The newsletter of the Civic Garden Centre in Metropolitan Toronto November, 1995 , Number 10
MAGIC
TORONTO S FINEST CRAFT SALE
FEATURING HANDCRAFTED GIFTS, DISTINCTIVE BOUTIQUES, HOLIDAY DECORATIONS, SPECIALTY FOODS AND UNIQUE CRAFTS ALSO SERVING MORNING COFFEE, LUNCH & AFTERNOON TEA ®
NOVEMBER 9, 10, 11 & 12, 1995
THURSDAY 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. FRIDAY, SAT. & SUN. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. ar the CIVIC GARDEN CENTRE
PARKING * ADMISSION $5.00
Civic Garde General Inf
The Civic Garden ( »m whose mission is to act as a | environmental issues by en ring, disseminating and inte f life for members of the corr
Located in Edwa in North York, the Centre sery 5 Ontario. The Civic Garden Trellis , exhibits and shows. Please ¢ o Vol. 22 No.10 ours:
Winter (November November, 1995 ends 3511(\)((1) SR s m. to J: holidays noon to 4:( p-m.; weekends anc
Telephone: Area cc
Main number: 397Rentals: 397-1349
Library: 397-1340
Gardening hotline:
Board of directors:
Chair: Lynne Robbins
Members: Peter Boeckle
Lindsay Dale-Harris
Date M~
Staff members:
Executive director: Bonnie Hillman
Manager, community and educational programs: Diana von Appen
John Dean Horticglturist: Stephen Westcott-Gratton & sratte Diliae Libre?rlan : Rc'>slyn TI \eO(%oTe
st Z:i:giiltz;rketing and spI:cjalli:\S/Zitz hps
John Howard : :
Lorraine Johnson
Gwen Kearney
Nancy Laurie
Barbara Mayer
Mary Mingie
David Money
Maureen Naylor
Anthea O'Reagan
Helen Shaw
Roger Silverthorne
Robin Wilson
Trellis Shop manager: Carolyn Dalgarno
Joel Lavine
Trellis Shop assistant manager:
Plant buyer:
Manager, administration and facility rentals:
Ellen Eisenberg
Betsy Chubb
Walter Morassutti
Maintenance supervisor: Barbara Stevenson
Bookkeeper/administrative assistant:
Administrative assistant: Janie Brentnall
Shirley Lyons
Classified Insidebackcover: Coming events
TRELLIS
Volume 22, Number 10
Editor: Iris Hossé Phillips
Editorialco-ordinator: Leslie Lynch
Advertisinginformation: (416)397-1340
PrintedbyRaised Image, Etobicoke, on recycledpaper
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: (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 December 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.
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without written permission.
Editor s note
ByIris Phillips
In late September I received a postcard from a friend who visited the Royal Gardens of Hanover-Herrenhausen in Germany. The garden has over one million visitorsa yearand isconsidered oneofthe most important baroque gardens in the world. I had never heard of it.
Where have I been? I consulted The Oxford Companion to Gardens (1986) at the Centre s library and learned the history of the garden.
The GreatGarden wasstartedin 1666 andcompletedin1710andistheonlyearly baroque garden in Germany that has remained unchanged for close to 300 years. Theroyalgardeniscomposedof a number ofgardens in different styles; forexample, the Mountain Garden was the original vegetable garden; the Welfen Garden is in the style of an English landscape park, andthe GeorgianGarden isanaturalistic park.
L
Trellis is about toundergo a faceliftand weareconsultingwitha designerto find a newformatthatwillsavemoneyandmake our newsletter visually appealing and interesting.
Trellis should reflect the mission and purpose of the Centre. Our revised and updated mission statement is on page 3.
At the same time we are considering a new name for our newsletter. See below.
You name it!
The Civic Garden Centre is seeking a new name for Trellis, the membership newsletter. We invite members suggestions. Please fax or send your ideas to Iris Phillips or call (416) 397-1351.
There will be a prize tothe memberwho suggests the new name.
MEMORIAL LECTURE
Thursday, November 16
7:30 p.m.
MAKING BETTER GARDENS SHREDEae sToriNG
MarcoPoloStufanoisdirectorofhorticultureatWaveHill, a28-acre public garden in the Bronx in New York.
MarcogrewupinQueens,NewYork,wherehetendedavegetable plotwithhisfathernexttothetracksoftheLongIslandRailroad. He graduatedfromBrownUniversitywithadegreeinfineartsandthen launchedhiscareerinhorticulturewhenheworkedattheNewYork BotanicalGardenunderThomas H. Everett. In 1991, as a speakerat the Fourth Great Canadian Gardening Conference, he captured everyone s interest.
MarcowilluseslidesofgardensfromNorthAmerica and Europe toillustrateMakingBetterGardens. Hewilldiscusswaystoimprove home plantings. Be it a castle or tiny city plot, the principles that makedesigns workareconstant. Hewillpayparticular attention to plantcombinations,colour, texture and form, and discuss the incorporation of organic and inorganic garden features.
For the past 13 years, the Edwards Foundation has providedfundsfor the Edwards Foundation Memorial Lecture in memoryofRupert E. Edwards. Thisgenerousgift enables us to bring outstanding Canadian and international speakers to the Civic Garden Centre without charging afee. Refreshments will be served. Join usfor this special program.
