The combined December/January issue of Trellis is brimming with information on spring courses, coming events, and articles. We have found room to include the article on day-neutral strawberries, which was promised in the last issue.
This issue introduces the first column of Mary s Garden by Mary Perlmutter. We are fortunate that Mary will provide a monthly article for Trellis. Many members will already know Mary as an organic gardener and will have attended her lectures at the Centre or heard her on the radio.
Once the festivities of Christmas have passed, we will have time to re-evaluate our gardens, study the new seed catalogues, plan for the next season, and write articles for Trellis. The last item is very important as articles by members are widely enjoyed by our readership. Either drop me a note or leave a message at the Centre, and we can discuss a potential article. The topics are infinite!
My best wishes to you over the holiday season.
2I1C.O V.S
Civic Garden Centre
EDITOR: Iris Hossé Phillips
ADVERTISING INFO: (416) 445-1552
Registered charity number 0228114-56
TRELLIS is published ten times a year as a members newsletter by the CIVIC GARDEN CENTRE, 777 Lawrence Avenue East, Don Mills, Ont. M3C 1P2. Tel. No.: (416) 445-1552. Manuscripts submitted on a voluntary basis are gratefully received. No remuneration is possible.
Lead time for inclusion of articles and advertising material is six weeks: manuscripts and material must be received by the 15th of the month to insure publication. For example, material received by October 15 will be included in the December issue of Trellis.Opinions expressed within do not necessarily reflect those of the Centre.
The Centre is located in Edwards Gardens, at Leslie Street and Lawrence Avenue East. It is a non-profit, volunteer-based gardening, floral arts, and horticultural information organization with open membership.
Printed by York Printing House Ltd.
WINTER OPERATING HOURS
The Civic Garden Centre is open from November 1st to March 31st. Weekdays: 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Weekends & Holidays: Noon - 4:00 p.m.
CHRISTMAS CLOSING
Friday, December 23rd to January 2nd Shops December 23rd to January 9th for inventory
A Christmas Message from Brian Bixley
This has been an exhilarating, if exhausting, year at the Centre. Exhilarating because we have been confronted with budgetary anxieties, with personal tragedies, with the loss of key staff, with an at times almost unbearable work load, and yet those difficulties have been largely overcome, and we can look back on another year of considerable accomplishment.
If a single activity is to be picked as indicative of the Centre s growing confidence and stature, it must be the July tour of Toronto gardens, Through The Garden Gate . Skillfully orchestrated, it attracted 1900 visitors, many of them learning for the first time about the Centre, and was a considerable financial success. Other. highlights were Jane Brown' s visit in September, and Sheila Macqueen s a month later.
Next year is our Twenty-fifth Anniversary, and we are planning some special events in celebration. One now regular, but special, event is the Third Great Gardening Conference, on October 13-15, and | am delighted to be able to tell you that Christopher Lloyd and Beth Chatto are among those who have agreed to speak on the theme of Great Private Gardens.
| am immensely proud of the way our staff, under the direction of Sally Sullivan, has worked this year. But Sally would be the first to avow that little at the Centre would be feasible without our band of faithful volunteers, and to them extend my thanks and congratulations.
To all members of the Centre, | thank you for your support, wish you a happy Holiday Season, and look forward to seeing you at the Centre in 1989.
AT THE CENTRE e AT THE CENTRE e AT THE CENTRE
Canadian Chrysanthemum & Dahlia Society
CIVIC GARDEN CENTRE CHRISTMAS PLANT SALE
MEMBERS ORDER PICK-UP
CIVIC GARDEN CENTRE CHRISTMAS PLANT SALE
Southern Ontario Orchid Society
General Meeting
Men s Garden Club - Bringing the Garden Inside CIVIC GARDEN CENTRE VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION PARTY
Toronto Gesneriad Society
Ontario Rock Garden Society
Toronto Bonsai Society
Garden Therapy Meeting
Ikebana International General Meeting
Men s Garden Club Annual Ladies Night PERENNIALS FOR ONTARIO GARDENS,
Registration deadline Jan. 3
Members $63.00 Non-Members $73.00
RUG HOOKING COURSE,
Registration deadline Jan. 3
Members $50.00 Non-Members $60.00
ART STUDIO, Registration deadline Jan. 4
Members $50.00 Non-Members $60.00
Toronto Gesneriad Society
Ontario Rock Garden Society
Southern Ontario Orchid Society General Meeting THE ART OF SILK FLOWERS, Registration deadline Jan. 3
Members $50.00 Non-Members $60.00
CHINESE BRUSH PAINTING,
Registration deadline Jan. 5
Members $80.00 Non-Members $90
BASIC SOGETSU, Registration deadline Jan. 5
