Trellis - V32, No3 - May 2005 by Toronto Botanical Garden

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'TORONTO GARDEN

Anout s

The Toronto Botanical Garden is a volunteerbased, charitable organization whose purpose is to inspire passion, respect and understanding of gardening, horticulture, the natural landscape and a healthy environment. Sinceitsinception in 1958, the Toronto Botanical Garden, formerly The Civic Garden Centre, has encouraged, stimulated and educated

countless Canadian gardeners. Almost 50 years later, the Toronto Botanical Garden has ~ expanded its vision and set a goal to become aself-sustaining urban oasis while making Toronto the mosthorticulturally enlightened cityin the world.

Located at Edwards Garden, the Toronto Botanical Garden offers many programs and services, including yearroundactivities 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

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

Communications: 416-397-1351 communication@infogarden.ca

Courses: 416-397-1362; courses@infogarden.ca

Donation Inquiries: 416-397-1483 annualgiving@infogarden.ca

Horticultural Services: 416-397-1358 horticulture@infogarden.ca

Executive Director: 416-397-1346 director@infogarden.ca

Library: 416-397-1343; library@infogarden.ca

Rentals: 416-397-1349; rentals@infogarden.ca

Teaching Garden: 416-397-1355 teachinggarden@infogarden.ca

Trellis Shop: Closed until November 2005

Volunteer Co-ordinator: 416-397-4145 volunteers@infogarden.ca

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 aworkinggarden to 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. _J

3% Patrons

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, Marisa Bergagnini, Susan Burns, Dugald Cameron, Peter Cantley, LindsayDale-Harris, Kathy Dembroski, Leslie Denier, Tony DiGiovanni, Heather Dickson, Suzanne Drinkwater, Geoffrey Dyer, Ralph Fernando, Mary Fisher,Janet Greyson, Bill Harding, Lorraine Hunter,Janet Karn, Linda Ledgett, Sonia Leslie, RosemaryPhelan,Jean Read, Kathy Redeker,Jennifer Reynolds, Dawn Scott

3¢ StaffMembers

Executive Director

Margo Welch

Manager, Communications &Visitor Services Jenny Rhodenizer Manager, Horticultural Services Cathie Cox

Volunteer Co-ordinator

Accounting

Administration

Development Director

Capital Campaign Director

Kristin Campbell

Joe Sabatino

Shirley Lyons

Janice Turner King

Annual Giving Development Co-ordinator ~ Andrea MaclIntyre

Development Co-ordinator

Maintenance Supervisor

Facility & Event Supervisor

Facility & Event Co-ordinator

Niti Bhotoia

Walter Morassutti

Stephanie Chiang

Kristin Campbell

Supervisor, Children s Education Tobin Day

Teaching Garden Co-ordinator Caley Baker

DESIGN

June Andersan

TRELLIS comsmrs (chair),

, Carol Gardiier,; : MarionMagee, JennyRhodenizer

| T.Coombes, M.Ve VOLUNTEER GRAPHICDESIGNER

~3enmfer Capretta

iMcCluskey,KSundquist ADVERTISING 416397-1351

Printed

Trellisis published six times a _year as a members newsletter by theToronto Botanical Garden at |Edwards Gardens.777 Lawrence ~ Avenue East, Toronto, Ontario M3C 1P2,416-397-1340.

Manuscripts submitted on a voluntary basis are gratefully received. _Noremunerationispossible.

Articles, manuscripts and advertising material must be received by the first of the month to ensure publication eight weeks fater. For example, material for the July/August 2005, issue must bereceived byMay6,2005.

not necessarily reflect those of : the TBG. Submissions may be edited for style and clarity.

,All rights resmd. Repmduction

'Charitablebusiness number: 119227486RR0001

Canada Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement#400 13928 ISSN 0380 14 70-

A gardener s guide to a boutique nursery and more!

A truly secret garden in Cornwall

Indoor Bonsai

The art of growing miniature masterpieces Trends in Annuals

New and improved varieties to watch for

Plant gurus select the top perennials

Fearless Plant Hunters

golden era of plant discovery

by Margo Welch ® EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Update on gardens, construction & events

The new garden plans have created huge

excitement and goodwill among TBG members, volunteers, the landscape industry and the general public. We have had exceptionally positive feedback on the design, and many people have stepped forward to offer support for the project. This level of enthusiasm really demonstrates the widespread desire of so many in the community to see a botanical garden flourishing in Toronto.

At the heart ofthe gardens are the p[ants, and the p[ants wall is removed? I am pleased will be spectacular!

At the heart of the gardens are the plants, and the plants will be spectacular! During the design phase, the TBG team worked with the landscape designers to build and hone the plant list. Many hours were spent researching specimens, discussing and debating the merits of particular plants and eventually selecting a wide variety that can be grown in this region. The plant list grew into a 50page document representing the best, the most unusual and the most important plants for the conditions and design specifications represented in our gardens. We will have old favourites such as trilliums and Virginia bluebells, new introductions such as mountain laurel, Kalmia, a unique collection of hellebores (the family of plants that includes the Christmas and Lenten roses) and surprises such as a sunken garden of moisture-loving plants including Ligularia, Rodgersia, Rheum and Brunnera. Our intent is to delight and inform and I think we will be successful in achieving this goal.

Building construction is progressing well we are on time and within budget. We can now see what the addition will look like and how it will define the spaces of the surrounding courtyards. The renovations for the Library,

Children s Centre, new offices and meeting room are fascinating to watch as many trades are involved and there are some interesting engineering issues. For example, how do you keep the roof intact while a load-bearing to report that we have a very competent construction supervisor, experienced consultants and skilled tradesmen so I don t have to solve these problems!

Our regular program of courses, workshops and lectures has continued throughout the winter and spring, and we were delighted that participants found their way to the TBG without trouble in spite of the construction. We have | | in supp: rt: ofthe new Children s Centre. |

three terrific lectures this spring on New Perennials and Magnolias. Plant sales will be held for perennials and annuals. And we have wonderful garden tours planned including Through the Garden Gate: East Rosedale and Great Gardens from Ancaster to Port Credit. New this year is a variety of guided walking tours to Toronto neighbourhood gardens: check your program guide for details. And please stop by to say hello when you are next at the TBG. @

FRIENDS OF TORONTO BOTANICAL GARDEN

The Friends ofToronto Botanical Garden are essential to the TBG. We thank our Friends for their generous support, which has allowed people of all ages and abilities to develop a greater involvement and understanding of gardening and horticulture through TBG s programs and services.The following individuals made donations to the Friends Program between May 10, 2004, and March 4, 2005.

DIRECTOR S CIRCLE

($2,500+)

Sue Burns

Lindsay Dale-Harris

Kathy & George Dembroski

Susan & Geoffrey Dyer

Kay McKellar

Barbara Mayer

Deane & Mary Nesbitt

Vivienne & Michael Wiggan

BENEFACTORS

($1,000 - $2,499)

Anne McLeod

Flavia Redelmeier

Joan Wright

Hard hats and hardscaping

enovations continue at the TBG as workRmen and large machinery are becoming the norm. We are thrilled to report that the construction is on schedule!

If you've been to a lecture, you've noticed the new lighting system in the Floral Hall. Although much work has been done in both the Floral Hall and the Garden Auditorium, additional improvements to these areas will be made this summer.

The footings for the new Trellis Shop are in place, and the shaft for the elevator has been constructed. Soon, the glass roof will be removed in preparation for the addition of a new second floor stretching across from the studios and lobby to the glass pavilion.

As the weather turns warmer, we look forward to the transformation of the 1.6 hectares (four acres) surrounding our building. Landscape architects will be creating a series of well-designed outdoor spaces showcasing a variety of styles, themes, sizes and design techniques. Our gardens will demonstrate environmentally responsible gardening and will introduce the very best of what can be grown in our region. Everyone will be able to enjoy the splendour of the gardens while learning practical applications for their own front and back yards.

Here are some highlights of the garden design.

Spiral Mound is a sculptural land form supporting masses of thyme groundcover and includes a serpentine pathway leading visitors to a viewing platform. This landscape art piece will not only stimulate a sense of fun and play, but it will also demonstrate sustainable planting on steep slopes. Terrace Garden will demonstrate solutions to partitioned spaces in small garden settings using diverse planting as an alternative to walls and fences.

Nature s Garden features naturalized plantings that will be mostly native with two distinct habitats: a shady garden along the ravine edge on local alkaline limestone soils and a sunny

border resembling Canadian Shield conditions with sandy, rocky and acid soils. A birdhouse condo set over a gully of granite rock and boulders will be an eye-catcher.

Demonstration Courtyard/Teaching Garden is a multi-functional courtyard that will become our outdoor classroom for course-specific hands-on activities. It will be equipped with potting tables, cold frames and composting and recycling facilities. Floral Hall Courtyard, the patio connected with the Floral Hall, will be transformed into an elegant tranquil courtyard providing 80 square meters (100 square yards) of outdoor space for private functions. The courtyard will use contemporary landscape and building materials and have a water curtain that masks city sounds and a sculptural gate designed by a local artist.

