Trellis

" TheCivicGarden Centre at Edwards

Gardens

Who we are

The Civic Garden Centre (CGC), founded in 1958, is a volunteer-based, not-for-profit organizationwhosemissionistoactasacentralresource forgardening,horticultureandalliedenvironmental 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

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.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President: Lindsay Dale-Harris

Members: Kim Dalglish Abell, Alice Adelkind, Timothy P.D. Bates, Arthur Beauregard, Sandra Beech, Marisa Bergagnini, Dugald Cameron, Susan Dyer, Clare Fisher, Judy Floyd, Janet Greyson, Lorraine Hunter, Carolyn Kearns, Cecil Lamrock, Tracey C.H. Lawko, Sonia Leslie, Victoria Lister Carley, Kenneth D. Maiden, Barbara Mayer, Grace Patterson, Janet Rowley, Helen Shaw.

STAFF MEMBERS

Executive Director: Douglas Markoff

Manager,Community Services: Kathy Varley

Manager, Horticultural Services: Cathie Cox

Accounting: Joe Sabatino

Administration: Shirley Lyons

Course Co-ordinator: Rosetta Leung

Librarian: Mara Arndt

Maintenance Supervisor: Walter Morassutti

Rental Co-ordinator: Randie Smith

Trellis Editor: Liz Primeau

VolunteerCo-ordinator: Carol Gardner

Volunteers: Over350volunteers

PATRONS

Honorary Patron: Hilary Weston, LieutenantGovernor ofOntario. Patrons: Brian Bixley, Awdrey Clarke, MarkCullen, CamillaDalglish, Sondra Gotlieb, Marjorie Harris, Lorraine Johnson, MichelleLandsberg,SusanMacauley,HelenSkinner.

Trellis, July/August 2000

Departments

Notes from the Board

Taking a high five

Notes from the Corner Office

Growing the link between art andhorticulture

The Teaching Garden

Nature takes its course

Volunteer News

Trellis shop attracts creative volunteers

Q&A

Expertadvice fromthe MasterGardeners

Plant Portrait

Yucca filamentosa

Book Reviews

Cottage, vegetable and kids gardens

Web-site Reviews

Learn orshop without leaving home

Happenings

Great Gardening Conference 8 2

Tickets selling fast for October event

MusicGardenEntersSecondSummer

Tours and performances entice visitors

Volume 27, Number 4

Editor: LizPrimeau

Assistant Editors: MaraArndt, MarionMagee

Proofreaders: M. Bruce, ].McCluskey,A. Smith

Advertising: (416)397-1340

Design: RobertEllidge @

Printed by Harmony Printing on recycled paper

Edwards Lecture

Ten Thousand Miles ofBulbs

Coming Events at the CGC

Plus: In and Around the GTA

Features

The Ex s Grand Old Dame Horticultural Buildingthroughthe ages

Lobby Gets a Facelift

Changes welcome visitors to CGC

Italian Lessons

Learning from classical gardens

TheGardens ofHistoric St. Lawrence

Second in a series ofpublic gardens to visit

The Rhodos ofEdwards Gardens Glories of spring please visitors from around the world

The Look of Summer Caring for cut flowers

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 insurepublicationeightweeks later. Forexample, material forthe September/October issue mustbe received byJune 30. Opinions expressed in Trellis do not necessarily reflect those of the Centre. Submissions may be edited for style and clarity.

Charitable business number: 119227486RR0001

Canada Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement #1737325 Trellis, July/August 2000

Notes from the Board

Let s take a highfive

By Lindsay Dale-Harris, president, CGC board ofdirectors

t April s annual general meeting I reAviewed the accomplishments of The Civic Garden Centre overthepastyear, reflected upon the reasons for its success, and talked about our future plans. In this issue of Trellis I 1l summarizemyremarks forthosewho were not able to attend.

Reviewing our achievements in 1999 made it clear to me that there was no single factor which ledto oursuccessful yearratheritwas the result ofa hard-working and

and enable our staff to work far more effectively.

Further encouragement (both moral and financial) is given by the two garden clubs (Milne House and The GardenClub ofToronto), by the City ofToronto and by our two major supporting foundations: The Civic Garden Centre Foundation and the Edwards Charitable Foundation. Our recently established annual giving program, the Friends ofthe Civic Garden Centre, launched in late 1999, has committed team of staff, volunteers, members and supportive friends. All of them deserve an enormous thankyou.

While there is still muchtobe done, we ve made important | strides in three main areas: we ve strengthened our core activities andprograms;we veputourfinancial house inorder; andwe ve approvedexcitinginitiativesthatwill help us respond more effectively to our current and future needs.

Underthe leadership ofexecutive director Douglas Markoff, the staffnow in place some have been with us a longtime and others are morerecent arrivals are providing a higher and more professional level ofservicethan everbefore. Whether it is in horticultural services, community services,volunteerservices (wherewewelcome ournewestpaid employee, Carol Gardner), the library, the children s Teaching Garden, programming, facilities bookings, administration ormaintenance, the staffis doing anexceptionaljob.

Volunteers are also thriving and growing. Tour guides, Teaching Garden assistants, Trellis dispatchers, librarydevotees, shop salespersons, interior decorators, Master Gardenersandfundraisersallworkextraordinarilyhard

been very well received.

With all this support we have been able to expand the number & andthetypes oflectures the Cen# | tre can offer, bringing in speakers from other parts of Canada (the outstanding evening with | Thomas Hobbs comes to mind), from the United States and from theUK. New anddifferentworkshops and programs have been added. We ve been able to go back to six full issues of Trellis from our former four full issues andtwo inanewsletterform, and overall it s stronger, more diverse, andjustbetter. Our growing membership and increased attendance at talks and courses suggests we re providing the activities and information members want.

All this we have managed to do while pursuing a sound financial policy. For the year endedDecember31, 1999, ournet income continued to increase and our reserve funds have been built back up to pre-1996 levels.

There is no question, however, that ifwe wish to survive, prosper and fulfil our mandate we have to be prepared to move forward, identify where change is necessary and welcome that change.

The Future Planning Committee identified

Lindsay Dale-Harris

five potential initiatives in May of 1999 at the annualretreatforboardmembers. Approval was granted by the board to develop a Web site and connect the Centre to the Internet, and to strengthen the Horticultural Outreachprogram. InJanuary, 2000, afterfurtherworkbytheplanning committee, the boardapproved studies for three additional initiatives: reconfiguring the building, expanding into the gardens adjacent to the building, and developing a horticultural therapy program.

The firmofMarkson Borooah Hodgsonhas been retained to undertake phase one of the study for reconfiguring the building (Jerome Marksonwas the architectofthe additionto the originalbuildingdesignedbyRaymondMoriyama) and PMA Landscape Architects has been retained to complete a master landscape plan. Phase oneplans are tobe presentedtotheboard atthe endofJune, andwillbe availabletomembers later this summer.

Clearly, innovations and improvements, whethertoprograms ortobricks and mortar, require funds. In the fall of 1999 an application

was made to the Trillium Foundation for funding for the library and the Web site. Our requestwas approved in April this year, andwork is wellunderway to implementthe firstphases. In December, 1999, theboardestablisheda separate capital fund and allocated $100,000 from our surplus revenues to it. The money will be used with other donations to fund our capital initiatives. A capital campaign is expected to be launched laterthis year, and we ll be counting on your support.

I hope you, our members, agree that we are leading the Civic Garden Centre in the right direction. All and any comments about last year s performance are welcome, and all will be consideredby yourpresident and yourexecutive director.

Have a great gardening summer. ¢ Watch for course descriptions and a registration form for FALL COURSES 2000

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Etobicoke

Tel: (416) 621-9100

Kitchener-Waterloo Tel: (519) 743-4146

Mississauga-Qakville North Toronto

Tel: (905) 822-0251

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Notes from the Corner Office

Growingthe link between art and hortlculture

By Douglas Markoff, executive director

hroughouthistory,botanicalthemeshave I alwaysbeenprominentintheartofmany cultures.

The impressionist paintings by Van Gogh and Monet, motifs in contemporary stoneware and classic English bone china, Persian tapestries, and the sculptures of the early Mayan and Aztec peoples all demonstrate the connection between art and plants. Plants have been integrated into artists interpretations of life and times in virtually all cultures throughout history.

The Civic Garden Centre recognizes this and is furthering the connection between art and plants. Many of our members have enjoyedthe Artin the Link that graces the walls throughout much of the Centre. Didyouknowthatthese areas are available as exhibition spaceto new andburgeoning artists, as well as to established members ofthe arts community? The Centre offers a wonderful opportunity for artists to display their work inanarchitecturallydistinctivebuilding thathas thousands ofweeklyvisitors. Much ofthis captive audience visits because oftheirconnection to plants and may be attending a horticultural event orgardening class, while many othervisitors come in to the Centre during the weekend on their way to or from Edwards Gardens. It s easyto participate in the Art in the Link program. Anindividual artistorarts group starts by contacting Cathie Cox, the Centre s managerofhorticultural services. Cathie arranges for the artisttocometo theCentre, wheretheyshow their work to Margit Koritar, a volunteer who co-ordinatesmuchoftheprogram. Margit goes overthe pertinent details and outlines the standards that must be met.