Members $40.00 Non-Members $50.00
Toronto Bonsai Society INTRODUCTORY WATERCOLOURS, Registration deadline Jan. 4
Members $68.00 Non-Members $78.00
CREWEL COURSE, Registration deadline Jan. 6
Members $32.00 Non-Members $42.00
BASIC FLOWER ARRANGING,
Registration deadline Jan. 5
Members $40.00 Non-Members $50.00
INTRODUCTION TO IKENOBO IKEBANA,
Registration deadline Jan. 2
Members $30.00 Non-Members $40.00
CALLIGRAPHY, Registration deadline Jan. 2
Members $40.00 Non-Members $50.00
York Rose & Garden Society
Toronto Cactus & Succulent Club
Rhododendron Society of Canada Annual Meeting
GROWING ORCHIDS AT HOME,
Registration deadline Jan. 17
Members $15.00 Non-Members $25.00
GARDENING WITH WILDFLOWERS,
Registration deadline Jan. 20
Members $33.00 Non-Members $43.00
Canadian Chrysanthemum & Dabhlia Society
Indoor Gardening Society
MAKING TOPIARY WITH FRESH FLOWERS,
Registration deadline Jan. 25
Members $20.00 Non-Members $15.00
Geranium & Pelargonium Society
Southern Ontario Orchid Society General Meeting
HERBS, Registration deadline Feb. 2
Members $15.00 Non-Members $25.00
Men s Garden Club
Garden Therapy Meeting
Toronto Gesneriad Society
Ontario Rock Garden Society
York Rose & Garden Society
Toronto Bonsai Society
North Toronto Horticultural Society
Rhododendron Society of Canada
Canadian Chrysanthemum & Dahlia Society
VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers for the reception area for half a day a week. Call Carolyn Dalgarno
445-1552
Volunteers for Christmas plant sale Dec. 2, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Dec. 3 & 4, noon to 4 p.m.
Volunteers to be trained as cashiers (Shop) for coming events at the Centre.
The Civic Garden Centre will be celebrating its 25th Birthday in 1989. Join us in our celebrations by becoming a Civic Garden Centre volunteer. We need you, starting in January, to help us through the year' s exciting events. Call now 445-1552 and offer your time.
Mary s Garden
Mary Perlmutter
Year-end roundup
This is the time of year when gardeners thoughts will turn to ideas for improving the beauty of their gardens and increasing or decreasing the harvest, according to their needs. Before we do that, however, we must check on any jobs that were left undone during the fall. Let s start with the garden tools.
Examine the fork, shovel, hoe and rake for any dirt. Clean off the tools with a knife or course steel wool. There is a corner in my yard that used to be a sandbox. Whenever we put oil in the car, | drain the dregs in the sandbox corner. All types of oil are recycled into the corner. Whenever pass that spot with a garden tool in my hand | dig it into the oily sand to give it a rust protection bath.
Also check the handles of your tools for slivers and splinters. Then sand, paint or oil these wooden parts. Sharpen the hoe blade and shovel edge.
Check any small engines such as the lawn mower, roto tiller, and shredder and make sure they are well oiled. A trip to a small engine shop for a tune-up might be useful, and your machine may receive more attention at this time of year than in the early spring rush.
Examine the produce from your garden that is in storage for any signs of mould or spoilage. Be sure the potatoes are covered with something that will keep the light out but let air in, such as a burlap bag or even newspaper.
Check the produce in the freezer for burn caused by dehydration. This is more likely to occur with light plastic film than with heavy plastic containers such as cottage cheese cartons.
Cast your eye over the sealers on the shelf in the jam cupboard for any sign of bacterial damage. Never take a chance by scraping off the top and eating the lower part of a spoiled sealer. Throw the contents and jar away.
Remind yourself of the joyous gardening days by shelling any peas or beans you have drying for eating or seed.
Now that the gladioli corms are dry, discard last year s bottom corm and dust the new succulent ones with a little plain sulfur from the drugstore or garden centre.
Check dahlia roots and begonia tubers to make sure that they are neither too dry nor too moist. Should a root be soft or have any greyish spots, surgery is required. Leave any cut tuber out in dry air until a callus forms, then dust with sulfur.
Remember to use sand or kitty litter for traction on a slippery sidewalk. Salt can burn your grass and damage roots.
Christmas gifts from your garden
The most cherished gifts are those that include the personal involvement of the giver. In the heat of summer | make jams and jellies with cool thoughts about the friends who will enjoy these conserves at Christmas.
Herb teas will bring the taste of summer into the home of the recipient. Save fancy tea caddies, jars and packaging or make your own containers with your personal design. A refreshing lemon-flavored herb tea is made from a mix of dried lemon basil, lemon balm, lemon thyme with equal parts mild green tea or New Jersey tea plant.