As you can imagine we can t wait for work to begin. Most of the hardscaping will take place this summer and in the spring of 2006 the gardens will really take shape as the plant material is added. Please feel free to drop by this summer to see our work in progress.®

Wheelchair Access During Construction

Access to our facilities has been changed during construction, and this includes wheelchair access. If you require wheelchair access to the Floral Hall during an event or lecture, please enter from the loading dock at the east end of the building. Press the door bell at this entrance and someone will let you in. The Auditorium can be accessed via the driveway at the west end of the building. We would like to know in advance if you are planning to use these entry points so that we can keep an eye out for you and make sure there is someone available to help you into the building. Please call Shirley Lyons at 416-397-1361 before 3 p.m. or Cathie Cox at 416-397-1358 after 3 p.m.

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Experience an Olay Oasis at Toronto Botanical Garden s Through the Garden Gate

love the skin you're in

by Kristin Campbell ® VOLUNTEER

2005 a time for contemplation

THE STAFF OF THE TBG has grown accustomed to working in a busy building that s full of volunteers and people using the library, shopping in the store, or visiting Edwards Gardens. During this year of renovation and construction, we have fewer visitors and so it seems to me that this is a great time to be a bit contemplative to look at our Volunteer Program and to think about the good things we do and the things we could do better.

e The number one reason people volunteer is to contribute to a cause in which they believe.

Ourvolunteers stay with us because they find a community thatsuits them.

As a volunteer-based organization the TBG relies upon its volunteers for the help we need to run its many programs and to meet our goal of delivering horticultural information and services. It is therefore important that our Volunteer Program appeal to both our existing and potential volunteers. We do very little advertising, yet we always have many inquiries from people who wish to volunteer with our organization. Our active volunteer list consists of over 300 people. That is an astonishing number to me, considering that we have a staff ofjust over 10 people!

So with a plethora of great not-for-profit organizations to choose from, why do volunteers choose the TBG? In an effort to answer this question, I have discovered that while most of our volunteers are initially attracted to the horticultural aspects of our organization, they seem to stay with us and deepen their involvement because they find a community that really suits them.

Volunteer Canada suggests that there are three main reasons why one-third of Canadians over the age of 15 volunteer.

e Some people get involved to change the world, others want to share or gain knowledge and expertise, while others simply want opportunities to meet friends and socialize.

e Eight out of ten people want to put their skills and experience to use.

I think that the TBG satisfies all three of these needs our purpose is to inspire passion, respect and understanding of gardening, horticulture, the natural landscape and a healthy environment. We support a community of horticulturally inclined people, and since its inception in 1958 the TBG has encouraged, stimulated and educated countless Canadian gardeners. Almost 50 years later, the TBG has expanded its vision and set a goal of becoming a self-sustaining urban oasis while making Toronto the most horticulturally enlightened city in the world. Our volunteers take a great deal ofpride in the many contributions they make to our organization because they strongly support our goals and are members of the community that we serve. As our organization changes over the coming years, we look forward to working with our volunteers to grow and strengthen the TBG.®

UpcomingVolunteer Opportunities

MAY 4 10 8 / MAY 18 10 22

TBG Plant Sales

Assistance with setting up, pricing and watering plants, and helping customers and the cashier.

MAY 12 AND MAY 25

Edwards Lectures

Assistance with admissions, audio/visuals, book sales, refreshments.

JUNE 18 AND 19

Through the Garden Gate: East Rosedale

Assistance with set-up and take-down, ticket sales,TBG information booth, garden admissions, plant sales, ice cream and water sales; bus hosts and floaters. Pre-event phone and general assistance also required.

Preview of summer programs

DESIGNING THE PERFECT garden is often about using new and unusual plants to complement old favourites, and we have taken a similar approach in designing our nature day camp programs at the Teaching Garden this season. Spring and summer offer opportunities for fresh beginnings, and while we will once again be offering our most popular programs from past years, we have created some programs that incorporate new ideas.

Ourgoal is to encourage children to be open to the surprises that nature delivers

her knowledge with the kids. In our Thyme Travellers program, participants will learn about traditional uses of plants and how we continue to use many of the ideas that originated hundreds and even thousands of years ago. Our Eco-Heroes program helps kids to see that when it comes to protecting the environment individual actions can yield big results. These participants will work co-operatively to design and plant their own garden plots.

Because we know that grown-ups enjoy the Teaching Garden as much as children do, we have increased the number of programs that provide opportunities for children and adults to explore nature together. Three of this summer s programs are designed for three- and four-yearolds: Touch and Taste, See and Smell! and Caterpillar Camp allow children and adults to experience nature using all five senses.

For kids who are five to seven years old, we offer programs that encourage them to think and ask questions about different aspects of gardening, especially plants and soil. Get Growing! is our plant-focused program for this age group, while Can You Dig It? helps kids take an indepth look at dirt. While our goal with these programs is to use games, activities and handson experiences in the garden to answer some of the questions children ask, we also hope that they will increase the children s curiosity about nature and motivate them to continue to investigate the environment after they have left the Teaching Garden.

For eight- to ten-year-olds, our oldest age group, we offer three programs. One of these features an investigation of creepy-crawlies, the garden s smallest inhabitants, another focuses on the past, and a third encourages children to think about the future. Bug Camp is run byJean Godawa, an insect expert who loves to share

This summer, we hope to spend more time planting seeds, caring for plants, and harvesting vegetables (and generally getting our hands dirty!). In each program, our goals are not only to help children become comfortable spending time outdoors and develop more familiarity with the environment, but also to encourage them to be open to the surprises that nature delivers. @

Sign up for Garden E-News!

To receive the latest horticultural news direct from the Toronto Botanical Garden, sign up for ournew electronic newsletter. Information on events, workshops, lectures andother horticultural happeningswill be sentto you by e-mail everyfour to sixweeks. Signup for Garden E-Newsatwww.infogarden.ca/e_newsletter.asp.

Lisa Woodguides us through thegardens on thisyear s tour

chance to wander in the private gardens of Rosedale is hard to beat for garden enthusiasts. Last year s Through the Garden Gate in Rosedale was so successful that we ve decided to hold this year s tour there too; but this time we ll be in the area east of Mount Pleasant Road.

Rosedale is charming now; there s no question of that. At the beginning, though, the area was not so desirable, and development was slow because of the many ravines and difficult terrain that limited access. It seemed cut off, remote, inaccessible because of its geography. The earliest archival photographs show a Rosedale quite different from today. Waves of subdivision and infill housing, beginning in the late 1800s, diminished the size of lots and reduced the number of trees and open spaces. In the 1950s the construction of apartment buildings on the sites of demolished mansions changed the face of the district so that slightly

more than half of Rosedale s householders are now apartment dwellers. From the 1970s to the present, demolition became more frequent as more old houses were replaced with contemporary ones some designed by architects with a concern for tradition and some by those who took a contemporary approach.

For many residents of this community, these changes, especially the loss of beautiful old houses, have been sad ones, but for the casual visitor, the charms of Rosedale are enduring. In some ways, it has remained an anomaly, a pool of order in the modern city. South Rosedale has been declared a Heritage District by the City of Toronto at the request of the residents and a similar designation is under discussion for North Rosedale.

The most immediate pleasure walking here in summer is the dappled shade, moving in and out of bright sun, thanks to the expansiveness of the canopies of silver maples, red oaks and

other less common trees such as basswood and horse chestnut. These big survivors, native representatives of the forest that used to be, were largely planted in the early part of the 20th century and have been lucky to outlive the various blights of the modern world the need for wider driveways, Asian longhorn beetles and the like. They were not ill-fated like the elms of Elm Avenue which have almost all now succumbed to Dutch elm disease. In the Rosedale gardens of today, there are all kinds of new trees (both natives and exotics), albeit mostly smaller varieties such as columnar beech, Chinese dogwood, ornamental pear and goldleafed Frisia black locust, ready to replace the old ones when they go.

In the landscape, there is enough conservative classicism in the choice of yew and boxwood, natural stone, clay brick, parterres and clipped hedges to make for a consistent streetscape. The well-grown plants, swept walks and planters assiduously filled with seasonal displays reflect the prosperity and care of the homeowners.

It s good to see a front garden, like the one on our tour on Roxborough, which is exuberant. This gardener has planted sturdy spiky yucca with low-growing stonecrop and a pale airy coreopsis to create a study in texture and counterpoint. Across the street in the Roxborough and Highland traffic circle, grasses, Russian sage and other big perennials are massed to good effect to form ribbons of colour and texture. Both gardens are the work of a prominent landscape architect as are other gar-

dens on this tour, giving you a chance to see some well-considered design solutions.

