The Toronto Botanical Garden is a volunteer-based, charitable organization whose purpose is to inspire passion, respect and understanding of gardening, horticulture, the natural landscape and a healthy environment. Since its inception in 1958, the Toronto Botanical Garden, formerly The Civic Garden Centre, has encouraged, stimulated and educated
Almost 50years later, the Toronto Botanical Garden has expanded itsvisionand set a goal to become a self-sustaining urban oasis while making Torontothe most horticulturally enlightened city in the world.
WhatWeOTer
Located at Edwards Garden, the Toronto Botanical Garden offers many programs and services, including year-round activities for families and children. Our horticultural library has over 8,000 books, periodicals, and a large collection of clippings, pamphlets, nursery and seed catalogues as
3¢ Directory & Hours of Operation % Patrons
Administrative Offices
Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Library &Trellis Shop
Closed until the end of 2005
January 5 to March 31
Monday to Friday 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday& Holidays noon to 4 p.m.
Telephone: 416-397-1340; Fax: 416-397-1354
E-mail: tbg@infogarden.ca
Master Gardeners Info Line: 416-397-1345
Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sunday & Holidays noon to 3 p.m. or infogarden.ca/mastergardenerboard.htm
well as a great selection of children s gardening books. Horticultural Information Services offers free gardening information year-round, and the Trellis Shop has many unique gifts, books and gardening supplies for sale. The Teaching Garden has been created as aworkinggardento foster interest and educate people in the love and values of gardening and the natural world. As a community service, Art in the Link offers gallery space to local artists. As well, the TBG has a wide variety of banquet halls, meeting rooms and show space, with access to Edwards Gardens, one ofToronto s favouritegardenspots.
Brian Bixley, Awdrey Clarke, Mark Cullen, Camilla Dalglish, Sondra Gotlieb, Marjorie Harris, LorraineJohnson, Michele Landsberg, Susan Macauley, Helen Skinner
3% Board of Directors
PRESIDENT: GeoffreyDyer
Brad Badeau, Arthur Beauregard, Susan Burns, Dugald Cameron, PeterCantley, LindsayDale-Harris, Kathy Dembroski, Leslie Denier, Tony DiGiovanni, Heather Dickson, Suzanne Drinkwater, GeoffreyDyer,Janet Greyson, Raiph Fernando,
MaryFisher, Lorraine Hunter,Janet Karn, Linda Ledgett, Sonia Leslie, Doreen Paton, Rosemary Phelan,Jean Read,Jennifer Reynolds, Dawn Scott, BunnySlater
Annual Giving Development Co-ordinator ~ Andrea MacIntyre
Development Co-ordinator
Maintenance Supervisor
Facility & Event Supervisor
Facility & Event Co-ordinator
Supervisor, Children s Education
Teaching Garden Co-ordinator
Niti Bhotoia
Walter Morassutti
Stephanie Chiang
Kristin Campbell
Tobin Day
CaleyBaker
DESIGN , June Anderson
TRELLISCOMMITTEE
Lorraine Hunter (chair), Lorraine Flanigan (editor), Carol Gardner, Lorna Luke, Marion Magee, JennyRhodenizer
ADVERTISING 416-397-1351
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tary basis are gratefully received. No remuneration ispossible. Articles, manuscripts and advertising material must be received by the first of the month to ensure publication eight weeks later. For example, material for the May/June 2005, issue must be received by March 5,2005. Opinions expressed in 7rellis do not necessarily reflect those of the TBG. Submissions may be editedforstyleandclarity.
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited
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Shaun
from the TBG
by Margo Welch e ExecuTive DIRECTOR
A Boost for Our Renovation
fter a winter break during December Aand January when staff worked from home, we are back in the TBG offices. Our off-site experience went smoothly as we kept in touch The Kresge Foundation with each other and with approved the TBGfora challengegrant in the public through e-mail, tele- amount 0fUS$350,000 members, volunteers and the phone, the web and meetings at the homes and offices of various people. Once again, the TBG family pulled together to ensure that we could operate effectively and with as little disruption to service as possible. Thank you to staff, volunteers, board members and consultants for your help and co-operation.
While we were out of the building, construction and renovation went into full swing. The administration area, the Dunington Grubb Floral Hall and the Garden Auditorium have been painted and polished and facilities improved. They are looking splendid! The rooms are fresher and brighter, the lighting is vastly improved and electrical outlets and telephone and Internet hookups have been added. The one remaining task to upgrade the audiovisual systems in the halls will be done in the summer months.
Renovation of the Library and construction of the addition are well underway. The beautiful stonework in the former atrium has been meticulously removed and stored as it will be reused elsewhere in the building and gardens. As part of creating a green buildingwe are recycling materials
from the demolition a time-consuming but very worthwhile exercise. Through December and January the skeleton of the atrium was exposed. It is exciting and fascinating to watch the transition to a rebuilt and new addition.
We received excellent news in December in support of our Capital Campaign. The Kresge Foundation approved the TBG for a challenge grant in the amount of US$350,000. Because the grant is structured to encourage private sector support and help give impetus to the last leg of the campaign, the award is contingent on our raising the balance of our private sector goal of six million dollars by the end of December 2005. We have had many generous donations from members and will be appealing to the community at large to help us reach our goal. If you haven t yet given to the campaign, please consider a gift now to help us meet the Kresge challenge.
When we succeed with our fundraising goal and the project is completed we will apply for our green building LEED certification. The Kresge Foundation also announced that they will award us another US$150,000 for this achievement. In total, therefore, the TBG is eligible to receive US$500,000 a remarkable boost to our efforts! Congratulations and thank you to Lindsay Dale-Harris, Janice Turner King and Niti Bhotoia for all their work in support of this successful application.®
Breaking ground, from left: Lindsay Dale-Harris, George and Kathy Dembroski, Leslie Denier, Geoffrey Dyer, Suzanne Drinkwater, Janet Greyson and Margo Welch.
Making Mistletoe Magic a Success
Thank you to Sheridan Nurseries, presenting sponsor of Mistletoe Magic 2004.
Special thanks to Cara Foods for the wonderful food prepared and served at the Sneak Preview Evening.
We would like to thank the following donors for their generous contributions to the 13th Mistletoe Magic and the Sneak Preview Evening.
Blossoms Rosedale
Cat-in-the-Bathtub Press
Cherryl deVilliers Products Inc.
Moira &Tony Cohen
Cokie Crackers
Dalo Beads
Demarco Perpich
Fiori
GardeningLife
Garden s Path Floral Studio
Janet Greyson
Hawberry Farms
Horticultural Design
Jean s Art
Janet Karn
Verena Kuhn
Sonia Leslie
Mary s Gourmet Inc.
Orange Crate Food Co.
Papeterie
Past Time Teddies
Pelee Island Winery
Jra HORTICULTUR
Take your garden to the next level of elegance and sophistication.
Please call to speak with one of our expert horticulturalists about garden management strategies, rejuvination programs and horticultural consultations.
Pillow Scents
POPPIES
Robert Ward s Captured Moments
Sasha Seymour
Sheridan Nurseries
Sobeys Inc.
Tea2gather
Thriving Metropolis Flowers
Vineland Estates Winery
We re Open!