Bergamot mixed with lemon balm or black tea is nice in the afternoon. Bergamot by itself is called Oswego Tea. Camomile flowers and angelica leaves make a great tea to settle tummy upsets from too much turkey or mince pie. Rosemary and ephedra teas ease allergies and asthma.
The Centre s library has a good selection of herb books which will give you exact proportions and recipes to create a great variety of teas.
A qift of culinary herbs like dried basil, tarragon, oregano, sage, thyme, summer savory, dill and fennel seed is welcome in every kitchen. These herbs can also be blended. Refer again to the herb books in the library.
Take your Christmas hostess a dried flower arrangement in an attractive shallow container. Traditional Christmas arrangements are made of a base of holly or mistletoe but an addition of dried straw flowers or statice is attractive as is bittersweet, which can be woven from its own curly stem tendrils.
Aromatic pomander balls are easy to make by covering a mandarin orange with cloves and hanging it up in a yellow or red nylon onion bag.
Homebaking is becoming a lost art, greatly appreciated by all, particularly at this time of year when friends drop by.
PERENNIAL PLANT
. eou fry Squlreo @arde" SPECIALISTS
Steeles Ave. W. (2 miles west of Highway 10) R.R. 10 Brampton L6V 3N2
Knowledgeable staif 7 days a week (9-S5pm) mid-April-mid-Oct.
Over 3000d|fferem hardy plants, alpines, dwarf conifers and shrubs, y erm vines, groundcovers and native wildflowers
Gift Ceru cates $10. up (10-15-20 etc.{ by mail any time All Year
Send $2.00 for NEW (No.10) PLANT LIST by mail to above address
SEED & GARDEN Catalogue
Plan your 1989 garden now with our colourful new 88 page catalogue. Featured are more than 2100 detailed listings of vegetable and flower seeds, spring bulbs, small fruits, plants and hundreds of quality products to assist
you in your gardening endeavours. Send coupon today for your FREE catalogue, or drop into our Country Garden Centre, corner of Guelph St. and Maple Ave. to pick up a copy.
DOMINION SEED HOUSE
Dept. 989, Georgetown, Ontario L7G 4A2
Name Address Postal Code
Serving home gardeners by mail since 1928.
Show stoppers
The Garden Club of Toronto s 1989 Flower Show will be held March 1st to 5th, 1989, at The Civic Garden Centre, 777 Lawrence Avenue East, Don Mills, Ontario.
The Centre, located on the grounds of Edwards Gardens, is the focal point for gardening activities in Toronto and is celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 1989.
The Flower Show, Show Stoppers , will include gardens forced into early bloom, 13 flower arranging classes, horticultural exhibits, gardening advice from the experts and an opportunity to become acquainted with the many facilities available at the Centre.
DATES: March 1st - 5th, 1989 TIMES: Wednesday and Thursday, March 1st and 2nd 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 3rd, 4th and 5th 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
ADMISSION: Adults $6.00 Seniors and Students $5.00 Children 5-12 years $1.00 under 5 years of age free
For groups of 20, $5.00 if ordered by February 14, 1989.
All proceeds are going to the Renovation of the gardens at Casa Loma.
For further information write or call THE GARDEN CLUB OF TORONTO:
777 Lawrence Avenue East Don Mills, Ontario M3C 1P2 Telephone: (416) 447-5218
SPRING 1989 WORKSHOPS/COURSES - ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
PLEASE NOTE the addition of Sunday afternoon courses.
8 week course on Thursdays, January 5, 12, 19, 26, February 2, 9, 16, 23
Instructor: Keith Squires
Each student will need a copy of Canadian Garden Perennials or The Harrowsmith Perennial Garden . These can be purchased at the Trellis Shop: 9:30 am-4:00 pm, Noon-4:00 pm weekends.
8 week course on Fridays, January 6, 13, 20, 27, February 3, 10, 17, 24
Instructors: Clarke Sherbo Awdrey Clark
Beginners: Please bring scissors and your lunch. Supplies are available at the class cost extra. Advanced: Please call Clarke Sherbo regarding patterns 782-3178.
6 week course on Mondays, January 9, 16, 23, 30, February 6, 13
Instructor: Jean Hewitt
Japanese silk flower making. Some of the flowers that you will make are Roses, Iris, Daisies, Poppies, Trilliums, Hibiscus, Poinsettias, Holly, Eucalyptus as well as filler flowers. Please bring to your first class, scissors, cutters, ruler, face cloth, notebook and pencil. Kits will be available between $3.00 and $6.00.
6 week course on Mondays, January 9, 16, 23, 30, February 6, 13
Instructor: Greg Williams
A modern Japanese school of Ikebana flower arranging which is well known for its dramatic, free style design.