In general, art is on display (and for sale) fortwo weeks in one ofthe three exhibition areas inthe Centre. TheUpperLink,withitswalls ofCredit Valley stone, runs up from the front lobbythroughthe administration foyer. The Lower Linkhas white panelled walls and flows down fromthe librarytotheGardenAuditorium. Both the Upper and Lower Links can accommodate 30 to 40 paintings ofvarious sizes. There is also a small middle link alongthe ramp leadingtothe Floral Hall.

Douglas Markoff

The artist must bring each piece framed, with an accompanying card listing the name, medium and price. Paintings in various mediums, photographs includingthosemade fromslides woodcuts, tapestries and other expressions ofart are permitted.

Eachartist mayhave an openingnight celebration (though it doesn t necessarily have to take place the first night). Through 7rellis, our events calendar and press releases, the Centre assists the artist with promotion.

This is a win-win situation for all parties. The artist or arts group has an opportunity to sell the work while gaining substantial public exposure andpossiblenewmembers. The Centre reinforces the message of the connection between art and plants, and brings colour and interest to otherwise bare walls. We hope more people will register for one ofour art classes, orjoin an arts community group.

We re currently looking for artists to participate inArt inthe Linkand intwo additional exhibitions we re planning. One is an extension ofour Horticultural Outreach program, in whichthe Centrepromoteshorticultural groups throughout Ontario. For this exhibition, hort

groups with artist members are asked to mount an exhibition in the group s specialty. All the garden clubs ofToronto, North Toronto and East Yorkorany group that spart ofourHorticulturalOutreachprogram, arealsoinvitedtotakepart.

The other exhibition, called Winter Scenes, will run from December 2000 through January 2001; of course, it focuses on art with a wintertheme.

The show is planned as a collection ofthe work ofmany artists, so even ifyou have only one or two pieces you are eligible.

For further information on Art in the Link and the exhibitions, contact Cathie Cox at (416) 397-1358. And don t forget to participate, because this, after all, isyour Civic Garden Centre.

koffmarksayear

| I'vebeenmostfortunate to work with[the ~ CGC s]talented, dedicatedandcommitted - group of staff and volunteers, said Dou| glas Markoff as he began his secondyear ~ as executive director. Staff feels similarly fortunate above, Douglas prepares to plant the Morden Blush rose which they - presented to him in mid-March. [ 1]

Meet our patrons

From time to time as space allows, Trellis will introduce readers to our patrons, who fill voluntary roles in support of the CGC s endeavours. Theirpresence enhances ourefforts inthe field ofhorticulture, and we are proud to have them so willingly acknowledge ourmission.

Helen Skinner

Helen Skinner has had a long association with The Civic Garden Centre, beginning with her involvementwithThe Garden Club ofToronto. She sat on the board ofdirectors ofthe Centre for some years, and was particularly interested in its fine horticultural library, as she terms it. She is especially supportive ofthe Centre s futureplanning initiatives. What impressedme the most aboutthe initiatives was the news that the board is going to take a real interest in the library, turning it into thebestcirculatinghorticultural library, she wrote in her letter of acceptance as a patron ofthe CGC. Helen will be pleased to learn that Ontario s Trillium Foundation shares her enthusiasm for this horticulturalresource, andthroughagenerous grantwill help us to realize the potential of The Civic Garden Centre library.

Mark Cullen

Mark Cullen is truly a household name in gardening. Throughthe variety ofWeall & Cullen outlets andhispopularradio andtelevisionprograms, Mark continues tobe avaluedhorticultural resource in the community. His recent Web-site launchanswers thousandsofquestions for everyone. When asked to be a patron of The Civic Garden Centre, Mark s enthusiastic response was I am a greatbooster ofThe Civic Garden Centre because I believe in what the organization stands for. I also have specific interests in gardening as it relates to the environment, to the healthy development of childrenandthebenefits ofgardeningactivity from a therapeutic point ofview for all who come in contact with it. His interests reflect the mandate ofthe CGC, and we are pleased Mark has agreed to become a patron. ¢

Eighth Conference Features the World s Great Gardeners

Seats going fast for October series

he CGC' s popular biennial gardening I conference, which attracts gardeners from all over the province, takes place this year on October 14 and 15. A terrific slate ofinternational speakers has been lined up for the series, our eighth , under the umbrella title Great Gardeners and Their Plants.

The weekend lineup is as follows: Saturday, October 14:

Tony Avent, Nori and Sandra Pope, Lauren Springer and Frederick Case II Sunday, October 15:

Lady Skelmersdale, Keith Wiley and Allen Paterson

Space forthe conference is limited; register soon to avoid disappointment. A registration form to fax or clip and mail can be found on page 26. Fees for the two-day series are: $250 for members; $300 non-members.

In each issue of 7rellis before the conference we arebrieflyprofiling one ormore ofthe speakers. This month: Lady Skelmersdale and Frederick W. Case II.

Lady Skeimersdale

Unusual and beautiful bulbs her forte

Christine Skelmersdaleis more than an enthusiastic gardener, which she s been since childhood: she also owns Broadleigh Gardens in England, a nursery specializing in smaller bulbs, woodland and foliage plants; lectures widely on topics such as growing and using bulbs creatively,plants inthewild, etc.; appears frequently on British television shows; and paints and photographs plants.

Her five-acre garden is open every weekday for a charitable donation, and the nursery exhibits at many English garden shows, where it consistently wins awards. At present, Lady Skelmersdaleis developingnewhybrids inminiature daffodils.

Her topic at the CGC conference is Creative GardeningwithUnusual Bulbs. Creative gardeningis makingpicturesusing colours and

CcGC

The Garden Information Centre at Edwards Gardens

textures, plant is not so important. Unusual bulbs, she says, are those with specific cultural requirements, where the gardenerhas to fit the garden she says. The actual variety ofthe situation to the plant.

FredenckwCase 1]

The trillium as a cause célébre

FrederickCase has hadhis handsinthe d1rt for more than 50 years ofactive gardening, 47 ofthem in his current home in Saginaw, Michigan. Here he s developed four acres ofrock gardens, scree gardens, bog gardens, watergardens, alpine and tropical orchid greenhouses, woodland garden landscaped areas and selectivelymanagednatural areas. Hispresentation, North American Trilliums, is backed by slides collected and research done during his extensive travels, and it will be ofspecial interest to southern Ontario gardeners.

Case is deeply involved in conservation work, especially in the area ofthreatened and endangered plants, and has given hundreds of lectures overnearly a halfcentury.

Inadditiontowriting booksonorchids,trilliums andwildflowers, FrederickCase contributes to a number ofhorticultural organizations and has published dozens ofbotanical articles injournals around the world.

The 8th Great Gardening Conference committee is pleased to thank the following sponsors for their contribution:

Plant & Garden Magazine, Yves Rocher, Maxxium Canada, Landscape Ontario, GardeningLife magazine, Canadian Gardening magazine. &

|Newsfromthe TeachingGarden

Letting nature take its course

he Teaching Garden may offer lots of I organized craft and nature activities for children, but unexpected natural occurrences also become part ofits curriculum.

Volunteer Loretta Skinner was leading a troop ofchildren up the path from the CGC to the Teaching Garden site when they heard a great kafuffle among some crows ahead. Listen, the crows are talking, Loretta said to her charges. Let s creep up and see why they re making so much noise.

So the little group tiptoed quietly along the path until they came upon the birds, who were scolding and screamingatafox with two squirrels in its mouth. The children were horrified to see the poor squirrels at the mercy of the fox, but Loretta quickly turned the rather brutal scene into a learning experience. This is probably a mother fox who has babies at home in the den waiting for their supper, she said to the children. If she couldn t catch some squirrels, they might starve.

Heryoung charges wanted to chase the fox away and save the squirrels, but she told them they should stand aside and let nature take its course. The crows were doing all they could to make the determined fox let go ofthe squirrels. Teacher and children stood quietly to the side ofthe path and let the scene unfold: the fox, with the ill-fated squirrels in her mouth, made her getaway and her kits were able to enjoy a good meal.

The Teaching Garden can t guarantee experiences like this every day, butthe summer s courses have plenty to offer. Eco Adventure Kids, a four-weekJuly orAugust program taking place Thursday mornings or afternoons, is

designed for youngsters aged 8 to 12 and includes hiking, ecological crafts and lessons about organic gardening, insects and birds.

Sunflower Hideaways, also four weeks on Wednesdays in July orAugust, shows the 5-to7 age group how to grow and build with sunflowers, and includes nature walks, story telling and crafts. Evenyoungerkids (ages 3 to 5) will love learninghowto growvegetables, hearing stories and making crafts in The Pumpkin Patcher, presented in two four-week programs on Tuesdays in July or August.

Eco Adventure Kids:

July 6-27, and August 3-24; 9:30 a.m.-noon or 1 -3:30 p.m. Cost: $45 members; $55 non-members.

Sunflower Hideaways:

July 5- 26 and August 2-23; 10 a.m.-noon or 13 p.m. Cost: $35 members; $45 non-members.

The

Pumpkin Patcher:

July 4-25 or August 1-22; 10-11:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. Cost: $25 members; $35 non-members.

