Trellis

The newsletter of the Civic Garden Centre in Metropolitan Toronto November/December, 1997

MAGIC

Toronto s finest craft sale

¥ handcrafted gifts

® Christmas decorations

¥ specialty foods

¥ unique crafts

Volume 24, Number 6

morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea

November 6, 7, 8 and 9, 1997

Thursday and Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m

Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

at the Civic Garden Centre Admission: $5

C1V1c:'l_ n re GeneralInformation

TheCivicGardenCentreisavolunteer-based,not-for-profitorganizationwhosemission is to actas a centralresourceforgardening, horticultureand allied environmentalissues by encouraging interest; promoting involvement; and gathering, disseminating and interpreting information in order to enhance the quality of life for the community.

Located in Edwards Gardens, at Leslie Street and Lawrence Avenue East in North York, the Centreserves members throughoutMetropolitanToronto and across Ontario. The Civic Garden Centre is pleased to rent facilities for meetings, receptions, exhibits and shows.

Hours:

Administrative offices: Monday to Friday 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Winter(November 1 toMarch31) LibraryandTrellisShop: weekdays9:30a.m. to4:00 p-m.; weekends and holidays noon to 4:00 p.m.

Summer (April 1 to October 31) Library and Trellis Shop: weekdays 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p-m.; weekends and holidays noon to 5:00 p.m.

Telephone: Area code 416.

Main number: 397-1340

Rentals: 397-1349

Library: 397-1340

Fax: 397-1354

Trellis Shop: 397-1357

Volunteer program: 397-1362

Course registration: 397-1362

Master Gardeners Infoline: 397-1345 (hours: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.)

Photography permit for Metro Parks: 392-8188

Board of directors:

Chair: Helen Shaw

Staff members:

Executive director: Dave Nodwell

Members: ~Charlotte Ambridge Co-ordinator, children s pr?\%rams

Wendy Barrett argot Mather

Peter Boeckle

Dugald Cameron

Lindsay Dale-Harris

John Dean

S Dyer

Susan Gibson

Mark Hartley

Horticulturist: Stephen Westcott-Gratton

Assistant horticulturist: ~ Sheila Smith

Librarian: Roslyn Theodore

Trellis editor: Iris Hossé Phillips

Manager, marketing and special events: John Howard Carolyn Dalgarno

Carolyn Kearns Manager, administration and facility rentals: GwenKearney Betsy Chubb

Nancy Laurie Manager, Trellis Shop: ~ Jessica Harris

Barbara Mayer :

Assistant manager, Trellis Shop:

David Money Silke Gathmann

Liz Primeau

Allan Pat Ryley

Craig Stubbs

Dolce Tatlow

Maintenance supervisor: Walter Morassutti

Administrative assistant: Shirley Lyons

Volunteer co-ordinator: ~ Ada Brzeski

Back

TRELLIS

Volume 24, Number 5

Editor: Iris Hossé Phillips

Editorial co-ordinator: Leslie Lynch

Proofreader: Mara Arndt

Advertising information: (416) 397-1340

Printed by Raised Image, Etobicoke, on recycled paper

Trellis is published six times a year as a members newsletter by the Civic Garden Centre, 777 Lawrence Avenue East, North York, Ontario M3C 1P2. Telephone number: (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. For example, material received by January 1 will be included in the March/ April issue of Trellis.

Opinions expressed within Trellis do not necessarily reflect those of the Centre. Submissions may be edited for style and clarity.

By Iris Phillips

One of the pleasures of summer is visiting communitygardensandlearningaboutvegetables that are strangers to my taste buds and my garden. This past summer I visited LeslieLynch scommunitygardenwhereshe grows exotic peppers, unusual lettuces and newvarietiesoftomatoes. (Herhomegarden is full of interesting herbs and flowers.) Her neighbors in the community garden come fromavariety ofcultures and theirchoice of vegetables certainly reflects their heritage. One Jamaican gardener used his whole plot to grow calaloo. This vegetable is widely grownbyChinesegardenersandiscalledhin choi (Chinese spinach) and also goes under thenameamaranth.

I am not entirely ignorant oforiental vegetables and recognize and havegrown some of thepopular ones: snow peas, bok choy, lo bok(Chineseradish),guylahn(Chinesebroccoli), and nappa (Chinese cabbage). Some of thevegetableslookinterestingenoughtogrow fortheirornamentalimpact. Thedifficultyis trying to find out the English names and when that fails, to consult some vegetable books withclearphotographs ordrawings. I amsurethat,whenIplacemyordertoRichters next month, I will have some surprises. Richters carries a large variety of gourmet vegetables andmanyofthemareofChinese and Japanese origin. The desciption of the oriental cucumber, Cucumis sativus, sounds tempting: long slender fruits requiring no peeling since the skin is softand tender. Can be eaten without any fear of indigestion, stomach pains or heartburn.