CHINESE BRUSH PAINTING
4057
Registration deadline: January 5, 1989
Fee: $80.00 members, $90.00 non-members
8 week course on Mondays, January 9, 16, 23, 30, February 6, 13, 20, March 6
Time: Beginners: 9:30 am-Noon
Intermediate: 1:00-3:30 pm
Instructor: Moira Mudie
Basic materials are available at the first class for a nominal fee. Please bring a container to wash brushes and a large newsprint pad. For further information please call Moira Mudie at 222-1527.
CREWEL COURSE 4038
Registration deadline: January 6, 1989
Fee: $32.00 members, $42.00 non-members
5 week course on Tuesdays, January 10, 17, 31, February 7, 14
Instructor: Clarke Sherbo
Crewel work as applied to rug hooking. For advanced hookers only.
INTRODUCTORY WATERCOLOURS 4052
Registration deadline: January 4, 1989
Fee: $68.00 members, $78.00 non-members
Time: 10:00 am-Noon
Time: 10:00 am-2:00 pm
8 week course on Tuesdays, January 10, 17, 31, February 7, 14, 21, March 7, 14
Instructor: Lynda Bryden
Learn the skills of wash, dry brush, wet on wet glazing and textures, as well as the fundamental elements of composition, design and colour theory, Students can work at their own level using still life and flowers as subject matter. Supply list will be provided at the first class. Please bring a sketch book, pencil and your lunch.
BASIC FLOWER ARRANGING 4045A
Registration deadline: January 5, 1989
Fee: $40.00 members, $50.00 non-members
6 week course on Wednesdays, January 11, 18, 25, February 1, 8, 15
Instructor: Betty Ewens Time: 9:45 am OR Mary Linney Time: 7:30 pm
Fulfill your artistic needs by learning the art of flower arranging. This comprehensive course will begin with a lecture and demonstration. Please bring a notebook and pencil.
This three week series will cover selection, grouping and cultivation of trees, shrubs, perennials, ground covers and vines. Useful and successful in our particular climate.
INTRODUCTORY WATERCOLOURS 4052
Registration deadline: March 15, 1989
Fee: $51.00 members, $61.00 non-members
6 week course on Tuesdays, March 21, 28, April 4, 11, 18, 25
Instructor: Lynda Bryden
Time: 10:00 am-2:00 pm
Learn the skills of wash, dry brush, wet on wet glazing and textures as well as the fundamental elements of composition, design and colour theory. Students can work at their own level using still life and flowers as subject matter. Supply list will be provided at the first class. Please bring a sketch book, pencil and your lunch.
CONTINUING WATERCOLOURS 40104B
Registration deadline: March 17, 1989
Fee: $68.00 members, $78.00 non-members
8 week course on Thursdays, March 23, 30, April 6, 13, 20, May 4, 11, 18
Instructor: Barbara Pinkham
Time: 10:00 am-2:00 pm
An ongoing class for those with some previous watercolour experience. Course will follow a realistic approach based on still life and plant material. Continuing emphasis on colour, theory, composition and design. Individual development will be encouraged. Please bring watercolour supplies and lunch.
INTRODUCTION TO GARDEN DESIGN 4033
Registration deadline: April 1, 1989
Fee: $35.00 members, $45.00 non-members Time: 7:30-9:30 pm 4 week course on Tuesdays, April 4, 11, 18, 25
Instructor: Peter Thomas
This course (which was formerly Landscape Techniques) gives a brief overview of garden history and building, identifies elements of design which can be adapted for your own use. Lectures include design, plant material and construction and will be followed by a workshop to use these principles in a garden design. This course will enable you to choose a direction of further study at the Centre. Drafting materials will be provided.
WREATHS ARE FOR ALL SEASONS 40110
Registration deadline: March 6, 1989
Fee: $35.00 members, $45.00 non-members Time: 10:00 am-Noon 1 day course on Wednesday, April 5
Instructor: Janice Gibbins
Using dried materials, you will produce your own wreath at this hands-on workshop. The cost of all materials is included in your registration fee, just bring your pruners and a smock or an apron. Pleae note:- In order to ensure sufficient materials, we must have your registration by March 6.
Please bring a lunch, notebook and pencil. This workshop is designed to teach the use of Silica-gel and Glycerine in preparing material for Winter Bouguets. What to plant. What to pick. How to wire. Materials available in the Trellis Shop.
DO IT
YOURSELF SPECIAL OCCASIONS 40112
Registration deadline: April 13, 1989
Fee: $40.00 members, $50.00 non-members
3 week course on Wednesdays, April 19, 26, May 3
Instructor: Anne Wilson
Time: 10:00 am-3:00 pm
You'll be pleased to discover that you can make your own wedding, graduation or special event corsages and bouqguets after taking this comprehensive and enjoyable course. Wire, tape, ribbons and flowers are provided for approximately $6.00 per session. Please bring tweezers and cutters.
