September 2012
How does it grow in
ONTARIO? Trial garden open house: John Bakker III on roses Page 4
www.horttrades.com
Don’t delay — Reserve your exhibit space today!
Visit www.locongress.com or call 1-800-265-5656 x353
January 8-10, 2013 Canada’s International Horticultural Lawn & Garden Trade Show and Conference Featuring Fencecraft and Green Infrastructure Toronto Congress Centre, Toronto, ON Canada
AN INITIATIVE OF
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
SPONSORED BY
2 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO SEPTEMBER, 2012
40years
celebrating
S’ LOGO
SUMERS’ RS’ LOGO , Website edia, etc.)
ON LOGO
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Booming condo industry By Phil Charal LO president
T
here has been an incredible increase in condo landscape design, construction and maintenance enquiries over the past few years at our offices in Toronto. I am sure other LO members have experienced the same trend. Toronto has the highest volume of new high-rise building construction in the world. As of October last year, Toronto had 132 high-rise buildings under construction. Compare this to Mexico City at 88, New York City at 86 and Chicago at 17. As you can see, Toronto is far out-building the rest of the planet. There are two main causes of this phenomenal growth. One is the large migration to the city that has resulted in a huge demand for housing, and the other is the lack of land to develop within the city core. Years ago, when I first noticed the vast number of condos, I felt the construction boom would slow down, having reached a saturation point. I questioned whether this incredible growth would be sustainable.
Formerly Horticulture Review
September, 2012 • Volume 30, No. 9 www.horttrades.com Landscape Ontario’s mandate is to be the leader in representing, promoting and fostering a favourable environment for the advancement of the horticultural industry in Ontario. ISSN 1928-9553 Publications Mail Agreement No. PM40013519
Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Circulation Department Landscape Ontario 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 Canada
You don’t need to be a real estate expert to notice that the market for condos in Toronto has skyrocketed. Most high-end condos are extremely well-appointed with gyms, swimming pools, entertainment rooms, breathtaking views, concierges, and most of all spacious terraces. Many condo terraces are beautifully finished and landscaped, with some over 1,000 square feet. It’s hard to believe that some of these high-end terraces are significantly larger than that. Our firm has landscaped a terrace of 1,980 sq. ft. and the inside living space was only 2,600 sq. ft. Condo owners and developers see the benefit of terraces and balconies. The outdoor portion of the living area is emerging as one of the most important rooms. There was a period of time when many downtown high-rises would not have a balcony. I remember years ago when balconies were used as storage space. Now condo residents want their outdoor space treated with the same design and construction expertise as the interior space. For designers and contractors, working with the condo market requires a unique skill. Unlike traditional homes on the ground, something like the choice of furniture is integral to the overall design. It’s especially true when working with small terraces, where once the furniture is chosen,
Publisher Lee Ann Knudsen CLP lak@landscapeontario.com, 416-848-7557 Editorial director Sarah Willis sarahw@landscapeontario.com, 647-723-5424 Editor Allan Dennis adennis@landscapeontario.com, 647-723-5345 Graphic designer Mike Wasilewski mikew@landscapeontario.com, 647-723-5343 Sales manager Steve Moyer stevemoyer@landscapeontario.com, 416-848-0708 Communications coordinator Shawna Barrett skbarrett@landscapeontario.com, 647-723-5305 Accountant Joe Sabatino jsabatino@landscapeontario.com, 647-724-8585 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO STAFF Darryl Bond, Laura Brinton, Kim Burton, Tony DiGiovanni CHT, Rob Ellidge, Denis Flanagan CLD, Sally Harvey CLT CLP, Helen Hassard, Jane Leworthy, Heather MacRae, Kristen McIntyre CHT, Kathy McLean, Linda Nodello, Kathleen Pugliese, Paul Ronan, Ian Service, Tom Somerville, Martha Walsh
it determines the amount of space on which to landscape. Plantings are also important, adding warmth to the setting. Containers with large caliper trees are a must on large terraces. Even though you may be 20 or 30 floors up, trees provide a relaxed and enchanting backyard feel. To achieve that backyard feel, you must move material and equipment up those 20 or 30 floors. This can be a real challenge. Most times it means moving everything manually. Once you arrive at the unit, then great care must be taken to not damage furniture, flooring, etc. I have some nightmare stories that I could tell about balcony and terrace garden building, but I will refrain from doing so in this forum. Choice of plants is paramount. Some plants are impossible to keep alive for an extended period of time. That’s the reason we will not guarantee plant material on these projects for more than three months. Another issue with high-rise projects is the weight of the furniture. It’s important that the furniture not blow away, and it must be able to be left outside during the winter months. Other issues faced on terrace projects include hot tubs, ethanol fireplaces, wood/stone flooring, outdoor televisions and wireless speakers. I hope they continue building condos in an attractive and sustainable manner for years to come. What a great and welcome benefit to all our industry. Phil Charal may be reached at pcharal@landscapeontario.com.
4 7 14 15 15 18 23 29 30
FEATURES ASSOCIATION NEWS VOLUNTEER PROFILe EVENTS NEW MEMBERS Industry NEWS COLUMNS Classifieds Ad Index
Views expressed are those of the writer concerned. Landscape Ontario assumes no responsibility for the validity or correctness of any opinions or references made by the author. Copyright 2011, reproduction or the use of whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited. Published 12x per year. Rates and deadlines are available on request. Subscription price: $43.51 per year (HST included). For subscription and address changes, please e-mail subscriptions@landscapeontario.com
WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 3
Roses featured at Trial Garden events
four varieties and choose their favourite. Visitors took their impromptu taste-testing very seriously, and a Burpee cultivar called Mighty Sweet won hands down.
Visitors to the fifth annual Landscape He pointed out how the previous Ontario and University of Guelph trial garresearch facility at Morden in Manitoba has A big thank you den open house on Aug. 17 and 18 had a been moved to Vineland where research is Sponsors of the event include Ellepots by great opportunity to see how some of the ongoing. A.M.A., Gro-Bark (Ontario), JC Bakker and new plant introductions perform in a home Those attending the open house had Sons, and Goldsmith Seeds. garden setting. the opportunity to tour the trial gardens Thanks also go to the suppliers of the The Friday open house was open to where over 600 roses were on display. plant material: American Takii, Ball Hortimembers of the trade, who also had the On hand to listen to Bakker’s talk was culture, Blooms of Bressingham, Benary, opportunity to attend talks by educational Kat Fox of Garden Making magazine. You Burpee, Dummen, Ecke Ranch, Fides, speakers. can read her blog on Bakker’s talk at http://gardenmaking.com/ Floranova, Genesis Seed, Gloeckner, Tony DiGiovanni, executive directive hardy-roses-for-beginner/. Goldsmith Seeds, Hem Genetics, Jelitto at LO, introduced the speakers, directing Following the talks, Rodger Tschanz Seeds, Kieft, Ontario Seed Company, Panhis comments to the trade members in the took everyone outside, where he provided American Seed, Proven Winners, Pro-Veg audience, “You people have a big job to the group with a tour of each section of the Seeds, Sakata, Seeds by Design, Seeds of raise the awareness of how human beings gardens, explaining the reason and goals Change, Selecta, Suntory and Syngenta, relate to plants.” He praised trial garden of the trial gardens. The program continued Vanhof and Blokker, Vegetalis and William manager Rodger Tschanz of the University in the afternoon at the Guelph Trial Garden Dam Seeds. of Guelph as a champion of new plants. at the Guelph Turfgrass Institute. Appreciation was also noted to growers First speaker Thelma Kessel introduced and suppliers: A.M.A. Plastics, Linwell Garthe Alternatives to Ash program, citing the dens, Plant Prodgoal to create more ucts, George Sant diversity trees for Greenhouses, Ed urban areas. “We Sobkowich Greencan’t continue to houses, MCP plant the same Manufacturing, trees everywhere,” Myers Industries said Kessel. She Lawn and Garden pointed out that Group, SunGro the ash borer was Horticulture, Terra proving the danGreenhouses ger of planting the and Windmill same type of trees. Landscapes. Kessel said Other organizathat 29 species tions contributing of trees had been to the trial gardens chosen to provide are All-America a diverse selecSelections, Assotion of size, site An enthusiastic group took advantage of the opportunity to view the Landscape Ontario trial garden open ciation of Specialty requirements and houses on Aug. 17 and 18. Cutflower Growthe ability to withPublic open house ers, Guelph and Wellington County Masstand urban conditions. She said that the The following day, Sat., Aug. 18, the trial ter Gardeners, City of Guelph — Healthy next step in the process was to educate gardens were opened to members of the Landscape Program and Ontario Ministry the public. general public. Nearly 60 interested garof Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. DiGiovanni introduced the next educadeners turned up to view the plants and tional speaker, John Bakker lll of JC BakVisitors vote for favourite plants determine the best performers for themker and Sons, St. Catharines, as among Both the trade and public visitors had the selves. Canada’s foremost experts on roses. He opportunity to cast a vote on their favouVisitors were enthusiastic and appreciarelated how Bakkers provided 500 roses rite plant. Voting on industry day, saw top tive of the opportunity to see the new varifor Canada Blooms, and those roses were choices as: Juncus Blue Mohawk, from eties, and enjoyed sharing their thoughts then brought to the LO home office in MilProven Winners (planted 2010, trimmed on the plants with Rodger Tschanz. The ton where they became part of the trial garspring of 2012), Solenostemon Honey roses were a big hit, with visitors noting the den display. Crisp by Ball, and Diascia barberae Darla names of some of the exceptional cultivars. “John’s mission is to bring back roses Orange from Syngenta. Volunteers from the Halton Master Garas mass bedding plants,” said DiGiovanni. The public had a different view on their deners were on hand to answer some chalBakker stated that over the past number favourites, voting the top plants as Hibislenging gardening questions, and LO staff of years roses had lost popularity among held a draw to raise additional funds to sup- cus Luna Red by Ball; Mecardonia Hybrid gardeners. “There are some real changes Gold Dust, Proven Winners; Dahlia XXL port the gardens. taking place in the rose industry.” He Veracruz, Dummen; and Scaevola aemula The cherry tomato plants in the vegexplained that Canada is producing locally Bombay White, Syngenta. etable trial were heavy with fruit, so visitors grown root stocks and how the new roses were asked to pick one from each of the are now less disease and pest sensitive.
4 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO SEPTEMBER, 2012
There are some exciting new additions to this year’s Expo.
Expo no longer just a trade show Calling all retailers, interior plantscapers, designers and floral markets. Not to be missed are the exciting new features at next month’s Expo, Oct. 17 and 18, at the Toronto Congress Centre, North Building. No longer just a trade show, Expo has become a destination to see what is trending with the retail market, and what new and exciting products are available. After a strong 2012 season, inspired by a warm spring and summer, Ontario’s garden, floral and outdoor living retail industry is preparing to turn its attention to next year. New for 2012 is the Destination Inspiration Theatre, which will feature daily demos
free to all attendees. Containers and urns are the talk of the town for the 2012 fall and winter season and will be featured on the stage during the Urn Your Profits sessions. Take a load off for 30 minutes and be seated at the stage and watch noted floral and design guru Neville Mackay direct a competition between two designers — one arranging a potted plant arrangement and the other cut-florals. Now that’s entertainment! Which container to use for your interior plants? Which plant combinations work? Learn how to enhance and increase the value of your plant installation during the
Contain-er Your Tropicals sessions with Sue Blaney and Jill Jensen. Expo is truly an ideal venue for professionals from the floriculture and horticulture industry to gather to find inspiration, creative merchandising concepts, and participate in professional development programs that will enhance their knowledge and career opportunities. They will meet and get advice from leading industry experts and vendors who offer innovative ideas, fresh approaches, new products, tools and connections that will help grow a business. The schedule is full with stage demonstrations and special events that are beneficial for any business in garden, floral and nursery businesses. Heather MacRae, director of events and trade shows at Landscape Ontario, says, “For those in our industry, it is a perfect opportunity to open their businesses to new markets and opportunities.” “Expo strives to be better than it has ever been before, just like the industry it is here to benefit,” says MacRae. “Our topnotch exhibitors, innovative new products and a show floor packed with all the products, plants and services help garden and floral retailers make their stores interesting destinations for their customers.” Over 2,500 buyers will attend Expo. Early bird pricing for ticketed events and trade show admission ends on Oct. 1, so register today to save money and your chance to win an iPad. Details and registration are available at www.loexpo.ca.
Two Great Stores. One Great Source 175 Wyecroft Rd., Box 313. Oakville, Ontario, L6J 5A2 Fax: (905) 845-9109
One Telephone Number • (289) 644-2250 One E-mail • fmackenzie@lockwoodchrysler.com
270 Oak Park Blvd. Oakville, Ontario, L6H 0G3 Fax: (905) 845-5772
l cia per e p S sca d Lan Rates Let Fran MacKenzie Peacock put her 25 years of dedicated fleet expertise to work for you. Great products, great selection. Delivered to you, on your schedule, guaranteed. Enjoy professional service delivered with a smile, Fran will do whatever it takes to provide you with a seamless, hassle-free buying experience.
