The newsletter of the Civic Garden Centre in Metropolitan Toronto December, 1995/January, 1996 Volume 23, Number 1
Civic Garden Centre
General In*
TheCivicGardenC: bsemission isto actasa central »ntal issues by encouraging int nating and interpreting inform pers of the community.
Located in Edw in North York, the Centre se1 3s Ontario. The Civic Garder s, exhibits and shows. Please Hoka
Trelias
Winter (November tends and holidays noonto4: e m. to5:00 p-m.; weekends an January, 1996
Telephone: Areac
Main number: 397Rentals: 397-1349 Library: 397-1340
Gardening hotline:
Board of directors: i Chair: Lynne Robbins
Executive director: Bonnie Hillman ' Members: Peter Boeckle Manager, community and educational programs: ,
Lindsay Dale-Harris
Diana von Appen g John Dean Co-ordinator, children s programs
Al Margot Mather
Horticulturist: Stephen Westcott-Gratton
Makt et Librarian: Roslyn Theodore
JolutElowan
Lorraine Johnson
Gwen Kearney
Nancy Laurie
Barbara Mayer
Mary Mingie
David Money
Maureen Naylor
Anthea O'Reagan
Helen Shaw
Roger Silverthorne
Robin Wilson
Trellis editor: Iris Hossé Phillips
Manager, marketing and special events: Carolyn Dalgarno
Trellis Shop manager: Joel Lavine
Trellis Shop assistant manager:
Barbara Stevenson
Plant buyer: Ellen Eisenberg
Manager, administration and facility rentals: Betsy Chubb
Maintenance supervisor: Walter Morassutti
Bookkeeper/administrative assistant: Janie Brentnall
Administrative assistant: Shirley Lyons
TRELLIS
Volume 23, Number 1
Editor: IrisHossé Phillips
Editorialco-ordinator: Leslie Lynch
Advertisinginformation: (416)397-1340
Printedby 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: (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 February 15 will be included in the April 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.
Trellis, December 1995/January 1996
Editor s note
By Iris Phillips
Iamdelightedbythenewbookspublished recently by members of the Centre. Their contributiontothelibraryofgardenliteratureisdistinctiveandIhopeeachbookhas healthy salesand gains a large readership:
Lorraine Johnson, The Ontario Naturalized Garden
Edwinna von Baeyer and Pleasance Crawford,TwoCenturiesofCanadianGarden Writing
Marjorie Harris, In the Garden
Mark Cullen, The All Seasons Gardener
Margaret Bennet-Alder, The Toronto Gardener s Journal and Source Book
Shelagh Meagher and John de Visser, The Spirit ofthe Garden.
The books are available at the Trellis Shop and make a perfect gift for a gardening friend.
Articles, garden anecdotes and letters for inclusion in Trellis are welcome. Either send your article by mail or fax it to the Centre. (Fax 397-1354.)
December 15 isthedeadlinefortheFebruary issue of Trellis.
Have a happy holiday season!
Holiday closing hours:
The Centre will be closed from 4:00 p.m. December 22 , 1995 to 9:00 a.m., January 2, 1996. The Trellis Shop will re-open on January 9, 1996.
January special event!
Passport to the lle de France and south-west England
Sunday, January 28, 1996
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Members: $35
Non-members: $45
JoinJenniferDickson foraday stourofsomeoftheworld smostmagnificentgardens.
Ourdestinations are in Franceand England and the price isaffordable. Travellers can sit back, relax and enjoy the sights on a cold wintry Sunday in January. Passports not required.
Lunch available for $8. Please let us know in advance. Details and registration form are in the November issueofTrellisorphonetheCentreat (416) 397-1340to register.
The Trellis Shop: your destination for
holiday shopping
children s books, puzzles and games
cozy throws
gorgeous paper napkins
picture frames
mirror, mirror on the wall
Rushy Girl garden stakes and trellises
Farmer s Market vegetable mugs, plates and bowls
the best in garden tools
gardener s T-shirts
fragrant soaps and potpourri
wonderful trays
candles for festive evenings
lovely journals
beautiful vases and bowls
wrought iron book ends
framed prints
delicious herbal oils and vinegars
holiday coasters and placemats
elegant garden furniture
holiday cards and notes
garden signs
soothing lotions for hard-working hands
Happy holidays and season s greetings from the staffand volunteers!
Holiday clearance sale starts Thursday, December 14. One day only 20% off all merchandise in the shop
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4:00 p.m.
Education manager is Diana von Appen
For Diana von Appen, joining the Centre marked the start of a second career. Two years ago, theCarletonUniversity political science graduate and former employment equityadvisorwaslookingforanewcareer direction. Sheremembered anaptitudetest she had taken years previously. It determined thatjob satisfaction would be greatest in horticulture, landscape design or the botanical field. This finding set her on her newcourse,whichbeganwithenrolmentin two diploma programsat the Universityof Guelph, volunteer work with the Royal
BotanicalGardensand a smallbusiness as a garden designer and consultant.
A year ago, she and her husband of 12 yearsmovedtotheBeachesareafromHamilton. She says the move was a return to thecityIgrewupinandtofond memories ofplayinginEdwardsGardensasachild. She slookingforwardtoworkinginan environment that provides education in the beauty and science of plants.
Watch for exciting and intriguing educational programs ahead.
Mistletoe Magic sponsors
The Centre thanks Raised Image forproducing the ad cards andposters for Mistletoe Magic at no cost. Loblaws kindly donated 500 mums for sale during the event.
For the love gfgard=e§
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 of our 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.
SHERIDAN NURSERIES
700Evans Avenue 606SouthdownRoad 2827 YongeStreet 100ElmsdaleRoad 4077Hwy. #7
EtobicokeM9C1A1 ~ Missisauga L5]2Y4 TorontoM4N2J4 KitchenerN2E IH6 ~ UnionvilleL3R 1L5
Tel: (416) 621-9100 Tel: (905) 822-0251 Tel: (416) 481-6429
Tel: (519) 743-4146 Tel: (905) 477-2253 GARDENSBYSHERIDAN:Metropolitan Toronto, Markbam, Mississauga andOakville Tel: (905) 822-7575
The Sixth Great Canadian Gardening Conference: the last word (or almost)
By Nancy Laurie, conference chair
This year s conference aimed to define the naturalized garden . At the conference conclusion,wecameawaywithsomewords andimagesthathelpcreateaframeworkto more fully understand the concept.
Initssimplesttermsthenaturalizedgardenissensiblegardening puttingplants where they will prosper without artificial amenities. All of our speakers confirmed this basic horticultural premise, and some spoke about habitat gardening and plant communities.
Here are some interesting things we learned:
WisconsinnurserymanNeilDibollstartleduswiththestatisticthatlessthan1% of originalU.S. prairiehabitatremainsintact.
The ability of nurseries to produce hardier plants was demonstrated by Robert Osborne when he gave the example of a Germanrosehybridizerwhobecameinterested in his plant s hardiness, or lack of, andstartedcrossingpopulartearoseswith thehardybutlessglamorousnorthernroses. If the market is there, then the producers will try to supply it. It is up to you and me to demand the product, and not quietly accept out-of-zone defeat!
Nature also looks after the world s genetic plantbank through regeneration, adaptation, and cross-breeding. Roy Lancaster carefully illustrated that plants may throw an unusual offspring of different physical appearance and habitat requirements as a mutation or a throwback to a long lost relative. He cautioned us to be watchful and protective of both parents and offspring; to study their idiosyncrasies; and, defend their right to exist.
As an addendum to that thought, Ken Druse warned us of garden invaders , temptingly beautiful plants that might be-
havewithdecoruminonelocation, onlyto become thugs in friendlier climes, taking overtheseovertlywelcomingenvironments at the cost of the exclusion of native plant material.
John Powers gave testimony to the intensive plant needs of one of the more delightful garden fauna - thebutterfly. To have a butterfly visit your garden, plant a nector-producing plant. To have butterflies live in your garden and return there year after year, your plants must provide food and shelter for all of their stages.