PRESSED FLOWER WORKSHOP
4036
Registration deadline: April 14, 1989
Fee: $20.00 members, $30.00 non-members
2 week course on Thursdays, April 20, 27
Instructor: Betty Greenacre
Time: 10:00 am-Noon
This workshop covers what to plant in your garden for pressing. A slide presentation will introduce you to the art of pressing flowers and the many and varied applications. Kit will be available at a small cost. Please bring glue and tweezers.
GARDEN CONSTRUCTION 40114
Registration deadline: April 27, 1989
Fee: $20.00 members, $30.00 non-members Time: 1:30-3:30 2 week course on Sundays, April 30, May 7
Instructor: Peter Thomas
The emphasis of this course is on garden building techniques which are practical for you, the home gardener, to do. Paving, wood construction and grading solutions are primary areas of discussion. Samples of materials will be available. Cost, installation methodology and source of materials will also be part of this frequently requested course.
4 week course in class on Wednesdays, May 10, 17, 24, 31
1 field trip on Saturday, May 20
Instructor: Jane Donnelly
This course covers Bonsai history and styles, sources of trees and containers. Detailed instruction for creative displaying and maintaining your Bonsai. Sessions will include a field trip to a nursery to purchase an appropriate plant. Please bring a notebook, pencil and $3.00 for supplies.
CHURCH FLOWERS 4059
Registration deadline: May 12, 1989
Fee: $15.00 members, $25.00 non-members
1 day course on Friday, May 19
Instructor: Mary Linney
Time: 10:00 am-3:00 pm
Please bring: A vase similar in size to the ones used in your church; some cedar boughs and sufficient plant material to make a mass arrangement. Oasis and mechanics available in gift shop at The Civic Garden Centre. This course will include the use of some silk flowers combined with some natural material.
Ikenobo is well known for its traditional designs. Please bring a cylindrical and a flat container (not glass), a heavy pinholder and clippers. All available at the Trellis Shop. Flowers and branches will be provided at approximately $3.50 per day.
CALLIGRAPHY 40103
Registration deadline: January 2, 1989
Fee: $40.00 members, $50.00 non-members
6 week course on Tuesdays, January 3, 10, 17, 31, February 7, 14
Instructor: Margaret Challenger
Time: 1:15-3:15pm
Students must have a basic script. Colour writing and making a small book, learn to use dip nibs and watercolour, designer s gouache. Design and construct a simple accordion style book. Writing in it with the colour procedure learned.
This introduction to growing orchids at home will include a slide presentation on the mediums in which orchids can be successfully grown and which orchidsare best suited for house culture. Growing orchids will be easier than you think.
5 week course on Wednesdays, January 25, February 1, 8, 15, 22
Instructor: Frank Kershaw
Sources of plants, planting, plant selection and mulching, design and layout for woodland, meadow, bog and farm gardens. Also how to attract birds and butterflies to your garden are topics included in this increasingly popular course.
MAKING TOPIARY WITH FRESH FLOWERS 40109
Registration deadline: January 25, 1989
Fee: $10.00 members, $15.00non-members
1 day course on Sunday, January 29
Instructor: Carolyn Kotter
Time: 1:30-2:30pm
This unique demonstration will give you full instructions on how to make topiary trees using fresh flowers. Please bring a notebook and pencil and your camera, if you wish.
HERBS 40111
Registration deadline: February 2, 1989
Fee: $15.00 members, $25.00 non-members
1 day course on Sunday, February 5, 1989
Instructors: Flavia Redelmeier and Doris Tilt
Time: 1:30-3:30pm
A sampler of historic and contemporary herb culture, Flavia Redelmeier will give you a glimpse into the past with her beautiful slides. Doris Tilt will emphasize contemporary planting and decorative use of many herbs.
INTERMEDIATE SOGETSU 40102
Registration deadline: March 2, 1989
Fee: $40.00members, $50.00non-members
6 week course on Mondays, March 6, 13, 20, 27, April 3, 10
Bring your garden up to scratch by paying attention to lawns, trees, shrubs, perennials, fertilization, controlling pests and diseases. Learn how to rebuild garden structures. Instruction will include how to maintain your garden once renovation is achieved.
GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 40105
Registration deadline: March 9, 1989
Fee: $40.00members, $50.00non-members
6 week course on Mondays, March 13, 20, 27, April 3, 10, 17
Instructor: Henny Markus
Time: 7:30-9:30pm
Have you recently acquired a new garden or been struck with the gardening bug but you don t know where to start? Gardening for Beginners will give you an opportunity to learn some practical tips on how to create and successfully maintain a healthy, attractive garden. Some of the topics discussed will include pruning, mulching, plant selection, planting, transplanting, fertilizing and insect and disease control. Slides, films and practical demonstrations will be used to help emphasize these points.
