TORONTO'S FINEST CHRISTMAS SALE
November 5, 6 and 7, 1992
Thursday and Friday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. & at the ; & Civic Garden Centre 777 Lawrence Avenue East (at Leslie Street) 397-1340 g Free parking Admission $4 @ R
The Civic Garden Centre is a volunteer-based non-profit organization with open membership, working to foster interest, involvement and education in gardening, horticulture and related artistic, environmental and community issues. Located in Edwards Gardens, at Leslie Street and Lawrence Avenue East in North York, the Centre serves members throughout Metropolitan Toronto and across Ontario. The " Civic Garden Centre is pleased to rent facilities for meetings, receptions, exhibits and shows. Please contact our rental agent. Registered charity number 0228114-56.
Hours:
Winter (November 1 to March 31): weekdays 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; weekends and holidays noon to4:00p.m. Summer(April 1 toOctober31): weekdays 9:30 a.m. to5:00 p.m.; weekends and holidays noon to 5:00 p.m.
Telephone: All numbers are area code 416.
Main number: 397-1340
Rentals: 397-1349 .
Special events: 397-1350
TrellisShop: 397-1357
Courseinformation: 397-1340
Fax: 397-1354
Gardeninghotline: 397-1345 (hours: noon to 3:00p.m.)
Executive committee:
President: Robin Wilson Vice-president and treasurer:
PeterJ. Lewis
Members: Cicely Bell, Mary Ann
Brinckman, Bayla Gross, Kenneth Laundy
Board of directors:
For 1992: Dr. Brian Bixley, Mary Ann
Brinckman, Bayla Gross,Luba Hussel, Kenneth Laundy, Ruth MacKneson
For 1992-1993: Cicely Bell, Heather Brodeur,WendyLawson,Peter].Lewis, Susan Macaulay, Mary Mills, Laura Rapp. For 1993-1995: MarjorieHarris, Louise Kappus, Aird Lewis, Roger Silverthorne, Robin Wilson. RepresentativeofMetropolitanToronto Parks and Property: Victor Portelli.
Honorary counsel: Aird and Berlis
Civic Garden Centre staff members: Executive director: Sally Sullivan
Accounts: Janie Brentnall
Horticulturists: Anne Marie Van Nest
Helen Craig
Librarian: Pamela MacKenzie
Maintenance supervisor: Walter Morassutti
Rental agent: Betsy Chubb
Secretary: Shirley Lyons
Trellis Shop manager: Jackie Brisby
Trellis Shop assistant manager: Barbara Stevenson
Volunteerand publicity co-ordinator: Carolyn Dalgarno
Courses: Ann Warren
16
19
Volume 19, Number 10
Editor: Iris Hossé Phillips
Editorial co-ordinator: Leslie Lynch
Advertising information: (416) 397-1340
Trellis is published ten times a year as a members newsletter by the Civic Garden Centre, 777 Lawrence Avenue East, North York,Ontario M3C 1P2. Telephonenumber: (416) 397-1340.
Manuscripts submitted on a voluntary basis are gratefully received. No remuneration is possible.
Articles, manuscripts and advertising materialmustbereceivedbythe15thofthemonth to insure publication six weeks later. For example, material received by October 15 will be included in the December issue of Trellis.
Opinions expressed within Trellis do not necessarily reflect those of the Centre.
The Centre is pleased to grant permission to copy material published in Trellis; however, credittotheauthorandTrellis mustbegiven.
ByIris Phillips
Trellis, November, 1992
Further to my discussion on purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) in the September issue of Trellis, I have received information that Agriculture Canada has approved the use of insects as abiological controloftheplant. ThreespeciesofEuropean insects, one weevil and two leaf-eating beetles, will assist in controlling the spread of purple loosestrife because attempts to controlits spread throughburning and pulling it up have not slowed its advance into wetlands.
One of my worries is whether the three alien beetles will damage native wetland plantsandwhetherthebeetleswillbecome a pest and unleash different and unanticipated problems. Biological meddling makes me very uncomfortable. Let me know what you think.
Thereisagrowinginterestinnaturallandscaping and gardening with communities of plants and animals. Many articles and new books reflect this trend. A book of particular interest is Jim Wilson s Landscapingwith Wildflowers: An Environmental Approach to Gardening. The book has outstanding photographs.
The Centre continues to be a very active placeandoffersnewprogramsandevents. I am especially looking forward to Mac Griswold giving the annual Edwards Foundation Memorial Lecture on November 19.
This is a thank you note to a gardener whose identity I do not know.
