberta’s Consumer Protection Act, RSA 2000, c C-26.3 and Quebec’s Consumer Protection Act, c. P-40.1 for example in this regard.

Certainly, in the residential context, contractors who provide services or OCTOBER 2023 | 37

where the design is not certain or where unforeseen conditions are anticipated, for example, such that a fixed price model might not ensure the best possible price. Where these contracts are attractive, clients might consider the standard CCDC-3 form of cost-plus contract as a starting point. This can then be amended to meet the needs of the particular project (and to accommodate

materials to consumer clients should ensure that their contracts comply with such legislation.

There are lessons to be learned from all of the above. Clients, of course, should take care in agreeing to cost-plus or T&M contracts, because of the inherent cost uncertainties associated with them. These contracts can be attractive, however,

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the payment provisions and particular risks associated with applicable prompt payment and adjudication legislation).

Clients should also take care to ask for an estimate of what the costs will be, and to build in clauses which will require the supplier to give notice, and seek approvals, where the costs are going to exceed that estimate. Finally, clients may want to include a right to audit the supplier’s records. Both parties may want to build in a process whereby a selected third-party will be appointed to assess the reasonableness of the charges, in order to avoid significant litigation costs in the event of a dispute.

Suppliers (be they contractors or subcontractors) should be careful to only give estimates if they are confident they will be able to do the work for approximately that amount. Suppliers might also consider expressly stating, in the contract, that they do not warrant or guarantee that the estimate will be accurate. Regardless, towards avoiding disputes and getting paid, the supplier should give notice if an estimate is going to be exceeded and seek approval or confirmation that the client is willing to have the work continue on the cost-plus or T&M basis.

Finally, the supplier should keep very detailed records of the costs incurred, to be ready to prove the reasonableness of the costs (with reference to the agreed scope of work) if required. It might be difficult, for example, to prove the reasonableness of time incurred if the supplier’s timesheets and records do no more than indicate the time spent, without setting out what was being done on any given day. Having the client approve the timesheets on a daily or weekly basis might assist in this regard.

LT

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OCTOBER 2023 | 39

ARTOFGARDENING

Networking empowers growth and drives positive change Expanding your knowledge within the independent garden centre sector helps us all

BY ART VANDEN ENDEN THROUGH MY CAREER in retail horticulture, I have

been given countless opportunities to meet and share ideas with leaders and experts in the independent garden centre sector across Canada, the U.S. and around the world. I’ve heard many professionals outside of this industry comment on how special and unique the amount of sharing and brainstorming that occurs on a regular basis in our industry is.

Recently, I attended the Garden Centres Canada (GCC) summit held in Vancouver, B.C. This annual, multi-day event is always an amazing and inspiring opportunity to meet with industry leaders and tour some of the very best garden centres in Canada. I would like to personally thank the host garden centres for generously opening their doors and sharing their visions, plans and even some of their struggles with those who attended, particularly Hunters Garden Centre, Grow & Gather, Amsterdam Greenhouse and Garden Centre, Art’s Nursery, Cedar Rim Nursery, Kato’s Nursery, Dÿkhof Nurseries and GardenWorks.

A full bus load of employees, owners and operators from across the country visited these stores, and thanks to the huge commitment of energy from the owners and operators, we were absolutely inspired at every location.

The openness and sharing of ideas, issues and talent are part of what makes this slice of the green sector so special.

Our sector is fortunate to have the opportunity to be members of associations like Landscape Ontario, the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association and Garden Centres Canada.

If you’re looking for even more great ways to network and engage between events, Garden Centres Canada also has a private Facebook Group where members share ideas and ask questions to gain insight from one another. Just search for “Garden Centres Canada Peer Group” on Facebook and ask to join this great community.

There is a lot to talk about as we work to ensure independent garden centres thrive.

40 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

Establishing the new normal

The business climate has changed with the COVID-19 years behind us. What I’ve learned through the conversations I’ve had is that after going through a period of operational uncertainty, while being fueled for unprecedented demand, garden centre owners and operators are wondering what the future will be like. Supply has stabilized, although everything is considerably more expensive than it was a few years ago.

Has your business returned to a 2019 or pre-pandemic level?

It is important to compare. The world has changed significantly.

Certainly, the prices — both wholesale and retail — have gone up significantly. If you are not at least 20 per cent higher in revenue, chances are your business revenue is down compared to 2019.

A changing clientele

Our customers are also changing. Baby Boomers are retiring and downsizing. The ensuing generations are looking for businesses that suit and support their lifestyles, beliefs and interests. It is more important than ever to stay on the leading edge of change if you want your business to thrive.

Working together to mitigate climate change

We are constantly seeing evidence that our climate is changing.

Investing in plants and gardening provides some of the solutions and answers needed; however, we need to get more people participating and recognizing that biodiversity is critical to our environment. It is important that we all open our eyes and ears to this message. Independent garden centres have an opportunity to lead the way in expanding the grassroots social movement toward better environmental stewardship and protection.

Which leads me back to the learning opportunities I had at the Garden Centre Summit in Vancouver. A highlight was attending a

session with Brian Minter, one of Canada’s leading horticultural experts and communicators. In his talk on climate change and being part of the solution, he touched on some leading edge topics and trends, such as: GARDENING FOR WILDLIFE: I n 2020, at least 67 million households purchased at least one plant because it benefited birds and wildlife. People with children are also more likely to garden for birds.