B £ F DEMONSTI 83 ko, GARDEN it ATy BARDEN WALK Al
The Toronto Botanical Garden continues
to operate during the renovations to our building. The transformation, as you will see the next time you drop in, is truly exciting. Work on the Floral Hall, Garden Auditorium and Administration area is largely finished, and we are thrilled with the results. The floor in
Most courses will be
Our program for winter/spring 2005 (mailed to you with the last issue of 7rellis) offers a wide array of courses on indoor and outdoor gardening, botanical arts, design and health. There are workshops for more in-depth learning opportunities as well as our popular in-town and out-oftown garden tours. Because we have experienced increased the administrative foyer, held in the Garden interest in many of our proalthough it is still the original 4 g : grams, we urge you to register wood, looks like new. a/ llgczfg;}l:;zz I:C:/l;l l ege early to avoid disappointment
Edwards Lecture series, featuring homegrown heroes , promises to be relevant, inspiring and informative (for details, see page 29). These popular lectures are free for members, but we recommend that you arrive in plenty of time to get a good seat. Books written by our speakers as well as related items will be sold before and after all lectures. Most courses will be held in the Garden Auditorium; lectures and workshops will be held in the Dunington Grubb Floral Hall. There will be direct access to the halls from the parking lot; look for the signs to the walkways that lead through the hoarding.
We welcome your visits durning this transitional period. Come and see for yourself the exciting improvements to our building as theyhappen!@
Our staff and volunteers { P i many courses have restrictions are back at work and it s held in the Dunzngton on the number of participants business as usual (almost). Grubb Floral Hall. we can accommodate. The Some of our volunteers and staff have been temporarily relocated to other areas within the building. You will find the Toronto Master Gardeners, Trellis Shop book buyer and Library volunteers working away in the Horticultural Office. The receptionists and their rack of informational brochures and pamphlets are located in the administrative foyer. Periodicals from our Library will be available for your use in this area; unfortunately they cannot be taken home. But leave us a piece of identification and you can take your favourite magazines to the lounge that we ve provided where you can sit in comfort to read them we just can t guarantee that the lounge will be quiet while construction is going on!
Never doubt that a smallgroup ofthoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead
THE TORONTO BOTANICAL GARDEN is not a large organization. You may be surprised to learn that we have fewer than 12 full-time staff. We don t have great rivers of money running through our budget, and our programs are very focused and concentrated in the areas of horticulture and gardening. We have, however, achieved excellence and renown in these areas, delivering great adult education and specialized children s programming. And we have created a hub for horticulture and gardening in the city of Toronto. Our library is the best horticultural resource centre in Canada, and our lecture series attracts top-notch horticulturists, landscape architects and plantspeople from around the world.
So how does a pretty small organization do so much? How do we run a library, a shop, children s programs, garden tours, events, lectures that regularly attract up to 300 attendees, a full roster of classes, a gardening hotline and a newsletter and manage to serve over 2,400 members? The short answer is that we don t do it alone. The dedication and passion of more than 200 volunteers has made it possible for us to become what we are today and to set our goals high when we plan for the future.
Which brings me back to Margaret Mead s words. We are indeed a small community, but with the help of our volunteers, we are doing important things for Toronto and for the people who make their home here. In the years to come, we will continue to value our team of talented and committed volunteers. As we enter a new era in the history of the TBG, our volunteers will be the ones to help us change the world for the residents of our city and of our province. From the moment members and visi-
tors enter the new building our volunteers will be helping to make a difference with a cheerful smile or a helping hand. Watch for them they ll be the ones devoting their free time to making your visit to the TBG a rewarding one.®
Teaching Garden NeedsVolunteers!
TheTeaching Garden is seeking volunteers who are interested in helping us with administrative tasks such as phoning schools to promote our spring programs, processing summer camp registrations, and answering inquiries via telephone and e-mail. If you are interested, please contact theVolunteer Office at 416-397-4145.
Canada Blooms
Thanks to all who will be volunteering at the TBG bookshop at Canada Blooms from March 9 to 13. We appreciate your help and hope you ll have a great time.
Volunteers filled the Garden Auditorium at December s Pizza Party.
(¢Enjoy
Over 70,000 sq. ft. of Plants, Bulbs and Hard-To-Find Tools in the Garden Marketplace!
Explore Tropical Paradise Dream Gardens!
+Help Kids Grow in the "Make-It & Take-It" ledren'S Garden'
Mleledug'l(Ar(lcn MASTER o) E cA !n 4
Experience Perfect Plants and Flowers in the Ontario Horticultural Association's Plant & Flower &% Competition (5() Showcase! 2:-/E T&\o
¢vListen and Learn from the EXPERTS at the "Helping You Grow" Theatre featuring Mark Cullen, Denis Flanagan, Art Drysdale
A FIRST ACT THAT WILL , KNOCK YOUR EARS OFF and a second that willcome back for the rest of you"
MISBEHAVIN
Thursday, April 14,2005, 8 p.m.
Starring Jackie Richardson,Ain't Misbehavin' pays tribute to the talents ofthe legendary FatsWaller. From sassy to sultry,this is an electrifying celebration ofsong and dance. Join us for a special evening in support of Toronto Botanical Garden.
TICKET ORDER FORM
THURSDAY,APRIL 14,2005,8 p.m.
BLUMA APPELTHEATRE,ST.LAWRENCE CENTRE FORTHE ARTS TICKETS $85 (INCLUDES PREMIUMORCHESTRA/DRESSSEATINGAND SPECIALINTERMISSION RECEPTION)
NUMBER OF TICKETS: x 985 =5
PLEASE CHECK ONE:
[ 1 will pick up my ticket(s) at theTBG between February 1st and April 12th [ 1 would likeyou to mail myticket(s) foran additional cost of$1.00
Toronto Botanical Garden, 777 Lawrence Avenue East, Toronto, ON, M3C 1P2 Tickets may also be ordered by telephone at 416-397-1483, by fax at 416-397-1354, or online at www.infogarden.ca
Teaching Garden
Allan Gardens and March Break Activities
THIS WINTER, the members of the Teaching Garden staff learned that a greenhouse is truly a great place to spend a cold snowy day. A greenhouse filled with the energy and laughter of children eager to learn all about plants is an even warmer place to take shelter from the season.
After putting the Teaching Garden to bed in October, we packed up our office and went south to the warmer climate of the Allan Gardens Children s Conservatory. Thanks to the support of TD Bank Financial Group and Toronto
We return to the
unusual pets. On Monday, Jocelyn will share her extensive knowledge of the natural lotions and potions that can be created from herbs with participants in the Magical Mixtures program. Tobin and I will show participants how to have fun with food during Kitchen Chemistry. Children will plant vegetable seeds, use everyday ingredients to perform experiments, create food art and cook up a kid-friendly storm. On Wednesday, we continue the popular Art in the Park series. Sarka, a professional artist, will teach participants how to use recyParks and Recreation, Tobin Teaching GardenjllSt clable and natural materials to Day and [ welcomed 32 grade in timefor our create great original art. three classes and 12 grade March Break INature Tobin and I will present the four classes for free programs Day Camp final program, Feathers and between November and midMarch. Each class visited the conservatory twice, which allowed students to see how their tiny seeds had grown into healthy plants between their visits. Our young visitors loved the scavenger hunts and tours that allowed them to discover the unusual plants from around the world that grow at Allan Gardens. Many students could barely believe that such strange-looking plants were real!