Through the summer of"92, I've had great enjoyment from what I think of as your scented geraniums. Late last summer, I spottedthemascuttingsoutsidetheTrellis Shop, free for the taking. They were a splendid display even then: cuttings in water, labelled to their scents, frilly leaves in various sizes, shapes and hues. I made my selection, tended them through the winter and put them into planters on the deckforthe summer. Theyhaverewarded me well with their generous sprawling habit, the wonderful scent and a profusion oftiny white flowers which haveattracted and, I think, delighted local bees.
Severalofmyfriendshavegonehomewith cuttingsfortheirgardens sothepleasure hasspreadevenfurther. Thanksforsharing with us.
Leslie Lynch, Scarborough
CLASSIFIED
Illustrated lectures: The Landscape Garden. Wednesdays, January 13 to February 24, 1993. Professor Douglas Chambers, Vaughan Estate More for the Mind lecture series. Call 925-9413 or fax 9244395.
Fall clean-up, garden projects, painting. Quality work at reasonable prices. Call Stephen, 362-7434. References provided.
November 21st and22nd 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Demonstrations [:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m.
Civic Garden Centre 777 Lawrence Avenue East North York, Ontario M3C 1P2
Admission: $6.00
Tea Room Available Ikebana Containers etc.
Trellis, November, 1992
Thursday, November 19
7:30 p.m.
Garden treasures:
The American robber barons, 1890 - 1949 with Mac Griswold
MacGriswold,co-authorwithEleanorWellerofTheGoldenAgeofAmericanGardens: Proud Ouwners, Private Estates 1890 - 1940, took her B.A. at McGill University. She studied horticulture at the New York Botanical Garden and garden history at the Radcliffe Seminars. Sheisa contributingeditoratHG, andwritesregularlyforthemand forother publications such as the New York Times. Her previous book, Pleasures of the Garden, Imagesfrom the Metropolitan Museum ofArt, appeared in 1987.
Design, climate, garden fashion and garden architecture, horticulture, key landscape architectsandprofessionalgardenerswillbediscussed. MacGriswoldwillalsotalkabout the flamboyant owners ofthe gardens and the art of garden photography.
In 1890, Gilded Agemillionaires werelookingforwaystodisplaytheirnewwealth, and Americantechnologywassearchingforcolorphotography. Nationwide,themillionaires madetrulygoldengardens,torivalthoseofEuropeanroyalty. Atthesametime,thefirst stepstowardscolorfilmresultedintherareandbreathtakingpaintedglasslanternslides that depict these vanished estates. Mac Griswold is a wonderful raconteur and will tell us about this grand era in America.
For the past 10 years, the Edwards Foundation has providedfundsfor the Edwards Foundation MemorialLecture. ThisgenerousgiftenablesustobringoutstandingCanadianandinternational speakers to the Civic Garden Centre without chargingafee. Join usfor this special program. At theconclusionoftheevening, refreshmentswillbeservedandthespeakerwillbeavailableforbook signing.
Trellis, November, 1992 3
November 10 to 21
Phyllis Gaines
Nature s reflections
November 24 to December 7
Vanita Jay
Combining the various elements light, stone, wood, plant material and water, to create engaging and elegant outdoor settings
J. Mosher 241-2842
For the last three years, the staff at the Centre have collected food donations at Christmas. Last year, with donations received from staff and volunteers, we donatedsixcartonsof driedandcannedgoods to a local organization.
Thisyearweareasking ourmemberstoaid us in our endeavor. Donations will be acceptedfrom November 16to December 11. Bring canned ordried goods to the Centre, and leave your donations in the box in the library. The staff will deliver the food to a local organization in time for distribution before Christmas. Please help!
Gardeners are sight-seers, too!
Have you visited a splendid public garden? Do you have a favorite spot which appeals to the gardener in you?
Other C.G.C. members would likely be interested to learn about your special place. Submissions to Gardening getaways are welcome. We would ask that the places named be open to the public on a reasonably frequent basis; please includedirectionsand your spot s phone number. Also, be sure to incude your name and phone number so the editor can check questions with you.
Trellis, November, 1992
By Vivien Jenkinson
Workinthegardenlessensascoldweather sends plants into dormancy. It is too late now to seed lawns,butsod canstillbe laid. Make sure it is well firmed in and kept moist before freeze-up. Continue to rake leaves and shred them, or fill plastic bags andusethesetosheltertenderplantsduring the winter.
¢ Containerstockcanstillbeplantedbut may need mulching for protection. Deciduoustrees and shrubs thatcanstand fall planting, while dormant, can also be put in now.
e Spring bulbs must go in now, if any havenotbeenplantedearlier. Usechicken wirepegged downoverthebed toprevent squirrelsfromfeastingonthemandmulch for protection from heaving.
e (Cleanuptheannualandperennialbeds, removing leaves and debris, sothatinsects and small rodents will not find winter shelter.
e Shrubs and trees canbefertilized after leaf fall. Apply the fertilizer over the root areaand therootswillabsorbthenutrients beforefreeze-up, readyfortheplantto use inspring.Protectthetrunksagainstdamage from rabbits and mice who would like to chew the bark in winter. Use tree guards, or narrow-meshed chicken wire. Be sure the protectionreaches wellabove thelevel ofsnow cover or the rodents will reachup and nibble. Products like Skoot! can be used now, too.