LookingthroughAgri-food research in Ontario, July, 1997, Vol. 20, No.1, I found an article Polling the problems in oriental and ethnic vegetables . The survey catalogued themajordiseasesandpeststhatattackedthe vegetables. Itnoted fungal andbacterial diseasesthatwerenewtoOntario.Oneproblem is thatvegetable seed can be imported without phytosanitary certificates. Ontario commercial growers have organized their first meeting to lookinto the problems.

Executive director s report

By Dave Nodwell

I am often fascinated by the myriad corridors, equipment and activities that take placebeyondthedoorsmarked staffonly in hotels. Out in the ballroom or meeting room everything may seem calm and relaxedbuttostepbehindthosedoorsmarked staffonly isidenticaltowalkingintothe middle of the CNE!

In the last issue of the Trellis, I talked abouttheplanningandorganizationalwork beingdonebehindthescenesattheCentre. Atremendousamountofworktakesplace in thebackground to provide our services and programming; and, for that matter, to keep thebuilding in usable condition. To keep ourbuilding in shape, we have three full-time staff cleaning, setting up and fixing things; believe me, we would be in troublewithoutWalter,StephenandAlvin!

Some members of the Centre may be awarethatwe havehadproblemswiththe building. Specifically, a roof that leaks waterinto theFloralHallatthemostinopportune times. You will be pleased to knowthatMetrohashad roofersuponthe roofon several occasions and the problem seems to be under control as we approach thebusyfallseason. ManythankstoMetro for their quick response and our maintenance staff for all their creative efforts to stem the flow of water into ourbuilding.

Incidentally (just to add a horticultural element to this column), we have an interestingcollectionofnativegrassesandweeds growing on the roof. Well, I've got to go. I just learned that the sound system has a problem and we need it fixed before tonight s event!

Sale of Christmas plants

Members day: Friday, December 5, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Public sale: Saturday and Sunday, December 6 and 7, noon to 4:00 p.m.

Take advantage of your Civic Garden Centre membership and receive a 10% discount on your Christmas plant purchases over $10. Just bring your membership card during the sale to receive yourdiscountand shopfrom ourextensiveselection of poinsettias, cyclamens and azaleas.

* Questionsaboutavailabilityorvolumeorders? Call SheilaSmith at (416) 397-1356.

The Edwards Foundation Memorial Lecture

Wednesday

November 19

7:30 p.m.

Speaker:

Lois Hole

Topic: Favorite Trees and Shrubs

Lois Hole is the author of numerous best-selling gardening guides, a regular commentator on CBC television, columnist forthe Globe and Mail and, with her husband Ted, co-founderof Hole s Greenhouses & Gardens in Alberta. Vegetable Favorites, Bedding Plant Favorites, Perennial Favorites, Tomato Favorites and Rose Favorites have all been best sellers. The Professional PlantGrowersAssociation recognizedtheseries as an exceptional source of information by awarding it their Educational Media Award for 1995.

In the lecture based on her newest book, Favorite Trees and Shrubs, Lois will guide us through selecting, planting, growing and caring fortrees and shrubs including the best features of many species and varieties.

For the past 15 years, the Edwards Charitable Foundation has providedfunds for the Edwards Foundation Memorial Lecture in memory ofRupert E. Edwards. Thisgift enables the Centre to bringoutstandingCanadianand international speakers to Torontowithoutchargingadmission. Refreshmentswillbeserved. Wehopeyouwilltakethisopportunityto bringafriendandhearone ofCanada s leading gardening experts.

To the moon, Alice, to the moon ... the joy of growing up

By Stephen Westcott-Gratton, horticulturist at the Centre

Claustrophobiainthegardenisnotagood thing, and I was beginning to feel the first symptoms of it this past spring. Not the size of the garden you understand, but more the density. For several years now I'vebeen working hard to construct interesting or at least unusual perennial borders, and I suddenly realized with a jolt that I was beginning to run out of space. Theborderswerepackedwithplantmaterial, more reminiscent of sardines in a can than flowers in a bed. I wondered with dismaywhere Iwasgoingtoputdozensof tomatoplantsstillunderlightsinthebasement, not to mention the delivery ofsummer-flowering bulbs which was due any day!

Reluctantly, I admitted to myself that the tomatoes would certainly need a new bed dug, but what about the rest of the garden? Then it hit me! I could always start gardening UP. There were, after all, two arbors with four very unremarkable rosesattemptingtoclamberupthem,allof which were martyrs to blackspot and mildew. Out they came. I also marked out several spots around the garden which were prime candidates for vertical structures, which I purchased inexpensively at anearbyhardwarestore. Withtheseframes in place, I was ready to start planting.