Although we spent the winter away from the TBG, the Teaching Garden was always in our thoughts, and we spent most of our free moments planning the 2005 programs. We return to the Teaching Garden just in time for our March Break Nature Day Camp which will run on March 18 and 21-24. We are excited about the new programs that are being introduced this year and happy to offer popular programs from the past. We also welcome back instructors Jean Godawa, Jocelyn Allen and Sarka Buchl. March Break programs start with Bugology on Friday. Participants will learn about insects from Jean (an entomologist) and will meet her
Fur, on Thursday. Participants will learn about all kinds of animals, including those who have found homes in the Teaching Garden, create animal crafts and find out which creatures live in Canada s North. We are looking forward to beginning the Teaching Garden s 2005 programming with a great March Break!® information and to regis er, visit our Wi at www.infogarden.ca, call
CANADA BLOOMS From
Tea Time to Party Time
General manager Steve Barberinvitesyou to a garden party
Over 30 feature gardens and the biggest flower show of the year await visitors to this year s Canada Blooms.
here can you find six acres of gardens in bloom in March, more than 100,000 square feet of green-thumb shopping and over 200 hours of seminars, workshops and demonstrations from some of the best gardening experts in North America? At Canada Blooms, the Toronto Flower and Garden Show, of course. Canada Blooms knows how to throw a garden party that s the theme of this year s show which features over 30 display gardens showcasing the latest design trends, materials and plants.
Feature gardens
Again this year, The Home Depot presents a spectacular show garden. The Dream Wedding Garden makes an ideal setting for a Europeaninspired outdoor wedding, complete with an intimate courtyard, a rectangular pool, colonnaded walkways, a dining area and a winery.
And at The Home Depot booth, adjacent to the garden, you ll find this year s Canada Blooms Plant of the Year, Hemerocallis Pardon Me .
The popular balcony gardens will also be on display together with six townhouse gardens that will give you some big ideas for small spaces. For dog lovers, lams presents the Canine Country Cottage Garden with its hometown country flavour and lots of doggy details to keep tails wagging. The Superdogs will also be returning to the Unilock Celebrity Stage. Stoney Ridge Winery features a Toast to the Senses, a garden full of entertaining ideas.
And if you've ever wondered how they do it, stop by and see the creation of a dry stone wall. Beginning on the first day of the show and end-
ing on the last day, craftspeople will be building the wall using traditional methods and with materials discarded after the set-up of the show.
New plant introductions
Be sure to bring a notepad along, because you ll want to jot down the names of some of the exciting new annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs that will be showcased at Landscape Ontario s Botanical Buffet garden where you ll find the latest plant information and copies of Landscape Trades special edition for home gardeners, a magazine featuring the new plants you ll be seeing in the nurseries this season.
Demonstrations and solutions
Top experts from Canada and around the world will be sharing their secrets on all kinds of topics, from companion planting to potagers, during the five days of the show. At the Garden Club of Toronto demonstration area, learn how to set a springtime dinner table or to create hand-tied bouquets.
Floral competitions and exhibits
Don t miss the biggest flower show of the year. The Garden Club of Toronto s floral competitions feature prize-winning designs by some of the most talented non-professional exhibitors and garden clubs in the province and from around the world. Ifyou re a member of a horticultural society, consider entering the open competition it s your chance to show off your green thumb. Enter a variety of horticultural categories including For the Birds, a category incorporating a footed birdbath decorated with growing plant material. To register, visit the Canada Blooms Web site.
Marketplace
Discover new treasures for your garden, shop for exciting gardening gadgets and designer innovations from across Canada in the Crystal Springs Marketplace and along Blooms Avenue. You ll find everything for outdoor living from firepits to furniture as well as the latest greenthumb gear.
Take time out for tea
Rest your weary feet and enjoy a traditional English afternoon tea at the Tetley Tea Terrace. Sit down and have a nice cup of tea, cucumber sandwiches, homemade scones with Devonshire cream and a selection of desserts. Advance reservations only. Seatings available Wednesday through Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Reserve online at the Canada Blooms Web site.
The garden party
Celebrate spring by attending the Canada Blooms opening night Garden Party on Tuesday, March 8. This is your chance for a sneak preview of the show. Stroll through the gardens while savouring good food and sipping our signature cocktails. There will be great entertainment all night long. This fun-filled evening, attended by some of Canada s notable personalities, also offers a chance to win some fantastic prizes. @
Visit Canada Blooms
Wednesday, March 9, through Sunday, March 13, 2005
HOURS:
Wednesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (late afternoons and evenings are the best times to visit!)
WHERE:
South Building, MetroToronto Convention Centre
TICKETS:
Available online at www.canadablooms.com
ADULTS, $18 ($15 if purchased before March 5 online, at Sobeys Ontario stores or at participating garden centres)
SENIORS (65+) & Students, $15
Two-day pass, $28
CHILDREN 12 and under, free
EARLY MORNINGTOURS, $35
(includes admission, reservation required)
AFTERNOONTEA, $40
(includes admission, reservations required)
OPENING NIGHT GARDEN PARTY, $150. Call 416-447-8655 (advance tickets only)
Growing Good Garden Dogs
MaryFran McQuadeoffers
advicefor building a great dog-human-garden relationship.
ogwoods, even dog roses, are welcome D in the garden, but what about real fourlegged dogs? Horrors! you say. Big, clumsy creatures that dig, scratch, pee and poop. Not on my heuchera!
It doesn t have to be that way. Yes, some dogs do rampage through the garden. So do some kids. (And let s not even contemplate what cats do to fresh earth.) The similarity between dogs and kids isn t superficial. Canadian canine expert Dr. Stanley Coren of the University of British Columbia says dogs are about equal in intelligence to a two-year-old child.
Our four-legged friends do have some animal instincts, but we smart humans can make that work for us. Keep these four points in mind, and you've got the foundation for a great doghuman-garden relationship.
® Dogs are pack animals. They like to know their place and have a leader to follow.
® Dogs are creatures of habit. Once they get in a groove, they tend to stay in it.
® Dogs are clean in their toilet habits. They don t like to mess in their homes.
® Dogs can learn with time, patience and persistence on the part of their owners.
LEADING AND LEARNING
Dogs are naturally social and accustomed to obeying the alpha or boss dog. So unless you want an obnoxious toothy terror running around, you have to be the alpha in your little pack. Doggy minds are simple, so make it very clear what you expect and what isn t allowed. One owner of a showplace garden uses the same no chew command in the garden that she uses in the house. And she s never lost a plant to him, she says proudly.
Of course, my friend spends lots of time with her dog, and he s not left unsupervised in her storybook garden of roses, clematis and other perennials. That s what most happy dog-loving gardeners say. They spend time with their animals, teach them to obey and the magical human-animal bond develops.
Lane White, head trainer at Who s Walking
Who obedience school in Toronto, explains:
My dogs have a great deal of respect for me. I have a relationship with my dogs and that s not something you can teach other people. You can teach the commands, but relationships are ongoing. A good dog owner is training his dog 100 per cent of the time in what s appropriate,
what s expected. It comes from repetition, and you must be consistent every time.
Happily, dog training in recent years has become an enjoyable activity. Grim orders aren t the style du jour. Instead, today s owners use happyvoices and food rewards to manipulate their dogs into doing the right thing. And once the beasties bless their furry little hearts discover what gets the goodies, they keep on doing it.
HABIT FORMING
With the right treats and several short training sessions a day, your dog can learn to sit even at a distance from you. He ll learn to back away from things, stop barking, stop digging and stay out of the Japanese painted ferns (or whatever you treasure). Unfortunately, habits work the other way, too. Let him make a misstep a few times without correction, and it becomes a habit that s hard to break.