® Cherrytrees and others withthinbark
need protection against injury when winter sun warms the trunk and it cracks as temperatures drop rapidly later in the day. Wrapburlap or plastic around, orpaintwith whitewash to reflect the sun.
e Protectfrost-tenderplantswithmulch. After the first deep frost, roses should be hilledup.Havesomeearthreadytodothis, stored under cover, or it will be difficult to dig after the frost.
Vivien Jenkinson is a Master Gardener at the Civic Garden Centre.
Sgegt;ialgng~ln_me_UnusuaI. N
Canada sLargestBonsaiNursery
OPEN 7 DAYS
Monday - Friday 10 to 6 Saturday - Sunday 10 to § (416) 686-2151.
380 KINGSTON RD. E., R.R. 1, AJAX, ONT. Come to PICOV'S and depart Jfrom the ordinary. Trellis, November, 1992
Q. Ihave madea new perennial bed this yearand Iwant to prevent heaving over the winter, as the plants are not yet well established.
A. Let the ground freeze; that is, wait until the first good solid freeze occurs. Then, put four to six inches (10 to 15 cm) of mulch over all the bed. This should keep the ground frozenandavoidthefreeze-thawcyclethatheavesplantsoutoftheground. Youcanlook under the mulchoccasionally to check there is no heaving. If any plants are pushed out, either push themback ormound up soil firmlyoverthe exposed roots, to preserve them until spring.
Q. How do Iplant an oak tree (a blackoak)?
A. Theacornhastobestratified orgivena cool period, to break its dormancy. Stratify at 34° to 40° F (1° to 4° C) for two to three months. Use only sound acorns and check therearenocracksordamagefromweevils. Fall-planted acorns will germinate in late spring. Keep the seedbed slightly shaded. You may need to arrange protection from squirrels; they will dig up the acorn Black ask Quercus Veluting ~ whenevertheycan,evenafterthetreehas ey Ol | 5 sprouted. even ab this stage
SoVqureLS WUL eat the dcorn
Q. My fern has small brown growths ap- o ol Q }f//f pearingon thebackoftheleaves. f/f{ \\;; é:y/_.{ t\«j) 4 v * , (RPN
A. Thesearethesporesofthefern,nota ARCSPZANN:::)
tapping the ripe spores onto sterile moist ~ { peat (finely sieved) and keeping it in a (el)\ 24858 on Un side sealed humid plastic bag, in a slightly 4o derside warm area. C>f )Ce ! h fond disease. Youcanpropagatefromthem,by {i}}\( 2} % SpOTES [} % Yoy \R :
Thanks to Vivien Jenkinsonfor illustrations. Master Gardeners answerquestions on the GardeningHotline daily, noon to 3:00 p.m.
Malcolm Hillier s Christmas
Tuesday, November 24
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Members $10, non-members $15
From London to New York and now the Civic Garden Centre in Toronto, Malcolm Hillier displays his enviable talents to his clients, friends and admirers.
For this very special program, Malcolm Hillier presents stylish season s greetingscombiningtraditionalChristmasplantsandflowerswithunusual plant material, fruits, nuts and spices. He will demonstrate how to create wreaths, door decorations, magnificent arrangements with both fresh and dried flowers and fruits and reveal to you his secrets of these delightful decorations with a stunning approach to the yuletide season.
Malcolm Hillier, co-author of the best selling Book of Dried Flowers and author of The BookofFresh Flowers has long had an obsession with gardens and flowers. Inhisnewestbook,MalcolmHillier's Christmas, hefocusesthis obsession on how to best use these materials to adorn the home for Christmas.
In 1970, with Colin Hillier, he started a garden design practice in London and latera retail flowershop, bothofwhich enjoy an international reputation. He has created both fresh and dried arrangements in a highly distinctive style and has designed for interior designers, films, television and private clients.
Forreservedseats,pleaseregisterforthisprograminadvance. Seepage 19 for registration form.
By Stan Etchells
Reviewed:
The Complete Guide to Pruningand Training Plants
By David Joyce and Christopher Brickell
Simon and Shuster, 1992, $38.95
The Winter Garden
Brooklyn Botanic Garden,1991, $8.95
The Winter Garden A Wisley Handbook, The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)
Cassell Educational Limited, 1989, $7.95
A Guide to Feeding Winter Birds in Ontario
By Bob Waldon
Whitecap Books, 1991, $15.95
Ifwinter comes, can spring be farbehind? Yes, probably, bearing in mind where we live and recent weather patterns!