Fran MacKenzie Peacock, Fleet Manager • (289) 644-2250 ☺• Affiliate Chair - NAFA Ontario Chapter WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 5
Grobe family success based on 50 years of passion and insisting on quality
nate man, in that I get to do what I like, and am paid for it.” Perry adds it’s not unusual for people in the industry to continue working well into their 70s. “People who work in this industry are passionate about what they do, and that keeps them working for This year Grobe’s Nursery and Garden From there, we began getting more and many years.” Centre in Breslau not only looks back with more requests to come to their residences.” Grobe’s is an original member of Landpride on 50 years of success, but ahead Peter took over running the garden censcape Ontario. Perry, who has served on to a promising future built on passion and tre and the landscape construction part the Garden Centre Sector Group since good business sense. of the business, while Paul directed the 2006, says one of the real benefits of the It was 1962, when with no more than maintenance division and the bookkeepassociation is learning from others in the $25 and a small shed, Peter Grobe began ing duties. Paul retired from the business industry. “There are a lot of smart people offering residents in the Kitchener area a in 2007. in the sector, and learning from them is a landscape maintenance servaluable opportunity,” says vice. He was soon joined by Perry. “I always come home his father George, who had after meetings with ideas to sold nursery stock door-to improve the business.” door-since the 1940s. In 1972, Grobe’s “My dad could sell anyextended its selling seathing. He was a natural son by bringing in fresh cut salesman,” remembers Christmas trees. From this Peter. was created Christmas Tree Today, the family operaCountry, which has been tion has grown tremena great addition during the dously, providing landscape slower time of year. This part design and construction, and of the business has grown to operating a garden centre, include artificial trees, decor gift shop and nursery. and a large inventory of poinGrowth of the business settias. never came all at once, but The success of the Christin gradual stages over the mas division convinced the 50 years. Walking through Grobes to move out of the the operation, one can see snow clearing service. “From how each addition — big and small profit to huge demands small — evolved as busion time, getting out of the ness opportunities presented snow business was a good themselves. During a guided move for us,” says Peter. tour with Peter, he can point Grobe’s has its own rose out each of the many addito commemorate its time in tions and the year it became business. First brought in part of the operation. to mark the 40th year, the In 1964, Peter’s brother ‘Sweet Anniversary’ is a Paul joined the busihybrid tea rose that has conness. Two years later they tinued as a popular symbol opened a garden centre for Grobe’s 50th year. near Breslau. The origiBoth Peter and Perry are nal 20 sq. ft. building that quick to echo their mutual housed the centre has been pride in the quality of plants incorporated into today’s at the centre. “Only when we Son and father, Perry and Peter Grobe, are proud of their business’s growth over much larger operation. are satisfied that it is ‘Simply the past 50 years. With great pride, Peter the Best’ does it become a points out the area of his ‘Grobe Quality’ plant.” Peter’s son Perry worked at the busibusiness’ small beginnings. The small Peter says one big reason for the sucness from the age of nine, learning all structure, now surrounded by many later cess of the business is the philosophy of aspects of the operation from a labourer to additions, was located on one-and-a-half the family to “always choose the quality the garden centre. He came onboard peracres. In 2012, Grobe’s is established on path.” manently after graduating from university. just over six acres. For 50 years, that philosophy, along “The thing I love about what I do is that Peter remembers being fortunate early with dedication, innovation, knowledge and there is always something different each in business when a large maintenance conhonest hard work, has seen Peter’s initial day,” says Perry, whose wife Roni and their tract came his way from the Kitchener hos$25 investment grow into the largest familychildren are also part of the business. pital. “It wasn’t just the contract that helped owned garden centre serving the Kitchener, After 50 years, Peter still has great us grow, but all the contacts we gained Waterloo, Cambridge and Guelph areas. enthusiasm for what he does. “I’m a fortufrom doctors and others at the hospital.
6 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO SEPTEMBER, 2012
ASSOCIATION NEWS
Sheridan Nurseries took home the championship trophy at this year’s Toronto Chapter Slo-pitch tournament.
Toronto Chapter hosts successful ball tournament No matter how you measure success, this year’s Toronto Chapter ball tournament qualifies on all fronts. The Aug. 19 event had 12 teams registered to compete at the Richmond Green Ball Diamonds. From the start it was great weather, friendly competition, good food and lots of fun. Tournament organizer, Shawn Foley CIT of The Waterboys Contracting, said, “Toronto Chapter’s ball tournament went extremely well.” The tournament features mixed teams of men and women playing slopitch rules. The final game came down to two long-time rivals at the Toronto ball tournament, Sheridan Nurseries and Moondale (Arbordale Landscaping/Moonstruck Landscape Lighting). Sheridan took first place with a score of 7-6. Third place was won by Envirobond Products beating Lawrence Park Garden Care in the consolation game. Other teams taking part included
Dusty Miller Landscaping, Zander Sod (two teams) Juergen Partridge, Betz Pools, Stonemens Valley and the combined team of Dyna and Ecoman. Shawn Foley thanked volunteers Sabrina Goettler (Oriole Landscaping), Carla Priemski (Lawrence Park Garden Care), and Tina Foley (The Waterboys Contracting) and Helen Hassard, Landscape Ontario membership and chapter coordinator, for all her hard work organizing the event. Trophies were sponsored by Beaver Valley Stone, and when not running the base paths and swinging at pitches, members of Envirobond provided coffee and snow cones throughout the day.
Willowbrook Nurseries has long record of helping community
Willowbrook Nurseries in Fenwick is well-known for its charity work helping the cancer fund with its special branded plants (see May 2012 edition of Land-
scape Ontario magazine). Owner John Langendoen tells about the donated plant material and labour, along with corporate sponsorship to a number of community projects. But there are some noteworthy projects. “We received a plaque in appreciation of donating plant material for a home built by Habitat for Humanity in 2010, and we are currently involved with another project in donating plant material for a home built by Wells of Hope,” says Langendoen. Willowbrook has also received a certificate of appreciation from Pelham Communities in Bloom for donating plant material planted around a number of wooden hand carved signs installed all over the Pelham community, and a plaque from the Town of Pelham for supplying material to build an elaborate bandshell in celebration of Pelham’s 150 year anniversary. “The best one yet!!!!” writes John Langendoen. “Our company and employees support a children’s ministry in Welland called Rose City Kids www.rosecitykids. com by mentoring positive and Christian values to over 400 kids in the City of Welland, through a fast-paced interactive program. A number of employees also volunteer their time to maintain the building.” This ministry was started by John Langendoen’s late wife Jocelyn and her friend Sonya Wierenga in 2008.
Final report notes Green Highways study an important first
The final report on the Greening the Highways project states that data gathered over the two-year period is extremely useful, but further study is required. The project began in September 2009, when the Minister of Transportation at the time, Jim Bradley, announced at an open house held at Vineland that $1-million was being allocated to the project. Planting began in the late spring of 2010. The partnership included Landscape Ontario, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. About 2,000 trees were grown at Vineland, as well as Braun, Willowbrook and Sheridan Nurseries. Trees were chosen for resistance to winter highway salt and summer dry spells. The report begins, “Trees are the most effective systems for carbon sequestration, however, lack of data regarding tree survival and means of promoting survival in highway right-of-ways (ROWs) have limited the conversion of WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 7
ASSOCIATION NEWS
An inspection of the 401 sites in 2011 showed some species were doing well, while others had not survived the year.
highway ROWs from carbon sources to immense carbon sinks.” There have been no previous studies of tree survival in highway right-of-ways. The planting sites were along the 401 at the junction with the 427 and three sites next to the Allen Expressway. The first long-term data collected in July 2011 and September 2011 indicated survival is dependent on species, site and production environment used before out-planting. Following winter of 2010-11,
the survival range was 100 per cent for trees grown under retractable roof greenhouses (RRG), to five per cent for fieldproduced trees. The report says the RRG trees in Sept. 2011 had the highest survival (without trees being replaced) with 100 per cent survival for Acer ‘Autumn Blaze’ (site 5 and 6), Betula jacquemontii (site 6), Celtis occidentalis (site 5) and Gleditsia triacanthos (site 4, 5 and 6). With millions of miles of roads and acres of ROW land, the study states that
opportunities for increasing Ontario nursery production to meet future planting needs are substantial. “We have identified species that are doing well in the 401 ROW sites such as Gleditisia triacanthos, Celtis occidentalis, and Acer freemanii. Species that have poor survival include Acer pseudoplatanus, Betula lenta, Betula papyrifera, and Ginkgo biloba. Generally, these poor species were below grade at planting and were produced in a polyhouse environment,” says the report. The study concludes that the polyhouse environment provided the lowest survival rate at 39.8 per cent, compared to 57.5 per cent for field-grown trees, 68.2 per cent for the RRG and 66.1 per cent for VRG (vented-roof greenhouses). The report states, “This project also involved growing a tree liner crop at the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre RRG (for out plant spring 2012). The three container substrates used had significant impact on caliper, especially height growth for Cercis canadensis. “Comparisons of out-plant survival of other unknown source bare-root liners of Acer freemannii ‘Jeffersred’ and Celtis occidentalis versus RRG or ventedroof liners out-planted at the 401/Allen Expressway and 401/427 intersections were conducted and indicated the RRG provided the highest survival of both species.” The report concludes that the RRG production method promoted better than expected tree survival. “The poor survival shown by the polyhouse environment trees was unexpected.” There was also concern expressed about some of the
Winkelmolen Nursery Ltd. For Bareroot and Container Grown Trees Native • Shade • Ornamental
148 Lynden Road, P.O. Box 190 Lynden, Ontario L0R 1T0 Tel: 519-647-3912 Fax: 519-647-3720
www.winkelmolen.com 8 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO SEPTEMBER, 2012
trees being planted too deep. “In future studies with MTO, the planting of experimental trees should be supervised by a researcher responsible for the project,” states the report. The trees for the 401 sites were planted by a contractor who successfully obtained the planting and two year maintenance contract. The report reveals that this added an additional level of complexity to the study. “Several trees have been inadvertently ‘weed whipped’ at the base and some completely cut off. Many trees, especially of field grown oak, have been replanted making survival on the sites seem higher than if no replant was conducted. It has also inflated the survival percentages of certain production methods and species over other methods and species that have not been replaced and have survived since the June 2010 planting.” As a result of the Ontario project, Ohio State University researchers have initiated a cross-border (Canada/U.S.) initiative with the sites in Canada (2010), two in central Ohio (2011) and two more this year. Dr. Hannah Mathers was senior research fellow at Vineland and helped coordinate the highway project, before ending her contract and moving back to Ohio State University. She hopes to continue evaluations of these trees for many more years at Ohio State. “Results obtained after the 2012 spring replant will be most valuable to provide actual survival data of trees along highways,” says Mathers. The report concludes with a wish list: • That MTO starts specifying species found in this project to be of higher survival for roadside plantings. • That MTO advocates the use of trees grown in Ontario for Ontario highway sites. • That MTO advocates the use of tree whips produced in RRG greenhouses planted densely (6X6), versus larger caliper trees planted on large spacing. • That Ontario nursery growers adopt the RRG production methods for increased survival of trees after planting into landscapes or roadside sites. “We’re excited about what these trials could mean for Ontario. The more trees we can plant successfully along our highways, the better it is for our environment and it can help us create a more viable farm sector,” says LO executive director Tony DiGiovanni. “Being able to grow liners in Ontario means that $30 million in sales will stay in our province rather than going out west — and a tremendous reduction in transportation.”
• Visit www.connon.ca & click on ‘Trade Accounts’ to find our Current Availability & Feature List. Receive 25 - 50% off Wholesale Pricing on Select Items! Call us for your Password. • Committed to Quoting Your Requirements within 2 Business Days. • Call, Email, or Fax your List in Advance. We will have your order ready. • Delivery Service Available: Our Trucks are Always in your Area.
Waterdown
383 Dundas St. E., Waterdown, Ont. L0R 2H0 (Hwy. #5 just east of Waterdown)
Tel.: 905.689.4631 Fax: 905.689.5481 email:sales@connon.ca
Production/Sales Yard & Administration
656 Robson Road, Waterdown, Ont. L0R 2H1
Tel.: 905.689.7433 • 1.888.7PLANTS (1.888.775.2687) Sales Fax: 905.689.4900 • email: sales@connon.ca
www.connon.ca Ad Size 4.625 x 9.875
Trenton
956A Old Highway #2, R.R. #2, Trenton, Ont. #2 at Bayside, K8V 5P5 (Hwy. between Trenton & Belleville) Tel.: 613.392.0402 Fax: 613.392.0287 email: trentonsales@connon.ca
WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 9
ASSOCIATION NEWS
Chapter golf tournaments
The Upper Canada Golf Tournament took place at the Loyalist Golf Club in Bath with about 50 golfers taking part this year. In photo, from left, Ernest Williams from Aquascape, with member of the Chapter golf committee Stephen Poole of Connon Nurseries/CBV, Trenton, and Mark Norris from EMC, a local community newspaper.
The registration and raffle desk was a busy place before the Golden Horseshoe Golf Tournament began on Aug. 15 at the Willow Valley Golf Course in Mount Hope. Over 130 golfers took part in this year’s event.
Record entries in retail Awards of Excellence
A record number of entries were received for the 2012 retail Awards of Excellence. We are so fortunate here at Landscape Ontario to be associated with such talented and dedicated professionals. I write this, just a few days after our esteemed panel of retail Awards of Excellence judges completed the mission to judge the 2012 program entries. Many of the entries were from small family-owned operations. There were some fantastic and creative entries. The judges were so impressed by one of the merchandising entries that they wrote down the address of the retailer and will be visiting them shortly. I personally will be taking my kids shopping to a few smaller stores that are off the beaten path, during their in-store promotional events (now that I have the inside scoop!). Members of our judging panel had their job cut out for them as the program had a record number of entries, which of course will result in a record number of winners. Who won, you ask? The winners will be announced for the first time at the ceremony being held at Expo, during the Wed., Oct. 17 breakfast event. Purchase your ticket now at www.loexpo.ca to secure your seat in the audience. Terry Vanderkruk from Connon Nurseries, CBV Holdings said of the online entry process, “Great job on your website — the process was simple and quick!” Thank you Terry for taking the time to let us know. Thank you to our judges, Lorraine Flanigan from Trellis Magazine, Sara Katz from Wild at Heart Design, Carol Cowan from Zebra Promotions and Aldona Satterthwaite from Toronto Botanical Garden. We welcome your feedback, including suggestions for improvement anytime. I can be reached at kristen@landscapeontario.com. — Kristen McIntyre CLT
Pierre nuRtures kids and woodland
Dressed in distinctive green and yellow attire, the gang from Envirobond has been a noticeable addition at many Landscape Ontario summer events. Such was the case at the Waterloo Chapter Golf Tournament at Rebel Creek Golf Course in Petersburg, where Trina Josdal was handing out slushies to parched golfers. Proceeds from the tournament will be divided equally among Kids Ability, School Greening Project and The Waterloo Chapter’s Education Fund.