The Teaching Garden was pleased and honoured to hear that EDA Collaborative Inc. recently received an award ofmerit forthe garden s design from the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects. It s a prestigious award, with competition from all of Canada, and we are proud the Teaching Garden has been recognized, says Marisa Bergagnini, former president ofThe Garden Club ofToronto and one of the women behind the planning ofthe Teaching Garden. ¢

Trellis Shop attracts creative, artistic volunteers

By Carol Gardner, volunteer co-ordinator

l ooking for the latest gardening book? You re likely to find it in The Trellis Shop, where volunteer Heather Coulter keeps on top ofall that s new in the gardening world.

For three-and-a-halfdays a week, Heatherperuses publishers catalogues, newspapers and magazines for information. She talks with publishers and consults with CGC staff, volunteers and customers to ensure that we re well supplied with the latest hot gardening books.

Heatherwasn t always inthebookbusiness. In the past, much of her time was spent as a volunteer and a board member in the healthcare field. Ten years ago she found that the issues she was handling daily were very demanding, so she startedtovolunteeratthe CGC for a little light relief. Pretty soon she was helpingthebookbuyerand, fouryears agowhen thepositionbecamevacant, shetookover. Since then she s worked with three shop managers. They ve all been incredible, she says. But Heather s pretty incredible herself.

The Trellis Shop provides a creative outlet for many volunteers. Claire King works a regularweekly shiftand is responsible formany of the shop s elegant displays. That talent is also applied inherworkwiththe special events decorating committee. Yvonne Gaskin andAngela Buchanan keep the plants healthy, not just in the shop but throughout the building. Maneck Satthahas theknackofalwaysbeingtherewhen he s needed, whetherit s helpingwithhorticulture in the shop, building displays, painting the front desk or offering a welcome hand during special events. The artistic Jackie Smith decorates the exterior display areas and gets so involved she even showed up in a tulip-strewn blouse for the recent Anna Pavord lecture on the tulip.The list ofenthusiastic, talented volunteers goes on.

An exceptional shop needs an exceptional manager, and we have that in staff member Cathie Cox, who is both manager ofhorticultural servicesand inchargeof TheTrellis Shop. Cathie scours the gift shows for attractive and unusual offerings, andkeeps the shopwell supplied with healthy plants. She spends a great deal oftime in the shop, dealing with customers and helping volunteers whenthe demand is the greatest.

Of course, this brings us to an important point: The Trellis Shop needs volunteers. We d love to hear from you, whether you can fill a regular four-hour shift or simply be on call for busy times. Ifyou re interested, call the volunteer office at (416) 397-4145. Where else could you find such great company?

We re also looking for volunteers to help out in a number ofother areas: reception, administration (data entry and general office work) and marketing (computer design skills needed). Ifyou d like to help, call the number above.

Oops...

In last month s column about the retirement of Dolce Tatlow, we failedto mentionthattheTatlowgardenwas designedby Isabelle Robinson. Thanks for the heads-up, Isabelle.

Volunteers to be feted with burgers

All CGC volunteers are invited to the annual Volunteer Appreciation Barbeque in the Floral Hall, Thursday, September 14, fromfiveto seven p.m. Pleasejoin us for food, entertainment and a good schmooze.

Volunteerco-ordinator Carol Gardnerisavailable Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. atThe Civic Garden Centreorbyphoneat(416) 397-4145.

New volunteer co-ordinator named

Carol Gardner, whose sunny personality has graced the halls ofthe CGC for 18 months as a volunteer, was appointed to the staffas volunteerco-ordinatorApril 10. Fornearly a year she d been a volunteer co-ordinator, working with Dolce Tatlow (who resigned this spring), Teresa Ardanaz and Julie Warshaw. There Were no surprises, so it was easy to take over, says Carol.

Carol s careerexperience andabilitytowork well with people fits her perfectly for thejob. While doing a stint as a columnist for a Markhamnewspaper, she tookajob with Manpower and Immigration, which later was folded into Human Resources Development, and spent nearly 20 years there as an employment and youth counsellor and manager ofcommunications. Butabout three years ago [ decided I dhad enough offederal government and I retired, she says. I swore I dneverworkagain.

But you can t keep someone like Carol at home for long. After several months she

decidedto volunteer [F& at the CGC, starting |& as a tour guide, then movingintothevolunteer co-ordina- [ tors office. I ended up spending so much time here it was like having an- |4 other job, Carol laughs. Buthere it s more fun, not like working at all.

Theenvironment at: the CGC 15 3 healthy one formany reasons, she says, and she thoroughly enjoys her days. Funny, now that I m getting older I m finding out that work can be fun, she says.

Carol is available in the volunteer co-ordinator s office Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call (416) 397-4145. (]

Beautifully restored Kawartha farm

This lovingly restored Century homestead is a gardener s dream. The exceptionally attractive landscaped garden with mature perennial flower beds and fruit trees are surrounded by white fences and cedar hedges. Around the garden area are 43 acres of rolling hills, woods and a pond. The discreetly improved farm house has four i bedrooms, with ensuite, large kitchen/sitting area, living and dining rooms, and winterized sunporch, currently used as a studio. The clean barn is in top condition. Many extras, upgrades and improvements. A turn-key property. Asking $215,000.

More info on our web site: www.vaseyrealestate.com

Gary F. Vasey Ltd., Realtor, Lynne Tate, Sales Rep. E-mail: ltate@halhinet.on.ca 1-800-760-0897

Carol Gardner

The Ex s Grand Old Dame

Horticultural displays have always been a habit at the CNE. But they keep up with the times and the demands ofmore sophisticated gardeners

By Carol Gardner

In close to a century ofexistence, the Cana- and potted plants were set up wherever there was room in the other buildings. The commercial aspects ofthe i show began in 8| carnest in 1929.

dian National Exhibition Horticulture Building has seen quite a slice oflife. In the early 1900s it rose | from the ashes of another building the Crystal Palace, which burned to the ground in 1906, leaving an empty Space ' inie the

grounds. ConstructionoftheHorticulture Building on that site was undertaken and was completed in time for the 1907 Ex.

Formuchofthenexteightdecadesthebuildingwas hometo an evolving series offloral and agricultural exhibits. During the Second World War, the Ex was closed; the grounds were used as an armed forces training camp and the HorticultureBuildingbecamethequartermasterstores.

In 1949, thebuilding servedanotherpurpose as a temporary morgue for the 104 people who died in Toronto s single worst marine disaster the burning ofthe cruise ship Noronic. Even before the building was constructed, horticulture was recognized at the CNE: simple displays ofcutflowers, floral arrangements,

As that year s annual report put it a conspicuous feature was the large number of trade displays, signifyingthatthe commercial men are realizing the | advertising value | of the direct ap-

A garden display from 1928 s Ex, at left, would be at home in any garden today. Above: visitors at 1922 s hort exhibition.

pealto suchahost offlower lovers. Horticultural societies were first mentioned in the annual report of 1931, when admission to the Ex was 25 cents. In 1981, the Horticulture Building was restored and renovated so that it could hold the more sophisticated displays demanded by gardeners ofthe day. The building hosted its last garden show in 1994; since then it s been used for special exhibits.

But the garden show goes on. After two years inthe BetterLivingCentre, itfoundanew home in Heritage Court, the annex to the National Trade Centre. At this year s Ex (August 18 to September 4), the garden show follows the trend ofrecent years and includes display gardens, competitions, and lectures. Thetheme of the five featured gardens is Garden Traditions. The showincludes acompetitionforminigardens (150 to 200 square feet/14to 24 square metres) as well as theOntario HorticulturalAssociation competitions for local societies in the categories of front door, patio, balcony, and

Lobby Gets a Face Lift

Exotic succulents and the soothing sound ofwater welcome visitors to the CGC

By Lorraine Hunter

I fyou thought there was something differ-

ent about the entrance to The Civic Garden Centre lately, you re right. The lobby has seen a number ofsubtle changes over the past few months, starting with the renovation ofthe indoor pond to the right ofthe reception desk.

Nowyou can actually see that horticulture is practisedhere, says executive directorDouglas Markoff. Andyou canalso hearit anew pump, designed and installed by Waterwerx Environmental Inc., adds the sound ofrunning water, which helps attract people, especially children, to the pond. Any Saturday or Sunday you can see them looking at the waterwith their parents pointing out the fish, Douglas says. The filtering system provides a balance between the fish and the plants, and there is a lot less algae. Even the koi seem happier. The pond is also home to a six-inch turtle who suns itselfon bright days. We re trying to find it a comrade, Douglas says.

The pondalso sports a lotofnewplants and a newly stained oak cap on the metal grate, whichhas beenbrightlypainted by artist Sheila Siegerman, a member ofthe Southern Ontario Orchid Society (SOOS).

Therenovationwas acollaborationbetween CGC staff and members of SOOS: staff handledthe renovations, andtheorchid societyprovided the plants and built the epiphytes tree besidethepool,whichis alivewith orchids,bromeliads and 7illandsia.

We wanted to do something fitting, that would suggestthe flavourofan orchidshow as

window box gardens. The Green Thumb Garden Theatre is the venue for lectures by many horticultural experts known to CGC members, includingNancyLee-Colibaba, JimLounsbery, Anna Leggatt, and FrankKershaw.