The sedate front gardens of some houses give no clue as to the surprises around the back. Owners have taken their inspiration from all kinds of things. The gardening styles of France and England are a common theme. Behind a house on Elm, there s a garden in Parisian style with a wedding cake topiary and a canopy of recycled wire fencing used to support Englemann s ivy, while a few blocks away, old blue shutters on a garage and a small courtyard recreate the feeling of a Provencal auberge. Down the road, Parisian tree guards have been painted green and pressed into use as obelisks. Another family, on returning from England, brought traditional garden sculpture and furniture from their English garden to install in their new garden in Rosedale.

Wild Canada is the inspiration for one family who chose a woodland theme, using tonnes of Georgian Bay rocks to create a calm enclave bordered by rows ofwhite pine, weeping beech and hemlock. They ve added a black swimming pool, a selection of garden art and a pair of ornamental Buddhas to make this garden all their own.

As always, we ll have Master Gardeners in each garden to answer questions and help identify plants, a brochure with a map and a description of each garden to help plan your route and a fleet of complimentary buses to get you around ifyou decide not to walk.®

Lisa Wood is a member of the Through the Garden Gate Committee.

BY DESIGN: A Kitchen Garden Layout

In this excerptfrom The Organic Home Garden, Patrick Lima writes about the heart ofthegarden atLarkwhistle.

ur kitchen garden - in some ways the heart of Larkwhistle is a constant source of interest and pleasure. I love to see the peas run up their wire fence, to have a hand in the progress of lettuces from seeds to heads. A ripe melon is cause for a small celebration. Whenever I pick a red pepper or pull a bunch of carrots, I take a moment to admire their forms and colors. The whole process of growing food is full of wonder and satisfaction. I often linger in the kitchen garden in the early morning (after splashing my face in the chilly water of one of the garden pools) or at twilight, just watching the garden grow. The Chinese have a saying: The best fertilizer is the gardener s shadow. Shadows are longest at dawn and dusk.

Of Rows and Beds

Vegetables were traditionally grown in an open rectangle of land. The organizing principle was simple: long, straight, single rows. Row planting has one distinct advantage: weeding may be done mechanically, by running a tiller or small tractor up and down the aisles. In a big country garden, this could be the factor that dictates design. But one look at a conventional row garden - thin lines of green in an expanse of bare ground - tells you that this is the least efficient use of space. A row garden may be made much more productive simply by doubling or tripling the rows. If beans, for example, typically stand 8 inches (20 cm) apart in their row, there is no rea-

son why you cannot plant another parallel row, or two, the same distance away. Why have skinny rows of carrots separated by an unproductive path when you can get the equivalent of three rows in a single 8inch-wide (20-cm-wide) band? For most gardeners, rows waste far too much space; only a fraction of available ground is growing what you want, while the rest is wide open to weeds. Monotonously straight and narrow, long rows offer little to delight the eye. But put that band of carrots right next to a double row of beans, and you begin to see the potential for beds of vegetables, an arrangement that every flower grower uses all the time.

Gardeners who have gone to the considerable work and expense of landscaping a property may wonder if vegetables fit in. I would say emphatically, yes. Mixing edibles and ornamentals is a time-honored style. Sometimes referred to as cottage gardening, the method was adopted by British cottage dwellers of the past centuries, who loved flowers and wanted food, and grew both in an eclectic mix, integrating vegetables and herbs in the over-all landscape. This was in contrast to the practice followed on grand estates where edibles were kept out of sight behind a wall or hedge, tended by the gardener and harvested for the masters by kitchen staff.

Every garden has room for vegetables, and the most appealing and workable setup for growing them is a series of permanent beds harmoniously placed in relation to the rest of the

garden. At Larkwhistle, some of the kitchen-garden beds are 4 feet (1.2 m) wide and 25 feet (7.5 m) long. Others are odd-sized triangles, curving trapezoids and half-moon patches arranged around two water-lily pools and four semi-dwarf apple trees. Paths weave and crisscross throughout. Some beds are fairly big, others quite small. The odd assortment of shapes and sizes lets us plant just a little Swiss chard here, a long band of carrots there, a little triangle for radishes or full bed of corn. The design is an attempt to balance practical needs getting around with wheelbarrow and watering can with a wish to harmonize the food beds with the flower borders, and make the kitchen garden as ornamental as it is practical.

If a long row to hoe feels like a recipe for backache and boredom, beds sound cosier somehow, more intimate. And they are. A bed is an area ofsoil from 2 to 5 feet (60 to 150 cm) wide, with a path all around it. Length varies, depending on the scope of a garden. If beds are longer than 30 feet (9 m) or so, a bisecting path midway saves steps. You putter around a bed, tending the plants by hand, reaching in to weed or spread mulch. Beds make a big garden more manageable. Our kitchen garden measures about a quarter of an acre, and [ would balk at the thought of digging the entire space by hand. But one bed at a time is not so overwhelming. It takes less than a half-hour to turn over the soil in a typical 4-foot by 25-foot bed (1.2-m by 7.5-m), and it leaves you with a sense of completion, a job done.

From an ecological stand-point, bed gardening is good for the earth. How so? First, you walk and wheel your barrow around a bed, not over it. The paths become hard, compact and, mercifully, less hospitable to weeds. But the beds themselves remain light, fluffy and full of air. Beds also save your back: because the earth is not compacted by traffic, the earth turns over easily. On sandy soils, beds may not need digging every year, unless you are turning in compost or manure. Sometimes, we simply scuffle and loosen the top few inches with a hefty hoe, perhaps stirring in a dressing of natural fertilizer as we go. A quick rake and we

are ready to plant. Digging, though, is generally good for the ground, especially clay soils. Where soil insects such as earwigs are a menace, fall digging helps keep them in check.

Beds allow you to concentrate your soilbuilding efforts. Since compost is always in short supply, why fritter it away on unproductive pathways? A better plan is to concentrate both compost and those expensive commercial fertilizers in permanent beds that will grow richer each season.

First-time food growers may discover, as we did, that their enthusiasm is not matched by muscle, that their interest exceeds their time. The first rules for new gardeners should be: (1) Start small; (2) Concentrate your efforts; (3) Open up only the amount of garden space you feel you can tend; (4) Branch out as you become more experienced. Small can, indeed, be beautiful. I have an impression that a lot of people don t grow vegetables because they remember the hot hours spent hacking away at weeds or picking a never-ending line of beans in their parents big row garden. But a few scaled-down vegetable beds, nicely placed in the landscape and carefully tended, may be every bit as productive as a neglected larger plot= anda lotmoresatisfying6

T Rt D S e |

Visit Larkwhistle

The one-acre organic garden of Patrick Lima and John Scanlan is open to the public on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays and holiday Mondays from Mother's Day until Thanksgiving, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for children 16 and under. Take Hwy 6 north from Wiarton to Dyer s Bay Rd. Go to checkerboard and follow signs to Larkwhistle. E-mail: larkwhistle@amtelecom.net.

Lost Horizons

Carol Gardnerprovides a gardener sguide to a boutique nursery and more!

his season, I thought it would be fun to Twrite about some of my favourite boutique nurseries places lovingly run by plant-obsessed owners. As many of these nurseries are close to some of Ontario s loveliest towns, I'll also point out interesting spots for readers who might want to extend the outing to a day or a weekend. First up is Lost Horizons. When I told some of my gardening buddies that I was going to write about a delectable nursery in Acton called Lost Horizons, the response was surprising. You can t! Then everyone will know! said these usually generous and gentle souls. It s understandable; the place is a real hidden gem. Owner Larry Davidson doesn t even advertise; all his business is word of mouth - or rapacious returning customers!

It isn t just the plants that make Lost Horizons special; it s also the demonstration garden, the unbelievably knowledgeable staff and Davidson s ability to get new plants eons ahead of some of his competitors. Almost every plant he sells has found a spot in the demonstration garden. This makes it very easy to see how it might look in your own border or to seek out a staff member to find out what that lovely little chartreuse ferny thing is .

When Davidson and his people grow a plant, they make sure that it will flourish in the conditions outlined on the label, then try it out in other conditions as well (more shade, different soil etc.). If you happen to pick up a plant that looks a little weak (a real rarity), they ll take it from you, disappear into the greenhouse and come back with a thriving specimen. How great is that?

Davidson never intended to own a nursery. He started as a social worker, became a potter, and then drifted into gardening when he accompanied a friend an accomplished gardener on some of his jobs. After studying in Japan, he started a landscape design business. He opened Lost Horizons 12 years ago only because he had trouble finding the specific plants he wanted to complete his projects. He is now, he confesses, obsessed by the need to find new plants. His plants come from around the world, including Korea, Japan, China, Holland, England and the United States. This year alone the catalogue contains over 500 new plant cultivars!

Should you have any money left after visiting Lost Horizons, you might want to venture on to Guelph, Elora, Fergus and St. Jacobs (okay, maybe we re talking a weekend trip now) to

share in their many unique summer activities and events. The University of Guelph s Arboretum offers a plethora of special events over the season as well as horticultural tours and a fall plant sale (Saturday, September 10, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.). For three weekends in the spring (April 29 to May 15) the City of Guelph hosts their 38th season of classical music.