BENEFITING THE BENEFICIALS: dding frog-friendly and native insect-friendly plants and features to A a backyard garden can create a more robust ecosystem.

REGENERATIVE GARDENING: romoting best practices that aim to re-build soil organic matter, P restore degraded soil, sequester carbon and reduce water runoff.

Insights like these are just one way that networking with open-minded, informed sector experts and peers can greatly help guide a business in a profitable direction and become a catalyst for positive change in our communities.

Networking and attending industry functions also provides the opportunity to compare thoughts and opinions in real time.

By embracing our unique position of being part of a highly collaborative sector, we have an opportunity to be true leaders as a resource for our communities. We also share a responsibility to be the best ambassadors possible for great gardening practices.

As a parting thought, I would strongly encourage everyone reading this article to consider attending the International Garden Centre Association (IGCA) tour in late summer/early fall of 2024 in Quebec. I know it will be an incredible event with lots of learning and ideas to exchange — and I hope to see you there!

LT

HARDINESS ZONES: he theory that United States Department of Agriculture hardiness T zones are moving north at a pace of about 13 miles (20.9 km) per decade. The next few decades will be critical in reducing the pace of human-driven climate change.

ART VANDEN ENDEN Art loved every minute of his 44-year garden centre career with Weall and Cullen and Sheridan Nurseries. In retirement, Art enjoys giving back to the profession with Landscape Ontario’s Garden Centre Sector Group, and sharing his experience with Landscape Trades readers in the Art of Gardening column.

ABOVE-GROUND GARDENING: or gardeners aged 34-45, container gardening continues to be their F biggest area of interest and activity.

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OCTOBER 2023 | 41

DESIGNERSCORNER

Landscape Designers work toward a greener future

A national subcommittee is launching a new project to standardize the sectors’ approach to design in the face of climate change

BY CHRISTENE LEVATTE MY FIRST EXPERIENCE with LEED certification was

shortly after its launch in 1998, on an elementary school project in Cape Breton, N.S. Born through a partnership between the United States Green Building Council and the Natural Resources Defence Council, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification is now the gold standard for green building. Today, we have an opportunity to apply similar rigour to how we approach landscape design with environmental impact in mind.

What resonated with me back in 1998 were two LEED program fundamentals. First was the organized process, with its clear goals and paths to project targets and compliance. The second was the core principles of the Triple Bottom Line — economic prosperity (profit), social responsibility (people) and environmental stewardship (planet).

Both fundamentals can be applied to the practice of landscape design, with the responsibility of the landscape

42 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

designer and landscape design as an integral part of our industry value chain. Paul Brydges, chair of the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association’s Landscape Designer Committee (LDC), has talked about the important role of the landscape designer as ‘first contact’ and ‘influencers.’

That’s a key reason the LDC, as part of a national strategy, is developing a Landscape Design Climate Checklist to support that role and provide designers with a tool to guide the design process with a consistent approach, as it relates to our professional commitment and responsibility to our industry, clients and customers. An ‘influencer’ is generally defined as a person with the ability to influence potential buyers of a product or service, and while the term is typically associated with a social media presence, we (LDC) are using it in the context of a client or customer’s first contact after a call to a landscape architect, landscape designer, landscape design/build contractor or visit to a favourite garden centre.

The Certified Landscape Designer, Landscape Design Manual, Second Edition, which holds a special place near my desk, sums up a key challenge for landscape designers. In the section on professional development, industry standards, evolving technology and new trends, it states: “the requirements to the practice of the landscape design discipline are changing at an ever-increasing rate.” The ever-changing variables inherent to our sector makes our work complex, but these variables also illuminate a real opportunity to come together and make a difference as part of the green sector.

From initial survey data conducted by CNLA, we know the level of practice in Canada is varied. Some landscape designers are self-taught, some have university degrees, and in between there are several certifications and diploma options for those entering the field.

VARIABLE NUMBER ONE Climate, climate change, climate adaptation, climate action: a global crisis, a national commitment, a local action. There is much clamouring and competition in the climate space — claims of green, ownership of green, not to mention greenwashing, the PR spin that implies concern for the environment without taking any real action. Climate change is a big piece of nebulous business. But in a boots-on-the-ground context, adopting even small green practices can be powerful when purposeful.

VARIABLE NUMBER TWO A Landscape Design Climate Checklist — a standard and scalable approach to guiding the client or consumer through the climate action space, ticks the ‘people, planet and profit’ boxes, supports our broad and deep value chain, and brings credibility to a sector that has acknowledged its influence and embraced its pivotal position.

So what should a curated landscape design climate checklist look like?

In broad terms, as a tool, it should: 1. Categorize the landscape components to be considered.

2. Take the designer and client through an informative flow to help decision making.

3. Be concise and easily integrate into existing sales platforms — printed or digital.

4. Support existing sector standards and best practices.

5 Be a living document.

As the LDC begins to develop this document, we invite your comments and suggestions. And if you haven’t added your name to our national list to receive updates from the CNLA Landscape Designer Sub-Committee, we want to hear from you. Just send a quick e-mail to Anne Kadwell, CNLA Landscape and Retail Sector Specialist at akadwell@canadanursery.com. LT

CHRISTENE LEVATTE Co-owner of Highland Landscapes for Lifestyle, a family-owned landscape design/build firm and turf production farm in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.