LaurenSpringerthrilledourvisualsensibilities with her own pictorial journal of the transformation of a truly ugly, mistreated, tiny, city, corner-lot into a breathtaking living masterpiece. She took us throughhergarden smetamorphosiswith the pre-planning analysis of her site; and, acceptance ofit s realities in terms ofboth it s physical, and her monetary resources. She searched garden literature to find sister plants for those she knew would grow in her soil and climate zone.
Judy Glattstein and Ann Lovejoy recentlyleftlong-tendedgardensbehindina householdmove.Theyimmediatelybegan togardenintheirnewspace atestimony totheinsatiableneedforsomeofustocarry on with our hands in the soil and witness themiracleofthegardenwhereverweare.
The naturalized garden is in us and around us. It is a need, a belief, a style, a cause, and a responsibility that should awaken in us our moral legacy of earthly stewardship.
Plant of the month: Hollies
By Anna Leggatt
Holly is the most evocative of Christmas plants.
I mean the English holly of my childhood. We never bought it, it was always there, growing well, with berries appearing in scarlet clusters in the late fall. (Scientifically, the berries are really drupes.)
I never knew eithergrandmother,butI wish I had met my paternal grandmother whenIwasolder. ShediedwhenIwastwo and we moved in with my grandfather. I ran wild in the large garden that she had ruled with a rod of iron and followed the part-timegardener, whowasstillquaking in memory.
Theplantsshehad!Manyofmyfavourites today are ones that must have been hers, for I met them in that far-off garden.
Oneplantwasadisappointment:alarge glossy green holly, with wavy margins forming fairly indistinct spines along its wonderful creamy margin. It never had berries! I searched everyyear. That kind never does, was the only explanation I got. We had holly hedges and another two trees, all very pricklybutbearing satisfactory berries.
When I was nine, we moved to a farm. I was soon exploring every hedge, mappingbirds nests, searching thebanks and damp meadows for wildflowers. I knew where every holly tree grew and how accessible it was. Each tree had clusters of tiny flowers so I thought we would have plenty of berries. In late November, I dragged my sister out to find the best berries. Sadly, the closest never had a berry, though we always checked. Could the birds have beaten us there?
It made good greenery for filling in the decorations so it was always worth the visit. Whenwedecidedonthebesttree,we kept visiting, for if the birds were hungry,
we would have to find another.
Christmas Eve arrived. We would set out with long pole pruners and secateurs and collectasmuchaswecould reach. We carried our haul back suspended from the long pruners which were balanced on our
shoulders. Thebestyearswerewhenthere wasa littlefrostorevensnowandwecould use the toboggan to drag our sparkling load back past the barns to the church, leaving some for the house and a special piece to go on the pudding.
I must havebeenatleastfifteenbeforeI realized that holly has male and female flowers on different plants and although the females had offyears with fewberries, it was a waste of time investigating what suddenly seemed too high a proportion of males!
When we moved to Canada, I was shocked to find you actually had fo buy holly! It was too cold to grow it!
By the time we moved into our present house, I discovered some of the hybrid hollies. KnownasIlex BluePrincess , Blue Prince , Blue Angel and so on, they are correctly Ilex x meservae, and are hybrids between the English holly, Ilex aquifolium (Zone 7) and I. rugosa, (Zone 3), a very
hardy species from northern Japan. These were introducedin1972-73,hardierthan BlueBoy and Blue Girl which were introduced in 1964.
China Girl and China Boy , were introduced in 1979. Theyhaveglossyfoliage,acompacthabit andgrowfast. BlueAngel istheslowestgrowing females and has large shiny deep red berries. Blue Maid is one of the hardiest (Zone 4 or 5).
Hollies need a neutral to acid soil, sun to part shade,fairlyrich in humus, but also well drained. Onemalewill pollinateseveralfemales as longas they are flowering at the same time.
Don t do what I did. My one male is close besideafemaleonthenorthsideofthehouse. The other female is physically close, but on the south side of the house, one zone warmer, so it flowers ten days earlier than the male! The male grows faster (doesn t have to waste energy on the next generation) so cut it back after flowering. If you plant them close together, they will eventually look like one bush.
Youcangrowmoreplantsfromcuttings. Take thefinal 10cmfromavigoroussteminSeptember. Make sure there are no flower buds. Place your cuttinginamixofdampperlite,vermiculiteanda littlepeatmoss. Coverwithaplasticbagandleave in a warmish, brightly lit place and be patient!
Holly s use at Christmas probably started in pagan times. Ancient Romans believed that the whiteflowerswould turnwaterintoice. Inmedieval times, holly was planted near houses to protectfromlightningandwitchcraft. Infusionsfrom the leaves have been used as a sedative and for treating fevers.
References: Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Dirr. Magic and Medicine ofPlants: Readers Digest.
(AnnaLeggattisaTorontoMasterGardener and editor of The Journal, the newsletter of the Ontario Rock Garden Society.)
Pull out course brochure on next page.
Wildflower mdGarden Tours
Gardens ofVancouver
June 17 to 21, 1996, C$785, fromVancouver Leader: Barbara Wilkins
Wildflowers ofthe Rockies
July7 to 20, 1996
US$1595, from Denver Leader: Marion Jarvie
Gardens ofScotland
September 6 to 20, 1997
C$3995, from Glasgow Leader: Allen Paterson
Wildflowers of China
May25 to June 18, 1997
C$4995, from Kunming Leader: PeterCunnington
Formoreinformationpleasecall: 416-221 3000 toll free 1-800 -387 1483 -
? )
Betsy Chubb
Alvin Allen
MargotMather Manager, administration and Maintenance Co-ordinator, facility rentals children s programs
Centre staf at your
Stephen Dalgarno
Janie Brentnall Maintenance Bookkeeperadministrative assistant
WalterMorassutti
Carolyn Dalgarno Barbara Stevenson Maintenance supervisor Manager, marketingand Trellis Shopassistant manager special events
] StephenWestcott-Gratton
Diana von Appen
Horticulturalist Manager, communityand Librarian educational programs
Fmembers
Lyons BonnieHillman Administrativeassistant Executive director
RoslynTheodore
Shirley
JoelLavine
Ellen Eisenberg
Iris HosséPhillips
Trellis Shop manager Plant buyer Trellis Editor
New books for sale in the Trellis Shop
Reviewed
by Stan
Etchells, Joyce Stirling and HeatherMcKinnon
WHAT PLANT WHERE,
by Roy Lancaster, $37.95
Years of experience answering questions on what to grow on problem sites and a profoundknowledgestemmingfromexploringforplants inthewild makeLancasteran idealauthority toadviseon whatto plantwhere. A guide tochoosing thebest plants for every area of your garden.
GARDEN VOICES
Two centuries of Canadian garden tY argen writing, edited by Edwinna Von Baeyer and Pleasance Crawford, $28.95
Mackenzie King a garden writer? Yes, right there with Fred Dale! Mark CullenandDavidTarrantlikethisbook. It covers everything from Bond s description (1801) of the gardenplanforLotNo. 1,OntarioandDuchessStreets,York, to 1994 pieces on landscaping, pests and plants. Great bibliographies, great index, great reading!
THE ART OF FRENCH VEGETABLE GROWING,
by Louisa Jones, $50
Notjustgardening,but80classicFrenchrecipesforcookingwhatyou vegrown! This isabeautifullyillustratedbookbyaCanadianexpatriate. Allvegetablesarebeautiful,but some more than others. Flowers aremerely companion plants. The photographs prove this, and much more. With a fine index, recipes indexed separately.
THE
INWARD GARDEN, by Julie Moir Messervy, $45
The subtitle Creating a place of beauty and meaning says it all. The excellent photographs (Sam Hall, National Geographic) are not confined to North America. One thesis is that North Americans are now more conscious of the need for privacy via enclosures. Much more to this book than how-to-landscape!
p [N THE GARDEN: thoughts on changing seasons, UNNORFSISIERR by Marjorie Harris, $16.
} | \ QD [ Thisbookisdividedintothefourseasons;thenMarjorieHarris ki has written one-page thoughts, images and information, both In physical and spiritual that are inspired by the garden. Titles Lh ' include: BeautyofLatinnames;Definingspring;Plantsforbugs; and Garden epiphany.
