The Toronto Botanical Garden is a volunteer-based, charitable organization whose purpose is to inspire passion, respect and understanding of gardening,
countless Canadian gardeners. Almost 50 years later, the Toronto Botanical Garden has expanded its vision and set a goal to become a self-sustaining urban oasis while making Toronto the mosthorticulturally enlightened city in the world.
What We 0ffer
Located atk,Edwayrds Gardens, the
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 many unique gifts, books and gardening supplies for sale. The TeachingGarden has been created as a working garden to foster interest and educate people in horticulture, the natural landscape and a healthy environment. Since its inception in - 1958, the Toronto Botanical Garden, formerly The Civic Garden Centre, has encouraged, stimulated and educated collection of clippings,pamphlets,
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
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¢ Patrons
HONORARY PATRON: Adrienne Clarkson
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, Peter Gray-Donald, Marjorie Harris,Janet Karn, MarthaMclean, Catherine Peer, Rosemary Phelan, 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
Director, Horticulture
Gardeners
TaxonomicAssistant
Database Co-ordinator
Manager, shopTBG
Development Officer
Children s Program Supervisor
Children s Program Co-ordinator
Facility Sales Supervisor
Margo Welch
Jenny Rhodenizer Graham Curry, Shayna Segal
Stephanie Chiang
Meagan Wilson
Cathie Cox
David Leeman, Sandra Pella
Toni Vella
Naureen Qaiyyum
Brad Keeling
Sarah Durnan
Liz Hood
Natalie Harder
Kristin Campbell
Facility Sales Co-ordinator/Volunteers
Maintenance Supervisor
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
Volume 35 3 Number 1
EDITOR
Lorraine Flanigan
DESIGN
June Anderson
TRELLIS COMMITTEE
Lorraine Hunter (chair), Lorraine Flanigan (editor), Rob Caldwell
Carol Gardner, Marion Magee, Jenny Rhodenizer
Britt Silverthorne
VOLUNTEER
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
M. Magee
VOLUNTEER PROOFREADERS
M. Bruce, J. Campbell, L. Hickey, J. McCluskey, L. & S. Skinner, K. Sundquist
ADVERTISING 416-397-1371
Printed by Harmony Printing on recycled paper
Trellis is published five timesa year as a members newsletter by the Toronto 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. No remuneration is possible. Articles, manuscripts and advertising material must be received by the first of the month to ensure publication eight weeks later. For example, material for the March/April 2008, issue must be received by December 21, 2007.
Opinions expressed in Trellis do not necessarily reflect those of the TBG. Submissions may be edited for style and clarity.
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without written permission.
Charitable business number: 119227486RR0001
Canada Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement #40013928 ISSN 0380-1470
Discover ways to minimize effects of climate change on nature
Learn about this popular horticultural season opener
Green roofs are being accepted in North America
Ontario Orchid Society
The Orchid Show is coming!
Botanical Gardens Snowhbirds should flock to this garden
from the TBG [
by Geoffrey Dyer ® PRESIDENT
Time for Reflection
ith the holiday season almost upon us, it s an apt time for reflection. 2007 has been another significant year for the TBG, our first fully operational one since revitalization brought us our beautifully enhanced and expanded building and wonderful new gardens. Many of you have been particularly struck by the beauty and excitement of the gardens, which are only a year and a half old. It seems there is a real buzz about the TBG. We ve had manyvisitors and a number ofprograms and events have been humming. None of these achievements would have been possible without the efforts of our dedicated staff and volunteers. As always, an enormous vote of thanks is due to them.
This past year also brought fresh initiatives, including a recent board decision to move ahead with the next phase of major capital fundraising. After much effort and deliberation, a working group and the board s Development Committee recommended the establishment of the Toronto Botanical Garden Foundation as a separate fundraising arm of the TBG. The foundation will be specifically focused on securing endowment capital and major gifts. Your board has approved this concept because it strongly believes that endowment capital is fundamental to the long-term sustainability of the TBG; we recoghize our need to be less reliant on annual operating initiatives to balance the budget. Furthermore, major gifts (such as those warranting specific donor recognition) are essential to the future development of the gardens. Your board concluded that a separate foundation would be appealing to prospective donors and will provide a more secure structure for longterm financing. The foundation and the TBG will appoint two members of each board and establish joint committees to co-ordinate their efforts. This is a model frequently adopted by operating charities, hospitals and schools.
The year 2008 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the TBG and its forerunner, the Civic Garden Centre. There is much to celebrate after 50 years of dedicated community service and in the great promise for the future.
Please remember the vital contribution of the TBG volunteer community. TBG operates through many committees and working groups and is reliant upon the energy and talent of committee volunteers. Please do not hesitate to become involved, or to become more involved. Feel free to contact Executive Director Margo Welch for more information about how you can contribute your time and skills to the TBG. Please also consider yourselves, as members, ambassadors for the TBG. Building our community profile is essential to our success; promoting the TBG, even in small ways, always helps.
Once again, thank you all for your support and interest and, on behalf of the staff and your board, I wish you the very best compliments of this holiday season.®
m TRELLIS |
TRELLIS, THE NEWSLETTER of the Toronto Botanical Garden (formerly the Civic Garden Centre), was first published in 1974 under the editorial direction of Art Drysdale (the CGC s associate director at the time). 7rellis grew from this modest mimeographed bulletin through many shapes and sizes to its present form. Along the way it was guided by a series of editors including Sid Morris (December 75 to March 78), Fredrik Kirby (May '78 to September 82), Gordon D. Wick (February 85 to May '86), Grace Tyghan (June 86 to Dec/Jan 87), Aldona Satterthwaite (February '87 to July/August '87), Peter Thomas (temporary editor, September 87 to December/January '88), Pamela Stagg (February '88 toJuly 88), Iris Phillips (October 88 to January/February 99), Liz Primeau (March/ April '99 to January/February '02) and Lorraine Flanigan (March/April '02 to the present).
~ o TRELLIS, - CIRCA 1987 by Aldona Satterthwaite, editor-in-chief, Canadian - Gardening magazine. - This homespun version _ of Trellis was produced - on a shoestring, laid = = out and pasted up line bylineby yours truly,workmg with a waxer (a machine, not an aesthetician). Some free clip-art and maybe a couple of smudged black-and-white photographs were its sole embellishments. And it seems | was the only person around who knew how to use the strange and intimidating IBM typesetting machine, a big hulking thing which made a terrific racket. After I'd left, I got a call asking if I could come in to train somebody to work this monster, as IBM had told them the equipment was so obsolete that they no longer had anybody on staff who could help!