SPRING 1989 WORKSHOPS/COURSES ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Please use the form provided and mail proper remittance. Classes are limited, bookings are made as received with fee. Fees are not refundable after registration deadline.
FACTS ABOUT COURSE REGISTRATION - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
PROCEDURE: To assess beforehand whether a given lecture or course will be economically feasible, we must have advance registration for most events involving an admission charge. Participants will be registered on a first come, first served basis, only on receipt of the requisite fee. Registration can be accomplished only by delivery of fees and registration forms by mail or in person prior to the registration deadline. Visa or Mastercharge will be accepted. CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS: Anyone may withdraw registration and receive a full refund up to the registration deadline. Thereafter, a requested refund will be made only if there is a waiting list and the registration can be transferred to another person. There can be no refund after a course has begun. Please do not ask us to make exceptions. Should a course be cancelled, registrants will be notified by telephone and refunds issued. It is therefore, vital that you supply a phone number where you can be reached, directly or by message between 7am and 5pm during the week. Following registration deadline, we cannot accept responsibility for inconvenience caused for those who cannot be contacted.
THESE ARE GENERAL INTEREST, NON-COMMERCIAL COURSES REGISTRATION
Please register me for the following courses:
Course Time Fee
Course Time Fee
Course Time Fee
Name Phone
Address Code
[ 1 enclose my cheque, made payable to the Civic Garden Centre. Pleasechargemy, [ Visa (! Mastercard
Card number
Signature
Date of Issue
Expirydate
BONSAI DESIGN: Japanese Maples, by Peter D. Adams, New York, Sterling, 1988.
With its seasonal colour changes and interesting growth patterns, the Japanese maple is a favorite with bonsai growers. Peter Adams outlines specific horticultural requirements, and the various techniques for achieving mass, structure, and form. Mr. Adams follows with a well-illustrated history of thirteen of his own plants.
THE WREATH BOOK, by Rob Pulleyn, New York, Sterling, 1988.
This book is both a how-to manual and a handsomely illustrated source of ideas for every possible kind of wreath, from the traditional to the whimsical.
CELEBRATING WITH FLOWERS, by Jane Packer, New York, Fawcett Columbine, 1987.
Almost entirely pictorial, this book shows current English trends in fashionable floristry. Except for wedding arrangements, the emphasis is on informality.
HERBACEOUS ORNAMENTAL PLANTS: 3rd Ed., by Steven M. Still, Champaign, III., Stipes, 1988.
Dr. Still has revised his textbook for students of horticulture to include annuals and bulbs as well as perennials. It is arranged alphabetically by genus, with one plant type per page and illustrated with a line drawing. It will be useful both for plant selection and for identification.
For the love ofgardens.
When you re at work on the garden you love, A remember Sheridan Nurseries. At Sheridan, we have the finest selection of nursery stock in ' > Canada, including over 750 types of plants and trees grown on our own farms. And all of our nursery stock is guaranteed for one full year.
If you need any advice to help make your garden even lovelier, just ask. Advice is free and
our staff is expert. They ll help in any way they can all for the love of gardens, at Sheridan.
LANDSCAPE DEPARTMENT: Metropolitan Toronto, Markham, Mississauga and Oakville 822-7575
606 Southdown Rd. 2375 Steeles Ave. W.,
Rd., Mississauga L5J 2Y4 North York M3J 3A8
822-0251 Tel. 736-8814
Yonge St.,
Toronto M4N 2J4 Etobicoke M9C 1A1
481-6429
621-9100
Strawberries and Cream for Christmas?
Growing day-neutral strawberries in Ontario
Adam Dale, Horticultural Experiment Station, Simcoe
For many people, the start of the strawberry season signals the start of summer. Today, however, the reality is that fresh strawberries are for sale much of the year, with large quantities imported out-ofseason mainly from California. For example, during the period July to October, 1984 and 1985, about 4.5 million Ibs of strawberries worth $3.7 million were imported from California.
Ontario can never hope to replace these imports completely. However, the development of day-neutral strawberries, which fruit from early summer to autumn under our conditions, will allow our growers to replace or at least take a substantial bite out of the imports during this period. Two hundred acres of such berries would replace the late summer and the fall imports.
This market could be handled at the outset by a number of growers with small acreages, but the potential for expansion is great. Many markets in the Province are not supplied, and our growers could export to other provinces and neighbouring states in the USA.