Entrance fees to the Ex, which include the garden show and the lectures, are $8 for adults

well as being a good example ofwhat goes on at the centre, says Terry Kennedy, who built the tree with her husband, Douglas, and fellow SOOS members Inge and PeterPoot. The ideawas to hang orchids andotherlivingthings to help the lobby seem more alive, more inviting. We re discoveringwhatwill grow thereby trial and error.

This is one ofthe first times the Centre and a society have collaborated on a majordisplay, and Terry would like to see other groups contribute in similarways.

Another addition to the lobby is a wall of cacti and succulents, put together and maintained by horticultural manager Cathie Cox. Cacti andsucculents areverypopularnow, and we re experimenting to see which ones do best inthat location, says Cathie. The intentwasto offermembers andvisitors something different to look at as well as choosing something that doesn t require constant replacement, such as pottedplants. Andbyusingplanterboxesthere is still the optionofliftingthem out andreplacingthemwithseasonal orornamentalplantsand displays.

Then there s a third new element at the entrance: a display rack, installed as part ofthe CGC s Horticultural Outreach program. Brochures from various horticultural societies and clubs are available to anyone interested. The challenge istohave societies keepusup-to-date withnewmaterials, says Douglas. Ofcourse, we hope it will translate into new members for them. ¢

and $5 for children and those over 55. For further information about this year s show, call (416) 263-3835.

The authorthanks CNEarchivistLinda Cobon and garden show co-ordinator Paula Hillfor providing background material andphotos. @

Italian Lessons

| Formal gardening may not be your style, but you can learn something from classical gardens )

By Liz Primeau

hat was it Henry James wrote, when he first saw Rome? At last, for the first time, I live. Or something dramatic like that.

I wouldn t put it exactly as Henry did, but he could have been speaking for me, at least as it applies to Tuscany. On my first visit a dozen years ago, it was the food, the people, the architecture, the art that captivated me. I paid little attention to the gardens, partly because my visit was truncated by an ankle (my own)broken on Florence s Ponte Vecchio. But that s another story.

Last fall, on a second visit to the same region as co-host of a Canadian Gardening/ Quest International tour, I discovered the gardens, and their fine geometry inspired me. Afterspending a lifetime as queen ofthe blowsy, overblown garden I was probably ready for a change, but the order, the precision, and the

tidiness of these formal mediaeval gardens made me want to rush home and replace my beds of falling-over perennials with clipped boxwood, disciplined evergreens, andbigpots of lemon trees in a row. Nor would I mind a big stone villa as a backdrop.

I soon came to the blinding realizationthat the big stone villa was an integral part ofthe attraction and that a formal mediaeval garden might not cut it behind my small suburban house. Still, I couldn t shake the feeling that I d experienced a garden epiphany. Some of the elements I admired stuck with me, and I knew I could adapt them for my own garden. So herewith I pass along a handful of Italian observations that might inspire you, too.

Hedges

No one did hedges like mediaeval Italian gardeners. Contemporarygardeners in Vancouver

Photos, including cover,

by Liz Primeau

come a close second, but they have the advantage ofthe longest season in Canadaandplants like the glossy laurel to choose from; the rest ofus tend to use privet or yew or the dreaded Chinese elm as ubiquitous chest-high boundary markers around ourproperties. In old gardens like the Boboli in Florence, the Villa Reale near Lucca, and The Villa Gamberaia outside of Fiesole, hedges are structures: they re walls, backdrops for performances (witness Reale s circular green theatre, with enormous, alcoved hedges through which the actors enter), design elements, archways, and carved alcoves forbenches orbusts and planters. Ofcourse it takes years to grow a hedge tall enough to serve these purposes, but I ve taken a leaffrom the low hedges

used around herb or contemplative gardens and planted a semicircle ofboxwood to divide two sections of my garden. It holds back a wild growth ofgeraniums, lilies, salvia, and veronica on one side and outlines a low growth of thymes and spring phlox on the other. And yes, it adds shape and definition to an overgrown collection ofplants.

Potted Plants

Okay, okay, I know geraniums and petunias have been grown forever in pots and today s trend is to stufflarge containers full of colour-co-ordinated grasses and perennials. But let s consider the old Italian and French tradition of growing lemon or orange trees alone in large pots (for

In mediaeval Italian gardens, hedges are more than boundary markers, they re structures: walls, theatre backdrops, arches, design elements (as on the cover) and carvedalcoves forstatues orbenches. The hedges atleftand on the cover are in Florence s Boboli Gardens. Atright, a dwarfedlemon tree just outside the limonaia at Florence s Pitti Palace.

some reason, the Italians favoured lemon trees, the French orange). Like the Italians and French, you ll have to take yours inside for winter. The various Louis and Medicis had orangeries and limonaias for the purpose, usually bigger than our houses and lots put together, but you ll have to settle for a sunny window or that conservatory addition you ve always wanted. More practical than citrus trees are bougainvillea, plumbago, or oleander which still give you that exotic Mediterranean feeling. Several identical pots holding the same plant and lining the driveway or patio would follow the formal Italian tradition.

Continued on nextpage

The receding perspective of a long, straight path, driveway or alley of tall, clipped trees is a common sight in Italy. The secret to its success is making sure there s something to stop your eye

Receding Perspective

The straight path or formal line oftrees disappearing into the horizon is a staple ofmediaeval gardens. Frankly, I ve never liked straight lines in a garden, but the Italianway with them almost mesmerized me. The secret is to have something at the end that captures the eye on a large property, a huge shade tree ora mansion; in a smaller garden, a bench, a statue, a fountain, even a lovely old shed with the door ajar, suggesting something of interest inside. Few of us have gardens large enough for a mile-long perspective, common in mediaeval Italian gardens; more appropriate is the herblined path shown in the photo on these pages, which leads to the limonaia (now a guest house) in Villa Gamberaia.

Mosaics

Mosaics are ancient and are seen everywhere inItaly, onwalls, floors, ceilings, andpathways, and why we don t see them here is beyond me.

at the end of the view. An open doorway, as in the relatively short perspective above, at Villa Gamberaia outside Florence, is especially enchanting.

Stone mosaics, made of small pebbles of different shades in largely geometric patterns or swirls, are easy to make athome in abed ofwet concrete, and alternatingblocks add originality to an otherwise ordinarypoured-concretepath. More ambitiousmosaics ofmarbleandflatstone depicting animals, people, and scenes from life can be seen in the ruins ofPompeii, and ifyou havean artisticbentyoumightevenrecordyour own family life in mosaics within reason, of course (see Humour, below). Consider mosaics as wall plaques and patio blocks, too.

Humour

Judging by their giochi d acqua, or water jokes, usually played on guests as they strolled through the garden aftera sumptuous banquet, Italy s nobility had a rather sophomoric sense ofhumour. In Villa Torrigiani near Lucca, the resident marquis could orchestrate soaking sprays ofwater, ruining his guests crinolined taffeta gowns orpatent pumps as they strolled

July/August

Mosaics have been used as decorative art and for story-telling murals for thousands of years and are stillappropriate in contemporaryhomes andgardens. thebalustradedpath and chasing them into the sunken garden below, where more water assaulted them.

Finding shelter in the grotto at the end of the sunken path didn t help, either: the stone goddess at the apex of the dome was programmed to drench visitors with a giant urn of the cold stuff. I don t recommend thigh-slappers like this besides, the installationwould be expensive but seeing thegiochid acqua

Except for the key, a family crest, the mosaics above in Florence s Villa Grabau are made ofsimilar-sized but different coloured pebbles in simple patterns. got me thinking: gardening shouldbe fun, and ifagardenerhas a sense ofhumour, ahintofit should show up somewhere. A flock ofplastic flamingos in the berry patch, for example. A mosaic depicting arevelrous familyget-together. Or a concrete cat in a lush bed ofcatmint. Even an oldporcelain toilet bowl overflowing with ivy I ve seen one, and from a distance I could have sworn it was an ancient urn imported from Italy.

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Second in a series

The Gardens of Historic St. Lawrence

(Three sunny spots for modern-day reading and people watching )

By Lisa Wood

ometimes the bestway to enjoy a lovely Ssummer day is to take a stroll in a public garden orpark. The St. Lawrence district in the downtown core ofToronto, bounded the west and east, § and Adelaide and and south, and containing the heart of [ the originaltown of [ York has a collection of small |ea parks, little slices of grace and charm that are quiet pauses in the noise and hurry of the adjacent streets. Surroundedby many fine examples of19th-century architecture, the parks are a visual and conceptual nod to the remnants of the 1800s. All three of the following gardens are within easy walking distance ofeach other and reside amid Toronto s finest collections of heritage buildings. A bonus: there are many small cafés in the area, as well as some interesting shops.

