TRELLIS
The newsletter of the Civic Garden Centre in Metropolitan Toronto July/August, 19954y;;
ICGARDENCENTRELIBRARY
Volume 22, Number 7
Civic Gar General I
The Civic Garder ture and the N related arts. Itis: members. Join us horticulture.
Located in Ed York, the Centre s The Civic Gard and shows. Pleas
Hours: Summer(April1t noon to 5:00 p.m. weekends and ho
Telephone: Area Main number: 39
Rentals: 397-1349
Library: 397-134C Gardening hotlin
Chair:
July/August 1995 ndholidays e 0 4:00 p.m.;
Board of directors: Lynne Robbins
Members: Peter Boeckle
Lindsay Dale-Harris comes new ;ral arts and 3st in North pss Ontario. Trellis ns, exhibits
John Dean
Annette Dunne
Mark Hartley
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
Staff members:
Accounts: Janie Brentnall
Executive Director: Bonnie Hillman
Horticulturist:
Anne Marie Van Nest
Librarian (acting): Roslyn Theodore
Maintenance supervisor:
Walter Morassutti
Rental agent: Betsy Chubb
Secretary: Shirley Lyons
Trellis Editor: Iris Hossé Phillips
Trellis Shop assistant manager:
Barbara Stevenson
Volunteer co-ordinator and publicity:
Carolyn Dalgarno
Honorary counsel: Aird and Berlis
TRELLIS
Volume 22, Number 7
Editor: Iris Hossé Phillips
Editorial co-ordinator: Leslie Lynch
Advertisinginformation: (416)397-1340
Printedby Raised Image, Etobicoke, on recycled paper
Trellis is published ten times a year asa 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 October 15 will be included in the December-January 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
This spring two friends started a butterfly garden. Both researched the available literature and found that some butterflies have special habitat needs and are fussy eaters. The best examples are the Karner blue and the frosted elfin. In the larvae stage,theyrelyonthewildlupin.TheWest Virginia white, which is found on the Niagara Escarpment and on Manitoulin Island, feeds on the two-leaved toothwort when in the larvae stage. The common monarch butterfly feeds on milkweed. Unfortunately, milkweed is on the provincial list of noxious weeds. Will the weed inspectorsforcemyfriendstodestroytheir tiny stand of milkweed?
Otherproblemsforthebutterflypopulationarethespreadofurbandevelopment and the use of pesticides and herbicides. Even BT, a biological toxin, has negative consequences on the butterfly population.
The Niagara Parks Commisssion began construction of a butterfly conservatory this spring. The goal is to have 2,000 free-flying butterflies and an intensive breeding program. The outside gardens willfeaturenectarandfoodplantsthatwill attractnativebutterflies.Nopesticideswill be used in thegarden.
My friends will attend the sixth Great CanadianGardeningConference, GardeningNaturally: theartand craftofthenaturalgarden whichwillbeheldattheCentre fromOctober27to29.JohnPowers, president ofFlyingJewels hasjoined the roster ofspeakers. His topic ButterflyBouquet will tell us how to attractbutterflies to the garden.
Cover: A celebration ofgarden mums. The Centre willholda sale ofgarden mums, starting September8. Because oftheearlydate, theorderform is on page 16 ofthis issue.
Free summer lectures
This summer, the Centre is presenting three free weekend lectures, for members and the public. You're invited; and encouraged to bring friends with you.
Composting techniques
Held on Saturday, June 17
1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Instructor: Kate Middleton
Learn how to recycle kitchen andgarden waste by composting it into a useful and inexpensive garden fertilizer. See how it is done by visiting the composting demonstration site.
Perennials for shade
Sunday, July 16
1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Instructors: Trevor Cullis and Phyllis Shepherd
Learn which perennials are best suited to the shadyparts ofyour garden. Gather design andmaintenance tips.
Flower arranging demonstration
Sunday, August 27
1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Instructor: Shirley Binns
Learn to make beautifularrangements foryourhome using flowers grown in yourgarden.
Kidsummer 95 comes to the Centre
OnThursday,July13,KidsummerwillbeheldattheCivicGardenCentre.Startingat10:00 a.m. and repeatedat 1:00p.m., theKidsummerprogramwillDiscoverNatureintheCity. NewthisyearwillbeatourthroughtheCompostDemonstrationSiteledbyMetroWorks. Children will also search for insects and flowers on a nature hike, decorate their own flowerpotandmakeaplantcuttingtotakehome. Kidsagedfivetotencanattendtherainor-shine eventfree if they bring along an adult.