However, the garden need not be totally abandonedinlatefallandwinter. Hereare four books that cover garden activities in those months.
ThefirstisBritish,withanRHSconnection. It is The Complete Guide to Pruning and Training Plants, by David Joyce, with RHS director-general Christopher Brickell as technical consultant.
Namesare fine,butpicturesand diagrams arebetter! This is an outstandingbookfor illustrations 200 photographs and 300 diagrams. It covers trees, shrubs, roses, climbers, hedges, topiary and all kinds of fruit trees, with step-by-step details.
Production values are in the coffee table class. If hadn tread it, Iwould havefailed
myJapanese maple pruning test.
The next two books have three features in common. Each is entitled Winter Garden, eachwillleaveyousomechangeoutof$10 and each is shelved under Specialty Gardens. The first is a very practical BrooklynBotanicGardenRecordpaperback that has 17 items on winter gardening, including Winter Survival Tactics. If they can do it in Minneapolis (page 70), we can do it here!
Theother WinterGardencomes,again,from RHS, withsix useful chapters and anindex ofplants. Ithoughtthemoreusefulsections were on bulbs and perennials, with some month shifting necessary for us, of course. Both books have snow in the cover illustrations, so they are talking about real winters.
An Ontario book rounds out the quartet. How can they do this kind of book for $15.95(lessmember sdiscount)? AGuideto Feeding WinterBirds in Ontario isanaustere title for a broaderbased work. It covers a muchwiderfieldthanjustfeedingandjust birds.
Ilearnedthatcatsprobablykillfivemillion birds in Toronto annually. (The author is not anti-cat. He is anti-outdoor-in-winter cats.) Coyotes become addicted to sunflowerseeds,youcanpatflyingsquirrels feeding at night and chipmunks train humanstofeedthem. And200pagesoftext onbirds,withlinedrawingsofthem,recipes andfeederdesigns. Ifoundthisaveryhard book to put down.
Stan Etchells isa volunteer in theCivic Garden Centre s bookshop.
By Anna Leggatt
Gaultheriaprocumbens,orwintergreen,is a memberoftheheath family and isfound growing in acid woodland.
Wintergreen is a low-growing dwarf shrub, about 20 cm tall. It is more or less evergreen with small shiny oval leaves which smell ofwintergreenwhenbruised.
The small pinkish flowers are almost hidden by the leaves. My plants bloom irregularly through July and August. The plant is most attractive in the earlywinter, when the leaves turn a burnished red. Bright, long-lasting scarlet berries, up to 1 cm across, sit among the leaves.
Wintergreen grows happily as a groundcoverinfrontofrhododendrons. Theylike acid, peaty soil or acid sand,
provideditismoist. Onceestablished,they will grow in drier conditions. The plant spreadsbyrunners thatcanbedetached to makenewplants. Lookfornamed cultivars astheyhavebiggerberries. Makesurethat therootsarewellspreadoutwhenplanting.
Wintergreenoil isused today torub on the skin over inflamed or swollen joints. In verysmallquantities,itisusedasflavoring, although it is poisonous. (Ref. Reader s Digest Magic and Medicine ofPlants.)
One magazine recently published a recipe usingoilofwintergreen. Theyhad towrite toalltheirsubscriberstellingthemitmight make them sick!
Anna Leggatt is a Toronto Master Gardener.
When you're atwork on the garden you love, remember Sheridan Nurseries. At Sheridan, we have expert staffto help you, and the finest selection ofnurserystock in Canada, including over 750 types ofplants and trees grown on our own farms. And all ofour nursery stock is guaranteed for two full years.
Need anyadvice to help makeyour garden even lovelier? Gardens By Sheridan landscape designersoffereverythingfrom peerless consultation and planning to complete construction and maintenancée services. All for the love ofgardens, at Sheridan Nurseries.
'10
3§ SHERIDAN NURSERIES
Sunday, February 21
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Members $49, non-members: $59
The flow ofplants around and through a property enhances the cohesive quality ofany landscape. Plants appear in both predictable and innovative spaces and can be used to unite entrances, service areas and backyards in a total garden design.
Whatdowemeanwhenwespeakofthegarden? Isitthelargeareabehindthehouse,the front lawn or perhaps some unexpected corner? This program addresses the garden as a whole, a sum ofmany diverse parts surrounding the residence from front entrance to back door, along the boulevard and down the side of the garage. Combining formal design concepts with spontaneous natural plantings and diversity of plant material, unused andunderappreciated areascanbecomeimportantlinksbetween gardens front and back.
