The TORONTO - GESNERIAD*
SOCIETY
*easy to bloom indoorplants
Welcomes new members with 1 free plant with every paid membership and includes
¢ plant sales/shows
* educational talks
e slide shows
e ouest speakers
e advice on plants
® social activities
1' Veetings heldthe2ndSunday ofevery month at the Civic Garden Centre, in rthe auditorium, from 2 to 4 p.m.
BONSAI
TOPIARIES ARALIAS
BRAIDED FICUS CACTUS
BOUGAINVILLEA ORCHIDS
BAMBOO HANGING BASKETS
e VISAM/C ACCEPTED
OPEN TUES. THRU SUN. (416) 686-2151
380 KINGSTON RD. EAST, R.R.1
AJAX, ONTARIO L1S4S7
Civic Garden Centre
GENERAL INFORMATION Vol. 16, No. 1
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, North York, 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 erial is six weeks: manuscripts and material must received by the 15th of the month to insure blication. For example, material received by tober 15 will be included in the December issue of ellis. 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.
Editorial
This is the month when | plan the garden for the next season, select one or two new varieties of flowers and vegetables to grow, and dream of my success and beautiful garden.
Although | have decided to increase the space assign to the vegetable plot, | must reduce my list by half; otherwise the whole garden would be devoted to vegetables. Cucumbers, snap peas, spinach, beets, tomatoes, lettuce, and green beans remain on my list. But which variety should | choose? Pooling the information from a wide number of seed catalogues provides some help; however, how do | evaluate the benefits of the new disease - resistant varieties over my old favorites? | do not know yet whether | will have problems with VFN", verticillium, fusarium, or nematode. Also, what about flavor and taste of my future crop? But no real worries as there is nothing better than garden-fresh vegetables!
The new addition to my vegetable garden will be the oriental vegetable Bok Choy or Chinese cabbage, Brassica rapa. My new flower will be Coreopsis grandiflora Early Sunrise . This new perennial is described in Anne Marie s article and received the AAS gold medal for 1989. On my long north wall | will try the attractive vine Hydrangea petiolaris, climbing hydrangea. Apparently it does very well in a shady spot.
My thanks to the members who have submitted articles for publication in Trellis. | can hardly wait to share them with our readers.
Iris Phillips
1989 Seeds for Thought
Anne Marie Van Nest
With the introduction of over 350 new flower seed varieties last year in the United States and large numbers in Canada too, it is an onerous task to make selections. To take some of the guessing out of choosing, a non-profit organization called All-American Selections each year evaluates new seedgrown flowers and vegetables from around the world for home garden performance. For 1989 the winners are all flowers. This is an occurence that has not happened in twenty-two years. The award winners have proven their abilities in over 30 trial gardens and have clearly exhibited improvements over other similar varieties. The AAS rules state that the winning seed companies produce a year s supply of seed before it is introduced. This ensures that gardeners can find the winning varieties as plants in nurseries and as seeds through retail stores and mail order companies. The All-American Selections have been awarded each year since 1933 and four of the original winners are still available on the market.
For the first time in fifteen years a gold medal has been awarded to a flower variety. For 1989, the perennial, Coreopsis grandiflora Early Sunrise is the winner. The semi-double golden yellow flowers continue throughout the summer season regardless of rain, wind, heat or drought. It has been called A perennial with the flowering power to rival annuals '. Early Sunrise Coreopsis thrives in a garden of full sun. The plant will grow to 18 inches (45 cm) and has flower stems that can be cut for informal arrangements. Gardeners who wish to grow this plant from seed can order it from Dominion Seed House in Georgetown.
The 1989 AAS Flower Awards were awarded to five additional winners. Dianthus F, Telstar Picotee is a petite plant that is very heat resistant. The flowers are crimson red with a uniform white border. The mature height of this plant is 12 inches (30 cm).
The French Marigolds have been favourites of gardeners for years. Now the introduction of Golden Gate offers the best of two main types. It has the typical free flowering and dwarf characteristics of the French types and also has the large flower size and quality of the African types. The flowers are mahogany with gold petal edges on a 10 inch (25 cm) plant.
Tango is the first F, hybrid New Guinea Impatiens introduced from seed in the world. The bold, bright orange blooms of Tango contrast with the green and cream leaves. New Guinea Impatiens thrive best in a moist location with up to a half day of sun.