When we think of climbers, most of us immediatelybegin to envisage plants like roses and clematis, or at the very least, something that is reliably perennial. This year,however, had promised myselfthat I was going to increase the number of annuals I grow in order to give myself more flexibility within the borders themselves. This is a sensible technique if you're like meandloveplentyofspringbulbs asthe

bulbs fade, the annuals and vegetables go in they re perfect companions.

Fortuitously,myfearofcommitment(to perennials)coincidedwiththeCentre ssale of annuals, so I immediately headed towards the climbers section. Had I been more organized early on, I would have grown many of these from seed myself (simplybecauseIliketo),butthisyearI let someone else do the dirtywork. You may want to keep your eyes open for some of thesevarietiesastheseed cataloguesmake their way to your mailboxes over the next few weeks.

The first thing that I chose were some cellpacksofmorningglory HeavenlyBlue. In thepast I have grown some ofthe more esoteric forms of this genus, but I decided to go for something ordinary instead, and I'msogladIdid. Imustconfessthatatfirst I was quite alarmed. Havingbeenplanted in the garden almost immediately after purchase, they simply didn t move for weeks. I'veneverstaredatapairofcotyledonsforsolonginmylife! Thereasonwas twofold in the first place, growers had a difficulttimehardening-offseedlingsprop-

erly due to our cold, wet spring. If that wasn tbad enough, it remained uncharacteristically cool well into June, and while morning glories don t require much, the one thing they do need is heat. Once this wassupplied, theytookoff, and produced amassofenormousskyblueflowersevery morning from early July until the frost. If you have trouble getting up in the morning,thisisundoubtedlytheplantforyou you ll literally leap out ofbed at sun-up to assess the day s crop I promise. Well, that was one arbor taken care of.

morningglory

Unfortunately, Iwaslesssuccessfulwith arbor number two. On one side I planted hyacinth bean, formerly known (and still widely sold) as Dolichos lablab, but now classifiedbotanicallyasDipogonlablab. This particular bean, native to Egypt, has an interestinghistory. In ancient timesit was traded as fodder for cattle, and while we consider it inedible, its protein-rich beans wereusedasfoodbythepoor,butnotuntil theyhadbeenboiled in several changes of water to remove thebitterness.

As an ornamental, hyacinth beans can either make a dramatic statement, or look downright insipid, depending on what color you end up with. Seedlings with

stems and leaves that are suffused with a violet color will produce plants bearing striking purple flowers followed by even more spectacular dark purple pods. However, if like me you chose plants with a standard green hue, you ended up with vines that produced white or lilac flowers with green pods, which aren t very visually commanding. This plant is a good candidate for growing from seed so that onlypurpleplantsareselectedforgrowing on. On the upside, they are much like morning glories in that they don t need particularlyfertilesoil,and certainlydon t requirefertilizer,sincelikealllegumesthey are able to fix their own nitrogen from the atmosphere.

While we're on the subject of climbing legumes,itwouldberemissnottomention sweet peas. My career with sweet peas (Lathyrusodorata)hasbeensomewhatcheguered, since I used to try to grow only Englishvarietieswhichhavebeenselected . totoleratesummersmuchwetterandcooler than we get here. Needless to say, these cultivars were splendid in June, but usuallypeteredoutintheheatofJuly,oratthe very least would succumb to functioning as aphid hatcheries.

Imagine then, my excitement when I spied some seedlings of a variety I had neverseenbefore except in specialist catalogues. Noting that my morning glories weren' tenjoyingthecoolspringweather,I was thrilled to find somethingthatwould. Wrong again. Instead I was confronted withthesamephenomenonaswith HeavenlyBlue : seedlingsthatwouldn tgrowa single new leaf despite my best efforts. WasIlosingmygreenthumb? Apparently not, since again, as soon as the weather began to warmup, thesweetpeasbegan to flourish. Couldallthetextbooksbewrong?