Centre aims to reachwideraudience
By Bonnie Hillman, executive director
These first few months at the Civic Garden Centre havebeen stimulating for me. I have observed, listened, learned and delighted in my new experiences. Most impressivearetheproudhistoryandenthusiasticcommunityspiritoftheCentre. We have a solid foundation on whichto build for the future. We are well prepared to shapethechangeswhichlieahead. ManystaffandBoardmembersarenewandthere willbeexcitingactivitiesinthecomingmonths.
Oneofthekeyprioritiesfornextyearwillbetodevelopprogramsforalarger,more varied audience than is currently reached by the Civic Garden Centre. We are planning programs for new audiences, more regular programs for children and familiesandprogramsforschools. Wewillaimtoprovideexpertguidanceforgroups eagertodevelopcommunitygardens. Wewillutilizetheknowledgeanddedication that our volunteers and staff have demonstrated so admirably in order to provide resourcesforcommunitygroupswhichhavenotpreviouslyusedthem. Wewillreach out to other organizations with whom we can work co-operatively and who can introduce the CGC to their members enabling us to run programs to benefit more people.
Another key project will be to create a more welcoming and informative lobby entrance,particularlyforthosewhoarecomingtotheCentreforthefirsttime: more displays;moreavailableinformationina clearformat;moreco-ordinatedinformation aboutcurrentactivities,meetingsanddemonstrations. WeattheCGCwellknowthe wonderfulresourceshere;theycanbecomemoreaccessibletothegreatercommunity.
Thesearejustsomeoftheplansbeingformulatedfornextyear. It'sanexcitingtime tobepartof adynamicCGC. Yoursupportandparticipationmakeitpossibleforthe CivicGardenCentretogrowandbecomeavitalresourceforMetroToronto. Thank you forbeingpartoftheCentre.
I welcome your comments, wishes, hopes and dreams about our organization. Please contact me anytimeat (416) 397-1346.
I lookforward to a successfulyear with you.
The mission statement of the Civic Garden Centre
The Civic Garden Centre is a volunteer-based, not-for-profit organizationwhosemissionistoactasacentralresourceforgardening, horticulture and allied environmentalissuesbyencouraging interest; promotinginvolvement;andgathering,disseminatingandinterpreting information in order to enhance the quality oflife for members of the community.
Fond farewell to Anne Marie Van Nest
We congratulate Anne Marie Van Nest on her new teaching appointment at the NiagaraParks Botanical GardensandSchool of Horticulture. With her go our very best wishes and fond memories.
AnneMariewasthehorticulturistatthe Civic Garden Centre for the past 10 years. During this time, the Centre experienced considerable growth: the Toronto Master Gardeners found a home here; a hotline was initiated so that the public and members alike could receive answers to their gardeningquestions,absolutelyfree,seven days a week; plant sales increased; Green ThumbDaysofferedprogrammingforchildren;gardentoursflourished;thetourguide program for both adults and children was initiated; gardening education at the Centre matured through the addition of more sophisticatedcourses;specialprogramsand
conferences offered our members and the publictheopportunity to hearsomeofthe world s best gardening experts.
Gardening became not only North America s foremost hobby but the absolute rage. At the Civic Garden Centre, Anne Marie was part of it all.
We will miss her sound advice and remember her persistent devotionboth to the Centre and her chosen career.
New staff members join the Centre
Stephen Westcott-Gratton
Stephen Westcott-Gratton assumed horticulturistduties attheCentreinSeptember.
AgraduateinhorticulturefromtheUniversity of Guelph, Stephen brings a wide range ofexperience to his newjob. He has operatedhisowngardendesignandinstallation business, worked in interior landscaping,been a research assistant for small fruitbreeding,commerciallygrownorganic edible flowers and managed a restaurant ontheDanforth. SomeofhisworkatGuelph was donewithhorticultureprofessorGary Johnson who bred the Yukon gold potato. Today,Stephensayshe snotavegetable gardener, beyond a few tomatoes . His favorite garden style is the English cottage garden with lots of colorful herbaceous perennials.
However, we probably have the edible plants to thank for Stephen s interest; he says it was starting a herb garden that sparked his interest in horticulture. Incidentally, theherbgarden grew and developed into a knot garden.
Stephen says he sees his role at the Centreasaresourcepersonand aproblem solver. Heintendstobeavailableformembers and the public who are interested in plants.
Ellen Eisenberg
Coming to work here is like coming home! So says Ellen Eisenberg, the Centre s new plant consultant. If you're a serious gardener, chances are you've al-
ready met Ellen during her 20-year membership at the Centre; on a tour of her garden or yours; at one of a million plant sales all overthe country; or at the Potting Shed, where she was a founding partner, andwheresheresearchedandsourcedrare and unusual perennials.
Initially in her role as plant buyer specializing in rare and unusual perennials at the Trellis Shop, Ellen will be on the premisesMondayandThursday,andmay be contacted on those days at (416) 3971356. To research and find all the plants you're looking for, speak to Ellen. The greaterthechallenge,thebettershelikesit.
When asked why she made the move from the Potting Shed to the Centre, she said I didn t even have to think about it. Any real gardener knows that the Civic Garden Centre is Toronto s most important resource for anything to do with plants.