Torenia F, Clown Mixture
The first recipient of a dual AAS award is the Petunia Orchid Daddy . It won the Flower Award and the Bedding Plant Award. It showed three exceptional qualities. First, the plants are compact in size and don t require pruning in mid-summer. Secondly, Orchid Daddy takes the heat of a frying pan set on sizzle comments AAS. Even when the rains finally appeared last year this petunia flourished. Lastly, the flowers are very large and the orchid and plum colouring combines well with violet-blue, salmon or pink in the garden.
Two Verbena s were honoured with awards this year. Sandy White is a dwarf plant with large pure white flowers. It was a reliable bloomer all last season. Sandy White will be a good replacement for white Ageratum, which will be scarce in 1989.
The second Verbena to win an award this year is Novalis Deep Blue . It is outstanding for many of the same reasons as Sandy White'. In addition to the prolific flowering and dwarf habit, the deep blue flowers have a dramatic white eye. Verbena are not easy to grow from seed as they germinate slowly
and poorly. Stokes Seeds carry the seeds for Norvalis Deep Blue if you relish a challenge.
The last AAS introduction is a little known annual called the Wishbone Flower. The 1989 winner is Torenia F, Clown Mixture . Not a plant to be laughed at, this shade loving annual has trumpet shaped blooms of white, rose and blue. Torenia can be grown indoors under lights and brought into flower year round. It is also suited for containers.
Seeds for The All America Selection winners can be ordered from the following companies; (Not all companies carry a complete selection)
W.H. Perron and Company Ltd., 515 Labelle Blvd., Chomedey, Laval. P.Q. H7V 2T3 (514) 332-3610
Stokes Seeds Ltd., 39 James St., Box 10, St. Catharines, Ont. L2R 6R6 (416) 688-4300
Dominion Seed House, 115 Guelph St., Georgetown, Ont. L7G 4A2 (416) 887-7802
Lindenberg Seeds Ltd., 803 Princess Ave., Brandon, Manitoba R7A OP5
Ontario Seed Company Ltd., Box 144, Waterloo, Ontario N2J 3Z9 (519) 886-0557.
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Catch the Gardening Spirit!
You may Catch the Gardening Spirit on SUNDAY, APRIL 23rd, 1989, at the Civic Garden Centre. In an all-day informationfilled workshop you will hear from some of the most interesting plant and design experts in Ontario.
Audrey Meiklejohn, international expert on roses, competitor, and judge, will encourage and intrigue both novice and experienced gardeners with her topic The Romance of the Rose . By capturing that romance, gardeners endorse the poet Sappho s praise for the rose as Queen of Flowers.
Individual, unusual, and easy to grow summerbulbs, bring exotic charm and fresh magic to gardens when the early bulbs and perennials are spent. Dugald Cameron will show how inexpensive and simple it is to cultivate these unigue treasures, which he discovers and imports from all parts of the world.
Mary Perlmutter will open her Pandora s box to tell you how to grow fruit trees in small spaces by simply employing the ancient technique of espaliering. She will also share other fascinating pieces of horticultural information.
Understanding natural woodland ecosystems will enable the shade gardener to create a very special place. Alexander Wilson will guide you through the bioregions of Eastern North America, the indiginous plant communities, and the stratification of plants that create canopy, understorey, and ground cover. Practical and localised topics will provide the reference information you need to work in your own shady place.
Peter Thomas will help you bring water into your garden for about $100. He will demonstrate how to create a wall fountain complete with pump, so that you can enjoy the gentle sounds of sparkling animation in the heat of summer.
Penny Arthurs, Cabbagetown s own Chelsea Gardener, will reveal her thoughts on developing a plan to deal with proportion and scale, balance and contrast, elegance and harmony. Applying these concepts will ensure that even the smallest garden can be the happiest reflection of your own individuality.
Do not miss this special day! Join us on SUNDAY, APRIL 23RD, TO CATCH THE GARDENING SPIRIT!