Christene is Past President of the CNLA, Past Chair of and current CNLA National Representative on the Canadian Landscape Standard CNLA Joint Committee and is the CNLA Government Relations Chair.

OCTOBER 2023 | 43

NEWSSCAPE

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EARLY BIRD PRICING FOR CONGRESS 2024

Congress, Landscape Ontario’s annual trade show and conference, recently opened online registration for the 2024 event taking place Jan. 9-11 at the Toronto Congress Centre.

Congress is Canada’s largest and longest running trade show and conference for landscape professionals and will feature over 450 exhibitors covering more than eight acres.

Following the success of last year, the Congress Conference will continue its half-day format for each of the show days, allowing landscape professionals to learn in the morning, then check out the Congress trade show and free LIVE Stage demos while on site. A three-day Conference Pass is $225 for a provincial association member, $275 for non-member or $40 for a student or educator. Prices go up after Dec. 15. Pass holders also get access to the Tailgate Party.

The rate for a trade show only pass is $15 for an association member and $30 for a non-member. Students, media and educators get in free of charge. Pass holders get access to all three days of the trade show, plus LIVE Stage demos and the Wednesday night Tailgate Party.

Tickets are also available for the Landscape Designers Conference, Jan. 8, 2024, at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Toronto Airport (across the street from the Toronto Congress Centre), and the Peer to Peer Workshop (also Jan. 8 at the Delta Hotel). Early bird pricing for each is available until Dec. 15 and includes access to all three days of the trade show, LIVE Stage demos and Tailgate Party. Full pricing is available online at LOcongress.com/registration.

Congress is a one-stop-shop for the latest equipment, tools, materials and supplies; everything you need to do what you do best.

Early bird pricing for Congress is available until Dec. 15, 2023.

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NEWSSCAPE GARDENING SIMPLIFIED SHOW CELEBRATES ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY The Gardening Simplified radio show and podcast by Proven Winners ColorChoice Shrubs is entering its second year of broadcasting and is soaring in popularity.

The radio show and podcast has had over 81 million unique listeners since its kickoff a year ago, and based on the number of downloads, it has placed in the top three to five per cent of all podcasts nationally.

The Gardening Simplified show is recorded weekly in Grand Haven, Michigan. It covers topics such as shrub, annual and perennial plant care, vegetable gardening, pest control, and more. Listeners across the country are also encouraged to send in their gardening questions, which are answered on-air.

Hosted by Rick Vuyst and Stacey Hirvela and produced by Adriana Robinson, the show is designed to share their love of plants and gardening with gardeners of all skill and

experience levels.

A West Michigan native and lifelong gardener, Vuyst served as host of the awardwinning Flowerland show on NewsRadio WOOD 1300 and 106.9 FM and nationally on iHeart radio from May 1993 to June 2022.

He was also known as “Mr. Green Thumb” for WZZM TV 13, the West Michigan ABC television affiliate, for over 20 years.

Stacey Hirvela attended the New York

Botanical Garden School of Professional Horticulture and worked as a garden editor at Martha Stewart Living magazine, where she co-hosted her first radio program on Sirius Satellite Radio. She has since relocated to West Michigan, where she leads the marketing team at Proven Winners ColorChoice Shrubs/Spring Meadow Nursery.

The Gardening Simplified show is broadcast on Wood Radio in Grand Rapids, 1300AM or 106.9FM, on Saturdays at 9:00 a.m. ET. Each show is also recorded and available on these podcast platforms: iHeart, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Deezer, Podcast Addict, and Podchaser. It can also be found on YouTube.

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On Sept. 14, the Government of Canada announced they would extend the Canadian Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loan repayment schedule. The overall repayment term has been extended by one year, from Dec. 31, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2026.

For those seeking to qualify for partial loan forgiveness (33 per cent of the total loan, up to $20,000), the deadline to repay the loan in full has only been extended from Dec. 31, 2023 to Jan. 19, 2024. For example, if $60,000 is borrowed, no forgiveness is available unless $40,000 is repaid by this deadline. Businesses that refinanced their loans will be given until March 28 to qualify.

All loans will begin accruing five per cent interest if not repaid by Jan. 19, 2024.

If you have general questions about your CEBA loan, please contact the CEBA Call Centre at 1-888-324-4201. The CEBA Call Centre is available Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, excluding statutory holidays.

Full details can be found on the Government of Canada’s website by following a link at gfl.me/hbDj.

2021 AGRICULTURE CENSUS RELEASED Statistics Canada has released its findings from the 2021 Census of Agriculture, combined with data from the 2021 Census of Population online. These findings offer a comprehensive understanding of the evolving socio-economic landscape of Canada’s farm population, shedding light on the dynamics, diversity and contributions of various population groups within the agricultural sector.

There are several key findings that provide valuable insights into what is shaping an evolving and sustainable future for Canadian agriculture.

• Canadian farm households are smaller in size and are increasingly diverse, reflecting the changing landscape of the agricultural community.

• Immigrants play a pivotal role in shaping Canadian agriculture, bringing diverse skills that can boost the potential for increased productivity.