(contributionfrom Donna Mills)
Margot Mather
MargotMather, B.Sc., Dip. E.C.E., theCentre snewchildren sprogramco-ordinator, islookingforwardtodevelopingnewprograms for children and families on weekends, holidays and in the summer, as well as expanding the current membership of active Green Thumbers .
Her background in zoology, psychologyand earlychildhoodeducationhasled her to a variety of settings including daycares,camps, HumberCollege,theToronto Board of Education and a private diagnosticlearning centre. Fornineyears, MargotworkedattheOntarioScienceCentre as co-ordinator of the OSCOTT and OSCAMPchildren sscienceprogramsand offered workshops in hands-on learning for teachers, parents and early childhood educators. Mostrecently,Margothasbeen activelyemployedwithhertwo-and-a-halfyear old son Amir.
Roslyn Theodore
Roslyn Theodore, B.A. (Hons.), M.L.LS., is thenew librarianattheCivic GardenCentre. Many of you have already become acquainted with Roslyn over the last three months when she was acting librarian. Roslynwillensurethatthelibrarycontinuestoprovidetheexcellentlevelofservice that it always has done. She will continue to cultivate the extensive collection andexaminethepossibilityofaddingother mediums, suchas videos, to the collection. Roslyn has worked in a variety of librarysettings,includingpublicandspecial libraries. SheworkedfortheTorontoPublic Library during her summers as an undergraduate. Priortoobtaininghergraduate degree in Library and Information Science, she worked for the University ofToronto Career Centre Library and in the library at Cassels, Brock and Blackwell. She has been employed part-time in the law library at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt sincehergraduationfromgraduateschool. Roslyn can be found in the Civic Garden Centre Library on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Photographs of the staff of the Civic Garden Centre will be published in the next issue of Trellis.
A Fairy Tale Christmas
with The Snowman Factory November20 to 23 at The McLean House (SunnybrookHospital grounds) 2075 BayviewAvenue
Information: call (905) 856-7669
VOLUNTEER CORNER
By Carolyn Dalgarno, volunteer co-ordinator
Mistletoe Magic:
Ifyouhaven tyetcalledustovolunteerforMistletoeMagic,it snottoolate! Please call us at (416) 397-1351.
I'msurewesstillhaveajobtofityourinterestsand thetimeyouhaveavailable. Being partofthisshowisnotonlyalotoffunbutyou'llbehelpingtheCentreinitslargestfundraisingendeavourin1995. Ittakesover 100volunteerstoputthisshowonsuccessfully. This year, we will be open Thursday evening as well. The dates of the show are November 9, 10, 11 and 12. We also need volunteers to help us instal the show on Monday, November 6, Tuesday, November 7 and Wednesday, November 8. We also need help on Monday, November 13 to dismantle the show.
HANAA
Christmas plant sale:
Volunteers are also needed for the December plant sale.
Set-up day Thursday, November 30 9:30 a.m.
Members sale Friday, December 1 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. or 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. or 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Public sale Saturday December 2 noon to 4:00 p.m. Sunday December 3 noon to 4:00 p.m.
Call (416) 397-1351
The Trellis Shop
Gifts for everyone onyour list.
[] Garden gifts & accent pieces
|| Stationery sets & journals
:] Children s books, puzzles & t-shirts
__| Wildly Delicious oils & vinegars
[_| Holiday music on CD & cassette
|| Fragrantlotions & potions
[_] Settings forbountiful tables
| Amaryllis bulbs
|| Beautiful trays and coasters
Storehours: Mon. Fri. 9:30 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Sat. & Sun. noon 4:00 p.m.
A gardener s visit: The Museum of Garden History, St. Mary-at-Lambeth, London
By Eleanor Irwin, Civic Garden Centre member
When my husband and I travel, like any garden enthusiasts, we include gardens andflowers,bothcultivatedandwild,with other sights. On our recent jaunt which included Austria, Kenya and England, we touredacastleand itssurroundingparkin Graz, glimpsed giraffes and zebras at a distance and exotic tropical blooms close up in Hell s Gate National Park near Naivasha, and walked through a botanic gardenwhilevisitingfamilyinCambridge.
Sometimestheseareplannedexcursions, but often we are taken by surprise. One such surprise was the Museum of Garden History in London, housed in the former churchofSt.Mary-at-Lambethonthesouth side of the Thames near Lambeth Palace, theresidence oftheArchbishop ofCanterbury, across the river from the Houses of Parliament.
The church, founded before the Norman conquest and a parish church for 900 years,hadlostmostofitscongregationlike many innercity churches in the late twentiethcentury,andthedecisionwastakento close it in 1972. After its deconsecration, vandalsremovedanythingportableincluding lead from the roof, and left the interior unprotected from the elements while garbagepiledup. In 1976Johnand Rosemary Nicholsonfoundthebuildingbeingturned into a ruin and saw how it could be preservedandputtogooduse. Throughtheir heroicandpersistentefforts,theTradescant Trustwasformed in 1977and thebuilding wassavedfromthewreckers balltohouse the first Museum ofGarden History in the world.
The trust was named for two John Tradescants,fatherandson,whoweregar-
deners to Charles I and II, and travelled in EuropeandNorthAmericacollectingplant specimens. (Amongtheplantstheybrought back to England was the Canadian columbine, Aquilegia canadensis.) In the garden of their house in Lambeth which they called the Ark, they propagated their specimens and invited the public in to enjoy these curiosities. The Ark is long gone and the plant collection transported to the AshmoleanMuseuminOxford;themortal remains oftheTradescants arehoused ina splendid tomb in the churchyard next to thetombofAdmiralBlighofthe Bounty.
