Casa Loma and Davenport Hill
Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 15
Noon to 5 p.m.
Admission $17.00
Complimentary shuttle bus service between gardens
jn a way, il ; as leugA you :/e a/wayd
Lnown ant one cla ou ;/ inc/ fAid car.
In your mind s eye, you've journeyed to find a car precisely like this one. You sense it the very moment you see it. And once you go beyond its graceful exterior and allow yourself to experience the many features offered in its distinctive interior, you're only further convinced. But then, your standards for style, for comfort and for safety are equally as high as our own. And so it should go without saying that we're immensely proud of this one. The new 1997 Buick Park Avenue. A car, you'll discover, that in every detail is a Buick through and through. From its advanced DynaRide® suspension, fo its unique 3800 Series Il V& engine. From its ComforTemp climate control system, to its exceptional seating design. The 97 Park Avenue offers every advancement, every luxury, and yet it does it all with a kind of understated elegance that only Buick can. We invite you to test drive the new 1997 Buick Park Avenue at your nearest Buick dealer. And if you have any questions or require further information, please feel free to call us at 1-800-GM-DRIVE. Visit our web site at www.gmcanada.com.
The new 1997 Buick Park Avenue
Editor snote
Executive director s report
Edwards lectureseries
Workshop: designinga herb garden
Plant sales
Visitto theGardinerMuseum
Throughthe GardenGate
Out-of-towngarden tour
Apples on a stick
Insidebackcover: Comingevents
Outsidebackcover: Registrationform
TRELLIS
Volume 24, Number 3
Editor: IrisHossé Phillips
Editorialco-ordinator: LeslieLynch
Proofreader: Mara Arndt
Advertising information: (416) 397-1340
Printed by Raised Image, Etobicoke, on recycledpaper
Trellis ispublishedsixtimesayearas amembers newsletter by the Civic Garden Centre, 777 Lawrence Avenue East, NorthYork,Ontario M3C1P2. Telephonenumber: (416)3971340.
Manuscripts submitted on a voluntary basis are gratefully received. No remuneration is possible.
Articles, manuscripts and advertising material must be received by the first of the month to insure publication eight weeks later.
Opinions expressed within Trellis donot necessarily reflect thoseoftheCentre. Submissionsmaybeedited forstyle and clarity.
Allrightsreserved. Reproduction in wholeor partis prohibited without written permission.
Editor s note
ByIris Phillips
The response was very positive to last month s article Containers of beauty: ceramic flower vessels and the art of floral display 1650-1820 by Patricia Ferguson. Therefore, I am delighted to let you know thattheCentrehasarranged fortwovisits to theGeorge R. GardinerMuseum ofCeramic Art to view the exhibit, hear the presentation by Ms. Ferguson, and enjoy afternoon tea. ( See page 6 for registration details.)
This spring I am again inspired to try newwaysofapproaching thetaskofstarting seeds onmywest-facingwindowsills. (Ishould invest in grow-lights.) Last year I had two major problems: damping-off fungusandverylongleggy tomatoplants. To solve the former problem I am followingthenewregimeofspreading finesphagnum moss over the seeds and watering withaherbalteamadeofchamomile:three teaspoonsofchamomilesteepedinsixcups of boiling water. (What s good for Peter Rabbitwillalsobegoodfortheplants.)The second problem, namely straggly plants, will also follow a new approach. Some garden literature and organic growers advocate blowing on or touching plants gently every few days. This movement activates a hormone that produces squat plants. (Probably the same hormone that makesplantscompactinhighwindareas.) Myfamily thinks that I am rather peculiar whentheyseemeexecute thismanoeuvre.
My search is still on for the perfect gooseberry bush to supply fruit to make the dessert gooseberry fool . Last year I wroteaboutmysearchforthevarietycalled Welcome whichgetsravereviewsfortaste, productivity and hardiness. No luck in Canada: so I have decided to buy Hinnonmaeki Red . Will thisvarietybeas outstandingas Welcome ?Anycomments from members will be appreciated.
Executive director s report
By Dave Nodwell
Having spent most ofmy career in the horticultural industry, I have had theprivilege oftravelingacrosstheNorthAmericancontinent and over a couple of oceans to visit horticulturalsites fromtheAlzmeerFlower Auction in Holland...to the bonsai collection at the National Botanical Gardens in Washington...to orchid farms and a private botanical collection on a mountain in Hawail.
While travel is a wonderful way to collecthorticulturalinformationand seehorticulturalsitesandfeatures, can thelpbutbe impressedwiththetremendouswealthand diversity available right here at the Civic Garden Centre: speakers from around the world, programs and information.
Early on in my involvement with the Centre, I was invited to be part of a discussion about the 7th GreatCanadian GardeningConference,October18and19.Ibecame
so enthused with the wealth of program ideas and potential speakers that I rapidly becameinvolved in theorganizationof this terrific _conference. - TheSfopic is Connectedness: From the Ground Up . Withinacoupleofweeks,Ifoundmyselfon thetelephoneconfirmingspeakingarrangements with people from across the continent such as Sara Stein, Freeman Patterson, Alex Shigo, Topher Delany, Bruce Blevins and others.
A greatline-up ofspeakers is nowbeing finalized and the result is a conference that you will not want to miss whether you are an avid gardener or a professional in the field. Check out page 9 for more details on this exciting conference.
I am personally enthusiastic about the many activities taking place and being plannedattheCentreandhowtheCentreis bringingthehorticulturalworldtoToronto.
Arbors /Trellis
Planters /WindowBoxes
Benches /Hammocks/ Swings
The Trellis Shop
5 1094 Derry Road West. The Trellis Shop s new buyers have 4 Kms W. ofGuelph Line. returnedfromthegiftshowsand inviteyou to come to see what' s different. Exciting 905-336-1398
and affordable items for your home and garden arrive daily.
