The newsletter of the Civic Garden Centre in Metropolitan Toronto October, 1993 Volume 20, Number 9
October 1, 6:30 p.m.
The Great Canadian Gardening Conference Dinner
Speaker: DavidTarrant
October 2 and 3, 10:00 a.m.
Thatilih Caar Canadn
October4, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Gardening Conference Lectures and discussions
Private Gardens: Plants and designs with Speakers from the Great b Canadian GardeningConference
There s somethingfor everyone thisfall at the Civic Garden Centre
& October 6, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. %
October 12, 7:30 p.m.
Book Launch: An Edwards Garden Evening
The Canadian Gardener s Guide to Speaker: PeterCunnington Foliageand Design Flowers ofthe Swiss andFrench
ByMarjorie Harris Mountains
5 Photogfaphyby Tim Saunders 9l
e !
November 23 and 28, -November4,5,6 and 7 A Heritage Christmas
Mistletoe Magic Speakers fromThe Grange, The The Centre s show, Garden Club ofToronto and i3 and sale of crafts g, _) Horticultural Designs
Civic Garden Centre GeneralInformation
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:
Summer(April1 toOctober31):weekdays 9:30a.m.to5:00p.m.; weekendsandholidays noon to 5:00 p.m. Winter (November 1 to March 31): weekdays 9:30 a.m. to4:00 p.m.; weekends and holidays noon to 4:00 p.m.
Telephone: All numbers are area code 416.
Main number: 397-1340
Rentals: 397-1349
Special events: 397-1350
Trellis Shop: 397-1357
Courseinformation: 397-1340
Fax: 397-1354
Gardening hotline: 397-1345 (hours: noon to 3:00 p.m.)
Executive committee:
President: Robin Wilson
Honorary counsel:
Aird and Berlis Vice-president and treasurer:
PeterJ. Lewis
Civic Garden Centre staff members: Members: Cicely Bell, Mary Anne
Executive director: Sally Sullivan Brinckman, Roger Silverthorne
Accounts: Janie Brentnall
Courses: Ann Warren
Education officer: Ruth MacKneson
Board of directors:
Horticulturists:
For1993: CicelyBell,HeatherBrodeur, Anne Mar%e VanNest
Peter J. Lewis, Susan Macaulay, Mary . Helen Craig Rl g
Librarian: Pamela MacKenzie Mills, Maureen Naylor, Laura Rapp. Maini R
For 1993-1994: Marjorie Harris, Louise . K R Bibontie: Boin Walter Morassutti
V\Z g s SO TR
993-1995: Mary Anne Brinck
Rental agent: Betsy Chubb
Secretary: Shirley Lyons
Rt iy, A TACKMAN, Trellis Shop manager: Jackie Brisby Bayla Gross, Nancy Laurie, David
Representativeof MetropolitanToronto v/olunteerco-ordinator and publicity: Parks and Property: John Howard. Carolyn Dalgarno
15 Plantofthemonth 16 TheTrellis Shop
Insidebackcover: Comingevents
TRELLIS
Volume 20, Number 9
Editor: Iris Hossé Phillips
Editorialco-ordinator: Leslie Lynch
Advertisinginformation: (416) 397-1340
Printed by Raised Image, Etobicoke, on recycled paper
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. Telephone number: (416) 397-1340.
Manuscripts submitted on a voluntary basis are gratefully received. No remuneration is possible.
Articles, manuscripts and advertising material must be received by the 15th of the month to insure publication six weeks later. For example, material received by Decmber 15 will be included in the February issue of Trellis.
Opinions expressed within Trellis do not necessarily reflect those of the Centre. Submissions may be edited for style and clarity.
The Centre is pleased to grant permission to copy material published in Trellis; however, credit to the author and Trellis must be given.
