THE CIVIC GARDEN CENTRE
GARDEN TOPICS & EVENTS NEWSLETTER
MESSAGE TO MEMBERS
by Gordon D. Wick, Executive Director
Wow! What a Show!
Our congratulations go to the Garden Club of Toronto s Spring Flower and Garden Show Committee under the chairmanship of Heather Fuller.
Each of the many sub committees came together to produce an orchestrated symphony of spring beauty through flowers and plants.
The highest calibre of showmanship was evident, not only in their floral design classes and horticultural competitions, but in the overall design and execution of the show s use of our total building facilities.
It was a great joy to see the thousands of visitors enjoying this beautiful (if not always practical) facility which the C.G.C. calls home. Many hundreds of the people who visited the show came to the Centre for the very first time. I trust they left with a good impression. Hopefully, many of them will return again. Certainly, we handed out a lot of coming events folders, and we answered a lot of general questions about the Centre. The library welcomed many newcomers for a quick browse and we are pleased to welcome quite a few new members who joined during their visit.
Once again, we need to recognize the outstanding devotion of our volunteers. The Information desk, the library, the regular Trellis Shop, the temporary second shop, the cloakroom sales station were all manned throughout the show with hundreds of hours of donated labour. We had outstandingly successful shop areas, and we also appreciate the many hours of helpful gardening advice given out by some of our more knowledgeable members, including many hours given by our resident, amateur, question answer man, Hal Price. Hal was on hand for a good portion of the show hours and was able to answer hundreds of questions related to the seeds, bulbs, tubers, perennial roots, fertilizer, composters, light gardening and hydroponics being sold in the shop area where Hal was stationed.
If you missed speaking with Hal, why not give him a call weekdays 9:30 to 11:30, when, if Hal can t give you a specific answer, he can probably recommend the books or other sources for you to do further research. You can reach Hal at 445-1552.
May being planting month, we will be needing plenty of volunteers to help us run the Spring Plant Sales which this year are extended to 2 public sale days to allow for the holiday weekend. If you are not going away and could spare us a few hours especially on Friday, call Dorothy Whiteman.
COURSES STARTING IN MAY
May 3 Sogetsu Japanese Beginners
Flower Arranging Class at 1:30 p.m. for 8 weeks. This is a new course offered for the first time.
May 10 Beginners Flower Arranging 5 week course starts at 9:45 morning, 1:30 afternoon or 8 p.m. evening.
May 16 Ikebana Japanese Flower Arranging course for Beginners first time offered in evening at 8:00 p.m.
Art at the CentreIn the Link Gallery:
May 2 - 20 - Eva Tannabhill watercolours titled Nature s Way
May 15 - 31 - Paul Scrivener photographer - The Secret Garden
June 2 - 17 - Rosemary Dunning watercolours
WONDERLAND OF BULBS
Send $1.00 for our new catalogues, refundable on first order.
The multitude of rare and interesting bulbs listed, over 700 varieties, many difficult to obtain elsewhere, will prove to be a revelation. By far the most complete bulb catalogue in Canada.
C. A. CRUICKSHANK LTD.
Since 1925
Canada' s Leading Bulb Specialists
MILNE HOUSE GARDEN
1015 Mount Pleasant Road Toronto M4P 2M1 488-8292
In this year of Toronto s Sesquicentennial, it is interesting to look back on the history of Milne House Garden Club.
It was named to perpetuate the historical association of the Edwards Garden area with Alexander Milne, the first owner of the property.
This property was originally part of a Crown Grant of land (500 acres), given by Governor John Graves Simcoe in the early 1800 s.
The Milne House, built on the brow of the hill close to Lawrence Avenue, was burned down in 1964 and has been replaced by a Tea House erected on the old foundation. The Milne Cemetery, (south west of the parking lot), at the Civic Garden Centre is the absolute property of the Milne family. It is worth noting that at the present time, Edwards Gardens is located at the geographic centre of Metropolitan Toronto.
The Milne House Garden Club s Annual Flower Show will be held at The Civic Garden Centre, TUESDAY, JUNE 19 from 1 - 9 pm and WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20 - 11 am - 4 pm
The theme is ALICE IN WONDERLAND
Come to the Mad Hatter s Tea Party.
