The Toronto Botanical Garden _ is a volunteer-based, charitable ~organization whose purpose is to inspire passion, respect and understanding of gardening, horticulture, the natural landscape and a healthy environment. Since its inception in |1958, the Toronto Botanical Garden, formerly The Civic Garden Centre, has encouraged, stimulated and educated
countless Canadian gardeners. Almost 50 years later, the Toronto BotanicalGarden 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 0er
Located at Edwards Gardens, the Toronto Botanical Garden offers many programs and services, including year-round activities for families and children. Our horticultural library has over 8,000 books, periodicals, and a large collection of clippings, pamphlets,
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.
® shopTBG and Weston Family Library: Call 416-397-1340 or check www.torontobotanicalgarden.ca for holiday and general hours of operation.
Telephone: 416-397-1340; Fax: 416-397-1354
E-mail: info@torontobotanicalgarden.ca
Master Gardeners Info Line: 416-397-1345
Noon to 3 p.m.
® April & July: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
® May & June: Daily
® August through March: Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday
Children s Programs: 416-397-1355 childrensprograms@torontobotanicalgarden.ca Communications: 416-397-1351 communication@torontobotanicalgarden.ca Courses: 416-397-1362; programs@torontobotanicalgarden.ca
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 shopTBG has many unique gifts, books and gardening supplies for sale. The TeachingGardenhasbeencreated as a working garden to foster interest and educate people in the love and values of gardening and the natural world. As well,theTBG has a widevariety ofbanquet 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, Mark Cullen, Camilla Dalglish, Sondra Gotlieb, Marjorie Harris, LorraineJohnson, Michele Landsberg, Susan Macauley, Helen Skinner
3 Board of Directors
PRESIDENT: Leslie Denier
Dugald Cameron, Kathy Dembroski, Nancy G. Dengler, Tony DiGiovanni, Suzanne Drinkwater, Geoffrey Dyer, James Eckenwalder, Mary Fisher, Colomba Fuller,Jim Gardhouse, Lynn Grogan, Peter Gray-Donald,Janet Karn, Catherine Peer, Rosemary Phelan, Penny Richards, Dawn Scott,Judy Shirriff, Claudette Smith, Tom Sparling, Margaret Taylor
3¢ Staff Members
Acting Executive Director Director, Communications
Program Co-ordinator
Director, Development
Head Gardener
TaxonomicAssistant
Database Co-ordinator
Development Officer
Children s Program Supervisor
Children s Program Co-ordinator
Volunteer Co-ordinator
Facility Sales Supervisor
Facility Sales Co-ordinator
Maintenance Supervisor
Maintenance Officers
Bookkeeper/Accountant
Judy Willmott
Jenny Rhodenizer
Rebecca Golding
Stephanie Chiang
Sandra Pella
Toni Vella
Naureen Qaiyyum
Sarah Durnan
Liz Hood
Natalie Harder
John Hayes
Carol Gardner
Kristin Campbell
Jenny Beard
Walter Morassutti
Alvin Allen
John Agnew
Marcos Tawfik
Dolly Ally
- Volume 36 3¢Number 1
EDITOR
Lorraine Flanigan
Lorraine Hunter (chair)
Lorraine Flanigan (editor)
Marion Magee
Gwen Rattle
n}kennyRhodenizer
VOLUNTEER
~ Trellis is published four times a year as a members newsletter by the Toronto Botanical Garden at Edwards Gardens. 777 L e 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 Spring 2009, issue must be received by December 24,2008.
~Opinions expressed in Trellis do | - not necessarily reflect those of the TBG. Submissions may be edited for style and dlarity.