Editor's note
By Iris Phillips
Myreadingofbooksrelatedtohorticulture, gardens and plants goes on throughout the year. ThispastAugustIreadmanynewand old publications. Of particular interest is SaraStein snewbook,Noah'sGarden:Restoring the Ecology of Our Own Back Yards, HoughtonMifflin,1993. Mrs.Steinrecounts her effortsto createa gardenthatis a haven forcommunities ofplants, animals, reptiles, insectsandbirds. Analternatesub-titletothe bookcouldbe theunmakingofatraditional gardener or beyondtheperennialborder .
This bookexplores in detail how to construct a garden where all creatures are welcome. A sampling of some chapter titles providesacluetohervision: "Unbecoming aGardener", WhoGetstoStayAboard the Ark? , TheAphidontheRose , ToPlanta Prairie , Frogs: In memoriam . Mrs Stein goesintogreatdetailtoexplaintherelationshipswithinhabitats;forexample,shetellsof the relation between mullein (Verbascum thapsis)andthehummingbird. Thedownon themulleinisthemainingredientforthetiny egg-cup nest ofthe hummingbird.
I am looking forward to hearing Carol Franklin speak at the Great Canadian GardeningConference. Hertopicis Designing with Native Plant Communities and Habitats .
Thisconferencehasanoutstandingroster ofspeakers. Ihope to seeyou there.
Art in The Link
September 28 to October 11
Elisabeth Bacque Gardens and Scarecrows
Trellis, October 1993
E
October 1, 2, 3
There s still time to telephone the Nl
B Centre to register for our international ll
B celebration of gardening the Great 4
B canadian Gardening Conference and [| the Conference Dinner.
October 1
Meet conference delegates and speakers at dinner
Join Conference participants at the Friday night dinner at the Inn on the Park. David Tarrant, co-host of C.B.C. s Canadian Gardener, will show us amazing slides of gardens in Canada.
Cost: $45
Time: 6:30 p.m. cash bar
7:30 p.m. dinner
To reserve, call 397-1340
October 2 and 3
Speakers are:
Trygve Sundt, Norway
Jamie Garnock (Earl of Lindsay),U.K.
Rosemary Verey, U.K.
Nan Sinton and Gary Koller, U.S.A.
Joe Eck and Wayne Winterrowd,U.S.A
Allen Paterson, Canada
Carol Franklin, U.S.A.
To register phone: 397-1340 orfax 397-1354
Seethe September Trellisforfull details.
AN EDWARDS GARDEN EVENING Tuesday, October 12 7:30 p.m.
Speaker: Peter Cunnington
Topic: Flowers ofthe Swiss and French mountains
PeterCunningtoniscuratoroftheUniversity of Liverpool Botanic Gardens atNess, England. He has travelled widelyin themountains ofEuropeand SovietCentralAsia and has visited the Sikkim Himalayas. He is currently part of a group planning a major scientificexpeditiontotheTienShanMountains of Uzbekistan and Kirghizia. In addition, Peter sits on several committees of the Royal Horticultural Society and the Alpine Garden Society.
TheEuropeanAlpshavearichandvaried flora; from woodland meadows to high up rockycrevices, comeawiderangeofplants, some familiar, others unknown. During his slide-illustratedtalk,Peterwillexaminehabitatsandplantsthatoccupythem,andhowto grow some athome.
Starting in the French Alps, above Grenoble, we move east to the Bernese Oberland and the famous Lauterbrunnen Valley. Then we shall go south to the PyreneesbetweenFranceandSpaintoseefabulous mountain flowers growing near lakes and streams.
Joinusforabreathtakinglookatsomeof the most outstanding masterpieces nature has to offer.
The Edwards Garden Evenings arefunded by the Edwards Charitable Foundation which helps the Civic Garden Centre provide its members and the public with exciting and varied presentations on topics related togardening. There is noadmission chargeformembersoftheCentre;non-members,$4.
Trellis, October, 1993
The
3 ER S
DIAN GARDEN CaNA GUIDE TO OLIAGE & | GA%:{DEN,, DESIGN
by MarjorieHarris
Following the over- On October 6th, 1993 you may come to whelming success of the CGC to purchase a signed copy at The Canadian Gardener, the Trellis Shop. If you purchase a book, the Civic GardenCentre ~ an invitation to the launch party (from and the Garden Club ofToronto are very 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm in the Floral Hall) pleased to host the Canadian launch of will be included. Marjorie Harris and Tim Saunders newest book The Canadian Gardeners Guide to Marjorie and Tim will be at the launch Foliage and Garden Design. party. Do come and meet them.