• Individuals from racialized groups make significant contributions to the farm population, with South Asian and Chinese communities being the largest groups.

• The Indigenous farm population has seen a slight increase, with the majority identifying as Métis.

• A substantial portion of the farm population reported a religious affiliation, with Catholicism being the most frequently reported religion.

The 2021 Census of Agriculture is available on the Government of Canada website at statcan.gc.ca/en/census-agriculture.

46 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

NEWSSCAPE REGISTRATION OPEN FOR GISC 2023 Online registration is now open for Alberta’s Green Industry Show and Conference (GISC), Nov. 15-16, 2023 at Westerner Park in Red Deer.

The event will feature 24 educational sessions, over 100 exhibitors, bus tours to local greenhouses and garden centres, plus networking and social events. Early bird pricing ends Nov. 1, 2023.

GISC is the largest trade show of its kind between Toronto and Vancouver.

GISC will feature an wide array of speakers and topics at this year’s Conference — from optimizing growth conditions and the role of plants in addressing climate change, to sessions on business development, marketing and human resources. A full conference pass is $275 for a member and $325 for a non-member with prices going up after Nov. 1. Members of qualifying organizations can pre-register for the trade show portion of the event for free,

non-members are $10 and on-site registration is $20.

Conference attendees are eligible for Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for the Canadian Nursery Landscape Assocation’s national Landscape Horticulture Certification Program designations (1 CEU per hour of instruction/session).

Some sessions may also qualify participants to earn CEUs for the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and for Pesticide Applicator Recertification Credits.

Social events for delegates include an After Trade Show Tailgate Party on Nov. 15 at 4 p.m. and The After Party! at 8:30 p.m. Additional ticketed events include a Growers Auction (Nov. 14), Greenhouse Bus Tour (Nov. 14), and Alberta Greenhouse Growers Association (AGGA) Garden Party (Nov. 15).

Tickets for all events and the full agenda and conference lineup is available online at greenindustryshow.com.

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NEWSSCAPE CROSSING A NEW FRONTIER IN HARDY HIBISCUS BREEDING PHOTOS BY DARIUSZ MALINOWSKI After the breakthrough achievements of creating blue and maroon flower colours in hardy hibiscus, plant physiologist and breeder Dariusz Malinowski, Ph.D., has now developed the first-ever coralcoloured hibiscus.

Malinowski leads the forage and ornamental plant breeding program, focusing on perennial cool-season forage grasses and hardy hibiscus at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Vernon. He is also a professor in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Soil and Crop Sciences.

The coral-coloured hibiscus is the latest creation from what started as a hobby for Malinowski in 2005 and has grown to the point that Vernon is now considered the Hibiscus Capitol of Texas.

“This new hibiscus hybrid is the latest example of how Dr. Malinowski’s work has put the Texas A&M AgriLife Center here in Vernon at the forefront of hibiscus breeding,” said Rick Vierling, Ph.D., director of the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Vernon and director of Texas A&M AgriLife Foundation Seed.

“Dr. Malinowski’s releases have generated tremendous excitement worldwide, and we’re glad to have hibiscus breeding as a cornerstone program of the center.”

Malinowski began breeding hardy hibiscus with the help of Steve Brown, the former director of Texas A&M AgriLife Foundation Seed, who saw a big potential for commercialization of Malinowski’s hibiscus hybrids. This hobby and passion became a research program at the Texas A&M AgriLife Center in 2010.

MAKING A NAME WITH THE BLUES A decade later, Malinowski is well known in the ornamental plant industry thanks to his extraordinary ability to create “out of this world” novel flower colours in hardy hibiscus. His first “bluish” flowered hibiscus, Blue Angel, was released in

The coral-coloured hardy hibiscus is the latest colour developed by Dariusz Malinowski.

2012, only two years into the life of the hibiscus breeding program.

“My ultimate goal is to create a skyblue flower on a plant with dark foliage,” Malinowski said. “Combining these two traits in one plant has been very difficult. For instance, a recently created blue-flowering hibiscus hybrid with attractive, darker foliage consists of over 60 parental ancestors originating from four hibiscus species, and more parents are still being hybridized with this plant.”

“We have made tremendous improvement in the expression of the blue pigment and plant growth habit since the release of Blue Brulee and Cordon Bleu,” Malinowski said.

“When I first mentioned my dream of creating a blue-flowering hibiscus to Steve Brown, he just laughed. But I knew he had high hopes for me and believed I could do that.”

Although Malinowski introduced many novel colours since the release of Blue Angel winter-hardy hibiscus, including magenta, silver, maroon, purple, “blue metallic,” and dual and multicoloured flowers, the next frontier was to create orange- and yellow-blooming hibiscus hybrids.

NEWSSCAPE AN

ECLIPSE WORTH STARING AT A DARK-LEAF MOPHEAD LIKE YOU’VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE THE LAST FRONTIER — YELLOW The last frontier in Malinowski’s research plan is to develop yellow-flowering hardy hibiscus.

“This may be the most challenging goal, as yellow pigment does not occur in this and related species of rose mallows,” he said.

Malinowski said there are two hardy hibiscus cultivars on the market with a light, creamy flower colour, Old Yella and New Old Yella, but they are not the true yellow he is looking for.

OGIA OPENS REGISTRATION FOR MIDWESTGREEN 2023 The Ohio Green Industry Association (OGIA) has opened registration for its annual conference, midwestGREEN, which will take place Nov. 6-7, 2023, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. This conference is poised to be a vibrant hub of learning, networking and idea exchange for green industry professionals.

With a commitment to advancing the industry, the midwestGREEN Conference offers a fresh approach to conference programming. The event will feature an engaging lineup of sessions, workshops and discussions led by esteemed industry experts and thought leaders.

Attendees can expect to immerse themselves in a diverse range of topics, spanning sustainable landscaping, plant management solutions, business development strategies and the latest in sales, marketing and communication.

“We are looking forward to having

our attendees join us this year,” said Tracy Schiefferle, executive director of OGIA. “In an era where professional development is a necessity, midwestGREEN serves as a vital space for minds to come together to share ideas and further their careers. This conference will serve as a network where green industry professionals can unite, learn from one another and collectively shape the future of our industry.”

Registration includes access to 48 educational sessions, attendee lunches and peer-to-peer networking opportunities as well as the exhibit hall featuring the latest and greatest in the green industry.

For a comprehensive overview of the conference, including registration details and the full event schedule, please visit midwestgreen.org.

BAILEY

TACKLING THE ELUSIVE ORANGES “I knew that creating orange and yellow pigments in hardy hibiscus flowers would be much more difficult than the blue pigment because there were no candidate parents with even remotely promising flower colours,” Malinowski said.

He decided to focus on the orange colour first, and that was the beginning of the coral colour.

“Among our 20,000-plus experimental plants, I noticed a couple of plants with distinctive hues of red, shifting into coral tones,” Malinowski said.

After a few hybridization cycles, he developed a hybrid with pinkish-coral hues.

That was the beginning of his new dream, just like Blue Angel a decade before.

Using a “gene stacking” method, Malinowski said he spent a couple more years hybridizing parental plants expressing similar flower colours and exposing seeds to electromagnetic radiation to finally discover one plant with the illusive, dark coral colour.

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REACHING NET-ZERO EMISSIONS BEFORE 2050 Canada is part of a growing list of countries, including Japan, France, and the United Kingdom, pledging to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The federal government has committed to reducing greenhouse gas pollution by 40 to 45 per cent by 2030 on the path to net zero emissions by 2050. While the federal government is critical in setting the pace, Canada cannot get to net zero without leadership from industry and corporations.

The landscape and horticultural sector is uniquely positioned to make a positive contribution to reaching this important goal.

Achieving net-zero emissions requires shifting to technologies

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and energy systems that do not produce greenhouse gas emissions, while removing any remaining emissions from the atmosphere and storing them permanently. Put simply, Canada would need to take as many emissions out of the atmosphere as it puts in rather than leaving them to contribute to climate change.

Canada is the fastest-growing country in the G7 group, with the population expected to reach 55.2 million in 2068. 82 per cent of Canadians currently live in large municipalities and cities, and with population growth, larger cities are expected to become more congested. This dense concentration of people, government,

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CNLANEWS business, infrastructure and economic resources makes cities more vulnerable to the growing risks of climate change.

Transforming to a net-zero emissions economy requires coordinated action across all sectors of the economy, supported by enabling policy frameworks. Some emissions from sectors that provide things industrial societies need are very hard to eliminate, such as the production of cement, steel, fertilizer and food via agriculture. These are areas where it’s tough to get to zero with current and even foreseeable technologies.

There is no path to net-zero emissions that does not involve nature-based climate solutions, which is one area the landscape and horticultural sector can contribute to most. Urban forests (any trees or plants growing in and around a town or city) are a natural climate solution that remove and store carbon from the atmosphere and help to mitigate the heat island effect.

Urban forests also help our cities cope with climate change impacts.

They absorb and retain water during extreme precipitation events, limiting flood risk. They cool ambient air and create shade, limiting urban heat impacts. Mature trees and shrubs protect against soil loss and landslides.

The idea is not only to cut emissions as much as possible (for example by electrifying power generation and transport) but to integrate nature-based climate solutions into the equation.

Limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 C is only possible with public policy and corporate strategy informed by a carbon budget. As with any other budget, it helps measure progress and lets you know exactly where you stand relative to your goal.

We’ll get to net zero when we achieve a global balance between emissions produced by humans and emissions taken out of the atmosphere. How we get there is just as important as the final destination.

— CNLA’s Climate Change Adaptation Committee

APPLY NOW FOR A GREEN SPACE RENOVATION IN YOUR COMMUNITY The Green Cities Foundation and our partners share a commitment to connecting plants and people and revitalizing green areas for community members to enjoy and benefit from. This is especially the case in cities, where more than 80 per cent of Canadians reside. The Foundation wants to work with you to green your community by providing/matching funds and/or material and labour donations to support green space renovation projects in your neighbourhood.

The #GreenMyCity program supports the restoration and building of green spaces, serving different populations and in different environments from parks, community gardens, sports fields, playgrounds and open public spaces.

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CNLANEWS HR TOOLKIT PROVIDES FREE HELP FOR CNLA MEMBERS

GARDEN CENTRES CANADA SUMMIT 2023 - VANCOUVER The 2023 edition of the Garden Centres Canada (GCC) Summit held in Vancouver, B.C., was a huge success. Feedback yielded 100 per cent satisfaction with the garden centre locations attended and event organization in general.

The summit started with a networking reception, where over 40 garden centre owners connected and shared their busy-year stories.

Day one, organizers hosted a full day of tours to five garden centres of various sizes, which featured amazing displays and a lot of beautiful colour. The first day of tours concluded at Kato’s Nursery, where live music and amazing mountain views were enjoyed by all.

Day two started with an engaging speaker and an industry panel of experts. The lively discussions engaged everyone in the room in the swapping of ideas and experiences. Later, at Capilano Suspension Bridge, attendees got to experience the lush forests of the west coast. Garden centre tours resumed, visiting two more locations and wrapping up at GardenWorks’ new location in North Vancouver.

The third and final day of the summit was all about learning and sharing consumer research, business know-how and local expertise.

There was a lot of positive feedback about the variety of presentations and their relevance to the industry.

Thank you to all our sponsors, delegates and the Garden Centres Canada Committee who made this event possible.

CNLA is a proud supporter and partner of the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC). It has provided labour-based webinars tackling such issues as dealing with labour agencies and using the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. CNLA also has staff and members who sit as stakeholders and represent our industry in projects the CAHRC works on regarding labour and agriculture issues.

Something we hear a lot about at CNLA is how the day-to-day of running a business can be challenging — especially for smaller companies without a dedicated human resource person on staff. With all of the legal requirements, policies and processes that are required, it is often a daunting aspect of running a business. CAHRC has made this a little easier by creating the HR Toolkit, which is free to access for CNLA members.

While the toolkit is currently farm-centric (it was developed with agriculture in mind), CAHRC is working to make the experience more inclusive for different types of businesses. In the interim, this tool is quite helpful if you simply substitute the word ‘farm’ for ‘business.’

Topics covered in the HR Toolkit include: • Worker performance • Compensation and benefits • Workforce planning • Health and safety • Diversity and inclusion

• Succession planning • HR policies • Workplace wellness • Foreign workers

The toolkit is full of information, templates and learning modules.

CNLA members can access the free HR Toolkit for one year by visiting hrtoolkit.cahrc-ccrha.ca, clicking the Subscribe Now link and entering CNLA in the Organization Name, and CNLAToolkit as the Discount Code.

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CNLANEWS

CNLA’S NEWEST AGRI-MARKETING CAMPAIGN FIRST EVER NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INVASIVE SPECIES PATHWAYS TO CHANGE IS TAKING PLACE VIRTUALLY NOVEMBER 8-9, 2023

All growers, landscapers, retailers, master gardeners, farmers, fruit and vegetable growers, government agencies, environmental organizations, Indigenous partners, organizations and groups are invited to attend Pathways to Change — the first national horticulture and invasive species conference in Canada.

This event aims to connect industry, environmental organizations, Indigenous communities, and government to share key information and inform national and regional approaches to address invasive species impacting horticulture (ornamental and fruits and vegetables) and to protect Canada’s habitats and communities in the face of a changing climate. This event will: • Bring together partners from all parts of the horticulture industry that can play a part in preventing horticulture pathways of spread.

• Provide an opportunity to educate, increase awareness and share knowledge.

• Identify how we can make use of the current system and create clarity around roles in the horticulture system.

To learn more, register online and see the agenda, visit canadainvasives.ca and click on News & Events, or go to gfl.me/hbDd.

Following the success of the “Year of the Garden 2022” campaign, CNLA has applied for funding from the government to promote a five-year national campaign titled “Plants Love You.” The Plants Love You campaign focuses on a sustainable, environmental and social marketing approach for the industry.

Currently, we are waiting to hear if our application has been approved and we are very optimistic.

We encourage your company to start using the hashtag #PlantsLoveYou now and look forward to working with you to support the growth of the nursery and landscape sector.

If you are interested in participating in the Plants Love You campaign, please contact Nicole Xavier, CNLA Member Services Specialist at nicole@cnla-acpp.ca.

Design | Communicate | Excite

816-842-5551

PHOTO IMAGING | CAD | ESTIMATING | 3D RENDERING sales@prolandscape.com NIGHT & HOLIDAY LIGHTING | FREE COMPANION APP prolandscape.com OCTOBER 2023 | 53

NEWPRODUCTS DOZER The DD130 is the newest addition to the DEVELON dozer lineup, delivering best-in-class weight (base unit) and horsepower. The 145.8-hp machine has more pushing power, superior traction, leading visibility and advanced technologies for more job site productivity. The standard ECO mode can be used for light grading and reduces daily fuel consumption up to five per cent.

A standard rearview camera and full-colour, eight-inch Smart Touch display are also included.

Develon | na.develon-cd.com

PRESSURE WASHER The Dewalt 13-amp Electric Jobsite Pressure Washer includes internal storage and a compact design that allows the unit to be stored vertically or horizontally and includes multiple grab points for loading and unloading, plus wheels for ease of movement. The 2100-psi, 1.2-gpm, 13-amp unit includes a 25-ft. high pressure hose, turbo nozzle, 15-degree nozzle, 40-degree nozzle, soap nozzle, and a built-in removable soap tank for projects that require detergent for a full clean.

Dewalt | dewalt.ca

COIVIC SPECIMEN TREES

5487 EIGHTH LINE, MILTON, ONTARIO L9E 1A3

BURLINTGON | MARKHAM | MISSISSAUGA

NEWMARKET | PICKERING | TORONTO | WOODBRIDGE 54 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

AT COIVIC SPECIMEN TREES, WE OFFER A WIDE VARIETY OF THE FINEST QUALITY PLANT MATERIAL. WE INVITE YOU TO VISIT OUR NURSERY AND BROWSE OUR HAND-SELECTED SPECIMEN PIECES.

(905) 878-9101 INFO@COIVIC.COM WWW.COIVIC.COM COIVIC

NEWPRODUCTS HAMMERS AND PRY BARS Irwin has launched a collection of steel hammers and heavy-duty pry and wrecking bars designed to provide all-day comfort and performance. Built of forged spring steel for strength and durability, pry bars and wrecking bars feature extra-large strikable surfaces that provide ample access when working in tight spaces and feature multiple nail pullers for increased versatility. Pry bars are available in lengths from 15 to 42 inches at IRWIN retailers across Canada.

Irwin Tools | irwintools.ca

CUTTING EDGE PLOW SYSTEM

The Vulcan V-Plow Cutting Edge System for BOSS DXT V-plows has been specifically designed for better performance and lasts three times longer than the OEM cutting edge. The cutting-edge system prevents premature and uneven blade wear for BOSS DXT V-plows. The nose guards and plow guards are welded directly to the cutting edge for durability and ease of installation. DOT-rated, Winter Equipment’s Vulcan is best used on concrete, chip-seal and asphalt surfaces.

Winter Equipment | winterequipment.com

CLASSIC STRUCTURES THAT SAVE YOU TIME Complete projects faster.

Structures that are handcrafted off-site, delivered on-time and installed in a day.

Find out how at limestonetrail.com

OCTOBER 2023 | 55

NEWPRODUCTS

THE

PODCAST Conversations on the issues shaping landscaping and horticulture in Ontario

NEW EPISODES EVERY MONTH LISTEN FOR FREE

ON YOUR FAVOURITE PODCAST APP

COMPACT TRACK LOADER ASV introduces its Yanmar-engine powered RT-50 Posi-Track loader.

The RT-50 provides construction-grade performance in a small package. It’s suited for work in tight spaces, such as for rental, landscaping, construction, snow clearing and more.

New to the machine is an optional hydraulic quick attach that allows operators to change attachments from the comfort of the cab. The loader’s compact size allows it to be conveniently towed behind a 1/2-ton pickup truck.

ASV | asvi.com

INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL MONITOR Apogee introduces the Guardian Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Monitor. This monitor provides accurate measurements of important indoor environmental parameters, such as air temperature, humidity, vapour pressure deficit and dewpoint, CO2 concentration, barometric pressure, daily light integral, and photoperiod. Accurate environmental measurements in controlled environments, such as greenhouses and growth chambers, help aid in decision making and environment management.

Hoskin Scientific hoskin.ca 56 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

FERTILIZER Aquanure says their meticulously crafted lineup of biostimulant products delivers a more vibrant, lush, and healthy plant.

Flowering Elixir, Tweak, Fine Ash, and Bio-Char produce results through the unique benefits of fulvic and humic acids derived from nature's secret — fish poop.

Aquanure

aquanure.ca

EVENTS

ADVERTISERS COMPANY

WEBSITE

PAGE

A.M.A. Horticulture Ltd

amahort.com

55

AVK Nursery Holdings Inc

avknursery.com

52

Atlas Polar Company Ltd

atlaspolar.com

38

Bailey Nurseries

baileynurseries.com

49

Bannerman Ltd

sportsturfmagic.com

56

Bauman Manufacturing

baumanmfg.com

43

Beaver Valley Stone Ltd

beavervalleystone.com

50

Best Way Stone Ltd

bestwaystone.com

23

Bobcat Company

bobcat.com

15

Brandt Tractor Ltd

brandt.ca

25

Canadian Construction Association

cca-acc.com

31

Coivic Specimen Trees

coivic.com

54

Dibbits Landscape Supply

dibbits.ca

46

Fairgreen Sod Farms Ltd

fairgreensod.com

34

The Grasshopper Company

grasshoppermower.com

29

Greenhorizons Sod Farms

greenhorizonssod.com

41

greenworkscommercial.com

47

Greenworks Tools Canada Inc Gro-Bark (Ontario) Ltd Horst Welding Kress

gro-bark.com horstwelding.com

45 36, 46

kress.com

59

limestonetrail.com

55

m-k.com

30

Miska Trailers

miskatrailers.com

60

Oaks Landscape Products

oakspavers.com

33

PRO Landscape by Drafix Software

prolandscape.com

53

platinumnaturalstone.com

19

propowercanada.ca

35

springmeadownursery.com

5

stihl.ca

2

The Salt Depot

saltdepot.ca

54

Turf Care Products Canada Ltd

turfcare.ca

48

waltersgardens.com

13

Windy Ridge Corporation

stonehook.com

37

Zander Sod Co Ltd

zandersod.com

51

Limestone Trail Co Inc M-K Power Products Corp

Platinum Natural Stone Ltd Pro-Power Canada Inc Spring Meadow Nursery Inc Stihl Ltd

Walters Gardens Inc

OCTOBER 17-20

EQUIP EXPO Louisville, Kentucky equipexposition.com OCTOBER 18-20

HARDSCAPE NORTH AMERICA Louisville, Kentucky hardscapena.com NOV. 6-7

OGIA PRESENTS MIDWESTGREEN Columbus, Ohio midwestgreen.org NOV. 8-9

HORTICULTURE & INVASIVE SPECIES NATIONAL Virtual canadainvasives.ca/event-nationalhorticulture-invasive-species-conference NOVEMBER 15-16

GREEN INDUSTRY SHOW AND CONFERENCE (GISC) Red Deer, Alberta greenindustryshow.com JANUARY 9-11, 2024

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO CONGRESS Toronto, Ontario locongress.com JAN. 30, 2024

2024 GREENHOUSE HEALTH & SAFETY SYMPOSIUM Leamington, Ontario bit.ly/GreenhouseSymposium FEBRUARY 14-15

GREEN TRADE EXPO Ottawa, Ontario greentradeexpo.ca

OCTOBER 2023 | 57

MENTORMOMENT

Taking part in trade shows is good for business — and for employee morale BRENT VANDERKRUK is the customer service manager of NVK Nurseries, a fourth generation wholesale nursery based in Dundas, Ont. With over 100 years in business, NVK is one of Canada’s largest wholesale nurseries, serving customers across the country and in several U.S. states.

One of the many reasons for the company’s success is their dedication to staying on top of the latest trends and innovations — and building a strong network and relationships within the industry.

With this in mind, Brent and his team have never missed a year exhibiting at Congress, a trade show for landscape professionals that takes place in Toronto, Ont., every January. His family has been attending since the first show in 1970. Congress, which was taken over by Landscape Ontario in 1974, is now considered one of the top trade shows for landscape and horticultural professionals in North America, attracting more than 15,000 visitors each year.

Landscape Trades asked Brent for his best advice on making the most of trade shows to grow your business and motivate your team.

What is the benefit of attending and exhibiting at an industry trade show?

Learning is a big part for us — and connecting with our customers. It’s great to get to know customers better and see them face to face outside of the busy season, as well as see the work they have done over the year. We are very intentional about creating time and space to make these connections and I think it’s beneficial for both sides. We also take part in the Designers Conference that happens the day before to connect with those people.

58 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

How does Congress make an impact on your team?

I think it energizes us as a company. We’re always looking ahead and seeing what new things are out there, the things being done, the new trends. It’s uplifting. It’s also just really great bonding time. The energy at Congress is contagious. We bring all of our employees with us and they go to the conference to learn [from the professional development seminars] and walk the Congress floor, as well as working in our booth.

You mentioned attending trade shows helps your company be even better at what it does. How so?

Well, Congress is an opportunity to showcase what we’re doing for our customers, of course.

It’s our chance to spotlight the new products we’re carrying and really display the diversity of what we have to offer. Mainly it’s the connections — the conversations we get to have with our customers face to face, outside of the busy season. This lets us get to know them better and that makes us better.

As a longtime exhibitor, what would you say is the secret to making a great booth?

A lot of hard work! We build some of the structures for our booth throughout the season, but we really get focused on it in the last three months before the show — for Congress that’s October. We give it a lot of thought. After each Congress, we sit down as a team and go over what we liked and what we didn’t like. We talk about what kind of things we can improve on, or showcase a little bit differently. So, we’ll glean some of those ideas and go back to them when we start planning our booth. By early fall, we are keeping in mind some of the plants that we’d like to use at the booth and we’ll bring some inside to delay their dormancy so they can show their colours.

Taking part in building a booth together makes our people see our plants in a whole new way.

How do you attract people to your booth?

We always create an interactive experience.

One thing that might set us apart is that we do a mulch floor. You get the smell of the mulch, and it works really well with the plants, it’s like you’re really in the garden.

It’s also really comfortable to stand on — especially when you’re on concrete all day at a convention centre! Overall we want to create flow, make it easy for traffic to meander, but also create spaces where you can have conversations and you can just talk amongst the plants really and look at them. We also think about signage — so where we’re placing the signage because there’s traffic coming from different angles.

How do you keep the conversation going after the event?

We often do a draw at our booth — we ask people to answer a few questions for a chance to win a nursery stock voucher or something. It helps us get a pulse on where people see our quality, service and pricing and we hone in on those things. We would also do a ‘drip’ campaign with potential new customers, sending them information about who we are and following up a few months later.

What practical tips can you share on making the most of a trade show?

Comfortable footwear for sure, lots of water and lots of candy. Okay that last one is a joke. I do try to get a lot of sleep before the show though. And definitely lots after. My biggest advice is to smile.

Your customers want to see you happy and energized — and that can’t be manufactured.

LT Want to check out NVK’s booth in person, or learn more about Congress? Visit locongress.com for more information.

WE POWER THE PROFESSIONALS Battery technology so advanced it’ll keep an entire crew powered up all day - with zero downtime - at a fraction of the cost of gas.

kress.com

OCTOBER 2023 | 59

60 | LANDSCAPE TRADES