If your taste runs more to jazz, check out Elora s Jazz on the Grand on Saturday, June 25. While you're there, try to have a meal at chef Alex Sgroi s new restaurant, Alex s Kitchen, on the main street. Sgroi s passion for food is evident in his homemade bread and pasta and an inspired menu. To walk off your meal, take a stroll along Mill St. and browse in the many unusual boutiques. Don t miss the elegant Styll a shop that houses exquisite home and garden creations from local artists. If you re a fan of vintage clothing, go a little farther out to see Sweet Trash it specializes in cocktail dresses, gowns and opera cloaks from the 1920s to the 1960s. Later in the season, you can take in the Elora-Fergus Studio Tour where painters, potters, glass blowers, collage artists, sculptors, stained glass artists, photographers, weavers, metal artists and furniture designers display their wares.

Elora s sister town of Fergus is the home of the Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games which will be celebrating its 60th anniversary in August. To mark the anniversary, they re hosting the World s Scottish Athletic Championship. Fergus also has a year-round farmers market on Saturdays and Sundays.

A few miles away in St. Jacobs is one of Ontario s largest farmers markets, featuring produce from local Mennonite farmers. St. Jacobs is the perfect tourist town, with a large number of elegant B&Bs, enticing shops, restaurants and perhaps the greatest temptation of all for gardeners the massive architectural salvage warehouse, Artefacts. Ifyou want to add a sense of history to your garden, this is the place to go. Not only do they have old garden gates, gables, grates, doors and shutters, they employ a team of craftspeople and artists who can turn them into just about anythingyou want. Ah, temptation!

This part of the country is so chock full of fascinating finds that you could easily spend a week or more there and not even begin to cover them. So enjoy and about Lost Horizons, don t tell anyone, okay?@

Carol Gardner is an award-winning garden writerand member ofthe Trellis Committee.

A DAY IN THE COUNTRY

LOST HORIZONS NURSERY

Hwy 7, two miles south ofActon on the south side. From 401, take 25 north and go west on 7. (It s really easy to miss, so watch for the sign.)

519-853-3085; www.losthorizons.ca.

Open May (weather permitting) until Octoberfrom Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

HAPPENINGS

Elora-Fergus StudioTour www.artscouncil.elora.on.ca

Fergus Scottish Festival & Highland Games www.fergusscottishfestival.com

Fergus Farmers Market

Saturdays & Sundays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Guelph Spring Festival www.guelphspringfestival.org

St. Jacobs Farmers Market

Thursdays & Saturdays, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Tuesdays (June 21- September 20), 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jazzon the Grand June 25, 2005 519-846-9698; 877-242-6353

PLACESTOVISIT

Alex s Kitchen www.alexskitchen.com

Artefactswww.artefacts.ca

Guelph Arboretum www.uoguelph.ca.arboretum

Styll www.styll.com

SweetTrashVintage Clothes www.sweet-trash.com

IF YOU ARE INTRIGUED by secret gardens, you will love Heligan, the most secret garden of them all. Asleep for more than 70 years, the Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall, England, are a work in progress literally history in the making, or perhaps [ should say the remaking.

Described by The Times as the garden restoration of the [20th] century , its 405 hectares (1,000 acres) were at their peak in 1914. But only a few years later the entire garden was completely overgrown with brambles and ivy, its splendour to lie hidden for close to a century.

The seat of the Tremayne family for more than 400 years, Heligan (which means the willows in Cornish) once employed up to 22 gardeners. The ongoing restoration is a tribute not to the gentry who were its original owners, but to the ordinary folk, the gardeners who made it great. You can actually see their signatures etched into a limestone wall in August 1914 just before they departed for the Great War, most never to return again.

Heligan is situated at the head of a valley overlooking the historic fishing harbour of Mevagissey. The estate in its prime was completely self-contained with a number of farms, quarries, woods, a brickworks, flour mill,

sawmill, brewery and productive orchards and kitchen gardens.

The various gardens on the site can be traced back to the late 1700s when Henry Hawkins Tremayne (squire from 1766 to 1829) created their shape and was responsible for planting their many shelter beds. Three succeeding generations built the plant collections. It was John Tremayne (squire from 1851 to 1901) and his son John Claude who imported the palms, tree ferns and bamboos.

Life as lived by members of the Tremayne family and local gentry prior to the First World War could have come straight from the pages of Jane Austen s Sense and Sensibility: the women attending social engagements at neighbouring houses and the men concerned with local politics and mining interests. The outbreak of war ended this idyll. More than half the staff would perish in the mud of Flanders. In 1916 the house was formally taken over (on loan from the family) by the British War Office for use as a convalescent home for officers.

After the war the family returned for a few years but were unable to keep the house or the gardens up and tenanted the house out to family friends called Williamson who did basic main-

Kitchen garden

tenance and looked after the grounds, but abandoned the once outstanding garden known as

The Jungle . American officers were billeted on the estate in 1943 during rehearsals for the Normandy landings at nearby Pentewan Beach. The war years saw much decay. In 1970 the house was eventually sold for flats that are now privately owned and not open to the public. But the gardens gently went to sleep and their buildings remained untouched. As one of very few examples of gardens that have not been modernized Heligan is a unique time capsule.

After a chance meeting in 1990 with a Tremayne family descendant who had inherited the gardens and was concerned about their state, Dutch entrepreneur/rock promoter Tim Smit created a partnership with colleague John Nelson to restore Heligan to its former glory. They literally had to chop their way with machetes through brambles as much as nine to 14 metres (ten to 15 feet) high. There were no

Visiting Heligan

The Lost Gardens of Heligan are easily reached by road, rail or bus from St. Austell in Cornwall. For directions and more information about the gardens, visit www.heligan.com.

paths visible and only the tantalizing tips of palm trees hinted at what lay underneath.

The former seat of the Tremayne family is now the site of the largest garden restoration in Europe. Brought back to life by dedicated volunteers, the estate today has five walled gardens as well as melon, citrus, peach and vine houses, and a productive kitchen garden. Just outside the Melon House is a pineapple pit yes, pineapples are now grown here in manure-heated pits just as theywere as far back as 1792.

Many beautiful rare shrubs, including the Hooker Collection of original Himalayan rhododendrons and other exotics collected from around the world by intrepid plant hunters of the 19th century, grace romantic structures around the Pleasure Grounds, the Fern Ravine, the Italian Garden, the Crystal Grotto (whose candlelit interior was used as a romantic backdrop on summer evenings) and the Wishing Well. Once described as the finest herbaceous border in England , the neglected Sundial Garden has now been replanted with early Victorian varieties to offer an unusual and colourful display from January to December.

The Jungle, Heligan s exuberant subtropical valley garden, hosts a riot of exotic specimen trees and luxuriant foliage. A boardwalk snakes through bamboo tunnels and meanders around avenues of palms, the largest collection of Tasmanian tree ferns in Britain, huge Gunnera and other exotic plants and giant trees and even a banana plantation, with many stunning vistas.

The Productive Gardens, intensely cultivated throughout the year, once met almost all the food needs of the Tremayne family and their guests. The restored glasshouses within the walled garden once more pay homage to the Victorian passion for exotic fruit, while the vegetable garden team seeks quality and flavour from its traditional varieties.

At least half a day, and preferably more time, is required to really appreciate this garden and stout footwear is recommended. There is a lot to see and much walking overvarious rugged terrains.@

Garden writer and editor Lorraine Hunter is Chairofthe Trellis Committee.

Indoor Bonsai

Rod andMary Cordeiro guideyou through thefirststeps in the art ofgrowing these miniature masterpieces

hough bonsai began in China centuries Tago, it was the Japanese who perfected the art of growing miniature trees to resemble their full-sized natural counterparts. The word bonsai comes from the Japanese bon meaning basin and sai meaning to plant and is typically translated as tray gardening . Indoor bonsai plants are miniature versions of subtropical and tropical trees and shrubs. They are shaped by careful pruning of branches and roots and by leaf clipping to retain the desired shape.

Indoor bonsai fall into two categories, tropical and subtropical, depending on a plant s need for warmth. Tropical plants must be kept at a temperature of 18 to 24°C (65 to 75°F). At night the temperature can fall by two to four degrees but no lower than 16°C (61°F). Subtropicals have a dormant period during the cold season so they need to be accommodated in a cooler area during the winter months.

The beauty of indoor bonsai is that they can be grown by just about anyone. You create and control the light and humidity levels. Almost any tropical houseplant that has a woody stem and a smallish leaf can be given the bonsai treatment.

Provide light and warmth as you would for a regular houseplant. Remember, however, that once potted into a traditional shallow bonsai pot, the plant needs to be watered more frequently since the smaller container holds a smaller amount of growing medium. Use room temperature tap water that has stood overnight so that chemical additives have dissipated. Provide humidity by misting your bonsai plant regularly and by standing the pot on a tray ofdamp pebbles.

Bonsai aficionados eventually acquire special tools: tweezers, a small pair of sharp scissors and secateurs are all that are necessary for beginners.

Every bonsai remains a work in progress: this is not a hobby for the impatient. However, since indoor bonsai can be admired year-round, your handiworkwill becomea living conversation piece. Whynot find a suitable plant and get started!