TheKidsummerprogramoffers adifferenteventeachdayofthesummerforkidsand their parents to attend. This is the ninth annual children s festival.
Bring your child, grandchild or rent-a-child for a fun, exciting and informative day.
Retirement for two Centre employees
Bestwishes to theCentre s two employees who have recently retired: Pamela MacKenzie and Helen Craig.
Pamela MacKenzie
Pamela MacKenzie retired from her position as the librarian after almost a quarter century of outstanding achievements.
She saw the collection grow to more than8,000booksand periodicals,and loans t09,000booksayear. Thelibraryisconsidered by many to be among the best horticultural libraries in Canada and an essentialresourceforamateurandspecialistgardenersandresearchers. Thelibraryhasthe largest collection of books on flower arranging and floral arts in Canada. The Southern Ontario Orchid Society keeps its collectionatthelibraryandmembersofthe
Centre have access to the collection.
InMay,PamelarepresentedtheCentre at the Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries, an international organizationofwhichshewaspresidentafewyears ago (1993-94).
Helen Craig
Helen worked as one oftheCentre s horticulturists for almost eight years. In that time, she broadened and developed many programs in the HorticulturalServices department. In particular, she was instrumental in the success ofthe adultand children s tourguideprogramsand children s gardening activities at the Centre. Helen can now look forward to spending time in.. her. .own. garden with her grandchildren.
For the love of garde s.
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.
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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
The potager: the return of the ornamental vegetable garden
By Anne Marie Van Nest, Civic Garden Centre horticulturist
Visually pleasing and very functional, the modern potager is a scaled-down version of the formal geometric kitchen gardens favouredbyroyalty300yearsago. Potager gardening involves plants grown intensively in formal designs for admiration, picking and eating. It loosely takes the design principles of traditional herb knot gardens and uses vegetables inaddition to flowers. Thegarden involvesallthesenses and much pleasure is gained from looking and eating in the garden.
Thepotagertodaystillfollowsthestrong geometric design of squares, rectangles or trianglesintersectedbypathsand theornamental combination of edible and decorative plants. The traditional potager style canbeadaptedtoanysunnyspace,eventhe smallestgarden. Resourcestodayprobably won't allow fora 10-foothigh brick wall to surround the garden rooms of a 10-acre garden or even to clip the miles of traditional boxwood edging. These design features can still be achieved in a courtyard garden or enclosed by painted fences.
Design:
A successful potager includes clipped low hedges,uprightstonesorawoodborderto accentuate the geometric design. Santolina chamaecyparissus (lavender cotton) and Ligustrumoulgare Aureum (goldenprivet) arenotreliablyhardybuttheyclipwelland makeagreathedge. Hedges,evenaslowas 15c¢m, will create a microclimate for earlier growth and faster vegetable ripening.
Create geometric designs within beds and use mirror images ofplantdesigns for increased effect. Do not plant in straight soldier rows; instead use masses or blocks ofplantswithastandardasanaccent. Miniature or hybrid tea roses, bay trees, rose-
mary, or lantana standards make distinctive accent plants. Arbors ofroses, scarlet runner beans or clematis add a valuable dimension to the garden.
Pathways are key to the design of the potager. Their shape, size, material and colour will need careful consideration. Gravel or grass are traditional path materials. Awidthofametreormorewillallow room for wheelbarrow manoeuvring. Algae covered recycled bricks add a feeling ofstabilityandageto a newgarden.Bricks also absorb heat during the day and Tet lease it at night.
Tomaximize the sunniest exposure, run thelongestaxiseasttowest. Traditionally, paths have led from the perimeter to a central feature which might be a pond, well, fountain or flower bed.
Plant material:
Oncethebeddesignsfinished,itistimeto considerplants. Vegetablesthathaveearly and late harvest seasons can be planted togetherorin a successionofcrops. Don t leave any empty spaces in the garden. Careful planning can produce fresh flowers and vegetables during almost every month. A detailed gardendiary withgar-
den plan details will help refine the planting schedule for the following season. Weeklyupdatesofsuccessfulcombinations will be a benefit for future planning.
Selectshowier, moredecorativevegetables to include in the garden. Some interestingtypesincluderubySwisschard,purple leaf basil, pineapple sage (for its red sage blooms and scent), ruby red Brussels sprouts, mini eggplants, purple broccoli, red leaf lettuce, coloured peppers except green,andanycolouroftomatoexceptred.