Lecture and slide presentation available e Dwarf Evergreens e ® Heathers ®Japanese Maples o ® Rhododendrons ® VINELAND NURSERIES (416) 562-4836
P.O. Box 98 ® Martin Road Vineland Station, Ont.
\ xi/ THE CIVIC GARDEN CENTRE
PROGRAMME SCHEDULE
May 1 Mens Garden Club meeting at 8 pm - A Panel with Mr. Pope as moderator on Questions and Answers
3 Sogetsu Japanese Beginners Flower Arranging - 8 week course at 1:30
5 Junior Garden Club (Green Thumbs) 9:30 am to noon 6 S. Ont. Orchid Soc. meeting 1 - 5 p.m.
7
Rhododendron SALE at 7:30 p.m.
8 North Toronto Hort.Soc. meeting 8:15 pm - PLANT SALE
9
Ikebana Int. Toronto Chapter 208 - Spring workshop, bring material
10 Beginners Basic Flower Arranging 5 week course starts at 9:45 a.m. 1:30 p.m. or 8:00 p.m.
10 Can. Chrysanthemum Soc. PLANT SALE 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm
12 ORCHID SHOW - S.Ont.Orchid Soc. - Open to public 12 noon - 6 pm
13 ORCHID SHOW - Admission $2.00 both days 9am - 5pm
13 Toronto Gesneriad Soc. meeting 2 - 4 p.m. - Reviewing Show Schedule and Preparation of Plants
14 Toronto Bonsai So. meeting 8 pm - Practical workshop meeting Hands-On session - styling of trees, potting & wiring 16 Ikebana Beginners Japanese Flower Arranging - 5 week course starts at 8 p.m. EVENING
16 Civic Garden Centre PLANT SALE - Pre-orders 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. 17,18 C.G.C. s SPRING BOX PLANT SALE - Open to Public 12 - 8 pm 22 Blood Donor Clinic - 2 -4 pm and 5:30 pm - 8:15 pm 24 Can. Chrysanthemum Soc. meeting 8 p.m. 29 S. Ont. Unit Herb Soc. of America
30 Hobby Greenhouse - meeting 8 pm - Dr. Henry Landis - on Japanese Exotic Plants June 2 RHODODENDRON
- 2 pm - 5 pm
$1.50
SHOW - 10 am - 3 pm S. Ont. Orchid Soc. meeting 1 - 5 p.m. TORONTO BONSAI SHOW - Open to public 11 am -5 pm $2.00 Mens Garden Club regular meeting 8 p.m. Junior Garden Club (Green Thumbs) 9.30 am to noon GESNERIAD SHOW- Open to pubhc 1 pm to 5 pm Adm.$2.00
HOUSE GARDEN CLUB SHOW -1 -9 pm Adm. $1.50
MILNE HOUSE GARDEN CLUB SHOW - 11 am - 4 pm
CAN. ROSE & YORK ROSE SHOW -1 - 5 pm Adm. $2.00
p.m.
The CIVIC GARDEN CENTRE
SPRING PLANT SALES
Pre-Orders - Wednesday, May 16th, 1984 S pm to 8 pm
Public Sale - Thursday & Friday, May 17th & 18th, 12 noon to 8 pm
The CIVIC GARDEN CENTRE
President - Mr. Colin Ferrington
Ist Vice - President Mrs. Camilla Dalglish
2nd Vice - President Mr. Donald McLaren
Secretary Mr. Gordon D. Wick
Treasurer Mr. Donald G. McLaren
Board of Directors:
For 1983: Mr. Colin Ferrington, Dr. Albert M. Fisher, Mrs. Janeth Cooper, Mrs. Shirley Irvine, Mrs. Helen Skinner, Mr. Douglas Thomas, Mrs. Dodie Wesley
For 1983 & 1984: Mrs. Camilla Dalglish, Mrs. Rae Fowler, Mrs. Mae MacMillan, Ms. Nancy Mallett, Mr. Donald McLaren, Mr. Grant Ross, Mr. Fidenzio Salvatori, Mr. Howard Stensson
IFor 1983, 1984 & 1985: Dr. Brian Bixley, Mr. Charles Coffey, Mr. Peter Hand, Mrs. Hazel Lyonde, Mr. Monte Watler, Mr. Robert G. Bundy
General Information
Volume 11, No. 5 ISSN 0380-1470
Editor: Gordon D. Wick, Exec. Dir.
