The Civic Garden Centre at Edwards Gardens
Who we are
The Civic Garden Centre, founded in 1958, is a volunteer-based, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to act as a central resource for gardening, horticulture and allied environmental issues by encouraging interest, promoting involvement, and gathering, disseminating and interpreting information in order to enhance the quality oflife for members ofthe community.
What we offer
Located at Edwards Gardens, The Civic Garden Centre offers many programs and services, including year-round activities for families and children. Ourhorticultural libraryhas over8,000 books, 70 periodicals, and a large collection of clippings, pamphlets, nursery and seed catalogues, as well as a great selection ofchildren s gardeningbooks. Horticultural Information Services offers free gardening information yearround, and the Trellis Shop has many unique gifts, books and gardening supplies forsale. The Teaching Garden has been created as a working garden to foster interest and educate people in the love and values ofgardening and the natural world. As a community service, Art in the Link offers gallery space to local artists. As well, the CGC has a wide variety ofbanquet halls, meeting rooms and show space, in a building that s a magnificent combination of stone and glass, with access to Edwards Gardens, one of Toronto s favourite garden spots, perfect formaking every kind of functionorspecialoccasionmemorable. TheCivic Garden Centre has something for everyone.
HOURS OF OPERATION
Administrative Offices:
Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
CGC Library and Trellis Shop: April 1 to October 31
Monday to Friday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday & Holidays 12 to 5 p.m.
November 1 to March 31
Monday to Friday 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday & Holidays 12 to 4 p.m.
DIRECTORY
Main Number: (416) 397-1340
Fax: (416) 397-1354
Email: cgel@idirect.com
Course Registration:
CGC Library:
Horticultural Services:
Horticulturist:
Master Gardener s
(416) 397-1362 (416) 397-1343 (416) 397-1358 (416) 397-1355
Free Info Line: (416) 397-1345
Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday & Holidays 12 to 3 p.m.
Rentals: (416) 397-1349
Trellis Shop: (416) 397-1357
Volunteer Coordinator: (416) 397-4145
Photography Permit, Toronto Parks and Recreation Division: (416) 392-8188
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President: Dr. Helen Shaw
Members:
Charlotte Ambridge = Mark Hartley
Ilze Andzans
Timothy P.D. Bates
Arthur Beauregard
Dugald Cameron
Judi Conacher
Lindsay Dale-Harris
Susan Dyer
Judy Floyd
Janet Greyson
Carolyn Keamns
Tracey C.H. Lawko
Sonia Leslie
Kenneth D. Maiden
Barbara Mayer
David Money
Grace Patterson
Sue Stevenson
STAFF MEMBERS
Executive Director: Manager, Community Services: Virginia Jones
Douglas Markoff
Manager,
Horticultural Services: Silke Gathmann
Accounting: Joe Sabatino
Administration: Shirley Lyons
Course Coordinator:
Horticulturist, Teaching
Rosetta Leung
Garden Coordinator: Rob Norquay
Librarian: Mara Arndt
Maintenance Supervisor: Walter Morassutti
Rental Agent: John Nijmeh
Acting Trellis Editor: Liz Primeau
Volunteer Coordinators:
Volunteers:
Teresa Ardanaz
Carol Gardner
Dolce Tatlow
Over 350 volunteers
Notes from the Board
Board president wraps it up
Letters
We begin a new department
Volunteer News
Kids play a big role in Loretta Garbutt s life
Book Reviews
3 great books
24 Plant Portrait
Cerinthe majorpurpurescens and Nemesia Confetti
Q&A
From the Master Gardeners O Coming events
What s going on at the Centre in May and June
Features 5 In a country garden
0 This year s out-of-town bus tour features Caledon and the Hockley Valley
Expert advice on backyard ponds
1 CGC tour comes ofage
| 4 At 12 years of age, Through the Garden Gate is the largest and most successful tour in the Toronto area
1 7 The art ofplant combinations Ideas that will double your pleasure
What s in bloom Spring in Edwards Gardens
Spring plant sales Shop for quality at the CGC
Douglas Markoff is new executive director
Lily garden to commemorate author Shirley Faessler
TRELLIS
Volume 26, Number 3
Acting Editor: Liz Primeau
Proofreaders: Mara Arndt, Dorothy Gebert, Lorna Luke Advertising: (416) 397-1340
Printed by Harmony Printing on recycled paper
Trellis is published six times a year as a members newsletter by The Civic Garden Centre, at Edwards Gardens, 777 Lawrence Avenue East, North York, Ontario M3C 1P2. Telephone number: (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 first ofthe month to insure publication eight weeks later. For example, material for the July/August issue should be received by May 1.
Opinions expressed in 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.
Charitable business number: 119227486RR0001
As one term ends, new ones begin
Dr. Helen Shaw, president, Civic Garden Centre Board
inter is a quiet time in the garden, s s / but ithas notbeenquietatThe Civic Garden Centre. In January, a large crowd enjoyed Marilyn Westlake s Edwards Lecture and superbphotographs ofa surrealist sculpture garden in the jungle near Xilitla, Mexico. In February, Mark Hartley shared his exquisite ability to design spectacular gardens, and in MarchwewelcomedJosefHalda, an expert on The Genus Paeonia, the topic of his talk. In February we also hosted a most successful horticultural open house, Getting the Jump on Spring. Over 1,500 people attended this third annual event.
SinceNovember, the human resources advisory committee has diligently pursued the search for an executive director, and on February 24 a candidate was brought before the board. I m pleased to reportthatmembers agreedunanimouslytohire Douglas Markoff. He joined the CGC March 15. A coordinator/horticulturist has also been hired. Rob Norquay began in this capacity March 1.
In February the fundraising committee was thrilled to report that The Honourable Hilary M. Weston, The Lieutenant Governor ofOntario, has agreed to be an honorary patron of The Civic Garden Centre. The following people have also accepted the invitation to be patrons: Dr. Brian Bixley, Mark Cullen, Camilla Dalglish, Marjorie Harris, Lorraine Johnson, Susan Macaulay, Michelle Landsberg and Helen Skinner. We appreciate the interest and support ofall our patrons.
We were very pleased in January to welcome two new volunteer co-ordinators, Teresa Ardanaz and Carol Gardner, who will be working with Dolce Tatlow. Dolce has held the position alone since spring, 98.
In January The Civic Garden Centre received a generous financial donation from the Milne House Garden Club which specified the sum be used to purchase new technological equipment. Three powerful new computers, a modem and a laser printer have been acquired. We are most grateful to the members ofMilne House, and we hope all CGC members will benefit from our increased efficiency.
The membership committee reported that in December, 1998, our membership totaled 2,438. This is down slightly from 1997, and one ofour goals is to increase it.
As ofthe April 27 annual meeting, I will complete my two-year term as president of the CGC s board of directors. It has been a most interesting time. Highlights ofmy tenure have been my association with the staff, volunteers and members, and the horticultural and specialty groups, as well as with my fellow board members. The Civic Garden Centre is a unique place because we are drawn together through a common interest in horticulture.
I thank you for the opportunity to have been in your midst, and I look forward to the leadership of Douglas Markoffas executive director and Lindsay Dale-Harris as president of the board. I consider the CGC to be in good hands. The future looks bright!
Dr. Helen Shaw
Please don't pick the fiddleheads
In response to some concerns about our Rouge Valley nature walk [listed in the March/ April outline ofCGC courses] we d like to clarify some points: we don t pick or disfigure any plant or animal on our hikes. As naturalists we are strong supporters of the need to preserve our wild places, especially the remaining areas ofthe GTA. We do provide a hemlock tea that we bring with us, picked from the eastern hemlock, a tree that grows to 60 feet. The small amountwe pick in no way endangers the life of the tree.
We apologize for any misunderstanding or resulting criticism ofthe CGC.
You can be assured that our primary goal is to provide the best hike possible for all concerned.
Rob and Laurie Stimpson Windsong Adventures Mississauga, Ontario
Editor s note: The Stimpsons Rouge Valley walk takesplaceJune 12from noon to 3p.m., and leaves from the CGC's main entrance at 12 p.m. Fee: members $16; non-members $21. Spouses add 310. On the walk you'll learn to identify wild leeks,fiddleheads, wild ginger, the eastern hemlock tree and different types of ferns. At the end of the walk, hemlock tea and wild leek biscuits are served. Registration deadline: June 3.
Trellis welcomes letters from readers and prints those relevant to our content and of interest to other readers. Letters may be edited for space and clarity.