Not a bit of it. Instead I had stumbled acrossperhaps the oldest sweetpea stillin commerce, first documented in Italy during the sixteenth century. The variety

Matucana wasdiscoveredgrowinginSicily by a Franciscan monk named Father Cupani, who sent seeds of this extraordinary plant to a schoolmaster in Middlesex in 1699. The first record of this species floweringinEnglanddatesfrom1701,and a short time later seeds were sent to South America and laterbroughtbackto Europe duringwhichtimeithadacquiredthename Matucana (a town in Peru) instead of the original Father Cupani.

sweet pea

Aware of the lascivious inclinations of sweet peas, I was curious how the stock had been kept pure over the course of the centuries. Quite simple really, in that

Matucana is a true breeding species, so that flowers self-pollinate before the buds open,barringthewaytoinsouciantpollen from other pea strains; hence, the likelihoodofnaturalhybridsoccurringisalmost nil.Butwhyhadn titdonewellduringour cool spring, presumably perfect for sweet peas? Another simple explanation: it s nativetoSicilywheresummersarescorchingly hot and dry, and it wasn t part of a strain that had been selected to do well in theUK. Asaresultofthisexceptionalheat tolerance, I had a spectacular show from the beginning ofJuly which continued on until the first reallyhard frosts ofautumn.

Eye-catching, vigorous and beautiful, Matucana have medium-sized flowers with a deep maroon standard and intense orchid-violet wing petals. Best of all, the richlycoloredflowersemitanintoxicatingly powerfulperfume acrossbetweenhoney and orange blossom which can fill a room in minutes. Two other heritage varieties whicharereputedtobesimilarinhabitand quality are Painted Lady from 1737, (not tobeconfused with therunnerbean ofthe samename),and America, firstofferedto gardeners in 1896.

I'hadanexcitingsummerwiththeseand several other annual climbers, and recommend you leave space for some old favorites, as well as some you've never tried before. Growing UP is the perfect solutionforacrowdedgarden seeyouon the moon, Alice, on the moon!

Holiday closing hours

The Centre will close Wednesday, December 24 at noon and remain closed until Friday, January 2 at 9:00 a.m.

The Trellis Shop will be closed for inventory, reopening Saturday, January 10, 1998.

THE TRELLIS SHOP

Come shop with us! Members receive a 10% discount on most purchases.

Choose a gift from our eclectic array of garden-related items: for birthdays, anniversaries, and Christmas!

We have just returned from the Gift Show. Items for Christmas include antique oil lamps, wreaths, cards and ornnaments.

End of season sale starts on December 10.

Members receive 25% off

selected

items

All proceeds from the Trellis Shop help support the Civic Garden Centre.

March 11 - 15, 1998 Spring Dreams

§:9} '?; Featuring over 6 acres ofspectaculargardens, floral ( ., arrangements, horticultural displays, educationalprograms CANADA'BLOOMS andamarketplace ofgardenproducts.

Canada Blooms was a great success last year because of the dedication and hard work of 700 volunteers. This year the show will be bigger and better and we need even more volunteers. Come and join us for the day...work a little, play a little and experience the freshness of a spring dream. Please call to lend a hand at Canada Blooms 1998! Toll-free: 1-800-730-1020 orlocal (416) 593-0223.

Location: Metro Toronto Convention Centre South 255 Front St. West, Toronto

Dates: Wednesday, March 11-- Sunday, March 15, 1998

Times: 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. daily except Sunday. Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Early morning guided tours available by reservation.

Admission: Adults: $9.00 in advance, $10.00 at the door

Seniors: $9.00 Students: $5.50

Children 10 and under: Free

Group tickets: (10 or more, advance sale only) Adults $8.50

Books in review

Reviewed by Alma Ireland, and anonymous, Trellis bookshop volunteers

The Garden In Autumn

By Allen Lacy

Soft-cover

$35

Not the least charming section ofthisbookis theauthor s preface. Isat in my garden on anextremelywarmdayinsummerandwastransported,byhiswriting,toacoolerseason in which there are so many colors with no names in any language that I applaud the purpose ofhis book. Simply said, it is possible thatthebeautiful display offall color in our woodlands may be rivaled in our own gardens . He devotes chapters to a careful choice of perennials, annual and fall-blooming bulbs, ornamental grasses and woody plants. HelivesinNewJersey, somostofhis suggestionswillapplyto our ownautumn climate. Ihighly recommend this book. (AI)

Container GardeningforKids

By Ellen Talmage

Hardcover

$23.95

Thisexcellentbookpresentsplantprojectsforchildrenagessixtotwelve.Theyoungfolk willlovethehands-ontopicswhichareeasyandinteresting.Growingplantsincontainers is a great way to have your own garden without needing a lot of space. (anon)

Alternative Health Aromatherapy

By Vivian Luny, M.D.

Soft-cover

$9.95

The wise use ofaromatic extracts ofplants and flowers directly affects one s health and well-being. The author describes the therapeutic effect, the physical effect, the psychospiritualspheresandthechemicalconstituentsofalargenumberofplants. Theexacting descriptions plus health and beauty treatments give a clear knowledge of the how and why ofaromatherapy. (anon)

Trellis book shop offers personal service

The Centre s Trellis book shop has over 2,000 titles in stock; special orders are filled on anybook in print. Call (416)397-1359 or 397-1357 to place your order. You may also fax your order to (416)397-1354. We will give your request VIP attention and yourorderwillbefilledaspromptlyaspossible. Membersreceivea 10% discounton most book purchases.