10 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO SEPTEMBER, 2012
When LO executive director Tony DiGiovanni requested members to tell us about volunteer work, Adele Pierre CLD of Adele Pierre Landscape Design in Caledonia, responded by writing that it was a great idea to let others know about members’ volunteer efforts. Pierre told about two projects she was involved with over the past year or two. “I organized a summer adventure camp at Central Presbyterian Church in Hamilton for kids aged four to 12. The theme was
Re:New - Caring for Creation.” The group learned about making compost, rainwater management, recycling, planting bulbs, and about the benefits of trees. The group also brought in a worm composter, hatched chicks, and had a couple of frames of honey bees. “The week was an absolute blast. Over the past three or four years I have also been working with a team of volunteers to turn the church property into a lovely garden for the neighbourhood. The master plan for the property was actually part of my submission for CLD,” said Pierre. Adele Pierre also volunteered her time on a project at Crieff Hills community. “This is a fascinating property, originally owned by Colonel Maclean (founder of Macleans magazine), and designed by Frederick Law Olmstead. There has been a recent addition to the conference centre and I have worked with a team of volunteers with plantings. Of particular interest was woodland that had been completely overgrown with buckthorn. The buckthorn was dug out and we replanted with all-native plant material. I am currently consulting with Peter Mitchell of the Centre for Land and Water Stewardship (University of Guelph) to discuss further projects.”
Growing today for a greener tomorrow
Auction appreciation
In last month’s issue of Landscape Ontario magazine, some important acknowledgements were missed in the article on the annual Growers’ Research Auction. Appreciation to Christine Stein of Agrium Advanced Technologies for her volunteer work at the auction, along with donors Living Carpet and UPI Energy.
Time to show off work with Awards of Excellence
You have created beautiful landscapes. You have manicured lawns. You have lit the landscape in the night sky. You have enhanced the lives of all those who bear witness to the magnificent work of art that you constructed. Now it’s time to show it off. Entries are now being accepted into LO’s construction, maintenance and design Awards of Excellence programs until Oct. 1. Take your photos and start the online entry process now; don’t wait until the deadline. I have been part of the LO family for many years, and I have honestly heard every imaginable excuse to submit entries past the deadline. While I do truly admire the creativity and imaginative explanations, it is appreciated if you please get your submissions in on time. Submissions are made at www.loawards.com and under Construction, Maintenance and Design you will find entry guidelines and categories. You require a user name and password if have not already created one with Landscape Ontario. You can work on your entry and log out/in at any time before the deadline. Until you have entered payment information, your entry is not officially submitted. When you login, you will need: • Contact information of person entering on behalf of company • Six to 15 photos of the project at maximum file size in .JPG format • A point form ‘project summary,’ describing what you were trying to achieve with your project, including any quirks/conditions imposed by the property owner, conservation authority, etc. • You will be prompted to print an Authorization Signatures form during your submission • Credit card information for payment
Winners will be announced at the ceremony on Tues., Jan. 8, 2013, at the Doubletree Hilton Hotel in conjunction with the annual Congress trade show; plaques will be presented at that time. Just announced, this year’s ceremony is being presented by
M. PUTZER HORNBY NURSERY LTD 7314 Sixth Line, Hornby, Ontario L0P 1E0
Phone: 905-878-7226 • 1-800-377-3363 Fax: 905-878-8737 www.putzernursery.com
Quality • Service • Selection WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 11
ASSOCIATION NEWS Draglam Salt and Earthco Soil Mixtures, and Sheridan Nurseries is also confirmed as a supporting sponsor. What a supportive industry! All entrants into this year’s program will receive an invitation, including one complimentary ticket (per entry received) to the ceremony. Winners will not be notified prior to the ceremony. Never entered before? No worries! If you need some help with your entry or have questions, let me know and I will be happy to walk you through the process – kristen@landscapeontario.com. — Kristen McIntyre
Management; Harry A. Gelderman, Gelderman Landscaping; Laura Hodder, City of Kitchener; John Lein, St. Clair College; Mike MacKinnon, Monarch Landscape; Ryan Matejcek, TLC Professional Landscaping; Mark Pickering, Town of Whitby; Jeremy Spanninga, The Landmark Group; Nate Torresan, Escapes Outdoor Living Designs; Joe Van de Veldi,
TLC Professional Landscaping, and Mike Weir, Burch Landscape Services. Valued test day sponsors include Platinum sponsors Clintar, Stihl and Battlefield Equipment Rental; Gold sponsor Eloquip; and Silver sponsors Permacon and LandscapeSafety.com. Van Dongen’s Landscaping and Nurseries, Hamilton Sod and Pro-Power Equipment made inkind sponsorship donations. To secure your space for the next test, register at www.horttrades.com/ landscape-industry-certified, or contact Laura at lbrinton@landscapeontario.com.
Over 40 candidates challenge certification tests
On July 26 and 27, a total of 44 candidates took on the challenge of the Landscape Industry Certified Technician Test hosted at the Landscape Ontario home office in Milton. When it was over 12 candidates had successfully earned Landscape Industry Certified designations, with most of the others well on their way to proving their competency as qualified, recognized, trusted landscape industry certified individuals. The following 12 people were successful in obtaining their CLT designation: Tyler Alcorn, Hackstone Landscapes; Casey Anderson, Clintar Landscape
Over 12 candidates received certification credentials in July.
12 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO SEPTEMBER, 2012
Committee to mark 40th year of LO
A special committee has been formed to mark the 40th anniversary of Landscape Ontario. Chaired by Monica van Maris, members of the committee include Nathan Helder, Linda Nodello, Robert Ellidge, Tony DiGiovanni, Kathleen Pugliese, Beth Edney, Doug Coote, Denis Flanagan and Helen Hassard. The anniversary will be launched at Congress 2013. Leading up to that articles will appear in Landscape Ontario magazine highlighting the past 15 years since the association last celebrated a special year, 1998, when LO marked its 25th anniversary. More information on the anniversary will be released later this fall.
GreenTrade Expo ready for 20th birthday
Preparations are underway for GreenTrade Expo 2013, scheduled for Feb. 13, 2013. Presented by the Ottawa Chapter of Landscape Ontario, it’s eastern Ontario’s largest green industry products and services trade show. This year mark’s GreenTrade ‘s 20th anniversary. Returning once again to the CE Centre, 4899 Uplands Drive, it is just minutes from the MacDonald Cartier Airport in Ottawa. The new venue should prove popular with both exhibitors and attendees. Last year, GreenTrade Expo experienced a sold out trade show floor. Information packages for exhibitors will be sent out in September. The ever-popular and well attended contractors’ breakfast will return, featuring the latest information from the Ministry of Transportation. Attendees will once again be able to partake in free industryrelated educational seminars throughout the day. GreenTrade Expo show chair Bruce Morton, who has been involved since its inception, is looking forward to celebrating the 20th anniversary. “This show offers something for all green industry professionals and their businesses. We raised the bar last year with the new location and pre-registration incentives; the industry, through the exhibitors, sponsors and attendees responded, positively.” A special celebration is planned to mark the anniversary. For more information on exhibiting or sponsoring at GreenTrade Expo 2013, please contact show manager Martha Walsh at mwalsh@ landscapeontario.com. Information is also available at www.greentrade.ca.
New plants arriving weekly
Dependability. Weather or Not. draglamsalt.com
GandLgroup.com
Concrete
Aggregates
Soil
Salt Waste
WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 13
VOLUNTEER PROFILE Don Voorhees has long history of volunteering At Congress in 2011, Landscape Ontario honoured one of its long-time volunteers Don Voorhees with the Alumni Award. During the presentation, executive director Tony DiGiovanni stated, “Don Voorhees is always there when needed. He has been on the Lawn Care Sector committee forever. He is a fixture during Canada Blooms, helping all the garden builders get the job done and his good nature always brings levity to any circumstance. LO is proud of Don Voorhees.” Voorhees opened his Durham lawn care franchise in 1977. “At the time, other professional companies who provided lawn and tree care services were becoming more popular. Doit-yourselfers were beginning to hire outside services to take care of their properties, grabbing the opportunity to free-up weekends in anticipation of more leisure time. As a new businessman in 1977, I felt the need to know more than the average homeowner about horticulture,” said Voorhees. He remembers at the time that pesticide symposia were held at Queen’s Park. “This is where I first learned of Landscape Ontario. I knew that displaying a membership with a professional association would give credibility and assure potential clients their investment was well placed,” he says. He enquired how to become a member at the Landscape Ontario home office, he remembers being located in Mississauga. He was invited to attend the Toronto Chapter Meeting at the Holliday Inn on Dufferin Street. “The first night I felt intimidated to be in the presence of these professionals, who seemed very comfortable in the company of their competitors and peers. My fears quickly vanished when before the night was out, I was approached by Monica van Maris and asked to serve on the lawn care committee,” remembers Voorhees. He welcomed the opportunity, not realizing at the time all the benefits of being a volunteer. Says Voorhees, “The saying, ‘If you
want to be a professional, associate with professional people,’ became clear to me when these pioneers of the industry did not hesitate to encourage and freely share time and information with me as a newbie.” He says that this attitude has
not changed over the years. “The trade magazines often highlight members who continually contribute their talents to our association. Many men and women entrepreneurs have become proud professionals and continually contribute to our horticulture industry.” The alumni member reflects that the reason he became a member of LO has changed through the years. “Little did I know at the time that serving on a committee would mean rubbing shoulders with people who are passionate about their chosen trade and who are tireless in their endeavor to produce a better product, and proud to share hard-earned trade secrets that have yet to be written in text books.” Don Voorhees chuckles when relating his addiction to volunteering at Canada Blooms. He says when he first became
14 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO SEPTEMBER, 2012
involved at Canada Blooms, he saw expressions on hundreds of winter-weary faces change to anticipation when the fragrance of spring flowers greeted them as they entered the show. He later had the opportunity to help with the main setup with Barry Benjamin and then Charlie Dobbin, with their amazing volunteer teams providing trees, shrubs and exotic plant material to exhibitors. “I saw firsthand how members worked so seamlessly together on their own projects and would never hesitate to help when other show exhibitors required assistance. What other industry has such a diverse group of people that can come together and be of one accord?” asks Voorhees. The other big attraction for Voorhees of volunteering at Canada Blooms is the chance to meet and make friends from all levels of horticulture. “From the Toronto Garden Club, the trade schools, growers, maintenance crews, landscapers, arborists, nurseries, manufacturers of garden supplies and equipment, suppliers and so many others associated in the industry, they are all there.” Although now semi-retired, Voorhees still sits on the Lawn Care Sector Group committee. “I look forward to the meetings held at the LO office in Milton. When you walk through the front door at LO to reception, you have a change of attitude. You are immediately aware that Landscape Ontario staff members are enthusiastic and eager to make you feel welcome. You may walk in with a weight on your shoulders, but you will leave feeling refreshed and a little reluctant to leave.” He says it’s great to see LO members becoming more involved with community projects. He would like to see members provide advice or assist at senior facilities to create small gardens. Many seniors have had to give up their lifelong love of gardening at home. A small patch of soil may make the difference when the time comes for the transition from independence to an unfamiliar new life.” Since joining LO in the 1970s, Don Voorhees has seen many changes in the association. “Each time I pick up the trades magazines, I am Impressed at the diversification and growth of the industry.” Of course, Don Voorhees has been responsible for many of those changes, and continues to give back to improve his association and his industry.
EVENTS Bookmark www.horttrades.com/comingevents for up-to-date event information.
LANDSCAPE ONTARIO AND INDUSTRY EVENTS September 17
Green Jobs Forum 2012
Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building This inaugural free event will promote green industry jobs to students, new graduates and members of the general public. Landscape Ontario is supporting the event by exhibiting at the Green Jobs Forum and connecting the event to the Agri-Food and Horticulture Room industry speakers.
September 27 - 28
Certification Test Dates
Kemptville College, Kemptville All Certification Designation written tests can be completed at Kemptville College, at 1:30 p.m. (with pre-registration). Landscape Industry Certified Technician practicals will take place the following day, along with any designation written re-tests. September 27 - 28
Permeable interlocking concrete seminar
LO home office, near Milton Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) is hosting a permeable interlocking concrete pavements (PICP) seminar at the LO home office, near Milton. For more information, or to register, go to www.icpi.org/Milton. September 28 - 30
Dry Stone Walling Festival
September 20
Snow and Ice Conference and Expo
Landscape Ontario, 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton LO’s Snow and Ice Conference and Expo returns to Landscape Ontario’s home office. It has been held off-site for the last few years. Sessions will run inside in the morning and a mini-trade show with practical demonstrations outside in the afternoon. Registration is open at horttrades.com.
Hanover Some of the best dry stone craftsmen in the world will gather in Hanover for three days. The Stonewurx International Dry Stone Walling Festival is intended as a celebration of an ancient craft. It is also an opportunity to educate anyone interested in the art through a one-of-a kind learning experience. For more information, go to http://bit.ly/stonewurx. October 9
Ottawa Chapter meeting
The Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 641, Unit 3, 3500 Fallowfield Road, Nepean Join the Ottawa Chapter for its October meeting beginning at 12 noon. There is no charge for the meeting.