Steeles Ave. W. (2 miles west of Highway 10) R.R. 10 Brampton L6V 3N2 7 days a week (9-5pm) mid-April - mid-Oct. Over 3000 different hardy plants, alpines, dwarf conifers and shrubs, Hard y ferns, vines, groundcovers and native wildflowers icates $10. up (10-15-20 etc.{ by mail any time All Year Send $2.00 for NEW (No.10) PLANT L
ST by mail to above
PLANTS FROM THE PAST, Old Flowers for New Gardens
David Stuart and James Sutherland, Viking Press
At last, an historical gardening book that talks about plants. With the increasing interest in gardens of previous centuries, many books have been written about garden design and the changes in design wrought by history. Still others are filled with the many painters, poets, essayists, landscape artists and gardeners who created memorable gardens. However, until quite recently only cursory attention has been paid to the flowers, trees, vines and shrubs that are the gardens, designed or not.
In Plants from the Past, brief attention is focussed on the general appearance of European gardens of different periods, enough to give a background for the wonderful and complete lists of plants that were grown in these gardens. It is fascinating to read what plants made up the medieval Flowery Mead for instance, or what were the hedging plants usually used for knot gardens. Full and detailed plant lists are given for each of six historic periods.
A plea for the conservation of old plants encourages gardeners to preserve old varieties and especially old cultivars now quickly disappearing as new hybrids sweep the market.
Finally a most comprehensive and interesting description of over 130 flowering plants and their various cultivars completes the book. It is not often that plant lists are more than reference guides but in this book they are interesting reading. The variety of common names, the history and amusing little anecdotes indicate that each plant has much to offer the regular gardeners as well as the maker of an historic garden. The book itself, with its clear style and excellent content has even more to offer the regular garden-book reader as well as the addict.
Available in the Trellis Shop for $39.95
GARDENS OF THE GILDED AGE, Nineteenth-Century Gardens and Homegrounds of New York State
M.
Christine Klim Doell, Syracuse University Press, 1986
For anyone interested in North American garden design, this book is a delight. Mrs. Doell has researched museums, libraries, private collections and archives for pictures of hundreds of 19th century gardens and has winnowed her collection down to an excellent variety of large and small, elaborate and simple. As well, of course, research has been done to give the background of the gardens and in some casesa little of their history.
Each chapter covers a particular aspect of garden style and each is headed with tongue-in-cheek titles. For example chapter two is The Influence of Style and Dilemma of Taste and chapter four is Art Out-ofDoors; The Embellishment of the Grounds . Finally five New York State gardens are considered in detail.
American gardens as well as English gardens had great influence on early Canadian gardens and especially those near border states where it was relatively easy for Canadians and Americans to see each other s gardens or to see pictures in magazines and books. For anyone who has delved for gardens in Canadian Archives it is fascinating to trace similarities between garden design in Canada and those in Gardens of the GildedAge.
Available in the Trellis Shop for $34.95.
MARY S GARDEN Growing Sprouts
by Mary Perimutter
During the winter, we find it hard to add fresh greens to our diet, without buying produce from warmer climates, picked before maturity, which has lost nutritional value in the long trip to our province.
One way we can make 2 x 2 equal 5, nutritionally, is to sprout seeds in our own kitchens. A seed has stored all the genetic material needed to create another plant, plus enough food to sustain it until it develops roots and leaves to begin the process of photosynthesis by which it begins to feed itself.
Sprouted seeds contain vitamins C and A, plus many minerals and trace elements.
The carbohydrate content is low because the sprouting process changes starches into digestible sugars.
The most common sprouts are mung beans, but most grains and beans can be sprouted, as well as alfalfa and members of the brassica family such as radish and broccoli. Use fresh untreated seed that you have grown yourself or purchased for the purpose of sprouting from a natural food store.
Once you get into the routine, sprouting becomes an easy way to add nutrition to your winter diet.
You will need a wide mouthed 1 litre sealer (Mason jar), some nylon screen or cheese cloth to cover the top of the jar, and the ring from the top or a rubber band to keep the screen in place. Place two tablespoons of seed in the jar with two cups of water, soak overnight, then use that liquid to water your house plants the next morning.
Pour fresh water into the jar through the screen top, swish around and drain. Then place the jar on its side in a dark cupboard.
Take out the jar and rinse the seeds after every meal and before you go to bed. In three to five days you will harvest the sprouted seeds. Wheat and sunflower seeds are best eaten when they are just sprouted the length of the seed itself. Beans can be left until they are about 12" (4 cm).
To grow green sprouts for salads and sandwiches, use alfalfa, radish or broccoli seed and place the jar in a window or under artificial light, let them sprout until they form the first leaves. These are richest in vitamin A.