Green Tie Optional
Photography by Tom Saunders
Course comments
byAnn Warren, course co-ordinator
We've been receiving great reports from participants in our summer courses. Some took time off work just to learn with us whichisexcitingconsideringthisisonlyour second summer season.
Attendanceatgardeningcoursesisgenerallyonthedecline,butMarionJarviepacked themintohercoursePropagatingNowwiththe onlyregretbeing notenoughtimetolearnit all. (We are working to address the commentsmadeonthe Course Evaluation Forms).
Linda Montgomery s Colour Impressions Outdoors was successful. Linda just returnedfromteachingonaB.C.kayakadventureandatriptoAlaskawithRobertBateman found our students highly responsive to her free style and inspirational perception, not to mention the fact that they loved the outdoorclass. This was also truewithBetty Greenacre s well attended Photographing Plants.
CLASSIFIED
CanIhelpwithyourfallchecklist? Garden projects,fallcleanup,bulbplanting,careof perennials and roses, windows cleaned, painting - inside or out. Reasonablerates. Referencesprovided. Call Stephen at 362-7434. L]
More for the mind, lecture series. The HistoryofEnglishGardens. ProfessorDouglas Chambers. Seven illustrated lectures from September 29, 6:30 p.m. Single lectures available. Call416-925-9413 orfax416-9244395.
Inflowerarranging,greatfunwashadby allinCharlotteSmith sandEllaIrving sYear RoundBouquetsandEuropeanContinentalStyle, respectively. EllaandCharlottehaveanatural grace and enthusiasm, and believe in encouraging creativity. Judy Ellen, who launched basketmaking at the Centre, returnedtointroducetheVineyRandom Weave Basket,whichallowedbeginnerstotakehome a lovelyfree-formobject.
Currently wearewrappinguptheseason withGlenSimmons PapierMiché. Hisdevotees write ...the teacher has a wonderful, easy,mannerwhichstimulateseachstudent s creativeself. Histalent,expertiseandenthusiasmaddtotheenjoymentofthecourse....It is a real joy working with such a renowned artist! And as I peeked in on them, I profoundlyregrettedthatIwasunabletoparticipate in the class. Their workwas exquisite! Unfortunately, last minute registrations whichseemedtobethevoguethisseason resultedinunnecessarycancellations.Make sureyouregisterBEFOREthecancellationdeadlinesothatwedon thavetocancelcourses. Every effort is being made to keep our fees as low as possible.
1994 Master Class in Oriental Art with Henry Wo Yue-Kee
Great news for 1994! Henry Wo Yue-Kee will be teaching again at the Centre evenings April 25, 26,27, 28, and morningsMay 2.3.4.5. Registration could be an excellent gift for an artist.
The registration fee will be $200 for membersand$230fornon-members.
Questions and answers with the Master Gardeners
Q. HowdolIharvestgourdsforornamental use?
A. Let them ripen on the vine. Harvest before frost, beingcarefulnottobruisethem. Washwithadisinfectanttopreventmoulds.Dryinanairyplace. Polishwith floorwaxwhencompletelydry. Don tuseshellac it alters the colours. Wait until the gourd is dry before drillingaholetohangitby. Gourds can begrown in many shapes and sizes
Q. I'mtakinginmysunshine(NewGuinea) impatiens. Howcan Ipropagate them tohave newplants nextyear?
A. One of the New Guinea impatiens, Tango, is grown onlyfromseed. Theotherscanbepropagatedfromcuttings. Thesewillrootin waterorina sterilepottingmixand will growonduringthewinter. Theyneedabrightlighttoavoid having spindly plants. Becareful not to over-water them.