Dogs like straight lines, for example, so ifyou have lovely curved paths, walk through them with him close beside you a few times. Help him remember by putting up visible barriers at first low lattice fencing or even white-painted rocks. If you have especially precious or valuable plants, protect them for a time with wire fencing or tomato cages.
If you spend time outdoors with your dog, he ll come to think of the garden the way he thinks of your home indoors that means less doggy doo scattered around. Many gardeners like to set aside a toilet area for their pets. Do it by taking the dog there every single time he needs to relieve himself, perhaps giving a command like potty. Praise for performance and keep the area clean and you ll have a dog trained for life in a couple of months.
TROUBLES AND REMEDIES YELLOW SPOTS
Playfully called female dog spot disease, these lawn spots are made by males too. They are actually a sort of fertilizer burn from nitrogen in the urine. Folk remedies abound, but one tested solution is to flush the area with water within eight hours. You can use commercial patching formulas or feed your dog canned
food (its higher water content dilutes the urine concentration). But your best bet is to train your dog to a potty area.
DIGGING
Digging is usually caused by canine boredom. Dogs are bright critters, and they need something to occupy them. The easiest solution is lots of exercise outside the garden. A tired dog is a happy dog is an old trainer s maxim. Teaching your dog tricks, indoors or out, will also focus his attention and tire him out. Use bits of food to lure him into a spin in front of you and he ll soon learn the command twirl. Ifyou have space, throwing a ball is easy on you and a good run for him. Likewise, you can always try distracting him with favourite toys.
BARKING
Dogs are territorial and will bark at passing people and other dogs if they can see them. It s a frustrating situation for everyone. Avoid it by using solid fences that your dog can t see through. Distracting him with another command ( sit ) and a reward also helps prevent the habit from taking hold.
Dogs and their behaviour are endlessly fascinating, and behaviourists are learning new things every day. The payoff for all the effort is when you see a secure, contented dog grinning under a flowering apple tree a picture you ll carry in your heart forever.®
Mary Fran McQuade is a Toronto garden writer and dog lover. She shares her garden with an attentive border collie cross.
No cocoa mulch, please
Things gardeners wouldn t think twice about can be dangerous to dogs. Chocolate can kill them, so avoid using cocoa bean mulch where dogs can get to it. Handle even organic pesticides with care, especially boric acid, rotenone and diatomaceous earth. Check plants for poison potential at www.aspca.org and www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/index.html.
Opulent Simplicity
Carol Cowan inspires us to create a masterpiece oflivingart
hether consciously or subconsciously, most people, when they are arranging flowers, think of themselves as momentary artists. Their masterpieces? Living art. That s the result you get when flowers, vases, colour, balance, scent and juxtaposition come into harmony in a flower arrangement.
A PICASSO OR A BUNCH OF PARROT TULIPS?
hen buying flowers or art for the home, you usually have a certain location in mind. The bonus of living art is that relative to a Picasso or a Matisse it s cheap! Even better, you can change your masterpiece every week or two according to your mood and what s on offer at your local florist or corner flower market.
FLOWER ARRANGING TRENDS
hile trends in flower design change with great frequency, research gathered by the International Flower Bulb Centre (IBC) of Holland shows that one overall trend seems to be staying a lot longer than others.
Even though it sounds a bit like an oxymoron, opulent simplicity, says Mieke Stap, the IBC s trend guru, is still one of the favourite ways of using and arranging flowers, for both the consumer and florist alike. For the consumet, it has to do with the ease of arranging and budget considerations. For florists, it appears to be a style that expresses the feelings of the professional and is both requested and appreciated by their customers.
Here are three flower-arranging styles that embody opulent simplicity
MASSING
ather than having one vase overflowing with flowers, group several similar coloured vases together to create a much more dramatic visual statement. With Easter fast approaching, try this on the mantle, sideboard or windowsill. Take a variety of yellow vases from bud size to as large as you like. If you don t have yellow vases, or enough yellow vases, you can create a similar effect by adding yellow food dye to the water inside clear vases. Then divide as many
bunches of yellow tulips or perky daffodils as your budget allows among the grouped-together vases. The varying heights of the vases and the repetition of colour in the flowers and containers create visual drama.
TWO-THIRDS, ONE-THIRD
It used to be that flower arrangers were taught that the vase should occupy one-third of the arrangement and the flowers two-thirds. Flaunting that lesson, today s arrangements often either invert that proportion or throw it out the window with flowers cut as short as, or shorter than, the vase. Some arrangements are even created inside vases (it helps if they're glass!), with nothing peeking out over the rim. And big glass vases, once considered old-fashioned, are back in vogue.
THE ARCHITECTURAL ARRANGEMENT
hether you live in an elegant Victorian mansion or a minimalist downtown loft, this arrangement will elicit oohs and aahs at your next dinner party.
You ll need an even number of short (13- to 15-centimetre/5- to 6-inch), square, clear glass vases. Line each vase with a large leaf (this adds a bit of mystery and also hides the stems of the flowers in keeping with the opulent minimalism of the overall arrangement), add water and then fill each vase with flowers in the colour of your choice. Use the same type of flower in the same colour or graduated shades of the same colour for a more elegant arrangement. Line the vases up, side by side, down the middle of the entire length of your dinner table. Intersperse with tea lights and you re on your way to being the cover shot for the next issue ofArchitecturalDigest.
Clean simple lines balanced by an abundance of flowers is a wonderful way to approach the art of flower arranging. Armed with this knowledge you re all set to amaze your family and friends with your newest creation of living art.®
Carol Cowan is a garden writer and director of the Netherlands Flower Bulb Information Centrefor Canada.
Tips for cut-flower care
still wrapped in the store packaging or even newspaper, put them in a cool spot and let them absorb plenty offresh water.
e With a sharp knife, and at an angle, cut at least one centimetre (3/8 inch) off the bottom of all flower stems before arranging. This creates fresh
special cut-flower nutrients (available from your
Note: Tulips are one of the few flowers that do better in water to which cut-flower nutrients have not been added.
e Strip off all leaves from the parts of the stems that will sit in the water. Leaves in water are the greatest contributing factor to cloudy, murky and dreadfully smelly water.
e Tulips will continue to grow in your arrangement, especially if placed in very bright locations.
If this doesn t suit your style of art , cut them a little shorter than the other flowers in your arrangement and within a day or two, all the flowers will bethe same height.
e Cut tulips will gracefully grow, bend and move vasea quarter-turn once a day.
Before arranging your flowers and while they re toward the strongest light source. For some, this ~ is a frustration; for most, it is a delight. If you -want this changing nature of your arrangement to take place as symmetrically as possible, give the water uptake channels that when combinedwith florist) will ensure maximum life for the flowers.
e Cut daffodil stems secrete a sticky substance that clouds the water and blocks the uptake channels of other flowers. If you are planning a mixed flower arrangement using daffodils you ll need to prepare them before use. Trim the bottom of the stems (as above) and place the daffodils in water for a few hours on their own, after which they ll be ready to mix with otherflowers.
LorraineFlanigan discovers paradise on the Hudson- . N\
WHEN I ARRIVED at Wave Hill, I knew I had discovered paradise. Okay, maybe my reaction was coloured by a harrowing bus ride through Harlem that tested my faith in the kindness of strangers, but [ will always remember my first blissful glimpse of this Eden perched on the bluffs of the Hudson River. After walking up a hill and around a hedge, I found myself standing on the vast expanse of the Great Lawn. From here, the panorama of the Palisades on the opposite shore unfolded, framed by a grand pergola that skirted the edges of the terraced embankment. The vista captured the full glory of the fall foliage of the woodlands that blanket the steep riverbanks. Visitors sat in strategically placed Adirondack chairs and watched as the sun set slowly in the clear blue skies.