Get the Jump on Spring /
Saturday, February 16, 2008 * I0 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is Free
Come joinus forToronto Botanical Garden s annualhorticulturalopenhouse.
Toronto Botanical Garden 777 LawrenceAvenue East 416-397-1341
Showcasing over 30 horticultural societies, garden clubs, environmental organizations, nurseries, andgarden stores from all over Ontario. Mini-lectures are scheduledthroughoutthe day withwell-knowngardenexperts discussingSustainable Urban Gardening.TheToronto MasterGardenerswillbe available to answeryourplant andgardeningquestions throughout the day. For more informationvisitwww.torontobotanicalgarden.ca
Photoby:SarahDurnan
A Hot Spot in a Cold Wintry City
HAVE YOU EVER LOOKED out your window on a dreary February morning and missed the sights and smells of spring? Fear not young gardeners! There are places throughout the city where plants grow year-round, where flowers bloom in a rainbow of colours and the temperature makes you feel like it s summer again. What are these places? Greenhouses of course!
One such greenhouse is the Allan Gardens Children s Conservatory. The Allan Gardens glass houses, located between Carlton and Gerrard streets, east ofJarvis, have been a city attraction for over a century; in 2002 the University of Toronto donated its historic botany greenhouse to the Gardens and in 2004 it was reopened as the Children s Conservatory. This greenhouse
Where do these plants grow?
is a tropical oasis in the middle of winter. Open every day, it features plants from the tropical rain forest, Mediterranean climates and even the desert. There s an amazing assortment of plants: air plants that never touch the soil; carnivorous plants that eat bugs; citrus and fig treesfromtheMediterranean; crazycactiwithfur; a waterplantthatboaststhetiniestflowerintheworld (duckweed); and palm and pine trees more than 75 years old!
Guided by TBG Children s Program teachers, Allan Gardens Conservatory is a wonderful place to learn more about the plants of the world, to visit a piece of Toronto s history, or simply to sit, write or draw and enjoy that tropical feeling in the middle of winter. Can you match these common Allan Gardens
Visit the James Boyd Children s Centre during Get the Jump on Spring, Saturday, February 16, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Storytime is scheduled at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. in the Weston Family Library. Learn more about our programs, explore ourcentre and have some fun!There ll be activities and mini-lectures for parents too. Find out more at www.torontobotanicalgarden.ca. FREE!
by Cathie Cox ® DIRECTOR, HORTICULTURE
Preserving our Gardens
I ast year, a request from the University of and storing them. With experience, the TBG will assume more responsibility for mounting and labelling.
Guelph revealed one of the missing components of our botanical garden. The TBG was asked to provide live flowering samples of every species and cultivar of daffodil in our collection as part of a bar-coding project. Ideally, a voucher herbarium specimen accompanies any live plant used for research in order to verify the plant s identity; the voucher specimen should also be stored in a recognized herbarium. Having no herbarium, the TBG was unable to include these vital vouchers with the daffodils sent to the university.
A herbarium is a collection of dried and preserved plant specimens used for study, plant identification and research. It may include pressed and mounted plants, seeds, pollen, microscope slides, DNA extractions and flowers and fruit preserved in fluid, all of which are kept in perpetuity underprecisepreservationconditions.Herbariaare usually associated with universities, museums and, of course, botanical gardens.
This activity may sound rather dull and academic, but a visit to the historical herbarium collection in Kew Gardens will soon get your heart racing. Here, you can see samples of plants and plant products from some ofthe most famous explorers of the nineteenth century, including Charles Darwin, David Livingstone and Ernest Wilson. Using these samples, exciting discoveries are still being made and previously unknown species have been identified.
After a meeting with Deb Metsger, assistant curator at the Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Biology at the Royal Ontario Museum, the TBG has accepted a partnership offer to create such a herbarium. The TBG will be responsible for collecting, identifying, pressing and drying plant specimens while the ROM will freeze them (to Kkill possible pests) before mounting, labelling
The ROM has generously donated a drier, which will be housed adjacent to the library and overseen by our librarian, Rob Caldwell. Equipment purchases will include two plant presses, mounting and labelling papers, inks, folders and storage boxes, all of which must be of archival quality (that is, free of acids and other potentially harmful ingredients). Our plant database, managed by taxonomic assistant Toni Vella, will support this new initiative by providing accurate information on each specimen.
Starting in early spring, Deb Metsger will teach the TBG s fledgling herbarium volunteers how to collect, press and dry plant specimens. Please contact me if you are interested in volunteering for this new venture. You will be provided with free training, and your work will be supervised and supported by staff members. Volunteers do not need to be knowledgeable about plants, but patience would be a good quality to have! As a herbarium volunteer you could be playing a vital role in future research and study. Even Kew Gardens had to start somewhere! @
1BG SEED ON SALE
the Gardens (KOGS).Thanks go toToronto Master Gardeners Merle Burston and tion of vi:abig,'seed.
MARCH 12-16, 2008
WEATHERING CHANGE
In this second in our series on global warming, Lorraine Hunter and Carol Gardner discover ways gardeners can help minimize the negative effects of climate change on nature.
ing on Vancouver Island and banana trees in Toronto and we ve heard about a passion flower vine that has wintered over in Niagaraon-the-Lake.
In the past year we've seen palm trees grow- that can t adapt to the changing cues may be lost. Early spring flowers are more likely to be killed by frosts that occur after they have bloomed which results in the loss of that year s seed production, while at the other end of the spectrum, drought-stricken plants may become more susceptible to diseases. Plants stressed by climate changes can exhibit wilted foliage, undersized leaves, premature leaf drop, leaf yellowing and stunted growth.
Studies from Cornell University, the University ofAlberta and other institutions studying phenology (important events affecting the lives of plants and animals) tell us that spring is arriving up to a week earlier in our area than it did 40 years ago. Lilacs are blooming about five to six days earlier across the country; Mclntosh apple trees are flowering five days earlier in Summerland, B.C.; and quaking aspens (Populus tremuloides) in Edmonton are flowering almost a month earlier than they did a century ago.