September 20
Sports Turf Association 25th annual field day
Windsor Chapter’s Annual Golf Tournament
Fox Glen Golf Club, 7525 Howard Ave., McGregor Come and enjoy the last of summer at the Windsor chapter’s annual golf tournament. The event includes 18 holes of golf, hotdog and pop at the turn, steak dinner and great prizes.
Golden Horseshoe Dynamic Leasing Phil Kupecki 4341 Harvester Rd Burlington, ON L7L 5M4 Tel: 905 639 9187 Member Type: Associate European Interlocking Stone Daniel Silva 283 Concession 10 Rd E Freelton, ON L0R 1K0 Tel: 905 337 7366 Membership Type: Active Federated Insurance Mike Castro 195 Mother’s St Hamilton, ON L9B 0E1 Tel: 905 541 6102 Member Type: Chapter Associate London Tim Elliott 309 King St Londesborough, ON N0M 2H0 Tel: 519 523 4399 Member Type: Horticultural Toronto FTT Matthew Chianelli 20 - 80 Nashdene Rd Scarborough, ON M1V 5E4 Tel: 416 298 6093 x226 Member Type: Associate Pro-Motion Consulting Inc Phil Harwood PO Box 561 Farmington, MI 48332 Tel: 248 436 8121 Member Type: Associate Sweet Home Spaces Alberto Becerra 598 Eiderdown Pl Mississauga, ON L5B 2X3 Tel: 647 299 3871 Member Type: Interim T. Bolton Sod Co Limited Terry Bolton 9043 County Rd 1, RR 1 Palgrave, ON L0N 1P0 Tel: 905 729 4035 Member Type: Active
The Soccer Centre, 7601 Martin Grove Rd., Vaughan Thomas Serensits, manager of The Pennsylvania State University Center for Sports Surface Research, is the featured speaker at the 2012 field day. Serensits will address both natural and synthetic turf topics. September 22
NEW MEMBERS
October 17 - 18
Expo 2012
Toronto Congress Centre, North Building Expo 2012 is the fall buying show for the garden centre and floral industry. To find out more about this great event, go to www.loexpo.ca.
Water Arts Inc Vanessa Shand 4152 Dundas St W Toronto, ON M8X 1X3 Tel: 416 239 5345 Member Type: Associate Waterloo Triple L Lawn & Landscape Chad Loewen 15 Arrowhead Cr Kitchener, ON N2P 1C1 Tel: 519 778 8745 Membership Type: Active
WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 15
Botanical Name
Qty. 1 Gal Qty. 2 Gal Qty. 3 Gal Avail. Price Avail. Price Avail. Price
VINES Campsis radicans ‘Balboa Sunset’ 252 8.00 Campsis radicans ‘Flamenco’ 118 8.00 Campsis tagliabuana ‘Mme Galen’ 122 8.00 Celastrus orbiculatus ‘Hercules’ 149 8.00 Celastrus scandens 345 8.00 Hedera helix 116 6.00 Hedera helix ‘Baltica’ 104 6.00 Lonicera x ‘Mandarin’ 156 8.00 Lonicera heckrottii ‘Goldflame’ 147 8.00 Lonicera japonica ‘Halliana’ 155 8.00 Lonicera japonica ‘Halls Prolific’ 119 6.00 Lonicera per. ‘Serotina’ 126 8.00 Parthenocissus quinq. ‘Engelmannii’ 723 6.00 221 8.00 Parthenocissus quinquefolia 1,000 6.00 Parthenocissus tricus. ‘Veitchii’ 440 6.00 Polygonum aubertii 290 6.00 Vitis riparia 326 8.00
EVERGREENS
Azalea ‘Golden Lights’ 177 13.50 Azalea ‘Mandarin Lights’ 95 13.50 Azalea ‘Orchid Lights’ 434 13.50 Buxus ‘Faulkner’ 264 5.00 Buxus X ‘Green Gem’ 319 5.20 Buxus X ‘Green Mound’ 1,000 5.00 150 11.00 Buxus X ‘Green Mountain’ 824 5.00 110 11.00 Buxus X ‘Green Velvet’ 1,000 5.20 Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Pygmaea’ 189 15.00 Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Filifera’ 262 5.00 35 11.00 Cotoneaster dammeri ‘Coral Beauty’ 341 5.00 474 7.00 Cotoneaster dammeri ‘Major’ 158 7.00 Cotoneaster salicifolius ‘Repens’ 724 7.00 Euonymus fortunei ‘Coloratus’ 921 5.00 Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald Gaiety’ 1,000 5.00 Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald ‘n Gold’ 180 5.00 100 7.00 Euonymus fortunei ‘Sarcoxie’ 633 7.00 Ilex X meserveae ‘Blue Prince’ 289 6.00 92 13.00 Ilex X meserveae ‘Blue Princess’ 202 13.00 Juniperus chinensis ‘Gold Coast’ 117 11.00 Juniperus chinensis ‘Gold Star’ 820 5.00 101 11.00 Juniperus chinensis ‘Mint Julep’ 550 5.00 Juniperus chinensis ‘Pfitz. Compacta’ 602 5.00 93 11.00 Juniperus chinensis ‘San Jose’ 301 5.00 224 11.00 Juniperus communis ‘Repanda’ 360 5.00 84 11.00 Juniperus conferta ‘Blue Pacific’ 420 5.00 200 11.00 Juniperus ‘Holger’ 94 11.00 Juniperus horizontalis 385 5.00 Juniperus horizontalis ‘Andorra Compacta’ 255 5.00 89 9.00 42 11.00 Juniperus horizontalis ‘Blue Prince’ 77 5.00 Juniperus horizontalis ‘Icee Blue’ 868 6.00 49 13.00 Juniperus horizontalis ‘Lime Glow’ 100 6.50 110 13.50 Juniperus horizontalis ‘Prince of Wales’ 310 5.00 Juniperus horizontalis ‘Wiltonii’ 305 5.00 Juniperus horizontalis ‘Yukon Belle’ 306 5.00 Juniperus media ‘Armstrongii’ 315 5.00 96 11.00 Juniperus sabina 260 11.00 Juniperus sabina ‘Buffalo’ 100 13.00 Juniperus sabina ‘Calgary Carpet’ 85 13.00 Juniperus sabina ‘Skandia’ 119 13.00 Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Carpet’ 110 5.00 130 11.00 Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Star’ 73 11.00 Larix laricina 656 7.00 Myrica gale 208 7.00 Myrica pensylvanica 587 7.00 Picea abies 100 7.00 300 11.00
16 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO SEPTEMBER, 2012
Botanical Name
Qty. 1 Gal Qty. 2 Gal Qty. 3 Gal Avail. Price Avail. Price Avail. Price
Picea abies ‘Nidiformis’ 798 Picea glauca 158 7.00 1,000 Picea glauca ‘Conica’ 1,000 Picea glauca ‘Densata’ 314 7.00 Pieris japonica ‘Mountain Fire’ 50 Pinus mugo var. mugo 1,000 Pinus strobus 252 8.00 Rhododendron ‘Nova Zembla’ 113 Taxus cuspidata ‘Aurescens’ 173 Taxus X media ‘Hicksii’ 547 6.00 Taxus X media ‘Hillii’ 123 Taxus X media ‘Wardii’ 583 6.00 Thuja occidentalis 178 Thuja occidentalis ‘Brabant’ 79 Thuja occidentalis ‘Danica’ 50 Thuja occidentalis ‘Golden Globe’ 58 5.00 86 Thuja occidentalis ‘Nigra’ 748 5.00 727 Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’ 286 Thuja occidentalis ‘Wintergreen’ 500 5.00 125 Thuja plicata ‘’Spring Grove’ 441 Tsuga canadensis ‘Jeddeloh’ 98
12.50 11.00 13.00 13.00 11.00 13.00 15.00 13.50 11.00 11.00 11.00 11.00 11.00 11.00 11.00 11.00 13.50
DECIDUOUS SHRUBS Acanthopanax sieboldianus 100 7.00 Acer ginnala 413 7.00 Acer rubrum 203 7.00 Acer saccharinum 825 7.00 Acer saccharum 651 8.00 Alnus incana 240 7.00 Amelanchier alnifolia 213 7.00 Amelanchier canadensis 90 7.00 80 9.50 Amelanchier humilis 100 7.00 Aronia mel. ‘Autumn Magic’ 55 7.00 Aronia melanocarpa 969 7.00 Berberis thunbergii ‘Concorde’ 200 12.75 Berberis thunbergii ‘Rose Glow’ 96 9.00 91 12.75 Berberis thunbergii ‘Royal Burgundy’ 500 12.75 Betula alleghaniensis 131 7.00 Betula papyrifera 414 7.00 Carpinus betulus ‘Fastigiata’ 117 7.00 Caryopteris clandonensis ‘Grand Blue’ 486 7.35 Caryopteris clandonensis ‘Worchester Gold’ 65 7.00 Celtis occidentalis 597 7.00 Chaenomeles speciosa ‘Nivalis’ 264 7.00 Chaenomeles speciosa ‘Rubra’ 186 7.00 Chaenomeles speciosa ‘Texas Scarlet’ 268 7.00 Chaenomeles sup. ‘Crimson and Gold’ 506 7.00 Clethra alnifolia ‘Pink Spire’ 426 7.00 Clethra alnifolia ‘Ruby Spice’ 148 7.00 Cornus alba ‘Red Gnome’ 101 7.00 Cornus alternifolia 295 7.00 Cornus amomum 1,000 7.00 Cornus racemosa 450 7.00 Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’ 200 7.00 Cornus stolonifera (sericea) 1,000 7.00 Cornus stolonifera ‘Buds Yellow’ 333 7.00 Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’ 50 15.00 Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’ 142 11.00 Cotoneaster acutifolius 310 7.00 Cotoneaster apiculatus 403 7.00 Cotoneaster preacox ‘Boer’ 1,000 7.00 Deutzia crenata ‘Nikko’ 280 7.00 Deutzia gracilis 424 7.00 Deutzia gracilis ‘Aurea’ 91 7.00 Diervilla lonicera 405 7.00 Euonymus alatus ‘Compactus’ 726 5.00 33 10.00
Many More Cultivars and sizes available
Botanical Name
Qty. 1 Gal Qty. 2 Gal Qty. 3 Gal Avail. Price Avail. Price Avail. Price
Fagus grandifolia 160 7.00 122 8.00 Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’ 355 7.00 Forsythia ovata ‘Ottawa’ 345 7.00 Forsythia X inter. ‘Northern Gold’ 907 7.00 Forsythia X intermedia ‘Goldtide’ 150 7.00 Forsythia X intermedia ‘Lynwood’ 702 7.00 Fothergilla gardenii ‘Mount Airy’ 64 13.00 Genista tinctoria ‘Royal Gold’ 256 7.00 Hibiscus syriacus ‘Aphrodite’ 184 5.00 Hibiscus syriacus ‘Diana’ 678 5.00 165 10.00 Hibiscus syriacus ‘Helene’ 108 5.00 Hibiscus syriacus ‘White Chiffon’ 176 5.00 77 10.00 Hibiscus syriacus ‘Woodbridge’ 105 5.00 213 10.00 Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ 205 7.00 1,000 10.50 Hydrangea ‘Endless Summer Twist n Shout’ 100 14.75 Hydrangea macr. ‘Endless Summer’ 100 14.75 Hydrangea macr. ‘Penny Mac’ 50 8.30 Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’ 124 7.00 Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’ 104 9.75 Hydrangea paniculata ‘Little Lime’ 100 9.75 Hydrangea paniculata ‘Pink Diamond’ 127 7.00 Hydrangea paniculata ‘Tardiva’ 187 7.00 Hydrangea paniculata ‘Vanille Fraise’ 100 10.75 Ilex verticillata 140 7.00 Itea virginica ‘Henrys Garnet’ 360 7.00 Kerria japonica ‘Pleniflora’ 239 7.00 Kolkwitzia amabilis ‘Pink Cloud’ 91 7.00 Ligustrum ovalufolium 310 7.00 Ligustrum vulgaris 168 7.00 Lindera benzoin 183 7.00 Liriodendron tulipefera 165 8.50 Lonicera xylosteum ‘Claveys Dwarf’ 495 7.00 Lonicera xylosteum ‘Emerald Mound’ 147 7.00 Lonicera xylosteum ‘Miniglobe’ 317 7.00 Magnolia stellata ‘Royal Star’ 179 15.00 Magnolia X Butterfly 176 15.00 Magnolia X loebneri ‘Merrill’ 72 15.00 Nyssa sylvatica 240 7.00 Philadelphus coronarius ‘Aureus’ 99 7.00 Philadelphus ‘Innocence’ 117 7.00 Philadelphus ‘Natchez’ 90 7.00 Philadelphus schrenkii ‘Snowbelle’ 141 7.00 Philadelphus X virginalis 402 7.00 Physocarpus opulifolius 1,000 7.00 Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Dart’s Gold’ 174 7.00 Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Diabolo’ 1,000 7.60 Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Luteus’ 461 7.00 Physocarpus opulifolius nanus 400 7.00 Populus deltoides 195 7.00 Populus tremuloides 195 7.00 Potentilla fruticosa 162 7.00 Potentilla fruticosa ‘Abbottswood’ 259 7.00 Potentilla fruticosa ‘Goldfinger’ 96 7.00 Potentilla fruticosa ‘Goldstar’ 442 7.00 Potentilla fruticosa ‘Mango Tango’ 400 7.00 Prunus cistena 846 5.00 1,000 7.00 Prunus serotina 150 7.00 Prunus virginiana 520 7.00 Quercus alba 300 7.00 Quercus macrocarpa 445 7.00 Quercus palustris 65 7.00 Quercus robur ‘Fastigiata’ 276 9.00 Quercus rubrum 389 7.00 Quercus velutina 168 7.00 Rhus aromatica ‘Low Grow’ 614 7.00 800 9.00 Rhus typhina 338 7.00
Botanical Name
Qty. 1 Gal Qty. 2 Gal Qty. 3 Gal Avail. Price Avail. Price Avail. Price
Rhus typhina ‘Tiger Eyes’ 87 Ribes aureum 187 Rosa blanda 59 7.00 Rosa Bonica 100 7.00 Rosa Carolina 665 7.00 Rosa ‘J P Connell’ 50 7.00 Rosa rugosa 1,000 7.00 Rosa rugosa ‘Hansa’ 400 7.00 Rosa ‘William Baffin’ 174 7.00 Rosa x ‘Morden Amorette’ 57 7.00 Rosa x ‘Royal Edward’ 294 7.00 Rosa x ‘The Fairy’ 50 7.00 Rubus occidentalis 250 7.00 Salix bebbiana 182 7.00 Salix discolor 606 7.00 Salix eriocephala 500 7.00 Salix exigua 662 7.00 Salix integra ‘Hakuro-nishiki’ 231 7.00 Salix lucida 300 7.00 Salix nigra 430 7.00 Salix repens 300 7.00 Sambucus canadensis 1,000 7.00 Sambucus canadensis Aurea 400 7.00 Sambucus pubens 682 7.00 Sorbaria sorbifolia 676 7.00 Spiraea alba 563 7.00 Spiraea betulifolia ‘Tor’ 433 7.00 Spiraea bumalda ‘Gold Mound’ 109 7.00 Spiraea japonica ‘Flaming Mound’ 921 7.00 Spiraea japonica ‘Froebelii’ 326 7.00 Spiraea japonica ‘Golden Princess’ 1,000 7.00 Spiraea japonica ‘Magic Carpet’ 195 7.25 Spiraea vanhouttei 735 7.00 Syringa meyeri ‘Palibin’ 1,000 8.00 Syringa patula ‘Miss Kim’ 559 8.00 478 Syringa vulgaris 201 7.00 Syringa vulgaris ‘Beauty of Moscow’ 201 Tamarix pentandra 220 7.00 Viburnum lentago 381 7.00 Viburnum opulus ‘Nanum’ 256 7.00 Viburnum trilobum 293 7.00 Viburnum trilobum ‘Bailey Compact’ 556 7.00 Weigela florida ‘Bristol Snowflake’ 175 7.00 Weigela florida ‘French Lace’ 132 9.60 Weigela florida ‘Java Red’ 209 7.00 Weigela florida ‘Nana Variegata’ 445 7.00 Weigela florida ‘Purpurea Nana’ 199 7.00 Weigela florida ‘Rumba’ 163 7.00 Weigela florida ‘Victoria’ 246 7.00
12.75 9.00
10.50 13.00
17 RR 2, Mount Brydges, ON N0L 1W0 • Tel: 519-264-9057 •WWW.HORTTRADES.COM Fax: 519-264-1337
INDUSTRY NEWS
Grown naturally, the tree lilac develops into a very large shrub.
Japanese tree lilac ideal for urban conditions We’ve become accustomed to the delightful floral show that serviceberries and crabapples provide each spring, but it is the Japanese tree lilac, and its provision of blooms once summer has begun, that helps to keep our streets vibrant as things heat up. The creamy white panicles of the tree lilac are showy and fragrant. The flowers develop with a backdrop of glossy, heartshaped leaves. The rich green colour of Syringa reticulata often continues until the fall leaf drop. Grown naturally, the tree lilac often develops into a very large, multi-stemmed shrub. Nursery growers usually produce the tree with a single trunk, which enables the graceful form and the showy bark to really shine. The trunk has reddish brown bark with lenticels that look much like a cherry. Branches are upright and dense. Where
scale landscapes and under utility lines. Cultivars of Syringa reticulata have become increasingly popular for urban settings with improvements in form, leaf colour and compact size. These include Ontario introductions ‘Ivory Silk,’ ‘Chantilly Lace’ and ‘Golden Eclipse.’ ‘Summer Snow’ performed well in Gerhold’s Municipal Tree Restoration Program. Syringa pekinensis, the Peking lilac, is now regarded as a subspecies of Syringa reticulata. This subspecies is generally a little shorter, and has less-dense flower clusters, but has very impressive, cinnamon-brown peeling bark, and is more cold-hardy. These virtues have recently helped Peking lilac gain more attention for urban areas across North America. Look forward to even more choices in the Japanese tree lilac selections. With the popularity of tree lilacs comes the danger of overuse. There are many trees appropriate for urban use. Don’t limit your choices to a few favourites. Matching tree features to site limitations will improve the diversity of the urban forest and make the landscape Few pests bother this tree (top). Flowers are even more interesting. showy and fragrant (lower). — Thelma Kessel
the showy flowers were, green fruit ripen as equally showy, dehiscent brown capsules. Sturdily held above the dense branches, these complete the medium texture of the tree lilac. The tree lilac was introduced to the west with seeds sent to the Arnold Arboretum at Harvard University in 1876. Tree lilac grows in full sun on many types of soils including clay and alkaline. It is one of the few showy Japanese flowering trees hardy on the prairies to zone two or three. Syringa reticulata tolerates prolonged periods of dryness and moderate exposure to de-icing salt. It is easy to transplant and suffers from few pests or diseases other than some powdery mildew during hot, humid summers. The two features that give the Japanese tree lilac urban appeal are the appearance of flowers on relatively young trees and the compact height which fits nicely in smaller-
18 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO SEPTEMBER, 2012
This is the eighth in a series of articles highlighting one of the 29 trees selected by the Landscape Ontario Growers’ Sector working group as recommended alternatives to ash and Norway maple. Funded by the Agriculture Adaption Council, the complete list and the factsheets on each, can be found at www.landscapeontario.com/ trees-for-urban-landscapes.
Research highlights chinch bugs and sustainable lawns
Let’s get it straight from the get-go. Chinch bugs are tough critters. What else would flourish in the recent sweltering heat that was Ontario through July and into August? They remain a major management challenge in residential areas and the target of research being led by Vineland Research and Innovation Centre and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to develop alternative control methods in the wake of Ontario’s cosmetic pesticide ban.
The trial plots are in Orangeville and Mono Mills. The research will be completed in summer 2013. Adult chinch bugs overwinter in hedgerows and flower beds and move into adjacent grassed areas to lay eggs as temperatures rise in the spring. They thrive in hot and dry weather, particularly on well-drained soils. Both immature and mature stages of chinch bugs feed on grasses, inserting piercing-sucking mouthparts into the base of the stem and feeding on plant sap. With the warm spring of 2012, adults emerged and started feeding early causing damage two to three weeks ahead of schedule. This produced a succeeding generation whose peak feeding coincided with the heat of July when grasses were water-stressed and temperatures at their highest. Chinch bugs are often naturally-infected with fungi, which are common population regulators throughout the insect world. Similarly, in related research on European chafer, it is not unusual to find grubs infected with fungi or nematodes. Research is focusing on ways of reliably and cost-effectively using these biological control agents and other natural products to control chinch bugs in the urban environment. Most biopesticides have a low risk profile. While the focus now is on the use of these materials by landscapers and lawn care specialists in residential areas, it is likely that some may be successfully transitioned for use on lawns and sports turf in the future. Although a few of the products tested have been available for some time, considerable improvements are needed to devise robust use practices that will ensure good insect control is obtained over a range of conditions. Biological control agents are living organisms and need to be handled and applied correctly to maintain viability and achieve maximum efficacy. Given the high temperatures and dry conditions experienced when trials were set up in 2010 and 2011, results were very encouraging and provided some excellent lead candidates. These included an experimental spray of the fungus Metarhizium brunneum and the nematode Steinernema carpocapsae (particularly when applied as sprays prepared in a yucca extract). An experimental essential oil product also provided excellent knock-down of the bugs, and may be an ideal partner with a biological — the combination providing rapid knock down and extended control. Trials for 2012 included a suite of biopesticides (registered or in the pre-registration phase) — some based on living organisms, others on natural products — and incorporated different use practices for the materials under investigation. It was the toughest year yet, weather-wise, and the data is still being analyzed to see which of the products performed well.
Sustainable lawns
Development of new chinch bug control products is only one part of the story. Looking ahead, additional components are needed to create a truly sustainable, resilient home lawn, that is more tolerant of insect feeding damage and capable of withstanding environmental pressures. Opportunities exist to reduce other lawn care inputs such as fertilizers and particularly water. Fresh water supplies are severely limited, especially in areas where urban sprawl, industrial growth, and agricultural modernization place increasing demands on water supplies. Tall fescues and perennial rye grasses have long been valued for their drought tolerance, low maintenance and the speed at which they establish, which in turn helps prevent weed encroachment. However, its utility has been limited as it tends to grow in clumps, which would leave bare patches in a lawn. For this reason, fescues and perennial rye grasses have traditionally been mixed with other species, such as Kentucky bluegrass (a chinch favourite) to compensate.
Lawn Equipment Online Auction Tuesday, September 18, 2012 | 8 AM 39050 Grand River Ave, Farmington Hills, MI 48335 As part of ongoing business, Weingartz will be selling professional golf course maintenance equipment, commercial mowers, tractors and other high quality items by utilizing Orbitbid.com
“Proven Success in the Worldwide Marketplace” The featured online auction will be held on Tuesday, September 18, 2012, starting at 8 A.M. & will start closing at 6 P.M. the same day. Featuring: (50+) Exmark Lazer zero turn mowers, John Deere golf course equipment, John Deere 4320 4-wheel drive tractor, John Deere 4610 4-wheel drive tractor, Bunton commercial mowers, ASV SR-80 Posi-Track skid steer, Broyhill Kombi field marking systems, box trucks, pickups, trailers and much more .
Contact:
Steve Morse
P: 866.ORBIT.06
E: SMorse@Orbitbid.com
Visit Orbitbid.com for more detailed auction information.
WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 19
INDUSTRY NEWS Several new tall fescue and rye grass varieties appear to have the characteristics and growth habits to overcome these limitations. Creeping tall fescue and rye grasses, for example, have growth habits that are very similar to Kentucky blue, making them much more acceptable for lawns. These varieties are characterized by their development of extensive, deep root systems which increases access to water and nutrients, delivering enhanced stress tolerance (drought, heat), reduced need for fertilizer and supplemental water requirements. There is also evidence suggesting greater insect tolerance in some cultivars. New varieties of Kentucky bluegrass are also emerging which have lower water demands. These grasses appear to have desirable qualities that can contribute to the establishment of a robust and sustainable home lawn. Trials are already underway at the Guelph Turfgrass Institute to validate the performance of the creeping tall fescue and perennial ryegrasses, and the conditions presented in the 2012 season have provided a good test of their performance. Results will be shared at the 2013 Ontario Turfgrass Symposium. For more information on this article, contact Michael Brownbridge, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre at michael.brownbridge@vinelandresearch.com, or Pam Charbonneau, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, at pamela.charbonneau@ontario.ca. Vineland Research and Innovation Centre is funded in part by Growing Forward, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
— Dr. Michael Brownbridge heads the Horticultural Production Systems team at Vineland Research and Innovation Centre.
IPPS meets in Ottawa
A two-day special meeting of the International Plant Propagators Society (IPPS), Eastern Region, took place in Ottawa on July 25 and 26. The IPPS is a world-wide organization of professionals engaged in the propagation and production of plants. Its membership also includes those who teach and conduct research into plant propagation and production. The organization’s mission is to provide a forum for education and information exchange among plant professionals, and be recognized as the premier resource for ornamental plant production information and education. The IPPS Eastern Region is one of eight within the IPPS around the world. Most members of the Eastern Region live in the northern and eastern half of the U.S. and eastern Canada. The two-day special meeting, hosted by Eastern Region member Keith Osborne of Gro-Bark (Ontario), was sponsored by Kam’s Growers Supplies, Plant Products, Milleniumsoil Coir, Agrium Direct Solutions, Gro-Bark and Davey Trees. The presentations included A history of Isabella Preston and her introductions at the Central Experimental Farm; Composting nursery waste and utilizing the organic matter in field production, by Case Vanderkruk from Connon NVK; Things you
20 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO SEPTEMBER, 2012
need to know about water treatment from Dr. Youbin Zheng, University of Guelph; Design and implementation of a nursery bio security plan by Bart Brusse of Sheridan Nurseries; Heritage plants and gardens of Upper Canada Village by Brian Henderson, and Invasive species and the nursery by Dr. Bruce Fill, CFIA. Dinner concluded with special guest speaker Ed Lawrence enlightening attendees to a gardener’s view of the nursery industry. Day two of the tour gave attendees some very special privileges, such as a private behind-the-scenes tour of Rideau Hall’s private gardens and greenhouses. The tour was conducted by Mark Burleton, manager of grounds and greenhouses for the National Capital Commission. Rideau Hall was designated as a classified heritage property by the Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office (FHBRO) in 1986. The designation is the highest heritage significance in Canada. The private grounds at Rideau Hall are no longer open to the public. Originally styled as an English country estate, it now serves as gardens for the Governor General in residence and his official duties for dignitaries and governmental functions, which can include five special functions in any given day. The tour also took the group through the greenhouses and the recently renovated Palmhouse. As a heritage site, all renovations to both the gardens and structures are kept historically accurate through design specifications that must be followed according to governmental regulations. The next stop on the tour was the Dominion Arboretum, located at the Central Experimental Farm agriculture and Agri-food Canada (AAFC). The arboretum opened in 1889 and covers 26 hectares of rolling land opposite the Rideau Canal. It
2007, known as the Ferguson Forest Centre Corporation (FFCC). It leases the seedling production land from the Municipality of North Grenville and continues to produce seedlings to supply the demands of private landowners, forest industry as well as numerous other agencies for large and small planting projects all over southern and eastern Ontario. The next IPPS Eastern Ontario Region event is the annual conference in Brandywine Valley, Penn. More information on the Eastern Region of IPPS can be found at http://ippseastern.org/. — Martha Walsh
Businesses must heed telemarketing rules
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is asking members of Landscape Ontario to ensure they are in compliance with unsolicited telecommunications rules. Cathy Allison, manager of telecommunications enforcement at CRTC, visited Landscape Ontario home office in Milton. She says business owners who make telemarketing calls, or send faxes to consum-
ers for the purpose of solicitation must comply with the CRTC’s Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules at all times. She explained that owners should also understand if their organization uses a third-party to make telemarketing calls or send faxes, then both your organization and the third-party organization must follow the telemarketing rules. All telemarketers must register with the National Do Not Call List (DNCL) operator and maintain an internal do not call list. Most telemarketers must also purchase a subscription to the National DNCL. However, a subscription is not required if telemarketing calls (including faxes) are being made by, or on behalf of registered Canadian charities raising funds, newspapers selling subscriptions, political parties and their candidates, companies selling only to other businesses, or companies contacting consumers with whom they have an existing business relationship (for instance, business dealings within the past 18 months).
Telemarketing rules
The CRTC has listed the following seven points to comply with the
Government pays 85% of apprenticeship program The provincial government will pay 85 per cent of the apprenticeship training program for employees registered for 2013 horticultural winter apprenticeship training. There are a limited number of seats each year at Ontario colleges. To qualify for registration, one needs to be working in the industry, have a SIN number, completed grade
12, have the employer as a sponsor and be a Canadian citizen. Employers may register an employee with the local Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) office. Colleges offering the program include Fanshawe College, Humber, Loyalist College, Mohawk College, and University of Guelph Campus at Kemptville.
Stam Nurseries Nurseries Inc. Inc. Stam
di
gg Cu in st g om av ail ab l
e
displays a wide range of well-established trees and shrubs, including 1,700 different species and varieties. Although the Ottawa area has a climate of Zone 5A, the Arboretum’s topography produces microclimates warming it by one zone. Its collection includes magnolias, azalea and several other fringe trees, including Metasequoia and Liriodendron. It is a favourite attraction for Ottawa residents and tourists. Also included in the visit was the new $8.4 million Integrated Growth Facility (IGF) greenhouse. The IGF supports and enhances the various types of research currently done at the Agriculture and AgriFood Canada (AAFC)’s Eastern Cereal and Oilseed Research Centre, including plant genetics, food safety and quality, environmental health, and bioproducts and bioprocesses. Another highlight of the day was a visit to the new green roof and green wall at Algonquin College’s new Centre of Construction and Excellence. The green wall is a five-story bio wall in the building’s atrium. It is covered with plants that help control the indoor environment through humidity and filtering the air. The roof in this new centre is an undulated green garden that adds greenspace to the campus and helps with insulation, while lowering the demands on the heating and cooling systems of the new Centre of Construction Excellence. The final stop of the day was for lunch and a tour of Ferguson Forest Centre. This included the greenhouses and some of the 300 hectares of forested Crown land that surrounds the facility. It was established as the G. Howard Ferguson Forest Centre, operated by the Ministry of Natural Resources. Following closure of the nursery by the province in 1995, the tree seedling production land was sold to the Township of Oxford on the Rideau in 1997. A non-profit corporation was formed in
Growing quality shade trees and evergreens P. 519-424-3350 F. 519-456-1659 593836 Highway 59 Burgessville, ON N0J 1C0 info@stamnurseries.com
www.stamnurseries.com WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 21
INDUSTRY NEWS telecommunications rules. • Register with the National Do Not Call List (DNCL) operator • Purchase a subscription to the National DNCL and compare it to your calling list to ensure that you do not call anyone that is registered on the National DNCL. Make sure that you download an updated National DNCL every 31 days. • Do not call any number registered on the National DNCL or your own internal do not call list • Identify who you are and, upon request, provide a working fax or telephone number where the person being called can contact you about the call • Display the telephone number that you are calling from, or that the consumer can call to reach you • Respect the allowable calling hours: telemarketers may call or send faxes only from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends • Comply with the Automatic Dialing and Announcing Device (ADAD) Rules, which apply to devices that dial telephone numbers automatically and deliver a prerecorded message All telemarketers must maintain their own internal do not call list, because consumers who have not registered on the National DNCL may not want to receive telemarketing calls from specific telemarketers. Also, consumers who have had recent dealings with your organization may not want to receive telemarketing calls from your organization. If a consumer asks a telemarketer to stop calling, his or her name and number must be added to the telemarketer’s internal list within 31 days. Telemarketers must not call or send faxes to consumers on their own internal do not call lists. Violation of the telecommunications rules can result in fines of up to $15,000 for a corporation, for each violation. To learn how to register and subscribe to the National DNCL, or for additional information, visit www.LNNTE-DNCL.gc.ca.
Humber announces new arboretum director
Denise Devlin-Li, dean of Humber School of Applied Technology, announced the appointment of Alexandra (Alix) Link to the position of director of the Humber Arboretum. Link brings a broad range of experi-
22 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO SEPTEMBER, 2012
ences to her new role. She has been a field biologist studying the ecological effects of logging as well as an owner/operator of an organic landscaping company in Victoria, B.C. She has significant provincial government experience from her work as a policy advisor to two ministries in the provincial government, Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation and Ministry of Agriculture and Lands. “Alix is passionate about public gardens and sustainability, and we look forward to her vision and stewardship of the Arboretum and the Centre for Urban Ecology,” said Dean Devlin-Li.
Emerald ash borer confirmed in Frontenac
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed the presence of the emerald ash borer (EAB) in Frontenac County. The emerald ash borer was discovered at a private campground near the town of Mountain Grove. Movement restrictions have been placed on all ash materials, such as logs, branches and wood chips. Property owners in the affected area have been notified of these restrictions. The presence of EAB has now been confirmed in 27 Ontario counties, and in three areas in the province of Quebec. EAB is established in several areas of Canada and can spread rapidly if it is moved by people. Additional information is available at www.inspection.gc.ca/pests, or by calling 1-866-463-6017.
St. Williams Nursery welcomes David Turnbull
St. Williams Nursery and Ecology Centre in St. Williams has announced the hiring of David Turnbull as sales representative. Turnbull is wellknown among LO members, having served as president of the association. He comes with many years of experience and profile in the Canadian horticultural industry. St. Williams specializes in Ontario native plants and seed.
UNDERGROUND WORLD
It’s
tough
beIng the
While I don’t have stats, I would venture a guess that the majority of utility hits come from non-members. Because only 25 – 30 per cent of the landscapers belong to LO, that means that 70 – 75 per cent are non-members. This means that three out of every four are not getting the locate message. I know that to those reading this article
Comments and suggestions can be made by contacting Terry Murphy at tvmurphy@ca.inter.net
www.limestonetrail.com
COACH HOUSES
t
t
1-800-810-8223
t
sales@limestonetrail.com
t
t
t
(905) 563-8133
LO membership may be the difference
CABINS GLASS HOUSES
One very meaningful improvement is the number of actual hits that had locate requests. We are getting more locate requests, but we still have 50 per cent of hits happen where the contractor did not get any locates. This is far too many and we need to focus on spreading the word to the industry to never dig without locates. The perfect scenario would be that every utility strike that is reported had a locate request for that job. That would truly be an improvement. At present, we have too many contractors with a laissez faire attitude about obtaining locates before they dig. It seems they feel that striking a utility line will never happen to them. They don’t realize the life or death consequences that may come when one does not get locates. And by the way, it is law!
For specifications or distributor please call (800) 246-6984 • FAX (905) 648-8441
t
Half don’t get locates
Constant attention to detail of construction, wire quality, weld specifications, and our continuous wire design keeps Braun best in the marketplace. Visit www.braungroup.com and request a product brochure. Discover why we are consistently rated #1.
CABANAS
T
he tabulated results of 2011 industry utility hits show that we really didn’t make any improvement in our industry utility hits over 2010. This is surprising, considering the effort by Landscape Ontario and the Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance to encourage landscapers to obtain locates and dig safely. We had the same number of utility hits in 2011 as in 2010. Our sole measure of improvement and success is “how many hits this year compared to last year?” Are they going up or down?
I am preaching to the converted, however, I know that we still have far too many utility strikes each year. One solution is to sign-up more members. Membership has many hidden benefits. One way to get exposure is through this publication, which promotes locate requests and a “call before you dig” mentality. People who attend our winter workshops get locate exposure. And, there is locate information from four different organizations with booths at Congress, in addition to Congress seminars on the subject. Think about it, avoiding the cost of only one utility hit expense would pay for seven to eight years of membership in LO. The ultimate way to inform our industry is by having more contractors join LO. They will obtain underground information automatically. I know that LO has the best communication and information sharing network of almost any other industry in Canada. Our communications department does outstanding work. New members can better understand the ramifications and consequences of not getting locates, and they can also communicate this message to other non-members. If you want to bring our industry utility hits down, save our industry contractors a lot of time and money and solidify the whole horticultural industry, then each member of LO should pledge to bring in one new member in the next 12 months. It can be done, but it needs focus and effort. One new member is the challenge for each of you! This will allow us to meet our original goal of reducing our hits 50 per cent in three years. Will you try? One way is to challenge a new member when they join to get involved and to bring in another new member during their first 12 months of membership. Do your part to reduce utility hits, improve our industry record in the underground world by bringing in a new member. It will help our industry in so many ways. Are you willing to accept this challenge?
t
By Terry Murphy CLP
best.
GAZEBOS
Industry’s focus and effort needed
L IMESTONE T RAIL ARCHITECTURALLY DESIGNED GARDEN BUILDINGS AND GAZEBOS
WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 23
sary
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Summer intern Marette Sharpe has ideas to promote horticulture’s future.
Back to school By Denis Flanagan CLD Director of public relations and membership services
O
ur publishing team is very good at making all the contributors to this magazine meet deadline. I’m sure Allan Dennis, the magazine’s editor, will tell you I am the worst offender at missing the monthly deadline. That’s probably because I was one of those students in school who always left the assignments until the midnight hour. I always came up with a creative excuse on what happened. This month, crunch time coincided with the start of the CNE, ‘the Ex’ where a couple of our members built display gar-
dens. Look for a feature on those gardens in next month’s edition of your Landscape Ontario magazine. Of course, the Ex traditionally marks the end of summer and the beginning of the new school year, which brings opportunities for our members to reconnect with young people who could be potential employees.
Green story in schools
Having travelled to all the Chapters this year, it is obvious to me that this is going to be a banner season for our impact in schools. There are some fabulous initiatives by our members across the province. Many are centered on National Tree Day on Sept. 26. Many members now have long-term partnerships with school boards, teachers and student groups. It’s important as we move forward, to listen to young people. We need to understand their perspective on things, so I thought it would be interesting to ask a
UXBRIDGE NURSERIES LIMITED 40 Year Anniversary Premium grower to the landscape trade Specializing in the best caliper trees & evergreens 8080 BALDWIN ST., BROOKLIN, ONTARIO L1M 1Y6
sales@uxbridgenurseries.com P: 905.655.3379 • 1.877.655.3379 • F: 905.655.8544
www.uxbridgenurseries.com
24 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO SEPTEMBER, 2012
summer intern to give us some insight on her introduction to our industry. Marette Sharpe is studying environmental sciences (co-op) at the University of Guelph. She majors in natural resources management and was fortunate to secure a job working for Mark Cullen this past summer. Here are Marette’s thoughts.“If anyone had suggested that I would spend my summer growing vegetables and pulling weeds, I probably would have laughed. But that’s exactly what I did. “Working with Mark Cullen for the past four months, I have watched my office grow; my office being a one acre vegetable patch. I first said hello in April to fresh, new soil and will say goodbye in August to plump, juicy tomatoes, strong-scented onions, bunches of heirloom carrots, and much more. “Of course, this wasn’t an entire week’s worth of work. I also spent a great deal of time in the other gardens, learning names and how to prune, stake, and tell the difference between the flowers and the weeds (something my dad wasn’t very good at). This summer was all about learning. More than that, it was about finding out what I like to do in terms of a career, and doing more of it. “The horticultural industry is changing and it is integral to engage the younger generation (the same younger generation that is addicted to cell phones and video games). So, how do we get them up and out?
Marette’s advice
“Interest them! And you do this by highlighting the many benefits to working outdoors and in a field that is always changing. “Keep them interested. Pulling weeds all day is monotonous, but being part of something bigger (designing a garden) can re-engage even the most jaded weed pullers. “Specialize. Helping someone to find their passion and build their knowledge is a great way to grow interest. There are so many horticultural sectors; knowing something about everything and everything about something couldn’t be more applicable. “I can say that I have learned more from my summer experience with Mark than I could have possibly have learned solely in school. In the business and in the garden, I have expanded my horticultural knowledge and had a great time in the process.” If you are a student and potential member and would like to comment please contact dflanagan@landscapeontario.com.
OMAFRA NURSERY Weather causes stress to the landscape and the nursery By Jen Llewellyn, OMAFRA nursery crops specialist
E
veryone and his dog is talking about the weather this summer. I too want to talk about the weather, and how it created some of the challenges we are seeing with ornamental plants. This has been an extremely tough year to be a farmer. We had one of the mildest and driest winters on record. The growing season started several weeks early with a lot of heat and very little precipitation. Several container crops broke dormancy early and producers had little choice but to vent and/or pull off poly in March and start irrigating. These early-breaking crops sustained a lot of low temperature injury in April and May, and in the case of evergreens, many of these crops were not able to recover and will remain in production a year longer to make up for it. The pome fruit and tender fruit industry lost a lot of blossoms on its earlyblooming varieties to low temperature injury, which significantly reduced yields across the province. Freeze-thaw injury and foliar desiccation on conifers was also unprecedented. In particular, eastern white cedar in the field and landscape suffered major frost cracks this winter. Look for large, oblong splits in the bark on the trunk. The resulting shoot dieback was reported across Ontario this summer. Many trees had to be pruned and very young trees had to be replaced. The dry parts of the province, especially those areas with soils that have low water holding capacity (sand or clay) are particularly stressed. This includes, but is not limited to, the Niagara region, Haldimand Norfolk, parts of Elgin and Middlesex, Grey, Bruce, north Wellington and Waterloo, Timiskaming and parts of central and eastern Ontario, including Renfrew. Virtually all agricultural industries have been impacted directly or indirectly. Many producers will see some aid through their enrolment in the Agri-Stability program. Varying amounts of precipitation in the last month or so have been a welcome
relief, but in some cases it was too little, too late. As of Aug. 1, there were 13 watersheds or sub-watersheds with confirmed Level II low water conditions. Level II indicates a potentially serious problem and requests producers with Permits to Take Water to voluntarily reduce their use of water by 20 per cent. We have seen a tremendous number of stress symptoms in the landscape and the nursery. Conifers that were transplanted in the last year are or so were particularly susceptible. We have seen needle tip browning, needle browning and needle drop on several evergreens, including fir, spruce, pine and hemlock. Needle drop was something we saw on Colorado spruce last summer and it’s only become worse. The amount of emails and calls I’ve received about dieback on recently-planted trees is pretty significant. The scary part is that many landscapers and homeowners said that they either were not irrigating or (even worse) they had been irrigating every one to two days. Couple this with heavy clay, poorly-drained soils and you have a recipe for root dieback, or root rot. Landscape specimens that are faring well are those that received a long, slow irrigation every seven to ten days. You can help woody plants recover by continuing to irrigate the root zone into September and October while soil conditions remain dry. Remember, roots of trees and shrubs extend well beyond the dripline of the canopy, so make sure you are also watering the area surrounding the canopy. The idea is to aim for 20 to 25 mm with each irrigation event, which you can measure with a rain gauge or by setting out a tray. Hold off fertilizing until October to let soils cool and recover their moisture. The fall root growth period is a great opportunity for nitrogen and potassium uptake of woody plants. Jennifer Llewellyn may be contacted at the Bovey Building, University of Guelph, at 519-824-4120, ext. 52671, or jennifer. llewellyn@ontario.ca. Watch for the Nursery-Landscape Report on www.ontario.ca/crops.
Building Your Prosperity November 14, 2012 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
LO Home Office, Milton Join us in this interactive and engaging seminar to shift your business results from frustration to excitement! In this seminar you will learn how to think differently about your business, and learn a whole new way of planning for your future success. Check out Prosperity Online Survey Take this free survey, posted at www.horttrades.com/prosperity, to measure your strengths and weaknesses in the five prosperity pillars.
Register at www.horttrades.com/seminars WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 25
MEMBERSHIP
Promote your business
Many benefits to membership By Helen Hassard Membership coordinator
A
fter what seems like the longest summer ever (for the record that’s a statement, not a complaint), things are finally starting to cool down again. And with that, I’m sure a lot of members are starting to work through piles of paperwork. And, maybe somewhere in that pile is your LO membership renewal. When you find that renewal, and you begin wondering what you get out of being a member, I want to take a minute to remind you. We help you save money and are always
working on new ways to save you more money. We work with our national association (CNLA) to make sure our members have lots of great savings opportunities. This summer a few new benefits were added to the list, including Global Payments, Schooley Mitchell Telecom and the Retail Council of Canada’s discount programs. For details and a specific list of benefits, visit http://bit.ly/yKiTbc, or review the list in your membership renewal package. We help you build your network! LO has nine chapters across the province and each chapter meets regularly between September and April. Chapter meetings provide information and education by hosting a range of informative speakers, as well as giving you a chance to meet with other industry members. Watch your weekly e-news for dates and locations, or check out Events on www.horttrades.com.
We help you stand out! Landscape Ontario and our provincial counterparts are working to make the Green for Life brand a nationally recognized symbol. As a member you have access to this logo, as well as lots of free branded materials. Go to www.horttrades.com and select the resources menu to order materials or download the logo.
Improve your knowledge
We help you stay at the top of your game! Each year, Landscape Ontario offers more than 100 winter seminars, national certification testing, safety training opportunities and winter conferences to keep you and your crew up-to-date. Visit www.horttrades.com and select Professional Development. At Landscape Ontario, we are always looking for ways to improve, so if there is any feedback you would like to give regarding your membership and the benefits you receive, please contact me directly at helen@landscapeontario.com, or at 1-800265-5656, ext. 354. Also, if you would like your staff members added to our e-news mailing list, all you need to do is ask.
Don’t miss out!
Garden Centre Program
AWARD CATEGORIES LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION Construction projects must have been completed no more than four years ago. Judges will be using the following criteria: For ‘Hard landscape Techniques’ - Quality of workmanship, installation techniques, craftsmanship, quality of materials used, execution of construction details, overall appearance, installation challenges encountered, unique use of hard/soft materials, completeness of installation For ‘Plant Material’ - Horticultural correctness, integration of materials, compatibility with environment, quality of materials used, seasonability, harmony, colour, unique use of plant material, proper installation techniques For ‘Design’ – Originality, degree of difficulty, site problems solved, effectiveness and harmony of design elements, integration of plants, landscape, ornamentation, ease of maintenance. Residential Construction: Design/Built by your firm or in conjunction with an independent designer: 1. Under $10,000 2. $10,000-$25,000 3. $25,000-$50,000 4. $50,000-$100,000 5. $100,000-$250,000 6. $250,000-$500,000 7. $500,000-$1,000,000 8. Over $1,000,000 Commercial Construction: Multi-residential and industrial landscape construction - design/built by your firm or in conjunction with an independent designer: 9. Under $10,000 10. $10,000-$25,000 11. $25,000-$50,000 12. $50,000-$100,00 13. 100,000-$250,000 14. Over $250,000 15. Special Interest Construction: A focus on a specific area of the garden. Unique or unusual use of concepts and materials examples of hard or soft landscaping. Entries must be from one project only. 16. Water Features: Unlimited (waterfalls, fountains, etc.) 17. Lighting Design & Installation: Entries must promote the use of landscape lighting, both low line and voltage, as an essential extension of the landscape plan, well integrated into its environment. 18. Place of Business: Your own business entrance as seen by your customers; NOT including your personal/private residence area. (Company name may be referenced in both images and project summary). 19. Balcony/Container Gardening: Entries will be judged on feasibility of construction and overall visual impact. 20. Theme Gardens: This must be a permanent installation. Please state the intended theme. (Butterfly Garden, Rock Garden, Knot Garden, Ornamental Grass Garden, etc.)
Deadline for entries in the Construction, Maintenance and Design Program is October 1st
LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION l WEBSITES l LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE INTERIOR LANDSCAPING l LANDSCAPE DESIGN l LANDSCAPE IRRIGATION Interior Landscape Maintenance: Contractor must have maintained the project for a minimum of one year and must be the current maintenance contractor. 33. Projects less than $2,500 service value per annum 34. Projects greater than $2,500 service value per annum
WEBSITES 21. Website This category is open to all industry sectors (construction, maintenance, interior and design). USE YOUR WEB ADDRESS FOR YOUR PROJECT NAME on the entry form. Judges will navigate through the website. Project summary should include what you are trying to achieve with your site, and how it has helped your business. Please submit 1-3 digital images as a sample from your web site for use on the plaque/in the ceremony. (1-3 screen captures or pages).
LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE Maintenance projects must have been maintained for a period of not less than two seasons. Judges will be using the following criteria: For ‘Turf’: Quality of turf cut, health of turf, weeds, IPM practices, cut lines, burn out/overwatering, length of cut/mower height, edging and trimming For ‘Beds’: Overall impact, quality of materials used, design, overall appearance, site challenges encountered, completeness of installation For ‘Plant Material’: Horticultural correctness, pruning, quality of materials used, health of plant material, seasonability, harmony, colour, unique use of plant material, proper installation techniques, integration of plants, landscape, ornamentation Private Residential Maintenance: Single Family Homes. 22. Under 15,000 sq. ft. lot size 23. 15,000 sq. ft.-1 acre 24. 1 acre or more Multi Residential Maintenance: Condominiums, senior citizen/ nursing homes, townhouses, apartments. 25. Under 2 acres (excluding parking) 26. Over 2 acres (excluding parking) Corporate Building Maintenance: Industrial Complexes, Public or Retail Buildings: 27. Under 2 acres (excluding parking) 28. Over 2 acres (excluding parking) Special Interest Maintenance: Residential or Commercial: 29. A focus on a specific maintenance area featuring annuals, topiary, espalier, etc. 30. Non-Turf Maintenance: Sites must feature maintenance on areas other than turf.
LANDSCAPE DESIGN Design only; does not have to be built. Plans should be mounted and presented on not more than one board per entry, black foam core, no larger than 24”x36”. Coloured plans only. Plans must include a detailed plant list, sufficient to illustrate the design intent, (attached to the back of the board). Indicate north and include city name for reference. Please also include a copy of the Project Summary sheet on the back of your design board. DO NOT identify your company, but do include the Project name. Judges will be using the following criteria: overall design impact, execution of problem/ solution employed, creativity/innovation, horticultural compatibly & correctness, aesthetic appeal, technical hardscaping aspects, elements & detailing, plant selection, organization & completeness. Private Residential Design: 35. Under 2500 sq. ft. a) Hand Drawing b) Computer Drawing 36. 2500 to 5000 sq. ft. a) Hand Drawing b) Computer Drawing 37. 5000 sq. ft. or more a) Hand Drawing b) Computer Drawing Commercial Design: May not include submitting company’s place of business. 38. a) Hand Drawing b) Computer Drawing 39. Planting Design: Must be less than 10% construction, commercial or residential a) Hand Drawing b) Computer Drawing
Join us for the Garden Centre and Grower Awards of Excellence Ceremony at EXPO 2012 Wednesday, October 17th INTERIOR PLANTSCAPING Judges will be using the following criteria: For ‘Design/Installation’: design, creativity and aesthetics of the project, emphasis on coordination, challenge and quality of work performed. For ‘Maintenance’: quality of work performed, emphasis on scope of the project, maintenance schedules and procedures, and significant challenges. 31. Design and Installation: Incorporate plants, containers and other elements to create an aesthetically pleasing and sustainable project. 32. Landscape Maintenance: Contractor must have maintained the project for a minimum of one year. The focus will be on aesthetics, sustainable practices and technical challenges.
In 2013, Landscape Ontario celebrates four decades of industry service — kicking off at Congress.
LANDSCAPE IRRIGATION Irrigation projects must have been completed no more than 2 years ago and submitted by the installer. Judges will be using the following criteria: Quality of planning and analysis, effective use, presentation or programming of irrigation techniques and best practices, relationship to conservation initiatives, environmental responsibility, relevance to the irrigation profession, the public interest and the environment, functionalism, relationship to high efficiency context. Only one award will be given in each category at the discretion of the judges, and reserve the right not to award in either of the categories.
Construction, Maintenance and Design Program
Superior professional accomplishment using reclaimed or potable water. Construction site-specific works of irrigation consulting, design, and installation for commercial or public projects. For large incremental/phased projects, the first phase must be completed to be eligible for the award. 40. Water Conservation Award, Potable Water 41. Water Conservation Award, Non-Potable Water
Open for entry: July 1 to October 1, 2012
7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Ceremony held in conjunction with the Garden Centre Group Breakfast Event
Enter online at: www.loawards.com
ENTRY FEE The fee is $125 for each entry.
We accept VISA, MasterCard or American Express.
An initiative of
An initiative of
Toronto Congress Centre, North Building submit entries at www.loawards.com 2013 Construction-maintenance-design program version2.indd 1
Tickets are $55 per member An initiative of until October 1, 2012 at www.loexpo.ca
Enter your award-winning project at 6/28/2012 9:17:55 AM
www.loawards.com Entries close October 1, 2012
Includes trade show admission
26 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO SEPTEMBER, 2012
Expo awards ceremony promo ad for LO mag.indd 1
8/27/2012 Construction 2:14:56 maintenance PM award deadline reminder ad for LO mag.indd 8/28/2012 1 3:32:38 PM
Watch Landscape Ontario magazine for special anniversary coverage on your association's past, present and future.