Include your home grown sprouts in all your casseroles, soups, stir fry dishes, salads and sandwiches. They will help make winter more bearable.
THE WORLD OF NORTHERN EVERGREENS, by E.C. Pielou. Ithaca, Cornell University Press, 1988.
Most people who spend time outdoors in northern North America take for granted the endless ranks of conifers that form the background to their activities, be they amateur naturalists, backpackers, canoeists or skiers. This book is for them. It describes in fascinating detail the evergreen conebearing trees of northern North America also the larches and yews.
THE NATURE OF BIRDS, by Adrian Forsyth. Camden East, Camden House, 1988.
In a series of stimulating essays, illustrated with magnificent colour photographs, Adrian Forsyth explores the relationship between ecology and the evolution of avian behaviour.
GREEN ARCHITECTURE AND THE AGRARIAN GARDEN, by Barbara Stauffacher Solomon. New York, Rizzoli, 1988.
The author traces the development of the relationship between buildings and their gardens. She defines green architecture where architecture and landscape overlap.
ROSES, by Roger Phillips and Martyn Rix. New York Random House, 1988.
This book is an illustrated catalogue of more than 1,400 roses. Arranged by their groups, each rose is illustrated for the most part by a studio photograph presenting a full-blown rose, a bud and leaves. The texts give a brief description and history. The book may be used to see what a particular rose looks like; to identify an unknown rose; and to choose a rose of a particular colour, shape or height.
Guelph Arboretum helps restore Kew Gardens
Seeds from a Kentucky coffee tree and native Ontario trees black maple, mountain maple and crab apple have been donated by the University of Guelph Arboretum to help restock wind-damaged areas of the English countryside. Many of the seeds will be planted in spring at England s Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew.
The Guelph effort was part of the Canadian project that donated one evergreen seed for each Canadian 26 million and 35,000 broadleaf seeds to help restore woodland areas damaged a year ago by a violent windstorm. The storm destroyed or severely damaged 1,000 trees at Kew which is one of the world s most important botanical gardens.
Guleph arboretum curator John Ambrose collected 500 seeds each from wild populations of black maple near Windsor, mountain maple at Everton and wild crab apple at Simcoe. We had to locate a pure stand of each tree to avoid hybridization, says Ambrose. These seeds were shipped to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
to help make up Ontario s contribution to the project.
Seeds from the Kentucky coffee tree, however, were donated directly to the Kew gardens. Ambrose has collected seeds from this rare species from wild populations across North America for a study of genetic variability. The seeds for the Kew gardens were collected by the Essex Region Conservation Authority from a pure stand of Kentucky coffee trees near Amherstburg.
The Arboretum has a regular program for seed collection and maintains a bank of seeds available to other institutions and botanical gardens around the world. We usually collect 40 to 50 different species each year, being careful to offer rare species or those that have potential for use elsewhere, says Ambrose. In turn, the Arboretum looks to other seed banks to obtain new plant materials that have horticultural or landscape potential for Ontario.
(from News Clips, University of Guelph)
Coming Events at the Centre
eGeranium & Pelargonium Society
eSouthern Ontario Orchid Society General Meeting
*HERBS, Registration deadline Feb. 2
Members $15.00 Non-Members $25.00
Men s Garden Club
Garden Therapy Meeting
eToronto Gesneriad Society
eYork Rose & Garden Society
Toronto Bonsai Society
North Toronto Horticultural Society
CIVIC GARDEN CENTRE MEMBERS PROGRAMME
A Garden in Thornhill by Marion Jarvie
Rhododendron Society of Canada
& Ontario Rock Garden Society
Combined Meeting: Guest Speaker
Betty Ann Mech
Canadian Chrysanthemum & Dahlia Society
The Garden Club of Toronto Flower Show SHOW STOPPERS
Admission $6.00 Seniors & Students $5.00 10-9PM March 1 & 2 10-6PM March 3, 4, & 5
INTERMEDIATE SOGETSU,
Registration deadline March 2
Members $40.00 Non-Members $50.00.
6 week course
Men s Garden Club
eGarden Therapy Meeting
*RENOVATING YOUR GARDEN
Registration deadline March 1
Members $32.00 Non-Members $42.00
4 week course
e|kebana International
eToronto Gesneraid Society
eOntario Rock Garden Society
eYork Rose & Garden Society
eToronto Bonsai Society
*GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS
Registration deadline March 9
Members $40.00 Non-Members $50.00,
6 week course
North Toronto Horticultural Society
CIVIC GARDEN CENTRE MEMBERS PROGRAMME by Tom Cain
Flowers of Winter, Flowers of the Spring : Plants through the Eyes of Elizabethan Poets.