Watercolours by Sonia Day

Writer,painter & Master Gardener

Sat. Nov. 22 ¢ Sun. Nov. 23

12 noon - 5pm

82 Durie Street, Bloor West Village (Bloor & Runnymede)

Information: 416-762-4103

Lots ofsmall paintings. Prices from $30 Buy direct from the artist -and save

Volunteers invited to festive get-together

TheCivicGardenCentre sstaff invites all volunteers to its volunteer recognition party celebrating the holiday season.

Date: Wednesday, December 3

Time: 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Please join staff and fellow volunteers for this festive event.

For the love of gardens. Py N

When you're at work on the garden you love, remember Sheridan Nurseries. At Sheridan, we have expert staffto help you, and the finest selection of nursery stock in Canada, including over 750 types of plants and trees grown on our own farms. And all ofour nursery stock is guaranteed for two full years! Need any advice to help make your garden even lovelier? Gardens By Sheridan landscape designers offer everything from peerless consultation and planning to complete construction and maintenance services. All for the love of gardens, at Sheridan Nurseries.

700 Evans Avenue 606 Southdown Road 2827 Yonge Street

Hwy. #7 Etobicoke M9C 1Al ~ Missisauga L5] 2Y4 Toronto M4N 2J4

L3R 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, MississaugaandOakville Tel: (905) 822-7575

Water plants that make a big splash

By Sheila Smith, assistant horticulturist at the Centre

IrecentlyvisitedVanDusenBotanicalGardensinVancouverandwasimpressedwith thevarietyofplantsandtheincrediblesize of some of the plant material. The plants along the pond and in bogs were impressive. Some waterside perennials made a dramatic architectural statement.

Gunnera manicata

One plant in particular, Gunnera manicata, is unforgettable. I noticed it from a distancegrowingbesidethepond sedge. As walked closer, Irealized I wasjust a speck beside its immense leaves. The leaves can grow eight feet in height and spread five feet across the king of waterside plants. In the fall, an impressive green cone-like flower head pokes up about three feet but staysshadedundercoverofleaves.Gunnera is named after Ernst Gunnerus, a Norwegianbishopandbotanist. Itscommonname is prickly rhubarb because of its rhubarblikeleavesand its prickly stems. Its leaves are very rough and deeply lobed. In the spring, new leaves shoot straight up and unraveljustlikeanumbrella. Gunneraisa herbaceous perennial that prefers part shade but will grow in full sun. It is only semi-hardy. In preparation for winter, the plantcrownshouldbecoveredwithmulch. The leaves can be turned over and tied down around the crown. Gunnera scabra is a smallerversionofG. manicata withpuckered and serrated leaves on shorter stalks.

Hosta sieboldiana

Hosta isnativetoJapanand isnamedafter Nicolas Tomas Host. Philipp Franz von Siebold, a German doctor, introduced and named manyJapanese plants. I sawHosta sieboldiananotonlyinVanDusenBotanical Gardensbut at UBC and in many residential gardens on the west coast. Hosta

sieboldiana elegans has spectacular round, blue-grey leaves. It forms clumps with its leavesreachingonefootwide. Aswell,the leavesareheavilyseersuckeredanddeeply veined. It bears lavender flowers in early summer and is quite hardy. H. sieboldiana reaches 2.5 feet high and up to four feet wide.

Lysichiton americanum

Thecommonnameforthewatersideplant Lysichiton americanum is skunk cabbage. The name comes from the Greek words lysis,releasing,andchiton,acloakreferring to the shedding of the large spathe. The name skunk cabbage actually belongs to the North American native Symplocarpus foetidus. This plant produces dark purple hooded spathes, has a very objectionable odor and grows in moist areas. L. americanum has brilliant yellow spathes reaching one foot in height that resemble the arum, which emerge in the spring before the leaves. The leaves can reach four feet and are leathery witha waxy surface. This interesting plant grows wild in the rainforestsinthePacificRimNationalPark andinnaturegrowsmuchlargerthanthose at VanDusen Gardens. L.americanum is a great companion to Gunnera.