New Guinea Impatiens will root in water
Q. I'mpreparinganewareaforplanting S e shrubs. ShouldIgeta load ofTripleMix oroftopsoil to incorporate into thisarea? /[1(
A. Triple Mix contains horse manure, sand and peat A sothiswillbepreferableasitwillprovidemorenutrition~ o~ fortheplants. Theshrubswillbeinsitu foralongtime, Add sollam endments so it willbebest to have the fertilizer, humus and sand before planting a hedge fordrainage added first.
Thanks to VivienJenkinsonforillustrations.
MotherNature provides manygardeningsurprises
ByAnneMarie Van Nest, Centre horticulturist
Isn tMotherNaturewonderful? Afterdenyingsun-lovingplantsandmortalsallbutthe briefest glimpse of golden rays during the summer of 1992, this summer was a big surprise. Whatanear-perfectoutcomeafter so many predicted anotherrainy season.
The garden is always a forum for surprises,both pleasantand trying.
Each spring, it's worth betting your first ripe tomato that some garden plant will mysteriously emerge a metre away from its last knowngrowing location.
Any number of perennials might selfseedinthegardenand produceoffspringof an exciting new colour or flower shape. Aquilegia(columbines)andPapaver(poppies) arenotorious forthis.
Some uninvited guests are harder to explain. There s a big patch of double Hemerocallisfulva (daylilies) growing on the bankalongWilketCreekin theparknextto EdwardsGardens. ThechildrenintheCentre ssummergardening program all stopto look at it (briefly) before they march off to searchformoreexcitingtreasureslikegarter snakes, caterpillars orbutterflies.
Dayliliesdonotsetseedandmustspread bytransportingtherootstock. It'sinteresting to ponder howthis healthyclump ofperennials arrived here in the wild and natural valley.
Perhaps a member of the Milne family planted it here when they were building millsalongthecreekinthemid-1800s. Maybe a generous gardener divided a family heirloomplant and planted a clump whereotherswouldenjoyit. OrdidtheMetroToronto Parks and Property Department plant it as they have done with Monarda (bergamot or beebalm),Asclepias tuberosa (butterflyweed) andLobeliacardinalis(cardinalflower)tobring wildflowersbackinto thevalley?
This summer brought an even greater surprisetoaTorontogardenerwhowatched inastonishmentasasmallpatchofmediumgreen,succulent-leafedplantsjustkeptgrowing ... and growing ... and growing.
At two metres, it flowered, with interesting mauveandyellow,open-facedsnapdragonlikeflowerswithmaroonspotsonthethroat. Theflowersresembledtheshapeandfloweringhabitofournativetouch-me-notorjewel weed that grows in moist, shady wooded sites.
The plant was identified as Impatiens glandulifera (1. roylei) and is originally from themountainsofIndia! Thisrareannualhas travelled half way around the globe to become naturalized. It is found in a small sectionofNorthAmericafromOntariotoNova Scotia and down to Massachusetts. It has alsonaturalizeditselfinEngland. Howthis monsterannualwitha15cmbasalsucculent Trellis, October, 1993
A not-so-pleasant surprise was the numberofgardenerswhoarebattlingaperennialcalledCynanchumnigrum. Thisplant, also called black swallow-wort or more appropriately dog strangling vine, is in the Asclepiadaceae (milkweed) family and spreadsbyseedsandundergroundrhizomes. Its similarities to our native milkweed end afterthemilkysapandthepod-likeseedcase which holds brown seeds with white silky parachutes.
The black swallow-wort is not a wellbehavedplant;itsstemsgrowtoanexcessof one metre. The plant was introduced into Ontario from Europe, northern Africa and westernAsiatohelpstabilizethebanksleading up to railway tracks and roads. This it does very well, but it does not stop here. It spreads profusely, both by self-seeding the light fluffyparachute-equipped seeds
travelagreatdistancefromtheoriginalplant and by underground shoots. This naturalizedplantis troublesomefor another reason as well. The vine-like stems growonetotwometresinlengththatsmother nearbyplants. Itisveryaggressiveinclimbingoveranythinginitspath. Largeareasare beingtakenoverbythisplantthroughoutthe ravinesystemofToronto.Unfortunately,little attention is paid to it from anyone other than gardeners with ravine properties who havetried to tame thevine.