» Check out our new aromatherapy Trellis deadline is May 1 section. for the July-August issue.
* Browse through our books.
e Watch for upcoming author signings in the shop or at the Centre. Chandler & Company Landscape Designers and Contractors
* Remember usforMother s Day. Have a picnic lunch at Edwards Gardens and then browse in the Centre s A complete boutique. residential landscape
Proceeds from the Trellis Shop help service support the Civic Garden Centre s PERGEAMNS,
In the Edwards Lecture series
Inspiration from a Herb Garden
Lesley Bremness, herb enthusiast and author of The Complete Book of Herbs
Thursday, May 8, 7:30 p.m.
Lesley Bremness s keen interest in herb gardening started as a child while growing up in Winnipeg. She studied design atthe University of Manitoba and worked as a designer in London, England, forten years. She changed careers after winning a herb design competition at the Chelsea Flower Show in 1977. She now runs a thriving herb and cottage flower nursery and garden design service at her home in Suffolk, England. She is a frequent guest on BBC TV s Gardener s World with Geoff Hamilton.
Lesley Bremness will provide us with her historical perspective of herb gardens monastic gardens, Tudorgardens, knotgardens and herb gardens in China and southeast Asia where she has travelled extensively.
Members: free Non-members: $4. 0O 0 0 00000000000 OCOOGCEOGOEOOEONEONONONONOEONOSDNOONONONEONOSNOSNOSONOSNONOSONOSNOSNOBSNOSNOBSNONLPS
Designing a Herb Garden
Friday May 9 9:30 a.m.to 1:30 p.m.
Members: $35 Non-members: $40
Herbs are a hot topic. With uses from culinary to medicinal, they are becoming a popular addition to garden design.
Join Lesley Bremness, herbenthusiastandauthorof TheCompleteBookofHerbs, for an intensive four-hour workshop. Topics include: uses of herbs: culinary, medicinal, aromatic, cosmetic and decorative design inspirations from historical herb gardens practical details such as site, soil, paths, creating views design: measuring up a site, creating a pattern and garden structures propagation: seeds, cuttings, divisions, planting out, harvest and storage critique of your own herb garden design.
Wear clothing suitable for outdoor demonstrations in Edwards Gardens. Space is limited, so please registerearly. A registration form is on the back cover.
at
The Civic Garden Centre
8
Perennial and herb sale
Choose from a variety of perennials and herbs from achillea to tiarella for shade, semi-shade and sun including clematis, ornamental grasses and native plants
Thursday, May 1 is members day:10:00 a.m. to 7:00p.m.
Friday, May 2:10:00 a.m. to 5:00p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, May 3 and 4:noon to 5:00 p.m.
e ¥
Sale of annuals
Focus on the newest and unusual varieties
Some of the old reliables will be on hand, too From achyranthus to zinnia
Pre-orders have been discontinued.
Wednesday, May 14 is members day: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00p.m.
Thursday and Friday, May 15 and 16: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00p.m.
Saturday, Sunday andMonday, May 17, 18 and 19: noon to 5:00 p.m. each day
QUALITYPLANTS
COMPETITIVE PRICES FREE CONVENIENT PARKING
Friendly, knowledgeable and helpful volunteers and Master Gardeners will be available to assist you with your purchases.
Members receive 10% offpurchases over $10.
Questions about availability? call Sheila at (416) 397-1356. Interested in volunteering? call Ada at (416) 397-1362.
CONTAINERS OF BEAUTY
Tuesday, May 27
or Thursday, June 5
1:30 p.m.
Admission: $20
TheCivicGardenCentrehasarrangedaspecialafternoonformembersandfriendstosee the current exhibit Containers of Beauty: the Art ofFloral Displayfrom 1650 - 1820 at the George R. Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art.
PatriciaFerguson,curatoroftheexhibition,willgiveaslide-illustratedlectureentitled Fashionable Flowers, Fashionable Containers. The lecture explores the history of containers forcut flowers and growingplants and thefashionin flowers that influenced their design. There will be time to view the exhibit and afternoon tea will be served.
Pre-registrationisrequiredandnumbersforeachdayarelimited. Call(416)397-1340 to register or send in the order form on theback cover.
TheGeorgeR.GardinerMuseumofCeramicArtislocatedat 111 QueensPark,Toronto (across from the Royal Ontario Museum). A representative ofthe Centre will meet you in the front lobby.
SPECIAL DEPARTURE WITH ALLEN PATERSON
September 7 to 20, 1997 (14 days)
Cost: US $2895 (from Glasgow) Limit: 16 participants
Join Allen Paterson, retiredDirector ofthe Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton and authorofseveralgardening books on a tour ofthe remarkablegardens ofScotland. This tour has been carefullyplanned by Mr. Paterson and includes many ofthe finestpublic andprivategardens in the country includingEdinburgh s Royal Botanical Gardens, Drumlanrig Castle, ThreaveHouse, Brodick Castle and Greywalls. A special treat will be our invitation to lunch at Grovehill House, home ofAllen andPenelope Paterson.
For more information and a copy of the detailed itinerary please call Toronto: 416-221-3000 Toll Free: 1-800-387-1483
THROUGHTHE GARDEN GATE
10th anniversary
Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 15
Noon to 5:00 p.m. Admission: $17
The Gardens of Spadina, Casa Loma and Davenport Hill with special thanks to Heritage Toronto (formerly The Toronto Historical Board) and
The Kiwanis Club ofCasa Loma
This year, Through The Garden Gate offers a blend of history and horticulture on the Centre s gardentour. Located along the shorelineofancientLake Iroquois, on thebrow of Davenport Hill, the public gardens of Spadina and Casa Loma and selected private gardens will give visitors varied glimpses of the past. Towering oaks and native wildflowers, grand homes and historical buildings combine to make this tenth anniversary tour outstanding.
Thegardens ofSpadina and Casa Loma, both the workofthepublic-spirited Garden Club ofToronto, will take visitors back to earlier days and less hectic times. In the Casa Loma gardens, visitorswon tfind a historicalreproductionoftheformerPellatgardens; instead, they ll wander among a series of specialty gardens, including areas of native wildflowers and antique roses. Spadina s gardens, on the other hand, reflect historical research and reconstruction in presenting splendid Victorian and Edwardian gardens.
Local gardens also provide a mix of history and horticulture. Native plantings on Wells Hill Avenue recapture a past landscape. Many of the traditional gardens of Ardwold Gate, Glen Edyth Drive, Glen Edyth Place, Austin Terrace and Lyndhurst Avenue have been designed by leading Toronto landscape architects. Historical highlightsofthetourincludetheformerhomeofEdwardJ.Lennox,architectofToronto s Old City Hall and the original Eaton estate.
ComplimentaryshuttlebusesforgardentourvisitorswilloperatebetweentheDupont subway station and tour headquarters at Spadina. The buses will also shuttle visitors between gardens. Youcanquenchyourthirstandtickleyourpalate with refreshments served in the elegant ambience of Spadina s gardens. Treat yourself to a selection of specialty plants or other garden related items from Gunns and Moses, Buds and our Trellis Shop in the boutique area.
To order tickets, please fill in the order form on the back cover or call (416)397-1340. Becauseofthenatureofthisyear s tour, ticketsaleswillbe limited. Order now to avoid disappointment.
4 S Tickets aregoodfor the day ofissue only. There are no refunds. This is a g WS [/ 0\ o it SToRrm» fund-raising eventfor the Civic Garden Centre.
Join the Centre s out-of-town garden tour
Cobourg, Grafton, Brighton and Warkworth
Member: $65
Wednesday, June 25
Non-member: $75
Cedar Valley Gardens e Marg Fleming and Glen Parsneau
Scree, Japanese, perennial and bog gardens, and waterlily pond
One ofthe most extensive perennial displaygardens in eastern Ontario.
A* \
» Swallow Hill e Merike Lugus
Magnificent setting, rock garden, perennial garden, sculpture and studio
All herartistrycomes into play here with plants ofexquisite shapes, colors andscents skilfully combined, blooming in endless succession...
* 1812 heritage garden * Pat Poisson
Folly, sculpture for sale, cutting garden, pond and cut-your-own flowers
From the midst ofa magical cutting garden rises a follyin the form ofa huge metalpergola, grown over with morning glories and backed bya dense arc ofgiant sunflowers.
A*A
e Schoolhouse gardens
Heritage property, perennials and herb gardens
Lilies in their hundreds, delphiniums, onopordums, shasta daisies are but a few ofthe varieties that fill this dramatic space.
A*A
Additional gardens will be added if time permits.
Lunch will be served a local restaurant. If you have dietary restrictions, please notify the Civic Garden Centre when you register.
Registration form on the back cover.
This tour has been arranged by Bayla Gross and assisted by Patricia Singer and Judy Hernandez. Garden notes with permission from The Good Garden Guide by Patricia Singer. Trellis, May/June 1997
THE 7th GREAT CANADIAN GARDENING CONFERENCE
Saturday, October 18 and Sunday, October 19
Connectedness: From the Ground Up
The committee has lined up an exciting and eclectic roster of speakers, each renowned in their own field be it landscape design, trees, organic gardening or photography. And we ve asked them to help answer a questionthatperplexes many gardeners: How do our gardens connectwith nature, and how do we connectwith nature through ourgardens?
* How well do our back yards connect with the natural landscape? What sensitive biological systems do they replace? And what steps can we take tobring nature back? To answer, we've asked SARA STEIN of Pound Ridge, New York, author of My Weeds : a Gardener s Botany and Noah's Garden: Restoring the Ecology ofour own Backyards .
* How can we learn to view our garden as part of the natural world, enjoying the color, drama and pleasure it provides, while respecting the environment inwhich itresides? To help us focus, we've asked FREEMAN PATTERSON of Shampers Bluff, New Brunswick, internationally-renowned photographer, author, naturalist and gardener.
* Howcanwegiveourtrees lungsoftheearth,providersofshade,thingsofbeauty the best possible care? We 've gone out on a limb and asked the best tree man we could find, world-renownedbiologistDR. ALEXSHIGOofDurham,NewHampshire, authorofTrees and TheNew Tree Biology.
* How does a landscape architect bring nature and a sense of fun to the top of a California skyscraper? To show us, we've asked TOPHER DELANEY of San Francisco, designerofthecelebratedone-acrerooftoplandscapefortheBankofAmericabuilding,who is currently working on a healing gardenforterminally-ill children in San Diego.
* How canweconnectwithourgardens to producebumpercrops offruitandvegetables year after year, organically? To show us, we've asked BRUCE BLEVINS of Natick, Massachusetts,bio-dynamicfarmerextraordinaireandheadgardenerinchargeofoneacre ofglasshousesandeightacresofvegetablesandsoftfruitatLookoutFarminMassachusetts.
* Howdoesagardendesignerworkwithnaturetoachievesuccesswhetherit sanArtDeco jewel in the middle of the city or a huge country property with a series ofponds? To give us his view, we ve asked one of Canada s foremost designers, Ontario landscape architect NEILTURNBULL.
And that s notall. The Centreis putting finishing touches onarrangements with three morespeakers.FindoutjustWHOTHEYAREintheJuly-AugustissueofTrellis ,whichwill also contain registration information.
ByJanet Davis, committee member
Aboutourvolunteers
CGC volunteer group brings the world to the Centre
By Lisa Wood
If you spend some time in Edwards Gardens on any day this summer, you won't failtoseethattheparkisfullofallkindsof people. Grandmothersandchildren, middle-age couples, groups of women, new Canadiansandlong-establishedpark-goers are all here to enjoy the fine weather.
Life in Toronto has benefited from the spiritofimmigrantsfromallovertheworld. The Centre is actively seeking to attract a membership that is representative of the population of the city.
One ofthe Centre s volunteergroups is working hard to assist in attracting immigrant members. From spring to fall, the English as a Second Language (ESL) Tour Guide Group actively solicits enrollment in tours from within the immigrant community ofMetro Toronto. Groups oftour participants,whopayasmallfee,areguided on a 90-minute language-based tour of
Edwards Gardens. After the tour, participants are invited into the Centre where theyareintroducedtothebenefitsofmembership. This year we hope to introduce more than 20 groups to the Centre.
Our group has done done very well in itstwoyears ofoperation. We vemeta lot of interesting gardeners whose English is limited but whose love of gardening endures. We'velearnedalotandwe'vetaught alot. Weknowthatwehavedoneourpart to contribute to the growth of the Centre. Perhaps,ifyou seeoneofourgroupsin theCentreoroutinthepark,youwillsmile and say hello. We need to do everything thatwecantomakeourCentrewelcoming to all.
(Lisa Wood is chair of the Centre s ESL Tour Guide Group.)
ESL tour guides welcome you!
The ESL Tour Group would liketoaddtoitsnumberofvolunteertourguides this summer.
Our only requirements for a tour guide are that you like to be with people andthatyouareabletocommunicatewell. Ifyou offerthosequalities, then we will offer you a supportive training program and plenty of encouragement.
Please call Ada Brzeski, (416) 397-1362 or Stephen Westcott-Gratton, (416) 397-1355.
About our volunteers
Volunteers needed for spring activities
By Ada Brzeski, volunteer co-ordinator
Plant sales
The plant sales committee has been busy forseveralmonthsorganizingtheCentre s plant sales.
We still need volunteers for the PerennialandHerbSale(May1 to4)andtheSale of Annual Plants (May 14 to 19).
If you wish to volunteer as a cashier, customerservicehelporset-up,pleasecall meat(416)397-1362orSheilaSmithat(416) 397-1356. Alternately, you can sign up on theschedulepostedattheTrellisShoporin the Department ofHorticulture.
Through the Garden Gate
This year the tour features the gardens ofSpadinaHouse,CasaLomaandDavenportHillonSaturday,June 14andSunday, June 15. I can t think of a better way to spend a SaturdayorSunday thanbeing in a beautiful garden.
Weneedmanyvolunteersincludingbus hosts, ticket checkers in each garden, help withrefreshmentsalesandticketsales. We also need help before the event with pub-
licity and promotion.
Celebrate with us
All volunteers are invited to celebrate our successes from the plant sales and Through the Garden Gate at a barbecue lunch on Tuesday, June 17 at 12:30 p.m. Let s hope for a bright sunny day.
Tour guides
Apprentice tour guides are needed for all three programs: adult, children s and ESL (English as a Second Language). The adult tour guides offer regular tours of Edwards Gardens every Tuesday and Thursdaythroughthespringandsummer. Thechildren s and ESLgroups arebooked in advance as needed. You should feel comfortable speaking to large groups and beenthusiastic about sharing yourknowledge of the gardens with others.
Contact information
For more information call me at (416) 397-1362.
New hours for Master Gardeners Infoline
The Master Gardeners Infoline has changed its hours of operation.
Youcan nowreachaMaster Gardener dailyfrom 10:00a.m.to 1:00p.m.
The phone number is (416) 397-1345.
Never say never: Magnolias rediscovered
By Stephen Westcott-Gratton, Civic Garden Centre horticulturist
Haveyoueverfoundyourselfdoingsomething that you swore you never would? Well,sohaveI,andquiterecentlytoo. I've alwaysadmiredmagnolias,provided they belonged to someone else. Why, you ask? It s largely to do with my least favorite insect in the entire world, Neolecanium cornuparvum,akamagnoliascale.Undoubtedly one ofthemost revolting creatures in the animal kingdom, and especially so if one makes the mistake of trying to dispense with them by squishing. Enough said.
Imagine then, how sheepish I felt as I arrived home with not one, but two goodsized magnolias in tow! Somehow I've managed toconvincemyselfthatIshallbe immunetothedreadedscale,andcertainly inallotherrespects,theprosoutweighthis admittedlyrepulsive con. Here s one pest withwhichImeantostartasIplantogoon. Adormantoilsprayinearlyspringshould control any overwintering adults, and another spray with insecticide around Labor Daywillzapanyyoungcrawlers. Organic gardenerswillprefertousea productcontaining pyrethrin or rotenone for the second spray, ormaydecideto dispensewith it altogether. The chemicals diazinon and malathion are also still registered for nonorganic gardeners. I hope to resist the temptation.
Unless you live in a large woodlot, chances are that you're going to be very carefulaboutwhatyouplantinthewayof trees.They relarge,they repermanent,and they also have a measurable effect on the rest ofyour garden in terms of shade, water, and compatibility. Trees that flower seem to me to be the most desirable, because they do everything that non-flower-
ing trees do, butwith thatprecious bonus. Magnoliascertainlytopplethescaleswhen itcomestofloralbounty perhapsbecause they ve been at it the longest.
One of the greatest changes in the historyoftheplantkingdomoccurredtoward the end of the Lower Cretaceous period, about135millionyearsago. Gymnosperms (plants thatbear naked seeds, withoutan ovary) receded, and angiosperms (plants thatbearseedswithina matureovarywall or pericarp )becamethedominantgroup. Withinarelativelyshortperiod (60million years) a vast number of completely new familiesand generawithcountless species developed, all of which are suspected of evolvingfrom the same ancestralline. Today,angiospermsdeterminethecharacteristic picture of vegetation in almost all zones. Among them are trees, shrubs, and herbs,includingalmostallcultivatedplants.
Among the angiosperms living today, magnolias show the greatest number of original features such as primitive flower structures containing open carpels, primitive fruit structures, and vesselless wood. Millions of years ago, magnolias grew in
the entire northern hemisphere, but the Pleistocene glaciation wiped them out of Europe and western North America, leavingeastAsiaandeasternNorthAmericain sole possession of the surviving species. Aninteresting quirkthatdifferentiates the twoisthat Asianmagnoliasflowerinspring beforethedevelopmentofleaves,whereas NorthAmericanspeciesflowerinsummer aftertheformationoffoliage. Asyoumight suspect, plant hybridizers have had enormousfunmessingaboutwiththisparticular characteristic.
Not only do magnolias stretch back to the dawn of time, they are also capable of stretching back in more practical ways. Fifteenyearsagoan ancient settlementbelonging to the Yayoi period was being excavated in Japan, its age estimated to be abouttwothousandyears. Agrainpitwas uncovered, but unfortunately all the rice seed was black and dead. One seed, however, was quite different from all of the others, and once planted, sprang to life. Theleavesand formofthetreeproclaimed ittobeMagnoliakobus,aspeciesthatisstill common in the surrounding hills. Eleven years later, when it bloomed for the first time, researchers were amazed, because instead of the usual six petals of M. kobus, this plant had eight! The following year, thirty flowers produced varying numbers ofpetalsfromsixtonine. Whileit sstilltoo soon to know for sure, it is now thought that this time-traveller may be the sole survivor of an ancient species, suspended fortwomillenniainseedform,completely freeoftheevolutionarypressuresthatwere modifying its relatives. What I wouldn t give for a cutting!
SowhatkinddidIget? Igottheepitome of a man-made creation of the kind not foundinnature: Magnoliaxloebneri Merrill. The subspecies Magnolia x loebneri is the result of a cross between M. kobus and M. stellata, both native to Japan, and both in-
troduced tothewestinthemid-1860s. The originalcrosswasmadebyMaxLobnerin Pillnitz,Germany,justbeforeWorldWarL. From this cross, many cultivars have been developed, one of which was bred at the ArnoldArboretumatHarvardin1939,leading one to wonder if the further hybridizing of this plant also acts as a catalyst to world-wide catastrophe! In due course, this cross was named Merrill in honor of the botanist and former director of the Arnold, Dr. E. D. Merrill.
Ichosethisvarietybecauseitwasdevelopedinaclimatesimilartoourown;infact it thrives at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum (zone 4), so I'm not concerned abouthardiness. Italsobloomsearlyinlife (fiveyears),andhaswidepetals,givingthe flowersmoresubstancethansay,M.stellata. Another useful feature of the Merrill is thatit smoretolerantofalkaline soils, and I know my pH level is above 7.0 (neutral). Magnoliashavefleshyrootswithfewfeeder hairs, so be extra careful transplanting. Amend or replace existing soil with peat andcompostedmanure. Avoidhighnitrogen fertilizers, keep plants moist during dry spells, and prune as little as possible (directlyafterflowering)sincewoundsand pruning cuts don t heal readily.
Whilethemajorityoflandscapemagnolias are the showier Asian varieties, there are also some remarkable native species. M. macrophylla (bigleaf magnolia) carries the distinctionofhaving the largestleaves in the entire sylva of temperate North America, ranging in size from 12 to 32 long. Although of wide distribution, it is veryrareinthewild,and fewpeoplehave seen it except in cultivation.
M.acuminata(cucumbertree)isthelargest (up to 80 feet) and hardiest of North Americanmagnolias, and theonly onenative to Canada. Unfortunately it's endangered, and now found only on a few protected slopesand streamvalleysnearLake Erie. At this northern limit of its natural rangeitonlygrowsabouthalfaslargeasit doesinthelushcoveforestsofthesouthern Appalachians. North American natives brewed a tea fromthebarkofthetreetobe used in place of cinchona (the source of quinine) for malarial and typhoid fevers. The bark was also chewed to break the tobacco habit (perhaps I should give it a go). The fruit, which indeed resembles
cucumbers,wasbrewedasatonicforstomach ailments and general debility. WritinginJuly,1802,onthebanksofthe JuniataRiverinPennsylvania,plantcollectorFrancoisMichauxobserveddryly: The inhabitants of the remotest parts of Pennsylvania and Virginia pick the cones ( cucumbers ) when green, to infuse in whiskey, whichgivesita pleasantbitter (taste). The bitter is very much esteemed in this countryasapreventativeagainstintermittent fevers, but I have my doubts whether it would be so generally used if it had the same qualities when mixed with water. ThisisoneherbalremedythatIthinkI'll giveamiss,butthenagain,neversaynever!
CLASSIFIED
GardenWorksbyDeborah. Perennialspecialist, consultant, designer, teacher. Everything to make your garden work ... a pleasure and treasure! For qualified, personal and affordable care, contactDeborah Riley, (416) 481-6885.
°
Garden consulting, design and maintenance.Specializinginperennialbeds,shade gardens and flowering shrubs. Ornamental tree and shrub pruning. Experienced, personal and affordable care for your garden. Carole Charsley, (416) 444-8254.
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Gardener s tour of Ireland: Exclusively conducted tour of 13 private, three castle and two botanic gardens in the beautiful south of Ireland including Kerry, Waterford and Dublin. Garden writer escorted. Call Uptown Travel: 1-800-667-0803.
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Merlin s Hollow garden opening, 1997. 10:00a.m.to5:00p.m. 181 CentreCrescent, Aurora. Admission free. Saturday, May
10: springbulbs,wildflowers,alpinescree. Saturday,June 14: fragrantgarden,thyme lawn, iris, peony. Saturday, July 5, and SundayJuly 13: summerperennials,pond andwatergarden.Plantdivisionsandseed collected from the garden sold only on opendays. Furtherinformation: call (905) 727-8979.
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Putyourdirtinsomeoneelse shands... If youarevacationingorjustrunningshortof time, your garden still needs love and attention. For professional maintenence, plantinganddesigntips,call:AnnetteNyga, (416) 535-4322.
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Stone carving: Create a limestone sculpture to enhance your garden. Learn the fundamentals of three-dimensional form and experience the excitement of transforming a block of stone. Summer workshops also available. Ruth Devor, professional sculptor, 30 years experience. Bayview/Highway 7, (905) 889-4587.
Discover the Exciting MNew Store CANADIAN WILDFLOWER SOCIETY & Everyone's Talking About! WILDPLOWER E PLANTSALE
10am.-1p.m.
AR Sat. May 10,1997 A sA
1065 Davis Dr., Newmarket L3Y 2R9
= CBogplcsforQara/ ene%
Markham Civic Centre 101 Town Centre Blvd. (Warden Ave. &Highway #7) For information, phone (416)261-6272
Children s summer mafeur, Fr fon . ateur, Professional or Armchair programs combine
3,000+ titles H Cards & Stationery GAROh| 11£5 & Iearnlng and fun Newsletter A > 2 For children s hands-on programs mag,;zin":ggl(; on n,;gggg,"gaaus,ie = combining art, science and nature, Good Coffee! Davis Dr. (Hwy9) | contact the Civic Garden Centre. We'll Q (well, ot bac) S 3 send you our brochure about children s (005)830-9693 w_E NEWHIARKET" 3 summer programs (416) 397-1340.
For the love of gardens.
When you're at work on the garden you love, remember Sheridan Nurseries. At Sheridan, we have expert staffto help you, and the finest selection of nursery stock in Canada, including over 750 types of plants and trees grown on our own farms. And all ofour nursery stock is guaranteed for two full years! Need any advice to help make your garden even lovelier? Gardens By Sheridan landscape designers offer everything from peerless consultation and planning to complete construction and maintenance services. All for the love of SHERIDAN gardens, at Sheridan Nurseries. NURSERIES
ETOBICOKE MISSISSAUGA TORONTO KITCHENER UNIONVILLE
700EvansAvenue 606SouthdownRoad 2827 YongeStreet 100ElmsdaleRoad 4077Hwy. #7 EtobicokeM9C1Al MissisaugaL5]2Y4 TorontoM4N2J4 KitchenerN2E 1H6 Unionville L3R 115 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
Plant portrait: Stewartia pseudocamillia
By Anna Leggatt
Stewartia isoneofmyfavoritetrees. There are about six species in the genus, mostly from Asia with two from eastern North America. Stewartia pseudocamillia comes fromJapan.
They are all deciduous small trees or shrubs, with alternate simple leaves. In Stewartia pseudocamillia, the leaves are ellipticalandpointed.Theedgesaretoothed. They are about 7.5cm long and dark green in color. In the fall, the leaves may turn yellow, red or reddish purple. The bark is attractive in the winter. The shape also gives winter interest. The trees are a neat pyramidaltoovalshape,withfairlystraight branchlets.
Allthissoundsfine,butnothingspecial. Dirr calls this possibly the best small tree for the garden. Why? The flowers! You may get a hint from the species name. Imagine ivory white cups of five to eight petals, 5 to 6cm across. In the centre is a cluster of gold stamens which have white filaments (stalks). The flowering season is long,butmainlyinJuly.Notalltheflowers openatthesametimeasincrabapplesand otherspringtrees.Thiswayyoucanappreciate each flower as it is elegantly set off among the leaves. Flowering starts when the tree is still quite young. My tree is just overtwometrestallandfloweredwelllast summer. The yearbefore, itonlyhad three or four blooms.
Grow your tree as a specimen. It may reach 10m in cultivation in the Toronto area. In the wild, in a more temperate climate, it would be double the height. It needs moist, well-drained acid soil, with plentyofpeatorleafmold. Stewartiasprefer sun for most of the day, but shade duringthehottestpartoftheday.Theydo
not like being moved and are generally pest and disease free. My neighbor has radicallyprunedherhedgesomytreewill be in full sun. I hope it doesn t sulk!
Seeds need three months warm, then three months cold. They supposedly germinate the second year. Fresh seed isbest. Mytreedid nothaveviableseed. Dirrsays Cuttingsare,tosaytheleast,achallenge. Stewartias are occasionally available at the better nurseries. Ask. The rock garden society brought some liners in from the States. Theywererapidlyall gone! Donot be put off by some of the books. Hortus Third indicates stewartias are not hardy belowZone7b,andS.pseudocamilliaisZone 8! Toronto is not Zone 8, nor is Oakville, whichoftenseemstwozoneswarmer. Dirr suggests Zones 5 to 8, possibly down to 4. Ithrowafewbagsfullofleavesaroundthe base ofmy tree, just in case.
Try to find one for yourself. Amend your soil and enjoy its beauty.
Reference: Dirr, Michael A., Manual of WoodyLandscape Plants:, Stipes Publishing Company, Champaign, Illinois 1983.
(AnnaLeggattisaTorontoMasterGardener,a member of Garden Writers ofAmerica and a mad rockgardener.)
THE 7th GREAT CANADIAN GARDENING CONFERENCE:
Connectedness: From the Ground Up
Registration details in the next issue of Trellis.
Questions and answers with the Master Gardeners
Q. Ihavea ten-year-oldpeach tree. Ithas notbeenpruned foracoupleofyears. Isprayed itwithdormantoilthisyear. Theleavesare nowgrowingonlyat the tipsofthebranches. It this the result oflack ofpruning? There are some dead branches, too.
A. Yes, the tip-only growth is typical in this condition. Prune away the dead branches now, but leave more drastic pruning until the tree is dormant (late winter). Peachtreeshaveashortlife,eightto20years, so do not expect many more years of productivity. Peach tree left unpruned will only leafout atthe tips
Pl Q. Howlongdoesittakegrassseedtogerminate?
A. Seven to ten days, sometimes a little less, d\ depending on weather conditions. (Damp, not too hot, days are best.) Keep the seeded Sk area moistatalltimes and make sure the seed is in close contact with the soil. Take care not to dislodge the seed when watering.
Water grass seed gently to avoid displacing seed
Q. Are there any plants that grow undera black walnut tree?
A. Plants that are tolerant ofjuglans include: Kentucky bluegrass wild rose (Rosa multiflora) forsythia Virginia creeper narcissus salvia impatiens rudbeckia
Daffodils will grow ih the shade of a walnut
Thanks to Vivien Jenkinsonfor illustrations.
Gardening questions? Call the Master Gardeners Infoline (416) 397-1345 daily, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
New books in the Trellis Shop
Come to the Trellis Shop and enjoy our new sitting area to review our books. Some of these include:
Best Loved Garden Plants, David Myers et al $12.95
Bloomsbury Encyclopedia ofFlowerArranging (in association with NAFAS), Judith Blacklock $42.50
Complete Aromatherapy Handbook, Susanne Fisher-Rizzi $23.95
Foods that Harm, Foods that Heal, Reader s Digest $39.95
Little lamb s big question (children s hardcover book with stuffed animal) $14.95
Taylor's Weekend Gardening Guides $17.95
Sometitles: OrganicPestandDisease Control, AttractingBirdsandButterflies, Safe and Easy Lawn Care
Perfect Plants, Roger Phillips and Martyn Rix
$38.50
The Step-by-Step Guide to Patio and Container Gardening $19.95 A YearofRoses, Stephen Scanniello $35.00
100 Flowers and How They Got TheirNames, Diana Wells $24.95
When buying books in the shop, members receive a 10% discount and volunteers a 20% discount.
Annual plant sale starts May 14
Plan to attend the Centre s sale of annual plants Wednesday, May 14 to Monday, May 19. At the sale,
Canadian Wildflower Society WILDFLOWER Sun. May 25, 1997 you will be able to choose from a UL R AL LS selection of top quality plants. (i ers ke by b o
You'll find garden favorites as Tickets available at theCWS Plant Sale, May 10 orphone Carolyn King (416) 222-5736. well as unusual varieties.
Books in review
ByJanet M. Heise
DAVID AUSTIN S ENGLISH ROSES (new edition)
By David Austin, photos by Clay Perry
Published 1996 by Conran Octopus Limited, London, England. 157 pages. $34.99
Despite its size and breathtaking photographs, this is notjust another coffee table bookforthegardenertodisplayandglance at occasionally. David Austin, breeder of the English roses that have taken the gardening world by storm with their classic colors, hardiness, repeat blooming habit, and above all, their incredible fragrance, provides information and rankings to assistinchoosingandgrowinghisfloralgems.
The original version of this book won theGardenWriters GuildGardeningBook oftheYear 1994, and has sold over 120,000 copies worldwide. Both books chronicle thehistoryofthe rose, the creation ofEnglish roses, their characteristics, fragrance, ideas for designing plantings and arrangingcutroses. Thereareillustratedportraits of Austin s recommendations, with each variety ranked both overall and on fragrance,detailingrecommendedgrouping, asketchofoverallshape,itsparentageplus Austin s personal comments.
Clay Perry s photographs capture the magnificenceoftheseroses theonlything lacking is the scent!
Riverdance tickets sold
out
Tickets
This new edition isbetter than the first. Thepagelayoutfortheindividualvarieties is clearerand easierto follow. Newphotographshavebeenaddedandsomeexisting onesenlarged. Therecommendationshave changed to reflectnewvarieties notpreviously available, with 18 new additions, 16 whichweresuperceded(summarizedwith Austin s reasons) plus a list of nine others deemed inferior and no longer recommended. The overall assessments have been expanded to four stars (outstanding, very good, good and fair) from the previous three (very good, good and fair) and, accordingly, many of the rankings of specific varieties have changed.
Although he developed each of these roses,Austinremainsoneofhisownharshest critics when discussing the merits and shortcomings of his English roses. Not contentwithexcellence,inproducingDavid Austin s English Roses (new edition) he has applied his own exacting standards to the book, just as he has to the roses.
The result in both cases is an improvement on excellence!
E ARTHWOODS%
Ecological Horticulture and Design
¢ organic lawn care and quality maintenance
¢ naturalstone walls and paths
¢ expertise in native plant gardens -fems, foliage, textures
e specialized trellises, fencing andarbors
Free InitialConsultation
STEPHEN PETRASEK
481-8405
SOId OUt BACHELOROFLANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE 2&?& s Tommo
Apples on a stick
By Sheila Smith, assistant horticulturist at the Civic Garden Centre
No, they are not candy apples they look like brussel sprouts. Try again they are Colonnade apple trees. These trees are bred to have a columnar growth habit for the commercial grower and fruiting and ornamentalvaluefortheamateurgardener. The fruits areborne along the main leader ofthetree. Theinternodesareshortandthe axillary buds grow into spurs rather than extensionshootsleavingthetreewithfew, ifany, side branches.
These trees were bred from an original cross from Wijcik , a sport of "McIntosh , with "Wellington
not have biennial bearing tendencies attributable to seed development which inhibits fruit bud formation.
TonyWijcik s discoverymaybethe answer to growing apples in limited space suchasbalconies orinsmallgardens. The Colonnadetreeswouldbeusefulforplantingveryhighdensityorchards. Theywould also be an interesting accent plant in a home landscape.
Both Sheridan Nurseries in Markham and Humber Nurseries in Brampton sell the four varieties, Goldenspire , {Scarletspire , Bloomless.
Tom Wijcik was a Polish immigrant grower of McIntosh applesinB.C.whenhe
Ultraspire andthe crab Maypole . 1 purchased Scarletspire from SheridanNurseries made the discovery in 1960. The mutant developed on a branch of a 70-year-old McIntosh.
Amedieval English maxim quoth: Toeat an apple beforegoing to bed, will make the doctorbeghis bread. Thismaxim evolved to: Anappleadaykeepsthedoctoraway.
It was notuntil 1976, when Ken Tobutt, an apple breeder at the Institute of Horticulture Research at East Malling in Kent, England, started to use the mutation in a cross-breeding program with many dessert and ornamental varieties of apples. The company, Ballerina Trees, was set up tomarketthetreesinEngland. InCanada, they are called Colonnade apple trees.
In 1989, after many trials, four varieties of Ballerina columnar apples were available. TheyaredistributedinCanadabyan apple breeder in Summerland, B.C. The variety names are Goldenspire , Scarletspire , Ultraspire and Maypole . Thesetreesarehighlydiseaseresistantand need no pruning or staking.
The apples are seedless from an eventualcrossingwith Spencer sSeedless from the original cross. Being seedless, they do
inthespring. Ithad three apples on it on the day I brought it homeandbyharvesttimeithadone. Ofthe other two, one was poorly developed and the second was dinner for what appeared to be a codling moth. The third will be dinner for me, hopefully.
Notes for fall apple picking
e harvest apples by gently snapping them off at the stem with a lifting and twisting action the leaf stem will remain intact and the fruit buds developed along the branch will remain for next year s crop;
¢ applefleshistendersoplaceapples in a basket or box, do not drop them; ¢ store theapplesin a cool darkplace in plastic bags with holes or in cardboard boxes with wax paper between layers ofapples.
Coming events at the Centre
May 1-4
* Civic GardenCentresaleofperennials and herbs 3
* Orchid judging centre, 1:00 p.m. 4
* Southern Ontario Orchid Society, meeting, 1:30 p.m.
8
¢ Edwards Evening Speaker: Lesley Bremness Topic: Inspiration from a herb garden 7:30 p.m. 11
® Ontario Rock Garden Society, meeting, 12:30 p.m., plant sale; 2:00 p.m. Speaker: Phyllis Gustafson. Topic: Successful rock gardening.
: ]
¢ TorontoBonsaiSociety,meeting,7:00p.m. 13
* North Toronto Horticultural Society, meeting,7:30p.m. Speaker: AliceWikaruk, Master Gardener. Topic: Patio container gardening. Plant sale. 14-19
¢ Civic Garden Centre sale of annual plants 14
® [kebanaInternationalChapter208,meeting, 7:30 p.m. 17
® Canadian Chrysanthemum and Dahlia Society, sale 20
e Toronto Cactus and Succulent Club, meeting, 7:30 p.m.
22
¢ Canadian Chrysanthemum and Dahlia Society, meeting, 7:00 p.m. 25
* YorkRoseandGardenSociety,meeting, 1:30 p.m. Speaker: Jerry Wade. Topic: Ongoing care ofroses.
31 and June 1
* Rhododendron Society, annual general meeting.
June 1
e Toronto Cactus and Succulent Club, show and sale, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 7
¢ Orchid judging centre, 1:00 p.m. 8
¢ Southern Ontario Orchid Society, meeting, 1:30 p.m.
9
e Toronto Bonsai Society, meeting, 7:00 p-m.
10
* North Toronto Horticultural Society, meeting,7:30p.m. Speaker: JeandeGruchy of Graymalkin Farms. Topic: Herbs. 14
¢ CanadianIrisSociety,meeting,1:00p.m. 16
* Mycological Society, meeting, 7:00p.m. 17
¢ Toronto Cactus and Succulent Club, meeting, 7:30 p.m.
22
¢ Canadian Rose Society National Rose Show, hostedbyYorkRose Society, 1:00 to 4:30 p.m.
26
¢ Canadian Chrysanthemum and Dahlia Society, meeting, 7:00 p.m.
Art in the Link
June 3 to 30 Garden Perspectives and Approaches
Shannon M. Callahan from Newtown, Connecticut
Registration form
To register: mail or fax (397-1354) this form to the centre. To register by phone, call 397-1340.
D Designing a herb garden
May9 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. members $35, non-members $40
J Containers of beauty (please indicate your choice of day)
QO May27 1:30 p.m. $20 or ElJune 5 1:30'p.m. $20
D Through the Garden Gate
June 14 noon to 5:00 p.m. Number of tickets @ $17
June 15 noon to 5:00 p.m. Number of tickets @ $17
D Please mail my tickets for Through the Garden Gate ($1 charge per order)
D Out-of-town garden tour
June 25 members $65, non-members $75 NAME PHONE ADDRESS