Now 19 years after the Nicholsons formed their plan to preserve it, thebuilding has been reroofed, the stonework cleaned and a charming 17th century style knotgardenplanted in thechurchyard. In the navearedisplays related to the history ofgardeningandthecollectingofbotanical specimenswhileagiftshopatthewestend beckons visitors and a tea room near the chancel offers refreshment.
Picture a pair of Canadians on a warm WednesdayinJuly,dressedinkhakiTilley hats,shirtsandpantswalkingupLambeth Road and finding behind a wrought iron fenceastonechurchwithperennialscrowdingup againstold tombs in the grass. Picture us entering the church and stopping by the baptistry to read the epitaph of the three men who bore the name John Tradescant, grandsire, father, son , the eldest two travellers, collectors, antiquarians and gardeners to the Rose and Lily Queen, (Henrietta Maria, wife of Charles I)whiletheyoungestdiedprematurely in his spring.
Picture us walking among exhibits of
Gertrude Jekyll and Joseph Banks, easily identified as strangers among the regulars in the Museum: women in summer frocks and meninblazers and flannels, volunteers caring for the garden and visitors enjoying acuppabeforetakingtheirleave. Wewere sitting,sippinggingerbeerandreadingthe epitaphofBishopCuthburtTurnstallwhose fortunes rose and fell with the changing religious affiliations of the Tudors, when Mrs. Rosemary Nicholson introduced herselftous. Sheanswered manyofourquestions about the Museum and theTrust and described the plan for the Museum to develop a database ofinformation aboutgardens and plants. She made sure that we visited the knot garden and then directed us down Lambeth Road to the most recent ventureoftheTrust,TheGardenattheArk, just planted this spring and by good fortune open to visitors only on Wednesdays the day of our visit.
The present day Ark is not the grand Tradescant mansion (long ago torn down) but a Victorian school building which is used, like the Civic Garden Centre, for day courses in gardening and for exhibitions and concerts. The yard behind the school has been transformed into a pleasaunce gardenwithstoneseatsshadedbyarbours, paved pathways and trellis screens with dramatic plantings of brightly coloured flowers. Where the knot garden had only plants known in the England of the 17th century,theplantsintheGardenattheArk belong to the 20th century. The inspiration forthelayoutissaidtobebothMoorishand medieval, its use of walkways and edged beds evocativeofthegardens ofAlhambra and thesurroundingbrickwallcreatingan enclosed garden like a medieval hortus inclusus.
TheMuseumofGardenHistoryand the Garden at the Ark show what human visionanddeterminationcanaccomplishand offeranislandofbeautyandquietinabusy city. They are well worth the visit.
THE SPIRIT OF THE GARDEN
Shelagh Meagher &
John de Visser
Noted landscape designer Shelagh Meagher demonstrates how to create a garden capable of changing a mood, telling a story, or evoking a memory in those who view it
NOTICE OF BOOK LAUNCH
Tuesday, November 14 7:30 p.m.
Civic Garden Centre
Centre s library houses many treasures
By Allison Lynn Hiscock, library staffmember
TheCentre slibraryhasmanydevoted users, but often, members only discover us after many years of membership.
To everyone: we'rebesidetheTrellis Shop! Come on down the ramp! Just don t forget to bring your membership card.
The Civic Garden Centre library is theonlyoneofitskind openforpublic use in Canada. We have information on everything you could ever want to know on any aspect of gardening. While working in the library, I have discovered information that goes beyond thebasics ofdirtand green stuff. The library is full of treasures.
We also have a vertical file filled with information, a large selection of nursery catalogues, and over 70 periodicals on display, 30 of which are Canadian.
Whenyoucome,bringyouryounger friends to visit our children s section. Thebooksrangefrompicturebooksto those appropriate for older children. Topics cover everything from gardeningtobotanytotheenvironment. There arealsogreatprojectbooksforparents to use with their children.
As I enter my third winter on the staff, [hope to seelots of new, as wellas familiar, faces in the library. The staff and volunteers are more than willing tohelpyouwithanyofyourquestions.
We are lucky to have such a resource available to us. So come to the libraryanytime. Thisisagreatplacein which to learn!
Look in the library:
And you'll find information on: plants for your indoor aquarium cooking with flowers how to make soap
The Guiness BookofPlantFacts andFeats photographing, painting, knitting and embroidering a garden how to make wine gardens to visit in Great Britain, Ireland and throughout North America Chinese herbal medicine ecology, including pollution, acid rain and adverse effects of pesticides botany organic control of everything gardens to visit in Toronto birds in your area and howto attract them gardensofGermany,NewZealand, Persiaand Spain how to age new stone ornaments astrology and gardening bees and honey hummingbird and butterfly gardening plantsthatwill growaroundablackwalnuttree botanical Latin how to make corsages the Canadian provincial flowers carnivorous plants the Carolinian forest region green manure history of the floral clock how to make compost on your balcony flower language birthday flowers foliage gardens first and last frost dates across the country how to make a garlic braid flowersfromthe playsofWilliam Shakespeare howto make horehound candy plants of the Bible knot gardens howto growa luffa sponge (it's a gourd!) mazes and labyrinths Trellis, November
International Touring Exhibition and Sale
FLOWERS OF THE AMERICAS
Watercolours by Canadian artist
Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn
Opening Reception
The Civic Garden Centre Tuesday, November 21, 7:00 p.m.