Assistant Editor: Grace Tughan Advertising Inform. (416) 445-1552
Trellis is published ten times per year as a member s newsletter, by the Civic Garden Centre, 777 Lawrence Ave. East, Don Mills, Ontario M3C 1P2 Telephone (416)445-1552
The Centre is located in Edwards Gardens, at Leslie St. and Lawrence Avenue East, at the geographical centre of Metropolitan Toronto. It is a non-profit, volunteer based, gardening and floral arts information organization with open membership. Opinions expressed within do not necessarily reflect those of the Centre.
Printed by Munns Press Ltd., Whitby, Ont.
Civic Garden Centre - Spring Hours Shops and Library: Mon. to Fri. 9:30 -5, Sat, Sun.12-5
Administration: Mon - Fri. 9:30 - 4:30
We wish to acknowledge the following doners whose financial support during 1983 has helped us to set aside funds for future improvements and developments.
Supporting Members
Aylesworth Thompson, James Craig, Agnes M. Gray.
Contributing Members
G. M. Horne
Sustaining Members
D. McCooeye
We further acknowledge the generous donation by the following members
A. M Carter, Art Drysdale, Ronald Dunlop, Mabel Geary, M. Hall, D C. Higginbotham, Audrey Hill, Lois Michaels, Toshi Olkawa, Barbara Ortiz, Konrad Radacz, D. M. Smith, Paul Smith, Joan Vince.
We must not neglect to recognize the outstanding fund raising efforts of the Milne House Garden Club members who worked as a committee in preparing for Cornucopia. Their area raised $3,000 for the Centre and the club also made a grant of $2,500 towards renovations in the Garden Hall, Auditorium.
We wish to also recognize the continuing efforts of members of the Garden Club of Toronto in assisting us with our fund raising and for their donation of $10,000 towards new equipment purchases. A committee of the Garden Club is operating the Winter Bouquet Workshop as a fund raising project for the Civic Garden Centre and have raised $7,000 during 1983. We really don t want to leave anyone out, and do wish to thank all those who help us set up our fund raising projects as well as those whose donated time makes our courses and other events so successful.
SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1983 AND 1982
REVENUE 1983
EXPENSES
General & administrative salaries & benefits 76,312
Trellis - Newsletter - Net 11,590 Library 11105 Activity expenses 7474
Building maintenance (net of Metro grant) 24,989 Equipment purchases 20,935
Other 17,016
Excess (Deficiency) of Revenue over 176,091 Expenses For the Year $(15,214)
Accumulated Excess of Revenue over Expenses
(deficiency)
to James Boyd Fund 5,441 44,009 $131,796 1982 $ 20,080 82,904 7,738 5,350 28,776 (5463) 3,223 142,608 61,240 16,406 18,756 5,554 22,629 12,793 137,378 $ 5,230 $ 76,186 33,991 5,230 $ 115,407 $ 94,200 11,832 47,551 3,230 2 156,815 25,822 8,570 2,127 4,889 41,408 $ 115,407 The above statement presents a summarized report for the members convenience any member wishing to examine the full audited financial report may ask to see a copy at the administrative office during normal administrative hours.
Contemporary Botanical engravings by Christiane Roy
Opening: Sat. April 28th 2 - 5 pm Artist Present The Exhibition continues through May Gallery hours: Tuesday - Saturday 11 - 5:30
Valseuse engraving, 1983 unframed $90.00
PTHE ANGEL ARL.GALEEERY
100 Avenue Road Toronto M5R 2H3 Canada Tel. (416) 968-9210
THE CIVIC GARDEN CENTRE
SPRING HOURS until June 30th
Trellis Shop and Library
Open Mon to Fri 9:30 to 5 pm Sat and Sun 12 noon to 5 pm
SUMMER HOURS from July 1st to September 3rd
Treilis Shop and Library
Open 7 days a week noon to 5 pm
For all your gardening needs ...all year round.