FLOWER CRAFT,
by Jenny Raworth with Susan Berry, $29.95
The authors explain 20 different flower projects with clear instructions and step-bystep full-colour photos. The book is divided into three sections fresh, dried and preservedflowers. Theprojectsrangefromdecoratingthehometogreetingcards. You'll be eager to get started on a project!
= % &
Forthe Adventuresome of Spirit.
Canadian Crafts, Folk & Fine Art
We invite you to come by browse & discover
169 KING STREET E. Toronto, Ontario M5A 1J4 (416) 777-9617
Advertise in Trellis!
Trellis classified ads are a great way to reach gardeners and a bargain at $1 per word. Deadline for submissions is the 15th of the month.
IT S BLOOMING EASY
Join Canadian Garden Writer N2 JIM ST, MARIE yg% fora
GARDENER STOUROFSCOTLAND
BY UPTOWN TRAVEL
May 8 - 23, 1996
Enjoy outstanding gardens amid spectacular mountain and coastal scenery including tropical Inverewe.
Tour Edinburgh Botanic, 5 private home, 4 National Trust plus Royal Balmoral and Crathes Castle gardens and 2 nurseries. Added features: Chelsea Flower Show and guest lecturer Allen Paterson.
For Details Write to: UPTOWN TRAVEL, Department TR 104 King Street South, Waterloo, Ontario N2J 1P5 orcall: 1-800-667-0803
ONT. REG. #2557469
Here's the easiest route to yearround gardening. Mail-A-Grow is a new subscription service offering seasonal delights for your indoor and outdoor pleasure. Exotics, letterforgreen-thum to your door. This could be the year you really bloom. For more information call: showstoppers, little treasures. All packaged with everythingyou needto getgrowing. Extra Bonus: afun newss and all-thumbs. Delivered right
SPECIALISTS ix:
Perennials [over 1000 varieties], Roses [over 4500 in stock], Annuals [connoisseur varieties], Bog (Water) Plants, Ornamental Grasses Horticultural Seminars, Saturdays at 10 am. March - April BrockRoad, North Pickering (1 mile North of401) 683-5952
March 3, 1996 at the Civic Garden Centre Proceeds will support the teaching garden at Edwards Gardens.
Questions and answers with the Master Gardeners
Q. Ihavefruitflies in my worm composter. How can Icontrol them?
A. The tiny black flies are most likely fungus gnats. They are hard to control. Reduce the moisture content ofyour composter, asthegnatspreferawetmedium. TryusingSafer sStickyStiks the yellow sticky surface will catch many of them. You may have to start over with new bedding to get rid of them completely. Some people have found that grapefruit skins in the composter discourage them.
Sticky Stiks will attract and trap fungus gnate.
Growing a Q. I wanted to grow a pineapple. I put the top in pineapple. water, let it dry out, but now it is rotting.
A. Cut the pineapple top so that there is a thin slice of the flesh attached. Dry the top and set itin a layer of sand on a pot of damp soil. Cover the plantwithaclearplasticbagand putitinashady Si place(notdirectsun)atroomtemperature. When it shows signs of growth, remove the bag. Keep damp underbrightlight12hoursa day, and haveitina ool warm humid atmosphere. You could place the pot on pebbles in a saucer or tray with water. Move to a larger pot when necessary.
Q. What is the plant called Mother ofThousands ?
A. Most commonly, this name is given to Saxifrage stolonifera, or strawberrybegonia. Theroundhairyleavesformarosetteandthis sendsoutrunnerswithtinyplantsstartingalongit(likestrawberry plants do).
But the name is sometimes used for Bryophyllum, which is a succulent that sprouts rows of baby plants along the edges of its triangular leaves, and for spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) with striped green and silver leaves, which also sends out long runnerswithspikylittleplantsdanglingonthem,lookingabitlike spiders. Tolmieamenziesiiorpiggy-backplantand motherofpearl (Graptopetalum paraguayense) have also been called this. Plantlets on a strawberry begonia. Thanks to Vivien Jenkinsonfor illustrations. F
Gardening questions? Call the Master Gardeners Hotline (416) 397-1345 daily, noon to 3:00 p.m.
Lecture series features Toronto s garden history
The Civic Garden Centre is working with The Garden Club of Toronto and the TorontoHistoricalBoardtopresentaseriesoffivelunch-timelecturesinJanuaryand Februarv. The series explores the history of gardens in Toronto. Here's the line-up of dates, topics and speakers:
¢ Thursday January 25. Topic: Littleleisureis left forthegardens: a studyofearly gardens in Canada. Speaker: Helen Skinner, garden researcher, writer and horticultural judge.
* Thursday,February1. Topic: Gildingthelily: ornamentinOntarioGardens, 1867 - 1914. Speaker: Pleasance Crawford, landscape historian, author and editor.
e Thursday, February8. Topic: Past gloriesofgreatestategardens: aperspective on Dunington-Grubb between the wars. Speaker: Christopher Campbell, garden historian and landscape architect.
* Thursday, February 15. Topic: Spadina: the timeless 130-year old garden. Speaker: MarianLawson,chairpersonoftheSpadinagardenre-creationandWendy
Woodworth, senior horticulturist, Toronto Historical Board.
¢ Thursday, February 22. Topic:
Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Speaker: Maclnnes, manager, Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Crematorium and Mausoleum.
The series takes place at the Toronto Historical Board, 205 Yonge Street, north of QueenStreet,fromnoonto 1:00p.m. Bringlunch! AdmissionforCentremembersis Brian
$2. For information call, (416) 392-6827.
In the library:
By library volunteers Mary Lou Watson and Ann Johnson
Arnold, Peter, Orchids
(London: Cassell Publishers Ltd., 1994) 636.6/A68
Along with almost 100 pages ofbeautiful photographs, Peter Arnold has put together a collection of useful information and advice for orchid lovers.
Billet, Arthur, The practical gardening handbook (London: Ivy Leaf, 1991) 635/B386
A compact answer book to almost any gardenquestion. However,Canadianread-
ers will need to factor in local climatic conditions.
Greenwood, Pippa, The new gardener: the practicalguide to gardening basics (London: DorisKindersleyLtd., 1995) 635/ G67
With 750 illustrations plus step-by-step sequences based around practical projects for both new and existing gardens. An ideal book for the beginner as well as a useful reference for the experienced gardener.
Seeds of change
By Stephen Westcott-Gratton, Civic Garden Centre horticulturist
ThisissueofTrellis maywellcoincidewith the arrival of one of the many seed catalogues thatarebeginningtofind theirway into our mail-boxes at this time of year, boasting of new introductions and of old favourites.
Butwait it seems that this yearmore than ever the glossy pictures are heavy on the new cultivars, and undeniably light onthe old favourites. Thisisespeciallyclearwhen oneturnstothesectionsonvegetables those plants with which we hope to become more intimate with, than say, our snapdragons.
Yet here am I, looking for an old variety of corn to plant, and being metbyabarrageof F-1 hybrids. This isnotinitselfabad thing: F-1 hybrids aresimplythefirst generation producedbythecrossingoftwoplantvarieties. Theyhave, however, become the stock in trade of the commercial seed industry, and are beginning to crowd out the traditional openpollinated varieties (ones pollinated by bees,birds, and in thecaseofcorn, wind ratherthanplantgeneticists)fromthemarketplace.
Thisoftenresultsintheextinctionofthe traditional varieties since many domesti-
cated species will not survive unless they are planted over and over again by humans. Some would say that this is simply Darwinianoperationofthemarketplace that if the old varieties were any good, they d compete more successfully, likening open-pollinated seeds to Model Ts. Others might maintain that there is anotherreasonforthe hybrid s predominance: that they exist to protect the breeding investment of the seed company. Unlike the seeds of openpollinated varieties, the seeds produced by an F-1 hybrid don t ccome strel s = their offspring are apt to exhibit the undesirable traits of one or the other parent much like humans. In otherwords, seeds of these hybrids can t be saved or reproduced; their biology makes them proprietary. Thisisn ttheonly waythatmodernF-1hybridshavechanged the face ofagriculture. Given heavy doses of fertilizer, F-1 hybrids grow swiftly and produce high yields. They also produce genetically uniform plants. What could better suit factory farming than a robust field ofidentical tomato or corn plants geneticallycoded toripenallatonce,thereby facilitating mechanical harvesting?