Members ofthe Civic Garden Centre and theirfriends are invited to attend
Reception will befollowed by afour day exhibit
November 22, 23 and 24
Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
November25
Hours: noon - 4:00 p.m.
This exhibitionfeatures rare and endangeredfloral species from North, Central and South America.
Net Proceedsfrom sale ofpaintings on the tour will establish an international floral conservation project with the World Wide Fundfor Nature.
BUENOS AIRES CARACAS GENEVA NEW YORK EDMONTON TORONTO
From the library
By Roslyn Theodore, librarian
Hereisa sampleoftitles recentlyadded to thecollection.Foryourconvenience,Thave included the call number of the books.
e LorraineJohnson s The Ontario naturalizedgarden: thecompleteguidetousingnative plants. [635.29 / ]57]
* Roberta M. Coughlin s The gardener s companion: a book of lists and lore. [398 / Co60]
* AndrewWilson' s Thecreativewatergardener. [636.3 / W35]
* Jack Kramer s Winning at flower shows. [636.5 / K67]
* Peter McHoy s Step-by-step low-maintenance gardening. [635 / H61]
* Pippa Greenwood s The new gardener: the practicalguide togardening basics [635 / G67]
What folks are wanting to know: Permaculturehasbeena hottopicrecently in the library. Though it has various definitions,thebestseemstobe amethodand a movement toward integrating native plants and principles of natural ecosystems into home gardens and landscapes (found in Gardener s index 1986 - 1990).
For the love of gardens.
When you're at work on the garden you love, remember Sheridan Nurseries. At Sheridan, we have expert staffto help you, and the finest selection of nursery stock in Canada, including over 750 types of plants and trees grown on our own farms. And all ofour nursery stock is guaranteed for two full years! Need any advice to help make your garden even lovelier? Gardens By Sheridan landscape designers offer everything from peerless consultation and planning to complete construction and maintenance services. All for the love of gardens, at Sheridan Nurseries.
PN
o SHERIDAN NURSERIES
ETOBICOKE ~ MISSISSAUGA TORONTO KITCHENER
UNIONVILLE 700EvansAvenue 606SouthdownRoad 2827 YongeStreet 100ElmsdaleRoad 4077Hwy. #7 Etobicoke M9C 1A1 ~ Missisauga L5] 2Y4 Toronto M4N 2J4 Kitchener N2E IH6 ~ Unionville L3R IL5 Tel: (416) 621-9100 Tel- (905) 822-0251 Tel: (416) 481-6429 Tel: (519) 743-4146 Tel: (905) 477-2253 GARDENSBYSHERIDAN:Metropolitan Toronto, Markbam, MississaugaandOakville Tel: (905) 822-7575
Sale of holiday plants
Members day
Friday, December 1, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Public sale
Saturday and Sunday, December 2 and3, noon to 4:00 p.m.
Take advantage of your Civic Garden Centre membership by ordering before November 27 to receive a 10% discount on all your Christmas plants. Or ifyou would like to choose yourChristmas plants size or colour on the spot , just bring your membership card during the sale to receive your discount and shop from our extensive unreserved section.
4" Poinsettia s si.$3.69
Red 51 White [| Pink
6" Poinsetlia i s$5.99
Red 2 White [ | Pink
Marble :] Pink Peppermint
8" Poinseftiaou s$16.99
Red White Pink
Red/White Pink Peppermint
Pink/White
10" Poinsettia $23.99
Red 5
Tricolour
3' Poinsettia Tree ............. $42.99
g 0
White [ | Pink
Red Lo White [ | Pink
6 Cyclamen ... s ss$10.99
Assorted colours [ ] Colour
GaRzalen s o e, $17.49
Assorted colours |:] Colour
8" Christmas Planter ........$13.99
Assorted plants D
* Pre-order your plants by calling (416) 397-1355 before November 27. Pre-orders can also be mailed, faxed (416 397-1354) or left at the Centre.
All varieties are subject to availability.
Please pay for your plants on member s pre-order day, December 1.
A selection of new poinsettias and other Christmas plants will also be available. Our prices are the same as last year!
All plants will be wrapped for winter protection. Questions or volume orders? Call (416) 397-1355.
Name:
Address: City:
Postal code: Phone:
Membership number: Expiry date:
A fund-raising event of the Civic Garden Centre
Then and now 100
By Sharon Koor, President, Ikebana International, Toronto Chapter 208
Over the past 600 years, Ikebana has becomeoneofJapan straditionalarts. Originating with floral offerings to the dead, it becamepartoftheBuddhistritual. During the century-long civil war period ofmedievalJapan,Ikebanareachedperfectionasa popular art form.
Over the centuries, many schools of Ikebana developed. The modern forms and styles share various characteristics. Amongthesearesufficiencyofspace,asymmetric balance and harmony. Colour and texture are also important. In modern Ikebana, materials like metal and plastic can be seen.
Ikebana International (L.I.) is a worldwide organization founded in Tokyo in 1956bythelateEllenGordonAllen. Members are dedicated to promoting mutual understanding and friendshipbetweenJapan and other countries through Ikebana and related arts.
LI is administered by enthusiastic volunteers ofmany nationalities and Ikebana schools. Toronto Chapter 208 was registered in1979andisoneofthreechaptersin Canada. Membership is open.
At the annual show, Then and Now 1007, tobe held November 18 and 19at the Civic Garden Centre, Toronto Chapter208
is celebrating the centenary of the Ohara SchoolofIkebana. UnshinOhara founded the school afterJapan opened to the west. He designed and produced low, flat and broad surface containers to create the Moribana style. This led to the school s introductionofthelandscapearrangement depicting natural scenery and also the Rimpa style arrangement based on traditional Rimpa paintings.
Mr. Matsuo Tomita will be the guest demonstrator on Saturday, November 18. He is the director of the Ohara Center of New York and the senior ranking Master outsideJapan. Aninternationallyacclaimed flower artist, he is known for his unusual and interpretive ability. As well as the demonstration,hewillgivetwoworkshops during his stay in Toronto.
Members of the public are cordially invited to attend.
SPECIALISTSin:
Perennials [over 1000 varieties],
S Roses [over 4500 in stock], Annuals [connoisseur varieties],
Bog (Water) Plants, Ornamental Grasses
Horticultural Seminars, Saturdays at 10 am. March - April Brock Road, North Pickering (1 mile North of 401) 683-5952
Meetingvenuechanges
The November meeting of the Ontario Rock Garden Societywill not be held at the Civic Garden
Centre because of Mistletoe Magic. The society will meet at the Toronto French School on Sunday November 12. Speaker is John Spain; topic is hardy winter cacti.
Books in review
Reviewed byAlma Ireland
THE TORONTO GARDENER SJOURNAL AND SOURCE BOOK
Margaret Bennet-Alder, $14.95
1996, ~
o~ The Toronto arc zneJourna = Source Book
Eachyearthisknowledgeableauthorpresentshercombinedlogand source book. The daily calendar provides space for daily activitiesandweeklysuggestionsforkeepingahead ofthegardeninggame. It = 199 includes scaled pages for garden plans and pages torecord seasonalactivities from buying to harvest. Also, a nice surprise, pages for photos and others entitled Delights, Disappointments and Next Year which makes an intriguing section.
TheSourcesectioncontainslistingsofgardeningbooks,magazines,educationaltours, gardens to visitin and around Metro, hotlines, radio and TV shows, landscape architects, soil tests, and suppliers. This isa perfect gardening calendarand informationsource for the Toronto area gardener.
THE BULB EXPERT
Dr. D.G. Hessayon, $13.95
This author needs no introduction. His popular expert series is among the world s best selling. This new addition will be equally popular with complete descriptions and photographs of every bulb from Achimenes (hot water plant) to Zephyranthes (zephyr lily).
Thebookincludesextensive educational sections: typesofbulbs, growing and planting, care and use in beds, borders and the home (dates to plant indoor varieties), and a few pages on troubles and diseases. Thisbook is anexcellentaddition to the gardenbookshelf.
Course comments
By Ada Brzeski, course co-ordinator
My first exposure to orchids was in Asia where I visited thebotanical gardens near Kandy in Sri Lanka. The collection was superb. Ihadneverseensomanyvarieties in one place.
When I got back from the holiday, a friendgavemeanorchidplant. Itbloomed beautifullyforafewweeks. Unfortunately becauseofmylackofcareand knowledge, it survived miserably without blooming untilamoveforcedmetothrowitout. This summer, my interest in orchids was renewed when I found a beautiful bluish purple one to use for my bridal bouquet.
Orchids, I am told by expert Wayne
Hingston, are not that difficult to grow provided you know which species to choose, not an easy task since there are well over 20,000 species and 85,000 hybrids. Starting November 14, Wayne Hingston willunravelthemysteriesofgrowingthese amazingflowersinhiscourseattheCentre.
OthercoursesstartinginNovemberand December will help you to gearup for the holiday season. Learn to decorate your home Williamsburg style (starting on November 29), make your own cards (rubber stamping, December 6 and 13), or create gilded decorations (November 20, 27 and December 4).
Questions and answers with the Master Gardeners
Q. Whydo plants in Ontario require a period ofdormancy, while in the tropics theyfloweryear round?
A. The difference lies in the hours of daylight or darkness,ratherthanintemperature. Inthetropics,daylight is around a twelve-hour period, year round. But in Ontario we have long summer days and long winter nights. Here,thereisnotenoughlightforfloweringorto sustainactivegrowth. Plantsinourareahavedeveloped the ability to go dormant.
Long winter nights require dormancy.
Q. How can Igerminate tree peony seeds?
A. Treepeoniesrequiredoubledormancytogerminate. Give them 12 weeks at a temperature of 70°F (21°C), then 12 weeks at 40°F (4°C), followed by another 12 weeks at a warm 70°F. Tree peonies are usually propagated by root grafting onto paeonia species.
Tree peonies are usually propagated by grafting.
Q. CanI use my micrewave to sterilizesoil?
A. Yes. Moisten the soil slightly first (damp, not wet). Keep the layer of soil fairly shallow about twoinches(5cm)deep. Microwavesvary;usually15 minutes on high Aim for a temperature of 180°F (82°C). Avoidoverheatingasthisdestroysthenutrient value of the soil. A paper towel lining for a microwave dish can be used for small amounts of soll.
Thanks to Vivien Jenkinsonfor illustrations. Gardening
Plant of the month: Amaryllis Pamela
By Anna Leggatt
Every year I buy more amaryllis in case the ones from previous years do not flower. I always buy several Pamela , for myselfand for gifts. I find it is the most reliable and an easy rebloomer. Pamela is one oftheminiatureamaryllises. Scientifically,thisgroupis not Amaryllis, but Hippeastrum or even Rhodophiala. Ingood light, theflowerstemis 30 to 40cm tall, with four to six mid to dark trueredblooms. Theleaves,whichfollowthe flowers, are shiny-green straps like all their close relations,butonly30cminlength. The flowers,whilesmallerthanthelargehybrids, are bell-shaped, about 10cm long, flaring to about12cmacross. There areusuallyfourto six flowers per stalk, and I frequently have had three stalks over severalweeks.
Oneyearanewbulbproduced 14flowers. Ten were out at once.
It is a very forgiving plant. Once, I left a bulb unplanted on the sideboard. I was startled by a crash. It was in flower and was top heavy with no roots! It produced two more stems,thoughthethirdhadapologiesforflowers. Itookpityonitandplanteditinapotwith the usual good loamy soil containing some slow release fertilizer. I never use the soiless mixthatsomebulbsare packed with. Itis too light and frequently pots tip over. The pot should be just larger than the bulb about 2cm space all round, between it and the pot. When the flowers are finished, cut them off just below the seed pod. The green stalk can photosynthesize and make food for the bulb. Thoroughly water when the soil surfacegetsdryandkeepyourplantinasbright lightaspossible. Asthenewleavesgrowup, fertilize every two weeks according to the manufacturer sdirections. Do notfertilizeif the soil is dry or there are only old leaves. Amaryllisesareheavyfeedersandthebigger thebulb,themoreflowersyouwillenjoynext year. Put outside, after the risk of frost has passed.
Gradually accustom the plants to the brighter light. Otherwise they will get sunburned and won't be able to make as much food. Keepwateringandfeedingallsummer, as long as the plant is growing. When the leaves start to get yellow, or autumn frosts threaten,bringthebulbsinandleaveina cool dryplace. Don twateranymore. Aftereight totenweeks(orifabudappears),startwateringandbringintothelightassoonasthebud starts to grow.
Iprefertokeepmyplantsintheirpotsbut youcanplantthemoutinthegarden. Watch for narcissus borers. I lost the only fragrant Amaryllis Apple Blossom I've found. The bulb went to mush and there was a large white larva in the remainder. You can keep amaryllisouttothefirstfrostiftheyareinthe ground and mulched.
Smalloffshootscanbeseparatedfromthe parent in the fall. They should reachblooming size in a couple ofyears.
Ifyou keepyourseeds (andeventryyour own crosses), be careful you do not miss them. Theyripenveryfastandarelikesmall pices of black tissue paper. Put some damp promix in a plastic container, sow the seeds and leave covered with a transparent lid, under a strong light. When the seedlings appear, gradually take the lid off.
In spite ofmy fears, usually about60% of my20orsobulbsrebloomfromDecemberto April, depending on when I water them. Pamela always does.
Watch out for this, other miniatures Donau (pink) and Freckles (spotted) and the usual large hybrids in the Trellis Shop. Naughty Lady , Exotica , Spotty , and Lemon& Lime maybeavailableelsewhere. Some of these may not go dormant.
(AnnaLeggattisa TorontoMasterGardenerand editoroftheJournal ofthe Ontario Rock Garden Society.)
Spotlight on volunteers
The Civic Garden Centre thanks Eldred Mullen, a volunteer inthehorticulturedepartment,whohasnotonlyprovided us withsomeofthefantasticstagedisplaysforourprogramsbut hasdonated ahibiscusshegrewfromacuttingtaken 15years ago to the front lobby.
Averyspecialthankyou toMavis Griffinwhocametothe Centre as a volunteer in 1979 and has just retired. Mavis worked inthelibraryonedaya weekand duringmanyofour members eveningsandspecialprograms. Shealsoworkedin thebookshopduringitsearlyyears andassecretarialsupport in the administration and rental offices. Mavis is an exceptionalwomanwhogavetheCentretwoofthegreatestgifts of all her time and ability. We will miss her.
Passport to the Ile de France and south-west England
Sunday, January 28, 1996
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Members: $35
Non-members: $45
JoinJennifer Dickson for a day s tour of some of the world s most magnificent gardens. Our destinations are in France and England and the price is affordable . Travellers can sit back, relax and enjoy the sights on a cold wintry Sunday in January. Passports not required.
Jennifer Dickson is a painter, photographer and garden historian. Trained as a painter at Goldsmiths College School ofArt, London, she was associated with Stanley William Hayter s Atelier 17 in Paris between 1960and 1965. In 1976, shewas elected a RoyalAcademician. Since 1979,shehassystematicallydocumentedmajorarchitecturalgardensinEuropeandGreatBritain. Though living in Ottawa, Jennifer maintains active professional links with Europe and is well known asa lectureron historicgardens. InJuly, 1995,shewasawarded theOrderofCanadaand the citation sent to the media from the Governor General s office says, Dickson s works are treasured by collectors around the world and her lectures on art history draw large audiences. Jennifer will use her superb slides to illustrate these lectures.