This was the beginning of my exploration of a remarkable garden that will always be my favourite in New York City. Wave Hill House was a private estate built in 1843. Throughout its history, it has played host to such notables as T.H. Huxley, Charles Darwin and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. In 1960 Wave Hill was given to the city of New York and five years later it opened as a public garden. Although the previous owners had embellished
the property with greenhouses, terraces and a pergola, the gardens we see today were shaped by Marco Polo Stufano who worked as Wave Hill s horticulturist from 1967 until 2001.
The grounds feature no fewer than 10 distinct gardens in addition to woodlands and meadows, greenhouses, an alpine house, a learning centre and an ecology building. When [ visited the gardens, it was late fall and the gardeners were preparing tender plants to overwinter in the conservatory, including the massive banana plants that had spent the season growing in the Monocot Border by the Aquatic Garden.
Fronting the conservatory is the Flower Garden with its informal combinations of perennials, annuals, shrubs and bulbs, all growing within a symmetrical system of pathways. As in each of the gardens, I picked up a pamphlet that described the seasonal plant material that grows here. There are at least two dozen varieties of salvias, according to the pamphlet, and many of them are rare or new varieties.
Hidden away at the end of one of the terraces was one of my favourite areas the Elliptical Garden. This miniature garden room features a parterre of formally laid out stonework and beds of native plants and one of the finest views on
the estate. I could have sat there all afternoon, savouring the view in complete solitude. But as the sun set, | reluctantly left this tiny gem to sit on the patio of the café tucked into a corner of Wave Hill House, sipping a pot of Iron Goddess of Mercy oolong tea until it was time to walk to the train station and return to the bustling streets ofManhattan.®
Visiting Wave Hill
To learn more about this remarkable garden, log on to www.wavehill.org. Wave Hill is about a 20-minute train ride from Grand Central Station in midtown Manhattan, or an adventurous journey by subway (1/9 to 231st St.) and bus (Bx7 or Bx10) to Riverdale in the Bronx.
Through the Garden Gate: East Rosedale
Saturday and Sunday, June 18 & 19, 2005
Noon to S p.m.
Now in its 18th year, Through the Garden Gate will lead you through over 20 beautiful private gardens located in Rosedale east of Mount Pleasant Road. This year s selection of gardens is completely new no repeats from last year.
A garden guide and map will help you navigate through the neighbourhood and the gardens. Master Gardeners will be on hand to help answer questions. A complimentary shuttle service will operate throughout the day, with stops at a nearby subway station, tour headquarters and the gardens along the route.
TBG members $25; public $30
Tickets will be on sale at theTBG booth at Canada Blooms from March 9 to 13, on our Web site at www.infogarden.ca, and at selected ticket outlets in Toronto. Tickets are limited and this event sells out quickly. We highly recommend that you purchase your tickets well in advance.
For more information, call 416-397-1340 or visit www.infogarden.ca.
Sponsored by Olay Total Effects
Tour Gardens in Burlington, Hamilton and Ancaster
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Mark your calendars and be first in line for a day trip to visit six very special town and estate gardens in Burlington, Hamilton andAncaster.
This year, the Out-of-Town Tour Committee, under the direction of Bayla Gross, has organized a visit to six of the most outstanding private gardens west of Toronto. The properties range from lakeside to hillside and the garden styles vary from formal designs to wildflower meadows.
Buses will leave the Toronto Botanical Garden parking lot at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, June 21, and return at approximately 6 p.m. Lunch will be served at an attractive village inn. Watch for a description ofthe gardens in the next issue ofTrellis.
Register now to be sure of a place on the bus! Call 416-397-1340.
Cost: TBG members $90; public $100
Toronto Botanical Garden Annual General Meeting
Followed at 7:30 p.m. by the Edwards Lecture
What s Hot and What s Not: New Perennials
Speakers: Janet Anderson (Janet Anderson Distinct Perennials)
Mark Denee (Epic Plant Company)
John Valleau (Valleybrook Gardens/Heritage Perennials)
Toronto Botanical Garden 777 Lawrence Avenue East Toronto, ON M3C 1P2
10 Ways to Spruce Up Your Garden This Spring
LorraineFlaniganhelps yougeta headstarton
SPRING IS IN THE AIR and we can barely wait to get out into the garden. Once the ground has thawed and become workable, here are a few things you can be doing to prepare for another season.
1. You've spent the winter dreaming of the ideal garden, so now s the time to put the spade to the ground and start digging in. As soon as the ground dries out from spring thaws, dig new flower beds, turn over vegetable patches and edge existing borders.
2. Prune, prune, prune with care. Resist pruning spring-flowering shrubs such as forsythia, Forsythia, and lilac, Syringa (you ll be nipping off the flower buds) but keep later flowering shrubs in trim, including Buddleia spp. and many of the spireas including cultivars of S. japonica such as Anthony Waterer and Goldflame . Prune out any old wood, then remove crossed branches and diseased stems before shaping these shrubs, but never remove more than one-third of the live wood.
3. As soon as the leaf buds begin to break, remove the soil from hilled-up hybrid tea roses. Then prune them back, removing all but three to six healthy canes. Cut these back to live wood, about 10 to 15 centimetres (4 to 6 inches) above the ground.
4. Apply dormant oil sprays to magnolia, Magnolia, and euonymus, Euonymus, trees and shrubs to control scale insects. Apply according to product directions on a clear day when temperatures hover between 4 and 21°C (40 and 70°F), but before the buds on the trees begin to swell.
5. Yes, we should have cleaned our tools before putting them away for the winter, but if you missed the opportunity, now is the time to sharpen cutting and digging tools (and take the lawn mower to be serviced before the rush begins). Wash gardening gloves, pots and other containers.
6. Plant up containers using annuals, bulbs and perennials that love the cool spring weather. Combine pansies, primroses, heather and ivy with forced bulbs from the flower shops such as daffodils and muscari.
7. Once buds break, give roses, clematis, rhododendrons and azaleas a spring tonic. Fertilize roses with composted manure or a slow-release granular rose food such as 10-29-10. Treat clematis to the same fertilizer formulation or use 5-10-10. Easy does it with rhododendrons and azaleas. They benefit from a complete fertilizer designed for acid-loving plants or toss them a handful of compost.
8. Go green with organic lawn care. Fertilize your turf with compost or use an organic fertilizer made of natural elements, such as feather meal, bone and blood meal and potash, in a formulation such as 10-3-3.
9. Weeds, weeds, go away. To keep them from coming back another day, pull out annual weeds that germinate in spring and cut back winter weeds that flower in spring before they set seed. And before they take root, dig up perennial weeds as soon as they germinate to forestall problems later in the season.
10. Cut back the dead stalks of perennials that were left over the winter and remove browned leaves from Heuchera, Bergenia, Epimedium and Helleborus niger and H. x hybridus. Cut back ornamental grasses to 10 to 12 centimetres (4 to 5 inches) above the ground to allow the crowns to warm up.®
Lorraine Flanigan is a Master Gardener and editor ofTrellis.
by Anna Leggatt
Arum italicum subsp. italicum Marmoratum (lords and ladies)
MILD SPELLS IN LATE
February and early March encourage gardeners to look for the emerging spikes and swelling buds of early spring plants. We are delighted to see a plant coping with the (hopefully) early spring-like weather. However, one plant in particular gives me great pleasure almost year round. It is one of a group of plants that resemble jack-in-thepulpits, Arum italicum subsp. italicum Marmoratum (syn. Arum italicum Pictum ).
Commonly known as lords and ladies, this plant is native to southern Europe and the Canary Islands and is surprisingly hardy in the greater Toronto area. It is listed as being hardy to Canadian zone 5.
The leaves start to emerge in October and more follow until the ground freezes in December. They stand up about 30 centimetres (12 inches) in height with a more or less horizontal leaf blade. The actual leaves are a blunt, undulating, strap-like arrow shape, 5 to 20 centimetres (two to eight inches) long and about eight centimetres (three inches) wide. Although the base colour of the leaves is a shiny Lincoln green, their most outstanding feature is large areas of white that are faintly marbled with green. This marbled colouring follows the leaf veins and appears in patches between the veins. The base green colour is repeated around the leaf edges. These leaves remind me of a very loud sports coat I love it! When the temperature drops below zero, the leaves collapse onto the ground. However, as soon as the temperature approaches zero, they spring up again. By looking out my door into the garden, I can quickly tell when it s below freezing just by observing the leaves of my arum.
The leaves start to look less shiny by midsummer when the spadix that rises from the centre of the spathe rapidly emerges, growing to about 40 centimetres (15.5 inches) in height. Typically this spathe is creamy green and resembles our wild jack-in-the-pulpit, which is of the Arisaema rather than the Arum genus. The actual flower parts are very tiny and hidden in the spathe. After the flowers are pollinated, the leaves die down, leaving the flower stalk to develop berries. These start out green and gradually become scarlet red in the fall. I grow my plant in dry deciduous shade on the north side of the house, though books will advise you to grow these plants in a rich moist woodland soil in partial sun. Compost will help the plants form a thick clump. Divide them in the summer after the leaves die down. You will be amazed at the production of numerous small tubers. But be careful. Wear gloves when handling the plant because the juice can cause discomfort if ingested and contact dermatitis in some people.
Horizontal leaf blades of arum
Tubers are often available at specialty nurseries. Plant them about 10 centimetres (four inches) deep in the early fall. When starting from seed, plant only fresh seeds in a pot anytime from October to January and leave it outside in a shady place. The seeds will germinate the following spring.
There are some exciting new cultivars that will soon be available. Look out for forms with greygreen and cream marbling, whiter forms and those withmoreundulation in theirleaveso
Anna Leggattis aMasterGardener, garden writer
and active volunteer at the Toronto Botanical Garden.
M Expert advice from the Master Gardeners |
Q1 garden in zone 6 and have a potted hydrangea that I purchased at the grocery store. Can I transplant it outdoors? What is the best way to do this?
It may be best to keep H. Macrophylla 4 in its pot all winter
A | suspect that the plant you bought is Hydrangea macrophylia, also referred to as the florist s hydrangea. It comes in blue, pink and sometimes white and has large globe-shaped blooms. This type of hydrangea is forced for sale in the early spring as an indoor potted plant. It can be moved outdoors, but hardiness will always be an issue in our area, so the plant may need some winter protection. Plant it out in a cool, moist, partly shady spot in the garden in loose, rich, moist, but well-drained soil. This hydrangea blooms on branches created in the late summer or fall of the previous year so prune it as soon as flowers begin to fade. Pruning later than this will prevent blossoms from forming the following spring. Some gardeners recommend that this type of hydrangea be brought inside to overwinter in its original pot. It can then be forced into bloom in the early spring. If you do this, you should be careful to keep the plant well watered so that it does not dry out.
Q 1 would like to improve the clayish soil in my Parkdale garden but am unsure what is effective, safe and environmentally responsible. Is peat moss a renewable resource? Is sheep manure safe?
A Peat moss is a finite resource that takes a very long time to develop. It has been depleted in Ireland and northern Europe but it is still plentiful in Canada. Peat moss adds organic matter and increases soil acidity. Sheep or cattle manures also add organic matter and are definitely renewable. Manures add nutrients to the soil as well. The purchased bags of manures are well rotted and will not have any weed seeds or pathogens in them. They are also odourless. Another option is to use leaf mould. A layer several inches thick of any of these materials dug into the garden should help achieve the right tilth. You should keep in mind that clay-like soil should not be worked when it is wet as this only makes it muckier.
Fork in 10 centimetres (four inches) of mulch to amend clay soil
Do you have a question about gardening? Contact the Toronto Master Gardeners InfoLine at 416-397-1345 or log on to the Q&A Forum at infogarden.ca/mastergardenerboard.htm and Aska Master Gardener!
A Golden Thread
The Library winds through ourhistory like a golden thread . A History of The Civic Garden Centre
By Lorraine Flanigan
sk anyone what they value most about Athe Library at the Toronto Botanical Garden and their responses will reflect the great breadth and depth of its horticultural collection, the cheerful service of a dedicated group of volunteers and the extensive knowledge of its specialist staff. The TBG Library is an accomplishment that has taken time, commitment and skill to build.
From the first years of its creation, the Library has been a valued resource to members of the Garden Club of Toronto, Milne House Garden Club and the Civic Garden Centre as well as to those of local plant and horticultural societies. It also supports the work of the TBG Horticultural Department, the Master Gardeners and the Teaching Garden as well as the activities of staff members working in other areas. Like a golden thread , a phrase penned by long-time library supporter Elizabeth Bryce, the Library s resources have played an important role in the story ofThe Civic Garden Centre.
The strength of the Library rests in no small way on the skilled and dedicated librarians it has been fortunate to have, from its founding librarian, Garden Club of Toronto member, Monkey Clark, to veteran librarian Pamela MacKenzie who managed the Library from the mid-70s to the mid-90s, and, most recently, Mara Arndt and Ruthanne Stiles. Under the direction of these professionals, the Library has become one of the best ofits kind in Canada.
In the earliest days, the Library kept members informed of the latest books and added to a collection that grew from 250 books in 1961 to its present state of more than 9,200 volumes as well as 75 periodicals and a growing collection of videos and CDs. Building on the strong foundation established by Pamela MacKenzie, Mara Arndt guided the Library into the electronic age,
providing patrons with computers with Internet access and supporting the transition from card indexes to an online catalogue with onsite training, personal assistance in using the Internet and with lists of recommended Web sites.
The digitized library catalogue, which includes not only books but some 7,000 magazine articles, went live on the TBG s inaugural Web site in 2001. The big day , recalls former librarian Mara Arndt was when someone walked into the Library clutching a list of our titles generated from an at-home online search. None of this would have been possible, she acknowledges without a one-year grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, a donation from the Garden Club of Toronto and many extra volunteer hours.
Not all of the advances in the Library collection have been technological, though. Significant upgrades were made to the collection of herb books, thanks to a donation by the newly formed Toronto Herb Society. And, the Library played important roles in supporting TBG programs and courses, such as tailoring its collection to the Teaching Garden curriculum and adding books that were needed by students of the Ryerson horticulture and design courses.
But perhaps the most significant change over the past decade was a noticeable improvement in client service. We were often told that the Library was user-friendly , says Arndt. This comes as no surprise to the many library clients who were unfailingly met with smiles and offers of help. As Mara Arndt puts it: we got into the stacks with each of our clients. Few things stumped us; we helped people plant rose bushes correctly, rescue urban wildlife and find the Music Garden!
Such a welcoming and helpful attitude is no chance happening. One of Arndt s goals upon
her arrival in 1996 was to treble the size of the Library s volunteer corps to more than 40. Matching talent to task, she built a loyal team of volunteers and nurtured and supported them in their work. Some brought library, language and computer skills with them; others became expert at other tasks such as book and Web site reviewing for 7rellis. One such volunteer, Ruthanne Stiles, became an essential member of the team and eventually joined the staff as a part-time assistant before taking over as librarian to guide the Library through another transition after Mara resigned early in 2004.
Ruthanne upheld the values and goals established by her predecessor and quickly earned the respect of volunteers, staff and Library patrons alike. She prepared the Library for its dormancy while the building is under construction. This was no small task. Boxes and boxes of books were packed, labelled and organized, ready for the day when the revamped Library would open. Critical choices were made about which books and periodicals would remain available for reference during the renovation period in the limited space of the Administrative area. Many more decisions remain, and Library Assistant, Leanne Hindmarch has volunteered to help guide the Library volunteer team in the important behind-the-scenes tasks that must continue during renovations, including the processing of incoming mail and periodicals and the updating of the electronic catalogue.
TBG executive director Margo Welch describes the new Library as a more gracious space that allows for growth . The entrance will dazzle with blonde maple wood finishes, fresh paint and improved lighting. At nearly double the size, the new Library will boast four computer work stations for public use, study carrels and a reading area furnished with tables and
easy chairs strategically situated to capture the lovely natural light of the courtyard.
As we approach a new era in the development of the TBG, the Library seems poised to serve another generation of gardeners. Like a golden thread, it continues to weave through our history.@
Library Facts at a Glance
First Librarian: Garden Club member, Monkey Clark
First Library: 250 books were first housed at the Botany Department of Glendon College
1962: Fire destroys Milne House, 50 books lost 1967: Library becomes a member of the Council of Botanical and Horticultural Libraries
1974: Book shop established to relieve Library from book sales
1976: Library moves to lower level and herb garden planted on terraced patio
1995: Pamela MacKenzie retires after 20 years
1996: Mara Arndt starts to transform the Library
2001: Library collection available on Web site
2004: Ruthanne Stiles guides the Library until renovations begin
2004: Library closesfor TBG renovations
2005: A new era begins
One of the valuable volunteers on the Library team, Chris Aylott checks out books at theTBG Library.
Cornelia Hahn Oberlander
Blending nature with the city, says Lorraine Hunter, is herforte
ornelia Hahn Oberlander is Cadamant about the importance of keeping the delicate balance between the environment and city planning. She believes it is imperative to provide green living for city dwellers.
The Vancouver landscape architect and environmentalist will be lecturing later this year on Green Roofs and Sustainable Garden Design as part of the Edwards Lectures series. She will focus in particular on methods of conserving water, one of the most essential resources for all our lives whether urban or rural.
Cathie Cox, TBG s manager of horticultural services, invited Oberlander to speak because I thought she would be a good fit for us as we are planning a green roof on the Trellis Shop and she has been described as the grande dame of landscape architecture. She has the weight of extensive experience over a long career and does work in other countries as well as here so is obviously well thought of internationally.
In her many residential designs as well as in such major projects as the landscaping of Robson Square in Vancouver, the National Gallery in Ottawa, the Canadian embassy in Berlin and the Canadian chancellery in Washington, Oberlander has practised the art of landscape architecture with a unique grace and intelligence for over 50 years. Social responsibility and environmental sensitivity are the mainstays of her work.
After graduating from Smith College in 1944, Oberlander continued her studies at Harvard Graduate School of Design, in the first of its classes to accept women. In 1953, she moved with her husband, Austrian-born architect and urban planner Peter Oberlander, to Canada when he started the planning department at the University of British Columbia.
During the 1960s, she concentrated on lowrent housing and playgrounds, such as the Children s Creative Centre at Expo 67 in Montreal. All of her projects demonstrate concern for surrounding land, water and air resources and for creating spaces for the enjoyment of nature in the city. Much of this expertise has also been incorporated into site design projects for urban plazas, large civic projects and private residences.
Smith College honoured Oberlander with a Smith College Medal in 1982 and an honorary degree in 2003. She had a major role in the creation of the 1996 Smith College Landscape Master Plan for the campus s long-term beautification and development.
In 1990, the then Governor General Ray Hnatyshyn referred to her as Canada s premier landscape architect when he presented her with the Order of Canada. She is known for integrating her designs in the overall architectural project with the natural environment, yet always adding a unique vision and dimension, he said. Her expert technical knowledge is coupled with her concern for expressing cultural, social and environmental concepts in her work and is reflected in her many projects for the young, the old, and for the public at large.
Oberlander believes that landscape architects need to have good research habits and to work in partnership with other architects on projects in developing natural relationships with the environment. She has collaborated with such internationally acclaimed architects as Arthur Erickson and Moshe Safdie. A pioneer in the Oberlander sdesigns can be found all overVancouver at such placesas Robson Squareand theVancouver Public Library
creation and installation of green roofs, she continues to be tapped by some of the world s foremost architects, including Italy s Renzo Piano, with whom she is now designing a green roof for the new New York Times Company Headquarters in Manhattan.
While her designs are appreciated internationally, her hometown of Vancouver is greener and more livable, say many people, because of Oberlander s landscapes. They stand as testimony to her beliefs and to her art at Robson Square, in the rooftop garden of the Provincial Government Complex and Courthouse, in Library Square, on the grounds of the Museum of Anthropology and in the surroundings of the C.K. Choi building and Liu Centre at the University of British Columbia.®
Lorraine Hunter is chair ofthe Trellis Committee anda memberofthe Board ofDirectors.
Ultimate Gardening Workshops |
INNOVATIVE DESIGN IN SMALL CITY GARDENS
Saturday, April 2, 2005, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Small city gardens present big challenges to their owners: noise pollution, lack of space and reduced sunlight from surrounding trees and buildings. Learn how to think big and reclaim every inch of your outdoor space (including your roof, balcony and walls) with out-of-the-box ideas from four of Toronto s leading landscape designers.
Kent Ford
SPEAKERS: JAMES DALE, KENT FORD, TERRY MCGLADE, KIM PRICE
WHERE: FLORAL HALL
ADMISSION: TBG MEMBERS $40 ($55 wiTH LUNCH*) NON-MEMBERS $50 ($65 WITH LUNCH*)
SANCTUARY IN THE CITY
Saturday, April 16, 2005, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
As city dwellers, we long for an escape from the traffic and respite from the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. Four down-to-earth gardening gals will offer you practical solutions for establishing a healthy connection with nature by designing a sanctuary and stress-free zone in your very own backyard.
SPEAKERS: VIRGINIA BURT, GAYLA SAUNDERS,
ANN HAGEDORN, KAREN MICHAUD
WHERE: FLORAL HALL
ADMISSION: TBG MEMBERS $40 ($55 wiTH LUNCH*) NON-MEMBERS $50 ($65 WITH LUNCH*)
To register, please call 416-397-1340 or visit our Web site at www.infogarden.ca
*If you select the lunch option, please indicate any dietary restrictions.