National Garden Bureau
But this same uniformity also violates one of nature scardinalprinciples: genetic diversity. A field of genetically identical plants is far more vulnerable to pests and disease, as North American farmers discovered in 1970, when a blight decimated thecorncrop,whichhadgrowndependent on a fewgeneticallysimilarhybrids. After such blights, breeders have historically turnedtotraditionalvarietiesofcorn,found in places like Mexico, to refresh the gene poolandprovidenewresistance. Butwhat happenswhenMexicanfarmershavebeen sold onfancy new hybrids and their traditional varieties have become extinct?
We're accustomed to think of biodiversity only in connection with wild speciesinplacesliketherainforest,butthe species humans have selected and bred since the invention of agriculture are no less important. They represent a priceless worldwide store of genetic information, the heritage of some 10,000 years of coevolution between humans and their crop plants.
Course comments
By Ada Brzeski, course co-ordinator
Here are some new and exciting courses being offered for the winter semester: David Tomlinson will share his expertise on perennial gardening while design expert Penny Arthurs will give a lecture and workshop on designing the front garden. Judith Adam will teach a basic gardening course: take all three parts or only the ones that interest you. Marion Jarvie willteachtheplannedgardenagainaswell astwonewtopics: theMediterraneangarden and greenhouse/solarium gardening. Spend a weekend with Elaine Gitalis experimenting with theart ofwatercolour collage or learn to make your own artist s
Well,backtomypacketofcornseeds I could, for example order a hybrid from Dominion. This year they re offering several of the modern super-sweet hybrids (several years ago researchers figured out how to double the gene for sugar in corn and slow its conversion to starch), includingMonteCarlowhich,thecatalogueclaims, stays buttery sweet up to ten days after maturity. This is a revealing boast. It suggests that Monte Carlo and hybrids like it were developed with factory farmers rather than gardeners in mind. For what gardener would need a corn that holds its sweetness for ten days?
SomehowIdon tthinkthatMonteCarlo will feel much at home in my garden this summer. [had moreinmind somekind of botanical ark, a blooming, fruiting archive ofgeneticandculturalinformation,amulticultural free-port city of open-pollinated, public-domain seeds to be saved and disseminated.
Perhaps the postman will have better news for me tomorrow!
sketchbook by taking abookbinding course with Don Taylor. Lynda Bryden will be back leading her studio group; her introductorywatercolourcoursewillresumein the spring .
Staff changes:
Diana von Appen is now responsible for courses as well as all other educational programmingsoifyouhaveanyquestions or suggestions, contact her. I willbe helpingMarilynKingandAntheaO Reaganin the volunteer department.
Have a great holiday season.
Centre s students exhibit internationally
Two students from Pamela Stagg s botanical painting workshop at the Centre have had work accepted for international exhibitions.
PegGraebofNorthYorkwasaccepted fortheRoyalHorticulturalSociety sNovember exhibition. Herpaintings were shown in London, incompetitionwithartistsaround the world. Shepainted a seriesofgeraniums a minimum ofeightpaintingswas required.
Joanne Hayes, who came from Morin Heights, Quebec, to take a coursea few summers ago, has had work accepted for the 8th International Exhibition of Botanical Art and Illustration, whichopened atthe HuntInstituteofBotanicalDocumentation, Pittsburgh, inearly November. ThisprestigiusexhibitionwilltourtheUnitedStatesforseveralyears.
Volunteer corner
By Carolyn Dalgarno, manager, marketing and special events
Volunteers should have received their invitation some weeks ago. This is a reminder to join us on Wednesday, December 6, between 4:00 and 7:00 p.m., for the Volunteer Recognition Party and meet other volunteers who have helped make 1995 a success.
We hope you will renew your volunteer commitment to the Civic Garden Centre in 1996. Your support is a necessary factorboth in the day to day operations ofthe Centre and our special events and programs.
Thank you for all your help throughout 1995.
Coming events at the Centre
December 1
* Givic Garden Centre poinsettia/winter plant sale, members day and pre-order pick-up, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
x
* Civic Garden Centre poinsettia/winterplantsale,publicsale,noonto4:00p.m.
® Orchid judging centre, 1:00 p.m.
3
e Civic Garden Centre poinsettia/winterplant sale, public sale, noon to4:00 p.m.
* SouthernOntarioOrchidSociety,meeting, 1:00 p.m.
6
* (Civic Garden Centre volunteer recognition party, 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
* Elegant touches, course #4132-1
10
* Ontario Rock Garden Society, meeting, 1:30 p.m. Speaker: Andrew Osyany. Topic: bulbs.
11
¢ Toronto Bonsai Society, meeting, 7:00 p-m.
¢ SouthernOntarioOrchidSociety,newcomers meeting, 7:30 p.m.
13
¢ lkebana International Chapter # 208, social, 7:30 p.m. Speaker: Sue Nishiyama. Topic: Origami and wrapping.
January, 1996 6
* Orchid judging centre, 1:00 p.m.
7
* SouthernOntarioOrchidSociety,meeting, 1:00 p.m.
9
¢ North Toronto Horticultural Society, annual general meeting, 8:00 p.m.
14
* Ontario Rock Garden Society, meeting, 1:30 p.m. Speaker: Barrie Porteous; Topic: troughs.
15
* SouthernOntarioOrchidSociety,newcomers meeting, 7:30 p.m.
16
¢ Toronto Cactus and Succulent Club, meeting, 7:30 p.m.
21
* York Rose Society, meeting, 2:00 p.m.
25
¢ CanadianChrysanthemumandDahlia Society, meeting, 7:00 p.m.
28
* Passport to the Ile de France and southwest England, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Speaker: Jennifer Dickson. Members $35, non-members $45.
Give a gift with a difference
* Membership in the Civic Garden Centre
Single: $30 Family: $40
A gift that lasts through the year
* Tickets to Jennifer Dickson s January tour of European gardens
* Enrolment in one of the Centre s courses
* Anplant or wreath from the Trellis Shop
* A book from among the over 2,000 titles in the Trellis book shop. Special orders filled on any book in print.
To make arrangements, call the Centre at (416) 397-1340.
Trellis, December 1995/January 1996
Bulk Ennombre third troisiéme class classe
S 12139 TORONTO
RThe Green Market
Fresh greens for holiday decorating are now available at % S the Centre s Trellis Shop.
Holly '§ l
* Green and variegated holly in a variety of packages to give your holiday decor that extra flair. %
Wreaths &
* White pine, cedar, and balsam as well as the traditional % green or variegated holly wreaths in either 14" or 24"
* Boxwood wreaths, available in 13", 17", 20", 33", and 42", to use as a base for fruits, nuts and other holiday decorations.
e Juniper wreaths - 22" or 24", pine wreaths - 33", bayleaf wreaths - 20", and seeded or baby eucalyptus wreaths - 20". %
To complete your decor, the Trellis Shop has a selection of garlands and boughs. % *
In addition... We also have amaryllis and paperwhite narcissusbulbs.