Day-neutral strawberries have an additional factor in their favour. Our research has shown that they grow extremely well on sandy soils such as the tobacco sands of Southwestern Ontario. Yields have been 14 t/ha (12 000 Ibs/acre) from July to mid September in the year of planting and 39 t/ha (34 000 Ibs/acre) from June to October the following year. These figures compare very favourably with the average for normal June-bearing strawberries in the second year of 11 t/ha (10 000 lbs/acre).
What Are Day-Neutral Strawberries?
Day-neutral strawberries are ones which will flower and bear fruit continually throughout the growing season. Scientists
have adopted the term day-neutral to refer to the way the plant forms buds.
The normal, or June-bearing, strawberry forms flower buds in the short, cool days of the autumn. In this type, flower bud formation is controlled physiologically by day length and temperature and only occurs when the days are short and cool. Day-neutral strawberries will form flower buds under any length of day as their physiological control mechanism is not affected by or is neutral with regard to the day length. They flower continually throughout the growing season, but, in practice, tend to have three peaks, one in June and the others at six-week intervals.
The great advantage of day-neutral strawberries is this long period of time during which they will flower and bear fruit. At the Horticultural Experiment Station (HES), Simcoe, we have picked ripe fruit every week from the first one in June, 1985, to the present, using a combination of field plots and glasshouses. In the field, fruit has ripened from early June through to late October; the rest of the year, it ripened in the glasshouses.
In our trials, we were able to harvest ripe fruit in the planting year from the middle of July to the mid-to-end of October. In the second year, we harvested fruit from early June through to the mid-to-end of October. Our yield data have shown that a normal June crop is produced followed by a steady, low-volume one for the remainder of the year. As a rule of thumb, however, growers should consider that day-neutral strawberries produce one crop in the first year and two of equal volume in the second: a June crop and a second in late summer to early fall.
This type of strawberry, therefore, has great possibilities for the future if we can develop good quality cultivars and suitable cultural practices.
From the Bookshop Barbara Stevenson
Tree Identification
While on a walk this winter, why not enjoy some tree identification. Winter is a great time to observe the true outlines of deciduous trees and is the time of year to appreciate evergreens. As their name suggests, evergreens keep their leaves all year round, while deciduous trees drop their leaves in the autumn.
Toronto is a city of trees, and there are many fine parks where varieties of trees can be easily viewed; however, start by identifying the trees around your property. Two of the most commonly planted street trees in Toronto are Acer platanoides or Norway Maple, and Acer saccharinum or Silver Maple. The bark provides a good identification tool in winter as Norway Maples have very dark, tight bark with V-shaped wedges. This contrasts with the lighter coloured, flakey, shaggy bark of Silver Maples, which is actually silver colour on the upper branches.
Certain trees keep some leaves during the winter which can aid in their identification. One example of this is the Fagus Beech. Beech trees have smooth pale blue-grey bark, browny-yellow fluttering leaves, and often keep some beech nuts on. Beech nuts are found in the hard bristly husk which splits open to reveal the edible nuts.
My selection of books for tree identification includes:
Native Trees Of Canada by R.C. Hosie published by Fitzhenry and Whiteside
The Tree Identification Book by George W.D. Symonds published by Quill, New York
The Manual of Woody Landscape Plants by Michael Dirr published by Stripes Publishing Company
Native Trees of Canada is the best guide for identifying species trees. It covers all the trees that grow in Canada, contains maps of where species are typically found, contains a silhouette of each tree, and photographs of leaves, bark, flowers, berries, and twigs. Native Trees also has detailed information on size, leaf shape, habit, importance of the tree, and notes of interest, an example being:
Roots of the Black Walnut make the soil unsuitable for certain garden vegetables.
The Tree Identification Book is basically a photographic manual. Its beauty lies in the photographs which are very sharp and clear.
The Manual Of Woody Landscape Plants is a prerequisite for students of Landscape Architecture, nursery staff, and all serious gardeners. It contains detailed descriptions of the Genus, Species, and Cultivars including notes on diseases and insects, culture, and landscape value. Michel Dirr is very candid in his likes and dislikes of plants, which provides refreshing reading and information that is hard to find elsewhere. A good botanical glossary is included at the end of the book. Most trees have a simple line drawing of their stems and leaves.
Another book | find useful is Taylors Guide to Trees. The photography is superb. Each page containes a picture of the entire tree and a close-up of foliage and fruit. Descriptions are good, and growing conditions such as soil preference and climatic zones are examined. Incidentally, Toronto is Zone 6b in Canadian books, and Zone 5 in American books. An additional feature is the estimate of tree heights at fifteen years and at maturity.
The Taylor s Guide to Trees published by Houghton Mifflin
| wish you happy tree observing this winter, and after an invigorating walk, enjoy curling up by your fire with a good book, a hot cup of tea, and dream of the trees you will plant next spring. The reviewed books are available from the bookshop.