Rod Cordeiro, a member of the Toronto Bonsai Society, has been growing bonsai for seven years. His wife Mary contributes to his everincreasing collection by seeking out bonsairelated information on the Internet.

RECOMMENDED PLANTS FOR BEGINNERS TROPICALS

*Thefig, especiallyFicus benjamina, isfast growing and inexpensive so losing a plant is not a costly catastrophe.

SUBTROPICALS

Rosemary,Rosmarinus officinalis e Firethorn,Pyracantha

For Bonsai Aficionados

JOINTHETORONTO BONSAI SOCIETY

Individual memberships: $35

For more information, visit torontobonsai.org or call Bob Wilcox at 416-533-7111 or David Johnson at 416-767-5437.

5TH WORLD BONSAI CONVENTION

May 28 to 31, 2005

Washington, D.C.

Activities include tours ofthe National Bonsai & Penjing Museum and exhibits including I.C. Su s antique bonsai pot collection.

Information: www.bonsai-wbff.org/wbc5/main.htm

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, rejuvenation programs and horticultural consultations.

Rosenberg + Associates

Kenwood Avenue - Toronto Ontario Canad

Annuidls Sale

May 18 to22

Wednesdayto Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5p.m. Sunday, 10a.m. to 4 p.m.

Award-Winning and UnusualAnnuals plus New Introductions

New this Year hard-to-find plants grown from seed by the Toronto Master Gardeners

Master Gardeners and horticulturists will be available to answer your questions

TBG members receive 10 per cent off purchases over $10

Join the TBG now and save; call 416-397-1340

Free parking

Plenty ofbargains from the Trellis Shop will also be available, including books, cards, giftware and gardening items.

656 6665

Gardening Hotline

1-866-557-4412

The Toronto Botanical Garden and the Master Gardeners have been offered the opportunity to work in conjunction with Loblaws to provide a gardening hotline. The hotline will be promoted through Loblaws Garden Centres during the months of May and June. The Toronto Master Gardeners along with other plant-savvy volunteers will be answering telephone calls and e-mails from across Ontario and the Maritimes. In thanks for our assistance and in recognition of our great gardening information base, Loblaws will be making a generous donation to the TBG.

Please check your Loblaws summer flyer for more details or visit www.torontobotanicalgarden.ca/infoline

Trends in Annuals

Cathie Coxhighlights newand improved varieties to watchfor.

T rends in annuals continue to lean toward

displays of sumptuous, dramatic and overthe-top colour, texture and contrast. Eyecatching containers overflow with combinations of large-leaved tropicals, exquisite ferns and masses of colour, while borders riot with fiery reds, plummy purples, glowing oranges and butter yellows.

¢ Dahlias

For a sunny garden, dahlias, Dahlia, are a must. The Delicious Series is an improved variety of low-growing, wellbranched, vigorous plants that flower all season long. They re available in white, yellow, pink and a stunning black-red called raspberry. This dahlia is perfect for containers or window boxes. Bronze-leaved varieties such as Bishop of Llandaff or Ellen Houston with rich red or orange blooms are excellent both in a border or container and as cut flowers. For a sizzling focal point, grow a mass of large-flowering, taller varieties such as Poppers with shaggy golden orange blooms splashed with scarlet.

e Lantanas

Lantanas, Lantana, are undergoing a resurgence in popularity. Easy to grow and the perfect choice for a hot sunny location, they will flower forever as long as they are deadheaded and fertilized occasionally. The Landmark Series is a new selection chosen for vigour, a mounding habit, deep green foliage and rich vibrant colours. Especially noteworthy is Landmark Flame Improved with its deep red and rich yellow flowers and Landmark White with white outer petals and lemon-yellow centres.

¢ Marguerite Daisies

The Madeira Series of Aréyranthemum (Marguerite daisy) is definitely worth looking for as these plants flower all season if deadheaded and will not go dormant in the summer heat.

The

eyecatching Million Bells

Terra Cotta

The soft silvery foliage of Plectranthus argentatus

Silver Shield

They also flower earlier, come in single and double forms and include the red Madeira Santana , a double blush-pink Madeira Madelana , a white with pale lemon centres Madeira Sao Martinho and the double pink Madeira Machio .

¢ Petunias

New introductions in the trailing petunia world include Suncatcher Red , Suncatcher Coral Prism and Surfinia Red . Red varieties are usually the least vigorous of all the colours but these three have improved vigour and richer colour. Suncatcher petunias bloom early and very profusely. Superior varieties include Suncatcher Pink Vein and Suncatcher Purple . The Suncatcher and Surfinia Series of trailing petunias are recommended for their vigorous tight mounding and compact trailing habits.

Surfinia Blue Vein and Surfinia Violet are excellent choices. Trailing petunias must be watered and fertilized weekly.

e Million Bells

For small or large containers and hanging baskets in a sunny location, Calibrachoa or million bells is gaining steadily in popularity. Its prolific self-cleaning, cascading, miniature petunia-like blooms are heat tolerant and bloom right into the fall. Watch for the eye-catching Million Bells Crackling Fire with flowers of varying shades of burnt orange flecked with red. Plant it with Million Bells Terra Cotta and Million Bells Red and stand back!

¢ Coléus

For all coleus (Solenostemon) aficionados and gardeners with shade, there are quite a few new exciting introductions. Although the Aurora Series is quite vigorous, it maintains its shape well into the season and flowers late. Aurora Mocha , Aurora Raspberry , Aurora Peach and Aurora Black Cherry are all multicoloured with interesting variations of leaf shape. Aurora Peach has a tongue of peach surrounded by burgundy and edged in green while Aurora Black Cherry has a serrated leaf with a central splash of red surrounded by burgundy and green. Unlike the Aurora Series, the Kong Series of coleus is grown from seed instead of from rooted cuttings. It is an exciting breakthrough as huge leaves are produced on shorter plants. ~Coloured varieties include Kong Mosaic , Kong Red , Kong Rose and Kong Scarlet .

¢ Impatiens

The Fusion Series of impatiens is a relatively new breakthrough that features yellow as the primary colour. This year there are five new colours: Fusion Glow (lemon-yellow petals and peachy orange centres); Fusion Heat and Fusion Infrared (shades of rosy orange); Fusion Radiance (pink suffused with a yellow glow); and Fusion Sunset (apricot petals). All are great in containers as they are well branched with a mounding habit and fairly tall.

The Fanfare Series of impatiens is a hybrid between the New Guinea and the regular impatiens, and is more vigorous and heat tolerant than either. They have a slightly trailing habit but grow upwards first before trailing, making them easy to replant into containers and hanging baskets. This impatiens comes in a variety of pinks and reds. A new introduction, Fanfare Blush , is pale pink with a cherry red centre.

Fiesta Ole is a series of compact double impatiens with large double rose-shaped flowers that last all season and are held on the stem longer than other doubles. A rich colour range includes salmon and a flecked dusky rose while this year s new variety, Fiesta Ole Purple , is a rich deep red-purple. Double impatiens is an ideal plant for a small container and requires little maintenance.

¢ Accent Plants

Plectranthus Mona Lavender is a relatively new accent or filler plant with glossy rich green leaves and a bonus of large showy lavender-purple flowers in late summer and fall. Other accent plants that are popular at the moment are Plectranthus Nicolleta and Plectranthus argentatus Silver Shield with soft, fuzzy silver-grey trailing foliage, the coleus look-alike, Perilla Magilla , with rich burgundy foliage splashed with a striking chevron of raspberry red and Dichondra Silver Falls with its mass of long trailing stems of polished silver leaves.

e Zinnias

My last recommended new introduction is an annual that can be grown easily from seed. I have always recommended the Profusion Series of zinnia, Zinnia, as a perfect low-growing groundcover annual that requires little or no maintenance and tolerates heat, poor soils and dry conditions once established. New varieties of these daisy look-alikes include an apricot, which would look great with deep blue or purple flowers, and an orange red for a splash of rich colour.®

Cathie Cox is manager ofhorticultural services at the Toronto Botanical Garden.

THE SEASON S BEST

PlantgurusJanetAnderson, Mark Denee&John Valleau select the top perennials.

THREE LEADING ONTARIO perennial plant growers have scoured the world looking for new, improved and exciting perennials that are suited to our growing conditions. According to our experts, here are the best ofthe bunch for 2005.

e JANET S PICKS

Calamagrostis x acutiflora Avalanche . Imagine a variegated form of C.x a. Karl Foerster and you've got Avalanche , an ornamental grass with blades marked with a crisp white central stripe.

Dianthus Star Series features such celebrities as Neon Star , Shooting Star and Spangled Star with petals in day-glow pink, magenta-purple and red edged in pale pink.

Euphorbia polychroma First Blush has green foliage variegated with a creamy edge and creamy yellow flower bracts.

Helleborus Lady Series These belles of the ball show off their blossoms with brazen abandon. Watch for Blue Lady , Pink Lady , Red Lady and the red-speckled white blossoms of White Lady Spotted .

Heuchera villosa Caramel is a drop-dead gorgeous plant with leaves the colour of caramel that brings stunning texture and colour to any garden vignette.

Heuchera Gypsy Dancer is a hot-blooded coralbells that produces masses of light pink flowers and darkly veined silver foliage.

Heuchera Peachy Keen I was immediately impressed with this one when we trialled it last year, says Janet. The foliage is splashed with shocking pink and peach tones that mature to a light peach and green.

Leucanthemum x superbum Phyllis Smith

Janet has had her eye on this one for a few years. It has a tight compact growth habit and large shaggy semi-double flowers.

Polemonium reptans Stairway to Heaven is a cultivar of the North American native species, so we know it s tough and hardy. John s comments are also listed, below.

Thalictrum Black Stockings has showy nearblack stems that support fluffy lavender flower heads. Team it up with Actaea simplex Black Negligee (syn. Cimicifuga s. Black Negligee ) in a quiet area of the garden.

Janet Anderson operates Janet Anderson Growers ofDistinctPerennials.

e MARK S TOP 10

Baptisia australis is one of the first perennials to emerge in spring and its grey-green foliage quickly fills out to form a substantial bush. It has tall stems carrying brilliant indigo blue flowers followed by ornamental seedpods.

Campanula Royal Wave This is a wonderful new sterile form with large upward-facing, purple-blue, white-centred flowers with wavy edged petals. It s fragrant and blooms all summer.

Geranium Tiny Monster This new sterile geranium hybrid features large dark pink flowers. It is particularly effective mass-planted next to Geranium Rozanne .

Geranium Blue Sunrise (a.k.a. Verguld Saffier ) A new hybrid from Holland, this hardy geranium features bright golden yellow spring foliage and purple-blue flowers.

0 Courtesty Epic Plants

Heuchera Hollywood is very cool! And according to Mark, it may be the showiest Heuchera to date. It has dark slightly ruffled leaves with a white veil and tight clusters of deep coral flowers.

Knautia macedonica An underused perennial, this beauty has long-blooming, deep purple-red, scabiosa-like flowers. Cut back to 30 centimetres (12 inches) in late spring to control height.

Lychnis viscaria Splendens Plena forms a mound of grass-like foliage bright magenta-red flowers. Planted en masse it s effective at the front of a large border teamed with Echinacea purpurea Alba , Sedum telephium Matrona and Lysimachia clethroides growing behind it.

Podophyllum Kaleidoscope Wow what a plant! This much-sought-after plant is an Asian relative of our native mayapple and sports umbrella-like hexagonal leaves splashed with bronze and silver.

Tanacetum vulgare Isla Gold This amazing gold-leaved form of the common tansy retains its colour well through the summer and is considered by some to be the best gold-leaved perennial for good continual colour.

Tricyrtis Taipei Silk This new hybrid offers outstanding flowering, compact size and a neat erect habit. Flowers are white with purple edges and tips, with some spotting.

Mark Denee is horticulturist at the Epic Plant Company.

e JOHN S WINNERS

Echinacea purpurea

Doubledecker (a.k.a.'Doppelganger ). Like a coneflower wearing an Easter bonnet, Doubledecker features large magenta-pink daisy-like flowers with a brown central cone that bears a second, smaller flower on top.

Echinacea Mango Meadowbrite produces large single petals of a glowing mango-yellow that surround a golden-orange cone. The flowers smell of sweetly spiced tea.

Gaillardia Fanfare The individual petals of Fanfare are rolled into tubes that resemble a ring of blaring candy-corn trumpets that surround a big burgundy eye.

Helleborus x hybridus, or the Lenten rose, has

been selected by the Perennial Plant Association as the Perennial Plant of the Year for 2005. These exciting, easy-to-grow shadegarden perennials feature long-lasting cupshaped blooms in pastel colours, in both single and double forms as well as picotee-edged ones.

Hemerocallis Apricot Sparkles is a constantblooming daylily that flowers from May to frost. This dwarf variety has blooms of deep apricotyellow with a diamond-dusted finish.

Heuchera Obsidian Among the blackest of all the coralbells hybrids, the large rounded glossyjetblack leaves of Obsidian have gently scalloped edges. Creamy flowers appear in early summer, held above the leaves by brightcoral-red stems.

Polemonium reptans Stairway to Heaven

This variegated Jacob s ladder continues to produce fresh foliage throughout the season with no surprise summer collapsing or melting out after blooming.

Salvia nemerosa Caradonna features deep indigo-purple flowers held on purple-black stems. Flowers appear in early summer and rebloom into the fall if ruthlessly deadheaded just above the mound of leaves.

Sedum rupestre Angelina has succulent needle-shaped golden yellow leaves and clusters of tiny star-shaped yellow flowers. During cooler fall weather the leaves take on butterscotch to apricot hues. If plants look untidy in early spring, whack them back with hedge shears, a string trimmer or mower.

Tradescantia Blue and Gold (a.k.a. Sweet Kate ) This marvellous neon-yellow-leaved spiderwort forms a grassy mound studded with triangular flowers of a deep gentian-blue to violet-blue shade. Shear back the entire plant to eight centimetres (three inches) in midsummer ifit gets floppy.@ John Valleau is corporate horticulturist at Valleybrook Gardens/Heritage Perennials.

Edwards Lecture: What' s Hot and What s Not

Join our three plant gurus for a presentation on the top new perennials,following theTBGAnnual General Meeting,onWednesday,April 27at7:30 p.m.

Fearless Plant Hunters

Five botanist-explorers, writes Lorraine Flanigan, defineda golden era ofplant discovery.

erhaps Barrie Porteous comes by his Ppassionate interest in the plants of the world by virtue of his very Scottishness. An active member of the Ontario Rock Garden Society, Barrie has trekked through the mountains of Europe and North America with the zeal of the plant hunters (many of whom were Scottish) who pursued the flora of China during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. But as his presentation in the Floral Hall last winter revealed, Barrie s journeys were free of the plagues, malaria, earthquakes and treacherous lamas that many of his countrymen encountered on their expeditions into the Yunnan province of China.

Robert Fortune, Frank Kingdon-Ward, Joseph Rock, Reginald Farrer, and George Forrest embarked on an era of plant hunting that began with the Wardian Age a period defined by the clever invention of the Wardian case (today we call it a terrarium) by Nathanial Ward. The Wardian case made it possible for these botanist-explorers to transport live plants safely over great distances and during the lengthy journeys that were typical of the times.

One of the first of the Scottish adventurers to travel to China in the 19th century was Robert Fortune (1813-1880). A missionary-explorer and by all accounts a dour Scot , Fortune weathered brutal storms, uprisings and even pirates who commandeered a junk on the Yangtse River to bring back over 120 species of plants to western gardens. He was also commissioned by the East India Company to secure the highly desirable (and commercially lucrative) tea plant, Camellia chinensis. As Barrie pointed out in his presentation, before the Opium Wars, China held the monopoly on the tea industry, but with its defeat the country was opened up to plant hunters like Fortune who smuggled out 24,000 plants which were subsequently used

by the British to establish a competing industry in India one that was to surpass that of China.

Another of the great plant hunters was Frank Kingdon-Ward (1885-1958), an Englishman who brought back seeds of about 200 different species from China, including Rhododendron wardii, a yellow-flowering rhododendron distinctively marked with crimson blazes.

Of all the plant hunters, Joseph Rock (18841962) travelled in the best of style. His entourage, noted Porteous, measured half a mile in length and was equipped with silverware, china and even a personal chef. Fluent in Chinese and eight other languages, Rock lived in China for over 20 years, sending plants and seed back to the Arnold Arboretum at Harvard before settling in Hawaii where he became an expert on the local flora.

To the benefit of the horticultural world, Reginald Farrer (1880-1920) was a better plant hunter than the playwright he strived to be, according to Porteous, and today he is regarded as the father of British rock gardening. In his honour, the Farrer Medal is still awarded today.

GARDEN-WORTHY PLANT INTRODUCTIONS

REGINALD FARRER Salvia bulleyana

Androsacemucronifolia ROBERTFORTUNE

Buddleiaalternifolia Anemonehupehensis

Gentianafarreri Dicentraspectabilis

Irisensata Lonicerafragrantissima

Viburnumfarreri Platycodongrandiflorus

GEORGEFORREST Viburnum tomentosum

Androsace bulleyana FRANK KINGDON-WARD Arisaema candidissimum Meconopsis betonicifolia

Daphnetangutica Primulaflorindae

Gentiana sino-ornata Primula melanops

Paeonia delavayi JOSEPH ROCK

Primula bulleyana Paeonia suffruticosa

Primula beesiana subsp. Rockii

A prolific diarist all his life, Farrer s writings were destroyed by his mother following his death at age 40. Fortunately, he wrote many books including The English Rock Garden, which remains a classic today.