Vizcaya: A Little Bit of Venice in Florida . Lingering longer in a Miami estate garden
Irish National Stud Japanese Gardens : A Japanese garden where you would least expect one
An enchanting garden outside Kuala Lumpur
Toscana
The pretty village gardens of Tuscany
Exploring the VIA Rail Garden Route ,
The world s great garden shows
N [ s from theTBG
by Leslie Denier ® PRESIDENT
A Time ofChange
s we look back on 2008, we can see it Awould have taken more than a crystal ball to foretell the many changes that have occurred within our organization. The resilience and mettle of the Toronto Botanical Garden, its wonderful staff and the extended community of caring and hard-working volunteers certainly has been tested. And we will be tested even more in the tough economic environment that faces us throughout 2009 and, likely, beyond.
To help us through the coming years, we have refined our strategic priorities and now have a very clear sense of what we should and will be doing. Just as importantly, we are continuing to examine which activities and initiatives do not fit within those priorities.
Recently, we have had to make some tough decisions in order to ensure our continuing financial stability, including restructuring shopTBG so that it can serve our members in a more costefficient manner. We will continue to examine our programs and services in order to ensure that they are available to our members when they most need them. We are committed to engaging our members and volunteers in an ongoing dialog as we realize our vision of becoming Toronto s botanic hub. We can, and we will, continue to become the most unique botanical garden in the world and one of Toronto s cultural gems.
We are examining our mission-based activities and will continue to fine tune them in the three important areas that define a botanical garden: research, conservation and education. We will build on our many excellent children s and adult programs. Through strategic partnerships, we know we can make a huge contribution to conservation in the Don River ecosystem, from the waterfront to the TBG and beyond. On a smaller scale, our planned Woodland Walk can provide an example of an ecologically sensitive landscape.
The TBG management team is changing, too. The new executive director and the new director of horticulture will bring fresh and exciting ideas to the organization. Our dynamic and committed new leadership team will engage staff and our many stakeholders in fulfilling our mandate.
We have recognized that our revenue model needs to be changed as well. Until now, the TBG has prided itself on its self-sufficiency, on deriving over 90 per cent of its revenues from the private sector. We examined other botanical gardens, in Canada and abroad, and saw that our financial structure was dramatically out of line with how similar institutions are funded. To source more sustainable funding, we need to build stronger relationships with various levels of governments. These efforts will start with the City of Toronto with which we have already established good synergies.
We are so very grateful for the contributions from all of you: our members, donors, sponsors and volunteers. We will continue to build on this base through tried-and-true development activities, by creating the TBG foundation, and by initiating new fundraising opportunities. So, please stay tuned and in touch. Without you we couldn t survive, let alone continue to grow into the exciting and vital organization that we all envisage.
Thankyou!@
Monday, September 8, 2008
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS
LEAD SPONSOR IN SUPPORT OF
Jones.. TORONTO BOTANICALGARDEN
CHALLENGE HOLE SPONSORS
BMO Financial Group Heathbridge Capital Management Ltd.
EAGLE PATRONS
Brookdale Treeland Nurseries Ltd.
Chair-man Mills Inc.
Chris & Basma Brown
Marg & John Bahen
Michael & Sue Burns
Patrick & Barbara Keenan
Joanne Binnington
Rosemary Phelan
ABN AMRO Bank N.V. DONORS
BIRDIE PATRONS
George Booth
Patricia De Mara
George & Kathy Dembroski
Elizabeth Pickford
Donald Rogers
Patricia & Bob Dengler, David & Margriet Dunlap, Ralph Fernando, Pamela Hallisey, Ann L. Leibel, Bruce Mitchel, James Mylrea, Mary Jean Potter, Scotia Capital
HOLE SPONSORS
Avenue Nissan, Bousfields Inc., Exco Technologies Limited, George Sant & Sons Limited, Konkle Farm & Greenhouse Ltd., LeBoeufProperties Inc., Lexus on the Park, Mehler Fashion Imports Inc., Morrison Williams Investment Management Ltd., NS Smith Real Estate, PMA Landscape Architects, Subaru of Mississauga, The Dalton Company, Witzke's Greenhouses Ltd.