17 CIVIC GARDEN CENTRE EASTER PLANT SALE 2-6pm
Members pre-order pick up
18-19 CIVIC GARDEN CENTRE EASTER PLANT SALE Noon - 4pm
PUBLIC SALE
19 eCanadian Rose Society Annual Meeting 2pm
e|kenobo |kebana Flower Show 12 -4 pm
21 eToronto Cactus & Succulent Club 7:30pm
eHARDY CONNOISSEUR PLANTS FOR YOUR 7:30-9:30pm GARDEN. 3 week course. Regist. deadline March 15.
Members $30.00 Non-Members $40.00.
INTROUDCTORY WATERCOLOURS, 10-2pm
Registration deadline March 15
Members $51.00 Non-Members $61.00.
6 week course
23 eCanadian Chrysanthemum & Dahlia Society 7:30pm
*CONTINUING WATERCOLOURS 10 - 2pm
Registration deadline March 17
Members $68.00 Non-Members $78.00.
8 week course
EASTER PLANT SALE
e Members Discount for orders only
e All plants subject to availability
e Plants are nursery grown for the Civic Garden Centre
MEMBERS ORDER PICK-UP: March 17, 2:00-6:00 p.m.
PUBLIC SALE: March 18 and 19, Noon to 4:00 p.m.
6" pot of Hydrangea with 5 Blooms: Blue [J Pink L) White [ $13.99
6" pot of Easter Lilies L $6.99
6" pot of Azaleas, various colours [ $16.99
6" pot of Cyclamen, various colours [ $9.99
e Please order before March 10, 1989
e Please pay when you pick up your order
Name Address City Postal Code Phone
e A 10% members discount will apply to advance orders, if your order is received prior to March 10, 1989
* 25 YEARS AND STILL GROWING!!!
THE GARDEN CLUB OF TORONTO S 30TH FLOWER SHOW SHOW
OPENSSTOPPERS
MARCH1STANDRUNSTOMARCH5TH, 1989 AT
THE CIVIC GARDEN CENTRE
777 Lawrence Avenue East, Don Mills (Lawrence & Leslie, in Edwards Gardens)
The curtain rises on March 1st for The Garden Club of Toronto s 30th Flower Show, Show Stoppers , a nostalgic look at the world of Show Biz. Gardens forced into early bloom, award winning flower arranging classes and horticultural exhibits provide a dazzling interpretation of the show biz theme.
Proceeds from the show will be directed towards the renovation of the gardens at Casa Loma. Funds from previous shows have helped transform the southern hillside at The Castle into a delightful woodland, complete with wildflowers, ferns, a reflecting pool and a breath-taking display of azaleas and rhododendrons. The terrace area is now accessible to the disabled through The Secret Garden, leading to a brilliant perennial bed and a computerized dancing fountain. This year s proceeds will create a proper entrance setting for The Castle with masses of flowers providing the colour and a cascading fountain setting the mood. The Castle is more than half-way to completion. Public support will give Toronto a landmark which will enhance pride in our city and providea first class facility for pleasure as well as education.
TIMES:
Wednesday & Thursday, March 1st & 2nd 10AM to 9PM Friday, Saturday & Sunday, March 3rd, 4th & 5th 10AM to 6PM
ADMISSION:
Adults
$6.00
Seniors & Students $5.00
Children 5-12 years $1.00 under 5 years free For groups of 20 $5.00 if ordered by February 14, 1989.
TRANSPORTATION:
T.T.C. subway to Eglinton and the bus along Eglinton and north on Leslie to Lawrence. or
The Lawrence East bus from the York Mills subway station. There is lots of parking available at The Civic Garden Centre at no additional charge.
GARDENS:
Gardens of many types including a winter garden with snowdrops, berries and interesting shrubs, a classical garden, a spring bulb garden, a woodland garden, a Japanese stone garden, and a garden reflecting the newest trends in landscape architecture are being forced into early bloom to delight you in March.
HORTICULTURAL DISPLAYS:
Exhibits of violets, geraniums, ferns, bromeliads, begonias and cacti will be displayed throughout the building including three children s classes.