10:00 - 11:00
FredMcGourtyisa teacher,nurseryman,designerandwriterfrom the UnitedStates. Forfifteen years he edited theBrooklyn Botanic Garden Handbookseries. Hegardens twentyperennial borders ofhis own and is the authorofThe Perennial Gardener.
Eighty percent ofshrubs flower within a month in spring. This talkwill provide a fresh lookatsomethatbloominotherseasonsandshrubswhicharegrownforsuperiorfoliage and winter interest. Fred will include perennial plants that enhance thebest qualities in shrubs matchmaking to create a distinctive garden.
11:00 - 11:15 Coffee break
Mark Hartley is a landscape architect with the successful design firm ofJanet Rosenberg and Associates. Hehas createdprestigiousand innovativegardens ofgreatdiversity. His reputation forexcellence in design is complemented byanappreciationfornaturalisticandornamentalplant material.
Mark will examine the many ways of creating design unity on all sides of a property. Specialattentionwillbegiventoentrances and exits, steps, smallcorners and pathways. He will describe the best way to camouflage or display the compost area.
12:15 - 1:30 Lunch Break
1:30 - 2:30 THE COMPACT
Brian Fawcett is ajournalist by profession. However, the lure ofplants and small city spaces brought him to write The Compact Garden, a thorough and opinionated treatise on gardening in small spaces. Brian views the garden as a whole unit which must be both functional and ornamental, and considers the placement ofthegarden within the surrounding community.
Brian will focus on maximizing the use ofall garden spaces and the practicalities of city gardening from shrubs of appropriate size, to trees with non-invasive roots and the location ofthe compostbin.
2:30 - 2:45 Coffee break
2:45 - 3:45 CREATIVE STRATEGIES
HenryKock isahorticulturistat the UniversityofGuelphArboretum. His background is in the nursery trade industryand he has conducted extensive trials in thepropagation ofnative woody plants. CurrentlyHenryisinvolvedindevelopingapublicawarenessofthebenefitsandpleasures ofintegrated natural plantings, and he is a committed advocate ofthegrowing alliance between ecology andgardening.
Henry will primarily deal with creative strategies for gardeners utilizing ecological guidelines. Indigenous plants and the effects of pesticides and herbicides will also be discussedaswillthepossibilityofmakingagardenthatisrestorativetotheenvironment yet still provides ornamental display.
Lunch may be ordered separately for an additional $8.75. Our lunch bag contains a rolled vegetarian tortilla,pastaprimavera,strawberrybreadandaclementine. Ifyouwish tobringyour lunch,spacewillbeprovidedforyou tositcomfortably. Juiceandcoffeewill beserved throughout the day to all participants.
Registration form is on page 19.
Trellis, November, 1992 11
Carolyn Dalgarno and Marilyn King, volunteer co-ordinators
Mistletoe Magic time is here and we stillneed volunteers to help us stafftheshow. If you haven't called us already, it s not too late. Call 397-1351. We need you! The evenings, Saturdayand Sundayto dismantle theshow areparticularlydifficultspots to fill.
Wewill alsoneedvolunteerstostafftheChristmasplantsale.Volunteersarerequired for:
set up Thursday, December 3
members day Friday, December 4
public sale days Saturday and Sunday, December 5 and 6.
Please call us and register for a shift.
AllCivicGardenCentrevolunteersshouldreservetheafternoonofDecember9forthe volunteer party. You will receive an invitationin the mail. We d like all ofyou tobe available so that you can meet each other and at the same time, we will have an opportunity to thank you for your outstanding contribution of time and talent to the Centreduring1992. TheCivicGardenCentrewouldnotbetheplaceitistodaywithout your generous support.
\ Members pre-order day ¢I,~ ) Friday, December4, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. / Public sale
Saturday and Sunday, December 5 and 6, noon to 4.00p.m.
TakeadvantageofyourCivicGardenCentremembershipbyorderingallyourChristmas plants before November 30 and receive a 10% discount.
4" Poinsettia
6" Poinsettia
8" Poinsettia
10" Poinsettia
3' Poinsettia Tree
6" Cyclamen
6" Azalea
8" Christmas Planter
$3.69 Red ]
$5.99 Red[ ]
White [_] Pink [_]
White [_] Pink [_] Pink Peppermint£
$16.99 Red[ ]
White [_] Pink [_] Pink Peppermint [] Red/White[ ] Pink/White[ ]
$23.99 Red[_]
White [] Pink [_] Tricolor [_]
$39.99 Red[ ]
$10.99 Assorted Colors [_]
$17.49 Assorted Colors [_]
$13.99 Assorted Colors[_]
White [_] Pink [_]
* Pre-order your plants by calling 397-1355 before November 30, 1992. Pre-orders can also be mailed, faxed or left at the Centre. ® All varieties are subject to availability. * 10% members discount will apply to orders received prior to November 30, 1992. ¢ Please pay for your plants on member s pre-order day, December 4. ® A selection of new poinsettia types will also be available. ® Our prices are the same as last year! * All plants will be wrapped for winter protection. ® Questions? Call 397-1355.