GIFT-IN-KIND DONORS
10tation Event Catering, a la Carte Kitchen Inc., Ace Boutique, Acti-Sol, Acushnet Company, Air Canada Centre, Beacon Hall GolfClub, Michael & Sue Burns, Canada Blooms, Murray Brasseur, Candym, Cornflower Blue, Hugh Coulson, Janet Davis, George & Kathy Dembroski, Brad Dickson, Geoffrey & Susan Dyer, Electrolux, Blaguna Evrovski, Firefly Books, FiveOSeven Antiques, Fresh Home & Garden, GardenImport.com, Janet & David Greyson, Great Dixter House & Garden, Hauser Co. Stores, Heinz Losberg, Higgins, The Home Depot, Horticultural Design, Jacaranda Tree, Dan & Janice King, Michael Kostoff, Richard Kostoff, Kumari's, Tom & Nancy Laurie, Lee Valley ToolsScarborough, Weston, Downtown, Legacy House, Lone Pine Publishing, John P. MacDonald, Phil MacDonnell, Michael Kluthe Salon & Beauty Spa, Muskoka Bay, Oak Ridges Food Market, Neal Brothers, NUVO, Publishers Group Canada, Random House, Reha Enterprises, Michael Renaud, Penny Richards, Rue Royale, Scarboro Golf& Country Club, shopTBG, Sony Canada, Southbrook Vineyards, Sporting Life, Stratford Shakespeare Festival, Summit GolfClub, TD Securities, The Canadian Stage Company, The Inn at St. Peters, Crowbush Cove, The Raven GolfClub & Lora Bay, Thomas Allen & Son Limited, Tom Sparling, Bob Trennum, Will Tranter, Vanhoffand Blokker, Patryk Wasiak, Wildfire
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Sue Burns (Chair), Stephanie Chiang, Kathy Dembroski, Leslie Denier, Janet Greyson, Jennifer Howe, Phil MacDonnell, Alyssa McCauley, Penny Richards, Judy Tranter
Our sincere thanks and apologies to any supporters, contributors or donors whose name does not appear due to early print deadlines.
AL LY_yLiving Winter £
WHILE MANY OF US DON T LIKE WINTER,
the truth is winter can be a time of fascinating outdoor discoveries. Signs of wildlife and their winter activities are easy to find. Allyou need are the rightwinter clothes, a notebook, a camera and some binoculars to track your findings. Here s what s happening outdoors.
*MIGRATION
If you looked up in the sky in late fall and early winter, you may have noticed that Canada geese fly in V shapes. This formation cuts down wind resistance, making it easier for the flock to fly long distances. The leader of the V has the hardest job so the flock switches leaders every so often to give each bird a rest. But while the geese are flying south, the juncos are arriving from their summer homes in the Arctic for a warm winter holiday here before returning to the north in the spring!
*HIBERNATION
From chipmunks to groundhogs and bears to bats, lots of creatures sleep through the winter rather than foraging for food during the coldest months of the year. When they sleep, their heart rates slow to just a few beats per minute and their breathing becomes very slow, which helps them conserve energy.
Plants hibernate, too: trees as well as perennials draw energy from their leaves during the spring
AnewTBG program
TheToronto Botanical Garden and the OntarioTrillium Foundation proudly present LivingWinter,a new fully funded program for Grade 4 students in priority schools.This winter, the TBG will hostover 800 students in our winter garden where they will learn about local habitats, plants and wildlife. For more information about the program, visit www. torontobotanicalgarden.ca or e-mail livingwinter@ torontobotanicalgarden.ca.
WHAT DOTHESE WORDS MEAN?
Match the scientific word in the right-hand column to the correct definition in the left-hand column.