Birds are coming back earlier than in the 1930s and 1940s Canada geese by about 29 days and the American robin by about 10 days. Cornell s Laboratory of Ornithology has found that the tree swallow has been laying its eggs nine days earlier on average as May temperatures have risen across Canada and the United States. These studies indicate that the warming trend is also extending the growing season by several days in the fall.
While it might be nice to think that before long we ll be able to grow such tropical beauties as hibiscus and bougainvillea year-round, some scientists warn that climate change, or more specifically global warming, might also have a darker side. The normal development of plants adapted to a specific combination of light and temperature cues might be disrupted and species
Some scientists tell us that global warming will also contribute to an increase in invasive non-native plants, which, in the absence of their usual competitors, predators and diseases, could take advantage of weakened ecosystems and force out native species. Problematic species such as garlic mustard, purple loosestrife and Japanese honeysuckle are already moving into new areas, and it s probably just a matter of time before global warming helps the aggressive kudzu, known as the vine that ate the south , comes to Canada, according to researchers at the University of Toronto.
Up to now, freezing conditions have prevented many invasive species, including various weeds, from spreading, but rising temperatures and shifts in precipitation patterns may enable some of them to move into new areas.
As various plants respond to climate change in different ways, the interconnections between pollinators, breeding birds, insects and other wildlife and the plants on which they feed could become disrupted. Butterfly caterpillars may hatch before the leaves of their favourite plants
PlantWatch Wants You!
PlantWatch an organization created by ) Environment Canada and the Canadian Nature Federation to track species changes related to o, forgardeners to assist them in monitoring plant ) flowering times.
In Ontario, 14 plants are being observed:
global warmingand climate change, is looking quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), bearberry Mrctostaphylos ava--ursi), blue-
Labrador tea (Ledum groenlandicum syn. Rlzododendron groenlandicum), larch (Larix and D. octopetala), purple saxifrage (Saxifraga
laricina), mountain avens (Dryas integrifolia have appeared. Hummingbirds and bees may arrive too early or too late to feed on the flowers they normally favour.
A recent Harvard University study indicates that human health could also be affected by changes in the distribution of allergenic plants such as ragweed and in the timing and duration of allergy seasons.
But don t despair; it s not all gloom and doom.
What can gardeners do?
THIS IS A COMPLICATED subject that scientists around the world are researching. Fortunately there are many simple ways for gardeners to help minimize the negative effects of global warming on nature. For example:
*Research non-native (a.k.a. exotic) plants and avoid planting those considered to be invasive. While not all exotics cause problems for native plants, many have become highly invasive in their new surroundings.
*Remove invasive plants such as goutweed from your garden.
*Reduce water consumption by mulching, installing rain barrels, adjusting your watering
opposzttfolza), red maple (Acer rubrum), Trillium grandiflorum, white water lily (Nymphaea odorata) and wild strawberry
If you re interested inparhcnpatingorjust 3 seeing the findings, visit www.naturewatch.ca. For further information, contact the Ontario regional co-ordinator: Carl Rothfels
Field Botanist & Herbarium Keeper
Royal Botanical Gardens
680 Plains Road West
Burlington, ON L7T 4H4 3 905-527-1158 x 250 ( crothfels@rbg.ca (
schedule, using drip irrigation and xeriscaping (gardening in ways that do not require supplemental watering).
*Create a rain garden (a sunken garden designed to absorb excess water) to capture storm water runoff so that this water, which may be polluted, will not flow into local streams and lakes or overstress waste water plant facilities.
*Plant lots of trees, which absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. According to Toronto Hydro, it takes 60 trees to replace the oxygen used by each of us in our lifetime. In addition, trees shade your home in the summer and protect it from cold and wind in the winter, so you ll be reducing your energy consumption.
*Use a wide range of plants with overlapping bloom times to ensure a continuous supply of food sources for wildlife. If some plants succumb to extreme events, others will be available.
*Provide undisturbed places where wildlife can nest, hibernate and overwinter safely in your backyard; supplement their natural sources of water and food with bird baths and feeders.®
FRIENDS OFTORONTO BOTANICAL GARDEN
Thank you to the following Friends for providing generous support towards our programs and services. Our Friends arefundamental to the TBG s ability to educate and provide the community with the most valuable and up-to-date information on gardening and horticulture. The following individuals made donations to the Friends Program from September 27, 2007, to October 31, 2007.
PRESIDENT S CIRCLE
($5,000 +)
Geoffrey & Susan Dyer
DIRECTOR S CIRCLE
($2,500 - $4,999) FRIENDS
LR s
($140 - $499)
Midge Cooper
Mary Louise Dickson
Shari Ezyk
Marjorie Harris
Mary McBride & June
($1,000 - $2,499) Sandy & David Moore
Mary Hatch
Mary Simpson
SUSTAINING MEMBERS ~ Kenneth Sundquist
($500 - $999)
Peter & Joy Gray-Donald
Helen Skinner
Irene & David Soong
Martha Wilder
NEW YEAR BLOWOUT SALE
THE SHOP WILL BE CLOSED FOR THE HOLIDAYS AND INVENTORY FROM MONDAY, DECEMBER 24 REOPENING FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2008
WINTER HOURS
to Friday, 10 a.m. to § p.m. Saturday, noon to § p.m. Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.
Floral
and the env1ronment.
Both new and eve
interesting grass-roots eventthat at garden enthusiasts and like-minded . who are all on the same page of prep: - and getting excited about spring .
reen roofs have been used for millennia, from the Hanging Gardens of Babylon to the sod and earth dwellings common in Scandinavia, but they are only lately becoming accepted in North America. Thus far, most design and construction methods have been based on standards from Germany, the worldwide leader in green-roof construction. Besides the Toronto Botanical Garden, other green-roof buildings in Toronto include City Hall, Mountain Equip-
ment Co-Op and York University s Computer Science Building.
But how feasible are green roofs on our homes? Certainly, there are challenges such as dealing with uninformed insurance companies, finding a qualified consultant or landscaper and, in some cases, high installation costs (although green roofs tend to pay for themselves in the long run). However, the numerous benefits from installing a green roof more than make up for the
difficulties. Green roofs last twice as long as conventional ones, drastically reduce heating and cooling costs and absorb and filter storm water, which would otherwise run off into sewers. Green roofs also reduce pollution by improving air quality through the filtering ability of plant leaves and they muffle outdoor sounds. Their beauty is certainly more therapeutic than looking at conventional roofing, and green roofs can help increase property values, too, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
What s a green roof made of?
There are three technologies available for greenroof construction. The first is a system where each component is part of a whole. It is composed of decking and a series of functional layers, including waterproofing, insulation, a root barrier, drainage, filtering (special fabric to prevent drainage problems), a growing medium and the plants themselves. This system offers the greatest flexibility for choosing plants, growing medium and drainage options. However, the better option for existing roofs is a modular system, where trays of vegetation are grown off-site as one unit and installed adjoining each other on the roof. The third type is a vegetation blanket system of interlocking tiles already planted in a special substratum.
Green roofs have been successfully installed on condos, garages, carports and decks. Unlike most houses, which have sloping roofs, these sites have level surfaces. One of the primary considerations when planning a sloping green roof is to find the degree or percentage of slope. The best slope for a green roof is between 5 and 20 degrees. However, angles up to 45 degrees can work, as long as a structure is in place to stabilize the growing medium, especially in the early stages when vegetation is becoming established. A slope greater than 30 degrees makes maintenance more difficult and needs to be adequately anchored. Before proceeding, homeowners should also ensure that the load-bearing capacity of the underlying roof is adequate to support a green roof.
STONECROPS FOR GREEN ROOFS
THETBG SGREEN ROOFisasloped,extensivegreen roof, requiring little maintenance. It's primarily planted with these five types of stonecrops. All require 10 centimetres (four inches) of soil and spread about 20 centimetres (eight inches) wide, but some are slightly taller than others.
eSedum dasyphyllum: Found naturally growing in dry rocky areas and stone walls, it grows to seven centimetres (three inches) in height. The leaves will sometimes break off in heavy rain or wind and self-root, forming new plants.
oS. hybridum Immergriinchen : This stonecrop remains evergreen throughout the winter. Leaves are light green to red and flowers are pale yellow and its height is 15 centimetres (six inches).
oS. kamtschaticum: An extremely droughttolerant species, this stonecrop is known to survive for more than 80 days without water. It s fast growing and forms a dense carpet that helps to keep weeds at bay. It grows 15 centimetres (six inches) tall. .
oS. sexangulare: Adaptable to shade or full sun, this stonecrop takes on a bronze hue in sunlight. It makes a good groundcover and has yellow flowers. It reaches a height of 10 centimetres (four inches).
oS. spurium:The many forms ofS. spurium are - some of the most common stonecrops in cultivation. They're quick spreaders and do well in dry conditions, growing to 15 centimetres (six inches in height. -
Intensive vs. extensive
Green roofs fall into two main categories: intensive and extensive. Extensive roofs incorporate drought-tolerant plants growing in shallow soil (eight to 12 centimetres; three to 5 inches). They work best on sloping and existing roofs, so are more likely to be used in residential situations. However, the deeper soil of intensive green roofs (15to35centimetres;sixto 14inches) cansupport a more extensive mix of plants, including small trees and shrubs. These roofs are often designed
Green Roo s International Green RoofAssoci Greenroofs.com
.greenroofs.org
www.igra-world.com
for easy accessibility and public use; they re often park-like and some support the cultivation of vegetables. Intensive roofs require more maintenance than extensive ones and often need a good irrigation system and a greater load-bearing capacity.
Green roofs aren t always green!
Hardy succulents, grasses and herbs are very suitable for green roofs. The diversity of their colours can create a dazzling kaleidoscope of reds, yellows, oranges, pinks, browns and purples and, when combined with the many hues of green, produce a work of art that changes with the seasons.
The selection of plants for green roofs is influenced by many factors, including the site-specific climate, growing medium and its depth, slope of the roof and the amount of maintenance (weeding, watering and fertilizing) required after the roof is installed.
When it comes to choosing appropriate perennials, it s important to remember that they ll be growing in an artificially engineered environment that most closely matches an alpine landscape. Because alpines typically grow in shallow soil and are exposed to full sun and wind, they are well-suited to green roofs. Hardy succulents such as Sedum and Sempervivum spp. are also good choices because of their durability and drought tolerance. Various grasses and some herbs, such as thyme and sage, are also successfully used on green roofs.
You may think a green roofofonly native plants would be the ecological thing to do, and that it would minimize roof maintenance. However, manynative plants require a deeper soil than even an intensive roof allows, and they cannot withstand the extreme climatic conditions that are typical on green roofs. Some native species could
be used, but only when combined with other plants to create a more sustainable ecosystem.
Maintenance
In the first year maintenance is critical to the survival of a green roof. Until plants have filled out to cover all of the bare soil, periodic weeding and irrigation are necessary. Depending on plant type and climatic conditions, though, very little if any supplemental watering is required once the garden is established. An annual application of slow-release fertilizer is required, at least for the first five or six years.
Planning checklist
eRead as much as you can. There are only a few books on green-roof design and construction, but there s a wealth of information on the Internet and in magazines. Green Roofs for HealthyCities, headquartered in Toronto, offers design courses right here at the Toronto Botanical Garden.
eSpeak to green-roof installers and experienced landscape architects and, if possible, talk to the occupants of green-roof buildings.
ePrice materials and services and develop an installation plan.
eThe City of Toronto initiated a Green Roof Incentive Pilot Program in 2006 to encourage green-roof construction for commercial and residential buildings. The program provides grants of $50 per square metre to a maximum of $10,000 for single family homes. Application forms and more information can be found online at www. toronto.ca/greenroofs/incentiveprogram.htm @
Rob Caldwell is the Librarian of the TBG s Weston Family Library and a member of the Trellis Committee.
n February 9 and 10, the halls of the OToronto Botanical Garden will be filled with exotic orchids. This annual show and sale oforchids has made its home at the TBG since the late 1960s when it took place in what is now the Moriyama wing. The show is hosted by members of the Southern Ontario Orchid Society (SOOS) and raises money for orchid conservation and education.
Artistically arranged orchid displays from across southern Ontario as well as from Quebec and northern New York State will compete for coveted ribbons and trophies under the expert eyes of American Orchid Society judges. Orchid society memberswill also be on hand to answer questions and to provide orchid care talks for beginners.
SOOS has made the TBG building its home since 1965. The first meetings were held in the space now occupied by the offices of Canada Blooms. Rapid growth in membership soon meant a move of our meetings to the Garden Auditorium and then, with expansion of the TBG facilities, to the Floral Hall. SOOS has some 250 members, and there are nine other orchid societies in southern Ontario, from Ottawa to Windsor, including two in the GTA.
The society maintains a library of orchid books, which is housed in the TBG s Weston Family Library and is also available to TBG members. SOOS has also actively supported the recent TBG renewal project.
The orchid show is coming, says Peter Poot, and there will be blooms galore!
SOOS meets in the Floral Hall once a month except for July and August, usually on the first Sunday of the month. Visitors are welcome to attend our monthly meetings, which begin at noon and include a one-hour sale of orchids and supplies by vendors and members prior to the formal meeting, which begins at 1 p.m. This consists of a show-and-tell table of members plants as well as talks about orchids by expert growers from around the world. Speakers often bring plants for sale, too. In August we have a day-long Orchidfest for all of our orchid friends.
Other SOOS activities include an annual beginners course of instruction, a monthly newsletter, sponsorship of the Toronto Judging Centre of the American Orchid Society and an active orchid conservation group. Over the years, SOOS has contributed to a number of wetland projects in aid of native orchid conservation. The latest of these is a 239hectare fen purchased by the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority.
SOOS membership is $25 per vyear (January 1 to December 31), single or family. Further information is available at www. soos.ca or 905-640-5643.9
PeterPootis a memberoftheSOOSexecutive and edits the society newsletter. He is an accredited orchid judge of the American Orchid Society and has been growing orchidsfor 43years.
1 LOVE TREES £ SHRUBS
SPOTLIGHT ON Florida Botanical Gardens
by Britt Silverthorne
WHEN TRAVELLING on the Gulf Coast of Florida, be sure to add a visit to the Florida Botanical Gardens (FBG) to your to-do list. Situated in Largo, between Clearwater and St. Petersburg and three kilometres (two miles) north of Indian Rocks Beach, the garden faces a busy road in the middle of a business area. In such an unlikely location, entering the 182-acre park, which is set in from the road and flanked by a parking lot surrounded by trees and creeks, is like walking into a different world.
There are several different gardens within the FBG, which feature a variety of Florida s native plants and trees as well as non-native ornamentals that have adapted to the local climate. In the Tropical Walk and Tropical Courtyard you can find daylilies, date palms, pines and birds of paradise. You may also encounter blue herons, osprey and eagles, and even an alligator in the waterway that runs through the gardens. There is also a Palm Garden, a lovely Wedding/Celebration Garden with roses and, further on, the Garden of Tropical Fruit and a Herb Garden.
The FBG offers leisurely strolls, benches for resting and a longer trail if you feel like hiking. Depending on the time of year, there are lots of plants in bloom from bottlebrushes, bougainvilleas and bromeliads to gardenias, hibiscus, jasmine
Visiting the FBG
Located at12520 Ulmerton Rd., Largo, Fla., ~ the gardenis open every day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and admission is free. For more information and virtual tours of the various gardens, visit www.flbg.org.
and oleanders. You could spend a couple of hours just wandering around.
The welcome centre has a well-appointed shop with postcards and other souvenirs. Tours, led by a master gardener, are available for a fee. The FBG also offers classes and workshops. Neighbouring the garden is a Heritage Village where you can see how Florida s early settlers tended their gardens.
All in all, the Florida Botanical Gardens provide a lovely outing that should not be missed if you are in the area.®
SEED EXCHANGE 2008
OUR VOLUNTEERS have been busy cleaning and packaging an interesting variety of seeds for this year s exchange. Thank you to this year s donors: Katy Anderson, Daryl Bessell, Merle Burston, Joanne Campbell, Cathie Cox, Sonia Day, Susan Dolbey, Madeleine Fadel, Jean Gardiner, Marcia Gettas, Vivien Jenkinson, Anna Leggatt, Siri Luckow, Kate Middleton, Karen Silvera, Toni Vella, Joan Wright, and Dorothy Yu.
Seeds are listed alphabetically by botanical name, followed by the common name, plant type, flower colour, height and a brief description. Plant type is coded as
1. Achillea (Yarrow) PE pink 45¢m; drought tolerant
2. Actaea racemosasyn. Cimicifuga racemosa (Black snakeroot) PE, white 1.5m
3. Agapanthuscv. (African lily) BU blue 40cm; not hardy
4. Agastache rugosa Golden Jubilee ( Golden Jubilee anise hyssop) PE blue 90cm; licorice-scented, lime-green leaves, attracts bees & butterflies
5. Ageratum houstonianum Leilani Blue ( Leilani Blue floss flower) AN blue 30cm; August-October
6. Alcea (Hollyhock) Bl 90cm red; mixed shades
7. Alcea rosea (Hollyhock) PE burgundy 2.5m
8. Alliumsp. (Garlic) BU white 70cm; nice pods for flowers, repels bugs
9. Allium christophii(Star of Persia) BU lavender 40cm; large metallic starry globe
10. Allium sativum (Hardnecked garlic) BU white 30cm; spicy small cloves, grows out in two years
11. Allium togashi(Onion) BU 45cm purple; sturdy large flower, long-lasting blooms
12. Ampelopsis brevipedunculata (Porcelain berry)VI white 5m
13. Amsonia sp. (Blue star) PE blue 1m; different, curved stems, flowers above leaves
16. Antirrhinum sp. (Snapdragon) PE red 60cm; hardy
17. Aquilegia sp. (Columbine) PE lavender 60cm; late spring-early summer, reseeds
18. Aquilegiasp. (Columbine) PE mix 50cm; pink/blue/white, early summer, reseeds
follows: AN (annual); BI (biennial); BU (bulb); (herb); PE (tree), VG (perennial); (vegetable); GR (grass); HB SH (shrub); TR VI (vine).
All plantinformation is supplied bythe donors. We cannot guarantee that all seeds are true to name. Onlylimited quantities ofsome selections are available.
Don' t be disappointed make sure your order is in by FridayJanuary 18, 2008.
Please Kkeep this list for reference and check www.torontobotanicalgarden.ca/seedex for full details.
19. Aquilegia discolor(Columbine) PE blue/white 8cm; true alpine, soft blue/creamy white flowers
20. Aquilegiajonesiix saximontana (Columbine) PE blue 20cm; thrives where other Aquilegia fail
21. Arum italicum pictum (Italian arum) BU green 40cm; wide yellow veins on winter leaves, red berries
22. Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly weed) PE orange 90cm; food for bees, butterflies, Monarch caterpillars, zone 4
23. Baptisia (False indigo) PE blue 60cm; pea-like, full sun, early summer
24. Basella rubra (Malabar spinach)VI pink 2.7m; dark stems, big spinach-like leaves, AN
25. Belamcanda chinensis(Blackberry lily) BU orange 90cm
26. Calendulasp. (Pot marigold) AN yellow 40cm; edible petals, looks great in salads
27. Calycanthusfloridus (Sweet shrub) SH red 2m; nice green foliage, late June, part shade
28. Calycanthusfloridusvar. glaucus Purpureus (Sweet shrub) SH red 2m; fragrant, late June, reddish leaf tips
29. Capsicum annuum Red Globe ( Red Globe hot pepper)VG 24¢m; medium fruit, mild heat, full sun
30. Capsicum annuum Tri-colour Variegata ( Tri-colour Variegata hot pepper)VG 24cm; heirloom, variegated foliage, full sun, hot, hot, hot
31. Capsicum annuumvar. annuum (Longum Group) Long Red Cayenne ( Long Red Cayenne hot pepper)VG 30cm; 4-inch, slim pod, full sun, hot
32. Capsicum Hot RedThai (Hot RedThai hot pepper)VG 50cm; 5-7.5¢m pod, hot sun, hot, hot
33. Cardiospermum halicacab(Balloon vine) AN white 2.5m; ferny foliage, balloon-shaped flowers
34. Carthamus tinctorius(Safflower) AN mix 70cm; cardinals love them, excellent seed heads, orange/red/yellow
35. Caryopteris x clandonensis(Bluebeard) SH blue 1m; late summer-early autumn
36. Catananche caerulea (Cornflower) PE blue 60cm; papery flowers, narrow leaves
37. Cephalaria tchihatchewii(Giant yellow scabious) PE cream 1m
38. Cercissp. (Redbud)TR pink 10m
39. Chelonesp. (Turtlehead) PE pink
40. Clematis Carmine Star ( Carmine Star clematis)VI pink/red 3m 41. Clematisx diversifoliasyn. C. x eriostemon (Clematis)VI mauve 2m; dangling bells on dainty vine, easy from seed
157. Tagetes Cottage Red ( Cottage Red marigold) AN red 75¢m; tall, willowy, lovely bright colour
158. Talinum paniculatum (Jewels of Opar flame flower) AN magenta 30cm; dainty stars on tall scapes
159. Thalictrum (Meadow rue) PE white 3.5m; spring
160. Thermopsis villosa syn. T. caroliniana (Carolina lupine) PE yellow 1m; large, showy flowers
161. Tiarella sp. (Foamflower) PE white 25cm; mixed, well-marked leaves
162. Tithonia rotundifolia Torch ( Torch Mexican sunflower) AN orange 2m; full sun, dry-soil-tolerant, butterfly magnet
163. Verbascum blattaria (Moth mullein) Bl white to 1.5m; see Plant Portrait, page 24
164. Veronica schmidtiana (Speedwell) PE blue 10cm; dainty
165. Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver s root) PE white 1.5m; upright, late summer
166. Wisteria sinensis Prolific syn. W. s. Boskoop ( Prolific wisteria)VI blue 5m; vigorous, second flowering in summer, scented
167. Yuccafilamentosa(Yucca) PE white 1m; drought tolerant, heat loving
WING SEEDS
owingresources provide helpful information
Success with Seeds by Ann Reilly (1982)
TheRéj%remeManual ofWoodyPlantPropagation: - From Seed to Tissue Culture by Michael A. Dirr & CharlesW.HeuserJr (1987)
TheNewEngland WildFlowerSociety Guide to GrowingandPropagating Wildflowers ofthe United States and Canada by William Cullina (2000)
b S EED EXCHANGE ORDER FORM
Orders are filled in the order received, with donorsgettingfirst choice.You mayorderup name (please print) to20packetsofseed.Pleasewritethe numbers clearly in the boxesat left in ascending address numerical order.To have the seeds shipped, send the form along with a SASE large city postal code enoughtoholdyourorderanda$10cheque (payable to the Toronto Botanical Garden) - for handling. If you plan to pick up your e hone e o seeds, send the form with a self-addressed envelope large enough to hold your order waBERS | l J J and a $10chequeforhandling.
(ASCENDING
DEADLINE JANUARY 18
Are you a seed donor? 1 Yes (1 No (1 SASE enclosed (1 Addressed envelope for pick-up enclosed 1 $10 handling enclosed (1 1d like to help package the seeds Send toTBG Seed Exchange, ¢/o Cathie Cox,Toronto Botanical Garden, 777 Lawrence Avenue East,Toronto ON M3C 1P2
by Anna Leggatt
| Verbascum blattaria - moth mullein
WITH CARE, Verbascum blattaria can produce hundreds of white flowers from early summer to frost. Unlike our local V. thapsus, the biennial moth mullein has only one stalked flower at each node. This gives it an airy appearance that differs from the flower spikes typically produced by most other mulleins.
Moth mullein is native to Europe and western Asia and it has naturalized in North America; some authorities list it as a weed because it spreads quickly.
The common name of V. blattaria comes from the filaments (stamen stalks), which are covered with purple hairs thought to resemble the antennae of a moth. Flowers appear in June and continue until October, but only a few open at a time. Flowers measure two to three centimetres (about an inch) across and have five petals joined together at the base and purple stamens that form a central eye.
The flowering stalk will grow up to a metre high, with oblong leaves, decreasing in size and narrowing to the leaf base. They may be lobed and the margins are toothed. It will grow in poor soil, preferring full sun. However, it will flower well in partial shade.
Remove the flowering stems as soon as the topmost flowers are about to open. This prevents the earliest flowers from producing seed and encourages the development of side shoots with a second flush of flowers. The cut should be immediately below the lowest developing seed pod. This process can be repeated later in the season so the plant develops into a seethrough bush that forms an airy screen, but it s versatile enough to be placed in many other situations too.
Seed pods quickly develop between the persistent sepals. At first glance they appear like small round peas on long stems. Hundreds of tiny seeds will produce many plants in your garden. However, unwanted volunteers are eas-
ily removed. To sow, scatter seeds in fall or late winter on the surface of the soil where you want them to grow. The seedlings form a flat mat of glossy green hairless leaves the first year. The leaves are similar to the stem leaves only longer and with more marked lobes. The rosette may be up to 25 centimetres (10 inches) across. This rosette withers as the flower stalk grows during the second year.
Why not try this easy plant? Seeds are in our Seed Exchange (see page 23).0
Anna Leggatt is a Master Gardener and tireless TBG volunteer.
Verbascum =~ blattaria ~N N N
Illustration: Jocelyn Mann
Sow Cyclamen seeds in pots, not flats.
A Growing hardy Cyclamen from seed takes patience as it can take up to three months for seed to germinate. The best results are from fresh rather than dried seed. Harvest just before the seed capsule splits open, when the seed is a light brown colour. Depending on the species, this will be mid- to late summer. First, soak seeds for a day in hot water to which a drop of dish detergent has been added. Scatter seeds two centimetres (about an inch) apart in individual pots in a mixture of equal parts of peat, loam and grit with extra organic material at the bottom of the pot. Keep in a cool, dark place (15 to 20°C/60 to 70°F) until the seeds germinate. For more information on growing hardy cyclamen, visit www.cyclamen.org.
Q How do I care for cast iron plant?
A Once established, cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) lives up to its name, requiring only minimal care. Not fussy about temperature (keep cool in winter), it tolerates a wide range of light conditions other than direct sun. Water regularly during the growing season, but sparingly in the winter, and don t allow the soil to become constantly saturated. Wash the leaves from time to time with clear water and fertilize every two weeks during the growing season. Cast iron plants can grow in the same pot for up to five years without being re-potted.
lllustrations: Vivien Jenkinson
Q1 planted carnations from seeds and was quite surprised to see nice stems growing, but after I saw buds coming up only one flower bloomed. I watered when necessary through the summer and made sure the potted carnations received enough sunshine. Some stems became strong while others were weak green stems with leaves which [ supported with sticks. What do I need to do to grow nice healthy carnations? Do they do better in the soil rather in a pot? I know they need a fertile soil, so I fed them with 15-30-15.
Was this wrong?
Aspidistra makes a handsome houseplant in shady corners.
Carnations do best in garden soil.
A Carnations are members of the Dianthus family of plants, which also includes pinks and sweet William. Garden carnations (also known as border carnations) are hardier than florist s carnations (classified as perpetual-flowering carnations), which are grown in greenhouses.The seeds you sowed may have been the latter type. Feeding your carnations may have added too much nitrogen to the potting soil, which encourages leafy growth at the expense of flowers. Next year, try planting garden carnations instead of florist s ones and grow them in the ground rather than in pots. Carnations like well-drained soil and plenty of sunshine; they do not like our hot summers, preferring cool daytime and evening temperatures. Feeding with compost will ensure they get adequate nutrition.
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!
OUR WINTER LECTURES offer the best of the best in experts, advice and, most importantly, inspiration. We hope our speakers will embolden you to let your imagination soar as you plan your spring garden.
DWARLD
SPEAKER: Raymond Evison, OBE
Topic: Clematis for Small Spaces
WHEN: Wednesday, February 6, 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Floral Hall
FROM HIS HOME BASE in Guernsey, Raymond Evison runs one of the largest specialist clematis nurseries in the world. In this lecture, he ll focus on his new compact clematis: freeflowering cultivars perfect for containers, small borders and balcony gardens. He'll give advice on cultivation and pruning as well as suggesting unusual and creative planting combinations. These plants are now available in Ontario so be prepared to take notes!
Raymond Evison has introduced more than 100 species and cultivars to gardeners worldwide. He has won numerous awards, including many RHS gold medals, the RHS Victoria Medal of Honour and the RHS Reginald Cory Memorial Cup. He serves as a vice-president of the Royal Horticultural Society, and his business, The Guernsey Clematis Nursery Ltd., is the world s leading producer of clematis plants. Free to TBG members: public $15 (door sales only)
Limited seating; doors open at 6:30 p.m.
SPEAKER: Glenis Dyer
Topic: The Plant Collector s Spring Garden
WHEN: Wednesday,January 30, 7 to 9:30 p.m.
WHERE: Garden Hall
ALL THE WAY FROM the United Kingdom, Glenis Dyer is stopping off at the TBG for this
special lecture on her favourite plants for the spring garden. As an expert on early flowering clematis, hellebores, species peonies and other perennial spring gems that are hardy and unusual, she will offer valuable insight and great gardening tips for planning the unusual spring garden. Be sure to bring your questions as the latter part of the evening is devoted to a question-and-answer sessionwhereyou can receive expert personal advice for your home garden.
Glenis Dyer, currently the vice-chairman of the British Clematis Society and a member of the International Clematis Society, is a selfproclaimed plantaholic. Despite her advanced age, Glenis still grows many plants from seed clematis, peonies, trilliums and other bulbous plants. For the past 20 years she has opened her garden near Stratford-upon-Avon in England for the National Gardens Scheme, raising between £30,000 and £40,000 for charity.
TBG members $20; Public $35
Please register early as seating is limited: 416397-1341; programs@torontobotanicalgarden.ca
DIE ARDENIN 0
IT S TIME TO LOVE your garden and eat it too! Marjorie Mason has a passion for gardening especially edible gardening. Last summer, she consulted with Executive Chef David Garcelon about the rooftop herb garden at the Fairmont Royal York. She encouraged him and his apprentices to grow new plants, from cosmos and lavender to heirloom tomatoes, and jokes that her advice may have influenced the menu at EPIC, the hotel s premier restaurant.
Marjorie shares her inspiring tips for edible gardens at the TBG this winter in a four-part Edible GardeningSeries: Edible GardeningBasics: Starting with Seeds (February 27); Healthy Veggies and Fruits (March 18); Fragrant Herbs, Edible Flowers & Companion Plants (April 9); Potscaping (April 30).