1996 Winter Courses
The Civic Garden Centre
g 777 Lawrerice Avenue East
North York, Ontario M3C 1P2 i
Daytime Courses At The Centre ~
Jan 8,15,22,29, Feb 5,12,19 Mondays Landscape In Watercolour
Jan 9,16,23,30 Feb 6,13,20 Tuesdays Watercolour Studio
Jan 11, 18, Feb 1, 8, 15, 22 Thursdays
Acrylics & Oils: Beginner & Continuing
Jan 15,22, 29, Feb 5,12.19 Sogetsu Mondays
January 17,24,31
Ikebana: Japanese Flower Arranging Wednesdays
Jan 18 Thursday Seagrass Basket Tote
Jan 23 Tuesday Dried Topiaries
Jan 26, Feb 2,9,16 Fridays Decorative Screen
Feb 1 Thursday Circle of Hearts Basket
Feb 3,4 Sat-Sun Watercolour and Collage Workshop
Feb5 Monday Book Binding
Feb 7,14,21 Wednesdays Intermediate Flower Arranging
Feb 8,15,22 Thursdays
Silk Ribbon Embroidery: Continuing
Feb 13, 20 Tuesdays
The Mediterranean Garden
Feb 15 Thursday Ohara lkebana Workshop
Ikenobo lkebana - Japanese Flower Arranging 1:00-4:00pm 4165P Americo Del Col 9:30-12:30pm 4157 Lynda Bryden 1:00-4:00pm 4105 James Spencer 10:00-1:00pm 4131 Yukie Asa Agnes Kossack 10:00-2:30pm 4115 Shizuko Kadoguchi Ella Irving, Mary Baillie 9:30-2:30pm 4141-1 Maureen Robbins 12:30 - 4:.00pm 4117-2 Carol Clarke Joanne Weber 9:30-12:30pm 4127 Susan Kee 9:30-2:30pm 4141-2 Maureen Robbins 10:00-3:00pm 4121-C Elaine Gitalis 9:30-3:30pm 4149 Don Taylor 9:30-12:00pm 4114 Ella Irving 1:00 -3:30pm 4148 Joanne Misener-Allen 1:00-3:30pm 4120-3 Marion Jarvie 10:00 - 3:00pm 4115-W Sharon Koor
Courses 1996 1 The Civic Garden Centre
Evening Courses At The Centre ~
Jan 11,18,25, Feb 1,8,15,22 Thursdays Landscape In Watercolour
Jan 16,23,30,Feb 6 Tuesdays
The Planned Garden
Jan 17,24,31 Wednesdays Faux Finishing
Jan 17,24 Wednesdays
Basic Gardening |I: How to Grow
Jan 18 : Thursday Gardens of the World: New Zealand & Fiji
Jan 22 Monday Flowers Everlasting
Jan 30, Feb 7 Wednesdays
Basic Gardening ll: What to Grow
Feb 1 Thursday
The Balcony Garden
Feb7 Wednesday
The Front Garden
Feb 8,15,22 Thursdays
Creating a Perennial Border
Feb 12 Monday Greenhouse and Solarium Gardening
Feb 13 Tuesday
Lotions and Potions
Feb 14, 21 Wednesdays
Basic Gardening Ill: Keeping it Growing
Feb 19 Monday Gardening with Dwarf and Unusual Plants
Feb 20 Tuesday
Summer Flowering Bulbs
Feb 21 Wednesday
7:00-9:30pm 4120-1
Marion Jarvie
7:00-10:00pm 4144
Wendy Janvrin 4122-1
Judith Adam 7:00-9:30pm 7:30 - 9:00pm 4169
Jim St. Marie 6:30 - 9:30pm 4117-1 Carol Clarke Joanne Weber 7:00-9:30pm 4122-2 Judith Adam 7:00-9:30pm 4123 David Shephard 7:00-9:30pm 4102
Penny Arthurs 7:00 - 9:30pm 4146 David Tomlinson 4120-2
Marion Jarvie 7:00-9:30pm 7:00-9:30pm 4104 Joanne Mallouk Baird 7:00-9:30pm 4122-3
Judith Adam 7:00-9:30pm 4109 Jim Lounsbery 7:00-9:30pm 4138 Dugald Cameron 4102-W
Penny Arthurs
The Front Garden Workshop 7:00-10:00pm 4165E Americo Del Col
7:00-9:30pm Winter Courses 1996 < The Civic Garden Centre
ART AN D CRAFTS e Course Descriptions
Landscape In Watercolour
Instructor: Americo Del Col
4165P
This course is suitable for students who have had some experience &/or taken introductory lessons in watercolour painting. Techniques of colour, ideas on composition, use of materials & helpful, encouraging criticism will be combined with practising what you see during demonstrations. Materials list suppliedat first class.
Day: Mondays
Dates: Jan 8,15,22,29, Feb 5,12,19
Registration Fee Memb: $ 110.
Cancellation Deadline: Jan 2
~ Watercolour Studio
Instructor: Lynda Bryden
Time: 1:00-4:00pm
Non Memb: $140.
4157
An opportunity for painters with experience to work in the company of other artists on individual painting projects, using their own subject matter. With an artist/instructor present for guidance & critique, develop your style through practising at still life, landscape &/or botanical subjects. Bring brushes, paper, watercolour paints. (Please note that introductory watercolour will resume in the Spring).
Day: Tuesdays
Dates: Jan 9,16,23,30 Feb 6,13,20
Registration Fee Memb: $ 105.
Cancellation Deadline: Jan 2
Landscape In Watercolour
Instructor: Americo Del Col
Time: 9:30-12:30pm
Non Memb: $135.
4165E
This course is suitable for students who have had some experience &/or taken introductory lessons in watercolour painting. Techniques ofcolour, ideas on composition, use of materials & helpful, encouraging criticism will be combined with practising what you see during demonstrations. Materials'list supplied at first class.
Day: Thursdays
Dates: Jan 11,18,25, Feb 1,8,15,22
Registration Fee Memb: $ 110.
Cancellation Deadline: Jan 4
Acrylics & Oils: Beginner & Continuing
Instructor: James Spencer
Time: 7:00-10:00pm
Non Memb: $140.
4105
A step-by-step acrylic & oil painting course in which you will learn through lecture, demonstration, individual attention & critique, about buying & using materials, drawing, colour mixing & composition. The works of other artists will be shown & discussed. This course is suitable for beginners as well as those with some experience. Bring any materials you have, pencil, paper. (Materials approx. $75.)
Day: Thursdays
Dates: Jan 11, 18, Feb 1, 8, 15, 22
Registration Fee Memb: $ 100.
Cancellation Deadline: Jan 4
Time: 1:00-4:00pm
Non Memb: $130.
ART AND CRAFTS e Course Descriptions
Faux Finishing
Instructor: Wendy Janvrin
4144
Faux finishes are often featured in magazines and TV decorating programs. Learn to create these elegant, sophisticated wall and floor finishes yourself. Imagine your dining roomin a soft rubbed finish that imitates aged fresco or your kitchen with sandstone blocks. Marbling and other fantasy finishes will also be covered. Bring rags, ruler, pencil, plastic margarine tubs, sponge, small roller, 1 1/2 inch latex brush. Other materials included in course fee.
Day: Wednesdays Time: 7:00-10:00pm
Dates: Jan 17,24,31
Registration Fee Memb: § 95.
Cancellation Deadline: Jan 10
Seagrass
Basket Tote
Instructor: Maureen Robbins
Non Memb: $110.
4141-1
This basket is a perfect carry-all for books, picnic lunches or garden tools. The imaginative use of sea grass in the design, with a selection of coloured accents gives it a personalized touch. Suitable for beginners. Bring bucket, spray bottle, 2 doz. clothes pins, scissors/garden snips, awl or pointed screw driver, pencil, tape measure, towel and lunch. Material fee of $25.00 will be collected by instructor.
Day: Thursday
Dates: Jan 18
Registration Fee Memb: $ 34.
Cancellation Deadline: Jan 11
Time: 9:30-2:30pm
Non Memb: $44.
Decorative Screen @ 4127
Instructor: Susan Kee
Create your own decorative screen for the fireplace, bedroom or any other area of the home that is functional & fun to make. Suitable for beginners & continuing students, you will learn painting techniques such as ragging, sponging, dry brush, splattering, stencilling , as well as collage & decoupage while being guided through the steps of creating a 3 panel folding wooden screen (4 x 32 " high). Wear painting clothes. Course materials at first class: $45. payable to
instructors.
Day: Fridays Time: 9:30-12:30pm
Dates: Jan 26, Feb 2,9,16
Registration Fee Memb: $ 72.
Cancellation Deadline: Jan 19
Trellis Gift Shop & Bookstore ~
Non Memb: $87.
Open 350 days a year including weekends, specializes in organic gal_'den pr'oduc'ts, containers and mechanics of all kinds suitable for flower arranging. You will also find gifts for all occasions, garden equipment, garden statuary, furnitur9 and catalogues. _ Toronto's largest gardening bookstore carries 1500 book titles in stoc'k. In addlt_lon, we yvnll order any kind of book at all. It is a great opportunity to compliment the information gleaned from taking our courses. More information?? Call (416) 397-1357.