Courthouse Square

The newest ofthe parks (it opened in 1997) is Courthouse Square, which lies behind the yellowbrickformerYorkCountyCourtHousebuilt in 1853. It s worked the hardest to include visual references to the past. The stylish garden was designed by one of Toronto s busiest residential landscape architecture firms, Janet Rosenberg & Associates, which won a City of Toronto design competition to deal with the space. The city wanted a public space that would enhance the area s sense of history, as

well as provide flowers, sculpture, good seating and a water feature. In short, the intention was to create aplace that couldbeusedforquiet pastimes reading, eatmg lunch or simply , looking atthe flow1 ers. There was a lot d ofinputinto the design from the local M community. Rosenberg designed the garden to provide for the comfort and pleasure of visitors. Seating is available in the sun or the shade, and you can consider a lovely herb garden with plants that might have been used in the 1850s, espaliered crab apples andclimbingroses, andeven someplants fromtheCarolinianforest. Thedecorativeblack ironwork used for a pergola and obelisk-like street sculpture, the low limestone walls and a water channel that recalls the watercourse that once traversed the site are examples of landscape design at its best. These urbane elements contrast with the prettiness ofthe flowers and trees, and make the little square more interesting.

Courthouse Square is on Court Street, between Church and Toronto streets, one block south ofAdelaide.

The Toronto Sculpture Garden

Here is the tiniest ofpublic gardens, set in an enclosed space barely big enough to hold one sculpture installation at a time. Its simple and clever design is elegant, but nevertheless provides a perfect background for the contempo-

rary sculptures that always draw passersby inside to have a look.

The wall offalling water on one side ofthe space enhances the idea of the place as somethingapartfrom the busy street. Decorative ironwork en- 5 closes the area and establishes aconnection with the surrounding historic buildings. Since 1981, the Toronto Sculpture Gardenhas served as a venue for artists who want to experimentwiththeir

The Toronto Sculpture Garden " wall ofthe Gooderham Building. Lookalso for the small bronze statue at the west end of the park; it commemorates the Berczy family, for whom the park is named. William Berczy was an early resident of the town of York, havingfirst settled in Markham Township in 1794. In the centre ofthepark is alarge roundfountain thatdeadenstraffic noise.

Apart from these | features, the parkhas a low street profile, with plantings of ideas about urban scale, context and materials. Twoexhibits are mountedhere annually, inMay and October. The garden is both a civic and a private initiative, a co-operative effort of the city and a family ofbenefactors.

TheToronto SculptureGardenisonthe south side ofKing Street, just east ofChurch. While you rethere, youmightwantto drop into historic St. James Cathedral onthenorth side ofKing, which hasastained-glasswindowmadebyLouis ComfortTiffany, the Americanglass artist of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and visit the adjacentVictorianGardenin St. James Park, discussed in the last issue ofTrellis.

Berczy Park

BerczyPark is unlikethepreviousparks inmany ways: themost striking difference is that it s not an enclosed space, but is open on all but one side to passing traffic (the back ofthe Flatiron Building, officially the Gooderham Building, makes upthe east side). Theparkis also crossed by several wide pathways to facilitate pedestrian traffic. Berczy Park was designed and built much earlierthan the othertwo gardens, yet its materials and design are less reflective of its historical context.

The most obvious feature ofthe park is the aluminium trompe 1 oeil mural (aptly titled CurtainWall, by DerekBesant) onthe flatback

small trees and shrubs that allow views ofthe historical buildings to the north and south. It s a great place to sit on a bench and take in the old streetscape, or to people watch.

Berczy Park is between Front and Wellington streets, and west of Church Street. &

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Music Garden Enters Second Summer

Tours and performances guaranteed to enticevisitors to waterfrontpark

By Lisa Wood

ree concerts, garden tours, story telling F and dance performances mark the second summer of the Toronto Music Garden, thanks to funding fromthe Minreation. The garden maybe small, but it s alovelyplace to explore in abeautiful site on Toronto s western water- < front.

The little group of CGC guides who started the tours of the garden last yearwill do it again this year. The guides tell visitors something about JulieMoirMesservy s intentions when she designed the garden, and share their knowledge about its lovely plants and shrubs.

Here are some ofthe events guaranteed to entice you down to the lakefront. istry ofCitizenship, Culture and Rec- \\ I /

Free Garden Tours

Join a 45-minute walk with one ofthe CGC s volunteer guides. Learn something about Toronto and the design ofthe garden, and enjoy a succession ofplants as they come into bloom. Ornamental grasses and buddleia, with its attendantbutterflies, makethe end ofsummerin the Music Garden a fabulous experience. Tours takeplace onWednesdays, fromJune 7 through September 27, at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Tours depart from the west end ofthe garden in the Prelude section.

Opera Atelier 's baroque dances

The artists ofAtelier Ballet are presenting a series of wonderfully costumed baroque dances that include the courante, gigue and

menuett, choreographed to J.S. Bach s First Suite for Unaccompanied Cello, the music on which the design ofthe garden is based. The allemande and sarabande are set to music by Lully and Handel. Free performances are held Thursday evenings in July at sevenp.m. inthe Menuett section pergola. Dances last about 40 minutes.

Young Performer Series

This series is presentedby talented young musicians from the Glenn Gould Professional School of the Royal Conservatory of Music. Bring apicnic, take a stroll through the gardens and then get ready for an afternoon ofmusic.

Presentedevery Sunday fromJune to the end ofAugust at three p.m., except for July 15, when the monstrous noise created by the Molson Indy at Exhibition Place takes over.

Children s Stories

Children accompanied by an adult can enjoy free storytellingpresentedbythe Toronto Public Library. Children s authors and illustrators present stories from around the world every Saturday in June, July and August at two p.m. Gather in the Menuett section.

Horticultural Walk and Talk

John Valleau, horticulturist and author of The Perennial Gardening Guide and horticultural advisortoHeritagePerennials,anOntariogrower and the nursery that supplied plants to the Music Garden, enlightens visitors about the

Seed Collecting

It'snever too early to think offall s seed exchange

ByAnna Leggatt

It s notthat we want to rush the season, but the CGC's fall seed exchange will be here before weknowit, andnowisthetimetoprepare. Some seeds are already ripe.

Checkyourplants as they are in fullbloom, and ifyou have a particularly good specimen, please save the seeds. We ve had someunusual varieties in the past, and we d like to continue the trend.

Here are some tips for collecting seeds:

® Don tdeadheadallyour flowers; leaveatleast one or two stems to produce seeds. Ideally, leave oneplant forseedproductionanddeadhead the rest for a possible second bloom.

® Hybrid plants don t set seed true to the parent; some offspring plants may not measure up to the parent, while others maybe superior. Ifyouknowyouhaveahybridplant, make a note on the envelope.

® Wait till seeds are ripe, but not till pods open and seeds scatter. Watch for browning pods; as they start to split, cut the stems and drop pods into apaperbag. (LCBObags are good, as arerecycledenvelopes.) Leaveenvelopes in a cool, dry place, and when the pods have expelled the seeds sieve them carefully. Or slide seeds across aplate theheavier seeds move first, leaving the dust behind. A gentle blow works for larger seeds, but be sure it s gentleoryou llhave seedsalloveryourkitchen.

¢ Single-seededpodssuchasclematisoftenfall

plants that grow in the garden. Tuesday, August 8 from sevento eightp.m. Meetatthe Prelude section.

The Toronto Music Garden is located on the waterfront at 475 Queen s Quay West, between Bathurst andSpadina. It's wheelchair accessible, openyear-roundandthere is no admission

offwhen your back is turned and disappear into the garden. Wait till the pods start to change colour and give them a gentle tap, holding your hand or an envelope below. Some pods, like those ofthe hardy geranium andmembersofthepeafamily, explodewhen they re ripe. To avoid losing them, cut the pods offjust as they start to turn brown and keep them in a small bag.

® Seeds enclosed in berries should be cleaned. Squashthem in a sieve andrunwaterthrough it. Puttheremainderin abowl andtryto float the skins andpulp away. Dryclean, wet seeds onapapertowel. Some canbe easily separated from the skins after the berries have been dried, but separating others is more or less impossible. Daphne and Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema) seeds germinate better if their coats are left on until just before planting. Leave these to dry with their outer coverings intact.

¢ Some seeds are ephemeral, meaningtheygerminateonlyifplantedimmediately.Theymay not germinate till the following spring,but if theyre storedindry conditions likean envelope they usually die. Hepatica is a good example, as well as many spring bloomers and members ofthebuttercup family. These seeds are not worth collecting.

o Wildflower seeds will be gratefully received, but ifyou re collecting from fields remember to ask permission and never take more than 10 percent ofthe seeds from any plant. g

fee. To reach itviapublic transit, take theSpadina 510 streetcarsouthfrom theSpadina subway station, or the LRT Harbourfront line westfrom Union Station. Ifyou're driving, there' s an underground parking lot immediately west ofthe garden. For more information abouttheMusic Garden, callAccess Toronto (416) 338-0338.

The Rhodos of Edwards Gardens

The extensive collection is a glory in spring and attracts visitors from around the world

By Joan Schiff

r isitors to Edwards Gardens in the spring are able to enjoy the beauty of its extensive rhododendron collection because ofthe longtime efforts ofone garden society, the Rhododendron Society ofCanada/ Toronto Region, and the vision ofa rhododendronpioneer, the late Leslie HancockofWoodlandNurseries in Mississauga.

Leslie Hancock was a man with a vision: to hybridize rhododendrons hardy in the Toronto area. In the late 1950s he donated a small collection to Edwards Gardens, and later he and a group oflikeminded enthusiasts founded the RSC. In the early 1970s, the society and the Metro Parks Department developed a working relationship to support the rhodo plantings in Edwards Gardens: the society was to provide plant materials and some general maintenance, and Metro Parks was to prepare the beds and share maintenance. The arrangement continues to this day.