COMING EVENTS
SPRINGTIME JUBILEE Presented by THE GARDEN CLUBS OF ONTARIO at ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS
BURLINGTON MAY 15 and 16, 1984
This Is The Garden Clubs of Ontario s Contribution to The Royal Botanical Gardens
NURSERY GARDEN CENTRES
SEVEN DAYS IN MAY IN CELEBRATION OF ONTARIO S BICENTENNIAL
SEED KNOW-HOW
by Ruta Stancikas
Watching something grow from seed that you planted yourself is a satisfying experience. It is one reason why so many people today grow their plants from scratch .
Much has been said and written about the merits, how-to s advantages and savings of growing from seed. But what do you do with leftover seed? Most home gardeners are stuck with leftover seeds after the planting season and although they are relatively inexpensive, we are reluctant to throw those leftovers out. So what do most of us do? We store them till the next season and then wonder if they re still any good.
Some seeds are good for years - others only a few months. For instance, flower seeds such as delphinium, hollyhock and larkspur are not worth planting after four or five months of home storage.
Vegetable seeds such as corn, salsify, parsley, rhubarb and parsnip are relatively short lived - good for a year to a year and a half. Carrot, radish, asparagus, peas, lettuce, spinach, cauliflower, pepper, beans and celery seeds are fairly long lived - good for three to five years.
Seeds that are good for five years or more include tomato, beet, cucumber and eggplant.
Commercial seed growers seal seeds in waterproof containers and store them in a temperature-controlled environment which enables the seeds to retain their vigour for four to five years. However, most are sold within a year of harvest.
But, what can the home gardener do?
Home Seed Storage
Keep those seeds cool and dry. Here s how:
1. place two sheets of paper towelling one on top of the other 2. measure out 3 tablespoons of powered milk, place in one corner of the towel, fold over, roll into a small packet and secure with a rubber band
(S0
3. place the powdered milk packet in a jar together with packages of leftover seeds and close the jar tightly . store the jar in your refrigerator . if seed is to be stored for more than a year, then replace the powdered milk with a fresh supply.
Why powdered milk? No, this is not an old wives tale! The properties of powdered milk enable it to absorb moisture, thus keeping your seeds dry till the following season.
Before sowing stored seeds, it s a good idea to test their germination capabilities first, just in case. (There s nothing more frustrating than spending time and trouble to find the seeds have no intention of sprouting)! Place a wad of wet cotton in a jar, sprinkle over it several seeds, cover the top with plastic wrap and secure with a rubber band. If the seeds germinate within a few days, you can be reasonably certain the rest of the seeds are good.
Ruta Stancikas is a Toronto journalist.
2 ga o J Zea,
LANDSCAPE DESIGN GROUP designing & building thecity landscape RON RUCHS 654-9716
ON TRANSPLANTING
by Albert Fisher
What do you need for transplanting? For certain, you need soil preferably sterilized soil. In the fall you should lay in a supply of soil from your compost heap, a supply of sand from a building supply agency and peat moss and possibly perlite. For sterilizing the soil you may, for small amounts, place it in the oven of your stove and maintain it near 180 deg. F. for about an hour. Moisten the soil before sterilizing; it is much more difficult to sterilize any dry material than moist material. (If you do not have a stove, request your wife s permission to use her stove. Otherwise the next alternative is to purchase an electrical sterilizer which will handle about one bushel of earth at a time.
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Having sterilized the soil, mix it with sand (or perlite) and peat moss. A common mix is equal parts of soil, sand and peat moss. In your mixing it may be desirable to add some water or dilute solution of fertilizer so that your mix is not dry. Store your mixed soil in a plastic container or garbage bag. Metal containers rust.
An alternative to the sterilizing and mixing of the soil is to purchase material from a garden centre. This is much more convenient but you miss the fun!
Although the mixtures described above are generally useful, it should be appreciated that there are instances when special mixtures must be available for the plants to be transplanted. Azaleas, for example, should have an acidic medium and hence are transplanted or potted in material consisting entirely, or almost entirely, of peat moss.
Most seed catalogues and gardening books suggest that pots and flats should be sterilized.
The use of plastic containers makes cleanliness and sterilizing a little easier. Plastic pots and flats can be washed readily, and soaked in chlorine bleaching solution in a plastic garbage pail and then rinsed thoroughly. (Clay pots can also be sterilized in this way but should be thoroughly washed a long time before use.) Of course, all this washing should be done outside in the fall unless you store the washings until the dirt in the fluid has settled. Don t overload your sewage system by dumping washings down the drain.