Peltiphyllum peltatum (Darmera)

Peltiphyllum peltatum is is known as the umbrellaplant. Itgrowsthree to four feet highandtwotothreefeetinspread. When I sawthisplantatVanDusen,themagnificentfoliagewasthefocalpoint. However, in the spring the flower stalks are the first to emerge with white flowers that change to pink. This perennial plant grows from thick horizontal rhizomes and is ideal for anemptysiteofrichwetsoil.Theleavesare cuppedinthecenterwithlobedandtoothed

Gunnera is at top left ofphoto. margins. Theleaveschangecolorinthefall from a bronze-green to red and brown.

Rheum

Another plant that caught my eye at Van Dusen is Rheum, or ornamental rhubarb. Rheum comes from the Greek name rheon forrhubarbandistherelativeoftheedible rhubarb, R. rhabarbarum. Rheum also has broadspreadingfoliageuptosixfeet.Ithas spikes of creamy-white blooms that will grow above the foliage about six feet. Two cultivars, Bowles Crimson and Atrosanguineum are very colorful with mature purplish-red leaves. It is a herbaceousperennialthatwillgrowinlightshade or sun. Rheum is hardierthan Gunnera and will tolerate drier conditions.

Rodgersia aesculifolia

When in bloom, this perennial brings to mind the astilbe with its long stemmed

paniclesofflowers.ItisnativetoChinaand was named after Rear Admiral John Rodgers. All cultivars prefer moist, rich soil and thrive in water or bog gardens. It is hardy to zone five. One of the more popularcultivarsisR.aesculifolia. Itreaches threetofivefeetinheightandspreadsfrom two to 2.5 feet. It is a plant that can add architectural boldness to a bog or water garden. Rodgersia spreads readily by horizontal rhizomes. It grows well in sun or light shade, especially in acid, rich soil

Not all water gardens are large enough to grow these large-leaved giants. However, there are other smaller-leaved hostas as well as other perennials such as Iris pseudocorusthatarespectacularattheedge of a smaller body of water.

I hope to be fortunate enough to visit Van Dusen BotanicalGardens again in the near future. I'm sure there are plants I missed!

Plant portrait: indoor azaleas

ByAnna Leggatt

We have many beautiful flowers during the December holiday season. These include perennial herbaceous plants and smallshrubs.Inmanycasesweareadvised to enjoy them in bloom and then throw them away. Many azaleas are pretty and, with the correct conditions, we can keep them for several years.

Azaleascomeinvariousshadesincluding red, pink, white, coral and lilac. Some are two-toned while others have ruffled petals.Semi-doubleformsoccur.Theflowers can be up to 10cm across on plants rangingfrom 15cm highto nearly one metre. The leaves are usually a glossy dark green. If you find a particularly unusual and attractive form, try to save it.

Azaleas need atleastfourhoursofsunlight aday. Verybright indirect light may be sufficient. Temperaturesareimportant. The day temperature should be less than 20°C and the night temperatures should falltobetween5 and 12°C. A coolwindow sillfacingeastshouldprovidethis,oreven an unheated sun room. Water with rain waterormeltedsnow.Keepthesoilevenly moist.Donotfertilizewhileinflower(orin fall or winter).

Your azalea willbe fine for a few hours ifyouhavevisitors,oryouwanttodressup the dinner table. For a fancy centrepiece, getsometinyglassbobblesandhangthem among the leaves. Red looks well with whiteflowers. Foralargefocalpoint,geta heavy, tall candle and surround it with several pots.

Afterthelastfrost,putyourplantoutin thegardenwhereitwillgetbrightlight,but not hot afternoon sun. Fertilize every two weekswithanacid-typefertilizer (forrhododendronsandazaleas)tillthefirstflower buds form in late summer. If the leaves become yellowish, try an iron compound

for rhododendrons. Follow the directions on the package.

Whenyourplantneedsanewpot,make a mixture oftwo parts peat moss, one part perlite and one part potting soil. If you have a rhododendron bed, you can plant your azalea outin the summer,butitmust come inside for the winter.

If you have room, you can take small cuttingsfromnon-floweringshootsinlate summer. Take a piece of stem with only a smallbud at the tip. Cutoffjustbelowthe base ofa leafwitha razoror a sharp knife. Remove the leaves from the lower half of the stem. Take a clean pot or a Styrofoam cup with drainage holes. Nearlyfillwitha mixtureofeightpartsperlite,onepartpeat mossandonepartvermiculite.Thoroughly moisten till the water runs out of the bottomofthepot. Putyourcuttingsinthepot andencloseinasealedplasticbag.Leavein plentyoflight,butnotdirectsunlight.When growth starts, check to see ifany roots are coming out of the bottom. When they do, transplant.

LookforfloristazaleasintheChristmas plant sale in the Trellis Shop.

(AnnaLeggattis a TorontoMasterGardener,a member of Garden Writers ofAmerica and a mad rockgardener.)