Name:
Address: City:
Postal code: Phone:
Membership number:
Exp. date: Trellis, November, 1992
By Frank Kershaw
One of my hobbies is visiting and taking photographs of great gardens. Over the last20years, Ihavevisitedover200gardens in North America and abroad on my own andasatourguide.OnarecenttriptoNew England, I had the pleasure of visiting a truly remarkable garden, an experience I would like to share with Trellis readers Innisfree.
Innisfree is the result of the genius and artistic talents of Walter Beck, a noted American painter and sculptor. Beck, the son of German immigrants, was born in Dayton,Ohio,in 1864. Atage 58,hemarried MarionBurtStone,theheiresstotheMasabi Iron Range fortune, and commenced the mammoth job of creating a remarkable garden.
Innisfree comprises about 150 acres of the estate s more than one thousand acres. It took the Becks 22 years to achieve their vision.
Innisfreeemergesfromtherockyterrainof upstate New York and takes advantage of the unique natural features. It is not a flower or a botanical garden, but rather a seldom-seen cup garden.
Partoftheinspirationforthisgardencame from an ancient Chinese scroll of a cup
gardenfromtheT'angDynastybypoetand painter Wang Wei, whose works the Becks had seen in a London museum.
Suchgardensarebestdescribedasaplanned series of carefully sited objects in framed landscapes. Thenamecupcomes fromthe saucer-like enclosures of many of the settings. A serpentine path interconnects the various objects with the cups giving added drama and stature to their framed objects. Asonefollowsthepath,theobjects or features appear one by one beckoning the viewer onward with anticipation.
Thegarden calledInnisfree is locatedjust eastofPoughkeepsie,New York, near the villageofMillbrook.It iswithin400miles ofToronto. Innisfreeisopen to thepublic Maythrough October, WednesdaytoFriday,10:00a.m. to4:00p.m.andSaturday andSunday,11:00a.m.to5:00p.m. Weekday visits arefree; there s a $2 charge on weekends. After Mr. Beck sdeathin1954, Mrs. Beck turned the administration of thepropertyovertotheInnisfreeFoundation and thewatchfuleyes oftheFoundation s Lester Collins, the former dean of Harvard University s Department of Landscape Architecture and a personal friend ofthe Becks.
In reality, Innisfree is really one large cup, a 50-acre steel-blue lake surrounded by granite rock walls and rolling hills linked to a series of smaller, more intimate cups. Manyofthesesmallercupsframeunusualshaped rocks, some of which are named (for example, Owl Dragon and Turtle Rocks). Other features include statues, moss-edged waterfalls, lichen-covered rocks, contorted trees and even a manmadegeyser. Eachfeatureisdifferentand has its own intrinsic beauty. The overall impression Innisfree left me with was a carefulunityofland,water,rocksandvegetation all held together, albeit loosely, by the dynamic site and its features.
EarlierIcommentedthatInnisfreewasnot a flower or botanical garden. It is not, however, devoid of color or botanic specimens, as thousands of narcissi greet the springvisitorand an equalnumber ofwater lilies ring the lake in the summer. Native wildflowers are also conspicuous in spring with sheets of trillium, columbine and foam flower.
Mrs. Beck was particularly interested in theplantsandtookgreatcareinprotecting them when large rocks were moved into thegardenbywrappingtherocksinquilts. Innisfree s strengths liein its design, intricate details, textures and strong images. Vegetationneverdominatesbutratherenhances the textural experience with finetextured plants such as dawn redwoods, baldcypressand delicatemaidenhairferns contrastingwiththeboldstrongimagesof rock walls and terraces.
Anotherfeature I liked was a meandering
stream which winds its way to the lake. This stream is bordered by plants familiar toTorontonians such as royal fern, forgetme-not, and various primula. Dogwoods, hemlocks, sugar maple and oak cover the surroundinghills,creatingaMuskoka-like scene.
The English manor house which was the Beckresidenceis gone; thisisunfortunate as I have heard it was spectacular. Fortunately, there are many fine restored mansions in this area of the historic Hudson River Valley. One must-visit in nearby Hyde Park is the Vanderbilt mansion, an ornate Italian Renaissance palace. Also close by is the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library and Museum.
Innisfree is a unique and one-of-a-kind garden experience. It was always Beck s goal to create a garden that would inspire thevisitorandserveasadesignlaboratory of ideas for an indigenous American garden,agoalthatIbelievehasbeenachieved. It will evoke a variety of emotions and challengeyourideasaboutgardendesign.