A. A plant that grows 1. WIND RESISTANCE back every year
B.The slowing effects 2. PERENNIAL of wind on movement
C. Oxygen-rich 3. DORMANCY
D. When a plant ceases 4. GLYCOL to grow and conserves energy in its roots
E. A sugary antifreeze found |5. OXYGENATED in insects and amphibians
$:3 :0 G Ti@ T Siamsuy
and summer and store it in their roots. Their leaves drop to prevent water loss, and then the plants go dormant. This is a kind of hibernation for plants. When temperatures warm, the sap rises from the roots, causing plants to come alive again and sprout new leaves.
*ADAPTATION
Creatures that stay awake throughout the winter go through tremendous physical feats to keep warm. Many insects convert the chemical composition of their blood to glycol, a sugary antifreeze that permits their bodies to freeze in the winter and thaw in the spring. Winter birds can do strange things, too. They have a special heat exchanger located at the top of their legs, which allows oxygenated blood to travel to their feet, while conserving heat in their bodies. Many birds feet are just a few degrees above zero, while their body temperature is warm and toasty! @
CanadaBlooms
THE FLOWER AND GARDEN FESTIVAL
MARCH 18-22, 2009 METRO TORONTO CONVENTION CENTRE, SOUTH
WEDNESDAY-SATURDAY 10 AM-9 PM
SUNDAY 10 AM-6 PM
Explore acres of spectacular gardens, shop til you drop in our Marketplace and meet Canada s horticultural and gardening experts.
Enjoy our St. Patrick s Opening Night Party, The Home Depot s Outdoor Living Central, the Miracle Gro Do Up the Doorstep, the Floral Superstars and much more.
3 GOODBYE TO
CATHIE COX
THIRTY YEARS AGO, Cathie Cox arrived in Canada with two small children in tow. She had been a nurse in England and hoped to translate that skill into midwifery in Canada. But . she soon had a third child, and, to get out and meet people, she took a seasonal job at Pine Ridge Nurseries, reporting to Marjorie Mason (who had not yet started her own nursery).
The moment she began, she knew she was hooked. Growing was, after all, in her genes. Her mother grew up on a farm in Ireland, and, by the time Cathie was 10 years old, she had her own school garden plot where she grew broad beans.
Cathie was soon placed in charge of perennials at Pine Ridge Nurseries and began importing bareroot perennials, winter-hardy roses and clematis. At that time, there were few nurseries in Ontario, and fewer still that offered perennials.
After a stint working for Dominion Coal, Cathie became Manager of Seasonal and Indoor
Cathie and landscape architect Tom Sparling. His painting of the TBG gardens was presented to Cathie on October 28, 2008.
Plants and Perennials at Plant World. Ten years ago, she left to become the horticulturist at The Civic Garden Centre, and when it became the TBG she was the one responsible for the magnificent gardens we see today. Cathie wore so many hats here that just listing her duties would take up the page.
Leaving the TBG was a real wrench both for Cathie and the staffand volunteers who considered her the very heart of the place. But, with her children grown, Cathie decided to spend more time with her husband, Vince. Of course, being Cathie, she s just as busy as ever. As well as working at her husband s bronze and marble business (which requires much exotic travel) she s also working as a horticultural consultant and a garden writer. Some things change, and some remain the same. Carol Gardner
FRIENDS OFTHETORONTO BOTANICAL GARDEN
Thank you to the following Friends for providing generous support towards our programs and services. Our Friends are fundamental to the TBG s ability to educate and provide the community
PRESIDENT S CIRCLE
($5,000 +)
Geoffrey & Susan Dyer
DIRECTOR S CIRCLE
($2,500 - $4,999)
Peter & Joy Gray-Donald BENEFACTORS
($1,000 - $2,499)
Mary Hatch
Helen & John Shaw
SUSTAINING MEMBERS
($500 - $999)
Tony DiGiovanni & Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association
Shari Ezyk
Barbara Hill
Joan & Alan Lenczner
Sonia & Alan Leslie
Shirley I.Taylor
Phillip & MaureenTingley
Mr. & Mrs. Bob Wright
FRIENDS ($140 - $499)
Katy Anderson
Alexander R. Armstrong
Carol Bairstow
K.M. Belshaw
Daryl Bessell
Mary Lou Carter
Deborah Cloakey
Nancy Dengler
Mr. & Mrs. Garfield Emerson
with the most valuable and up-to-date information on gardening and horticulture. The following individuals made donations to the Friends Program from July 1, 2008, to October 31, 2008.
Trudi Evans-Reizele
Dorothy Ferris
Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Gibson
Patricia Godson Gray
Dr. & Mrs. C. Warren Goldring
Valerie M. Grant
Jane & Paul Jeffrey
C. M. Kruitwagen
Mr. & Mrs. Warren Laing
Marion Lambert
Bernice Levitt
Barbara McDonald
Mr. & Mrs. Ted Medland
Mr. & Mrs. David Moore
Kenneth Moore
Barbara Murchie
Toshi Oikawa
Linda Peacock
Mr. & Mrs. Frank Potter
Rosemary Purwins & Edie Helene Purwins
Joy Reddy
Norman M. Rogers
Vivian Rosen & Irving L. Rosen Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Jack Rossall
Lois Rowland
Dr. & Mrs. Hugh Smythe
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Tattersall
KrisVikmanis
LiviaVitrups
Anonymous (5)
GARDENS OF THE WORLD: U.S.A.
Vizcaya: A Little Bit ofVenice in Florida
LikeJohn Singer Sargent, Sonia Dayyearns to linger longer in this Miami estate garden.
izcaya? Most people look blank when I mention the word. Yet if you're Floridabound this winter and want a break from golf and shopping malls, this extraordinary house and garden in southern Miami is definitely worth a detour.
Built in 1916, Vizcaya (pronounced Viz-kye-a) is beauty with a bizarre touch. Industrialist James Deering wanted a winter home and garden that looked like an Italian estate that has stood for 400 years. The result is a weird hodgepodge of architectural styles, which even includes gondola poles from Venice.
This place is unique, no question, says lan Simpkins, Vizcaya s chief horticulturist, with a grin. And people are just starting to realize how valuable it is. Simpkins was hired recently to breathe new life into Vizcaya s remarkable Italianstyle gardens. The fountains, lagoons, century-old trees and priceless antique statuary have been badly neglected over the years and in 2005 got pummelled by two hurricanes. A canal inspired by Venice was completely buried under seaweed and debris after Hurricane Katrina and is currently being restored.
One fascinating aspect of Vizcaya is its artistic legacy. These gardens so inspired American Impressionist painter John Singer Sargent, he produced some of his most famous watercolours while visiting in 1917. There is so much to paint, Sargent wrote. It combines Venice and Frascati and Aranjuez ... Hence this linger-longering.
Sargent s brilliant paintings have all, alas, gone to museums like the Met in New York. Yet the gardens he loved remain a treasure trove. The plant material isn t wildly exciting or unusual
Getting there
V!zcaya Museum and Gardensis at 3251 South MiamiAvenuein Coconut Grove.Take I-95 south from Miami to Exit 1A. Turn right, then left at the third light.Admission: $12. Open every day except Christmas, 9.30 am to 4.30 pm. There
The hodgepodge of architectural styles at Vizcaya includes Venetian gondola poles.
(Simpkins is working on that) but the weathered statues and cracked urns tipping at crazy angles look wonderful. And some specimens are amazingly old, especially considering Vizcaya s vulnerability to hurricanes. There s a sky-scraping royal palm brought over by barge from Cuba and container-grown casuarinas still thriving in their original Italian pots.
The colourful parade of humanity that now passes through Vizcaya is a treat too. I couldn t stop gawking at nubile Cuban-American girls squeezed into shiny satin ball gowns who come to the gardens to have their photos taken on their quinceafiera (fifteenth birthday). Turn any corner and, whoops, you stumble across yet another busty Carmencita, pouting and posing in the plumbago.
It was all quite Fellini-esque. Like Sargent, I wanted to linger longer. But perhaps that was what Deering intended when he created this remarkable monument to Miami s elegant past. @ 3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3R 3% 3K DX 3 5 K K e 3¢ 3K Sonia Day is a Toronto Star and Canadian Gardening columnist. Her humorous memoir, Middle-Aged Spread: Moving to the Country at 50, will be published by Key Porter Books in spring 2010.
Pickupa registrationform attheTBG or request one attoronto.mg@hotmail.com.
REGISTER EARLY TO ENSUREAPLACE!
GARDENS OF THE WORLD: IRELAND
Irish National StudJapanese Gardens
Lorraine Hunterfinds aJapanese garden where you would least expect one
The Red Bridge of Life spans a pool of waterlilies.
Imagine finding a Japanese garden that s almost
100 years old, not onlyin the middle ofIreland, but on the grounds of a renowned stud farm! Set in this most unlikely location, the Japanese Gardens at Tully lie within the Irish National Stud farm near Kildare. Carefully preserved as part of Ireland s heritage, they are considered among the finest Japanese gardens in Europe.
Colonel William Hall-Walker (later Lord Wavertree), a wealthy Scots businessman of a famous brewery family, commissioned the gardens at the beginning of the last century.
A man with an interest in things Asian, he brought over Japanese garden designer Tassa Eida and his family to live on the site and create a garden symbolizing man s journey through life, from before the cradle to beyond the grave. Hall-Walker also imported a shipload of plants, bonsai, stone ornaments and a tea house. From 1906 until 1910 Eida supervised an army of 40 Irish labourers to do the installation, including digging out a bog and transplanting several now majestic Scots pine trees, a Japanese symbol of long life and happiness.
Visiting the Irish National Stud
Admission to the Japanese Gardens includes a guided tour of the Irish National Stud farm, which is fascinating, even for non-racing fans. Open dailyfrom mid-Februaryto late December, the Irish National Stud is located inTully, one mile east of Kildare and 25 miles southwestof Dublin. Several buses make the trek dailyfrom Dublin and back. For more information visit www.irish-national-stud.ie.
Visitors enter the garden through the Gate of Oblivion and the Cave of Birth, a rock cavern overlooked by a stone lantern, symbolizing life s beginning. From here the path goes through various tunnels and up steps which represent various stages of childhood and adolescence. A tall pine tree symbolizes the student s temptation to look too high while an unguarded pit warns of surrounding dangers.
A rugged Path ofAdventure leads to the Parting of the Ways where one must choose one of three paths: the smooth one of carefree life; the narrow path of bachelorhood or the middle road to wedded life on the Island ofJoy and Wonder. The journey continues through various pivotal moments of adulthood, including the Hill of Ambition, the Well of Wisdom, the Red Bridge of Life, the Garden of Peace and Contentment with its level lawn, shady trees and wide slow-moving stream, the Chair of Old Age and the Hill of Mourning, surrounded by weeping trees. Eventually the path leads through the Gateway to Eternity.
In 1915, Hall-Walker donated the entire property to the British government. The stud farm became the British National Stud and the Japanese Gardens entered a period of relative
obscurity until 1945 when, 24 years after Ireland obtained independence, the Irish National Stud was formed. Since then, additions to the gardens include the Garden of Eternity, a dry landscape of rocks and sand depicting the conflicts of human nature, and the Zen Meditation Garden, located in the courtyard of the Irish Horse Museum.®
\l
Lorraine Hunter is a garden writer and chair of the Trellis Committee.
Wednesday May 20" 2009 1215 for .00pm Floral Demonstration $35/zAudio Visual by
Thursday May 21" 2009 9:30am to 3:30pm
loral demonstraion by
International Designer from Floral Hall, Toronto Botanical Garden, 777 Lawrence Ave. E. (at Leslie) Toronto
GARDENS OF THE WORLD: MALAYSIA
Taman Botani Putrajaya
Outside Kuala Lumpur, Lorraine Flanigan discovers an enchantinggarden.
AFTER TWO WEEKS IN MALAYSIA, sweat seems a natural element like earth, air, fire or water. One sultry afternoon, I found my sweaty self in the midst of one of those magical moments that no amount of trip planning and research can prepare you for. Innocent and unaware, all at once you find yourself immersed in another world. And that s what happened to me in Putrajaya, a modern suburb ofKuala Lumpur where government buildings, residences and mosques are writ large on the steamy landscape.
The Taman Botani Putrajaya was the last of several botanical gardens I'd visited on a tour of Malaysia that took place in June, 2007. And while at first glance the garden seemed interesting enough, it was hardly spellbinding.
I became aware of the magic by the smallest of increments. First there was the pathwaylined with fiery-stemmed sealing wax palms their leaves were giant fans that brushed the blazing sky. Then, a colourful tram-load of Muslim women whizzed by, offering joyful smiles and friendly waves.
The pathway continued downward and led to a long flight of steps, each one carefully edged in tiny seashells. The stairs broadened and beckoned me, step by step, until I found the cool of the bougainvillea tunnel where a prettily head-scarfed girl sat on a swing. She let me take her picture, no doubt wondering why this silly tourist was taking so long to succumb to the surroundings.
The walkway out of the tunnel led me to a quiet garden where a long wooden pergola shaded ferns and sedges. By this time, the pathway had turned to gravel and placed here and there were smooth, sculpted boulders that invited me to sit, stop and look. But I forged onward and found myself back at the seashell stairs.
Above: A gardener prepares to cut the grass flanking the swathes of mother-in-law s tongues.
Left: Clumps of sealing wax palms edge the pathways of the Putrajaya Botanical Garden.
Gardens of Malaysia
asily reached by bus ortrain from Kuala pur,PutrajayaBotanical Ga
Cloaked in the heat of the day, [ stepped downward towards the cool ofthe lake that pooled at the foot of the gardens, looking in vain for an errant breeze. That s when I heard it. 'm not sure how long it had been there, faintly murmuring all the while, but I became aware of it at the same time I realized that the charms of the garden had crept up on me, slowly seducing me with its beauty. I looked to the right and saw a cave-like structure, its great ceiling moulded in soft billows of creamy white concrete, and through the pillars that held it aloft were glimpses of the sparkling water beyond.
And there it was, clearly drifting across the lake from the massive, pink-hued mosque reflected in the shimmeringwaters. Itwas the haunting call to prayer sung by the muezzin that floated over the sultry air, carried with crystal clarity to the garden where [ stood, transfixed by that magical moment when the traveller meets the spirit of the place.®
Lorraine Flanigan is a garden writer, Master Gardenerand editor ofTrellis.
Photos: Lorraine Flanigan
GARDENS OF THE WORLD: ITALY
Bella Toscana
During a hiker s holiday, Gwen Rattleglimpses pretty village gardens in the hills ofTuscany.
THE DRY SUMMER OF 2008 left parched river valleys gouging the beautiful Tuscan hills. Despite the drought, this garden lover and avid hiker discovered that every hillside home in this part of Italy abounds with terra cotta pots filled with lush pelargoniums, giant hydrangeas, hostas unmarred by insects, trailing bacopa and, always, a rose bush or two. Brimming with plants in vibrant reds, greens and yellows, well-watered planters adorn doorsteps, stairways and front patios. The stone-and-concrete paved paths that wind through narrow laneways, inaptly called village streets, offer glimpses into vegetable plots in tiny terraced backyards.