A short garden checklist November/Decembertasks

By Margaret Bennet-Alder

* Continue turning over the soil in the vegetable garden.

* Make leaf compost: fill a garbage can one-third full of leaves and shred them with anelectric or gas trimmer (wearyour protective gear). Empty the leaves into a garbage bag. Add enough water to make them feel like a damp sponge. Make a sandwich of shredded leaves (five inches deep), manure, soil or compost (half an inch deep) and more leaves . Close and turn the garbage bag from time to time.

* Finish double digging the vegetable garden and spread winter rye seeds over rough clods. Rake the seeds into the soil but leave the clods.

* Remove leaves from hostas and other perennials or after the frost.

* Finishplantingbulbsifthegroundisn t frozen.

Last call: volunteers still needed for Mistletoe Magic

Volunteers are needed for Mistletoe Magic (November 6 to9). Ifyou can helpouton any of these days, please call Ada at (416) 397-1362. We need ticket sellers, exhibitor hosts, cafe attendants and cashiers.

* Indoors: fertilize Christmas cactus and keep well watered while the flower buds are forming.

* Prune hybrid tea and floribunda roses to half their height.

* Hill up roses.

* Unless the fall has been very wet, thoroughly water shrubs and perennial borders to prepare for winter.

* Mulch rhododendrons with oak leaves or pine needles.

* Cutbackasparagus fronds.

* Pot amaryllis bulbs.

Margaret Bennet-Alder is a member of the CentreandauthorofTheGardener sJournal and Source Book, updatedand revisedannually. The1998version isavailableat theTrellis Shop.

Holiday Plant Care CREATIVE PLANTSCAPES

Enjoy your holiday by leaving your plants in the hands of an experienced horticulturalist who will offer tender loving care to your indoor tropical plants.

Connie Maurice is a tropical and landscape gardener with over ten years of practice including architectural interiors and private homes. She can provide excellent references, has a flexible schedule and is mobile.

Connie Maurice Tel. : (416) 536-7804

:;uesti:onsand answers with the Master Gardeners

Q. IhavetwoCyperusalternifolia (umbrellagrass)plantsgiven tome. How do Icarefor them?

A. Cyperusalternifoliaisatenderpotplant. Itcanbeplacedinapool in summer. It is impossible to overwater this plant; stand it on pebblesina deepsaucerand keep thesaucerfilled. Room temperature is satisfactory; the minimum temperature for growth is 50°F (10°C). Feed it once a month. Propagate from the flower head.

StandtheCyperuspoton pebbles in a deep container of water

Q. Can I use straw as a mulch?

A. You can use straw but it usually has lots ofweed seeds and these cause problems in flower beds with perennials. Thereislesstroubleinvegetablebedsasthe soil is dug over thoroughly between crops.

Mulchingwith strawmayproduce lots of weeds

Q. Can Iprevent bird seed sprouting in thegarden?

A. Germination of bird seed can be prevented by baking or microwaving it before putting it into the feeder. Heat the oven to250°F (120°C). Time will vary with the amount being treated; about 15 to 30 minutes shouldbeallowed. Somenurseriesandbirdseedshops stock gardenfriendlyseed ,alreadytreatedorselected to prevent sprouting, but it is often more expensive. Feedsuchascracked cornand sunflowerseedswillnot e sprout. Usinga pre-emergentweedkillerin the spring A J, " isperhapsthecheapestandeasiestcontrol,ifyoudonot N\; = intend to plant any seeds at that location.

Use a pre-emergent weed preventer to stop bird seed sprouting

Thanks to Vivien Jenkinson for illustrations.

Gardening questions? Call the Master Gardeners Infoline (416) 397-1345 daily, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Joy of Ikebana celebrates Sogetsu anniversary

By Sharon Koor, Ikebana International, Show chair

Ikebana, the Japanese art of floral arranging, is one ofJapan' s traditional arts. Over the centuries many different schools of ikebanahaveevolved.IntheTorontoChapterofIkebanaInternationaltherearemembers from the Ikenobo, Kakko-ryu, Koryu, Misho-ryu, Ohara-ryu, Saga Goryu and Sogetsu schools.

Ikebana International was founded in Tokyo in 1956 by the late Ellen Gordon Allen.Friendshipthroughflowersisthemotto ofthisnon-profitculturalgroup. Itsmembers are dedicated to the promotion of mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and other countries through ikebanaandtherelatedartsofJapan. There are more than 200 chapters worldwide.