Porteous hails George Forrest (1873-1932) as the greatest of the plant hunters of this era. Born in Scotland, Forrest was mentored by Sir Isaac Balfour, director of the Royal Botanic

NORTH AMERICAN

Annual Wild ower Sale Garden, Edinburgh, who recommended him for NewDav! Ty [ 4ig o an expedition to China to collect seeds for Bees ewiay' S Location: Ltd. nursery. During his lifetime the adventur-

ous Forrest made seven trips to the Far East and Saturday May 14, 2005 discovered over 1,200 new plant species.

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

World War I brought an end to this golden SpringFest at Downsview Park age of plant hunting. The workers on the great 35 Carl Hall Drive estates and public gardens of England went off (Keele & Sheppard) to war, never to return, and the economy of Britain spiralled downward, leaving little in the

Wikifighers o Treet Shks \hes, Grasses, way of funds for subsequent expeditions.®

Related Books, Free How To Seminars,

Lorraine Flanigan is a freelance garden writer

www.nanps.org (416) 631-4438 and editor of Trellis, the newsletter of the Toronto Botanical Garden.

Through the Garden Gate: East Rosedale

Saturday and Sunday, June 18 & 19, 2005

Noon to 5 p.m.

Now in its 18th year, Through the Garden Gate will lead you through over 20 beautiful private gardens located in Rosedale East. This year's selectionofgardens 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, withstops at a nearby subway station, tourheadquarters and the gardens along the route.

TBG members $25; public $30

Tickets can be purchased through the TBG website at www.torontobotanicalgarden.ca oratthe following outlets: Blossoms Rosedale, 1 RowanwoodAvenue, 416-960-8903 (cash only) Plant World, 4000 EglintonAvenue West, 416-241-9174

Sheridan Nurseries, 2827 Yonge Street, 416-481-6429

Via Verde, 939 Eglinton Avenue East, 416-421-5552

Tickets are limited. It is highly recommended to purchase tickets in advance as this event can sell out. More information : 416-397-1371

Phaseolus coccineus scarlet runner bean

BEANS ARE ONE of the oldest cultivated foods. They were grown in Mexico and Peru as far back as 5000 BC. Our ancestors discovered that various bean species were easy to grow and must have found that they helped to keep them healthy. Today we know that beans contain vitamins and minerals, folate, dietary fibre, protein and complex carbohydrates. They also have very little sugar, sodium or fat, and no cholesterol.

Bean is an unscientific term, meaning the edible seed of any legume. What is a legume? It is a plant that has seeds in a pod, which usually splits down two sides. There are nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the root nodules so these plants can grow in poor soils.

There are more than 14,000 legume species worldwide, but not all of them are edible. Some are poisonous (Laburnum, Astragalus and locoweed, Oxytropis). Others are important forage crops (clover, Trifolium, and alfalfa, Medicago). Many attractive garden plants are in the same family, Fabaceae (lupine, Lupinus, sweet pea, Lathyrus, wisteria, Wisteria).

Most of our green beans originated in Central America and have been developed from Phaseolus vulgaris. However, the scarlet runner bean is a different species, Phaseolus coccineus.

I grew up with scarlet runner beans, and today they are still my favourite for eating. They also have the advantage of being ornamental. The beans are purple or lavender, mottled with black, about 1.5 centimetres (half an inch) long and kidney-shaped. The plant is a vigorous climber, twining from right to left (the opposite of most climbers) and often reaching more than four metres (13 feet). The trifoliate leaves have

rounded lobes of a medium bright green colour. The typically scarlet flowers, each up to 1.5 centimetres (half an inch) long, protrude in clusters from the leaf nodes. The beans themselves are flat, and the pods usually 25 centimetres (10 inches) long and 1.5 centimetres (half an inch) wide.

Plant scarlet runner beans outside after the soil temperature has reached about 15°C (60°F) usually at the beginning ofJune. Cool soil will slow germination and may cause the seeds to rot. Alternatively, the seeds can be started six weeks earlier under lights. Unlike most beans, the scarlet runner germinates with its cotyledons (seed leaves) underground. Water the plants with a fine mist. Because they are self-pollinating, sometimes gently shaking the climbing structure helps pollination.

For best growth, these beans need full sun and are not fussy about soil, though a rich welldrained soil is best. Don t give them too much nitrogen like all legumes, they can fix their own. They will also need some support. They can grow up arches or arbours or even through shrubs. They can also be allowed to climb up poles arranged in a wigwam shape, which make an attractive feature in the garden. You could even leave space for small children to play inside this green tent . Try combining your beans with other plants, too. How about a tripod in a perennial border with a pink-flowered cultivar? Or combine them with morning gloriesIpomoea sppgrowing overanarchway

Anna Leggattis aMasterGardener, garden writer

and active volunteer at the Toronto Botanical Garden.

Wisley Magic runner bean

"X Expert advice from the Master Gardeners |

Q We would like to purchase hanging baskets of oak-leaf ivy that we ve seen at the St. Lawrence market but wonder if they will they survive on our roof garden which is in full sun and ten storeys above ground level. What kind of conditions does this plant prefer? If oak-leaf ivy isn t suitable for the roof, can you suggest something comparable?

A Oak-leaf ivy, Hedera sp., would prefer a more sheltered and partly shady situation than full sun, ten storeys up! Consider plants that will be more tolerant of full hot sun and strong drying winds, such as Helichrysum petiolare, licorice plant, with small, soft grey foliage and trailing verbena, Verbena, with bright pink or purple flowers. Or how about one of the many kinds of the tried and true Pelargonium (geraniums that we grow as annuals): perhaps the traditional zonal geranium with its big showy flowers or the ivy-leafed geranium which has pointy, ivy-like leaves and small, spiky flowers. These plants would be much more heat tolerant than the oak-leaf ivy.

Helichrysum or Verbena like hot sun

Q1 planted a foxtail lily and after blooming it disappeared completely. Does it have a dormant period? Since it disappeared at the end of July will it have the strength to come back next year?

A Don t worry about your foxtail lily, Eremurus. The foliage dies back as soon as the plant flowers. Foxtail lilies start to grow very early in the season, so they should be mulched with loose leaves or other organic mulch (taking care not to cover the growing tip) to protect the new growth from frost. As these

plants are very tall, you may need to stake them. Some gardeners plant a mediumsized plant at the base of the foxtail lily to grow up and hide the bare flower stem.

Foxtail lilies will die back right after flowering

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 Ask a Master Gardener!

Perennixls Sale

May 4 to 8

Wednesday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Unusual Perennials and New Introductions New this Year hard-to-find plants grown from seed by the Toronto Master Gardeners

Master Gardeners and horticulturists will be available to answeryour questions.

Members receive 10 per cent off purchases over $10

Join the TBG now and save: call 416-397-1340 Free parking

Trellis Shop Sale -40 per cent off Plenty ofbargains from the Trellis Shop will be available, including books, cards, giftware and gardening items.

Visit Great Gardens, from Port Credit to Ancaster

TuesdayJune 21,2005

This year's exciting array ofgardens ranges from sophisticated urban spaces to bucolic rural properties. Some have been planned by well-known landscape designers while others are the creations oftalented and knowledgeable owners. Once again the tour has been planned with the assistance ofBayla Gross and includes transportation by air-conditioned motor coach, refreshments en route and lunch in a village inn. Here's a sample ofthe gardens we'll visit.

Ancaster Garden ofYvonne Cunnington Garden writerYvonne Cunnington and herhusband have created a collection ofgardens in this magnificent landscape in theAncaster countryside. Broad brush strokes oftexture and colour paint this spectacular canvas which is dominated by ornamental grasses interwoven with perennials. A formal cottage garden, a three-acre prairie meadow, two farm ponds planted with native species and a formal raised alpine bed crafted ofbarn stone salvaged from the property create a visual contrast.

John and Elizabeth Crozier's Burlington Garden

This is an elegant garden in an establishedresidential area ofBurlington. Careful thought has been given to its design with particular attention to the materials usedto create the structure - a stone walkway, lattice screens, limestone steps, earth-colouredpavers anda small pergola. Carefully chosen specimen trees, shrubs and lush plantings provide shelter and continuous colour.

A Mississauga Estate Garden

This lavish garden was designed by Janet Rosenberg who has created magic on a large suburban lot. At the front ofthe house a circular bed ofgrasses gives an illusion ofprivacy. Tucked behind a stunning beech allée is a swimming pool, which is surrounded by a yew hedge. The formal sunken garden courtyard is filled with perennials, grasses and roses and flanked by imposing urns. A large stone patio with reflecting pool provides a wonderful space for entertaining. The contrast between this highly designed garden and the natural beauty ofthe surrounding Credit Valley makes this a very special place.

David and Cathy Cummins' Dundas Garden

Authors ofthe witty and informative Rusty Rake Gardener, the Cummins have assembled a remarkable collection ofplants in this garden which has been featured in Chatelaine. Dave, a selfconfessed "propagator-holic", restocks his three greenhouses each year with an increasing wealth ofplant material. Even the swimming pool has been filled in to house the overflow. The garden is interwoven with meandering red bark paths bordered with an array ofperennials, rare shrubs, trees, shade-loving plants and groundcovers.