ART AND CRAFTS ~ Course Descriptions
Circle of Hearts Basket
Instructor: Maureen Robbins
4141-2
Create this circle of hearts basket for Valentine's day. Using natural and dyed weavers, you will leam to weave a pattern of red hearts around the perimeter of the basket (12°L X 91/2" W X 5"H). An oak handle completes the look. This course is appropriate for an intermediate level weaver. Bring plastic bucket, spray bottle, 2 doz clothes pins, scissors/garden snips, awl or small pointed screwdriver, pencil, tape measure, towel and lunch. Material fee of $25. will be collected by instructor.
Day: Thursday
Dates: Feb 1
Registration Fee Memb: $ 34.
Cancellation Deadline: Jan 25
Time: 9:30-2:30pm
Non Memb: $44.
Watercolour and Collage Workshop @
Instructor: Elaine Gitalis
4121-C
Collage, the art of layering and gluing paper to create pleasing and exciting pictures is a medium that is accessible to artists of all levels. Create new artistic images using discarded watercolour orwater media paintings . The possibilities forcreating something new from something old are infinite. Bring with you watercolour paper, paints, scissors, glue and lunch, and spend a weekend streching your imagination.
Day: Sat-Sun
Dates: Feb34
Registration Fee Memb: $ 60.
Cancellation Deadline: Jan 26
Book Binding
Instructor: Don Taylor
Time: 10:00-3:00pm
Non Memb: $75.
QD 4149
Learn the traditional art of bookbinding by creating a hardcover blank book. This hand stiched 5 section book makes an ideal gardening journal or sketchbook. Ideas on personalizing the cover of the book will also be presented. Bring scissors, exacto knife, ruler and pencil. Material fee payable to instructor: $10.
Day: Monday
Dates: Feb5
Registration Fee Memb: $ 47.
Cancellation Deadline: Jan 29
Time: 9:30-3:30pm
Non Memb: $62.
Silk Ribbon Embroidery: Continuing 4148
Instructor: Joanne Misener-Allen
The Victorian art of Silk Ribbon Embroidery has been experiencing a revival in the 1990's . This course is a continuation of the Fall course and will introduce you to12 different flower stiches as you create a floral sampler suitable for framing or a cushion cover. Beginner course is recommended but not mandatory. Bring a basic sewing kit, a marking pencil, an embroidery hoop (8" ), your choice of background fabric as well as any ribbon you have. Other materials will be available for sale from instructor.
Day: Thursdays
Dates: Feb 8,15,22
Registration Fee Memb: $ 42.
Cancellation Deadline: Feb1
Time: 1.00 - 3:30pm
Non Memb: $52.
FLOWER AR RANG|NG ~ Course Descriptions
Sogetsu lkebana: Japanese Flower Arranging 4131
Instructor: Yukie Asa Agnes Kossack
As in the traditional schools of Ikebana, Sogetsu lkebana takes a number of years to understand. Many students who have studied at the Centre, come to realize that the artist becomes only truly free through mastery of the basics. This course is a continuation of the fall course & offers the opportunity to develop the imagination & show individuality.
Day: Mondays Time: 10:00-1:00pm
Dates: Jan 15,22, 29, Feb 5,12,19
Registration Fee Memb: $ 100.
Cancellation Deadline: Jan 8
Non Memb: $ 115.
lkenobo lkebana - Japanese Flower Arranging 4115
Instructor: Shizuko Kadoguchi Ella Irving, Mary Baillie
The Ikenobo school of Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging) has been practised for over 500 years. Itis a highly traditional form reflecting appreciation of nature & art as well as incorporating a modern outlook. This renowned instructorgives a sound introduction to beginners & continues to develop the skills of the experienced. Bring 1 shallow & 1 tall Japanese-type container, pinholder, clippers (all available at Centre's Trellis Shop), pencil & notebook, and lunch. Plant materials available at class approx. $5.
Day: Wednesdays Time: 10:00-2:30pm
Dates: January 17,24,31
Registration Fee Memb: $ 75.
Cancellation Deadline: Jan 10
Flowers Everlasting
Non Memb: $ 90.
Instructor: Carol Clarke Joanne Weber
4117-1
Enjoy your garden flowers year-round. You will learn about growing and caring for flowers suitable for drying and methods of preserving. Make your own designerwreath made up of German statice, roses, delphiniums, hydrangea, and other dried material to complement your home. Bring with you a glue gun, extra glue, and scissors. Material cost is included in course fee.
Day: Monday Time: 6:30 - 9:30pm Dates: Jan 22
Registration Fee Memb: $ 50.
Cancellation Deadline: Jan 15
Non Memb: $ 65.
FLOWER ARRANGING ~ course Descriptions
Dried Topiaries
Instructor: Carol Clarke Joanne Weber
4117-2
Create the classic topiary using traditional dried flowers preserved from Victorian Gardens. Various design techniques will be demonstrated, including the use of unusual plant and culinary material such as dried mushrooms, lichen, moss, pasta or seeds. Bring with you a glue gun, extra glue and scissors. Other materials included in course fee.
Day: Tuesday
Dates: Jan 23
Registration Fee Memb: $ 63.
Cancellation Deadline: Jan 16
Intermediate Flower Arranging
Instructor: Ella Irving
Time: 12:30 - 4:00pm
Non Memb: $ 78.
4114
For flowerarrangers with some experience, this course will deal with more advanced techniques such as mass designs. Previous flower arranging course required. Bring shallow bowl 7-8" diameter, tall container, pinholder, stickum, (available in Trellis Shop at Centre) 5-36" branches, 5-7 flower blooms of varied maturity, few leaves, notebook, pencil, clippers, oasis. Additional materials list will be given at class.
Day: Wednesdays
Dates: Feb 7,14,21
Registration Fee Memb: $ 60.
Cancellation Deadline: Jan 31
Ohara Ikebana Workshop
Instructor: Sharon Koor
Time: 9:30-12:00pm
Non Memb: $ 75.
Q» s115-w
The Ohara school of lkebana, one of the leading schools of Japanese flower arranging is noted for its landscape arrangements. This workshop, designed for beginner and experienced flower arrangers will introduce you to the basic arrangements of the Ohara School of lkebana. The aim is to create arrangements which will provide an atmosphere of harmony with nature in your home. Bring with you a shallow flat container (preferably oval), pinholder, clippers, notebook and your lunch. All other materials included in course fee.
Day: Thursday
Dates: Feb 15
Registration Fee Memb: $ 55.
Cancellation Deadline: Feb8
Time: 10:00 - 3:00pm
Non Memb: $ 70.
GAR DEN | NG ~ Course Descriptions
The Planned Garden
Instructor: Marion Jarvie
4120-1
Get ready for the gardening season by taking a critical look at your garden and plan for success. Organize your garden into various planting zones, depending on sun or shade, front or back yard, tricky spots. Learn what to plant in these various areas for maximum effect in terms of colour, shape and texture. By the end of the course you will be ready to visit your favourite nurseries with a shopping list in hand. Basic gardening knowledge helpful.
Day: Tuesdays Time: 7:00-9:30pm
Dates: Jan 16,23,30,Feb 6
Registration Fee Memb: $ 78.
Cancellation Deadline: Jan9
Basic Gardening I: How to Grow
Instructor: Judith Adam
Non Memb: $ 93.
4122-1
This basic gardening series can be taken as one gardening course covering many fundamental principles of gardening or individualy to reinforce your knowledge of certain topics. This first part covers the essential elements for healthy plant growth: the soil and its components, lighting conditions, selecting plants; how, where, and when to plant them.
Day: Wednesdays Time: 7:00-9:30pm
Dates: Jan 17,24
Registration Fee Memb: $ 40. $90. for 1-2-3
Cancellation Deadline: Jan 10
Gardens of the World: New Zealand & Fiji
Instructor: Jim St. Marie
Non Memb: $ 50.