Christmas Gift Ideas
Roseanne Nelson Master Gardener-in-training
When it comes to Christmas gifts for my family and friends with an interest in gardening, | usually begin with items which | would like to receive.
For someone who likes to get right down with Mother Nature, a set of protective knee pads can never go amiss. They keep away the cold of the ground when planting seeds and seedlings in spring or bulbs in fall and also provide protection from any sharp stones or twigs. A pair of good gardening gloves is a perfect stocking stuffer you never had too many matched pairs of intact gloves!
For the dreamer of great gardens, an illustrated guide to world renowned gardens or a book on garden design makes for enjoyable reading during the bleak winter months.
For the owner of a new home with a yard to landscape or a garden to restore, a general gardening reference book and/or a book on garden planning and design will help the owner get off to an excellent start. For home owners who have an unlandscaped property, a gift certificate
from a reputable nursery for plants and shrubs might be the beginning of a beautiful garden.
For apartment and condominium dwellers, books on container gardening, terrariums and houseplants can be welcome gifts. You can include an appropriate plant or miniterrarium to get them started. For those who would prefer some initially effortless gardening with very showy results, a gift of an amaryllis bulb kit complete with pot and planting medium or of paperwhite narcissi with a decorative dish and aquarium pebbles or attractive marbles will help brighten up the dreary winter season.
Other stocking stuffer suggestions include a set of mini-gardening implements which are useful for houseplants and terrariums, or seed packets of favourite flowers, or pot pourri sachets in a favourite fragrance.
Whatever you choose, if you keep the interests of gardener in mind and also consider what might interest you, you will be sure to bring pleasure to the lucky recipient.
CORNUCOPIA
Another great year at Cornucopia for the Volunteer Craft Groups at the Centre! At opening time the crowd rushed to our area to see what was new and interesting. Thanks to all the members who attended our workshops and made all the beautiful items we had for sale. Special thanks to the workshop leaders who, with their know-how, organized the many projects.
Let s get together on Thursday, January 12th at 10:00 a.m. to renew old friendships and brainstorm our plans and projects for 1989. We hope to begin workshops in January or February to avoid the last minute rush.
BRUCE NORD
Qualified Plantsman
Design, planting, improvement of lawns, water features .
Plan now
493-4702
HELP WANTED
Person for approximately 10 hours per weekend.
Flexible hours.
Trellis Shop
Contact Jackie Brisby 445-1552.
The TORONTO GESNERIAD* SOCIETY
*easy to bloom indoorplants
Welcomes new members with 1freeplant with every paid membership and includes
e plant sales/shows
e educational talks
e slide shows
e guest speakers
e advice on plants
e social activities
Meetingsheldthe2ndSundayofevery month at the Civic Garden Centre, in the auditorium, from 2 to 4 p.m.
Civic Garden Centre Executive Committee
President: Dr. Brian Bixley
1st Vice-President: Mrs. Susan Macaulay
2nd Vice-President: Mr. Klaus Bindhardt
Treasurer: Mr. Robert Saunders
Board of Directors
For 1988: Mr. Charles Coffey, Mr. Mark Cullen, Mrs. Margaret Killey, Mrs. Susan McCoy Mrs. Judy Samuel. Mr. Robert Saunders, Mr. Phiilip S. Tingley, Mrs. Dorothy Weir
For 1988 and 1989: Mrs. Anne Bawden, Mr. Klaus Bindhardt, Dr. Brian Bixley. Mrs Eliane Hooft. Mrs. Heather MacKinnon, Mrs. Gail Rhynard.
For 1988, 1989 & 1990: Mr. Stuart Gilchrist, Mr. Alan Grieve, Mr. Kenneth H.C. Laundy Mrs. Susan Macaulay and Mr. Victor Portelli of Metropolitan Toronto Parks
WEALL & CULLEN LANDSCAPE DESIGN SERVICE IN A WORD, QUALITY!
S12139 TORONTO
May we invite you fojoin us?
WVe at the Civic Garden Centre warmly welcome new members. Join us, and you will make friends who share the same interest in gardening, the floral arts and horticulture that you do. In addition to the many exciting classes, garden shows, speakers, clubs-within-the-Centre, etc., that will be available to you, our membership fee entitles you to the following:
e Annual subscription to members
¢ Free borrowing privileges from one of newsletter Canada s largest horticultural libraries
* Discounts on courses, lectures
* Discount on Soil Testing Service and workshops Ree
* 10% discount on most purchases in
* Free Admission to the the Trellis Shop Members Programmes
e Special local and international
¢ Access and discounts at special Garden Tours members day plant sales w s smmm