Ken Duncan

Edwards Gardens is not aperfect site for rhodos because of its heavy clay soils and the above-ground seepage from underground springs. Beds havebeenraisedto improve drainage, vast quantities ofchunky peat moss have been dug in and soil acidifiers applied all with outstandingresults. Thenorthfacing creek valley with its overhead canopy provides shelter from the prevailing westerly winds.

Rhodos needa loose,woodland-type, slightly acidic soil, good drainage, a north- or eastfacing bed with dappled shade and protection fromwintersun andwind. A year-roundmulch ofoak leaves and pine needles is also advised. Ofthe fourtypes ofthododendrons, deciduous

azaleas and small-leafevergreen rhodos (such as PJM) withstand more sun; large-leafevergreen rhodos and semi-evergreen azaleas prefer dappled shade.

Although the blooming period in this area is atits heightinMay, itactuallybegins inApril withthe Asian speciesDauricum andMucronulatum and their hybrids. The season lasts until July, when itfinisheswiththe deciduous azalea speciesBakeri, fromtheAppalachianhighlands ofthe USA, and its hybrids. The Edwards Gardens collection is strong in deciduous azaleas, including some old hybrids that draw collectors from aroundtheworld. Therhodos have been enhanced by a large collectionofmagnolias, manyplantedin memory offormermembers ofthe Milne House Garden Club.

Volunteers from the society maintainthegardenwithhelp from CGC tour guides and the VolunteerCentre ofToronto. ChiefRSC volunteer is KenDuncan, who was a recipient, three years ago of a Lieutenant-Governor s Award for 26 years of dedication to Edwards Gardens. Anyone in need ofinstruction on the basics of rhodo culturewouldbewell-advisedto seekout Ken and spend a day working with him in the gardens.

RSC/Toronto Region meetings, which are open to the public, are held at The Civic Garden Centre five times ayear (September, October, November, February and March), and the annualplantsaleandflowershowwilltakeplace on separate dates in May, 2001. Watch 7rellis s Coming Events column for details. For information about joining the society, write Bob Dickhout, 5200 Timothy Cres., Niagara Falls, ON L2E 5G3.

Q&A Expert advice fromthe Master Gardeners

Q. Why are the leaves ofmy morningglory, which is growing in a pot on my balcony, turningyellow at the bottom? They've also been droopy a number oftimes.

A. Yourplant needs water. Plants growing on a balcony are often exposed to drying winds as well as strong sun, and may need water Plants on balconies are twice a day in hot weather. Watch for wilting and try to prevent exposed to drying winds drying. and sun

Q. I'm dividing my irises now. What can Ido toprevent iris borers? Isprayed theplants in the spring.

A. Discard all old leaves and infected parts ofthe rhizomes. Replant, cutting remaining leaves to a six-inch fan. The borer moth lays its eggs on dead matter in August and September. Check for borers when replanting iris rhizomes in August, and destroy infected Watch the leaves next summer for damage nearthe top, and cut parts them offbelow any affected parts.

Q. My tomatoplantsflower well, but then theflowers drop off and theplant doesn t set fruit.What am Idoing wrong?

A. There are several causes ofpoor fruit set. Sometimes it s due to lack ofpollination you can help this along by brushing the flowers lightly to spread pollen. A fertilizer too high in nitrogen can also affect pollination use one with a high middle number, such as 6-12-12. High humidity and temperatures ofover 32°C (90°F) during the day and over 24°C (75°F) at night also prevent seed set. There s not much you can do about temperatures, but you can make sure the plant has enough water check moisture in the soil under the surface, in the root zone.

Ifweatheris

and

tomato flowers may drop without setting seed

lllustrations by

Vivien Jenkinson

Saving Wilket Creek

A strenuous butproductive day ofreplantingnearly comes to naught

By Douglas Markoff

n intrepid group of 40 volunteers Abraved cool temperatures and watersoaked soil to plant shrubs along Wilket Creek in Edwards Gardens on Earth Day, April 22. Volunteers from the Teaching Garden, Civic Garden Centre staff and Toronto RegionConservationAuthoritypersonnelplanted several hundred bare-root shrubs, including red-twig dogwood, sumac, sandbar willow, elderberry, witherod (Viburnum cassinoides) and a dozen larches along a 100-metre stretch of

CGC booth at Canada Blooms

Thestunninggrapevine topiaries seen abovein ourbooth atthis spring s Can~ ada Blooms attractedso much admiration from passersby that a course on making them will be offered inourreg~ ularlineup ofCGC courses this fall. At both Canada Blooms and the Success With Gardening shows, thousands of rsandbrochurespublicizingoursericesandcourses were distributed, and new memberships were signed up

the eastandwestbanksoftherestored sectionof Wilket Creek. After an evening ofheavy rains, soil in the newly prepared riparian beds felt as heavy as cement, especially after digging a few holes. But fueled by dedication and camaraderie, the volunteers persevered. In less than three hours, the shrubs were all planted and ready to send out new roots and stabilize the soil. It was awonderful way to spend a few hours.

As an unfortunate epilogue to the project, therainstormthatsweptthroughTorontoMay12 produced such a heavy volume of water that Wilket Creek could not handle the flow. Without enough time to develop roots, many ofthe newly planted shrubs and larches were washed away,alongwithmuchofthesoilandriverrock.

We will keep members apprised ofnew developments in the continuing saga of naturalizing Wilket Creek. ]

The Look of Summer

This year s flower-arranging styles, and how to keep themhealthy

ccordingtoEuropeantrendpredictors, this summer s bouquets will have a hand-picked, natural look, a ore open effect and a light, sun-drenched quality. Instead ofusingjust foliage as filler and background, ornamental grasses, wheat-like grains andbleachedtwigs willbe popular.

To get the look, you could, for example, fill a cylindrical glassvasewithspearsofwhite, cream,paleyellowandgolden gladioli softened with corn-coloured ornamental grasses. Or useamatte-finishedchromevasewithluscious scentedwhite, apricotandcreamyyellow lilies (withallfoliageremoved) set among a framework of bleached twigs or silvery branches. Inkeepingwiththe sunny, bleachedlook, whitewill dominate. Added to whites will be every shade of yellow from gold to butter, cream, honey and amber, with a dash ofpale peach or soft rose for subtle contrast. Ofcourse, there s always a place for the classic rose-bowl type ofarrangement, colourfulmixtures offavourite flowers likeroses, lilies, dahlias, gerberas,peoniesorranunculus. This year, the difference will be less density and fewer flowers more space will be leftbetweenthem to showcase the beauty ofeach blossom. Whetheryoubuyblossoms fromthe local marketorpick an armload fromyour garden, here are a few simple dos and don ts to give them extended life.

*Do condition flowers by cutting stems diagonally under water. This practice prevents air bubbles from forming, which can keep water from moving up the stems. The diagonal cut also provides a wider surface for water to enter the stems.

+ Do remove foliage from stems that will be under water. This discourages life-shorteningbacteria from forming because ofdecaying leaves in the water.

+ Do add floral preservative to the water, following instructions onthe package.

+» Do decide where you ll place the arrangment before you create it, so you can determine whetherthe finished piece should be tall, wide, round or full.

+Don t use tall arrangements for the dinner table. Pretty as your creation might be, guests won t be able to see each other across the table.

Continuedon nextpage

The Civic Garden Centre presents:

The Great Gardening Conference

GREAT GARDENERS and THEIR PLANTS

October 13, 14, 15

Friday, October 13 Casa Loma

6:00 Cocktails Garden openfor viewing untildusk

7:00 Opening Night Dinner Casa Loma

Guest Speaker: Allan Gotlieb Chairman

Ontario Heritage Foundation

Saturday, October 14

Civic Garden Centre Floral Hall

Tony Avent

Raleigh, North Carolina

Surround Yourselfwith Shady Characters

Nori & Sandra Pope

Somerset, England

Colour by Design

Frederick Case II

Saginaw, Michigan

North American Trilliums

The Civic Garden Centre at Edwards Gardens

Phone: (416) 397-1340

Fax: (416) 397-1354

E-mail: cgcl@idirect.com

Mail: 777 Lawrence Avenue East Toronto, Ontario M3C 1P2

Lauren Springer

Masonville, Colorado

DirtDays The Delirium & Dilemma ofStarting a New Garden 15

| Civic Garden Centre -

Lady Skelmersdale

Somerset, England

Creative Gardening with Unusual Bulbs

Allen Paterson

Dumfriesshire, Scotland

Roses The Other Ones!

Keith Wiley Devon, England

The Development ofa Unique Devon Garden

Only 300 spaces available. Register early.

| would like to pay by:

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Friday, Oct. 13:

(# of tickets @ $95)

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(# of tickets @ $250)

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Limited number of student tickets available.

Name of Registrant(s)

Address

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Send additional registrations on separate pages. (See address, phone, fax and e-mail address on reverse)

+ Do select a container appropriate foryour decor and the theme ofthe arrangement. Consider the material the container is made of: brass, silver, glass, pottery, plastic; its shape: square, round, tall and slim or short and stout and its style: sleek andmodern, ornate and nostalgic, tailored and conservative, free form and artistic.