FLOWER ARRANGING:
The Garden Club flower arrangers will interpret the show theme with classes ranging from Dress Rehersal to Stage Fright , Applause and Encore, Encore . There are twelve flower arranging classes with something to please everyone s taste. Formal judging of the flower arrangements will take place before the show opens and again on Friday when a new group of competitors enter fresh arrangements.
EDUCATION:
There will be theatre style demonstrations on a continuous basis throughout each day. The Civic Garden Centre s Master Gardeners and Horticulturists will be on hand and one of Canada s leading horticultural libraries is located on the premises. All the newest indoor miniatures will be on display and a conservation exhibit of native grasses.
SHOPPING:
The Civic Garden Centre s Trellis Shop is overflowing with gifts to take home, the newest gardening items, a comprehensive selection of gardening books and floral equipment and containers so that you, too, can create some of the wonderful arrangements you've seen at the Show. The Flowery has a selection of dried arrangements or you can have one custom made in your own container.
REFRESHMENTS:
There is a tea room with sandwiches, sweets, tea and coffee. A restaurant is also located in Edwards Gardens.
PAST PROJECTS:
Past projects of The Garden Club of Toronto include the Fragrant Garden for the Blind, the garden restoration at historic Spadina House, the Wildflower Sanctuary at Humber Arboretum, the 19th Century Garden in St. James Park, the Potting Shed at the Metro Toronto Zoo, authentic planting at Black Creek Pioneer Village, the Educational Outreach Program for Toronto Public Schools and the continuing support of The Civic Garden Centre.
%Humbcr Keeps You GROWING
¢ |In Business Since 1948
¢ 20 Acres of Garden Centre
e Over 50 Greenhouses
¢ 20,000 sq. ft. Garden Store
¢ Residential & Commercial Design & Instillation
Growers of over 1,000 hardy perennials, available year round. Over 200 varieties of herbs. Over 125 kinds of novelty geraniums.
FREE Drop in or write forournew books: Perennials for Ontario Gardens
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HELPFUL GREEN THUMB GARDEN GUIDES
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Humber Nurseries, where flowers bloom 365 days a year, offers Toronto s largest selection of: Trees, Shrubs, Evergreens, Annuals, Perennials, Roses, Ceramics, Chemicals Soils, Wicker & Landscape Hardware
Our Professional, Courteous staff are here to help with any garden questions.
HUMBER NURSERIES LTD.
R.R. #8 Brampton, Ont. Hwy.#50, 1/4 mile North of Steeles Ave. South of #7 highway 794-0555 677-9711
*Member Landscape Ontario* **OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK**
A Gardener on Vacation
by M. Eleanor Irwin
Wherever we travel, we take time to enjoy flowers and gardens. Last July, we spent about a week in Calgary and found a pleasant oasis right in the downtown area: the Devonian Gardens on the 4th floor of the Toronto Dominion Centre. There are walks laid out through the 22 acres of indoor park and plenty of benches for visitors who want to sit and relax or perhaps enjoy a coffee break or lunch. Pools and fountains make the gardens a cool spot in the heat of summer. For winter visitors, how welcome the gardens must be! (They are just one example of the way Calgarians beat the winter blahs. A system of enclosed pedestrian footbridges provides weatherproof connections between many buildings in the city). As part of the Gardens, there is a large shallow pool which doubles as a skating rink in winter.
We also visited a tropical greenhouse at the Calgary Zoo, with a butterfly garden, and a hothouse at the Dinosaur Museum in Drumheller with plants of the type growing in the Badlands when dinosaurs roamed Alberta.
But best of all was the visit to friends near Rocky Mountain House and finding there, on back roads, the last delicate pink blooms of Alberta s provincial flower, the wild rose, and the showy orange Prairie Lily of Saskatchewan.
For the love ofgardens.