Jerusalem artichokes, nasturtiums and
Books in review
Reviewed by Susan Perenackand Stan Etchells
leeks are fun to grow for their flowers and edibleparts. Marigoldsand herbs suchas thyme, parsley, chives and chervil combinevery well withmanyediblevegetable plants. Taller plants like roses grown on a romantic arbor should not be excluded. Accents of sunflowers also add vertical dimension to the garden.
Vegetablegardeningisnolongeraback yard activity hidden from view. Potager gardening brings vegetables to the forefrontinanattractiveandfunctionalgarden design.
SUPER HINTS FOR ONTARIO GARDENERS
By Wendy Thomas, $9.95
ThispaperbackfromWhitecapcovers everythingfrom Africanvioletsto wisteria, alphabetically. The contents are all tips from Ontario horticultural association gardeners from Fort Frances to Windsor, with strength intheTorontoarea. TheauthorlivesintheBeachesareaofToronto,which gives thebook validity for the Golden Horseshoe. There s a reading list, an index, and a sheet for sending in your own hint.
GARDENING WITH HERBS
By Emelie Tolley and Chris Mead, $60
Twenty-five of the world s most beautiful gardens in the United States, England and France showcase the extraordinary effects that can be created with herbs. Herbs are used for hedges, borders and pathways, in water features and garden decorations. Includes a directory ofherbs and their . usesplussamplegardens thatcanbecustomized. Reminds one that some of the nicest and hardiest perennials are J herbs. Aninspiring book!
Trellis book shop offers personal service
TheCentre sTrellis bookshop hasover2,000titles in stock; special orders arefilledonanybookin print.Call (416)397-1359or 397-1357toplaceyour order or fax us at (416) 397-1354. We will give your request VIP attention and your order will be filled as promptly as possible. As a member, you receive a 10% discount on most book purchases.
AT #&)&# g* * 3&*-0"%3*%**
TheCentre ssummerprogramfor children from 7through 11 yearswillstart ~onJuly 11. ThedatesforGreenThumb Dayson the registration formin the June issue are incorrect. The dates beside the program description are correct. Call 397-1355 for information. To register call 397-1340.
Insect Inspectors:
July 11, August 15 and 22
Noticing Nature: July 12
Plentiful Plants: July 18 and August 17
Creative Crafts: July 20, August 16 and 24
Plants Plus: August 1
Awesome Adventures Tour: July 19 and August 23
Architecrural Woodwork
ANl P o Trellises Gazebos Decks = = ® Balcony and Deck Planters == ® Cusiom Wrought Iron Menal Work * ToroNTO's Largest Selection
of Terra Corma Pors
OROTHERDAYS WITHAPHONECALL
Thefinest selection ofoldand newgarden accentsfrom Canada, Europe & U.S.A For the Adventuresome of Spirit.
Canadian Crafts, Folk & Fine Art 1094 DERRY ROAD WEST 4 km west of Guelph Line.
We invite you to come by DERRY ROAD WEST ENDS AT browse & discover PICKLETREEFARM (905) 336-1398
Questions and answers with the Master Gardeners
Q. Thereare nohummingbirdsat myfeeder.Itis located in a sunnyarea by my perennial bed.
A. Probably the feeder is in too much sun. Tryitinashadierplacewithshrubsforperching nearby. Some hummingbirds mayfind it on migration.
Hummingbirds like twiggy shrub cover, as well as flowers
Q. The tips ofthe leaves ofmypeony turn brown, then black.
A. This is probably due to phytophthora blight. Infections occur in the roots and lower part of the stem, so fungicidal sprays will not help. The crown often develBs = e oy ops a wet rot from this fungus. Throw the plant away, TSR e R lifting it out of the ground with the adjacent soil and Blackened leaves and stems on disposeofitinthegarbage. Donotcompostit. Makesure peonies cannot be treated. that there is good drainage when planting peonies.
Q. MyJapanesemapleis ratherapoorcolour,a weak purplishgreen instead ofdeep red. It was a lovely red in the spring.
A. The tree is in the middle ofa lawn which has been treated with a high nitrogen fertilizer. This has caused rapid growth of the maple leaves, without enough pigment to keep the colour. The tree is also overshadowed by larger trees, and Japanesemaplesrequirealotofsunshinetomaintain deep colours.
A Japanese maple in a lawn may get too much nitrogen fertilizer.
Thanks to Vivien Jenkinsonfor illustrations.
Gardening questions? Call the Master Gardeners Hotline (416) 397-1345 daily, noon to 3:00 p.m.
Advance notice September master classes
TheCentrewilloffertwomasterclassesinSeptember. Fulldetailswillbeincludedinthe September issue of Trellis. Classes are limited to 25.
Masterclasses are run asworkshops with a hands-on approachto thetopic, usingreal plants and tools wherever the site and owner ailows.
Topic: The world of clematis
Speaker: David Miller
Date: Tuesday, September 19, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Location: The garden of Brian and Maureen Bixley, Shelburne, Ontario
Cost: $59
David Miller, general manager of The Guernsey Clematis Nursery Ltd., will give us indepth instruction about clematis including planting, training, pruning, propagating, hybridizing and how to creatively select clematis for seasons, situations, colour and pruning requirements.
Topic: Creating new garden features
Speaker: Peter Thoday
Date: Thursday, September 21, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Location Warrawee Farm, Rockwood, Ontario
Cost: $59
Peter Thoday, senior lecturer, director and presenter of the PBS series on the Victorian walled garden, past director of horticulture at the University of Bath, will instruct us on the esthetics and technical properties of paths, walls, bed and earth moulding layouts, grass,shelterandshrub plantings. Hewillincludea discussion on the selection, spacing and mulching of plants.
To register: mail, fax (416 397-1354) or call (416 397-1340) the Centre.
D September 19 - The world of clematis (cancellation deadline Sept. 11)
d September 21 - Creating new garden features (cancellation deadline Sept. 13)
NAME PHONE
ADDRESS CITY
CGC MEMBERSHIP NUMBER
TOTAL AMOUNT
CHEQUE ENCLOSED (PAYABLE TO THE CIVIC GARDEN CENTRE) J Visa D MAaSTERCARD D
POSTAL CODE
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Flora Danica highlights Danish plants
By Pamela MacKenzie
TheLatinword forflowersisflora. Abook that claims to be a flora is one which is designed to be a complete, illustrated and scientifically-annotated record of all the flowers(orplants) tobefound in a specific area. FloraOntarianawouldthusdealcomprehensively with all the flowers of Ontario;FloraAlbertania withthoseofAlberta.
The first flora (and one ofthe most precise and beautiful) to be published was called Flora Danica, the flowers of Denmark. Itsfirstinstalmentappearedin 1762 after ten years of scrupulous pre-publication collecting, cataloguing and analysis. Its scope was so ambitious and illustrationssoexactandelegantthatitgalvanized all the major European monarchs into doing for their realms something similar to what King Frederik V had done for his.
Although it took 100 years to complete anddealtwiththefarnorthofthecontinent (Denmark at that time comprised the JutlandPeninsula and itsislandswhichmake up modern Denmark, plus Norway, Iceland,GreenlandandHolstein wherethe cows come from), Flora Danica was so brilliant in its concept and beautiful in its execution that the first few installments were all that was needed to spark emulation. Forty-five years later the Austrian botanical historian Sprengel wrote, Our entiresciencehasbecomeilluminatedbya remarkable light from Denmark.
In 1773 thereappeared aFloraAustriaca (plantsofAustria/Hungary);in1777aFlora Londiniensis (London); and in 1784 a Flora Rossica (plants of Russia). More were to follow from Italy and Germany.
HowwasFrederikVabletodowhathe did? One answer is, Because he was an absolute monarch and could do anything he wanted. But there is more to it than that. He believed that Denmark s wealth
was in its land and what could grow onit. Hewanted to improve agriculture so asto have better, cheaper food; he wanted to improve botany to find better, cheaper medicinal drugs. He wanted to improve horticulturetohavemorebeautifulestates. Andthesourceofallthisbettermentwasto be found in what was already growing in Denmark.
Assisted by his two chief ministers, he made an excellent choice of author/director ayoungmannamedGeorgChristian Oeder who had been trained at Gottingen, the most modern university on the continent, and appointed him Regius ProfessorofBotany(despitetheopposition of the backward-looking University of Copenhagen).
Young Oeder was given a free hand in choosing his illustrators. He appointed a father and son team, Michael and Martin RoeslerfromNuremberg,asillustratorand
engraver who were to set a high standard forall theirsuccessors, Danishand foreign. Heenlisted thehelpofallclassesofsociety tobringhimspecimens. Andhefoundeda library (Denmark s first public library) to disseminate botanical, horticultural and agriculturalknowledgeaswidelyaspossible. Ofcoursethetaskwastoolargeforany one man; it took 100 years to complete. But such a great start had been made in 1763 thattherewasalwaysthe will tobring itto a successful conclusion.
SoFlora Danica was early recognized as aworkofbeautyand utility. Itisoneofthe happiestcoincidencesofhistorythatoneof thedirectorsoftheRoyalCopenhagenporcelain factory (another of the king s ideas for improving his kingdom) was made a directoroftheongoingFloraDanicain1788. This man, Theodor Holmskjold, saw the potential of combining the talents of Professor Oeder s team with those of the porcelain factory. So a most remarkable art work was born in the form of a delicate, gilt-edged dinner service of 1,600 pieces, eachcontainingabeautifully-executedcopy of a plant or flower from Flora Danica.
Each individual piece had its own individual plant. And great sensitivity was shown in matching delicately coloured illustration to its setting of fine white china borderedwithgold.Suchawonderfulwork was bound, by its cost, to be enjoyed by a relatively few crowned heads (the Danish king, Catherine II of Russia, and Queen Alexandra). In 1994QueenMargretheIIof
Denmark generously allowed the original porcelain to be put on display with an original set of engravings which had long beenlodgedinEdinburgh:abeautifulmarriage of science, art and technology, and a delight to botanists, artists and gardeners. Theillustrated catalogue ofthis exhibition isinthelibraryoftheCivicGardenCentre.
Pamela Mackenzie is a member of the Centre and is its recently-retired librarian.
VOLUNTEER CORNER
By Carolyn Dalgarno, volunteer co-ordinator
Wehopeallourvolunteershaveawonderfulsummerand will renew theirvolunteer commitmenttotheCentreearlyinSeptember.
If you haven t volunteered before and are considering doing this in the fall, plan to attend our next volunteer orientation day. Thesession is scheduled forWednesday, September 20, at 1:00 p.m. Anyone who would like to hear about volunteer activities at the Civic Garden Centre is invited to join us. We'll tell you about the Centre and describe the jobs and training available.
Pine Ridge SPECIALISTS in
Bog (Water) Plants,
Perennials [over 1000 varieties], Roses [over 4500 in stock], Annuals [connoisseur varieties], Ornamental Grasses
Horticultural Seminars, Saturdays at 10 am. March - April Brock Road, North Pickering (1 mile North of 401) 683-5952
Be
What's in store for picnics, barbecues, and summertime outdoors in the garden?
WICKER PICNIC BASKETS e TRAYS! TRAYS! TRAYS! ¢ COZY THROWS
BEAUTIFUL SQUARE CLOTHS e FROST-PROOF CLAY POTS e BIRD FEEDERS
WICKER TRAYS o GUEST BOOKS e CHILDREN'S HATS e IRON PLANT HANGERS
TUNISIAN POTS
MCBLOOM'S GARDEN SCRUB
INVITATIONS SUMMERHILL AND NOTES FRAGRANCE LINE
GALVANIZED TERRA COTTA VOTIVE CACHE-POTS CANDLES
EDIBLE FLOWER TEA RUSTY GIRL PLANT TOWELS STAKES
HAWS WATERING CANS MANUEL CANOVAS
GREAT WEDDING GIFTS St i
GREAT PITCHERS FOR g&é% :% SION SUMMER DRINKS
Chippendale PHOTO ALBUMS Garden Bench SIS pavs VASES
IRON GARDEN BENCHES CANDLEHOLDERS
CITRONELLA CANDLES FLORAL COASTERS
NEEDLEPOINT KITS AND PLACEMATS
ADDRESS BOOKS
TERRA COTTA PLANT MARKERS
TRICIA GUILD PAPER NAPKINS ¢ WHITE FLORAL GOLF HATS o IRON CANDELABRAS
BASKETS e LYNN NOBLE PRINTS ¢ GARDEN TOOLS e PICTURE FRAMES
MOUSE PADS e COTTAGE JOURNALS ¢ THANK YOU NOTES
Store hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5:00 p.m.
As always, your membership entitles you to a 10% discount on regular-priced shop merchandise.
In search of fragrance at Merlin s Hollow
By Dierdre Tomlinson
Right from the early days of planning our garden, there was a place for a fragrant garden. Atfirst, thequarter-acrewasused for a vegetable garden to feed the family and stave off the effects of our first recessioninCanada. Whenoureldestdaughter Beth wanted to hold her wedding receptioninthegarden,thatwastheonlysquare largeenoughtoholdthetent. Davidquickly grassed the area. Later, as we waited for time, energy and money to develop the area,weallowedweedstogrowforbutterflies to feed on. Thesturdygazebowe had built to grace the final garden looked strangely out of place on the seemingly derelict site. In the fall of 1992, David started to build the fragrant garden which for many years had been a dream ofmine.
Design:
One of the secrets of a successful design is to plan well in advance to ensure that you only do things once. With the volume of visitorswehaveeachyeartoMerlin sHollow, we had decided that a gravel path aroundthegardenwouldbemostdurable. Sodsfromtheensuingtrenchwerestacked, grass side down, on the site ofthefragrant beds. Thisprovidedtheadvantageofraised beds whichbroughtthe scentsclosertous.
We bought Wiarton stone from a local merchantandDavidbuiltloosestonewalls, slopedbackatanangletoriseandfallwith the frost. In one of the walls, he inserted a 3/4 metal pipe leading to a terra cotta flowerpot laid on its side with cotton battinginsideforabumblebeetonestin. They fly in cooler weather than honey bees and pollinate the early flowers.
Six-foot rough cedar poles were placed for clematis and honeysuckle to climb. Clematis terniflora is expected to climb up the pole and into the spruce trees.
Gravel was wheeled into a large area between the beds for the thyme lawn and weusedthatgraveltosetout30cuttingsof a fragrant double dianthus we had been given years ago. As David built the walls heinserted thesesturdylittleplantswhich soon grew amazingly well in their gravel pockets.
Wehadboughtfivedifferentlow-growing thymes and grew them for three years totestontherockgarden.Wechosepurple flowered, white flowered and woolly thyme. By tearing them apart to make 1,000 plants, with and without roots, we formed theembryoofthethymelawn. We kept itwell watered forabout three weeks anditsoonrecovered. Thus,itcostus$9.50 instead of $3,000 if we had bought the plants later.
Thestoneandgravelgaveagrey,muted backgroundtothecolourschemechosenof pinks, mauves and whites, and the raised bedsontheslopedsitegaveasteppedlook quite distinct from the other areas within Merlin s Hollow.
Plant material: Wesoughtoutfragranttrees,shrubs,climbers, perennials, herbs and bulbs, and were anxioustoacquiretheshrubsearlytoform the background. Roses provided the bulk oftheseandhadtobehardy,diseaseresist-
ant,repeatbloomers(whichdowellincool summers, andhaveanearlyflushandthen bloomagain in fallin hot summers), triple fragrance and in our colour range.
We went to Pickering Nurseries with Beth and our friend Bob from England, armedwithhislong shortlist ofsuitables and asked for directions totheirfields. As we walked down the roses on a hot July day, we discovered that smelling roses is like wine-tasting you lost the ability to clearly discriminate after the fifth or sixth sniff. Orderrosesinfallbecausethechoice isnarrowerinspring.NowDavidhassweet companions like Pretty Jessica, Admired Miranda, Wise Portia, Penelope, Katherine, Dainty Bess and Louise Odier. Stanwell Perpetual flowered well in June and I cut 300spentbloomsoffthatsmallbush s first flush and the petals stay fragrant till they drop.
It would be easy to concentrate solely onroses,therebymissingthedeliciousscent of viburnums V. carlcephalum, V. juddii, V. farrerii; daphnes D. burkwoodii, D. merzerum, and the generous scents of lowgrowing D. cneorum; Calycanthus floridus (spice bush); buddleia (particularly the delicate flowers ofB. alternifolia), mockorange and magnolias like M. salicifolia and M. sieboldii.
Chooseplantswhichwillgivea successionofscentsthroughoutthegrowingseason. Startingwithsmallbulbsandfragrant alpines, of which two relatively unknown ones, Tulipa sylvestris and Muscari ambrosiacum are richly perfumed, then the larger bulbs which take you through to peonies, iris,valerian,hesperus,phloxand so many more. Intersperse wherever possible with lilies.
Herbs:
Herbs have been used for centuries to flavour, medicate, beautify or disguise more objectionable smells. They are the most generous scent providers of the garden,
including hyssop, dill, fennel, monarda, lavender, perovskia (Russian sage) and so forth. Manyhavescented foliageofwhich some need to bebruised to dischargetheir volatile oils while others are released by the motionofwind orrainonthem. Many ofthemgrowhappilyinpuregravelinour garden where the heat of the sun is enhanced by the stone and gravel to release their scents.
Mostflowersarescentedduringtheday while others like night-scented stock, a handsome white honeysuckle Lonicera caprifolium,Nicotianasylvestris, reserve their fragrancefortheevening,relyingonmoth, or in rarer cases bat, pollination.
Thereareflowersthatmockothersmells: ablue-on-blueiristhatsmellsofmilkchocolate; deep red Cosmos atrosanguineum, like expensive Belgian dark chocolate; Dianthus like cloves; valerian like vanilla; codonopsis and Fritillaria imperialis like skunk, and the staccato clarity of lemon verbena.
Weusewell-chosenannualstoboostthe range: sweet peas, heliotrope (known to me only in poetry before last year), candytuft, stocks, alyssum. Some of these havetobegrownonbeforeplanting,others grow quite happily ifsown directly on the beds or in the gravel at the base of our walls.
The search for plants to fill our fragrant garden has been fascinating and %z 7 delightful in a time whensize and colour are given greater status. But the rewards of scent are subtle and more enduring.
IwelcomeyoutovisitMerlin s Hollow to experience the adventure so far. We are open Saturday, July 1, and Sunday, July9. WearelocatedoffCentre Street in Aurora.
A Day in the Country!
Nestled in the Albion Hills, Graymalkin Farm has become a 2 ;t: mecca for gardening and heritage aficionados. The gardens
FREIY T %rare as ever changing as the seasons and there is always something interesting to see. By summer's end the 1870's vintage "designer barn" is filled to the rafters with the year's harvest of everlastings. The store on site is brimming with the summer's bounty -- captured in herbal vinegars and jellies, wreaths, pomanders, pot pourris and other floral decoratives.
A Day at Graymalkin always includes a tour of the extensive herb and flower gardens, ever alive with birds and butterflies, plus a sumptuous alfresco lunch. In August, A Day in the Country will feature at Graymalkin:
Edible Flower Delights - daturday, August 19
Discover the wonder of edible flowers! Learn to add brilliance both culinary and artistic to your table, and enjoy an herbal/floral lunch. Then create your own arrangement of culinary herbs and edible flowers to take home to decorate your palate or your dining table.
9:30 am - 2:30 pm, Graymalkin Farm, $95.90 includes fresh arrangement, container and lunch.
Fresh Herb Wreath-Wedacsday, August 23
Create a unique circlet of freshly harvested and living herbs, to lend grace to your door, mantle or table top. This wreath will enhance your home both visually and aromatically for up to a month's time!
9:30 am - 2:30 pm, Graymalkin Farm, $95.90, includes wreath and lunch.
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Profile: Ann Lovejoy
Conference speaker, The Sixth Great Canadian Gardening Conference
By Lillian Seymour
One ofmy main garden goals is an understanding and appreciation of the essential nature ofeach plant, so that it can be used in ways that make its true qualities working assets, andso that it will need minimal controls or interference from me.
Ann Lovejoy, The American Mixed Border, 1993.
AnnLovejoygardensonanoldislandfarm nestled into the shell of an orchard near Seattle, Washington. A popular lecturer, sheisalsoaregularcolumnistfortheSeattle Post-Intelligencer, many other newspapers and a frequent contributor to Horticulture magazine.
Her books include: The Year in Bloom, for which she won the 1987 Governor s Book award, The Border in Bloom, and an anthologyonperennials, aswellasacookbook, Cooking with Eight Items or Less and Gardensofthe World. Herlatest book, Along the Garden Path, 1995, guides the novice through the mysteries of design and follows the unfolding of the garden year.
In her beautifully photographed The AmericanMixed Border: GardensforAll Seasons (1993), Anncelebratestheartand craft of natural, ecologically-conscious gardening, with practical advice and philosophical analysis relating to our regional mixed borders.
For anyone who yearns for the challenges and successes of gardening naturally, who wants to push the envelope of theornamentalseason ,theCentre sGreat CanadianGardeningConferenceisforyou. Ann Lovejoy will be there, too!
The Great Canadian Gardening Conference willfocuson theart and craftofnaturalgardening. Beingheld from October 27 to30, it brings toTorontointernationallyknownandrespected speakerswhom Canadians might notgenerally hear.