« Don t worry about old rules ofproportion, where onethird ofthe arrangement is taken up by the vase and two-thirds by the flowers. Ifyou like that style, by all means use it, but you might considerthe latest approaches to flower arrangements, with all the flowers contained entirely within the vase (this works only if the vase is glass), or with the one-third/two-thirds proportions reversed.

+ Do make sure the container can hold enough water for the flowers. For example, don t squeeze a glad into a bud vase. You ll be replenishing the water every hour or so.

« Don tput too many flowers in a vase. It s important that air is able to circulate freely inside the container. Lack ofoxygen is another reason bacteria form in vase water.

% Do use tall vases for arrangements that incorporate what are called line flowers, such as glads, liatris, delphiniums, snapdragons and bells ofIreland.

« Do use vases with a belly, such as an urn or gingerjar, for mass and filler flowers. Mass flowers include lilies, tulips, daffodils, roses, carnations, sunflowers and chrysanthemums. Fillers are defined as statice, baby s breath and Queen Anne s lace.

% Don t combine flowers that don t blend well naturally. Consider their shape, texture and colour. For example, bold, angular and shiny tropical flowers such as birds of paradise don t combine well with delicate ruffled flowers like sweetpeas.

« Do change vase water every two or three days. While you re at it, recut the stems. Both considerably extend the lifespan ofthe blossoms.

« Don t set flowers in a drafty or too-warm place such as an open sunny window or on top ofthe television set. Drafts and heat cause the water to evaporate from both the vase andthe flowers, leaving you with a wilted bouquet.

Information courtesy oftheNetherlandsFlowerbulb Information Centre. [ 1

seeaker:

JIM ARCHIBALD

pDate: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 7:30 P.M.

Toric: TEN THOUSAND MILES OF BuLBS

Jim Archibald studied English at the University of Edinburgh, but he s devoted most of his life to plants. He s collected seeds and specimens in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco for the Edinburgh Royal Botanical Garden, botanized in Yugoslavia and Greece, and hunted wild plant material in Iran. In 1964, he moved to Dorset in southern .agland to start a specialty nursery, The Plantsmen, with Eric Smith (formerly head propagator at Hillier s Nursery). Until Eric s retirement in 1975, they propagated many unusual herbaceous plants and alpine-house plants, and introduced a number ofspecies to general cultivation. Jim and his wife, Jenny, continued the nursery until 1983. From then until 1988 Jim and Jenny traveled six months ofeach year mostly in Europe and Turkey collecting seeds. They also searched for plants in Africa, the Middle East, North America and the South American Andes. In their garden in western Wales, they raise bulbous plants and collect the seeds. These plants provide the seeds for their lists.

Jim is more than aknowledgeable plantsman; he s also an amusingraconteur and his talk will enlighten all who attend. Admission: Free to members; non-members $4 atthe door. ¢

Getting the Jump on Fall

Don tlooknow, but ourfall courses are onlyweeks away

As the summer sun begins to set, the Civic Garden Centre will again offer a new crop offall courses, starting in mid-September. Join our seasoned instructors as they share helpful hints onpreparingplants forwinterandgetting yourgardenready forthenext season. Ifbotanical art is your fall and winter passion, try your hand at the painting and crafts courses offered: basket weaving using round reed; styling abonsai tree; the art ofprintmaking; andpreparing herbal vinegars.

The Civic Garden Centre courses have something for everyone, from cacti and orchid hobbyists to flower arrangers and watercolour artists. Registrationbegins September 1, and a full course listing appears in the September/October issue. For more information, contact the course office at (416) 397-1362, or drop by for a visit. ¢

Art in the Link

July 17 - July 30

Gloria Varley - From a Cornish Garden ~ Quince blossom against a white wall, anemones on a cottage windowsill, and early-morning frostices a lone daisy. A score of photographsofaCornish garden taken overthe past few years, arejoinedby lmagesfrom other parts ufEngiand and Ireland. Opening night: July18 -

Yuccafilamentosa: a three-pointwinner

ByAnna Leggatt

antto know the latest in plantpopularity? Here it is: foliage plants are in, especially if they have yellow leaves. Plants with architectural interest are in. And plants that contribute to the winter landscape are definitely in. And here s more news: Yuccafilamentosa Bright Edge and Golden Sword fulfil all these requirements.

Bright Edge has spiky green leaves with creamy gold edges, and it grows to about 90 cm (three feet). Golden Sword is brighter, with yellow in the centre of the leaves, and grows to the same height. Both are hardy to Zone 4 and prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They re low-maintenanceplantsthatdon t require fertilizer or extra irrigation beyond what nature provides. However, watering will result in larger plants. When these plants are happy they send up a flower stalk, up to 1.5 metres (five feet)tall, withcreamywhite, scentedflowers. The flowers, lovelyglobe-likebells, hang downward on a narrow stem, making it

look like a candelabra.

Unfortunately,theseyuccas aremonoecious plants, which means the main stem dies after flowering, although offsets providenewplants. The suckers appear around the dead centre and can be separated into new plants the following spring. In fact, it s best to do this, as a multicrowned plant doesn t seem to flower.

Golden Sword , in particular, is complemented by purple-leaved plants some ofthe Heucheras look well planted at the base. You could also contrastthe yucca s spiky leafwith a different-shapedleaf. Howaboutcombiningyucca and a Cotinus coggyria, also called purplesmoke tree, Royal Purple or Velvet Cloak ?

Some yuccas I ve seen, and it may be Bright Edge , develop apink shade in winter. It would be fun to plantpink-flowering spring bulbs, such as pink scillas, nearby. Some of the newer varieties ofdogwood have pinkish to flame winter stems. These also are very effective with yuccas.

Roses always afavourite inthe garden orthe auditorium

The CGC was filledwithrose lovers forMichael Marriott s April 26 lecture, New Roses In

The Old Style. Marriott, technical manager of

The David Austin Roses nursery in Wolverhampton, England, discussed rose breeding, pruningandmaintenance, andcalmedthefears ofwould-be rose-o-philes with his laid-back advice and common sense approach. Audience members madly scribbled notes as he showedaseriesofbreathtakingslidesofAustin roses, both as specimen plants and in the contextofgardendesign. The latestrose, originally dubbed L/3B but newly christened James Galway , is a delicate lavender/pink surroundedby an ethereal silver lining. As a business, David Austin Roses is a

phenomenon. Austinbeganbreedinghisroses in the late 1950s by crossing old roses, modern hybrid teas and floribundas to produce plants that retained the best of the parents: scented, beautifullyshapedand(mostly) everblooming flowers ondisease-resistantplants, in awidevariety ofmagnificent colours. The nursery itself is a marvel, enhanced by the sculptures of Pat Austin, David s wife, for whom he named a magnificent apricot-coloured rose.

Those who missed the lecture can see Michael Marriott and avariety ofDavidAustin roses in the video of the 1998 Chelsea FlowerShow,whichisrerunfromtimetotime onHGTV.

Coming Events at the Civic Garden Centre

JULY

CGC Tour

The Specialty Gardens ofWaterloo/Kitchener/Elora 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., via motor coach. Lunch included. Members $75; non-members $85. For information, call (416) 397-1340

The Ontario Daylily Society Plant sale. Floral Hall. 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For information, call (416) 362-1682

AUGUST

Southern Ontario Orchid Society

Public meeting. Floral Hall. 1 to 4 p.m. For information, call (905) 727-3319

SEPTEMBER

Southern Ontario Orchid Society Meeting. Floral Hall. 1 to 4 p.m. For information, call (905) 727-3319

Ontario Rock Garden Society

Speaker: Jim Archibald. Topic: TBA. CGC auditorium. Noon to 4 p.m. For information, call (416) 755-2325

Edwards Lecture

Speaker: Jim Archibald Topic: Ten Thousand Miles of Bulbs. 7:30 p.m. Members free; non-members $4

North Toronto Horticultural Society Meeting and plant sale. Guest speaker: Dorothy Shand of Water Arts. 8 p.m. For information, call (416) 484-0677

Toronto African Violet Society

Open House, display and sale, 1 to 4 p.m. Starter plants for the fall season are free. For more information, call Jean Hamilton (416) 491-9719

OCTOBER

Southern Ontario Orchid Society Meeting. Floral Hall. 1 to 4 p.m.

North Toronto Horticultural Society

Speaker: Laura Grant. Topic: Creating a 12-month garden. 8 p.m.

Great Gardening Conference

Dinner and keynote address at Casa Loma Speaker: Allan Gotlieb. Tickets $95. Call the CGC at (416) 397-1340

14,15

Great Gardening Conference

Continues with a lineup of speakers at The Civic Garden Centre (see page 8 for details). Members $250; non-members $300

In and Around the GTA

July 8,9

Jarvie Garden

Open house. 37 Thornheights Road, Thornhill. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine.

Admission free.

July 9

Secret Gardens of Riverdale

A self-directed walking tour of a dozen gardens in the historic Playter Estates area (north of Danforth Ave., near Broadview). 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets $15; proceeds to WoodGreen Community Centre. For information, call (416) 465-8067

July 29

SPOKE Festival

Welcome 10 cyclists as they arrive in Toronto on their trip across Canada in support of organic growing and sustainable land management. Games, speakers, food and song. Community Garden, Front and Cherry streets, 1 to 5 p.m.