When you re at work on the garden you love, 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
MISSISSAUGA
606 Southdown Rd. 2375 Steeles Ave. W., 4077 Hwy. #7,
SHERIDAN NURSERIES
Elmsdale Rd., Mississauga L5J 2Y4 North York M3J 3A8 Unionville L3R 1L5 Kitchener N2E 1H6 Tel. 822-0251 Tel. 736-8814 Tel. 477-2253 Tel. 743-4146 TORONTO
2827 Yonge St., 700 Evans Ave., 847 King St. W., 1755 Pickering Pkwy. Toronto M4N 2J4 Etobicoke M9C 1A1 Oshawa L1J 2L4
Tel. 481-6429 Tel. 621-9100 Tel. 728-9429 Tel. 428-6316
HYPOESTES AND THE BLOOMING OF BAY STREET: Summit Flowers
by Peter Iveson
Pansies parade on University Avenue, a floral dilemma confronts Metro Parks Commissioner Bob Bundy, said the Toronto Star article. In order to create floral flags for the countries participating in the Toronto Summit, Metro Parks workers had to locate black flowers to represent a section of the West German flag. Unfortunately, the shipment of black pansy seed from Japan failed to produce the correct colour, and according to the Star article Metro workers will have to spray the non-performing pansies with black food dye a day or two before the summit.
The summit has now passed successfully and Toronto is better for it. With a limited horticultural staff, the Toronto Parks Department began early in April to make the downtown parks presentable. New groundcovers of periwinkle and packysandra, evergreens, fresh turf, shrubs, and perennials went in at City Hall before the annual planting began on May 9th.
After months of preparing blueprints and fretting, the flowers were planted, fertilized, maintained, and were flowering beautifully for the summit. In the middle of the large flowerbeds were deep crimson geraniums interspaced with silver Dusty Millar: lavender-pink fuchsia standards were set off at intervals by wide borders of Madness petunias in pink, lavender, blues, and tufts of white. Setting off these borders were silver triangles of Dusty Millar along the edges. A focal point was head-gardener Alan Barber s pyramidal carpet bed that was featured on the front page of the Star. Underplanting was not the case at City Hall this year. Petunias and the unusual Hypoestes engulfed the planters.
The Complete Indoor Gardener by Michael Wright published by Pan Books Ltd. (London and Sydney) groups Hypoestes with other plants with colourful
leaves. Mr. Wright does not consider it a very interesting plant.
Hypoestes sanguinolenta (polka-dot plant) has dark leaves with pink spots and wiry stems. The City Hall variety had deep purplish green leaves flecked with pink spots. The mature Hypoestes in baskets provided a striking contrast to the petunias.
The fuchsia pink impatients contrasted nicely against the gray of office buildings. About 240 hanging baskets graced Bay Street and other streets in the financial district. The Toronto Parks Department called this project the Blooming of Bay Street"".
On reflection, | wonder if the visiting dignitaries caught a glimpse of all the wonderful horticultural endeavours planted in their honour: not to mention the black pansies.
ANNOUNCING
The Pansy Sale
Don t miss the opportunity to brighten your Spring garden. Watch for the Pansy Sale pre-order form in the upcoming March Trellis. Take advantage of your 10% members discount by filling in the order form and returning it to the Centre.
The ever-popular Pansies will be arriving for the members pre-order pick-up day Friday, April 7, 1989. The Public Sale will continue on Saturday, April 8 and Sunday, April 9. These pansies are ready to plant the day you purchase them.
SPRING IS COMING!
1989 Green Thumb Camp
Registrations are now being taken for the Summer Camp run by the Civic Garden Centre. Children aged 8 through 11 years will value the opportunity to learn about gardening and nature in Edwards Gardens. The camp is a recreational and educational experience from 9:30 am to noon each day. The first session is July 31st to August 4th. The second is from August 14th to 18th. The fees are $65.00 per child of Civic Garden Centre Members and $72.00 per child for non-members.
REGISTRATIONFORM
Please register my child for the 1989 Green Thumb Camp. | understand | will be required to provide medical information and sign a waiver.
My child will attend: Week 1 July 31-Aug 4 9:30-12:00PM Week 2 Aug 14-Aug 18 9:30-12:00PM
dnEkiFeas ok Civic Garden Centre
$65.00 Non-Member $72.00
Nameofparent/guardian:
Address: Telephone(day)
Child s name:
Dateofbirth:
O Enclosed is my cheque, payable to The Civic Garden Centre. Please charge my [J MasterCard [ Visa
Card number:
Dateof Issue:
Signature Expirydate:
Master Gardeners at the Centre
The Master Gardener programme at the Civic Garden Centre has expanded. Seventeen eager new participants have been selected to start the programme. The successful candidates are now completing the two correspondence courses on home gardening that are a portion of the requirements necessary to graduate from the O.M.F.A. and O.H.A. Ontario Master Gardener Programme.