The Best reasons to shop Weall & Cullen,
Douglas Markoff is new executive director
In mid-March, The Civic GardenCentrewas pleased to have Douglas Markoffjoin the staff as executive director. The position had been empty since November when Ron Dubyk, who came to the Centre late in 1997 as acting executive director on loan from the city ofToronto, left to run the bed and breakfast he and his wife own in Picton.
Douglasbrings to theposition 12 years ofexperience in horticulture and management, plus a Master s degree in botany from Clemson University in South Carolina and a BSc in forest biology from the College ofEnvironmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, N.Y.
I came to Canada in 81 to enter a PhD program at U ofT, Douglas says, but after a couple of years I realized my goal was Douglas Markoff plants, not research. In the meantime, I d met my wife, Gail, and that was it. [ stayed here in Canada. He s been a Canadian citizen for seven years.
From 91 until hejoinedthe Centre, Douglas was one ofthe managers at Acme Environmentals in Toronto. Among his many tasks was running the nursery and tree farm, ordering and growing plantmaterial forthe season sjobs, and inventory management. For several years he managedthegreenhouseandnurseryatHassall s Flower and Garden Mall in Mississauga, and has worked at Ben Veldhuis cactus nursery in Dundas,andParklaneLtd. inGormley. He salsotaught part-time in related subjects at Mohawk College in Hamilton and Humber College in Toronto.
In the long term, I believe the CGC must develop a more synergistic relationship with Edwards Gardens, Douglas says. It makes sense on all levels forthe city and its citizens, as well as the Centre and the Gardens to better utilize these locations. Some of his ideas: to develop a botanical garden to display and test the hardiness ofplants in this area; to grow
plantsnativetothemany Canadianregions such as the Carolinian forest; and to install display gardens to show people what they could do in theirown gardens. We have 22 or23 horticultural organizations meeting here at the Centre regularly and I think they d find it challenging to take part in these enterprises.
Ofcourse, the city s co-operationandpartnership willbe necessary to carry out these goals. Additional partnerships, with commercial organizations orhorticultural groups, would bring more people into the park and offer the CGC more financial resources, Douglas says. Weneed to provide the public with more experiences and reasons to come herebeyondweddingpicturesand tours ofthe gardens.
Douglas also has some concrete short-term goals for the CGC. First, it must become fiscally responsible, he says. We need to market our services beyond our membership bring in more people, more demographic groups. The Teaching Garden is a good start kids are the gardeners ofthe future.
He d like to see more fund-raising events takingplace atthe Centre and more performing arts and cultural groups using its facilities.
Dunington-Grubb Floral Hall, for example, is underused, he says. One ofthe first things I want to do is to strengthen the calendar of upcoming events and meet with the groups using the rooms as well as the staffand the board to ensure that we work more cohesively toward commongoals. Communicationandorganization are the keys, and those will be my first steps.
Douglas also has his eyes on the library It s the cornerstone ofthe CGC s mandate of information, but it needs to be modernized and upgraded, he says and Trellis,whichhe dlike to expand.
Continued on page 13
aturday] .1'., 1996 and Sunday June 207199¢ Noon to 5 p.m.
Admission: $20.00
Teaching Gardenvolunteerfinds joyworking with children
Kids play a big role in Loretta Garbutt s busy life
by Carol Gardner
ike many CGC volunteers, Loretta Garbutt s life isjam-packed with responsibilities. Loretta is also an actor, astudent, amother of two (Natalie, 10, and Cameron, 8) and, of course, a gardener. After she d enrolled § in the University of Guelph s Horticulture I, the first step to becoming a Master Gardener, Loretta decided she needed more handson experience as a gardener. That opportunity came last year, when she became a volunteer in [4 the Teaching Garden. [ You don thave to ask whether she enjoys her work with the children her voice bubbles happilywhen she talks about it.
The Garden is a natural for Loretta s skills. Because she s worked with the After Four program at her own children s school, she knew she wouldn t have any difficulty dealing with children. And she finds the kids who come to the Teaching Garden share the same goal she does: to get their hands into the dirt. The only difference is that the children seem to revel in getting as dirty as possible, whereas Loretta is more circumspect about her grooming.
As well as patience, being a volunteer with the Teaching Garden requires creativity and the ability to let go ofthe i| attitudes of adulthood and temporarily | adoptthemind-spaceofachild. Loretta has no shortage of imagination her work as an actor in television commercials and voice-overs, documentaries and animation, has seen to that. Andpatience is ajob requirement Loretta has learned in her career.
From April to October, classes ofchildren come to the Teaching Garden ; with theirteachers to takepart in pro- October(the TeachingGarden is closed gramsheaded by volunteers. The chil- November through March) Loretta Teaching dren play a big role in volunteer Lor- helps the kids, who come with their etta Garbultt's life, seen above with her own two--Cameron and Natalie.
During the months ofApril through teachers who have booked appointments with the Teaching Garden to explore its facilities to make their own name tags, then leads them to explorethe garden. With its Inuit Inukshuk, butterfly sundial and topiary animals, the garden is anatural magnet forchildren. The program varies according to the season. Last fall, for example, she started by discussing bulbs and dissecting a tulip bulb, then helped the kids plant some bulbs themselves. This spring, the same class will return to see
the bulbs up and the flowers blooming.
Many ofthe children don t have access to a garden, and most have never planted anything by themselves. The Teaching Garden program helps them learn more about nature and plants, as well as about cooperation with others. They ll remember it, says Loretta.
At other times of the season, the children may plant seeds or do crafts, hear stories, discuss butterfly migration or have a scavenger hunt to identify birds, animals or plants. They learnhowto safeguardtheenvironmentthrough conservation, recycling and composting. The themed garden plots teach them about different
Back by popular demand
parts of Canada, and the dinosaur garden is a natural lead-in to a history lesson. The youngest explore the alphabet garden, gleefully trying to see how many plants they can name.
The Teaching Garden opened lastyear; this year, plants behaving as they do, there will be even more ofthem to see. And Loretta will be there. She ll race the clock working, studying and raising her family. And as often as she can she ll be with the kids in the Teaching Garden, perhaps having a scavengerhunt to see which ofthem can be the first to spot a bird with a red tummy .
In response to the overwhelming interest in her Watercolour Workshop at The Civic Garden Centre this July, Pamela Stagg has agreed to conduct a second five-day workshop in August.
Pamela is a Canadian botanical artist who has achieved international recognition for her work. She holds the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society Gold Medal for painting. An enthusiastic teacher, Pamela enjoys developing the talent of all her students and has trained a number of painters to international standards.
Botanical lllustration in Watercolour (Advanced)
An intensive workshop on the techniques of painting highly detailed, realistic portraits of botanical subjects. Demonstrations and exercises are combined with painting practise, individual instruction and feedback. Advanced watercolour skills are required; experience in botanical painting, while welcome, is not required. Materials list will be made available before the first class. Please bring lunch to each session. (Maximum registration: 15).
Course Code: BIW26
Day/Time: Saturday - Wednesday Dates: July 17-21, 1999
10a.m. -4 p.m.
Registration Fee: Members: $180 Non-members: $200
Course Code: BIW27
Day/Time: Saturday - Wednesday Dates: August 7-11, 1999
10 am. -4 p.m.
Registration Fee: Members: $180 Non-members: $200
To register, call the course office at (416)397-1362.
No refunds will be given for registration cancellations after one week prior to the start of the class.
In a country garden
This year s out-of-town bus tour ofprivate gardens features the beautiful Hockley Valley and Caledon areas as well as the return ofBayla Gross, tour guide extraordinaire
Caledon and the Hockley Valley are a perfect backdrop for beautiful, serene gardens like this one. The tour features six, from a small, medieval-style potager to a large horse farm and a country estate.
t s no secret that the second-favorite pastime of gardeners is to get a good look at others gardens, especially if chauffered around andtaken to aniceplace forlunch. That s why the CGC s out-of-town bus tours have always been so popular. This year s tour goes to the Caledon area, a lovely part ofsouthern Ontario that s a weekend destination as well as a permanent residence for many city folk because of its rolling hills, winding streams and postcard views. The area s gardens, like the views, are without peer, and the tour includes a range from a small, medieval-style potager and a woodland retreat to a horse farm and a country estate.
This year the tour committee is pleased to welcome back Bayla Gross after a one-year absence. For a decade Bayla organized many delightful and successful out-of-town tours for
the CGC, and she has a loyal following among participants.
As in other years, the tour includes transportation by air-conditioned motor coach, refreshments en route and lunch at an attractive country inn. Buses leave at 8:45 a.m. sharp from The Civic Garden Centre and return by 6 p.m. Cost is $75 for CGC members, $85 for nonmembers, and the tourtakes place rain orshine. Date: June 22. Please wear flat shoes, and let the office know at the time you register ifyou have any dietary restrictions.
Here are some highlights ofthe gardens on the tour. An additional garden may be included if time permits. Please reserve early, as tours sell out quickly.
Linda Hamilton
Linda s garden, adjoining a Victorian
A
schoolhouse on 19 rolling acres in the Hockley Valley, is filled with beauty and serenity. Designed by David Warburton, it harks back to medieval gardens where no distinction was made between the edible, medicinal and ornamental. Many willow structures were created from local materials to define spaces, and nearly 100roses,plusperennials, annuals and shrubs also lendornamental character. Beyond the potager, banks ofwildflowers surround a pond.
Linda s garden has been featured in GardeningLifemagazineandon MarkCullen stelevision show, Right In Your Own Backyard.
Ralph and Carol Hanson
Carol andRalph are consummate plantspersons and startedtheir five-acre garden in 1983. It was visited by a CGC garden tour in 1990, and since then the Hansons have scoured catalogues and seed exchanges for plants to add to theircollections. Theynowhavemorethan500 roses, 250 peonies, hundreds ofexotic daylily hybrids and more than 200 rhododendrons, some ofwhichhave reached tree size. A solarium in the ruins of a barn foundation, a pond andboggardenenhance theproperty, andwinding pathways entice visitors to explore further into the 65 acres ofspruce and pine forest.
The Hanson garden has been featured on Kathy Renwald s television program, Gardener s Journal.
Liz and George Knowles
This constantly evolving garden has seen major changes since our last visit. Now that the basic framework has been established and each border identified by a tree or landmark, Liz has turned her attention to experimenting with colours, foliage and pushing the boundaries ofplant hardiness. In her converted henhouse she propagates thousands ofplants from seeds and cuttings collected on herworld travels. The formerchicken runhas become anursery garden for hot-colour tender perennials. Two rock gardens havebeen added, anewwattle fence encloses the front of the property, and a major perennial bed has undergone a complete change of design. The garden also
features two woodland gardens, a bog garden and two Mediterranean xeriscaped beds. Larkspur Hollow was featured last summer in Gardening Life magazine.
Erica and Fred Sayers
The Niagara Escarpment is the perfect setting forthe Sayers Japanese-inspiredwoodland garden. Massive limestone rocks have been positioned on the hillside to create an appropriate settingfortherestrainedplantings, andwatercascades over the rocks to fall into mossy pools. Althoughmodern inconcept,themainhousewas made fromreclaimedlogshewnbyearlysettlers to harmonize with the natural setting. Around a smaller log cabin lies a garden ofwildflowers, perennials, Japanese maples and hardy cacti.
Robin & Robert Ogilvy
Provence was the inspiration for the stone house set in the Caledon Hills. Lavish plantings oflavender scentthe airand agrazing herd of woolly Highland cattle adds to the bucolic setting, which overlooks the surrounding countryside. The new horse barn houses a number ofgaited Kentucky Pleasure horses, who train in the indoor ring. The feature ofthe garden is awillow-enclosed cutting andvegetable garden accented by an unusual woven potting shed.
A country estate
Ten years ago the garden area ofthis propertyheldnothing but a long stone fence andthe footings for what had probably been a storage shed. Butthatwasbeforetheownerworkedwith landscape architect Tom Sparling to transform it into a diverse garden where bare earth is not tolerated. The perennial beds, set in a framework of boxwood hedges and cordoned fruit trees, are a riot ofcolour and variety. Pergolas, arbours and pillars for climbing plants add architectural interest to the cutting and vegetable gardens. A latticewindbreakhasbeenbuiltatop the orginal low stone wall. Most of the plant material is grown from seed in the greenhouse. As this garden has grown and matured, it has been the subject of several magazine articles, talks and slide presentations.
The lure of water
The real trick ofa successful garden pond is balancing all the systems
byMark Hartley
I was fortunate enough to be brought up on a farm in a secluded valley with a river. The river was our best playground.
Our farm also had a pond. One ofmy earliest memories is ofmy fatherdigging it outwith the help ofa tractor. The pond was the repositoryofmanyyears ofrottingmanureandthe stink permeated our house for weeks, but digging it out revitalized it. My parents were determined to keep exotic ducks and geese on the pristine pond, but the local fox community got wind of the newcomers and soon all that was left ofthe handsome birds were sad piles offeathers.
But run-offfrom the farmwas neverrerouted, andthepondslowlyrevertedto amanurepit. At least the river, our playground, was saved: the pond acted asa filter and kept out the nutrient-rich sewagefromthefarm,whichwouldhave upset the healthy balance ofthe water. This was my introduction to the cycle oflife.
Man has used water as part of his garden designs throughtheages. The ancientEgyptians built on the edge ofthe Nile. The Romans used water to cool their courtyards. The Moors used it symbolically at the Alhambra. The Italians builtextravagant gardens to conquernature and Louis XIV builtthe canals atVersailles. LancelotBrown madepopularthe quasi-naturalponds oftheEnglish school ofgardendesign. TheVictorians used water most eclectically.
For the past few years there s been a strong trend toward water gardens that fit even the tiniest rear garden. In fact, water gardens can be introduced at almost any scale. Recent developments in pumps and waterproofmembranes have made pond installation much more efficient, andmaintenance easier. Installing a large pond (more than 32 square feet/three square metres) is hard work and typically needs professional construction, but there are smaller
pre-formed pond liners for do-it-yourselfers. When making a relatively largepondwith a flexible liner, it s always advisable to build a shelf 10 to 12 inches (20 to 30 centimetres) below the water level to accommodate plants requiring shallow water coverage. However, I prefer ponds made of concrete or clay. They are inertmaterials thatdo notrip, crackorbreak down under ultraviolet light, as some flexible pond liners do. Concrete has the added attractionofbeing firmenoughto form avertical side anda solidedge, so edging stones canbe placed securely. Vertical sides discourage raccoons from dragging plants and fish out ofthe pool. Recirculating pumps are a godsend. They move the water around, creating the much coveted sound ofwater, and aerating the water as they do so. Pump size is important, however, and what you need depends on the volume of the water in the pond or the height it is being pumped to the top ofthe waterfall or fountain. Valves to cut down the flow of the water and filters (mechanical or biological) may also be needed, and you ll want to look at the variety of sprayheads and fountain accessories available. Water garden specialists such as Water Arts in Toronto and Picov s in Pickering can provideyouwithexcellenttechnical advice and a comprehensive range ofsupplies.
Once it s installed, therealtrickofasuccessful pond is balancing all the systems: the plant community, the fish and amphibians, and the mechanical system. Many gardeners worry that a water garden requires a great deal ofmaintenance, but ifthe design doesn t fight the natural balance of a pond ecosystem, just as our river playground, minimal maintenance is necessary.
To create a self-sustaining eco-system, a complete aquatic habitat is necessary. Here s what you need:
Oxygenating plants to absorb carbon dioxide and control algae growth; look forplants such as elodea, parrot feather and moneywort.
Bog and marsh plants, which provide a habitat for insects, like to be only partially submerged. Userushes, marshmarigold, horsetails, yellow flag iris, sedges.
Decorative plants like waterlilies slightly oxygenate water, but are grown mainly for the pads andthe flower. They musthave sun at least six hours a dayto flower. Exotics suchaspapyrus, umbrellaplant, lotus andwaterhyacinth can be treated as annuals, or over-wintered in the house or greenhouse.
Fish eatmosquito larvaebutwill also cloud the water with their excrement if they get too big orthere are too many. My strategy is to provide very little food, which makes them feed on the nutrients in the water. Koi are beautiful but are voracious eaters and scavengers and require a large pond. Goldfish provide a flash ofcolour, come inmany varieties andgrow proportionally to the size ofthe pond.
Snails, mussels andtadpoles cleanthe sides ofthe pond and reduce algae bloom. Tadpoles grow into frogs that eat the insects and provide another dynamic in your pond system.
In winter, ponds go into suspended animation. Ifthe water is deep enough, more thantwo feet (60 centimetres) in Toronto, fish go to the bottom, hide under rocks and go into hibernation. It s important to keep ice from completely covering the surface. Leave your submersible pump in the pond and aim it at the surface to preventthe ice forming. The moving waterwill also slowly flow over the fishes gills.
MarkHartley is a Toronto landscape architect.
Douglas Markoff (cont from pg. 6)
In the meantime, he andGail may find some time for their own garden, which is intensively planted with native and cultivated perennials, woodland plants and a diversity of shrubs and trees. Maybe he ll even have time to get some plants going in their greenhouse. It s 13 by 22, bigger than the living room, Douglas laughs.
DAVID TARRANT S NORTH to ALASKA CRUISETOUR
Aug. 26 Sep. 5, 1999
Join David Tarrant, CBC s Canadian Gardener, fora fabulous gardenventure to the gardens ofthe Pacific Coast. Explore Vancouver s glorious gardens, discoverAlaskan ports in bloom , and experience Alaska s wilderness bycruise ship.
Your NORTH TO ALASKA' CRUISE-TOUR
includes:
e Reception & Tour at UBC Botanical Garden
Vancouver to Anchorage airfare
Vancouver & Anchorage hotel accommodations
e Visit the Alaska State Fair & Anchorage Tourwith David 7 day luxury Holland America Cruise
Exclusive Onboard Seminars and Cocktail Reception with David, e Private Garden Tours in Vancouver and Gardening Shore Excursions in Alaska
Our favourites were many-Thomas Hobb's evocative Moroccan-style garden; at UBC, the unbelievable dogwood; in Ketchikan, Alaska, the excursion to Totem Park, with the surprisingly interesting representations of life. The fresh West Coast beauty is captivating. -Daphne Chilton & Mariette van der Meer (Civic Garden Centre member), Summer 1998 participants
Formore information please call: Renshaw Travel's CRUISE CONCEPTS 2175 W. 4 Ave, Vancouver, BC V6K 1N7 1-800-317-0464
CGC tour comes of age
This year s Through The Garden Gate tour ofHigh Park gardens may be the best one yet and the most educational in 12 years
by Liz Primeau
Ithough it wasn t the first tour to be organized in Toronto, The Civic Garden Centre s Through The Garden Gate, 12 years old this year, has become one of the largest and most successful in the Toronto area. Organized by the Centre s volunteers, it s grown from a typical neighbourhood tour to one on a grand scale, with shuttle buses transporting the dedicated from garden to garden, a glossyprogram with full descriptions and plant lists foreach location, andgourmet lunches and other refreshments available.
This year, on Father s Day weekend, June 19 and20, the tourfeatures the gardens ofGrenadier Pond. Seventeen private gardens to suit all tastes are on display some spectacular, with impressive views ofGrenadier Pond, plus more modest courtyard gardens and intimate,
secret gardens along Wendigo Creek. The tour also promises to be the most educational yet, since it stops at two restoration projects within High Park.
Many Torontonians remain unaware ofthe movement spearheaded by the Toronto Parks and Recreation department, and supported by nature-conscious volunteers, to restore the ecosystemaround GrenadierPond and the oak savannahs in the park. Joggers, cyclists, picnickers and other city folk including some who live in the High Park area and walk their dogs through through its green glades every day tend to take the park for granted. They may not know that Grenadier Pond is the largest ofthe few remaining lakeside marshes on the north shore ofLake Ontario. In the early 1800s it was more than a metre shallower and 40 percent
In additon to stops at a couple of restoration sites in High Park itself, the tour features 17 charmin_d private gardens, some intimate courtyards and others with impressive views of Grenadier Pond.
smaller thanitisnow,buttheLakeOntarioshoreline was filled in in 1853 to develop east-west roadways, andthis had aprofound effect on the pond. In addition to altering the shoreline and depth, muchofthewetlandwas destroyed; there wasalossoffishandwildlifeandwaterexchange was limited. Today the pond drains into Lake Ontario through a weir, a kind of dam, which allowsthewaterleveltobe loweredas itnaturallywouldbe during summerweatherconditions.
Grenadier Pond is still an important stopping-offpoint for migrating birds, as well as a site forlocal species. It s fedbyWendigo Creek onthenorthandWestPondfromthesouthwest. Invasive plant species like purple loosestrife, sweet white clover and Japanese knotweed are now being eradicated to allow native bulrush, arrowhead and cattail to thrive. (High Park actually supports the growth ofseveral rare plant species, among them woodland fern-leaf, wild lupine, cup-plant,blackoakandsassafras.)The concrete walls and lawn areas around part of Grenadier Pond have been removed and planted with wet meadow plants, allowing fish like northernpikeandlargemouthbasstospawn, and providing ahabitat forturtles, birds and insects. Bringing back this natural habitat has also discouragedtheubiquitous Canadagoose andthe release ofits excrement into the pond.
But as well as being a fascinating lesson in how a few dedicatedpeople can restore an ecosystem, Through The Garden Gate will satisfy a gardener s quest for inspiration. Several gardens can be seen at pond level along Wendigo Way, a special little neighbourhood ofinteresting houses and gardens in a secluded setting. As a member ofthe volunteer group that s restoringHighPark, I feltourfrontgardenshould blendwiththeparkandthebackwiththepond, says David Kirkpatrick, the owner ofone, and a landscape architect. But we also wanted a garden in keeping with the Arts and Craft cottage on the property, plus a spot for either the sun-worshipper or shade lover at any time of the day. More than that, he wanted continuous bloom in the garden throughout the season, no easy task. One bed contains Mediterranean herbs, sun-loving roses andperennials;
the uppergarden at the back is gradually evolving into a woodland garden of rhododendrons, azalea, sweet woodruff, trilliums and wild gingerasthetreesgrowandcastthegardenin shade. My garden has the light, sandy soil ofthis area, andI m learning to adaptto its conditions, aswell as amendingitwithcompost, saysKirkpatrick. I mnotapurist, butI vebecome more sympathetic to the natural environmentandI 'm learning from the indigenous plant community in High Park what grows best in my garden. Another garden, on Grenadier Heights, has a striking view from a terrace built to extend the living areas of the home into the outdoor setting. Plantings were chosen specifically for fragrance and season-long colour, as well as to attractbutterflies, and there s a spectacular display of irises. On the eastern boundary of the garden the property falls away dramatically to alowerlevel andanothergarden featuringclassic perennials. Rock garden plants and spreadingjunipers cascade down the slope to the lower terrace.
Through The Garden Gate is a self-guided walking tour you can take at your own speed, starting at any point you wish. The free shuttle bus, which leaves from the subway and follows the tour route, is a godsend for gardeners with bad knees. Tickets ($20) are available at the CGC orbycalling (416) 397-1340, andare sold forspecific daysonly: Saturday,June 19, orSunday, June 20. Tickets will also be available on thedays ofthetourattourheadquartersonGrenadier Pond, in a parkette at the corner of Ellis Park Road and Wendigo Way, but it s a popular eventsoit swiseto orderearly. Tourtimes: noon to 5 p.m. A map is included with tickets. The tour catalogue contains garden descriptions and plants lists. Great food is available, Master Gardeners are available in each garden to answer questions, andtherewill bebothperennials and native plants for sale from Buds Fine Perennials and the High Park Greenhouses. Interested gardeners might also like to attend the Edwards Lecture at The Civic Garden Centre May 13, 7:30 p.m. it features Charles Kinsley on native plants and Christopher Harris on the Grenadier Pond Restoration.
A swingingtime was had by all
About 100 people put on their Basie boots and danced all night at the CGC s Swing Dance February 5. The party sandwiches were catered by the Pickle Barrel and for the occasion bartender Jack Hutchison, a hospitality student at Guelph University, concocted a special Valentine s Day martini made with cranberry juice. Norah Irwin donated
her special-recipe dill pickles and baked dozens of cookies for the event. Ed McMurtry from Mister Disc Jockey spun the records and provided the running commentary. About $4,000 was cleared for CGC coffers. Among the revellers were, from left above: Carolyn Kearns, Kathy Lackie, Nancy Mulvihill, and Susan Dyer.
The art of plant combinations
Double your spring pleasure with these ideas
by Janet Davis
Finding great plants foryour garden is only halfthe battle; creating eye-catching, mutually enhancing combinations ofplants is the other. And though we re likely to invest more time mixing and matching summer schemes than those ofspring, clever gardeners learn to time the early colour parade to make the most of bulbs, shrubs and perennials thatbloominMay and June.
This spring, keep notes ofpleasing combinations that tickle your fancy even if they aren t growing in the same garden. As long as they re blooming atthe sametime, they 1l work foryou. Later, take yournotes with you as you shop for the right perennials and shrubs, and for bulbs in fall.
To startyou offwith a little inspiration, here are some fresh ideas for spring combos.
* Underplant forsythia and cornelian cherry with carpets ofblueScillasiberica andglory-of-the-snow (Chionodoxa luciliae)punctuated with drifts ofan early dwarfnarcissus like February Gold
* Pair purple lenten roses (Helleborus orientalis) and lungwort (Pulmonariaspp.) with acreamy-white earlydaffodil suchas Flower Record
* Team up the red-and-yellow Triumph tulip Belcanto withyellow cushion spurge (Euphorbia polychroma)
* For a long-blooming spring window box, buypots ofpink andyellowranunculus and mix with purple and mauve pansies
* Contrast tall Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) with a tall Darwin hybrid tulip such as the orange-flowered Daydream
* Early rhodos look lovely with tulips. Enhance pink-flowered Rhododendron carolinianum with the pink-and-green viridiflora tulip Greenland . Pair the bright
pink flowers of Rhododendron Olga Mezitt with the peony-like pale pink blooms of latetulips Angelique and May Wonder , adding forget-me-nots and grape hyacinths foraprettypink-and-blue scheme
* Combine Allium Purple Sensation with blue Camassia cusickii and the tall white Darwin tulip Maureen
* Let gold alyssum (Aurinia saxatilis) and blue catmint (Nepeta xfaassenii) tumble together in a rock garden orat the front ofa border
* Underplant late-season peonies with a frothy carpet ofchartreuse-flowered lady s mantle (4lchemilla mollis) and mauve A/lium christophii
% Pair the similar cascading forms ofgarland spiraea (S. arguta) and weeping forsythia (F. suspensa)
* Front common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) and its purple hybrids with white Deutzia gracilis
* Pair Siberian iris with Allium Purple Sensation and yellow loosestrife (Lysimachia punctata)
% Combine catmint (Nepeta sibirica) with meadow cranesbill (Geranium pratense)
* Forawoodland, combinetrilliums (7.grandiflorum) with foamflower(Ziarella cordifolia), Virginiabluebells (Mertensia virginica) andyellow wood poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum)
* Underplant biennial foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea) withbiennial sweet William (Dianthus barbatus)
* Pair the salmon-pink Oriental poppy (Papaver orientale Mrs. Perry ) with Continued on next page
Shop for garden quality at the CGC
From the tried and true to the rare and unusual, our spring sales offer the best in plants
May is traditionally planting time and The Civic Garden Centre has a couple ofnot-to-bemissedplant sales this month. Silke Gathmann, managerofhorticultural services, has carefully chosen varieties ofannuals and perennials that suit today s gardening styles as well as local conditions.
We ll have a full palette ofplants for sun and shade, rock garden plants, grasses and herbs, and unusual annuals including some exotics grown as standards, Silke says.
She s selecting stock from high-quality local growerssuchasValleybrookandJEAPerennials, Linwell, George Sant&Sons,BrownridgeGreenhouses and Nursery, and Rekker Gardens.
Free compost provided by the City ofToronto will be available at both sales. Don t forget to bring your own shovel and containers.
The perennials sale, May 7 to 9, also includes awide selection ofsucculents and ferns, and gems from nature beautiful wildflowers appropriate for your own backyard. Featured is the Perennial Plant Society s 1999 Perennial ofthe Year: Rudbeckiafulgida var. sullivantii Goldsturm . Perennials ofthe year are chosen for hardiness and dependability, a long season ofbloom and good flower colour, and anyone who s grown Goldsturm knows ithas allthese virtues in abundance. In addition, its seedheads
Plant combinations
(Continuedfrom previous page)
purple peach-leaf bellflower (Campanula persicifolia)
* Combine the white form ofbloody cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum Album ) with lady s mantle (Alchemilla mollis) fora soft, front-of-border planting.
Janet Davis is a Toronto writer.
add character to the garden in winter and provide food for foraging birds.
AndreaClarkeofSpruceCroftNative Plants in Blackstock, Ontario, kicks offthe perennials sale the morning ofMay 7 with a talk on Fifty Foolproof Wildflowers and Heirloom Plants. Spruce Croft specializes in heirloom varieties and plants that attract, feed and shelter wildlife.
The sale of annual plants, May 20 to 25, includes big and bold tropicals such as canna, echeveria, coleus, fuchsia and potato vine, whose sculptural forms andexotic foliagewould be eye-catching in containers orcombinedwith perennials in beds and borders. Also available will be heirloom vegetables and annuals, and the newest varieties on the annuals market.
Popular local author and speaker Marjorie Mason Hogue begins the annuals sale the evening ofMay20 with atalk and slide presentation on Amazing Annuals,which is also the title of her most recent book ($24.95, sold at the Trellis Shop and reviewed in this issue).
Rob Norquay, staff horticulturist, and several Master Gardeners will be available to offer advice onplanting andplacement. On sales over $10, CGC members will receive a 10 percent discount.
Perennials Sale
Friday, May 7: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Andrea Clarke speaks on Fifty FoolproofWildflowers and Native Plants at 11 a.m.
Saturday and Sunday, May 8 and 9: sale continues noon to 5 p.m.
Annuals Sale
Thursday, May 20: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Marjorie Mason Hogue speaks on Amazing Annuals at 7 p.m.
Friday, May 21: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, May 22 and 23: noon to 5 p.m.
Monday and Tuesday, May 24 and 25: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Spring show a jumping success
Gardeners weren t the only happy visitors to the CGC s Getting the Jump on Spring, held Sunday, February 21. The Teaching Garden s Corner for Kids, on the upper level, attracted lots of budding gardeners, who were kept busy making garden crafts and admiring the exotic parrots brought by The Toronto Parrot Club. Meanwhile, adult gardeners those lucky enough to get a seat! attended lectures on everything from planting a meadow or a dry shade garden, to pondscaping and garden makeovers. Flower arranging demonstrations were given by The Milne House Garden Club and lkebana International. About 20 clubs and associations had booths and several commercial ventures sold their wares. Delicious lunches from Annabel s Catering were available in the Floral Hall. People liked the scale of the show it wasn t too big to enjoy, said CGC board president Helen Shaw.
Volunteers to assist with activities at The Civic Garden Centre at Edwards Gardens
The Civic Garden Centre currently needs volunteers to assistwith the Teaching Garden, Garden Tours, The Trellis Shop, special events, seasonal plant sales, administrative and library assistance, and much more.
What's in bloom
Spring is inspirational in Edwards Gardens
by Lisa Wood
dwards Gardens isaterrific placetopick
E up ideas aboutplants and trees.You can observe how varieties will look when they mature, and find inspiration in the many plants used in the gardens.
Mayis aparticularlygoodtimeto visit. Take a stroll down into the valley and across one of the bridges. Concentrate your attention on the planting beds all along the banks ofthe creek. Toward the end ofthe month, ifthe weather is fair, this area of Edwards Gardens is brilliant with ahuge collection ofbig, showyrhodos and azaleas. Visitors appear from everywhere to marvel at the unusual colours and the incredible vigour ofthese lovely plants. But starting weeks before the rhodo show, and continuing throughout the month, is a display ofan entirely different kind: settled among their
Petals, Stems & Leaves
more showy neighbours are a good number of delicate, spring-flowering trees. Look for frothy redbuds and serviceberrys, flowering cherries, crab apples and viburnums. Keep an eye out for the fragrance and delicacy of the flowers ofsome ofthe lesser-known magnolias. And don t forget to have a look in the bog garden for some ofthe early woodland plants. Here are some flowering plants to look for:
Small trees and shrubs
Pagoda dogwood (Cornus alternifolia)
Flowering dogwood (Cornusflorida
Woodland )
Redvein enkianthus (Enkianthus campanulatus)
Large fothergilla (Fothergilla major)
Stewartia (Stewartia serrata)
Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago)
Doublefile viburnum (Viburnum tomentosum plicatum)
Crab apples and flowering cherries of several kinds
Magnolias
M. sieboldii
M. x loebneri Merrill
M. kobus Susan
M. stellata Waterlily
In the bog garden:
Wood anemone (4nenome nemerosa)
Brunnera macrophylla
Solomon s seal (Polygonatum odoratum)
Lungwort (Pulmonaria saccharata)
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)
Foamflower (Ziarella cordifolia)
Did you know CGC Members receive 10% off purchases over $10 in the Trellis Shop? See the ad on page 29
Amazing Annuals
By Marjorie Mason Hogue
(Firefly Books Ltd., Willowdale, Ontario, and Buffalo, New York; 1999. 160 pages, $24.95.)
Amazing Annuals is an up-to-date account ofmore than 300 annuals one could choose for summer-long colour, in the garden or in containers.
Like many gardeners, I started with the common annuals and then grew perennials. I 'm now rediscovering annuals. I agree with Mason Hogue when she writes, "It is really a shame that some ofthebestflowers inagardener spalette areoverlookedsimplybecause they arenotperennials....A truly great garden encompasses all types ofplants . . . annuals, both in the ground and in containers, are the crowning glory. Her book fits the needs ofthe reader like me, who wishes to grow more annuals, or those whojust like to read about them.
The book describes an annual and how it differs from a biennial and a perennial. Mason Hogue suggests ways to incorporate annuals in the garden, with sections for different garden situations. There are lists by colour and a section on fragrance.
There s a section on potscaping, the creative arrangement ofcontainers using house plants, perennials and small shrubs as well as annuals, with instructions on choosing containers, soil, planting, care, watering, fertilizing and pests.
The large plant-profile section includes a photograph ofeach plant and light, moisture and soil requirements, plus its growth range and suggestions for companion plants.
Specialty plants such as grasses, and those with a trailing or sprawling habit or flamboyant foliage, like the fancy-leafpelargoniums (geraniums), are covered. Propagation includes starting plants from stem cuttings and from seeds including a great chart on starting annuals, one ofthe best sections. I 'm going to find this very useful.
The book ends with a list ofsources and a briefglossary. Reviewed by Anna Leggatt
Painting Flowers in Watercolour
By Karen Simmons (Dover Publications, Inc., Mineola, New York; 1995.
121 pages, $25.95.)
This is a delightful book on the wonderful medium ofwatercolour, written by an artist whose love offlowers and plants is reflected in herpaintings. As an enthusiastic novice in the medium, I found Karen Simmons instructions and advice clearly explained, generous and very helpul indeed. Karen frequently provides details ofthe stages through which she develops a painting, and thoughtful advice on creating a composition, whether calm or exuberant in nature.
I particularly appreciated her understanding and treatment oflight, something that s always fascinated me. Her wonderful combinations ofpigment, mixed or laid down in washes, result in paintings that simply glow. Karen s watercolours are not botanical studies but rather loose, luminous presentations ofher subject.
Karen s enthusiasm and excitement for watercolour show through in her writing, inspiring the readerto have a go at painting. Her writing style is conversational, which makes for a more relaxed approach, andher sense ofhumour is often apparent. I am particularly fond ofthe following paragraph, which perhaps sums up Karen s philosophy:
At its best, watercolour should look spontaneous, with no visible signs ofhesitation or alteration. This is achieved with premeditation, inspiration and perspiration.
Reviewed byJill Sadleir
The New City Gardener
By Judith Adam,
with photographs by Tim Saunders. (Firefly Books Ltd., Willowdale, Ontario, and Buffalo, New York; 1999. 224 pages, $24.95)
This is an excellent how-to book for a new gardener, in the city or in the country. It s also full of great information for more experienced gardeners. I thought I might give my copy to my daughter, but I 've decided to keep it.
Throughout the book there are check lists with plant suggestions, questions and the like that help you design your garden and choose the rightplants for different situations. The chapter titled Garden Style helps the gardener get started with suggestions for how to identify your needs, and make your personal space user friendly. A check list helps you find a style you like formal, relaxed or natural. There are brief instructions for making a garden plan, and more on how to select and place trees. Adam explains how to reclaim an older garden by chipping away at the...infrastructure and liberating the soil. You ll learn howto determine the assets and defects of your property and to use shameless trickery to fool the eye and make your garden more attractive.
Garden Ecology starts by explaining the importance ofsoil. Its check list helps you diagnose soil problems by identifying poor plant performance and the types ofweeds that grow in your garden. Adam touches on composting, nitrogen-fixingplants, worms and soil pH. There are directions for modifying the soil and what to do with compacted clay.
There are also extensive sections onperennials, beds and borders, on trees, shrubs and vines, lawns, ground covers and maintenance.
I have a few minor quibbles: this book is written by a Canadian, but the zones used are American, from the US Department ofAgriculture. And I wishhorticulturist were spelled correctly perhaps horticulturalist, wrong as it is, will eventually be acceptedjust because it s used in books like this one.
wish the pictures were taken a little later in the
morning. Some seem very dark.
The photography is excellent. However I Phone/Fax (905) 649-3532
The greenhouse is bursting with an extensive selection ofunusual annuals andcontainerplants
Over 1000 varieties of hardy perennials
Open Thursday-Sunday, 10-5, May-Oct
Rd. #1, R.R. #4 Reviewed by Anna Leggatt Uxbridge, Ontario : L9P 1R4 "Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association represents the Sz leading garden ; centres in Ontario. As one ofthe select garden centres which has achieved "ApprovedMember"status, we assure customers receive a high level ofservice, a good range ofqualityplants and associatedproducts, together with professional advice and information."
(}% CGC goes to Canada Blooms
It took 38 volunteers to man the CGC' s booth for the five days of March s Canada Blooms show, among them Mary Mamais and Maneck Sattha, above. The booth, in the non-commercial horticulture section, was designed and installed by Silke Gathmann and Joy Reddy, who did such a good job they may find they re asked to do it again next year. It had an advantageous corner position and attracted many visitors; during the five days of the show, 29 memberships to the CGC were sold.
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Plant Portrait
Cerinthe majorpurpurescens and Nemesia Confetti
Two annuals that like to be contained
by Anna Leggatt
When[ firsthad agarden ofmy own, I grew many annuals. But after a while, annuals began to seem too easy, and they started to bore me. Now I 'mrediscoveringthem I appreciatetheir long season ofbloom, and fascinating forms and colours. There are annuals with wonderful leaf textures, and many new species and cultivars to choose from. More and more I use containers for planting, and fill them with annuals in various colour themes. Soon there will be no space to sit on our deck! The following two annuals are relatively new to the Toronto area, and are my present favourites.
Cerinthe majorpurpurescens
Cerinthe has a common name, according to the Thompson & Morgan seed catalogue (which lists the seeds), but hornwort or wax flower doesn t seem to fit this pretty plant, also called honeywort. Cerinthe sounds like someone dancing, and I find it a more fitting name. Cerinthe, which is related to forget-me-nots, has fleshy, waxy blue-green leaves which become bluer at the tops ofthe stems. Small purple-blue tube-shape flowers grow from the axilsofthebluestleaves, whichare actuallybracts. The flowers hang down and are cream inside, and bees love them. The plant branches out
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with several stems and is good in the border or placed in the centre ofa large container.
Although we treat it as an annual, Cerinthe is hardy inZones 8 to 10 US. Itprefers full sun, grows 30-45cmtall and sometimes self-seeds some fall-germinating seeds may overwinter. However, it s best to save seed in a cool place indoors and startplants in late winter. Seeds require two to three weeks to germinate at room temperature.
It s late to start seeds this year, so I advise you to buy plants. Ask your favourite nursery, or try Mason Hogue Gardens, 3520 Durham Rd., Uxbridge, Ontario. (905) 649-3532.
Nemesia Confett?
Each flowerofthis plant is like a miniature snapdragon in fact, they re both branches of the sameplantfamily. Bymidsummer, [ had two hangingbaskets of Nemesia with drifts ofdelicatepink flowers tumbling down. The flowers bloomed on and on till frost.
In the evening, they gave offa delicate perfume. This year I looked for seed, but was told it s usuallygrown fromcuttings I shouldhave taken some last fall.
Nemesia grows quickly, andlikedthe morning sun it received in my garden. This year I ll combine it with the silvery, trailing leaves of Helichrysumpetiolare, andI 1l lookfor a larger pinkflowerto complementit ageraniumperhaps? I may also try a touch ofpurple.
Do you know someone who should be a CGC member?
Ifso, give them the membership application printed on the back cover of this issue of Trellis. They ll thank you for it.
Lily garden to commemorate author Shirley Faessler
Niagara-on-the-Lake resident James Edmondhas chosen afittingmemorialforhiswife, the late author Shirley Faessler. He s planting a small lily garden in the Huron Street CommunityGarden behindthe LillianH. SmithLibrary at College and Huron streets.
It s small, only about 10 by 10, but the location is heaven-sent, James says. It s right at the edge of Shirley s old stomping ground, theKensington Market area. Shirley s sketches of the characters and happenings of that neighbourhood appeared frequently inAtlantic Monthly magazine; A Basket ofApples, abook ofshort stories, and the novelEverythingin the Window Was a Novel, were published by McClelland & Stewart in the 80s. She was much funnierthanMordecai, inmyview, saysJames.
The garden was suggested as an appropriate memorial by Annie McClelland ofthe publishing house, and Shirley s editor, Lily Poritz Miller, helped organize the venture. Parks and Rec gave its approval early this year, and then
we wrote friends asking for donations oflilies. Twenty people wrote back promising plants within two weeks.
Since then, Gardenimport has offered to supply groundcovers, bulbs and lilies, whatever is needed to keep the garden attractive year round, and Cruickshank s has also said it will help. Once the ground is ready and the weather conducive, James and Shirley s friends will plant the garden, and the CGC is asking for volunteers to maintain the garden throughout the growing season, particularly important this firstyear. Ifyou ve enjoyed Shirley s stories or just love lilies, please call Virginia Jones, the Centre s manager of community services, at (416)397-1351 to offer your services.
A dedication will be held June 26 and everyone is welcome.
Watch for the Fall 1999 Course Brochure available in the September/October issue of Trellis.
YD1G @THIS
Gifts & Gear for Gardeners
Ifyou are a gardener or need a gift for a gardener, come and see our extensive selection oftools, books, accessories, clothing, furniture, seeds and gifts.
Mississauga Home & Design Centre 2575 Dundas Street West
(Just East ofWinston Churchill)
Phone: (905) 607-3372
Fax: (905) 607-6703
*Club members receive a 10% discount on all purchases
Expert advice fromthe Master Gardeners
Q. I've been told rhubarb leaves can be used in an insect repellant. How do you make it?
A. Steep three rhubarb leaves in one quart or one litre ofboiling water. Allow to cool, strain offthe liquid and use it in a spray bottle. Make an insecticide from rhubarb leaves.
Q. TheJapanese spurge (Pachysandra) growing under my magnoM lia tree has turned black. The tree was sprayedfor magnolia m\ scale lastyear. Couldthis be the cause ofthe blackened leaves?
A. It s not the spray but the insect scale that s damaged your Pach-
ysandra. The scale produces excretions that drip on anything below it , anda fungus ormildew grows, forming a sootymould, or honeydew. Hose the Pachysandra regularly to wash offthe
Mggnolia scale droppings debris, and remove badly affected leaves right away. The tellproduce sooty markings on : : . Sibaen avieait Do tsiflemould, by the way, is an easy way to diagnose magnolia
Q. How should Iset up my new toad house?
A. Toads do a greatjob controlling slugs, and a toad house would be an asset in any garden. But you need to provide the right conditions for the toads survival. They prefer to live in sandy soil, tucked out ofthe way in a shady spot. They need a pond to reproduce, andifthere is no waterin the vicinitythey ll migrate in search ofa source. In wintertheyburrow into the sandy soil for shelter, or A toad will devour slugs find it in loose rock piles. but won't eat your plants.
Gardening
Hllustrations by
Vivien Jenkinson
Many hands nurture the Seed Exchange
byAnna Leggatt, convenor
Acquiring seeds from other gardeners is a time-honored way to start or add to a garden, and the CGC s annual seed exchange offers a great variety to choose from. This year s collection, offered in the January/February issue of 7rellis, was smaller than last year s, but fewer people ordered seed so with the exception ofa couple ofvarieties everyone s request was satisfied. Orders were placed for almost every seed listed (there were no requests for hollyhocks, silver dollar plant, red lychnis, and four-o clocks, whichprovestheseoldfavoritesmustbesopopular everyone already has them) and Digitalis thapsi, the pink and purple perennial foxglove, proved to be the most popular.
Thankyouto all those who helped: the seed donors, who collected and cleaned their seed; the sorters and packagers; those who collected andnumberedthe orders; andthose who phoned recipients to say seeds were ready for pick-up.
Let s make next year s Seed Exchange bigger and better.
Teaching Garden needs your egg cartons
The Teaching Garden needs to collect 100 egg cartons forthejunior and seniorkindergartenchildrentakingpartinthe Patterns Program. The kids will plant seeds in the egg cartons to take back to the classroom and later transplant. Alsorequired: inmid-May: vegetableplantsand some flowering plants (caledjula, etc). Please dropoffegg cartons andplastic bags atthe Horticultural Services office, lower level.
Toronto Zoo to holdfirst annual plant exchange
On May 2, from 10 a.m. till noon, the Toronto Zoo will hold a public plant and seed exchange in Peacock Alley, just inside the main gates. Please bring your extra seeds orplants to trade. Several departments ofthe Zoo will have booths set up in the building, and visitors are welcome to meet and talk with the experts in Borticulture and botany.
Come and see what you re missing!
Art in the Link
As a communityservice, The Civic Garden Centre offersgalleryspace in the walkways between the eastandwest buildings. The followingartists willshow theirwork during MayandJune: (Lower Link, unless otherwise stated)
Lilli Kirsh Fiesta ofPaintings in acrylic & mixed media Continues to May 12 in the Lower and Upper Link
Botanical Elements Art Show opens Thursday, May 13, 7-9 p.m. and continues to May 27
Bilha Morgan
The Spirit and Energy ofNature watercolours and acrylic, May 14-30 in the Upper Link
Willowdale Group ofArtists May 28-June 14
Newfoundland, The Windswept Land paintings and photographs by various artists June 1-13 in the Upper Link. Opening Wednesday, June 2, 7-9 p.m.
Watercolours by Deborah Percy
The Flowers We Love June 15-30
THE EDWARDS LECTURE SERIES
SPEAKER:
CHARLES KINSLEY AND CHRISTOPHER HARRIS
pate: THURSDAY, MAY 13, 7:30 P.M.
Toric: NATIVE
PLANTS, AND THE GRENADIER POND RESTORATION
Charles Kinsley is a partner in The Ontario Native Plant Company, a consultant on botanical matters and landscape design for the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), and the Elevated Wetlands, and author ofManagement andAdministrative Protocols andProcedures in High Park. His talk on Native Plants includes a discussion ofthe environmental challenges of the 21st century. Using native plants not only preserves our heritage, but overcomes the water, pesticide and nutrient requirements, as well as the problems ofrun-offand erosion, that are associated with many non-native plants. Kinsley s talk will help you learn how to differentiate betweennoxious alien weeds and native plants, and understand the challenges presentedby restoration and naturalization, especially finding plant material from the appropriate bioregion.
Christopher Harris is co-chair and one ofthe founding members ofthe High Park Volunteer Stewardship Program (VSP), which manages the Grenadier Pond Restoration in High Park, one of the most successful restoration projects in Toronto, with Toronto Parks and Recreation. His talk will take you behind the scenes ofthe project, and show how the park s remarkable assemblage ofrare floral and significant vegetation communities evolved.
You ll also get a sneak preview of Through the Garden Gate, the 12th Annual Civic Garden Centre garden tour, this year featuring the Gardens ofGrenadier Pond. (See story, page 14).
Lectures arefreefor members. Non-memberspay 84 at the door.
FREEparking and refreshments. Call (416) 397-1340for more information
Enjoy nature and help St. Mark s Heritage Foundation
Puton yourwalking shoes, packupthe kids, bring your binoculars--and experience an Ontario woodland in full bloom the weekend of May 8 and 9.
That s when St. Mark's Heritage Foundation in Port Hope holds a Trillium Walk in CandlewickWoods, the home ofMr andMrs. Robert Sculthorpe.
St. Mark s Church, a designated historial building, was erected in 1822 and is the second oldestbuilding still standinginPortHope. Itwas theparishchurchofCanada's firstCanadian-born Governor-General, Vincent Massey, and his grave can be seen in the church cemetery.
Unfortunately, the church is badly in need ofrestoration, andthe congregation formed the HeritageFoundationto helpraisemoney tomeet these costs. The Trillium Walk is one way to
help and enjoy a Mother s Day outing at the same time.
The ground on the Sculthorpe property is a carpet oftrilliums in spring--in red, white and the rare variegated green variety. Migrating scarlet tanagers, Baltimore orioles and a host ofothercolourfulbirdsjustreturned from Central and South America can be seen in the trees and the sky overhead. The walk will be a treat on a spring day, and a learning experience for children.
Candlewick Woods is an hour east of Toronto, near Port Hope at Weslyville. Take Hwy. 401 to exit456; turn southto theblinking lights, theneast (left) onemile andwatch forthe signs. Admission: $10; $20forafamily. Open 10a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 8 and 9. For more information, call (905) 885-6960.
New books and magazines add their presence to CGC library
These periodicals have been recently added to the library s collection. The subscriptions to Tkebana and Cut & Dried were donated, for which we are grateful.
African Violet A magazine dedicated to the growing of beautiful African violets, published bi-monthly by The African Violet Society ofAmerica.
Cut & Dried: Serves Canadian retail florists and designers. Published bi-monthly.
The English Garden: Published bi-monthly by the British Connection for the North American gardener.
Gardens West: Especially forgardeners on Canada s west coast. Published nine times a year by Cornwall Publishing.
Ikebana International: Published three times a year.
The following books can now be found on our shelves:
NaturalStonescapes, byRichardDubé andFrederick C. Campbell. Published by Random House ofCanada. A US book by two dedicated rockheads , as The Victory Garden s Jim Wilson calls the authors, that helps you design natural-looking stone arrangements, select stones and get them into place safely.
The 20-minute Vegetable Gardener: Gourmet Gardening for the Rest ofUs, by Tom Christopher and Marty Asher. Published by Random House, New York. A sequel to The 20-minute Gardener, this book is a light-hearted look at growing vegetables the easy way and having a life outside the garden.
Gifts for Gardeners
Flower Arranging Supplies
Seasonal Products 4
Coming Events at The Civic Garden Centre
APRIL
30-May 2
Toronto Potters Spring Show and Sale Fri 1-9 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun 12-4 p.m.
The show features the work of40 ceramic artists, and ranges from the functional to the decorative. No GST. Call (416) 463-7318.
MAY
Free guided tours ofEdwards Gardens begin in May and continue through September. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. New for 1999: Monday, Wednesday and Friday tours at 11 a.m. Come prepared to have some fun. Meet your knowledgeable tour guide in the CGC s lobby prior to tour time. ESL, adult and children s groups welcome; Call (416) 397-1340.
2
Southern Ontario Orchid Society Sale 1 p.m.; meeting 2 p.m.
7-9
CGC' s Perennials Sale
Friday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; at 11 a.m. featured guest Andrea Clarke, from Spruce Croft Native Plants, speaks on 50 Foolproof Wildflowers and Heirloom Plants for Difficult Places. Saturday and Sunday : noon-5 p.m.
8
Canadian Wildflower Society Plant Sale
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Native wildflowers, trees, shrubs, flowering vines, prairie grasses more than 100 species. Call (416) 261-6272.
Postage Stamp Show, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 18 dealers. Call (416) 489-4457 for details.
Orchid Society, Toronto Judging Centre 1 p.m.
11
North Toronto Horticultural Society Meeting 8 p.m. Visitors welcome.
12
Ikebana International Bunka Shiju artisans with Pauline Tanaka, 7:30 p.m. Open to the public. Studio 1.
13
The Edwards Lecture Series
7:30 p.m., features Charles Kinsley on Native Plants and Christopher Harris on High Park s Grenadier Pond Restoration.
15
Canadian Chrysanthemum & Dahlia Society Annual plant sale
9 a.m.-1 p.m. Cuttings, plants and tubers.
16
Ontario Rock Garden Society Meeting and plant sale
12:30 p.m. At 1:30 p.m., Christine Walkden speaks on The Land ofthe Wandering Hands Turkey in all its Glory. Open to the public.
York Rose & Garden Society Meeting. 2p.m. ProgramTBA. Visitorswelcome.
20-25
CGC s Annuals Sale
Thursday: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. At 7 p.m., Marjorie Mason-Hogue givesa slide presentation on Amazing Annuals. Friday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: noon-5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
24
Toronto Potters
Annual general meeting and reception 7:30 p.m. Open to the public.
29-30
The African Violet Society of Canada 32nd convention show Saturday: 1-5 p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Show and sale ofplants, growing supplies and related items. Learn all you ever wanted to know about African violets and other gesneriads. Admission $2.
Postage Stamp Show
9 a.m.-5 p.m. 18 Dealers. Admission free. Call (416) 489-4457 for details.
JUNE 5
Rhododendron Society Flower Show
Toronto Cactus & Succulent Club
Annual plant show and sale 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Everyone welcome. Admission $1.
8
North Toronto Horticultural Society Meeting. 8 p.m. Visitors welcome.
12
Postage Stamp Show
9 a.m.-5 p.m. 18 Dealers. Admission free. Call (416) 489-4457 for details.
Canadian Iris Society, Toronto Region Show. 1-4 p.m. Open to the public.
12-13
Toronto Bonsai Society
Spring show & sale. Open to the public. Saturday: noon-6 p.m. Sunday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission: adults $4; seniors and students $3; children under 12 free.
19-20
The CGC s Through the Garden Gate
The 12th Annual Civic Garden Centre tour features The Gardens ofGrenadier Pond and High Park. Eighteen private gardens are on the tour, in addition to areas ofinterest within High Park, including two restoration projects focusing on the use ofnative plants. Gardens highlight a range oftypes, sizes and purposes. Master Gardeners are on hand in each garden to answer questions and identify plant material. Help preserve the gene pool ofthe High Park ecosystem with beautiful native plants in your own garden. Select yours at the Savannah/Meadow Native Plant Sale at
the High Park Native Plant Nursery. Gourmet lunches and refreshments available. Complimentary shuttle service from subway. Admission $20, includes map ofgardens. Proceeds go to the Teaching Garden and other community programs ofThe Civic Garden Centre. * oid dis intment, order early, tickets are limited. Call (416) 397-1340 for tickets. See story on page 14 ofthis issue of Trellis.
22
In a Country Garden
This year s CGC out-of-town bus tour features the gardens ofCaledon and the Hockley Valley, with Bayla Gross leading the tour. Tickets ($75 members; $85 non-members) include lunch at a country inn. Bus leaves 8:45 a.m. sharp from The Civic Garden Centre and returns by 6 p.m. See story on page 10 ofthis issue of Trellis.
26
Postage Stamp Show
9 am.-5 p.m. 18 dealers. Call (416) 489-4457 for details.
CLASSIFIED ADS
Garden consulting, design and maintenance. Specializing in perennial beds, shade gardens and flowering shrubs. Ornamental tree and shrub pruning. Experienced, personal and affordable care foryourgarden. Carole Charsley (416) 444-8254.
Wildflower and birdwatching tours. Point Pelee, Algonquin Park, Great Smokies, Vancouver Island, Turkey. For free newsletter, call George Bryant at NATURAL HISTORY TOURS (416) 443-0583 or 1-877-245-2424.
-- Correction Notice --
In the March/April issue of Trellis, page 30, the above classified ad for Natural History tours contained an incorrect telephone number. The correct number is 1-877-245-2424 NOT 1-800245-2424. Trellis apologizes for any inconvenience this error may have caused.
THE CIVIC GARDEN CENTRE
To Educate...Cultivate...Germinate...Propagate; CGC, a volunteer-based, not-for-profit organization
Family/Dual~Two adultswithin same householdand theirchildren under 18years, $40.00. Twomembershipcardsissued,pleaseindicate first and second card name. Single~Individualmembership, $30.00.
Membership Application (one year): ® Family/Dual & Single @® NewMembership @ Renewal Membership #
® GiftMembership Donation to CGC, tax receipt tobe issued
Total AmountEnclosed @ Cheque, payable to The Civic Garden Centre & VISA @& MasterCard Card# Expiry Date Signature
Name Mr. Mrs. Ms. Miss. Cardholder#2 Mr.Mrs.Ms.Miss.
Address
City Province Postal Code
Phone# (_)
Thank you forjoining the CGC. Your membership helps support the many programs and services of:
The Civic Garden Centre atEdwardsGardens 777 Lawrence AvenueEast, North York, Ontario M3C 1P2
Tel: (416) 397-1340 Fax: (416) 397-1354 Email: cgcl@idirect.com
Charitable Registration # 11922 7486 RR0001
CG C
The Garden Information Centre at Edwards Gardens
777 Lawrence Avenue East North York, Ontario M3C 1P2
Tel: (416) 397 -1340 Fax: (416) 397 -1354 Email: cgc1@idirect.com
Sheppard Ave.