Unlike Lythrum salicaria, the purple loosestrife with its very recognizable blooms, the black swallow-wort has very insignificantmaroon-chocolateflowers. The blooms are held on short stalks in clusters and are heavily scented. There will some difficulty to muster public support to eradicate a rampant plant which is destroying our native plant life when it looks like an ordinary, albeit numerous, green vine.
Letusknowaboutyoursummersurprises.
7 ;'16 56lectures are a unique chance for you to heartheseoutstandinggardeners focus on specificsubjects, and willprovide therareopportunityforyou te discussyour gardeningideas andproblems with them.
The speakers are staying on after the Great Canadian Gardening Conference to give lectures illustrated with slides. Each speaker will concentrate on a particularaspect ofgardening.
Registration is limitedso sign up quicklyif youplan to attend. To registerphone 397-1340.
NAN SINTON AND GARY KOLLER:
9:00 AM-NOON
Plants asArchitectural Elements ofthe Garden
Members $60 Non-members $70 No refunds after September 24.
European garden design has perfected the use ofhedges, topiary, pleaching and espaliers as devices to add visual and spatial interest to the garden. Sinton and Koller will explore traditional methods of training plants and show how the adaptation ofselected natural forms, such as weeping or contorted might be joined with historic styles to bring a new sense oflife
to the garden. Topics to be covered include plant selection, methods oftraining and maintaining plants and their uses in contemporary design.
Thislectureis designedforgardenersinterestedin addingnewplantanddesign dimensions to theirgardens.
ALLEN
PATERSON: 12:15-2:15 PM (Please bring a silent lunch. No apples!) Plantsfor the Shade
Members $50 Non-members $60 No refunds after September 24.
Gardening in shade sites has the reputation ofbeing impossibly difficult. My garden is all shade, people groan, I can t grow a thing. What they really mean is that most ofthe common summer standbys the marigolds, salvias and so on fail miserably. These brilliant annuals originate as sub-tropical plants which succeed in the wild in sunny situations. Therefore, instead oflamenting the ecologically impossible, shade gardeners need to search out plants that are programmed to prefer it. Fortunately, many ofthe beautiful plants we can grow, especially among the perennials and flowering shrubs, fall into this category. The discussion will concentrate on annuals, perennials, shrubs and perhaps even more trees. Shady sites are capable of
adding dimensions to our gardeningpleasure that unrelieved sun can never achieve.
ThislectureIsdesignedforgardenerswho want to achievebeautifulgarden roomsin theshade. Aplantlistwillbehandedoutat thesession.
JOE ECK AND WAYNE WINTERROWD:
2:30-5:30 PM
Designing a Small Garden
Members $60 Non-members $70 No refunds after September 24.
Using slides oftheir own five acre garden at North Hill, in Readsboro, Vermont, Eck and Winterrowd will identify key design concepts that may be applied to anysuburban or country garden and once understood, will make gardeners not only better designers but also more informed viewers ofgardens. Among the concepts that will be covered are frame, style, mass, symmetry and asymmetry, access and repose. Structured as a workshop in practical design, the session will include a walkthrough ofNorth Hill. Nowin its seventeenthyear, North Hill has been featured in many books and garden publications includingHorticulture, TheJournalofthe RoyalHorticulturalSociety, Anne Lovejoy s TheAmerican MixedBorder, Rosemary Verey's TheAmerican Man s Garden, and Penelope Hobhouse's FlowerGardens.
Thislectureisdesignedforthe beginning or intermediategardener. Ifyou are creatinga newgarden or unsure ofhow toproceed this is theplaceforyou.
JAMIE GARNOCK (THE EARL OF LINDSAY): 7:00-9:00
PM
Architectural Patterns andMaterials in the Garden
Members $50 Non-members $60 No refunds after September 24.