The Civic Garden Centre congratulates the following Master Gardeners-in-training.
Judy Adam
Ann Johnson
Rosemary Pappin
Mary Anne Peek
Anna Leggatt Bill Pratt
Patricia Lorenz Mary Savage
Ted Merrick Bob Schuelke
Alyce Morel Elizabeth Speirs
Eldred Mullen Roland Wagg
Grace Muncaster Alicia Wakaruk
Mary Ann Nellis
These participants will join the initial Master Gardeners-in-training in answering your gardening questions at many events during 1989.
The Master Gardener hot line continues to operate daily from 12 3PM at the Centre (445-1152).
Share Your Gardening Enthusiasm
If you are an enthusiastic, fun-loving individual who wants to learn new skills and meet people from around the world who share your interest in gardens, consider becoming one of our Tour Guides. This lively group of men and women give tours of Edwards Gardens every Tuesday and Thursday at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. from May to September inclusive. The walks last approximately 1 hour and highlight the seasonal floral displays and history of Edwards Gardens. For further information call Helen Craig 445-1552.
Civic Garden Centre Members Programme
MARION JARVIE A GARDEN IN THORNHILL
Thursday, February 16, 1989
7:30 p.m.
Refreshments Served
Non-Members $2.00
Thompson & Morgan Seeds Order
Civic Garden Centre members who would like to order Thompson & Morgan Seeds directly from the New Jersey office can again pool orders this spring.
Catalogues are available for consultation in the Library and Trellis Shop. Two collective orders will be sent on the dates below. A handling charge of $1.50 (Canadian) will be added to each member s order.
Thompson & Morgan offers a wide range of seeds for Trees, Shrubs, Perennials, and Annuals. Many are rare and exotic.
The two order deadlines are February 17th and March 3rd, 1989. Please leave your order with Anne Marie or Helen; Horticulturists of the Centre.
H E L P
WANT E D
RENTAL AGENT
FULL TIME
STAFF POSITION PART-TIME
The position of part-time LIBRARY
SECRETARY is now open. Library work experience and good typing skills are essential. 8 hours weekly.
Applicants please telephone Librarian, Mondays and Fridays only. Tel: 445-1552.
You will be responsible for booking CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENT meetings, social and in-_house
aCt!nT'eS-Sllge mar.kegng ofthe
ENGLISH DELPHINIUM SEED. Original faq ities will-be ORI English varieties. Double flowers with This position requires detailed work contrasting eye. 20 mixed seeds $3.00. Mrs. and above average communication H. Wilson, R.R. #2, Seagrave, Ont. LOC 1GO. and inter-personal skills. Please reply in writing to:
Sally Sullivan Executive Director
by February 20th
The Trellis Shop
THOMPSON & MORGAN
*Most varieties in hermetically sealed packets, to preserve harvest freshness.
34 NEW VARIETIES FOR 1989
Visit the Trellis Shop to see our new selection of distinctive seeds and orchids.
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. Phillip 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: Mrs. Cicely Bell, Mr. Stuart Gilchrist, Mr. Alan Grieve, Mr. Kenneth H.C. Laundy Mrs. Susan Macaulay, Mr. Victor Portelli of Metropolitan Toronto Parks and Ms. Laura Rapp.
No Lo G e THE ULTIMATE HOME GROWING ENVIRONMENT.
NORTHERN LIGHT GREENHOUSE is a true horticutural breakthrough for the serious gardener who wants to create a year round micro-climate for flowers, vegetables & tropical plants.
e Specifically designed for short season, low light climates.
® Maximum sunlight penetration (89% of solar spectrum) & distribution.
® |owest possible heating cost.
e Elimination of interior condensation
e Totally automatic venting.
e Dramatically improved performance over traditional glass greenhouses
Available exclusively in Ontario through
S12139
May we invite you to join us?
We 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
e Free borrowing privileges from one of newsletter Canada s largest horticultural libraries
* Discounts on courses, lectures
* Discount on Soil Testing Service and workshops i
e 10% discount on most purchases in
* Free Admission to the the Trellis Shop Members Programmes
e Special local and international
e Access and discounts at special Garden Tours members day plant sales
CIVIC GARDEN CENTRE I
l
I (please enclose cheque, with form, payable to The Civic Garden Centre) l
| If this is a Gift Membership:
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