4169
This armchair travel tourwill take you to the tropical and sub tropical climates of New Zealand's North and South Islands to see outstanding large (up to 10 acres) farm gardens, smaller town gardens, as well as some exotic botanic gardens in their spring flush of bloom. On Fiji, see stunning tropical flowers and the late Raymond Perry Mason" Burr's home and orchid nursery .
Day: Thursday Time: 7:30 - 9:00pm
Dates: Jan 18
Registration Fee Memb: $ 23.
Cancellation Deadline: Jan 11
Basic Gardening ll: What to Grow
Instructor: Judith Adam
Non Memb: $ 28.
4122-2
The second of the basic gardening series is all about garden design. Starting with site appraisal to determine functional areas, planting sites and dominant features you will then learn to use plants strategically. From woody plants and ornamentals to groundcovers and stone, all have a specific role in the completed design.
Day: Wednesdays Time: 7:00-9:30pm
Dates: Jan 30, Feb 7
Registration Fee Memb: $ 40. $90. for 1-2-3
Cancellation Deadline: Jan 23
Non Memb: $ 50.
GARDENING ~ Course Descriptions
The Balcony Garden
Instructor: David Shephard
4123
This course will address the startup, maintenance and problem solving of balcony gardens. Learn how to bring the ground level garden up to your balcony. Find out about how container size, orientation, soil mixtures and certain plant varieties will affect your growing success. Slides of some green balconies will be shown.
Day: Thursday
Dates: Feb 1
Registration Fee Memb: $ 23.
Cancellation Deadline: Jan 25
Time: 7:00-9:30pm
Non Memb: $ 25.
The Front Garden @
Instructor: Penny Arthurs
4102
The front garden is an interesting design challenge: should it be a show stopper that asserts our individuality and exposes us to public scrutiny or should it blend in with the rest of the neighbourhood and remain anonymous? The basic elements and problems of front garden design will be presented in an illustrated lecture geared to give you ideas on the redesign of your own front garden. Basic gardening knowledge helpful.(See also Workshop p.11)
Day: Wednesday Time: 7:00-9:30pm
Dates: Feb7
Registration Fee Memb: $ 25.
Cancellation Deadline: Jan 31
Creating a Perennial Border
Instructor: David Tomlinson
Non Memb: $ 30.
4146
For those intimidated by the concept of designing and creating a perennial border, this course will offer a step by step guide to this challenging task; from site selection, soil preparation and plant material selection to maintenance and continuing improvement. Learn to design for colour throughout summer and fall. Suitable for beginners and those wishing to improve existing borders.
Day: Thursdays
Dates: Feb 8,15,22
Registration Fee Memb: $ 50.
Cancellation Deadline: Feb1
Greenhouse and Solarium Gardening
Instructor: Marion Jarvie
Time: 7:00 - 9:30pm
Non Memb: $ 65.
4120-2
Create a summeroasis in the middle ofwinter by gardening in a greenhouse or solarium. This introductory course will cover: what can be done in varying greenhouse/solarium enviromments, building considerations (water, heat, power, shade), maintenance, and problem solving.
Day: Monday
Dates: Feb 12
Registration Fee Memb: $ 23.
Cancellation Deadline: Feb5
Time: 7:00-9:30pm
Non Memb: $ 28.
GAR D EN l NG o Course Descriptions
Lotions and Potions
Instructor: Joanne Mallouk Baird
Before the advent of modem medicine, plant material was the major source of remedy for all ailments. Botany and medicine were one discipline. This course will cover the history of herbology as practiced by the Chinese, East Indians, and American Indians. You will also learn how to grow, gather, preserve and process herbs used in the 8 classical systems of herbology as well as dosages and contraindications.
Day: Tuesday Time: 7:00-9:30pm
Dates: Feb 13
Registration Fee Memb: $ 23.
Cancellation Deadline: Feb6
Non Memb: $ 28.
The Mediterranean Garden @
Instructor: Marion Jarvie
4120-3
The Mediterranean garden is characterised by the preponderance of evergreen trees over decideous ones, the abundance of annual plants and the large variety of bulbous plants. You can create a Mediterranean look in your garden in any well drained sunny area using such plants as Kniphofia (Red Hot Poker) Phygelius, and Ceratostigma Zauschneria (California Fuchsia ). Learn which plants work well in our climate and create your corner of the Riviera or Provence.
Day: Tuesdays
Dates: Feb 13, 20
Registration Fee Memb: $ 45.
Cancellation Deadline: Feb6
Basic Gardening Ill: Keeping it Growing
Instructor: Judith Adam
Time: 1:00-3:30pm
Non Memb: $ 55.
4122-3
The third part of the basic gardening series is all about garden maintenance in order to keep it healthy and flourishing. Fertilizing, mulching, pruning, weeding and watering are some of the important maintenance tasks thatwill be explained. Lawns, being a major component of any garden will be covered in detail.
Day: Wednesdays
Dates: Feb 14, 21
Registration Fee Memb: $ 40. $90. for 1-2-3
Cancellation Deadline: Feb7
Time: 7:00-9:30pm
Non Memb: $ 50.
Gardening with Dwarf and Unusual Plants @
Instructor: Jim Lounsbery
4109
With smaller garden lots, garden pools, balcony gardens and trough gardens, a large variety of dwarf plant material has become available for the homeowner. Join Jim Lounsbery in an evening workshop to find outwhat some of these unusual plants are and how they can be used. Slides and live plant samples of these "strange little things" will be presented.
Day: Monday
Dates: Feb 19
Registration Fee Memb: $ 23.
Cancellation Deadline: Feb 12
Time: 7:00-9:30pm
Non Memb: $ 28.
GAR DEN | NG o Course Descriptions
Summer Flowering Bulbs 4138
Instructor: Dugald Cameron
Explore the wonderfull world of summer flowering bulbs. These often overlooked plants can add a new dimension to your garden. Find out about new andrare varieties such as Rhodohypoxis and Zantdeschia hybrids. Learn how and when to plant both indoors in containers and out (choosing the best location). Suitable for beginners and more experienced gardeners.
Day: Tuesday Time: 7:00-9:30pm
Dates: Feb 20
Registration Fee Memb: $ 23.
Non Memb: $ 28. Cancellation Deadline: Feb 13
The Front Garden Workshop QP> 102w
Instructor: Penny Arthurs
This workshop is to be taken with the front garden lecture as a prerequisite. You will be required to bring a picture (preferably a slide) of your front garden and your ideas of how you might improve it - to present to the class. The limited class size will allow each student to receive individual comments from the instructor and other students. Through this active learning process you will define your needs and goals for the frontgarden. Course fee includes the lecture on Feb 7 and workshop.
Day: Wednesday Time: 7:00-9:30pm
Dates: Feb 21
Registration Fee Memb: $ 50.
Non Memb: $ 65. Cancellation Deadline: Jan 31
The Civic Garden Centre Instructors ~
Judith Adam, Ontario Diploma in Horticulture (University of Guelph) has been in the landscape design and installation business for the past 10 years. She is also a Master Gardener and regular lecturer in gardening related subjects for boards of education and other gardening and horticulture groups. Until recently, Judith was a staff horticulturist at the Civic Garden Centre.
Penny Arthurs studied at one of Britain's leading schools of garden design (The English Garden School) which is affiliated to the Royal Horticulture Society and located in London's historic Chelsea Physic Garden. Through herown garden design practice -- The Chelsea Gardener -- she designs gardens throughout Canada. Penny's Design Aid column appears regularly in Canadian Gardening Magazine.
Yukie Asa studied Sogetsu lkebana in Japan where she lived for 15 years. She is a member of lkebana International, a founding member of Sogetsu Toronto West Branch and belongs to the Sogetsu Teachers' Association in Japan. She has taughtSogetsu in her home and at the Civic Garden Centre along with Greg Williams. Yukie also represents the Japanese Garden Club at the Garden Club of Toronto flower show.
Mary Baillie who studied in Japan, is a qualified teacher of Ikenobo |kebana, Judge & Demonstrator of Floral Design accredited by the Garden Clubs of Ontario, Judge of Horticulture accredited by the Royal Botanical Gardens, & Rose Judge accredited by the Canadian Rose Society.