Paths, steps, terraces, patios, drives, trellises can be built to enhance the garden ofwhich they become an inseparable part. Choosing the right materials and patterns for the surroundings and paying close attention to scale, proportion and detail, are critical to achieve a superb design. This lecture provides an in-depth look at architectural patterns and materials including: brickwork, cut stones, uncut stones, gravels, woods, concrete and grass. Lord Lindsay will examine some ofthe modern and traditional styles which apply to the contemporary garden; for example, Moorish mosaics, pebble patterns, combinations ofstone, pebbles, tiles or grass.
This lecture is not to be missed by anyone planningstructural changes to theirgarden orwho isinvolvedingarden design.
November4, 5, 6 and 7
Toronto s finest craft show
Mistletoe Magic, the Civic Garden Centre s show and sale of Ontario crafts, celebrates the YearofCraft. Itfeatures distinctive workbymorethan 70 ofOntario sbest artisans.
Eachyear,adiligentsearchisconductedthroughoutOntariotofindthebestexhibitorsin each category. Attention is paid to pricing as well as variety to achieve a balance with something to offer to everyone.
Our growing reputation as Ontario s premier fall craft show has broughtus many new exhibitors anda widevarietyofnewcraftitems. Thediscriminatingshopperwillbeableto findthatveryspecialgiftforalmosteveryoneontheirChristmasshoppinglist. Therearealso decorationsforthehomeand manyspecialtyfooditems. BoththeGardenClubofToronto andMilneHouseGardenClubwillhavetheirownareasintheshow. Thecafewillbeserving morningcoffee,lunchand afternoontea.
As an added shopping incentive, during Mistletoe Magic, everyone will receive a 10% discountcouponfortheTrellisShop. Thiscoupon,combinedwithyourmember sdiscount of10%, meansatotal20%discount-athankyouforattendingMistletoeMagicthisyear. Our shop manager has just returned from New York with a selection ofmany outstanding gift items for theholiday season.
Mistletoe Magic raises a significant portion ofthe funds needed to enable the Centre to continuetoofferitsservicesandprogrammingtoitsmembersandthepublic. Asamember, youarea veryimportantpartofthisorganizationandwehopewecancountonyoursupport. TheshowisbeingheldattheCentre,November4,5,6and7. ItwillbeopenThursdayand Friday from10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sundayfrom 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Please notethechangeoftimes instead ofbeingopen onThursdayand Fridayevenings, wewillbeopenSunday. Admissionis$4andparkingisfree. Ticketsareavailableatthedoor.
In October our focus turns towards staffing Mistletoe Magic. We need approximately 120 enthusiastic volunteers the first week in November to make this event possible. ProceedsfromthisverysuccessfulshowhelpsupporttheCentrethroughout the year. This is a wonderful opportunity to volunteer your time to help the Centreandit sfun! Pleasepickupthetelephoneandbookforatleastoneshiftduring the show. We need you!
Setting up the show
November 1, 2 and 3
Weneedvolunteerstohelp setup the show. This includesputtingskirtsand cloths ontables,decorating,signageand,onWednesday,helpingtheexhibitorslocatetheir booths and move in. On these days, we will beworking from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Justcallandletusknowifyoucanassistinthemorning,afternoonorboth! Ifwecan find enough people who enjoy teamwork, no job will be onerous.
During the show
November 4, 5, 6 and 7
ThisyearMistletoeMagicwillbeopenThursdayand Fridayfrom 10:00a.m. to 6:00 p-m. and Saturdayand Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We willbe open on the Sundayrather than evenings. We need volunteers to do thefollowing jobs during each shift:
* front door sales
¢ exhibitor hosting
¢ cafe hostess
e front door greeter
* mum sales
¢ help in the cafe
¢ cashiers and assistance for the shop and plant sale area
* floaters to give other volunteers a break
Shifts
Thursday and Friday, November 4 and 5:
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, November 6 and 7:
10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
You are asked tocome to theboard room to checkin and pickupyour volunteer apron and name tag a half an hour before your shift.