August 19

North Toronto Horticultural Society

Annual flower show at Don Mills Centre, Lawrence Avenue East and Don Mills Road, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

August 21

Garden Design

A 10-day course conducted by England s John Brookes, begins at On the Twenty Restaurant, Jordan, Ontario. Sponsored by The Copper Leaf, a local garden shop, and organized with the assistance of CGC Master Gardeners. Course continues to September 1. Class size is limited. Cost: $2,850. For information, call (905) 562-0244, or (800) 370-0063

Creating a Cottage Garden in Canada

By Stephen Westcott-Gratton

Vancouver, Raincoast Books, 2000; 160 pages, $29.95

What a treat in cloudy and cool April to ramble through Creatinga Cottage Garden in Canada. Stephen Westcott-Gratton, who many CGC staffwill remember from his stint as the Centre s chiefhorticulturist from 1995 through 1997, leads the reader through combinations ofdensely planted food and flowering plants and the history ofcottage gardens, as well as the occasional recipe for dishes such as Cardoon Combo. His lively style and practical advice make this book an enjoyable read.

Stephentells us that the cottage garden is a profusion offlowering plants growing together in a gloriousjumble, and shows us how this style ofgardening can be adapted to local conditions. Well-organized chapters about annuals andperennials, for example, deal with individual species aswell as the overallpicture. The illustrations byPaddyWales, aVancouvergardenphotographer, accompanythehistory, medicinaluses, characteristics, and conditions forgrowth oftheseplants. Textboxes unobtrusively summarize data such as lists ofnative plants and soil amendments. A source list includes plants, catalogues and relevant societies.

Reviewed byAnne Smith, volunteer

The Vegetable Gardener s Bible

by Edward C. Smith

Pownal, VT, Storey Books, 2000; 306 pages, $36.95

This is agreatbookforabeginnerandhas useful hints for amore experiencedvegetable gardener. Ed Smithhas gardened innortheastVermont formorethan 30 years ina climate comparableto the Toronto region, though a little colder. He explains his high-yield WORD system wide rows, organic methods, raised beds and deeply dug soil, with hints on construction and descriptions of what to do with either a fall or a spring start. One ofthe best sections deals withraisedbeds, with a materials list and step-by-step pictures.

The secondchapteronplanning and growing includes atable ofplant families andanotherof garden friends and adversaries for example, corn is a friend ofcantaloupes, whereas potatoes are adversaries. Rotation is explained and several sample garden plans provided.

Seed starting, indoors and out, is thoroughly covered in chapterthree. The last frost date and protectingplants againstcoldweatherare explained. Subsequentchapters coverweeding, watering and fertilizing, plus how to build a root cellar. Soils, symptoms ofdeficiencies and excesses are discussed. Composting is explained, as is pest control using little or no chemicals. There s a section on beneficial insects and recipes for homemade pest controls.

The appendix includes the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone map, which covers Canadabutuses American designations. The American Horticultural Society Plant Heat Zone map stops at the border. The sources list offers only three in Canada.

Reviewed byAnna Leggatt

TheKids Can Press Jumbo Book ofGardening

by Karyn Morris. [llustrations by Jane Kurisu Toronto and New York, Kids Can Press, 2000; 240 pages, $16.95

This is an excellent resource book for any adults working with children who are just starting to

garden, and a good gift fora +.w.u who s gardened for awhile. It includes delightfully illustrated descriptions ofthe life cycle ofplants, soil and composting, harvesting andpicking, sowing seeds, watering andweeding. The chapters on fruit andvegetables (with awarning on chemicallytreated seeds) include sections on how to grow and harvest the Iroquois Three Sisters Garden (corn, beans and squash), and how to make a bean teepee. Growing a salsa garden or a salad basket are other ideas. Night-blooming gardens, a rock garden, a hanging garden and a grandmother s garden are suggestions for flower gardens. A large section on native plants and wildlife gardens is included. The book concludes with school, community and special-needs gardens.

Reviewed by Anna Leggatt

Learn aboutplants or shop tillyou drop without leaving home

ICan Garden www.icangarden.com

Ifyou replanning avisitto the HamptonCourt Flower Show in England in the first week of July, I CanGardenwillprovide useful information. The site offers anew feature article every month, many by well-known gardenwriters January s piece was by Helen Dillon, the wellknown Irish horticulturist, who has lectured at theCGC. The site is amineofinformationabout catalogues, clubs, garden events, books and a listofgardens to visit this summer.

The Canadian Rose Society WWWw.mirror.org/groups/crs

Agood site forrose growers, with information onmeetings, shows, lectures onvideo, andmuch more. | particularly liked the informationprovided in English and French on the ExplorerandParkland series. It s hardto tell how true the colouris inthe illustrations, butatleast they give you some idea. The site has a background of rose buds which makes the screen ratherbusy, but fortunatelythis disappearswhen information is printed.

www.yardart.ab.ca

True to its name, the site features garden ornaments, all for sale and made by Canadian artists and craftspeople. Essentially a catalogue, it shows fountains, birdhouses, sculptures,

decorative tiles indeed, almost anything a gardeneranxioustobeautifyhisorhersurroundings could desire. Orders can be placed by email and atoll-freetelephone line, orhershoppers can print out a form and mail or fax it. Orders must be prepaid. The company s securityandprivacypolicies are stated, satisfaction is guaranteed (aproduct that doesn t meet expectations may be returned).

www.gardencrazy.com

Garden Crazy ships seeds, bulbs, plants, and offers collections foruninspired gardeners in search of certain colour combinations or plants for specific conditions, such as sun or shade, dry soil or damp shade. One needs to become a member before a purchase can be processed, but membership is free. The company outlines its security and privacy policy, and a full refund is offered ifthe customer is not satisfied.

Guardingyourcharge card: 1fyou are using a Microsoft browser, a gold lock appears on the status bar on the order-form page. Netscape browsers display a blue lock or a key. More information on how to check the security ofa commercial site is availableatupdate.msn.com/ ask/ask.asp.

Reviewed byJean McCluskey, library volunteer

CLASSIFIED ADS

Wildflower and Birdwatching Tours.

Point Pelee, Arizona, Bermuda, New Zealand, South Africa. For free Newsletter and itineraries, call George Bryant at Travel Helpers (416) 443-0583 or (877) 245-2424.

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.

House for sale

Bloor West Village/Humber Valley Open concept main floor. Spectacular kitchen (granite counters, SubZero, Jenn-Air, Miele, etc.). Granite fireplace. French doors open out to secluded patio garden. Stone terraces extend garden up hillside to quiet hideaway at top. Many native plants. Entire property gardened organically since 1992. 3 bedrooms, private drive andcut stone garage. Ideal house forcook/ gardener. For details, price & address, call Roman Repovz, Savvy Realty Corp. 932-2727.

Trellis - V27, No4 - Jul 2000

" TheCivicGarden Centre at Edwards

Gardens

Who we are

What we offer

HOURS OF OPERATION

DIRECTORY

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

STAFF MEMBERS

PATRONS

Happenings

TRELLIS

Features

Notes from the Board

Let s take a highfive

Tty the lectle extrans tlrcel

OPEN 7DAYS A WEEK, 363 DAYSA YEAR!

Notes from the Corner Office

Growingthe link between art and hortlculture

koffmarksayear

Meet our patrons

Helen Skinner

Mark Cullen

Eighth Conference Features the World s Great Gardeners

Seats going fast for October series

Lady Skeimersdale

Unusual and beautiful bulbs her forte

CcGC

The Garden Information Centre at Edwards Gardens

FredenckwCase 1]

The trillium as a cause célébre

|Newsfromthe TeachingGarden

Letting nature take its course

The

Trellis Shop attracts creative, artistic volunteers

Oops...

Volunteers to be feted with burgers

New volunteer co-ordinator named

Beautifully restored Kawartha farm

The Ex s Grand Old Dame

Lobby Gets a Face Lift

Exotic succulents and the soothing sound ofwater welcome visitors to the CGC

Italian Lessons

Hedges

Potted Plants

Receding Perspective

Mosaics

Humour

New York Gorden Tour

Second in a series

The Gardens of Historic St. Lawrence

(Three sunny spots for modern-day reading and people watching )

Courthouse Square

The Toronto Sculpture Garden

Berczy Park

HUMBER NRSERIES LTD.

Music Garden Enters Second Summer

Free Garden Tours

Opera Atelier 's baroque dances

Young Performer Series

Children s Stories

Horticultural Walk and Talk

Seed Collecting

It'snever too early to think offall s seed exchange

The Rhodos of Edwards Gardens

Q&A Expert advice fromthe Master Gardeners

Saving Wilket Creek

CGC booth at Canada Blooms

The Look of Summer

The Great Gardening Conference

GREAT GARDENERS and THEIR PLANTS

Getting the Jump on Fall

Art in the Link

Yuccafilamentosa: a three-pointwinner

Roses always afavourite inthe garden orthe auditorium

Coming Events at the Civic Garden Centre

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER