countless Canadian gardeners. Almost 50 years later, the TorontoBotanical Garden has expandeditskvxsmn and set a fgoal tobecome aself-sustain-
The Toronto Botanical Garden " is a volunteer-based, charitable en organization whose purposeis to inspire passion, respect anc understanding of gardenin horticulture, the natural lan scape and a healthy. ment. Since its incepti 1958, the Toronto Botanical Garden, formerly The CivicGarden Centre, has encouraged, stimulated andeducated colle
nursery and seed catalogues as well as a great selection of children s gardening books. Horticultural Information Services offers free gardening information year-round, and shop TBG has
ingurban oasis while making many unique gifts, books and gardening supplies for sale. The TeachingGarden has been created as a working garden to foster the interest and educate people in the love and values of gardening and the natural world. As ~ well, the TBG has a wide variety of banquet halls, meeting rooms and show space, with access to Edwards Gardens, one of Toronto s favourite garden spots.
3¢ Directory & Hours of Operation
777 Lawrence Ave. East Toronto, ON M3C 1P2
Administrative Offices: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Library: Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
shopTBG: Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Library and shopTBG open for some special events and holidays: call 416-397-1340 to inquire.
Telephone: 416-397-1340; Fax: 416-397-1354
E-mail: info@torontobotanicalgarden.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 www.questions.torontomastergardeners.ca
Brian Bixley, Awdrey Clarke, Mark Cullen, Camilla Dalglish, Sondra Gotlieb, Marjorie Harris, LorraineJohnson, Michele Landsberg, Susan Macauley, Helen Skinner
3% Board of Directors
PRESIDENT: Geoffrey Dyer
Dugald Cameron, Peter Cantley, Kathy Dembroski, Leslie Denier, TonyDiGiovanni, Heather Dickson, Suzanne Drinkwater, James E. Eckenwalder, Ralph Fernando, Mary Fisher, Colomba B. Fuller, Jim Gardhouse, PeterGray-Donald, Marjorie Harris,Janet Karn, MarthaMclean, Catherine Peer, RosemaryPhelan, Roberta Roberts, Dawn Scott, Elaine M. Solway, Judith M. Willmott
3¢ Staff Members
Executive Director Director, Communications Program Co-ordinator
Director, Development
Special Events Co-ordinator
Margo Welch
Jenny Rhodenizer
Graham Curry, Shayna Segal
Stephanie Chiang
Meagan Wilson Director, Horticulture
Gardeners
TaxonomicAssistant
Database Co-ordinator
Cathie Cox
David Leeman, Sandra Pella
Toni Vella
Naureen Qaiyyum Manager, shopTBG
Development Officer
Children s Program Supervisor
Children s Program Co-ordinator
Facility Sales Supervisor
Facility Sales Co-ordinator/Volunteers
Maintenance Supervisor
Brad Keeling
Sarah Durnan
Liz Hood
Natalie Harder
Kristin Campbell
Jenny Beard
Walter Morassutti
Maintenance Officers Alvin Allen, Ken Ko, John Agnew
Librarian
Assistant Librarian
Receptionists
Bookkeeper/Accountant
Rob Caldwell
Ruthanne Stiles
Nancy Kostoff, Tanya Ziat
Dolly Ally
Lorraine Flanigan (ec Carol Gardner,
. Magee ,
JennyRhodenizer
Britt Silverthorne
VOLUNTEER
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M. Bruce, L.Hicke K. Sundquist ADVERTISING
Avenue East, Toronto, Ontario
M3C 1P2, 416-397-1340.
Manuscripts submitted on a voluntary basis are gratefully received. No remuneration is possible. Articles, manuscripts and advertising material must be received by the first of the month to ensure publ
2008, issue must be November 2, 2007.
Opinions expressed in Trel not necessarily reflect those the TBG. Submissions maybe edited for style and clarity.
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited withoutwritten permission.
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CanadaPublicationsMail
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by Margo Welch ® EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR I
Funding our activities
care of their collections, original content that is current and accurate, adhering to the highest standards and attracting an audience that can learn from and enjoy our various offerings. To succeed, botanical gardens need expert staff and infrastructure to support plant collections, research, gardens, courses and programs. These activities have a cost.
The Toronto Botanical Garden is distinctive in that our building and gardens are city-owned assets managed by us under licence. More than 96 per cent of our operating budget is self-generated through special events, fundraising, rental income and program fees. We spend considerable time and energy raising funds, looking for new sources of revenue and closely monitoring expenditures. Other gardens receive substantial funding from government grants and, south of the border, philanthropic support provides operating funding through annual and endowment programs.
A further challenge for us is thatwe do not charge admissionto the gardens. We are situatedin Edwards Gardens, a city park, and the current municipal policy emphasizes accessibility. Free access is wonderful, but it does not help our bottom line.
We have a number of strategies in place to address our financial situation. We will continue to seek support from individuals, foundations and corporations through memberships, our Friends program, annual giving and a new endowment fund to be launched later this year. Private sector support is the single most important component of our finances, not just for the funds donated but as a vote of confidence to show other potential donors that the community believes in the value ofthe TBG. You, our members, are critical in demonstrating the extent of our community support.
We are talking with all levels of government to explore the availability of appropriate grant programs. We believe that our mission and programs are a good fit with all three governments stated priorities, particularly in relation to the environment. We also know we can deliver programs efficiently and effectively to support these priorities.
Finally, we are looking at new projects with revenue-generating potential. Ideas are in the early stages and | will update you as concepts are developed.
[ want to thank each ofyou for being a member of the Toronto Botanical Garden and to encourage you to invite others to join. We welcome your comments and ideas on how to improve our operations and to build financial stability. @
FAREWEL
SHIRLEY LYONS, our administrator, retired this summer after 20 years of service to the Civic Garden Centre and the Toronto Botanical Garden. During her career, Shirley worked in many areas, including membership, office administration, course registrations and bookkeeping. Her attention to detail and her incredible memory for the names of members and volunteers made her invaluable. Shirley could be intimidating to the neophyte and definitely kept us on our toes. We will miss her indepth knowledge of the organization and her heart of gold. I 'm delighted to report that Shirley is now a regular garden volunteer onThursdays, so stop by and say hello.
EVENT SPONSOR il Bennett Jones. -
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CONTEST & CHALLENGE SPONSORS
Hole-in-One RBC Royal Bank
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Buy the Pro Heathbridge Capital Management Ltd. Men s LongestDrive Parkview BMW Women' s Longest Drive Bank of Montreal Women s Closest to the Pin Bousfields Inc.
HOLE SPONSORS
ASB Greenworld Ltd., Avenue Nissan, Ball Horticulture Company, Centrade, Ernst &Young LLP, ExcoTechnologies Limited, George Sant & Sons Limited, Golf Town, ITML Horticultural Products Inc., Konkle Farm & Greenhouses Ltd., LeBoeuf Properties Inc., Mehler Fashion Imports Inc., Montgomery Sisam Architects Inc., Nature-Mix, Out Front Portable Solutions, PMA Landscape Architects, Ronald Holbrook & Associates Landscape Architects, Rosenwig McRae Thorpe LLP, Royal LePage Signature Realty, Scotia McLeod, Shane Baghai, Stokes Seeds, Witzke s Greenhouses Ltd.
EAGLE PATRONS
Marg & John Bahen, Joanne Binnington, Michael & Sue Burns, Chair-man Mills Inc., Pat & Peter Dalton, Roy Foss, Pat & Barbara Keenan, RBC Royal Bank
BIRDIE PATRONS
ABN AMRO, Brad & Kathy Badeau, Margo & Klaus Bindhardt, George Booth, Chris & Basma Brown, George & Kathy Dembroski, David & Margriet Dunlap, Tracey McCowen, Elizabeth Pickford, George & Janet Wilson
DONATIONS
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10tation Event Catering, Abbott, Acti-Sol, a la Carte Kitchen Inc., Annabelles Interior Design, Algoma Central Corporation, Bannerman s Store, Beacon Hall, Bell Canada, Biaggio Ristorante, Michael & Sue Burns, Canada Blooms,The Canadian Stage Company, Canadian TireSheppard & Leslie, Candym Enterprises Ltd., Catered Affare, Cobble Beach Golf Links, Hugh Coulson, Cathie Cox, Creative McGuyver, George & Kathy Dembroski, Blaguna Evrovski, Firefly Books, Five O Seven Antiques, Gardenimport.com, David & Janet Greyson, George Sant & Sons Limited,The Georgian Peaks Club, Golf Town, Marjorie Harris, Hauser Company Stores, Ashley Hayes, Hofland, Home Depot, Horticultural Design, Indoors & Out, lzakaya, J Plumley Pots, Joyce Johnson, Brad Keeling, Kellogg Canada Inc., Lakeshore Inc., Lakewinds Country Manor, Lee Valley Tools Ltd., Lone Pine Publishing,
Manda, Mary-Dawn Roberts Fine Art, Michael Kluthe Salon & Beauty Spa, Mother ParkersTea & Coffee Inc., Neal Brothers Foods Inc., Niagara Parks, Oak Ridges Food Market, Out Front Portable Solutions, Paisley Shop, Sandra Pella, Catherine Day Phillips, Presidential Gourmet, Random House, Ridpath s Fine Furniture, Scarboro Golf & Country Club, SCOREGolf Magazine, Sheridan Nurseries, shopTBG, Southbrook Winery, Sporting Life, Steam Whistle Brewing, Stony Lake Furniture Company, TarragonTheatre,Thomas Allen & Son Limited, Torre & Tagus, Unilever Canada,Vanhof and Blokker,Vincor (a Constellation Company), Patryk Wasiak, Wildfire Golf Club
GOLF COMMITTEE
Sue Burns (chair), Peter Cantley, Stephanie Chiang, Sarah Durnan, Janet Greyson, Donald Karn, Phil MacDonnell, Naureen Qaiyyum, Penny Richards, Garian Sellors, Meagan Wilson
Oursincere thanks andapologies to any supporter, contributor or donor whose name does notappeardue to an earlyprint deadline.
Amazingly Adaptive Owls
NIGHTTIME IS AN EXCITING time to be outdoors. When we go to bed some animals are just waking up. Animals that sleep during the day and are awake at night are called nocturnal. Nocturnal animals have adapted to survive in the dark. This means that, over time, they have developed certain abilities that help them live in their nighttime environment.
Owls are amazing examples of how nocturnal animals adapt to the dark. Their vision, hearing and even their wings have developed in such a way as to help make them excellent hunters at night. Here s how.
sVisione
Owls have enormous eyes. If you had eyes as big as an owl each eyeball would be the size of your fist. These large eyes allow owls to see very well in low light. You might need a flashlight to see in a dark forest, but owls can see even when it is very dark. An owl s eyes are also different from ours because they cannot move from side to side; they can only stare straight ahead. To see to the side, owls must move their entire head. Fortunately, owls can turn their heads to the side, behind them and even continue 270 degrees all the way to the other side!
eHearing®
Owls have excellent hearing. Their ears are openings located behind their eyes. Some kinds of owls have the ear on one side of their head placed slightly higher than the one on the other side. This way, if they hear a rustling in the leaves, they can easily tell if the sound is coming from higher up or lower down.
*Wingse
Owls wings are designed to help them hunt. If you look closely at a feather on an ow! s wingyou will see that the edge almost looks like a comb.
This muffles the sound they would normally make while flying and allows them to fly silently. This is important because their sense of hearing is such an essential part of their hunting strategy. If the sound of their wings was too loud they would not be able to hear their prey.
elf | Were an Owle
What would you look like if you were an owl? How big would your eyes be? Where would your ears be located? Draw a picture of what you would look like as an owl and compare it to the picture of the owl below.
by Cathie Cox e Director, Horticulture
Spiral Mound: challenges and successes
OUR BIGGEST SUCCESS story in the gardens this year has been the amazing number of visitors we ve had at weekends, during the evenings and on long summer days. They included photographers, gardeners, tourists, bird and butterfly fanatics and families. Many visited in intrigued response to articles in the media on the Kitchen Gardenwhile others came for awalk and a breath of fresh air after a busy day.
Perhaps our biggest challenge has been the huge response of children to the Spiral Mound, a structural landform and focal point that was intended as a viewing platform, especially for the Knot Garden. The Mound was planted with a mixture of fescues to give it a lush textural interest when mature, and to contrast with the formally pruned hedges of the Knot Garden.
The Mound was opened in early summer, once the grasses looked vigorous. Children, intrigued by the height, steep slope and railing, treated the structure as an adventure playground, swarming up it and then gleefully sliding down. Distraught parents followed them up the steep slopes while the more laid-back ones watched with tolerant smiles. Within three weeks the grasses looked as though they had had a radical haircut. By the end of summer there were none left to see.
At first, the gardening staff was horrified and frustrated by the damage and we tried to persuade the children and their parents to walk on the paths, but we were totally ineffectual. Signage was ignored and even used for swordplay. Irrigating the mound during busy times encouraged the children even more by adding the dimension of water.
Slowlythe realizationdawnedthatthe children loved the Mound. With ever increasing urbanization there is a lack of wild spaces for children to safely explore nature and of designated areas where they can experience unstructured play. There are concerns about children s safety out-
side the home and their growing dependence on technology. Meanwhile an increasing amount of research has linked exploration of unstructured play and interaction with nature to positive mental and physical health.
Our reaction to all of this is to look into the possibility of designing and building a children s nature play area that would be contained and safe and which would have water, earth and plants as well as other elements to promote fantasy and exploration. Dens, tree houses and tunnels, for example, would be the focus rather than manicured flower beds.
Meanwhile our much-loved Spiral Mound is undergoing a facelift. Eight hundred rooted cuttings of rosemary willow will have been planted by the time this issue goes to press. Salix elaeagnos ssp. angustifolia is a tough hardy willow with long narrow foliage that typically grows to three metres (10 feet). To encourage bushiness and keep it controlled, it will be cut back hard each year.
The only downside is that the Mound will once more have to be closed off until next summer, but I look forward to having it covered again with veg: etation rather than flinching at its bald pate.®
Letter to the Editor
I read Trellis [September/October|, which came in today s mail, and loved the photo of the wisteria blossom on the cover. It reminded me of a poem I once wrote.
It vexes me, it angers me, it fills me with such gloom; Twelve years of photosynthesis And not a single bloom.
Twelve years of coiling python-like Around its wooden bower, While growing myriad shoots and leavesBut not one lousy flower.
My gardening friends all know my pain And try not to be mean, But THEIRS cascade in blossoms mauve And MINE cascades in green!
It pouts, it sulks, it bides its time So I study books to learn Why this vine in which 1 placed my trust Behaves more like ... a fern.
Too young, too old, too hot, too cold? Perhaps it needs a drink .. Or maybe, after twelve long years, It needs to see a shrink!
So when it blooms (some fine spring soon) I know I ll wax quite lyrical, But until that day, I'll curse and swear, wisterical! And act utterly ...
JanetDavis
It's the gift that keepsgrowmg
For thatbuddmgarexperienced gardenerwho haséverythmg,a gift membership to the Toronto Botanical Garden makesawdn yerful hohday present. Call416-39: completethisform.
I would like to purchaspa gift membership for
Name
Address
City
Postal Code
Tel. Prov.
E-mail
Family, $55 (] Single, $40]
This gift is from
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Payment:
[J My cheque is enclosed (payable to the Toronto Botanical Garden)
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38 sopThG
HOLIDAY GIFTS
Choosefrom a great selection oftop-quality seasonalplants and best books, just in timeforgiftgiving.
Poinsettia Sale
Choose from a wide assortment of holiday poinsettias, including the season s newest and best!
Gifts That Grow
All-natural herb growing kits, includingThai spicy herbs, For best selection, shop from TexMex and ltalia, $19.95. December 4 to 9.
Paperwhites and Amaryllis
Ziva paperwhites, $1.29 each
Amaryllis: including Picotee (white with a red margin and eight-inch blossoms), $19.99; San Remo (white with raspberry), $15.99; Mammoth (classic red), $23.99
Holiday Reads
Book buyer Heather Coulter selects popular titles that make greatgifts.
BringingNature Home by Douglas W.Tallamy; $36.95
A timely look at how gardeners can provide a welcoming environment for wildlife.
Down to Earth by Helen Dillon; $38.95
One of theTBG s most popular speakers encapsulates her lifetime s gardening know-how, love of plants and sense of design.
First Nature Activity Book published by Dorling Kindersley; $11.99
Full of interesting things for kids to do with simple, step-by-step instructions.
" HowtoMakea Garden by Marjorie Harris; $29.95
A great book for the beginning gardener by a renownedToronto gardener, author and columnist.
Miniature Orchids by Steven A. Frowine; $38.95
Among the 300 dwarf and compact orchids
profiled are dendrobians, phalaenopsis, minicatts HOLIDAY SALE! and dwarfangraecoids.
From Monday, December 10, through Saturday, December 22, TBG members receive 20 per cent off on regularly priced items.
What's Wrong with myPlant? by Steven Bradley; $12.95
Diagnostics for identifying and dealing with whatever is attacking your plants.
From City to Country
Carolyn Moorevisits a transplanted Toronto gardener who discovers she has room to grow.
Judy. Harris admires the handiwork ofthe artisan who built the dry stone
I
KNEW WHEN I RETIRED that gardening would be my number one hobby, says Judy Harris, a TBG member and former Torontonian. Hobby doesn tbegin to describe it. From a small city lot, 25 feet by 154 feet, Judy has moved to the country and now gardens on 10 acres.
Set amidst the rolling Northumberland Hills about an hour east of Toronto, the landscape was a blank canvas with nary a rock or a tree when she and her husband purchased it in 2001. She has since remedied that, planting more than 300 trees and hauling in tonnes of stone, which she had built into an arching bridge over a small creek and curving dry stone walls that melt into the surrounding natural landscape.
Her lot in the city, in the Yonge and Eglinton area, provided her first gardening experience. Judy describes it as a typical urban backyard: shaded by neighbouring trees and with hard clay soil that she spent years attempting to amend. In these conditions, she grew a few shrubs and lots of annuals, but not many perennials. Her move to the country changed all that.
The big thing for me was having all this room and having practically any condition you can imagine from hot, dry, sunny areas to damp ones, boggy places and evena little bit of shade. I could buy any plant I wanted and find a spot for it! At first she found it difficult to get out of the planting habit of having one of this and one of that . But soon she discovered that wasn t the way to go about gardening a large area. You've got to go for the overall look, she says.
An island perennial bed, which punctuates the end of the long lane leading to her house, is a case in point. This spring she removed three to four hundred perennials mostly self-seeders and spreaders, such asMonarda and hardy geraniums and donated them to the Cobourg Horticultural Society plant sale. She kept only her favourites. Then, she hired a landscaper who moved a few remaining things around, mass-planted less invasive perennials and shrubs and added new beds along the existing stone wall. Last year I could have spent all my time on the perennial bed. Now it s under control and mulched.
wall that skirts the garden beds.
Photos: Carolyn Moore
TIPS FOR LARGE-SPACE GARDENING
DO
® Use masses of identical plants, including shrubs, for maximum impact; the smaller the plant, the more you ll need.
* Use non-spreading perennials and plants with interesting foliage to keep maintenance low.
® Mulch to conserve water and keep weeds at bay.
e (Call in the design experts when you need them it can save time and money.
® Choose material for structural elements with strong visual impact.
DON'T
¢ Plant one of anything (unless it s a specimen tree or can be viewed up close).
* Obscure a lovely view remember, trees grow wide as well as tall.
*Worry about a weed or two.
A dry stone bridge connects the garden to another part of the country property.
Adjustingto the scale ofamuch larger space took a while. The first time I realized this was when I was getting ready to plant a section along the gazebo. It was taking me forever to weed and prepare it and suddenly [ realized the space was equal to the whole length ofmy property in Toronto.
She has also discovered that the smaller the garden, the more attention you have to pay to detail. In the city, because your garden is small, people notice ifyou have a weed. You don t need to be fussy in the country because it s so big. Still, the more attention you can give to it, the nicer a big garden looks.
Judy likes shrubs, and in a bed that curves around her gazebo, she has massed plantings of Flamingo variegated willow (Salix integra Flamingo ), Wine and Roses weigela (Weigela florida Alexandra ), lacecap hydrangeas, mugo pine (Pinus mugo), hostas and Flower Carpet roses.
She uses trees such as spruce and cedar as wind screens and has established a hardwood grove of birch, black locust and several kinds of maple something she s always wanted to have. There are several specimen trees on the property too, including a Vanderwolf pine (Pinus flexilis Vanderwolf s Pyramid ), a paperbark maple (Acergriseum), a tricolour beech (Fagussylvatica Purpurea Tricolor ), an unusual contorted white pine (Pinus strobus Contorta ), a dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) and a chestnut (Castanea spp.).
A pond and waterfall on the northeastern side of the house are surrounded by beds of annuals, perennials and shrubs, including cutleaf buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula Asplenifolia ) a stand-in for her beloved Japanese maples, which she cannot grow in her cooler Zone 5b garden.
A dry stone bridge now connects to a small portion of the property that had been cut off from the rest. It wasn t that [ really needed to get over there, she says in a conspiratorial whisper. I just wanted a bridge. And now that she can get there, she s putting in a wildflower meadow.
Judy claims her current plan is to maintain what she has. Well, except for the cabane. They have them in France she says, these stone buildings that stand in the middle of a field. I saw a picture of one surrounded by lavender, she explains, eyes twinkling as she points to a grassy field. I thought that spot over there would be perfect.
Carol Gardnerand Lorraine Hunterpresent thefirst in a series examining howglobal warming might affectgardeners.
WAYS GLOBAL WARMING MAY AFFECT THE WAY WE GARDEN
The Industrial Revolution has a lot to answer
for. Most scientists studying climate change peg that era (mid-eighteenth century) as the time when serious global warming began. The burning of fossil fuels coal, oil and natural gas increased the emission of greenhouse gases (mainly carbon dioxide) into the atmosphere. As well, industrialization gave birth to artificial greenhouse gases. When released into the atmosphere, these gases form a blanket over the surface of the earth, trapping heat that would normally escape into the atmosphere. Though the problem started earlier, it wasn t until 1896 that a Swedish scientist, Svante Arrhenius, concluded that fossil fuel combustion might eventually result in enhanced global warming,.
The concept of global warming was not immediately accepted by the international scientific community. Now, however, only a few scientific deniers claim that global warming is overestimated. Their argument hinges on the fact that the earth has always gone through dramatic temperature changes. While it s true that world temperatures have experienced sudden shifts in the past, those changes were due to natural events such as adjustments in the earth s rotation and orbit, the sun s energy output and global oceanic circulation, rather than to human interventions. Clearly, we can t control Mother Nature. The question is, can we control ourselves?
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ([PCC) was formed in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations EnvironmentProgramme (UNEP).
1. A longer growing season, from earlier than usual spring leaf-out and bloom times to later fall harvests.
2. Earlier emergence of butterflies and other insects.
3. Arrival of more southerly bird species at the backyard feeder.
4. Heavier downpours and more intense storms, resulting in flooding in vulnerable areas.
5. Severe drought conditions, leading to water restrictions.
6. Plants weakened by drought may become more susceptible to disease.
7. Pests and diseases traditionally controlled by freezing temperatures become more of a problem.
8. Life cycles of beneficial insects and the pests they help control become out of synch.
9. Weeds thrive, and along with the increasing number of invasive species, gain more of a foothold in our gardens, e.g., dandelions, kudzu, garlic mustard, purple loosestrife and Japanese honeysuckle
10. Decline and possible extirpation of some native species as their growing conditions change.
It represents more than 2,000 scientists from 100 countries and is considered the foremost authority on climate change. One of the main aspects of its research is the tracking of global climate change. Because average temperatures went unrecorded before the mid-nineteenth century, modern scientists must study
GLOBAL WARMING GLOSSARY
GREENHOUSE EFFECT: therise in temperature the earth experiences due to the trapping of gases, without which heat would escape mto, space, coolingtheearth.Withoutthisgreenhouse effect strengthens,the earth_ than usual, which may cause
energy from the sun by certain atmospheric effect,the earth would be too cold for human life. If thegreenhous would be war problems for humans, plants and animals. that affect the earth s heat exchange balance, thus i ane, mtrous OX|de and ozone.
ARTIFICIAL GREENHOUSE GASES: gases such as chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) and sulphur hexafluoride that did not exist before the time of the lndustnalRevolutmn
FOSSIL FUELS' hydrocarbons, primarily coal and (; petroleum (oil or natural gas),formed from the %
things such as cave deposits, lake and ocean sediments, fossil remains, width and density measurements of tree rings and the composition of ice cores to try to establish historical global temperatures. According to the IPCC, summer temperatures in the northern hemisphere are now the warmest in at least six centuries, and carbon dioxide levels today are nearly 30 per cent higher than before the start of the Industrial Revolution.
The Kyoto Protocol of 1997 set goals for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; it entered into force on February 16, 2005. As of June 2007, 172 entities have signed and ratified the protocol including all the major industrialized nations except the United States (which is responsible for 25 per cent ofall global emissions) and Australia. Because industrialized nations have produced 84 per cent ofworldwide fossil fuel emissions, their target dates for emissions reduction were set earlier than those of developing nations. Unfortunately, ratification does not mean that the country has agreed to reduce its emissions. Most of the ratifying nations, including Canada, are not meeting their targets. Canada s target was to reduce
fossilized remains of deadp!ants andanimals through exposure to heat and pressure in the earth s crust overhundreds of millions of years. Today,the term also includes hydrocarboncontammg natural resources that are not
emissions by six per cent below 1990 levels for 2008 to 2012. It is clear no matter what system of measurement is used that this will not happen; indeed the most recent data indicate that emissions have grown to some 20 per cent above 1990 levels.
We Canadians guzzle energy, using more than the 760 million inhabitants of Africa. Although we make up less than one half of one per cent of the world s population, we re the eighth largest producer of carbon dioxide. And if you don t already feel bad enough, we burn the equivalent of 7,700 litres of oil per person each year roughly 50 times the consumption rate of Bangladesh. But by simply reducing heat and electricity use, buying energy-efficient appliances, composting and recycling, using public transportation or buying smaller cars and replacing light bulbs with fluorescent spiral bulbs, we can all work towards addressing the problem.
In the next article in this series, we ll examine the effects of climate change on plant species.® N
Garden writers Carol Gardner and Lorraine Hunter are members ofthe Trellis Committee.
SPOTLIGHT ON Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
David Leeman escapes winter in a garden by the sea.
Heaths and heathers grow well in the acidic soil of the MCBG.
I 'VE BECOME SOFT.
The thought of another winter in Toronto led me to flee to California s Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens (MCBG) to take part in its internship program after my duties at the Toronto Botanical Garden were completed last year. I left on a flight from Vancouver just as the third major storm in a week approached, the one that wreaked such destruction in Vancouver s Stanley Park. When I landed at the airport in San Francisco, sun and mild temperatures greeted me.
A three-and-a-half-hour drive north saw me manoeuvring around an endless series of hairpin turns leading up and over the coastal range on the way to the ocean. The north coast of California is not as developed as the ocean communities to the south, and the effort necessary to reach it has preserved its natural landscape at least for the time being.
On arrival at the MCBG, I settled into the intern accommodations: a large 1800s pioneer farmhouse overlooking the vegetable and teaching garden. Beyond is a large stand of mature
eucalyptus trees that perfume the air and protect the gardens from southerly storms. The ocean is a short walk away, and the sound of the surf is ever present throughout the garden s 47 acres.
The Pacific Ocean is the jewel of the MCBG, one of the only botanical gardens with an ocean frontage. This is no palm-lined beachfront, but a rough and rugged area that is being brought back to the original coastal bluff prairie, with plantings that include California poppy (Eschscholzia californica), succulent chalk lettuce (Dudleya pulverulenta) and sea thrift (Armeria maritima).
The entrance to the MCBG opens onto a perennial garden, which is planted with a variety of the flora found in Mediterranean-type climates around the world. Banksias and grevilleas bloom continuously, providing energy for the Californian hummingbirds who spend more time defending their territory, which includes the prized Grevillea victoriae, than sipping its nectar!
Heaths and heathers grow well in the welldrained acidic soil here; in some areas the pH is so high that lime is added to bring levels past
Photos: David Leeman
_ battery acid readings! Succulents and cacti also thrive, corralled by splitrail fences to keep visitors safely away. The garden has an impressive collection of rhododendron species and hybrids. During my stay, there was always a rhododendron or camellia in flower. Adjacent to the Woodland Walk, with its collection of maples, magnolias and a Michelia doltsopa, is the North Forest Trail, which winds through a once mature stand of cypress, redwood and pine that was completely felled by a storm in 1995. It is now an open area planted with species conifers and seedlings of the original forest.
The coastal tree community is a fragile one, and it suffered another direct hit this past New Year s with 100-kilometre per hour winds that uprooted and snapped more than 20 mature trees, mostly from a natural area of native plants to the south of the deer fence that protects the cultivated collections of the botanical gardens. This natural area has several varieties of evergreen oak, including tanbark oak Lithocarpus densiflorus, coast live oak Quercus agrifolia, Pacific madrone Arbutus menziesii, Californian bay Umbellularia californica and a mix of rhododendrons and native azaleas.
A lush fern canyon stream winds its way down to the sea where the Mendocino shore pine Pinus contorta var. contorta and bishop pine
P. muricata form the first line of defence protecting the inland flora from the salt-laden winds. These trees have been weakened by storms and an unknown dieback thought to be caused by a series of events, including pine borer and an accompanying fungus. Reforestation is ongoing to preserve the barrier to the sea.
But it was on Christmas Day that I had my most treasured garden experience, ever. This is the only day the botanical gardens are closed, so I decided to do a Christmas flower count as they do in Britain. It was incredible to have all 47 acres of the garden to myself and the opportunity to become acquainted with its familiar and not-so-familiar flora. The task took four hours to complete and my list of plants in flower totalled over 200 different kinds.
Winter at the MCBG is like an eternal spring, where daffodils and plum trees start blooming in December. But winter is also the time for planting, so roots will be well established before the dry summers set in. This is a task that seems foreign to us northern gardeners who sit indoors and long for spring. But be careful what you wish for, gardening year-round is like being a marathon runner: slow, steady and constant.®
David Leeman is a gardener at the Toronto Botanical Garden.
Friends of the Toronto Botanical Garden
Thank you to the following Friends for providing generous support towards our programs and services. Our Friends arefundamental to theTBG s ability to educate and provide the community with the most valuable BENEFACTORS Trades Association
($1,000 - $2,499) Sonia & Alan Leslie
Dixie Allen
Richard M. & Beryl Ivey
Nancy McFadyen
Bob & Joan Wright
SUSTAINING MEMBERS FRIENDS
($500 - $999)
($140 - $499)
Tony DiGiovanni & Landscape Anonymous
Ontario Horticultural
Phyllis Bassett
and up-to-date information on gardening and horticulture. The following individuals made donations to the Friends Program from July 1, 2007 to September 26, 2007.
Kathleen Belshaw
Deborah Cloakey
Valerie M. Grant
Jean Johnson
C.M. Kruitwagen
Bernice Levitt
Julie Medland
Greer Anne Ng
Toshi Oikawa
Mary Jean Potter
Irving L. Rosen Foundation &Vivian Rosen
Lois Rowland
Helen Silverstein
Loretta & Stanley Skinner
Nancy Sutherland
Jack Whiteside
MAKING AN ENTRANCE
Horticulture Design s Michael Renaud offers tips on creating seasonal curb appeal
H ow does your home appear from the street?
Is it admired or overlooked? By greening your front entrance with a personal touch, you ll welcome visitors with elegance and make your home a standout in the neighbourhood.
For starters, step out to the street and take a good look at your home. Then consider these elements before deciding how to dress it up for the season.
1. Whether Georgian, Tudor, Arts and Crafts or mid-century Modern, don t fight it. Enhance the architecture of your house with décor that reflects its style.
2. When selecting colour, co-ordinate the palette with the hues found on the house itself its trim, doors, walkway or roof.
3. Even in winter, the rays of the sun can play havoc with fresh material, drying out tender greens before the season is over. To keep them looking their best, select hardier plant materials such as yew, Austrian pine, boxwood or euonymus and keep them well hydrated to prolong their life and colour. Or, consider artificial greenery, which has the advantage over real evergreens in that it never fades and is reusable. Also, because it requires only floral foam to anchor it, rather than the soil more commonly used for fresh greens, artificial greenery can be placed in more fragile containers, such as terra cotta and ceramic pots, without causing them to crack.
4. Keep it simple don t overcrowd the entrance. Floppy wide arrangements can be a nuisance if positioned too close to the door. Instead, move them down to the walkway or use a more
compact arrangement, such as a stylized, tight bundle of dogwood branches encircled with a green wreath at its base.
5. There are many options for lighting. Whether uplighting containers or entwining twinkle lights into garlands, shrubs or window boxes, remember to provide enough light for stairs and icy walkways. For convenience, put the lights on a timer and you ll be saving energy, too.
6. Pay attention to side entrances to your home, too, especially if they can be seen from the street. They deserve their own festive touches even if the decorations are less elaborate than those for the main entrance; because they are primarily used by family members, be sure the décor will withstand the higher traffic.
7. To hang wreaths or other décor on metal or fine wooden doors without damaging them, use a wreath holder that hooks over the top of the door or loop and tie a wide ribbon through the centre of the wreath and attach it to the top of the door with two or three flat thumbtacks so the ribbon lies flush.
8. Wind, snow and ice take a toll on displays that are not properly anchored. If using dyed materials, protect them from moisture or they will bleed colour onto doors and walkways. Weigh down containers to prevent them from being knocked over by wind or create heavy overscaled arrangements in them.®
36 3¢ 3% 3% 3K 3K 3K 3K 3K 3K 3 3 3¢ 3¢ 3¢ ¢
Michael Renaud, the owner of Horticultural Design on Bayview Avenue in Toronto, is aflorist and designer ofoutdoor living spaces.
O Christmas Tree
In an evergreening world, is a real tree or afaux one a better buy?
RICHARD MERHIGE of Regency International, a supplier of artificial trees, and Fred Somerville of Somerville Nurseries Inc., outline the benefits of each to help you make a decision that s right for you.
GOING ARTIFICIAL
Blossoming in the early 1960s, artificial Christmas trees have evolved from being made of plastic polyethylenes to the vinyl materials introduced in 1977 that are used in today s trees. The advent of vinyl brought many improvements to this iconic holiday decoration. Richard Merhige outlines some of the advantages.
oFLEXIBILITY: vinyl can be thickly spun or loosely woven to create more realistic needles, from narrow to about 20 centimetres (eight inches) wide, and from five to 30 centimetres (two to 12 inches) long.
oSPECIAL EFFECTS: flocking and glitter can be added, as well as scent.
*COLOUR: two tones can be applied to each leaf for a more realistic look; a wide range of colours makes variations almost endless.
*SHAPE: the form can be traditional, coneshaped or more layered even upside down, which is becoming a popular style.
*THEMES: various looks are possible to add Old World charm or contemporary themes.
oSIZE: artificial trees can reach over 15 metres (50 feet) if built on a sturdy metal frame.
*SAFETY: modern materials have improved the fire resistance of artificial trees.
¢LONGEVITY: they can last up to 10 years, making them cost-effective over the long term.
oSTORAGE: many trees come with canvas bags with rollers for easy storage.
In summary, artificial Christmas trees provide custom design at a most reasonable price over a longer period of time. RichardMerhige
GETTING REAL
As past president of Christmas Tree Farmers of Ontario and the Canadian Christmas Tree Growers Association, Fred Somerville outlines the following benefits of using a real tree.
*RECYCLE: A real tree is renewable, recyclable, and 100 per cent biodegradable, so doesn t spend its afterlife as landfill.
*HOMEGROWN: harvested in Canada, real trees form a $50-million domestic industry; transporting them to their point of sale uses less fossil fuel than shipping in artificial trees from the Far East.
*BREATH OF LIFE: when growing, real trees use carbon dioxide and give off oxygen; one acre of young Christmas trees produces enough oxygen to sustain 18 people.
*HABITAT: live trees create wildlife habitat, cool the soil and prevent wind and water erosion.
oSUSTAINABILITY: for every tree harvested, an estimated two seedlings are planted in its place.
ePOLLUTION CONTROL: live trees act as carbon dioxide sinks; when harvested, most of the carbon dioxide they collect remains buried in the ground in their roots.
eFARMED: Real trees are grown in plantations as crops, and no longer hewn from the forest.
Real trees are by far the better environmental choice for celebrating Christmas. FredSomerville
HOTTEST HOLIDAY HORS D OEUVRES
Temptyourguests with seasonal nibbles from the best kitchens in town.
e asked the TBG s top caterers to Wdivulge the secrets of their most popular holiday treats and they came through with mouth-watering temptations that will have guests at your holiday soirées demanding to know your caterer. But, shhh, it ll be our secret, exclusive to TBG members!
Holiday Samosas
Presidential Gourmet Fine Catering
Mark Jachecki C.C.C., executive chef
INGREDIENTS
Dough
1 b all-purpose flour
1/2 b butter (clarified)
4 to 5 oz hot water
1 pinch kosher salt (to taste)
Filling
1 oz sweet butter
15 oz cranberries (fresh or whole frozen)
15 oz Courtland apples (peeled and diced into 1/2-in cubes)
1 tsp of toasted cumin, ground
1 tbsp brown sugar
Zest of 1 lemon
Juice of 1 lemon
Salt and pepper to taste
METHOD
Dough: Place all-purpose flour in a mixing bowl; add the salt. In a small bowl, clarify butter in a microwave until milk solids separate. (Clarified butter is also known as ghee). While the ghee is still warm, incorporate it into the flour and slowly add the water, one ounce at a time. Work the dough until soft. Roll into a ball and cover with plastic wrap. (Note: dough can be made to this point ahead of time and frozen until needed.) Allow the dough to rest for about 20 minutes, then roll it out evenly to a thickness of about 1/8 inch. Cut out somosa pastry with a three-inch diameter, fluted, round cutter.
FILLING: Heat a saucepan over medium heat and add the butter, followed by the peeled and diced apples. Sprinkle with cumin, salt and pepper (to taste). Add the lemon zest and sugar and allow mixture to sweat. Add cranberries and lemon juice. Stir constantly until mixture is reduced and semi-dry. Set aside to cool. Once cooled, place about one ounce of filling on half of each circle of dough. Lightly brush the edges with a light flour and water mixture and fold over the dough to create a half-moon shape, tightly pressing the edges together to lock in the filling. Deep fry samosas until golden brown (375°F), or brush lightly with canola oil and bake in a 375°F oven. Makes 30 portions.
These make savoury sweet holiday offerings that can be served on their own or accompanied by a yoghurt dip. (To make a simple dip, add the zest of half a lemon, honey and a hint of cayenne pepper to plain yoghurt.)
Stilton Shortbread
Catered Affare Fine Foods
Robert Hudyma, chef
This recipe won best new food product in Canada at the Canadian Fine Food Show many years ago and it is still one of our perennial favourites. Try to find Stilton that is not too old and has a light rind. Our original biscuit had a candied pecan, which is delightful, but for this season, pears are the hot item and we have made a pear and ginger preserve which can be spooned over the shortbreads.
INGREDIENTS
1/4 Ib young Stilton cheese, rind removed 1/4 1b room temperature butter, still firm to the touch
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for kneading 2 tbsp cracked black pepper pear preserve (available at fall markets, or make your own)
METHOD
Cream butter, Stilton and peppercorns in the bowl of an electric mixer at low speed, using the paddle attachment. Gradually add butter until combined, but do not over mix. Turn onto floured surface and knead gently until dough is formed. For a flaky texture, roll out the dough and turn it on itself a few times to build up the layers of butter and flour. Chill dough for at least one hour. Remove the dough from the fridge and roll it out on a lightly floured surface until is about 3/8ths of an inch thick. Using a cookie cutter, cut out rounds, squares, Christmas shapes etc. and gently lift each biscuit onto a parchment-lined sheet pan. Preheat the oven to 325°E Chill a second time for about 20 minutes. Then, place biscuits in the oven for about 35 minutes or until the bottoms are lightly
browned and the tops are just barely baked. Remove from oven a let cool completely. Serve the shortbreads with a bowl of warm pear jam and a bottle of decanted port wine and put another log on the fire!
Spinach,
Cranberry and
Pecan Tarts
a la Carte Kitchen Inc.
Simon Kattar, executive chef
INGREDIENTS
phyllo pastry (about 5 to 6 sheets)
4 tbsp sliced cooked cranberries
8 oz fresh spinach
3 oz blue cheese
2 whole eggs
2 egg yolks
4 tbsp heavy cream
olive oil (enough to brush the phyllo)
4 tbsp chopped pecans
METHOD
Preheat oven to 350°F
Grease a six-muffin pan
Line each muffin mould with two to three layers of phyllo pastry, cut to size; brush with olive oil. Wash and coarsely cut the spinach. Crumble the cheese. Mix together the spinach, cheese, pecans and cranberries. Divide and place mixture into each muffin mould. Beat together eggs, egg yolks and cream. Season with pepper and salt. Pour over the mixture. Place muffin tin in the oven for about 25 minutes. Check regularly as the phyllo pastry cooks quickly and you do not want it to burn.
This is delicious on its own, as finger food or for a light lunch with a salad.®
BEING A BIT OF A
plant nerd myself, I am always intrigued to find out which plants are popular with others.
In the Westview Terrace, the large white Crocus Jeanne d Arc and C. Cream Beauty caused a lot of comment. But the most admired of the early bulbs were the grape hyacinths (Muscari) in the Terrace Garden. These had been planted en masse in the raised beds where people could appreciate their beauty up close. Muscari armeniacum Valerie Finnis , M. latifolium, M. azureum and other cultivars and species all flowered well. Of the popular alliums, or ornamental onions, the favourite was Allium christophii with its huge 20-centimetre (eight-inch) pale purple heads followed by long-lasting showy seed heads.
Many plants attract butterflies, bees and birds, and there seems to have been record numbers of them this year. We were asked repeatedly about both the butterfly bush, Buddieia Santana , with its stunning deep gold and green variegated leaves and red-purple flowers, and Russian sage,Perovskia atriplicifolia, with its silvery, lacy foliage, upright habit and long-blooming lavender flowers.
Of our large collection of sedums, or stonecrops, the most outstanding one was Sedum Xenox . Its dusky lavender-purple foliage matures to a deeper burgundy in late summer and ruby red buds open to large soft coral pink flowers. This sedum is easy to place in the garden with its compact upright growing habit.
A dunce cap (Orostachys spinosus) was the most remarked upon plant in the Terrace Garden.
Its soft thorn-like silver-green foliage gives this hens-and-chicks-like succulent an unearthly look. A collection of four different species of dunce cap was planted in late summer along with a small collection of hardy cacti or prickly pears.
The Caribbean vegetables in the Kitchen Garden were a strong draw this year too, and the pineapple was as attractive to the resident chipmunk as it was to visitors. The collection of elephant ears was also extremely successful with Colocasia esculenta lllustris getting rave reviews for its huge dusky black foliage heightened by glowing emerald green veins.
The most asked about tree was the variegated sweetgum, Liquidambar styraciflua Silver King'. Planted in the Garden Hall Courtyard, this tree stands out with its deep green maple-like foliage edged with cream and is a perfect choice for the more compact garden.
The Entry Garden continues to attract visitors with its evolving masses of colour and texture. Phlomis tuberosa Amazone has been a true star with its towering columnar stems clothed in a series of whorled lavender-pink tufted blooms.
Surprisingly, the most popular annual was the black-leaved Dahlia Mystic Dreamer which has dusky black lace-like foliage and a continual display of striking pink flowers. Others in the Mystic series have red, yellow or soft orange flowers. They require minimal care only fertilization and deadheading and they shine all season despite heat and drought.®
Cathie Cox is the TBG s Director ofHorticulture.
Flora 2007
Britt Silverthornediscovers an inspiringspectacle in OldMontreal.
IN MID-AUGUST, [ travelled to Montreal with my husband Tony and our ten-year-old granddaughter Vibeke. One of our preplanned objectives was to attend International Flora, an outdoor exhibition ofgardens as art. [ wasn t sure what to expect, but we were truly impressed.
Flora is set up along a stretch of waterfront in the Old Port area, in the shadow ofan old storage silo. It is organized in a way that allows casual meandering from garden to garden. Thematic is the best way to describe the designs in each of the fifty components making up this exciting display. Gardens with intriguing titles like Cocoon, Heights of Happiness, Fire and Water, The Monastery Garden and Emerald Enchantment have been created by participants in the field of landscaping. Each one is ofvery high quality, and they all deserve recognition for inspiring everyone who visits. Plan to visit in 2008.
GETTHE JUMP ON SPRING
Saturday, February 16, 2008
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Toronto Botanical Garden
Showcasing more than 30 horticultural societies, garden clubs, environmental organizations, nurseries and garden stores from all over Ontario
Free admission
Drop by, have a look around and don t be afraid to ask questions!
For more information about Flora, visit www. floramontreal.ca
BrittSilverthorne is a TBG volunteerand member ofthe Trellis Committee.
50 Years of Memories
In 2008, theToronto Botanical Garden (formerly The Civic Garden Centre) celebrates its 50th anniversary.To commemorate the occasion, each issue of Trellis will feature short reminiscences of people who were involved in our organization in its early days. If you or someone you _know has a funny, poignant or historical story or factoid about the TBG/CGC, we want to hear from you! Contact us by mail at 7rellis Editor, 777 Lawrence Ave. E., Toronto M3C 1P2 or by k e;mailat trelIis@torontobotamcalgardenca.
PLANTSTHATHAVEall-season interest are a real bonus, especially during the long winter months. Our native North American black locust, Robinia pseudoacacia, is a tough, large, quick-growing tree with clusters of fragrant blossoms. It also suckers and seeds rampantly and looks out of place in all but the largest estates.
But for smaller gardens, Twisty Baby (Robinia pseudoacacia Lace Lady ) is a cultivar that makes an excellent scaled-down specimen. Its branches twist, bend and kink and are covered with dense, mid-green to bluish-green, oval, pinnate leaves, making it an unusual focal point. The individual leaflets are smooth-sided with a minute point at the tip. They also twist, showing their undersides, which are lighter in colour. Twisty Baby keeps producing new, small leaves all summer; these are yellowish-green in colour, which lightens the look of the whole tree. The leaves and many of the small branches hang downward, looking like so many green dreadlocks. We sit admiring the leaves on our deck in the summer and the twisting branches in the winter and early spring. In fall, the leaves turn yellow. Twisty Baby rarely blooms, but when it does the flowers hang in clusters of sweetly scented white peas, the size of a wisteria inflorescence.
Most plants are grafted on the species stock (R. pseudoacacia), though some are tissuecultured, so be careful when selecting a young grafted tree. Think about where you want the graft to be; the trunk will be straight up to the graft point, so choose one with a high graft ifyou
want light to reach any plants that grow beneath it. Like all blacklocusts, Twisty Baby will grow in poor soils but be warned, the richer the soil, the faster it will grow. Without pruning, it may reach 10 metres (32 feet). Unfortunately, the tree needs extensive pruning to keep its shape balanced. I remove all dead twigs in early spring before the buds break. There are usually plenty of these as the upper leaves shade out the young stems below. (I read that you should not prune at this time, but my tree seems fine.) The branches may grow one metre (three feet) in any direction over the summer, so | remove some in midsummer too, to allow light into the centre and to maintain a pleasing form. (One advantage ofquick growth is that pruning mistakes are soon rectified and the tree recovers speedily.)
Full sun is best, though black locusts will take some shade. These trees are tough and hardy to Zone 5.
Another robinia to look for is R. p. Frisia , which has goldenyellow leaves in the spring that flush with green in hot weather. Each branch will grow 1.5 to two metres (five to six feet) per year (mostly vertically), rapidly forming a medium-sized tree. I cut mine back severely to keep it as ayellow bush that makes a good background for the perennial bed. This tree seeds, so if you intend to propagate it, keep only the seedlings with the yellowest foliage colour.@
SESE SR SE A SEE SR BT RSB M MR Anna Leggatt is a Master Gardener and tireless TBG volunteer.
NOV. 30.90-5
Toronto B//ot ayea Floral Desigf
February 21 & 22, 2008.
NORTH AMERICAN EXPERTSTALKo L ¢ Design * Plants and biodiversity *Technical issues
A not-to-be-missed eventfor:profei;:ssyibn P designers, horticulturists, building construction professionals, engineers,iu rban?l{ planners and keen homeowne rs
Includes trade show, cocktailreoeptmn, meal and snacks
Seats are limited! For details and to register, visit www.torontobotanicalgarden.ca
- Incredible value - Warmer climates - Less crowds EUROPE & BRIT
- Experience traditional BOOK& Christmas Markets
Q
1love gardenias but always seem to have the same problem when I try to erow them. When [ buy the plant, it is healthy and full of buds, but once I bring it home the buds drop off one by one. The plant itself remains healthy and growing in a bright location. I keep the soil moist and give it regular feedings. What am I doing wrong?
Gardenias are fussy about humidity and temperature.
A You are not doing anything wrong. Gardenias (Gardenia jasminoides) are very difficult plants to grow successfully in our homes.They like very bright but indirect light, warmth but not heat and a constant source of humidity. These are very hard, if not impossible, conditions to replicate in our homes. But if you can t resist the challenge, here are a few tips that might help a gardenia settle in.
e Choose the sunniest and coolest location in your home, ideally between 13 and 21°C (55 to 70°F). If it gets warmer, make sure the plant is shaded.
* To increase the humidity, mist often and set the pot in a water-filled tray lined with gravel. Smaller plants can be placed in an old aquarium with gravel and water on the bottom, which will increase humidity.
e These plants prefer warm, lime-free water. If you have hard water, boil it and add a few drops of vinegar.
* Never let the soil dry out. To encourage buds to form, temperatures should be between about 15 and 18°C (59 and 64°F) at night and about 22°C (72°F) during the day.
Q 1 have a three-year-old, three-metre (ninefoot) high oleander (Nerium oleander) which I keep indoors during the winter and bring outside in the summer. How do I prune this tree? It tends to lose leaves over the winter and also in the summer and the taller branches get spindly.
AOleanders grow rather quickly and when mature can reach 2.5 to 3.5 metres (eight to 12 feet) in height and width. Pruning is best done after flowering, usually in the fall. Oleanders bloom on new growth so you can cut it back hard to encourage new growth. Cut just above a leaf node, and you can cut the whole plant back to encourage a bushy form.
Vivien Jenkinson
llustrations:
Oleander can be cut back hard to keep it bushy.
Q 1 have built a fourlevel seed propagator stand and want to purchase the right kind of fluorescent lights. The choices are normal, cool white, warm white and full spectrum (or plant growth) lights. Which is the best choice for starting seeds indoors?
Controlling heat, light and moisture are key to successful seed propagation.
A Seeds require differing spectrums of light as they develop. Before germination, cool white fluorescent bulbs (they emit blue wavelengths) are all that s needed. Once the seedlings start to grow, they ll need the red wavelengths given off by warm white bulbs. So, you have several choices: 1) place cool white bulbs into your stand when you sow the seeds and replace them with warm white ones once the seeds germinate; 2) fit the plant fixture with one cool and one warm fluorescent tube to provide both spectrums which the plants will use as needed; or 3) use full-spectrum gro-lights which provide both warm and cool spectrum wavelengths.
Do you have a question about gardening? Contact the Toronto Master Gardeners Info Line at 416-397-1345 or log on to www. questions.torontomastergardeners.ca and Ask a Master Gardener!
by Rob Caldwell e Librarian
Your growing library
THE LIBRARY IS ALWAYS EXPANDING AND strengthening its collections. We re addingbooks on hot topics such as community gardening, urban garden design, native plants and sustainability (for example, green architecture and organic gardening and farming). Botanical reference books are the backbone ofthe library, andwe continue to increase this collection. As well, our children s materials and DVDs, currentlyrelatively small in number, will be augmented. Generous donations from the Toronto Herb Society and The Garden Club ofToronto will be used to strengthen the herb and floral arrangement collections.
One often overlooked, but valuable, resource is our vertical file of clippings and articles. These provide a wealth of information, often not found in our other materials, on subjects ranging from climate change to wildflowers. A current project has been the inclusion of these materials in our catalogue so they can be searched as easily as books and magazine articles.
You can help your library grow! We are always happy to accept donations of books and DVDs or funds to buy additional materials.
e BLOG ON!
THE LIBRARY HAS A NEW BLOG AT torontobotanicalgardenlibrary.blogspot.com.
A blog (short for web log) is a Web site where entries are written regularly to provide commentary or news on a particular subject. In our case, the subject is the horticultural and gardening worlds and, more specifically, how our library ties into them. I'll be writing the blog and on it you ll be reading about things such as horticultural news items, new books of note and other exciting resources and services the library has to offer. So log on and keep informed!