Dismantling the show
November 8
We will need 6 to 8 volunteers to help dismantle the show and pack away the decorations for next year. Starting time will be 9:00 a.m. and, with eager hands, we should be completely cleaned up by noon.
Mistletoe Magic has gained a reputationboth among theexhibitors and the public as being one of the best craft shows in Ontario. Our volunteers have made this possible. Please call us at 397-1351.
A Heritage Christmas
Offered: Tuesday, November 23, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, November 28, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Admission: $15
At Christmas we reflect on the traditions of the past and try to replicate them. This program will provide three 45-minute demonstrations on Christmas decorations.
Demonstration 1: Ann O Brian and Mary Aziz are two active members of the Grange VolunteerCommittee. TheGrange,builtin 1817, is theoldestbrickhouseinToronto and part of the Art Gallery of Ontario. Ann and Mary will demonstrate how to make the Christmas decoration which hangs in the fan light space over the front door. It is embellished with cedar, pine, apples and clusters of nuts and is easily adapted for windows, doors and fireplaces within the home.
Demonstration 2: Barbara Ann Hynes, a member of the Garden Club of Toronto has won many awards for her extraordinary table settings and decorative work. Her demonstration is called Christmas at my House. This traditional yet very individual presentationwillincludethreetablearrangements. Thesefestivetableswillbeadornedwith boxwood, holly and ivy. There will be a handout sheet with clear directions to take home. Demonstration3: Learnthreedifferentwaystocreateawarm,invitingholidayentrance with Michael Renaud. Baskets, wreaths and a plywood Christmas tree will be used to create these exceptional entry decorations. Michael worked as a landscaper, window display artist and as a floral designer. Recently,Michaeland hispartnerMartinCiccone opened Horticultural Design, combining floral and interior design into onebusiness.
Registration form: check [ ] November 23
To register send for, phone 397-1340 [JNovember 28 or fax 397-1354.
No refund for Nov. 23 after Nov. 16.
No refund for Nov. 28 after Nov. 23.
Name: Phone: ( ) Area code
Address City: Postal code:
CGC membership number: Expirydate:
Total amount:
Chequeenclosed :] Pleasemakechequespayable to The Civic Garden Center I prefer to use my VISA I ___] MasterCard :I
Cardnumber: Expirydate:
Signature:
Peter Thomas bequest
Peter Thomas, landscape architect, previous member of the board of the Civic Garden Centre and first chairman of the very successful Through the Garden Gate tours, died recently. He willbe missed by all who had the privilege ofknowing him.
Peter chose to honor Helen Flagg by funding garden talks at the Centre in her memory. Helenwasadedicatedgardener, whose love of growing things had a profound influence on Peter, setting himonto the path towards both ahfe-long interest and profession.
ChristopherLloyddescribesindetail,season by season, the flowering plants in his own garden, the celebrated Great Dixter. Withitsexcellentphotographsandinspiring writing, it is a source ofideas for the North American and Englishgardeneralike.
This important work first appeared in 1976andisnowgreatlyexpandedandillustrated with the author s own colour photographs. Hedescribesplantswhichdowellin his owngardeninBoston (USDAhardiness zone 6). This book is a useful and comprehensive guideto selectingperennials.
GARDEN CENTRE
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The Soothing Sound of Moving Water
The Beauty of Water Lilies ®
We can supply you with Pool Liners, Pumps, Water Plants and all your other Water Gardening Needs
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Our Landscape Designers willprovide Personalized Landscape Design & Installation Serviceforyour Garden, whether it be New or Old, Large or Small ®
Open 7 Days a Week All Year at Two Locations to Serve You
320 Steeles E 9211 Bayview
Bayview Ave @ 16th Ave
Presented at Civic Garden Centre favoarite TAX STRATEGIES WITHIN YOUR FINANCIAL PLAN flowens Free seminar
Saturday, October 30, 1993 9:45 a.m. - noon
Continental breakfast served. Call 223-4605 and ask for Sandra Foster to reserve. THE EQUION GROUP 56 Sheppard Ave. West, North York M2N 1X2 flora ® fauna| iwGs@ drawings e illustrations 416-487-8555
ARMSTRONG & BLACKBURY HORTICULTURAL PRODUCTS
The shop will be open in the evening on Tuesday, October 12.