Many gardeners now use cubes made from peat,frequently compressed peat. When these are soaked in water the pots expand and the seedling to be transplanted is inserted into a small hole already formed by the manufacturer or prepared by the gardener with a small stick like a pencil.
You will need labels to mark the pots and flats into which you have transplanted. You should record the variety, colour, date, etc. of your transplants. Plastic, aluminum or wooden labels are available at garden stores.
A record book should be maintained. It is of interest to plan the time of transplanting, comparing dates over two or three years to assist in selecting preferred dates. Of course, the major force in selecting the date to transplant will be the kind of seedlings which are to be transplant. Preferred dates for seeding are listed in many seed catalogues. Some of these will dictate the germination period. A rule commonly applied is to transplant when the seedling has formed two true leaves.
How do you transplant? The first item is to select the soil suitable for the variety being transplanted. Transfer the soil, already damp, to a number of pots or flats. If clay pots are being used, you should place in the pot a piece of broken pot to cover the hole so that earth will not block the open ing impairing drainage from the pot. Plastic pots usually have several small holes in the side of the pot and require no small broken pieces. If you are using wooden flats there will be drainage between the boards forming the bottom of the flat. If you are using plastic flats, punch some small holes with a knife about 3 or 4 inches apart. In addition to aiding drainage by the use of broken pieces of clay pots or a small amount of pea gravel (small stones available at building supply stores), some gardeners add a layer of charcoal before adding soil.
Tamp the soil slightly to remove any large air pockets. The quantity of soil placed in the pot should be enough to fill the pot to about threequarters to one inch below the rim.
The depth at which you place the seedling will depend in part upon the variety. Cyclamen, for example, grow near the surface. Some varieties may later need support and you may wish to place a supporting stake so that you will not harm the roots on a later occasion.
Don t forget that, though the seedlings needed no fertilizer for there was adequate nourishment in the seed, you may need to provide fertilizer occasionally to the transplants. It should be a weak solution. Most transplants will not thrive if they are watered only occasionally! Use tepid water on young plants rather than cold water from the tap.
It is usually recommended that you handle the seedlings by their leaves rather than by the stem which latter method may damage the structure of the stem.
Good transplanting!
Collector ofMiniature Roses For list and map Write Florence Gahagan
P.O. Box 873, Guelph, Ont. NIH 6M6
Check information printed on packets and in catalogs for the height flowers grow when mature as there are many varieties which are compact and therefore more practical for containers.
Mini Rose Nursery
Now isthe time
by Ernest Pope
Outstanding Annuals
Fibrous Begonia - Gladiator
Coleus - Fiji
Geranium - Red Express
Impatiens - Show Stopper
Petunia - White Cascade
Snapdragon - Little Darling
All of the above bloom profusely from early June until cut down by frost.
MAY GARDEN DUTIES
This is the peak month for activity in our gardens. What we do now largely determines how successful we will be during the entire summer.
May 1st
This is the time to dig and fertilize the beds for annuals and if the soil is not friable to mix in three inches of peatmoss or compost. Low nitrogen fertilizer such as 4-12-8 or 6-12-12 should be used. By doing it now, the soil will have settled, and the rains will have activated the fertilizer by the time for setting out the plants has arrived. Also early started weeds and undesirable seedlings are eliminated.
May 15th
Still time to place crabgrass inhibitors on the lawn, as the seed does not germinate until early June. Buy annual plants now, before they get picked over. It is too early to plant them out but they can be kept on a sheltered patio, and covered over at night if there is danger of frost.
May 20th
If you didn t apply weed and feed fertilizer to your lawn in early April, this is the time to spray the lawn
weeds when their growth is lush and vigorous, and well before they have set seed. Two excellent eliminators are Killex and Multi-Weeder. They should be applied in the early morning of a windless day to prevent spray drift and the sprayer head should be held quite close to the ground. Check the weather before hand and try to spray at least 24 hours before a rainfall which will wash the spray off the foliage before it has penetrated.
May 24th
Time to plant out annuals with the exception of the tender ones; such as tuberous and fibrous begonias, marigolds, nicotiana and vegetable plants such as squash, tomatoes and cucumbers which should be planted June 1st.