Frank Kershawis anauthor,garden tourleader and lecturer. He is a member ofthe Centre.
Let the Civic Garden Centre solve your Christmas holidaygift-giving problems.
Spectacular poinsettias in decorative baskets can be custom designedfor any situation this holiday season.
Call Helen Craig or Anne Marie Van Nest at 397-1355
Congratulations to our three winners from the recent membership survey:
Leslie Ferguson, an Obsessed Amateur, willbe attending the 1993 Great Gardening conference on us
Frank Shields, a Budding Enthusiast, has won a course ofhis choice from the many offered at the Centre NansiLaing,alsoaBuddingEnthusiast,willbechoosingagiftfromTheTrellisShop worth $60.
Manythankstoallofyouforyouroverwhelmingresponse. We'llbefillingyouinonthe results in the near future.
Monday, February 22, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Members: $110
Non-members: $130
Fred McGourty is a designer of perennial borders, a teacher, a nurseryman and a writerfrom Norfolk, Connecticut. Forfifteenyears, he edited theBrooklyn Botanic GardenHandbookseries. Hegardenstwentyperennialbordersofhisownandisthe author of ThePerennial Gardener.
In thisworkshop, he willguide a smallgroup ofstudents through the challenging process of designing a successful perennial border.
The aim of this day is to give a simple, practical approach to border design based on exposures, light factors, soil types and moisture. Plant selection emphasizes both aesthetic appeal and low maintenance as a primary consideration.
This workshop is suitable to those who have grown some perennials before. A suitable reference for reading prior to this workshop isPerennials: How To Select, Growand Enjoy co-authoredbyPamHarperandFredMcGourty. Copiesmaybefoundatthe Civic Garden Centre Library and the Trellis Book Shop.
Graph paper and sharp pencils willbe supplied. Please bring your own lunch coffee and juice will be provided throughout the day.
Registration form is on page 19.
This plant pet sleeps at night and sings when your plant requires watering. Individually packaged. $19.95.
Uniquely individual, made by hand by a master craftsman from recycled garden tools andbicycle parts. Various colors, sizes and prices.
A selection of finely crafted music boxes. $33. J I~ 4
The Trellis Shop s Annual Christmas Sale Starts ember 9
The Snowman Factory Presents "It's Absoluteley Christmas"
McLean House
2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto
November 23,24, November 25 10 AM - 8 PM 10 AM - 4 PM
Design Show & Sale of Victorian Heirloom Decorations and Gifts
No Admission Charge For More Information, call 856-7669
Portion of Proceeds go to Research at Sunnybrook Health Science Centre
: Spnn(g' :.: (g Mrmnoz?mn- : |gain TheSteclesWestMarket Steeles west of Dufferin. |
GARDEN CENTRE
JGENUINE ITALIANTERRACOTTAPOTSANDJPLANTERS. AGREATSELECTIONOFGARDEJANDSUPPLIES,SOILS,HOUSEPLANTS,CACTI TOPIARY. LOTSOFBIRDFEEDERS ] &ASSORTEDFEED.ALLTHISANDMOREA jTHEBESTPRICESYOULLFINDANYWHERE
ROTPROOFMESH PLANTING, REMOVALANDSTORAGEBAGSWITH IDTAGSFORALLBULBSIN DANGER OFFREEZING INWINTER. PULLUP BULBSWITH LESSWORK-LESSMESS. NEVER CUT, CHOP, LOSE OR FREEZE A BULB AGAIN! FOR FREE SAMPLE, WRITE: BULB SAVERS, DEPT. T, BOX 3024, PRINCETON,NJ 08543-3024 USA
October, 1974:
In an article titled Tropical Plant Exhibits rival the Animals at newly opened Metro Zoo, Ken Brown encouraged gardeners to look at more than the animals when they visited Metro s showplace zoo.
Some of his facts:
® The Zoo collection contained more than 1,000 species; many of the tropical plants were rare and endangered.
* Plant materials came from nurseries in Florida, to reduce the possibility of introducing new pests and diseases from abroad.
* The Zoo palm collection was probablythemostvaried inNorth America.
* The Garden Club of Toronto donated a potting shed to the greenhousewhereatleastoneplant of each species was to be propagated for replacement purposes.
* Plants were shipped by truck from Florida; with speed limits imposedbygasolinerationing,the drive took 60 hours.
® Zoo pavilions did not use insecticides among the predators were 50,000 ladybugs imported from California.
Ken Brown said Gardeners with an interest in tropical plants will experienceanexcitinglearningadventureonabotanicalexploration at the Metro Toronto Zoo.
Use thismulti-event form to registerforCivic GardenCentre programs. Send ordeliver the form to the Centre or if you're using VISA or MasterCard phone the Centre. (Have your card number handy!) Questions? Call 397-1340.
Please register mefor: Event Date
1. Malcolm Hillier s Christmas November24 $10 $15
2. Catch the gardening spirit ~ February 21 $49 $59
3. Catch the gardening spirit =~ February 21 $ 875 $ 8.75 - lunch
4. Designing the perennial February22 $110 $130 border with Fred McGourty
Please register me for the program(s) I have circled: 1 2 3 4
Name: Phone: ( ) Area code
Address City: PostalCode:
Civic Garden Centre membership number: Expiry date:
Total amount:
Cheque enclosed D Pleasemakecheques payable to TheCivic Garden Center I prefer to use my VISA D MasterCard I:l
Cardnumber: Expirydate:
Signature:
November i
* Southern Ontario Orchid Society, meeting, 1:00 p.m.
5,6 and 7
EMistletoe Magic
~ Toronto sfinestChristmassale
~ ThursdayandFriday10:00a.m.
8 t09:00pm.
{i Saturday10:00a.m. to5:00p.m.
B
15
e Toronto Potters show and sale, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
* York RoseandGardenSociety,meeting, 2:00 p.m.
e Geranium and Pelargonium Society, awards and general meeting, 2:00 p.m.
Admission $1
Admission$4
8
"= Ontario Rock Garden Society, meeting - withDonJacobsofEcoGardens. Topic: A neat and tidy garden: a search for finer garden plants; 1:30 p.m.
~ * Toronto Gesneriad Society, meeting, ~2:00p.m.
9
16
* The art ofChinesebrush painting part 1, course #4126A
e A nutritional food trip, course #4142B
¢ MycologicalSociety, meeting, 7:00p.m.
Speaker: Dr. Jim Anderson. Topic: The fungal individual.
¢ Toronto Bonsai Society, meeting, 7:00 p-m.
17
e Toronto Cactus and Succulent Club, meeting, 7:30 p.m.
18
~ * Mycological Society, meeting, 7:00 p.m.
~* Toronto Bonsai Society, meeting, 7:00 p-m.
Y * Survivingthefestivefoodfrenzy,course & - #4142A
* Southern Ontario Orchid Society New- comers, meeting, 7:30 p.m.
10
¢ Choosing innovative picture frames, course#4118
¢ North Toronto Horticultural Society, meeting, 7:30 p.m.
* Men s GardenClub, meeting,8:00 p.m.
11
* Decorative green series wreaths, course #4107-1
14
* Canadian Wildflower Society, annual general meeting, 9:30 a.m.
* Southern Ontario Orchid Society, judging centre, 1:00 p.m.
* TorontoPotters showandsale,5:00p.m. to0 9:00 p.m.
e Decorative greens series topiary, course#4107-2
19
¢ TheEdwards Foundation Lecture MacGriswold
Garden treasures: Americanrobberbarons 1890 -1940 7:30p.m. Freeadmission 21 - 22
e lkebana International Chapter #208, show,10:00a.m.to5:00p.m. Demonstrations at noon, 1:30, 2:45 and 4:00 p.m. 24
¢ CountdowntoChristmas with Malcolm Hillier, 1:00 p.m. Admission: members $10,non-members$15 25
* Decorative green series step dried arrangement, course #4107-3 29
* TorontoGesneriadSociety,meeting,2:00 p-m.
¢ RhododendronSociety,meeting,2:00p.m.
TheCivicGardenCentrewarmlywelcomesnewmembers.Joinus,and meetfriendswhosharean interest in gardening, floral arts and horticulture.
Activities:
The Civic GardenCentre offers: e garden tours
e workshops, classes and clinics e horticultural library
* flower shows
* lectures
® The Trellis Shop (garden
* soil testing service
e gardening hotline
® Master Gardeners' activities supplies, plants, gifts and books)
e Trellis newsletter
e plantsales
o fund-raising activities
Member discounts apply on many of these activities.
Volunteers:
ThetalentsandenthusiasmofCivicGardenCentrevolunteerspermitofferingavarietyofprograms and special events. Ifyou areable to offer time on a regularoras-needed basis, pleasecontactour volunteerco-ordinator.Volunteerjobsincludetourguides,shopsales,libraryassistants,secretarial, reception, horticulturalassistant, committee member oravolunteer position tailored to meet your particular skills orinterest.
Mail to: The Civic Garden Centre, 777 Lawrence Avenue East, North York, Ontario M3C 1P2
New member ] Please print:
Renewing member [ ]
Singlemembership ~ $25
Family membership ~ $35 PIEyVAR,Atek
Gift membership ] Addhid
Donation, tax deductible
Total Apt.
Method of payment L [] Cheque (payable to the Civic City Garden Centre) Aibeak il
(CJvisa []MasterCard R
garc.l m;mber Telephone (home) xpiry date
Signature (business)