Owner of Mason Hogue Gardens since 1987, Marjorie tends her own beautiful potager garden, which features a variety of vegetables, fruits, herbs, edible flowers and a tropical banana tree. You can hear Marjorie on her radio show, Let s Get Growing, every Saturday morning from 9 to 10 a.m. on 1580 CKDO and 107.7 FM. Marjorie lectures across North America on a wide variety oftopics. In addition to her book, Amazing Annuals (1999), she has written articles for Canadian Living, Canadian Gardening, Harrowsmith and the magazines of the Canadian Wildlife Federation and Landscape Ontario. In 1990, she was given the Garden Communicator of the Year Award by Landscape Ontario.
The fee for each class is $35 to the public, $30 to TBG members, with a discount of $5 per class when registering for two or more courses. To register: 416-397-1341; programs @torontobotanicalgarden.ca.
ALASKA &MEDITERRANEAN CRUISETOURS!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Toronto Botanical Garden
777 Lawrence Avenue East
This conference addresses the interestsofthe professional designer,horticulturist, building constructionprofessxonal engineer and urbanplanner. It is also suitable forthe keenhomeownerwhowould like tounderstand the complete picture includingthe hows and whys of greenroofs aswell as meeting thepeoplewho canhelp with all aspects ofthe project.The conferenceworkshopswifl cover design, plants, biodiversityand technicalconsiderations.
Bird Rate - $265
(endy December 15, 2007)
RegularRate - $318
Formore information or to register: Telephone: 416-593-7744
WILDLIFE GARDENING aims to create an environment that invites and sustains native plants and animals. It often involves the creation of specific habitats such as log piles, meadows or water features, but it can also mean minimal intervention to allow habitats to establish themselves. To learn more about how to create a nature-friendly garden, consult any of the following resources.
On the Internet, the Canadian Wildlife Federation sWildaboutGardening(wildaboutgardening. org) Web site is one of the most comprehensive resources for gardeners at all levels, and the Canadian focus is especially valuable. The Web site is divided into sections, including ones on how to turn your backyard into a wildlife-friendly environment and on how to attract specific types of wildlife, and offers a comprehensive native plant encyclopaedia, a list of native plant suppliers and feature articles about natural gardening and backyard wildlife.
The library s collection of books is also a rich resource. Stefan Buczacki s Collins Wildlife Gardener (published in 2007) is profusely illustrated with photos and packed with information.
By Michael A. Dirr;
Bonnie L. Dirr.
Although somewhat slanted towards the British garden, many of the techniques and recommendations are applicable to Ontario. One of the book s strengths is the guidance it provides on establishing and managing specific types of habitats, from wildflower meadows to containerized mini-habitats.
The New Gardening for Wildlife by Bill Merilees is considered a Canadian classic on this subject. Merilees book is divided into chapters that address ways to attract specific animals to the garden. For example, the Gardening for Hummingbirds section covers the selection of plants, the placement of feeders and even the construction of a nesting material dispenser.
Plant ecologist Ken Thompson has written a book on wildlife gardening that takes a different slant.NoNettlesRequired: TheReassuring Truth about Wildlife Gardening posits that wildlife gardening is much easier and cheaper than most people think and thatyou don t even need a large or rural garden to be successful. Many of his ideas and observations run counter to common tenets about wildlife gardening, making his book a very interesting read.
Book REVIEW
Viburnums offer abundant flowers, appealing foliage, stunning fruits and a robust constitution, all of which makes them one of the loveliest, hardiest and most versatile shrubs that any gardener could wish for. However, until the publication of this comprehensive and beautifully illustrated book by Michael Dirr, they seem to have remained singularly unappreciated.
A renowned woody plant expert, Dirrdeliversawealthofinformation about every species and cultivar
worthy of a grower s consideration. His authoritative appraisals enable every gardener or designer to choose the right plant for the right situation. Extensive chapters are devoted to breeding, planting, care and maintenance, handling of diseases and insects and propagation. Both home gardeners and nursery professionals will find this volume an irreplaceable guide to the choice and care of these most impressive plants.
he Toronto Botanical Garden has been Tparmering with George Brown College since early 2006, working towards developing a continuing education program in gardening. We are now proud to announce that this winter George Brown College is launching a new Garden Design Certificate in partnership with the TBG. The certificate fills a special niche for continuing education in the GTA, responding both to the growing interest among gardeners in expanding their knowledge of design and to the increased demand for professional designers.
The program features practical, how-to information, demonstrations and illustrated lectures on current gardening techniques. Classes are taught by horticultural professionals and will help build skills in design, installation and maintenance. The certificate comprises 117 hours of classroom education, along with off-site learning opportunities during field trips to private gardens and nurseries. The program is suitable for both beginners and avid gardeners who want to upgrade their skills or prepare for entry-level positions in the industry. It will also be possible to audit any of the courses, opting out of the testing and grading that s required
for the certificate.
The certificate includes four compulsory courses: Fundamentals of Gardening, Horticulture, Garden Design[andGardenDesign II. In addition, students may choose one elective, either Container Gardening or Edible Gardening.
former Director of Policy and Development for Parks and Recreation, Beckie Fox, Master Gardener and former editor of Canadian Gardening and Margaret Nevett, Master Gardener and horticultural therapist.
The first course, Fundamentals of Gardening, will be offered on Wednesdays, January 16 through February 27, 6 to 9 p.m. Garden Design II will be offered on Thursdays, February 14 through March 20, 6 to 9 p.m. Edible Gardening will be offered in April and Container Gardening in May. Horticulture and Garden Design I will be offered in the fall of 2008. By 2009, the college will offer the full selection of courses at least twice a year. Courses are held year-round at George Brown s St. James Campus, 200 King Street East, with easy access via TTC.
We are also excited to learn that the college has a new addition a rooftop garden featuring trellised container plantings which will provide an opportunity for hands-on education in the garden design program.
For course listings, outlines and to register, please visit www.coned.georgebrown.ca or call 416-415-5000 x 2092. @
Greater Toronto Water Garden & Horticultural Society
Speaker: Frank Kershaw
Topic: Great water gardens around the globe
Studio 1, 2 p.m.
Information: www.onwatergarden.com
June 14 & Sunday, June 15, 2008 Mam.to 4 p.m. One Day Pass
Public $40 / TBG Members $35 Tickets will be on sale in March 2008
Toronto Botanical Garden 777 Lawrence Avenue East
Mycological Society of Toronto Meeting, Garden Hall, 7 p.m.
Information: www.myctor.org
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