May 31st
Some of our loveliest plants such as phlox, tuberous begonias and zinnias are subject to mildew, which unless checked, will give them a ghost-like appearance. Starting now, spray with a good fungicide, such as Benomyl or Funginex. Repeat every two weeks until Frost. If sprayed regularly, this menace can be completely eliminated. Most fungicides are even better preventatives than cures, so spraying before it appears is much more effective.
Start now to use slug pellets around the newly planted annuals. Watch for evidence of their presence and repeat applications, as they breed quickly and are most persistent. Slugs are especially damaging to Coleus, Marigolds and Petunias.
Don t forget to stake and tie up the Peony bushes. Nothing is more pathetic in a garden, than to see a bush in full bloom with its flowers lying in the mud after a heavy June rain.
Perennial Phlox
The glory of the mid summer garden. After the annuals have had their fling and some are looking a little tired, this splendid perennial, with its brilliant colours, lights up the whole garden. Because of its height (averaging 2% feet), it is best planted at the back or centre of the bed. The colour range is extremely wide, with the exception of yellow. For best effect, the bright colours should be planted farthest from the house and the pastel shades closest.
Phlox can be planted in spring or fall (October is the best) but if the former, it will give a reasonably good showing the first year because of the long growing period prior to blooming.
For the best effect, it is wise to buy three, instead of one plant of the same variety. They should be placed in the ground in a triangular fashion, about ten inches apart. This will give a nice showy clump the second year. Clumps should be divided at least every four years, throwing away the old woody centres. They should be planted in full sun or light shade.
As mentioned earlier, the only real problem with this outstanding perennial is its susceptibility to mildew but this doesn t need to be tolerated.
The blooming period can be extended considerably if the flower heads are sheared off immediately after they start to fade. Within a very short time new heads will form from the leaf axils, and create a colourful showing even if not quite up to the original.
The writer s own observations have been that this perennial, is not seen in Southern Ontario gardens nearly as often as it should be, and then too often only the old fashioned magenta that clashes with all the other colours in the garden, and seeds itself like mad.
Tulips
Beds and clumps that have been in the ground for several years and are showing definite signs of playing out by producing smaller and fewer blooms, should be dug up before the leaves and stems have disappeared. An alternative is to mark them with a stake, and do it in the fall when you replace them with new bulbs. If you don t do one or the other, they are almost impossible to locate later on.
Remove the seed heads, but no leaves or stems from tulips, as soon as the petals have fallen. This prevents the seed from taking nourishment that the bulbs should be using to create next years bloom.
Gesneriad News!
We have had a number of articles in recent issues of Trellis talking about various flowering houseplants of this family.
The best on the subject was out of print until the revised issue came on the market very recently.
The Miracle Houseplants by Elbert and Elbert, Crown Publishers
An excellent book devoted exclusively to the Gesneriads and their culture. Available at the Civic Garden Centre s Trellis Shop. c¢. $28.95, p. $16.95.
izSpecializes in dried and silk flower arrangements.
Arrangements for sale in The Trellis Shop or Come to the Centre Mon. or Tues. 9.30to 2 p.m.
The Trellis Shop
Just a reminder that Mothers Day is coming up and of course the Trellis Shop is prepared. We have some beautiful gifts as well as more practical items available at the moment. Although our shop is, of course, open seven days a week here are a few ideas for the armchair shoppers.
We have been most pleased with the responce to the packages of Aimers Wildflower seeds which were brought in a few weeks ago, all under $5.00 and each packet containing seeds for flowers which will bloom from Spring through to Fall. Mr. Aimers also brought in his newest idea: Herbs - all ready to grow in the package, just add water. Five varieties including Parsley, Thyme, Chives, Oregano and Catnip.
Many of you will be pleased to know that we were able to bring in more of the very delicate glass napkin holders, which are so popular. These rings are designed to hold water (coloured if desired) and a flower and of course because they re glass will go so well with almost everything.
Also in glass, we have more of the clear or tinted tall, gooseneck vases which come in a set of three for $18.50.
For the jet-set or the night owl we have the My Lite cordless travel light, this makes a very nice gift at only $16.95.
In addition to a full line of soil and soil amendments, we carry not only a very wide range of seeds, but also jiffy pots, plastic pots and trays, clear tray covers and seedling inserts as well as important propogating chemicals such as No Damp for seedlings and rooting hormones for cuttings.