Web site REVIEW

Vegetable Web site brings gardeners and scientists together

ARE YOU CURIOUS about which vegetables will grow best in your garden? Researchers from Cornell University s Department of Horticulture have created a unique Web site which invites gardeners to partner with them by collecting and sharing their own observations and experiences on growing over 2,000 varieties ofvegetables.

At www.cce.cornell.edu/veg your choices are: browse crops (over 2,000 vegetable and seed sources); growing guides; Cornell garden information (directs you to gardening resources and an extensive list of vegetable gardening publications available from Cornell s Cooperative Extension); site news and polls (asks questions about problems you may have encountered such as pests and diseases); and instructions on how to use the site.

You are encouraged to report which vegetable varieties have performed well and not so well for you or you can find advice on which ones will work best in your own garden. For example, if you are interested in tomatoes, you can look at all the different varieties or cultivars and see what others say about their overall ratings: how they are judged on taste, yield and ease/reliability of growing.

The site is loaded with accurate comprehensive information. A growing guide profiles 58 different vegetables in depth and includes an extensive fact sheet on each vegetable, which provides a detailed description, growing instructions, site and soil requirements, different varieties and solutions for managing pests and diseases.

Cornell s intuitive use of colour and layout make this Web site a joy to use. Options are clearly indicated on each screen.

Recommended for all gardeners.

Reviewed byLorna Luke

Book REVIEW Ag [

Agapanthusfor Gardeners

ByHanneke van Dijk

Portland, Oregon, Timber Press, 2004; 96 pages, US$24.95

AN INFORMATIVE and practical guide to growing this popular perennial, Agapanthusfor Gardeners is filled with descriptions of all species and subspecies as well as a selection of 80 cultivars.The book is beautifully illustrated with more than 75 colour photographs, which also makes it a lovely gift book.

Native to South Africa, the genus Agapanthus gets its name from the Greek word meaning flower of love , which is appropriate as it was associated with wedding festivities and superstitions held by the original inhabitants of South Africa. The flowers range from pure white to greyish blue to very dark blue. They come in miniatures for containers and small gardens as well as larger types suitable for beds and borders.The book also offers advice on the purchase and care ofAgapanthus asa cut flower, including tips on what not to do.

It is interesting to note that this plant is now so popular in the author s native country that some gardens in The Netherlands hold regularAgapanthus Days!

Reviewed byMadge Bruce

2005 GRADUATES FIVEYEARS

Dorothy Brand

Ellen Farrelly

Hilary Coleman Lorraine Flanigan

Murray Duncan

Helen Kirkup

Catherine Peer

LucyVan Wyk

Catherine Nixon 10YEARS

Thade Rachwal

Elizabeth Stewart

Sonia Leslie

Mary Mershein

TenaVan Andel 15YEARS

MaryMordy

Edwards Lectures 2005 |

HOMEGROWN HEROES

SPEAKER: JAMIE ELLISON

Topic: MAGNOLIAS

WHEN: TUEesDAY, May 10, 7:30 p.M.

WHERE: FLORAL HALL

MAGNOLIAS ARE SOME of the oldest flowering plants. Fossilized specimens have been found that date back about 100 million years ago. Jamie Ellison will show us some of the loveliest hybrids in this magnificent group of plants.

Jamie Ellison, co-owner of Bunchberry Nurseries in Upper Clements, Nova Scotia, has turned audiences on to native and unusual plants both in theory and in practice. As well as being a writer, photographer and popular nationwide lecturer, he has applied his knowledge to public projects, from the planting of magnolias throughout Annapolis Royal to the restoration of damaged sand dunes. Jamie also teaches horticulture in the Retail Garden Centre program at the Nova Scotia Community College, Kingstec Campus.

Free to TBG members; non-members $12. Door sales only.

WE BLEW IT!

THE TBG DEEPLY REGRETS that we were unable to inform some of our members about the change of date for the Cornelia Oberlander lecture, originally scheduled for March 8, 2005, and subsequently rescheduled to October 18, 2005. Unfortunately a cancellation notice did not appear in the last Trellis or in our Garden E-news. The TBG extends its sincere apologies to individuals who were inconvenienced by our omission. Be assured that we remain committed to our membership and strive to provide timely and accurate information.

caA GE'

C :') SPEAKERS: MARJORIE HARRIS - & MARGARET MACMILLAN

Toric: RIDEAU HALL: ITS GARDENS AND SociAL HISTORY

WHEN: WEDNESDAY, : May 25, 7:30 p.m. - e

WHERE: FLORAL HALL Coman gl s,

OVER THE PAST five years the official residence of the Governor-General, Rideau Hall, has been transformed to reflect the country s identity, gardens and food. In this lecture, Marjorie Harris and Margaret MacMillan, co-authors of Canada s House: Rideau Hall and the Invention of a Canadian Home will talk about the design of the gardens, which have become a showcase for Canadian plants, trees and vegetables, and will reflect on Rideau Hall s unique social history.

Marjorie Harris is considered one of Canada s leading garden writers. Gardening columnist for the Globe & Mail and editor-in-chief for Gardening Life, Marjorie has written numerous books about gardening, including Botanica North America: Rediscovering Native Plants and Favorite Garden Tips.

Margaret MacMillan, provost of Trinity College and a professor of history at the University of Toronto, won the Governor-General s Literary Award for non-fiction in 2003 for her book, Paris 1919: Six Months that Changedthe World.

A book signing follows the lecture. Free to TBG members; non-members $12. Door sales only.

The previously scheduled lecture, Gardens of Official Residences, has been cancelled due to notification from the National Capital Commission of EdLawrence s sudden leave ofabsence.

MAY

Geranium, Pelargonium & Fuchsia Society

Plant Sale, Floral Hall, 2 p.m.; Information: 416-281-6399

4t08

TBG Perennials Sale

Wednesday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

TorontoJudging Centre, American Orchid Society

Judging, 1 p.m., Administrative Foyer

Information: www.soos.ca

Edwards Lecture

Jamie Ellison, Magnolias; Floral Hall, 7:30 p.m.

Free to TBG members; public $12 at the door

Toronto Bonsai Society

Meeting, 7 p.m.; workshop 8 p.m.

Garden Auditorium; Information: www.torontobonsai.org

Toronto African Violet Society

Show & sale, Floral Hall, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Information: http://www.geocities.com/tavsca/tavs.html

18 to 22

TBG Annuals Sale

Wednesday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Edwards Lecture

Marjorie Harris & Margaret MacMillan, Rideau Hall

Floral Hall, 7:30 p.m.

Free to TBG members; public $12 at the door

Canadian Chrysanthemum & Dahlia Society Meeting, 8 p.m., Administrative Foyer

Information: 905-686-8058; www.icangarden.com/clubs/CCDS

28, 29

Toronto Bonsai Society

Show & sale, Floral Hall Sat., noon to 5 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: www.torontobonsai.org

JUNE 4

TorontoJudging Centre, American Orchid Society

Judging, 1 p.m. Administrative Foyer

Information: www.s0os.ca

18, 19

Through the Garden Gate

East Rosedale, Noon to 5 p.m.

TBG members $25; public $30; Information: 416-397-1371

Great Gardens from Port Credit to Ancaster Members $90; public $100; Information: 416-397-1371

Canadian Chrysanthemum & Dahlia Society Meeting, 8 p.m., Administrative Foyer

Information: 905-686-8058; www.icangarden.com/clubs/CCDS

IN & AROUND THE GTA

e e A ) e e e e o e P B | Mav 14,June 11

MEerLIN S HoLLow OPeN HOUSE

181 Centre Crescent, Aurora

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission free

JUNE 4, 5

JARVIE OPEN HOUSE

37 Thornheights Rd., Thornhill 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

CLASSIFIED ADS

John F.Tai & family members would be very happy to welcome members (TBG) & others, to view our front and back garden of tree & herbaceous peonies at 26, Sunnylea Ave. West, Etobicoke, from 1st. week of May 2005 (early bloomers) to about the end of June 2005. Please ring ahead, 416-233-0035 as blooming time is subject to increasing temperature(s) in Spring.

Nature Tours 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

E-mail: tbg@infogarden.ca www.infogarden.ca

The garden at Lilactree Farm will be open on four Sundays in 2005, on May 22, June 26, July 24, and September 25, from 10.00a.m. to 5.00p.m.. Plants for sale normally include double bloodroot, pink bloodroot, Jeffersonia dubia, the pink and white form of Lathyrus vernus, Daphne mezereum album, as well as unusual trees and species clematis. There are excellent places to lunch nearby. For further information, telephone (519)-925-5577 or email: lilactree@sympatico.ca

Enjoy a weekend of garden tours in beautiful Northumberland County, 1 hour east ofToronto. Port Hope Garden Tour, Sat., June 25 (phone 905-8857929 for tickets). Northumberland Big Sisters Big Brothers Garden Tour, Sun. June 26 (phone 1-888278-2484 for tickets).