Web site REVIEW
You Grow Girl: a witty, wise and wonderful Web site and not just for women
WWW.YOUGROWGIRL.COM is a funky, innovative Web site as catchy as its name suggests. It presents a fresh take on gardening and stands out because of its distinctive L appearance, solid horticultural P information and clever writing. =~
Launched in 2000 by two Toronto women, the site uses experiments, humour, art and interactivity to make your visit engaging and fun. The articles are original and well written in a cheeky tone. Volunteer contributors hail from around the world and cover topics ranging from using goats for weed control to insecticides safe enough to eat and urban composting. The site also includes a witty column calledThe Adequate Gardener ( I used to try to be perfect. ). If none of these appeals to you, then you can search by subject through the following choices: a
store which offers unusual t-shirts and horticultural items; a chat forum on dozens of topics where you can state your opinion or find out what other people are saying; how-to tips on growing and caring for plants; starting and designing a garden; exploring the world of plants ( I say potato, you say Solanum tuberosum ); plant art and toys (e.g., floral desktop designs or ecards); and preparing and cooking plant dishes.
One of the best features of www.yougrowgirl.com is its design. It is beautifully laid out, easy to use and well organized. It s fun to find your way about when all the choices are so clearly marked and are connected to well-researched links.
Recommended for both novice and expert gardeners. Reviewed byLorna Luke
Edwards Lectures 2005
HOMEGROWN HEROES
SPEAKER: PATRICK LIMA
Toric: THE ORGANIC HOME GARDEN
WHEN: TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 7:30 P.M.
WHERE: FLORAL HALL
CONCERNS OVER mass-produced fruits and vegetables are causing people to look for alternatives. While most supermarkets offer organic produce, the costs are surprisingly high. As a result, a steadily increasing number of people are growing their own fruits and vegetables organically, but with mixed results. Patrick Lima will engage both newcomers and seasoned growers with his recipe for a thriving organic garden appropriate for any urban or suburban yard.
Patrick Lima, author of the popular The Harrowsmith Perennial Garden, has just released his latest book, The Organic Home Garden: How to Grow Vegetables & Fruits Naturally. For over 25 years, Lima and his partner John Scanlan have maintained a garden at Larkwhistle on Ontario s rugged Bruce Peninsula.
Free to TBG members; non-members $12 (door sales only)
Organlc HOME GARDEN
How 10 GrROW VEGETABLES & FRuiTS NATURATLY
Photographs by Joh
SPEAKERS: JANET ANDERSON, MARK DENEE, JOHN VALLEAU
Toric: WHAT S HOT AND WHAT s NOT: NEW PERENNIALS
WHEN: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 7:30 P.M.
WHERE: FLORAL HALL
KEEN GARDENERS want to know and grow the most recent and most successful perennials of the season. Three leading commercial growers will present the latest introductions and will review what s hot and what s not for 2005. Our three presenters are among the most successful wholesale nursery growers in Southern Ontario: Janet Anderson (Janet Anderson Distinct Perennials), Mark Denee (Epic Plant Company) and John Valleau (Valleybrook Gardens/Heritage Perennials).
This lecture follows the TBG s annual general meeting at 7 p.m.
Free to TBG members; non-members $12 (door sales only)
JOHN VALLEAU
Sll
What's on atthe Toronto Botanical Garden|
MARCH
5
TorontoJudging Centre ofthe American Orchid Society
Administration Foyer, 1 p.m.
Open to the public
Information: www.soos.ca
13
Ontario Rock Garden Society
Meeting, Floral Hall, 1:30 p.m.
Speaker: Michael Otis
Topic: Woodland plants and other obsessions
Information: www.onrockgarden.com
15
Toronto Bonsai Society
Meeting, Floral Hall, 7 p.m.
Topic: Root pruning and repotting
Information: www.torontobonsai.org
24
Canadian Chrysanthemum & Dahlia Society
Meeting, Administration Foyer, 8 p.m.
Information: 905-686-8058
APRIL
2
Ultimate GardeningWorkshop
Floral Hall, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Topic: Innovative Design In Small City Gardens
Speakers: James Dale, Kent Ford, Terry McGlade, Kim Price
Information: 416-397-1340
www.infogarden.ca
TorontoJudging Centre ofthe
American Orchid Society
Administration Foyer, 1 p.m.
Information: www.soos.ca
10
Geranium, Pelargonium & Fuchsia Society
Meeting, Garden Auditorium, 1 p.m.
12
Edwards Lecture
Speaker: Patrick Lima
Topic: The Organic Home Garden
Floral Hall, 7:30 p.m.
Free to TBG members; public $12 (door sales only)
Toronto Bonsai Society
Meeting, Garden Auditorium, 7 p.m.
Workshop and demonstration by Boon Manakitivipart
Topic: Repotting
Information: www.torontobonsai.org
16
Ultimate GardeningWorkshop
Floral Hall, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Topic: Sanctuary in the city
Speakers: Virginia Burt, Gayla Saunders, Ann Hagedorn, Karen Michaud
Information: 416-397-1340; www.infogarden.ca
19
Mycological Society ofToronto
Annual meeting
Garden Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.
Information: www.myctor.org
27
TBGAnnual meeting
Floral Hall, 7 p.m.
followed by
Edwards Lecture, 7:30 p.m.
Topic: What's hot and what s not: new perennials
Speakers: Janet Anderson, Mark Denee, John Valleau
Theme: Out on a limb Stratford Coliseum, 20 Glastonbury Drive Information: www.stratfordgardenfestival.com
Gardens of Holland, France, England including: Chelsea Flower Show; Keukenhof Gardens; Monet's Garden; Sissinghurst Gardens; Scotney Castle Gardens; RHS Wisley Gardens; Private Gardens 13days May 15 $4,295 www.denuretours.com
MaARcH 9 10 13
CANADA BLoOMS, THE TORONTO FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW
South Building, Metro Toronto Convention Centre Information & tickets: www.canadablooms.com
MarcH 17 10 20 SuccCEss WITH GARDENING
International Centre, Airport Road, Toronto Information: www.successfulgardeningshow.com
ArrIL 15, 16 FOR THE LOVE OF GARDENING SHOW
Evinrude Centre, Peterborough Information: www.peterboroughmg.ca/show05.html
VisittheTBG, the official bookshop of Canada Blooms
Look for the Toronto Botanical Garden s bookshop at Canada Blooms near the escalators on the 700 Level.
We have twice as much space as last year, and we will be offering an extensive selection of gardening titles. This is a great opportunity to shop for gardening books while the Trellis Shop is closed for renovations.
CLASSIFIED ADS
Chelsea Flower Show May 24 - June 01 2005
Marjorie Mason invites you to join her on one of her personalised garden tour of Devon and Cornwall, visiting the Eden Project , the Lost Gardens of Heligan, Probus Gardens and St Michael s Mount. The Sticky Wicket is a specially selected visit on this tour.Then, en route to London, Stourhead Gardens, is featured as one of the most popular of the National Trust properties. A full day at Chelsea is planned and another day to explore Kew Gardens with the unique conservatory and a special art exhibition at the time of our visit.$3499.00 per person, double occupancy. This will include your Air Canada flights, accommodation and most meals and all garden entrance fees and
CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW. Please visit www.gardenersworldtours.com for full itinerary or contact Lorna 905-683-8411 fax 905 683-6842 or e-mail Ibates@on.aibn.com
NatureTours for Retirees
Our fourteenth year leading small groups in bird and wildflower studies! Upcoming tours from Toronto include Point Pelee, Algonquin, Gaspe, Magdalen Islands, Grand Canyon, Ecuador, Ireland, Sicily, Iceland, Baffin Island. For details, call George Bryant at TRAVEL HELPERS (416) 443-0583 or 1-877-245-2424. E-mail: g.bryant@sympatico.ca