PROSPERITY PARTNERS The cost of not making people changes By Jacki Hart CLP Prosperity Partners program manager
E
arlier this summer I wrote about the current reality trend of communicating with our clients to conduct business on their turf. This is being done more and more via the Internet. I’ve had some great feedback to that article. Some agree that electronic communication of images and information has simplified their business, while others have their heels dug firmly in the ground, refusing to change their style. One interesting thread from the feedback I received, leads me to this article: the challenge of dismissing a wrong-fit key employee. When I look back through the changes I’ve made over the past 20-plus years in my business, it’s a very long list. But equally as long, if not longer, are the changes that I didn’t make in my business, which hindsight has shown to be expensive mistakes. I refer to decisions that one just doesn’t have time for, or we avoid like the plague. The most common one for me has always been my reluctance to fire a key employee. It’s very common with small business entrepreneurs to avoid letting people go. I have often heard clients from my consulting business say, “I can’t afford to lose this person.” Well, that’s where hard management decisions must come into play, and over-ride the personalities, old habits and fear. The hard reality is that you simply can’t afford to keep him or her. Many times in Congress seminars and Prosperity Partners sessions when the topic of the costs of due diligence and training staff comes up, I’m asked, “What if I train them and they leave?” My answer, “What if you don’t train them and they stay?” The same holds true for key employees who have either become obsolete
in their workstyle, or complacent in their role. Regardless of the reason, over the years people and circumstances change. So do businesses, and their need to perform in current reality. You simply cannot afford to have tight pricing in today’s market, and let the wrong people stay on your team. And stay they will. In this economy, who wouldn’t stay in a job where they are permitted to be lackadaisical about systems, safety and attendance? Who wouldn’t stay in a comfy job where they get to do as they please? Many employers turn a blind eye (myself included at times) when staff members aren’t fully engaged in the company culture, or are minimally productive. In many cases, it’s becoming more commonplace to have staff who are in some way self-entitled toward attendance, hours of work, vacation time and not going the extra mile when the pressure to complete work is on, but it doesn’t suit them. Finding a way to hold people accountable to their contract can be difficult on a day-to-day basis. It’s even harder to do if you never complete a written performance review. It’s impossible if there is no written contract, or a proper written job description, which includes accountabilities and a company handbook outlining culture and rules. It later becomes really hard to fire someone, or move them through a disciplinary process of verbal and subsequent written warnings if a clear definition of what’s expected doesn’t exist in the first place. This is compounded if there’s an absence of written feedback on areas to improve in job performance. Few of us take the time to bother. Those who don’t bother, usually end up dealing with way more headaches and wrongful dismissal and Employment Standards Act cases. The single most expensive cost to my business has always been my employees. Spend money inefficiently on staff, and it will bring your company to its knees in very short order. I can’t begin to describe how unbe-
lievably refreshing and beneficial it has always been to my staff and their productivity to fire a bad-fit person. Some times I’ve delayed that move for months. On one occasion, it took years, as I believed we couldn’t do without that person. I can tell you for sure, that the moment they were gone was like lifting a heavy blanket off everyone’s shoulders. This was experienced at all levels. A toxic energy gathers around wrongfit people. It creates tension; keeping them in your midst is like ignoring a festering wound. Firing a wrong-fit person is the single most positive change you can make in a business. And, believe me it’s absolutely the most difficult. Ask yourself if you have any wrong-fit people working for you. Is there anyone who constantly goes against the grain, who regularly has to be monitored, or corrected, or who has a poor attendance record? Even worse, is the one who even the boss doesn’t challenge for their productivity or decision making. All of these problems end up letting others down, delay your deadlines, negatively impact productivity and generally disrupt the flow of work for the week. Whether retail, nursery, construction, installation (i.e. irrigation, lighting, etc.) or maintenance (including interior and snow), having one or more wrong-fit key employees in your midst is absolutely having a negative impact on your business. And, it’s sending a message to others that it’s acceptable. If it’s been nagging at you in business, we have resources to help you. Maybe this winter is the time to make this important change in your business system and team. For some helpful tools for managing your human resources, visit the Prosperity Partners Template Library at http://bit.ly/v5iDns. Please consider joining us at one of the upcoming Prosperity Partners seminar dates, and get a better handle on who is and isn’t a right fit for your business. This season’s seminars take place on Nov. 14, Feb. 4 and Mar. 15. Jacki Hart may be reached at prosperity@landscapeontario.com.
WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 27
EXECUTIVE DESK LO and CNLA work to grow industry Tony DiGiovanni CHT LO executive director
A
s a Landscape Ontario member, you are part of a community of likeminded individuals across Canada who care. You assume a leadership role in advancing the landscape/horticultural sector. Many members don’t realize that provincial membership automatically makes them part of the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA). It’s a two-for-one deal! In the true spirit of teamwork, we leverage the collective energy of all the provinces in a grand effort to grow a prosperous, professional, ethical, valued and recognized green industry. I want to tell you a little about CNLA activities and how they relate to you. Ontario is very well represented on the CNLA board. The president is Bill Stensson, and first vice president is Rene Thiebaud. The human resources chair is Harold Deenen CLP and Ontario’s representative is Gerald Boot CLP. All four of these gentlemen sit on numerous committees and make enormous contributions of time and resources. They are tireless promoters of the industry. Here are some of the issues we are working on nationally:
EI reform
The federal government is changing the rules with respect to EI. Please see www.horttrades.com/changes-to-ei-program. Many members are worried the proposed changes will discourage employees from working in the industry. We need to ensure the government realizes how valuable a contribution our sector makes to the Ontario economy. We are not opposed to EI reform. We are opposed to actions that will discourage employees from choosing our sector. We are developing strategies for tackling this issue. These include: • Government advocacy and awareness in regards to the positive economic contribution seasonal workers make. • Promotion of careers, Red Seal apprenticeship and certification, thereby raising the image of our sector. • Encouraging members to “bank” hours. The truth is that many employees work 2,000 hours a year in an eight-month period. This is full-time work • Develop strategies to deal with the core issue of seasonality. For example, many members are involved in snow operations to ensure employees are paid year-round. • Investigate models used by other seasonal sectors such as teachers and construction trades. Often these sectors use the off-season for on-going professional development. • Commission a study to understand the industry’s payment and use of EI. • Assist members to improve recruitment and retention practices.
Pre-qualification/ company accreditation
The idea is to develop a process to which members may aspire. The process will form the basis of pre-qualification, and thereby generate public and client trust in the professionalism and competency of the pre-qualified/accredited member. Tim Kearney put together a task force to examine this issue. It is now also a CNLA issue and we can share resources to develop an appropriate pre-qualification process.
On the Job Training program (OJT)
Of the 70,000 employees in our sector, only a few hundred graduate out of horticulture schools. The majority are trained by employers on the job. Imagine if all members used the universal, tried and tested OJT process (borrowed from the military) to improve skill, safety and professionalism of employees. We could accelerate the development of the industry, elevate our stature in the public eye and stimulate pride of performance. A side benefit would be an increase in profitability. For more information, see the article in the June issue of Landscape Trades. I believe it will be one of the most significant programs introduced to our sector.
Investigate self-insurance model
The idea here is to pool the insurance premiums of the membership. Funds from this pool will be used to pay out claims and to purchase re-insurance in the case of a catastrophic event. At the end of the year, whatever is left in the pool becomes the property of the participants.
Increase membership benefits
Currently there are many endorsed supplier programs. Participation in the benefit programs would easily pay for membership dues. In some cases such as vehicle purchases, savings are equal to many years of dues. Programs added this year include a collection agency, pre-loaded cash cards, discounts at the CAT rental store and hotel lodging. If you can think of a product or service that would greatly increase the value of membership, please let me know. Time and space does not permit me to summarize the over 150 pages of information discussed at the CNLA meetings. Suffice it to say that the CNLA family of provincial associations and national staff shine in their commitment to advance the sector. Tony DiGiovanni may be reached at tonydigiovanni@landscapeontario.com.
28 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO SEPTEMBER, 2012
CLASSIFIEDS
NURSERY STOCK
All classified ads must be pre-paid by VISA or Mastercard. Rates: $50.85 (HST included) per column inch Min. order $50.85. 15% discount on ads run for entire calendar year. Box Numbers: Additional $10. Confidentiality ensured. Deadlines: 20th day of the month prior to issue date. (eg: June issue deadline is May 20th). January deadline is Dec. 1. Space is limited to a first come, first served basis. To advertise: E-mail your name, phone number and ad to Robert at classifieds@landscapeontario. com or fax to (905) 875-0183. Online advertising: Website only ads are available for $67.80 (HST included). Website ads are posted for 30 days and are limited to 325 words. View ads online at www.horttrades.com/classifieds
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Landscape/Winter Maintenance Manager We are a multiple award winning, full service landscape company located in Oakville since 1986. During this time we earned the respect of our peers in the industry, who consider us a leader in our business. We have an opportunity for an experienced Landscape/Winter Maintenance Manager who thrives on setting and reaching goals, motivating people and most of all providing service to our clients that is second to none. In return we offer year round employment, a very competitive compensation package with full benefit options. We are looking for the following qualifications: • Minimum 5 years experience in a managerial role in the landscape industry • University or College degree is required • Excellent horticultural skills, good knowledge of turf care practices, familiarity with disease and insect problems • Experience in snow and ice management • Experienced in managing multiple crews and functions • Familiarity with Excel, Word and Outlook • Solid experience in estimating • Excellent sales skills • Ability to motivate, train and direct staff and encourage a true team spirit • Ability to multi-task and adapt to changing situations • Strong interpersonal and communication skills • Clean Class G with driver’s abstract Please forward your resume to: Santo or Baldo Gucciardi Email: sgucciardi@intland.ca bgucciardi@intland.ca Fax: 905-876-0400 Thank you for your interest. Only those considered for an interview will be contacted.
EQUIPMENT
FINN Hydroseeders & Bark Blowers New and Used: • Flex Guard FRM • Soil Guard BFM • Erosion Control Blanket Seed & Fertilizer Toll free: (855) 761-6649 Fax: (905) 761-7959 www.fibramulch.com
EQUIPMENT De-Icing Equipment Rittenhouse carries a full line of de-icing equipment and accessories. Offering de-icing services is a great way to generate revenue through the winter months. Visit: www.rittenhouse.ca Call: 1-800-461-1041 Email: sales@rittenhouse.ca
SERVICES AND SUPPLIES LARGE TREE MOVING AND SALES 115 inch and 90 inch tree spades available for hire. Largest truck mount machine in Ontario. Call Burkraft Services (905) 689-1269 LARGE TREE TRANSPLANTING Transplanting trees up to 10” trunk diameter. We have a 44”, 80”, 90” and 100” spade to move trees with. Large trees up to 25’ tall for sale. BOTANIX OXFORD INSTA-SHADE RR#2, Burgessville ON N0J 1C0 Tel: 519-424-2180 • Fax 519-424-2420 Toll Free: 1-800-387-0246 Contact Jan Veldhuizen E-mail: info@oxfordinstashade.com www.botanixois.on.ca
Specializing in container grown Trees and Shrubs native to Ontario (705) 466-6290 natives@enviroscape.on.ca www.notsohollowfarm.ca
Over 1000 varieties of perennials, grasses and groundcovers. Rooftop custom growing. Job-site deliveries. T. 905-689-1749 F. 1-888-867-1925 E. info@millgroveperennials.ca
Get INSPIRED Get CONNECTED
BRENT QUARRIES MUSKOKA GRANITE PRODUCTS • Black and Pink Clearstone • • RIP-RAP • Armour Stone • • Rail Ballast • Golf Course Sand • (705) 765-6447 www.brentquarry.com Email: inquiry@brentquarry.com Koi for Sale Large and medium koi for sale. Great colour, markings, and healthy. We have been breeding and retailing these koi successfully for many years and we would like to downsize. Please call 519-652-2911 or email us at johncyoungdesign@rogers.com
Advertising
Landscape Ontario’s Green for Life brand is designed to promote your professional business
works! WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 29
COMPANY
ADVERTISERS Always a great time to advertise! Reach progressive Landscape Ontario members with the official association magazine. Published monthly, Landscape Ontario commands high readership and respect. For further information, contact:
Steve Moyer Sales manager, publications 1-800-265-5656 or 905-875-1805, Ext. 316 Cell: 905-299-5366, Direct: 416-848-0708 Fax: 905-875-0183 E-mail stevemoyer@landscapeontario.com
PAGE
PHONE
ACO Systems Ltd.
28
877-226-4255
WEBSITE
Braun Nursery Ltd.
23
800-246-6984
www.braungroup.com
Caledon Hills Perennials
25
905-473-1145
www.caledonhillsperennials.com
Connon Nurseries/CBV Holdings Inc
9
905-689-4631
www.connon.ca
Connon Nurseries/NVK Holdings Inc
31
905-628-0112
www.connonnurseries.com www.dutchmasternurseries.com
www.acocan.ca
Dutchmaster Nurseries Ltd
32
905-683-8211
G & L Group (Draglam)
13
416-798-7050
www.draglamsalt.com
Greenlife
13
613-692-3047
www.greenlifelandscaping.ca
Hillen Nursery Inc.
16-17 519-264-9057
www.hillennursery.com
Legends Landscape Supply Inc.
12
905-336-3369
www.landscapestore.ca
Limestone Trail
23
800-810-8223
www.limestonetrail.com
M. Putzer Nursery
11
800-377-3363
www.putzernursery.com
Miedema Auctioneering, Inc
19
866-672-4806
www.orbitbid.com
Newroads National Leasing
22
416-587-1021
www.newroadsleasing.com
Oakville Dodge Chrysler (J. Lockwood)
5
289-644-2250
fmackenzie@lockwoodchrysler.com
Potters Road Nursery Inc.
22
519-688-0437
www.pottersroadnursery.com
Sipkens Nurseries Ltd.
20
866-843-0438
www.sipkensnurseries.com
Stam Nurseries
21
519-424-3350
www.stamnurseries.com
Uxbridge Nurseries Ltd.
24
877-655-3379
www.uxbridgenurseries.com
Winkelmolen Nursery Ltd.
10
519-647-3912
www.winkelmolen.com
growing green
Register by October 1, 2012 for your chance to WIN an Apple iPad
Moving your business forward! Canada’s fall show for the Garden and Floral Industry OCTOBER 17 & 18, 2012 TORONTO CONGRESS CENTRE, NORTH BUILDING, TORONTO, ONTARIO CANADA
www.loexpo.ca An initiative of
Grow your business! Join Jill Jensen, Jill Jensen Botanicals and Sue Blaney, Lechuza Canada drill out solutions to PLANNING FOR PROFIT Thursday October 18 at 7:30 a.m. Register today! FREE Pass
how itors TradetsSof Expo Exhib.ca
en expo Complim s at www.lo Listing
URN YOUR PROFITS Host Neville Mackay challenges designers in head-to-head urn competition.
Let your personality inspire! Join David Domoney, UK gardening guru presenting DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH Wednesday October 17 at 7:30 a.m. Register today!
SAVE WITH EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION Register by October 1, 2012 In partnership with
Expo 2012 LO mag speaker ad revised size.indd 1
Sponsored by
30 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO SEPTEMBER, 2012
Media Partner
8/24/2012 2:48:53 PM
WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 31
32 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO SEPTEMBER, 2012