10:00 a.m. to noon
Palaces and gardens of the Ile de France
We'll look at six palaces and gardens in or near Paris which trace the evolution of the gardenfroma centreofscientificresearch to a setting forthepompand majestyofkings:
¢ TheJardindesPlantesontheleftbankwas founded in 1635 asa medicinal garden for King Louis XIII and is still a centre for botanical research.
¢ The Jardin du Luxembourg (re-designed in the early 19th century by J.F Chalgrin) remains an outstanding andbeautifully maintained example ofthe French public park. It isa fitting setting for the palace ofMarie de Medici.
* At the Chateau de Fontainbleau (the favourite residence of Frangois I) the evolving styles of the French garden can be seen from the formal east parterre of Le Notre to the Jardin Anglais created for NapoleonI.
* At Malmaison, once famous for its roses, we still sense the presence of Napoleon s abandoned empress,Josephine.
¢ We visit the tiny chateau of Bagatelle, created in the summer of 1777 by the comte d Artois (younger brother of Louis XIV) in response to a wager with Marie-Antoinette.
* And, finally the exquisite Japanese garden of Jardins Albert Kahn in Paris where a stream flowing between weirs activates water flutes. This modern garden, not widely known, is an oasis oftranquillity.
Noon - 1:00 p.m.
Lunch,consistingofa selection ofgourmet sandwiches, cruditésand dip, fresh fruit and squares,willbeavailableforanadditional$8.50. Ifyouwishlunch, pleaseorderitwhen you register. There are no restaurant facilities close by.
Tea, coffee or a cold drink will be complimentary.
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Rare gardens of south-west England
We visit eight gardens in Somerset, Dorset and Devon, many privately owned and of outstanding horticultural interest.
* Theoldestis LytesCary, famous in theElizabethanera forHenry Lyte s herb garden.
* DunsterCastlewasbeseiged by the roundheads in 1645. Today, the terraced garden is exotically planted.
¢ Arlington Courtboasts a nostalgic Victorian garden and Lady D Oyly Carte s Devon Combe garden, Coleton Fishacre, shelters rarities from around the world.
* Mapperton has an Italianite garden laid out in the 1920s.
¢ MiltonLodgeGardens,anEdwardiangardenof1909, overlooksWellsCathedraland the Vale ofAvalon.
* Devon sGardenHouseis inprogress ,anopportunitytoseepost-1945 ideasevolve.
* Finally,atHadspenHouse,twoCanadiangardenersarequietlychangingtheconcept of the English garden with an innovative approach to colour.
REGISTRATION FORM
Please register mefor Passport to the Ile de Franceand south-west England
CHEQUE ENCLOSED (PAYABLE TO THE CIVIC GARDEN CENTRE)
Coming events at the Centre
November E
¢ Orchid judging centre, 1:00 p.m.
5
* Southern Ontario Orchid Society, meeting, 1:00 p.m.
9to12
* Mistletoe Magic (times on cover ofthis issue)
13
¢ Toronto Bonsai Society, meeting, 7:00 p.m.
¢ Southern Ontario Orchid Society, newcomers meeting, 7:30 p.m.
14
¢ NorthToronto Horticultural Society, meeting, 7:30 p.m.
16
J Edwards Foundation Lecture Speaker: Marco Polo Stufano Topic: Making BetterGardens 7:00 p.m. Free admission
18
¢ IkebanaInternationalChapter#208,annual flower exhibition, Then and now 100", noon to
6:00p.m. DemonstrationbyMr.MatsuoTomita, 2:00 p.m.
19
e IkebanaInternationalChapter#208,annual flower exhibition, Then and now 100", noon to 5:00 p.m.
* Geranium and Pelargonium Society, meeting, 2:00 p.m.
21to 25
e Flowers of the Americas exhibit. Work of Canadian artist Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn. Opening reception, November 21, 7:00 p.m. Everyone welcome!
21
¢ Toronto Cactus and Succulent Club, meeting, 7:30 p.m.
24
* Toronto Potters, show, 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. 25
e Toronto Potters, show, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p-m.
26
e York Rose and Garden Society, meeting, 2:00 p.m.
¢ Rhododendron Society, meeting, 2:00 p.m.
These Centre courses start in November
|
e Gardens of the world, England and Wales, 4169-2
2
¢ Paper making, 4149-2
* Principles and elements ofdesign, 4145 3
* Lotions and potions, 4104
e Introduction to printing in watercolours, 4147
13
* Designing a shrub border, 4120-3 14
* Orchid growing, course 1,4137-1
15
o Flowers for the home, 4114
¢ Gardens of the world, Bermuda and the Caribbean, 4148 16
e Silk ribbon embroidery, 4148 20
* Gilding techniques, 4144-2 22
¢ The healing garden,4160
28
¢ Orchid growing, course2,4137-2
29
o Williamsburg revisited, 4117-2
30
* Designerpackaging, 4149-3
Bulk Ennombre third troisiéme class classe S 12139
Comingin January!
Sunday, January 28, 1996 10:00
Join Jennifer Dickson for a day s tour of some of the world s most magnificent gardens.
Ourdestinationsarein Franceand Englandandthepriceisaffordable. Travellerscansitback, relax and enjoy the sights on a cold wintry Sunday in January. Passports not required.
Details and registration form are on pages 18 and 19.