The Trellis Sh WEARENOWINTRO?DTJ%INGANEERvs S LINEOFEXCLUSIVETRADITIONAL d ENGLISHTRELLISESI FORACOMPLETE COMPLIMENTARYPRODUCTLISTING CALL(416)747-7116ORVISITOUR NEWBOTANICAL WAREHOUSEAT 16BETHRIDGE ROADINREXDALEFORAHUGESELECTIONOF POTS,PLANTERSANDBEAUTIFULENGLISHTRELLISES!
For the love ofgardens. P
When you're atwork on the garden you love, remember Sheridan Nourseries. At Sheridan, we have expert staffto help you, and the finest selection ofnursery stock in Canada, including over 750 types ofplants and trees grown on our own farms. And all ofour nursery stockis guaranteed fortwo full years.
Need anyadvice to help make yourgarden even lovelier? Gardens By Sheridan landscape designers offer everything from peerless consultation and planning to complete construction and mainte-
nancée services. All forthe loveofgardens, atSheridanNurseries.
Plantofthemonth: Alliumchristophii
ByAnnaLeggatt
Alliumchristophiiisoneofmyfavouriteornamental onions. Known also as Allium albopilosum,itisa usefuladditiontotheperennialborder.
Thebulbsaresmallandwhite,onlyabout 4cmacross,surprisinglysmallforthesizeof theflowerballthatemerges.Inspring,large, light-green silky leaves appear. They are about40cmlongandarelanceolate,tapering fromthebasetothepointedtips.
The leaves wither as the flowering stem elongates.Thisgrowstoabout50cmhighin June,sodon tputitinthebackoftheborder, thinking that it will be as tall as the giant onion, Allium giganticum. The individual flowers are quite large for an onion, two to three cm across, forming a silvery-mauve star. The mass of flowers together form a head almostthe size ofabasketball! I have
had them 30 cm across in good soil, but usuallytheyareonlyabout18cmasIgrow themin a hot, dryplace.
Aftertheflowershavewithered, drythe heads for dried flower arranging. You can wait for the seed to form first, but then the head is morebrittle.
Thebulbsaregenerallyavailableinbetter nurseries and the Trellis Shop. Plant them by mid-October in the Toronto area, about14cmdeep,inwell-drained soilwith plenty ofsun.
Theyareeasyfromseed. Planttheseeds in a pot, making sure that thesoil is damp, notwet;placeina plasticbaginthefridgefor three weeks and then bring into a warm sunny place. It takes three years till they flower, so I just let mine self-seed.
Look for other ornamental onions they come inall colours and heights.
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Plant sources!
AnnaLeggattis a TorontoMasterGardenerand editoroftheJournaloftheOntarioRockGarden Society.
Meant Sarcastic
WE know, of course, that for our sins We buy our peaches packed in tins; And there s another modern vice Ofeating apples offthe ice; But wouldn t it be simply grand If all our roses could be canned?
by Reginald Arkell
The Trellis Shop= =
(@&\:\ \ Water gently ripples
[g\ \\\@ over ledges of hand
%\ \ S split slate.
I. Fountain kit, $185 7/ Al (i
New! Tranquillity Water Gardens
Small blocks can be re-arranged to change the patterns and sounds of falling water.
Three tier fountain, $185 -, %
Slate flower holders also available.
Small fountain, $165
Thanks to Margaret Collins for art.
Comingeventsatthe Centre
October, 1993
1
* The Great CanadianGardening ConferenceDinner,6:30p.m. =
* Orchidjudgingcentre, 1:00 p.m. 2,3
* The Great Canadian Gardening Conference: Privategardens: plantsanddesign -
* The Great CanadianGardening Conference: Experts StayOn