Take advantage of your member s discount on all these basic supplies. If you are in the market for such large items as a composter or fluorescent light gardens, we also -offer the membership discount on these items, making them an especially good value.
For all these things and much, much more visit your Trellis Shop, we love to see you.
SOILSRNER COMPOSTER
Convert your garden and kitchen waste into FREE, nutritious compost in weeks.
Unique thermal construction and complete ventilation system ensure complete rapid decomposition. Two easy access doors to remove compost. Designed tobe seenforconvenientbackdoorcomposting.
Steeles Ave. W. (2 miles west of Highway 10) R.R. 10 Brampton L6V 3N2 »» PERENNIAL PLANT SPECIALISTS
Knowledgeable staff g eountry Squireo C:,)arden
Re-open APRIL 14, 1984
Over 2000 different hardy plants, alpines, dwarf conifers and shrubs, Hardy ferns, vines, groundcovers and native wildflowers
Send $1. for a plant list by mail to above address
Pamela MacKenzie, Librarian
LANDSCAPE PLANTS FOR EASTERN NORTH AMERICA
by Harrison J. Flint,
New York, Wiley, 1983 $82.95
This extensive work on 1,500 landscape plants gives detailed information on ornamental shrubs, trees, climbers and ground covers. The plants are listed alphabetically by botanical name. Each entry gives country of origin, range and function, seasonal adaptability to light, wind tolerance, soil requirements and maintenance, together with line drawings showing size and habit.
In addition, there are lists of plants by categories, such as size, suitability as screens and windbreaks, street trees, plants requiring acidic soil, and those which tolerate neutral or alkaline soil.
This is a valuable and up-to-date reference work, intended for landscape architects and students of horticulture, but which can be used profitably by the more experienced home gardener.
This book is available for the public to look at in the library and members may borrow it. This book is also available to purchase from the Trellis Shop.
Where Great Gardens
At your closest Sheridan Garden Centre you will find the finest selection of nursery stock in Canada, including more than 750 varieties of plants and trees grown on Sheridan 's own farms.
MISSISSAUGA NORTH-CENTRAL 606 Southdown Rd., 2827 Yonge St., Mississauga L5J 2Y4 Toronto MA4N 2J4
Begin. And Sheridan s nursery stock is guaranteed for one full year.
At Sheridan Garden Centres you will also find qualified nursery- men who will be pleased to help you in any way they can.
AGINCOURT ETOBICOKE
3444 Sheppard Ave. E., 700 Evans Ave., Toronto M1T 3K4 Etobicoke M9C 1A1
Tel. 822-0251 Tel. 481-6429 Tel. 293-2493 Tel. 621-9100
UNIONVILLE
OSHAWA KITCHENER 4077 Hwy. 7, Unionville 847 King St. W, Oshawa 100 ElImsdale Road, Kitchener L3R 1L5 Tel. 728-9429 Tel. 743-4146 Tel. 477-2253
LANDSCAPE DEPARTMENTS: Metropolitan Toronto 621-9111, East Toronto/Markham 477-1499, Kitchener/Waterloo 743-4146.
USEFUL EUONYMUS
by June Punnett
My love affair with Euonymus fortunei began several years ago. It wasn t my first love (once it was dwarf conifers, another time lilies), but it has lasted longest. I cannot resist looking at them whenever I visit a nursery. I stop to admire them in other people s gardens. What is it, then, that I find so attractive about this unpretentious little shrub?
Of its many good qualities, the one I put first is its ability to retain its leaves throughout our Winter. The foliage manages to avoid browning in all but the most exposed situations and in the harshest conditions. The leaves vary in size between 2 cm (half an inch) and 6 cm (two and a quarter inches) long, and are generally glossy and oval shaped.
The evergreen Euonymus is such a good-natured shrub that it associates well with almost any planting design. You can tuck it in front of taller bushes, surround it with flowers, or just grow it on its own. It takes to shade, and some of the yellow variegated ones like full sun. Some will, with encouragement, climb walls to the height of 3 m (ten feet) or spread out to form ground cover, but on the whole they are bush or mound-forming shrubs. Euonymus fortunei is not fussy as to soil, but is reported to do best when lime is present. It bears insignificant flowers (and only on mature bushes), but the fruits are pink capsules which split to reveal orange seeds.