Toronto Chapter 208 is one of three Ikebana International chapters in Canada. We received our charter in 1981. Our monthly meetings are held at the Civic Garden Centre on Wednesday evenings from September to May. New members and visitors are welcome. Last year six members of the Toronto Chapter joined more than 1,000 enthusiastic I.I. members from 34 countries at the seventh world convention in Nagoya, Japan. The theme for 1.I s 40th anniversary was lkebana: a bridge to the next century.

At our annual show, Joy of Ikebana on November 15 and 16,TorontoChapter208 will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Sogetsu School of Ikebana. Sofu Teshigahara, an ikebana artist with passion and creative urge, launched a school of his own in downtown Tokyo in 1927. TheSogetsuSchoolbecameinternationally recognized in the 1950s. In the 1980s, the current Sogetsu headmaster, Hiroshi Teshigahara, dramatically expanded the scope with his striking bamboo installationsinEurope,KoreaandNorthAmerica.

Ann Schmeisser will be guest demonstrator. AresidentofGibsonIsland,Maryland, she holds the highest rank in the Sogetsu School, that of Riji. She is also a regional director of the Sogetsu School in North America. Each demonstration will celebrate different aspects of seven decades ofSogetsu Ikebana.

Members of the public are invited to attend dailyadmissionis$10atthedoor or $8 in advance from chapter members.

IKEBANA INTERNATIONAL

Toronto Chapter208 Flower Show

JOY OF IKEBANA

CelebratingSogetsu 70th Anniversary

Saturday, November 15, 1997 11:30am-5:00pm Sunday, November 16, 1997 11:30am-5:00pm

Demonstration:

Saturday and Sunday 2:00pm ANNSCHMEISSER

Civic Garden Centre, Edwards Gardens 777 Lawrence Avenue East (at Leslie), North York

Admission: $10.00

For more information, please call (416) 920-0775 or (416) 484-1565

Time

to think about next Trellis Deadline for the January-February issue of Trellis is November 1.

No technical jargon. We explain everything in terms you can understand. Our goal is to build your confidence so you feel comfortable working with your system. Whatever it is you are trying to do from setting up your computer to figuring out the internet, we will help you get there. SYSTEM

COMPUTER

Coming events at the Centre

November 1

¢ Orchid judging centre, 1:00 p.m. 2

e SouthernOntarioOrchidSociety,meeting, 1:00 p.m.

¢ OntarioPorcelainArts,show, 1t04:30p.m.

e Ontario Rock Garden Society, meeting, 1:30 p.m.

6-9

* Mistletoe Magic: Craft sale 10

e TorontoBonsaiSociety, meeting, 7:00 p.m.

e SouthernOntarioOrchidSociety,newcomers meeting, 7:00 p.m. 1l

* North Toronto Horticultural Society, awards night, 8:00 p.m. Speaker: Barbara Furlong: Topic: topiary.

15-16

o [kebana International, show 17

e Mycological Society, meeting, 7:30 p.m. 18

e Toronto Cactus and Succulent Club, meeting, 7:30 p.m. 19

e Edwards Foundation Memorial Lecture, 7:30p.m. Speaker: LoisHole. Topic: Favorite trees and shrubs. 21-23

e Toronto Potters, show 23

* Geranium and Pelargonium Society, meeting, 2:00 p.m.

e Ontario Field Ornithologists, meeting, 5:30 p.m.

* York Rose and Garden Society, meeting, 1:30 p.m. Speaker: Edna Caldwell. Topic: Private and public gardens of British Columbia

¢ RhododenrdronSociety,meeting,2:00p.m.

December 5-7

e Sale ofChristmas plants

* Orchid judging centre, 1:00 p.m. 7

e SouthernOntarioOrchidSociety,meeting, 1:00 p.m.

e SouthernOntarioOrchidSociety,newcomers meeting, 7:00 p.m.

¢ IkebanaInternationalChapter#208,meeting, 7:30 p.m.

* Ontario Rock Garden Society, meeting, 1:30 p.m. Speakers: JeffMasonand Marjorie Mason Hogue

Art in The Link

October 21 to November 2: Ray Davidson

November 25 to December 8: Sylvia Flamer, Edna Green, Eleanor Neves and Golie Maleki

CLASSIFIED

The Seed Page is a non-commercial web site dedicated to seed germination. The site contains an international list of seed houses, links to other sites plus practical information about seeds. The address is http://www.starblanket.com/~susan/

Rafleics

MARTHA STURDY, VANCOUVER, CANADA

New to the Trellis Shop are Martha Sturdy s jewellery and accessories. Martha is Canada s pre-eminent jewellery designer and her bold and unique collections have been featured in Vogue, Elle, Harper s Bazaar and international magazines. The Trellis Shop.features her jewellery and bestselling minimalist collection of bowls, vases and home decor items.