Book REVIEW
Gardens in Time
ByJacques Bosser, with photographs by Alain Le Toquin New York: Abrams 20006; 319 pages, $78.00
Gardens in Time captures two millennia of garden history and contains gorgeous photographs of nearly 130 gardens in 20 countries. Both historical and contemporary gardens are showcased, travelling through time from the Roman gardens at Hadrian s villa to the work of modern landscape gardeners such as Fernando Caruncho, the Wirtzes and Robert Irwin.
Theinformative textdescribes the evolutions, transformations,
developments and trends typified in these landscapes and explains their universal appeal both past and present. An index of notable gardens open to the public guides the way to inperson experiences. This book presents a horticultural experience not to be ph: 705474042276 + wildgingernpn@yahoo.ca www.wildgingernursery.ca missed by dedicated gardeners everywhere.
Reviewed byMadge Bruce
Kristin Campbellprovides a handy checklist for planning your next green event.
s one of Toronto s LEED silver-certified Aand environmentally friendly venues, the TBG receives many questions about hosting green events. Here are some tips on how to have a great meeting or special event without sacrificing your green ideals.
OStart by selecting a venue that demonstrates a commitment to the environment through green building design or environmentally friendly practices. Here are some questions to ask:
® Are environmentally friendly cleaning products used and have energy-saving measures such as a green roof and natural lighting been incorporated into the facility?
® [s it accessible by public transit and are there dedicated spaces for carpooling drivers and bike racks?
® Are organic gardening practices and responsible water use adhered to?
eEven invitations can be environmentally healthy: here s how to do it.
® When using traditional print invitations, use paper made from 100-per-cent post-consumer fibre. Look for a Green Seal certified paper which is manufactured using green energy sources.
® If you're ready to go all the way, send your invitations by e-mail. Several Web sites provide easy-to-use packages that help you create and personalize an event Web site, which can also be used to post directions, schedules and guest information, saving you time and money.
OAlthough it s difficult to avoid cars entirely, especially if guests are arriving from out of town, there are some ways to reduce the environmental impact of travelling to your event.
® Make sure your guests are aware of the alternatives to driving, including public transit and carpooling, or provide a bus to pick guests
up at a convenient central location.
e Ifyou're renting a car for the day make it a hybrid and encourage guests who are renting to select a hybrid car, such as a Toyota Prius or Ford Escape.
eTable favours and giveaways are easy to green.
® Serve colourful, organic candies in a compostable or recyclable container; they re visually (and gastronomically) appealing.
® Consider table favours that are useful, consumable and eco-friendly, such as local organic honey, wine, flower seeds or tree seedlings.
® Thank your guests with a donation in their name to an organization that promotes environmental responsibility, such as the Toronto Botanical Garden!
® At the table, sourcing locally and eating organic foodstuffs are important. Here s how to do it.
® Find a caterer that uses local organic meats and produce; compost food waste.
® Serve local organic wines and locally brewed organic beers; consult LCBO staff for help they re well informed.
® Rent china and silverware instead of using disposable dishes and cutlery.
GYou ve worked hard to make your event green, so tell your guests all about it. Not only will it make you look good, it will make your guests feel good too!
® Ask your facility host to highlight your green efforts.
® Tell guests about your green theme in your program or itinerary.
® Display your environmental mandate in a central location for guests to read.
Kristin Campbell is the TBG s Facility Sales Supervisor.
EBnts AR
==l What's on at the Toronto Botanical Garden|
NOVEMBER
TorontoJudging Centre of the American Orchid Society
Judging, Studio 1, 1 p.m.
Open to the public; Information: www.soos.ca
4
Southern Ontario Orchid Society
Speaker: Howard Ginsberg
Topic: Minicatts
Floral Hall, 12:30 p.m.
Information: www.soos.ca
11
Ontario Rock Garden Society
Speaker: Ellen Hornig
Topic: African hardy plants
Floral Hall, 1:30 p.m.
Information: www.onrockgarden.ca
Geranium, Pelargonium & Fuchsia Society Meeting, Garden Hall, noon
Information: 416-462-3729
12
Toronto Bonsai Society Meeting, Garden Hall, 7 p.m.
Information: www.torontobonsai.org
13
North Toronto Horticultural Society Meeting, Garden Hall, 7 p.m.
Information: 416-488-3368
SOOS Newcomers Meeting, Boardroom, 7 p.m.
Information: www.soo0s.ca
18
Ontario Watergarden Society Meeting, Studio 1, noon
Information: www.onwatergarden.com
Toronto Region Rhododendron & Horticultural Society -
Speaker: Wayne Mezitt
Topic: Extending the season with rhododendrons Studio 2, noon; Information: www.onrhodos.com
Toronto Judging Centre of the American Orchid Society
Judging, Studio 1, 1 p.m.
Members $10/Public $13
Preregistration required: 416-397-1341
IN & AROUND TORONTO Open to the public; Information: www.soos.ca
NOVEMBER
2 22
Southern Ontario Orchid Society
Virginia, Vita & Sissinghurst
Floral Hall, 12:30 p.m. with Joanie Flynt & Karen Molson
Information: www.soos.ca John Bassett Theatre Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Toronto Region Rhododendron & 7:30 p.m., admission $35
Horticultural Society
Presented by Landscape Ontario for the Meeting, Studio 2, noon benefit of the TBG
Information: www.onrhodos.com
7
Information & tickets: shopTBG; 1-800-265-5656x341
Canadian Chrysanthemum & DECEMBER
Dahlia Society
Holiday party, Garden Hall, 7 p.m.
Information: www.mumsanddahlias.com
3-January 1
Allan Gardens Conservatory
Christmas Flower Show 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
9 Candlelight evenings (5 to 7 p.m.):
Ontario Rock Garden Society
Dec. 10-23, 26-30
Speaker: Philip MacDougall Information: 416-392-7288
Topic: Alpine flora of Tasmania
Floral Hall, 1:30 p.m.
Information: www.onrockgarden.ca
8, 15, 21, 22
Christmas by Lamplight
Black Creek Pioneer Village 10 Information: 416-667-6295
Toronto Bonsai Society
Meeting, Garden Hall, 8 p.m. SCHEDULES CAN CHANGE AFTER PRESS TIME Information: www.torontobonsai.org | BE SURE TO CHECK AHEAD.
11
SOO0S Newcomers What is Botanical Art?
Meeting, Boardroom, 7 p.m.
Information: WWWw.S00S.ca A Showcase for Contemporary Work
16 October 30 - November 23, 2007
Sogetsu Ikebana Reception: Thursday, November 1, 6-8 pm
Meeting, Studio 1, 10 a.m. Tohh B, Aird Callevy
Ir?formatlon: Macdonald Block, 900 Bay Street, highpark35@rogers.com Toronto ON M7A 1C2
Winter Solstice Celebration www.airdgallery.com
A TBG family event 1 to 3 p.m.
Postage paid Port payé PublicationsMail Poste-publications #40013928
CLASSIFIED ADS
Preview Itinerary for September 06 18 2008
Star Choice UK Garden Tour personally escorted by Marjorie Mason. Beatrix Potter Hilltop Farm, Harrogate Flower Show (RHS), Bodnant Gardens, Alnwick Gardens, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Logan botanical gardens. Tour the fabulous Scottish Borders, Yorkshire Dales, Lake District and North Wales, stay in Robbie Burns country, Sir Walter Scott s Abbotford, historic York and Chester. Itinerary details at
www.gardenersworldtours.com or contact Lorna at 905-432-8411 or lorna@cwtajax.com
NEW venture to New Zealand, October, 2008. Exciting 14-day Gardens of North and South Islands for master gardeners and enthusiasts, personally escorted by Marjorie Mason. Contact Lorna for detailed itinerary now. 905-432-8411. E-mail: lorna@cwtajax.com