Until the conference, each issue of Trellis will contain a profileofaconference speakeror some aspect ofpreparation for the conference. This month s author Lillian Seymour is a member ofthe conference committee.
A walk in the park
Join the Centre s tour guides for a walk in Edwards Gardens
Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
May through September
No charge. Meet in the lobby of the Centre. Flat shoes advised.
For information or group bookings, call the Hort Department, (416) 397-1356. Private tours are available. Costis $25 plus GST for a group of 20 people.
Sale of garden mums
Members pre-order day ¥ Public sale -: : Friday, September 8 I Saturday or Sunday, : September 9 and 10
: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. I Noon to 5:00 p.m. : TESRC Rt T sl e 54 S e e et
Celebrateautumnwithacolourfulplantofgardenmums. Theeight-inchpots areready for planting in the garden (or place them on your patio or deck). These nursery growngardenmums ofthe highestqualityareonly$5.49 a plant. Alsoavailableatthe salewill be pansies, asters and perennials for fall planting.
Please show quantity required.
LINDA - A new, early, medium-height, white decorative mum.
MEGAN - A medium-sized mum with daisy type blooms in lavender.
SYMPHONY - An intense lavender decorative, medium height, early.
DEBONAIR - A very popular intense lavender decorative mum.
CROWN JEWEL - A new wine-coloured daisy-type mum.
GRENADINE - Our favourite (and most popular), a coral-pink colour.
BRAVO - A deep dark red decorative mum. Short in height.
DONNA - An interesting large flowered yellow spoon tipped daisy.
JESSICA - A bright yellow decorative mum. A cheery addition.
HOLLY - A golden yellow pompom medium mum with early blooms.
RHAPSODY - An exceptional vivid purple-wine, new decorative mum.
GINGER- A two-tone bronze mum, decorative form.
GRACE - An orange-bronze with daisy flowers.
* All varieties are subject to availability.
® 10% members discount will apply to pre-orders returned prior to September 5.
* Please pay for your plants on day ofpurchase. :
* Can t decide which plants to order? Just bring your membership card and browse through our unreserved mums.
NAME PHONE
ADDRESS
Crry
PostaL Copg
MEMBERSHIP NUMBER EXPIRY DATE
Phone your order to (416) 397-1355 or fax to (416) 397-1354. Questions? Call (416) 397-1355.
Comlng events
July 11
22-26
* Botanical drawing course. SOLD OUT August
e Green Thumb: Plants Plus
¢ Green Thumb Day: Insect Inspector 15 & 22 12
® Green Thumb: Insect Inspector
* Green Thumb Day: Noticing Nature 16 & 24
¢ Kidsummer at the Centre
e Green Thumb: Creative Crafts
¢ Qut-of-town tours. SOLD OUT 17
e Green Thumb: Plentiful Plants 16 19
* Perennials for shade, 1:00 p.m. Free week-
¢ Canadian Iris Society, sale, 1:00 p.m. end lecture, 23 18
e Green Thumb: Awesome Adventure
e Green Thumb: Plentiful Plants 24 19
¢ CanadianChrysanthemumandDahliaSoci-
® Green Thumb: Awesome Adventure ety, meeting, 7:00 p.m. 20 27
e Green Thumb : Creative Crafts
* Flower arranging demonstration, 1:00 p.m. Free weekend lecture.
The Canadian Rose Society s annual Goulding Memorial Lecture
Speaker: Wilhelm Kordes of Germany
Topic: Kordes: the family and its roses
Date: Thursday, September 7, 1995, at 7:30 p.m. at the Centre
Limited tickets are available at $5 each from Anne Graber (416 757-8809).
Bulk Ennombre third troisiéme class classe TORONTO
THE SIXTH GREAT CANADIAN GARDENING CONFERENCE
Gardening naturally: art and craft ofthe natural garden
Friday, October 27 to Sunday, October 29
Monday October 30: The experts stay on
Gardening naturally will bring together international experts to explore the growing trend ofnatural landscaping and provide gardeners with a renewed vision ofthe garden s natural possibilities.
Distinguished speakers include: NEIL DIBOLL ¢ KEN DRUSE ¢ JUDY GLATTSTEIN « DES KENNEDY * ROY LANCASTER *« ANN LOVEJOY « ROBERT OSBORNEJOHN POWERS ¢ LAUREN SPRINGER
For more information and to receive a brochure, call the Civic Garden Centre: (416) 397-1340