The Civic Garden Centre Instructors ~
Lynda Bryden, B.A., attended Toronto Teachers' College & has studied art with well known Toronto artists. An experienced teacher, Lynda has given watercolour classes for many years at the Centre where she is also ajuror for exhibitions. She conducts summerworkshops in Baysville & has participated in group & juried shows.
Dugald Cameron, BSc Biology is a gardener who began his career as a child at a low paying job; weeding his English grandmother's garden. As his interest in gardening grew, and frustrated by the limited selection and inferior quality of the bulbs, plants and seeds available in Canada, he started his own company , Gardenimport Inc. For the past 10 years, Dugald has searched the horticultural world for little known gems that would dowell in Canadian gardens.
Carol Clarke and Joanne Weber have been drying flowers together since becoming friends 10 years ago. In 1988, they formed a partnership called "Victorian Gardens". Known as "the ladies with the snips , they are fortunate enough to have access to several prize gardens in Southern Ontario to glean extra special flowers for their fresh & dried creations. Supplying Crabtree & Evelyn with their drieds, they also design fresh arrangements for offices, shops, homes & weddings.
Americo Del Col graduated in Graphic & Fine Arts, studied with Doris McCarthy, Charles Goldhammer & Robert Ross. After a successful career in graphic arts, he is painting & teaching, focusing on Canadian landscape, watercolour & figures. He has had many one-man shows & is represented in private & corporate collections in England, Germany, Australia & Canada.
Elaine Gitalis, graduate of the Ontario College of Art & Ontario Teacher's College, has specialized professionally in drawing and painting, textiles, and fashion jewelry. Her extensive teaching background in community colleges, public and private schools, her list ofjuried and non juried shows, representation in corporate collections & published works are extensive. She is a member of the Society of Canadian Artists and newly elected to the Colour and Form Society.
Ella Irving has had thirty years of entering competitions, studying for accreditation, judging & teaching flower design, in North America, Japan & the U.K. In addition to her continuous work in many other styles, she has been a full professor in Ikebana floral art since 1988.
Wendy Janvrin is a well known Toronto muralist who had been practicing visual trickery with paint for many years. Her trompe l'oeil art works bring nature inside, depicting English country gardens, jungles or picture windows with a view. Under the name of Romantics by Avalon, she designs lively interiors for private clients as well as offices all over North America, Britain and Japan.
Marion Jarvie After 11 years as a nursery horticulturist, started her own landscape consultancy 9 years ago. She has been teaching in the field for many years at George Brown College & the Civic Garden Centre as well as lecturing throughout North America. Marion travels extensively to discover & gather new & relevant plant information to add to her already vast repertoire & incorporate into practical applications. She has been Program Chairman of the Ontario Rock Garden Society for 8 years.
Shizuko Kadoguchi has the highest qualifications in Ikenobo in North America. In addition, she has the honourable distinction of being awarded the name "Hosui"--sweet essence--by Headmaster Senei lkenobo. She has been learning lkebana forover 60 years & teaching for 33 years in the U.S., Jamaica, Canada, Japan, assisted Senei lkenobo & demonstrated for the Consul General of Japan.
Susan Kee graduated AOCA majoring in fine art & printmaking. She has had her own business, For Paint's Sake, doing floorcloths on commission since 1984. Susan has taught at various educational institutions throughout Toronto & has shown in most major craft shows. Her work is represented in the Museum of Civilization & the Ontario Crafts Council.
The Civic Garden Centre Instructors ~
Sharon Koor is a master of the Ohara School of lkebana. She is a designer and instructor who has studied extensively in North America and Japan. She has taught and demonstrated in England and Canada, most recently in Victoria, following the Centennial Celebrations of the Ohara School. Sharon is also President of the Toronto Chapter 108 of Ikebana International. Jim Lounsbery has been involved in the horticulture business for many years as supervisor of park lands at the Royal Botanical Gardens, manager of horticulture studies at Mohawk College in Hamilton and ownerof Vineland Nurseries which specialises in dwarf and unusual plants.
Joanna Mallouk Baird has spent a lifetime in the search of the "elixir of life" . Judging by her spark and vitality, she seems to have found it. Her accomplishments are many. A registered nurse, she has worked in public health, education, occupational therapy and palliative care since she immigrated to Canada in 1955. Most recently, she earned an MSc in Botanical Pharmacy from the University of London, England.
Joanne Misener-Allen was formerly a Staff Development Trainer in the business world. She has, over the past 3 years, combined her teaching skills with her love of fabrics. Joanne teaches children and adults through the Durham Board of Education and through her local quilt shop, the Old Silver Thimble. Her love of quilting has introduced her to the art of Silk Ribbon Embroidery. She is also a memberof the York Heritage Quilter's Guild.
Maureen Robbins trained at the Haliburton School, Cedar Ridge Arts Centre, Basketry Network, Marilyn Gannon, & Basketry Focus Harbourfront. She teaches basketry techniques at her private studio, community colleges, service & related associations. Maureen has exhibited in juried shows & maintains her affiliation with The Basketry Network.
David Shephard, BSc. is the owner of Fertile Ground, an urban garden soil testing company in Toronto. For the past 3 years, he has been involved with the Rooftop Gardens Resource Group whose goal is to green the rooftops of Toronto. David has also been working with community gardening and composting groups and taughtwith the City of Toronto Parks and Rec. Department.
James "Sandy" Spencer attended Acadia University & then graduated AOCA, from whence he was sent on scholarship to study in Europe. His Wolfville, Nova Scotia roots, are apparent in the detail & light reflected in his work. Several large paintings are in the National Gallery permanent collection & many others in major galleries, corporations & publications across Canada. Sandy has taught for 27 years at such institutions as the Banff School & U of T.
Jim St. Marie is a garden writer and broadcaster. For many years he directed and produced a weekly network gardening program for CBC-TV. Currently he writes a weekly gardening column for the Kitchener Record. Along with his wife Lorraine, he has hosted several successful garden tours to Europe, the Caribbean , New Zealand and Fiji.
Don Taylor is a bookbinder and restorer who works and teaches in Toronto. He was trained in bookbinding and design at Sheridan College and privately with American binder, Betsy Palmer Eldridge. His work is represented in public and private collections across Canada and has been exhibited widely. He has been teaching for many years at the Haliburton School of Fine Arts and for the Canadian Bookbinders and Book Artists Guild.
David Tomlinson is a well known landscape architect who has won awards both in Canada and internationally. He trained as a horticulturist in Kew Gardens, England before coming to Canada over 20 years ago. David's famous garden, Merlin's Hollow, contains over 1,500 perennials.
~ The Civic Garden Centre -~
» The Civic Garden Centre, founded in 1963, is a volunteer based, non profit organization whose mandate is:
"To foster interest, involvement and education in gardening, horticulture, and the floral arts.
« One of Canada's finest public gardening education facilities & located at Edwards Gardens, the Civic Garden Centre has earned an international reputation for the advancement of horticulture. You can sign up for workshops, courses & guest lectures on topics including gardening, flower arranging, crafts, art, attend exhibitions, borrow from the horticulture library (of over 6000 books & other publications), & shop for gifts, books & garden supplies in our Trellis Shop.
» We are almost fully supported by our VOLUNTEER workers. Should you be interested in joining them, please give us a call at 397-1351.
~ Membership Advantages
~
The Civic Garden Centre warmly welcomes new members. Join us, & meet friends who share an interest in gardening/horticulture, floral arts, nature-related art, crafts, natural history & all kinds of other special events. We provide leading-edge information, so you'll learn a lot & enjoy yourself at the same time.
Some of the many *services we offer are:
+ educational workshops, courses, clinics, lectures, conferences, tours &
+ Members' Nights
» a highly recognized horticultural library
« the Trellis Shop, useful & unusual garden supplies, plants, gifts & books
« Trellis newsletter, to keep you informed & up-to-date--ten issues per year
» soil testing
» free gardening information hotline
+ seasonal plant sales
» fund-raising events, ie. highly recognized craft show, garden tours etc.
+ flower shows, exhibitions & competitions
» Master Gardener education & activities
» volunteer activities
*Member discounts apply on many of these services.