Nurserymen in and around Metro Toronto offer as many as ten different varieties of Euonymus fortunei, but the five you will encounter most often are:
be used as vine or ground cover.
Vegetus . (Bigleaf Wintercreeper). As its common name suggests, this variety has the largest leaves. Can
Sarcoxie . Dark green, glossy leaves. Bushy. One of the hardiest. Height 1.5m (five feet).
Emerald Gaiety . Each dark green leaf is edged with white on this pyramid-shaped bush. It brightens up a shade spot, and looks good against a dark background of yew. 1m (three feet).
A splash of
Emerald n Gold . colour, this one. Each leaf is variegated yellow, with pinkish tints appearing in Fall. Needs a little more sun than the aforementioned varieties, and prefers some protection from cold winds. Bushy. 1m.
Coloratus . Its dark green leaves assume reddish purple tints in cold weather. Useful as vine or ground cover.
Other less well-known varieties are: Cannondale Gold . Leaves splashed with yellow. Vine or ground cover.
Gold Tip . Green edged with yellow and cream. Needs sun. Give some winter protection (my unprotected plant turns bronzy in cold weather). Mound forming. 1m.
Emerald Leader . leaves. Bush or vine. Glossy, green
Sheridan Gold . New foliage bright yellow. Mound shaped. 1m.
Woodland . Dark green, leaves. Spreading shape. wavy
Some nurserymen also offer a tree form of the evergreen Euonymus. This is formed by top-grafting onto a tall stem, the result being a dwarf tree of up to 2m in height. To me it always looks like a bush on top of a walking-stick, but I have seen it used tastefully in formal garden plantings.
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NURSERY GARDEN CENTRES
SEVEN DAYS IN MAY IN CELEBRATION OF ONTARIO S BICENTENNIAL
SEED KNOW-HOW
by Ruta Stancikas
Watching something grow from seed that you planted yourself is a satisfying experience. It is one reason why so many people today grow their plants from scratch .
Much has been said and written about the merits, how-to s advantages and savings of growing from seed. But what do you do with leftover seed? Most home gardeners are stuck with leftover seeds after the planting season and although they are relatively inexpensive, we are reluctant to throw those leftovers out. So what do most of us do? We store them till the next season and then wonder if they re still any good.
Some seeds are good for years - others only a few months. For instance, flower seeds such as delphinium, hollyhock and larkspur are not worth planting after four or five months of home storage.
Vegetable seeds such as corn, salsify, parsley, rhubarb and parsnip are relatively short lived - good for a year to a year and a half. Carrot, radish, asparagus, peas, lettuce, spinach, cauliflower, pepper, beans and celery seeds are fairly long lived - good for three to five years.
Seeds that are good for five years or more include tomato, beet, cucumber and eggplant.
Commercial seed growers seal seeds in waterproof containers and store them in a temperature-controlled environment which enables the seeds to retain their vigour for four to five years. However, most are sold within a year of harvest.
But, what can the home gardener do?
Home Seed Storage
Keep those seeds cool and dry. Here s how:
1. place two sheets of paper towelling one on top of the other 2. measure out 3 tablespoons of powered milk, place in one corner of the towel, fold over, roll into a small packet and secure with a rubber band
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3. place the powdered milk packet in a jar together with packages of leftover seeds and close the jar tightly . store the jar in your refrigerator . if seed is to be stored for more than a year, then replace the powdered milk with a fresh supply.
Why powdered milk? No, this is not an old wives tale! The properties of powdered milk enable it to absorb moisture, thus keeping your seeds dry till the following season.
Before sowing stored seeds, it s a good idea to test their germination capabilities first, just in case. (There s nothing more frustrating than spending time and trouble to find the seeds have no intention of sprouting)! Place a wad of wet cotton in a jar, sprinkle over it several seeds, cover the top with plastic wrap and secure with a rubber band. If the seeds germinate within a few days, you can be reasonably certain the rest of the seeds are good.
Ruta Stancikas is a Toronto journalist.
2 ga o J Zea,
LANDSCAPE DESIGN GROUP designing & building thecity landscape RON RUCHS 654-9716