It was hard to imagine a determined Tuscan gardener hauling plants, pots and water to maintain these delights for passersbylike me to admire. The persistence needed to ensure that each planter fulfills its potential is a testament to faith in nature with more than a little human help. The steep landscape takes high-rise gardening to new heights. The three- and four-storey houses clinging to the hillsides have been designed to make the most of the challenging space.
The hiking paths that connect these pretty mountain villages follow the edges of small fields, each adding their own natural spectacle to the carefully tended terraced land where Sangiovese grapevines and olive trees provide farmers with their livelihood. Bordering these fields, I often saw rose bushes and oleander trees while the aromas ofwild mint, oregano, rosemary and occasional patches of heather added to the sensory experience.
These rugged hills experience all four seasons: melting mountain snows bring spring floods; spectacular thunderstorms punctuate the dry summers; autumns are devoid of the colour we re accustomed to seeing in North America; and sweeping snows drift into the narrow cob-
Above: Pots of geraniums hang suspended from sun-washed walls. Right: Petunias tumble from louvered windows.
Bella Italia in Philadelphia
ThegardensofTuscanyare theinspiration for this year s Philadelphia Flower Show, which runs from March 1 through 8, 2009. For information and tickets, visittheflowershow.com.
bled lanes and blanket the steep staircases in winter. Add to these extremes of climate the various insects that thrive on grapevines and in olive trees and then invade home gardens and you can imagine a gardening experience similar to ours in Canada. How delightful, then, to come home with some of the gardening ideas I saw in small spaces. Next season may see my garden layered vertically with earth-built terraces to showcase the vibrant colours copied from the photos I took. And, large, terra cotta pots will teem with flamboyant hostas and hydrangeas. Last spring, Proven Winners representative John Gaydos predicted gardening trends would include containers used as the garden , no-shovel gardening and the notion of gardens as outdoor decoration. Who could have imagined that these trends have long been standard in the hills of Tuscany?@
Gwen Rattle isa Weston FamilyLibrary volunteer and member ofthe Trellis Committee.
Photos: Gwen R
by Sandra Pella
Plants Don tAlways Make the Best Souvenirs
MANY OF US TRAVEL, and as plant lovers, the temptation to bring something home is often too great. What most of us overlook is that something that may appear to be a harmless product could be harmful to our environment. That s why it s important to know what you can and cannot bring into Canada and why.
The health of Canadian plants and their natural habitats is protected by the government of Canada through importation restrictions on foreign goods coming into the country, including plants. Canada s requirements are among the strictest in the world. As the world becomes more of a global village and Canadians continue to travel widely, the possibility of introducing foreign pests and diseases as well as invasive plant species increases. These threats change constantly, and the rules governing which plant materials are restricted or prohibited are constantly modified in response. That s why it s important to check for limitations on bringing in plant material from foreign countries, including the United States, every time you travel and intend to bring back plants.
Canadian residents and visitors to Canada are required by law to declare all foreign goods, including plants, seeds and any related material, brought into Canada. Failure to do so could lead to severe penalties. Individuals may bring 500 grams (about one pound) of small seeds and five kilos (11 pounds) of large seeds (such as beans) into the country. If you re caught with undeclared plants or seeds you may be subject to penalties that range from confiscation to a $400 fine per undeclared item to prosecution.
Don t panic, there is help for avid plant collectors. The Be Aware and Declare Web site should be your first step in finding out the import requirements. This site sets out an overview of the rules and provides links to other helpful
resources, including the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) which has up-to-date lists of prohibited plants as well as those requiring a special permit. Information sheets provide specific details on the import and export of particular plant species. In addition, this site outlines the requirements for the exporting country to issue a phytosanitary certificate, which certifies the plant material being imported has been inspected and meets all guidelines and regulations required by Canada. (Note: Houseplants coming from the continental United States do not require phytosanitary certificates or import permits.)
Finally, before leaving Canada on that global garden tour, request an Application for a Permit to Import Plants and Other Things for all items that require it, allowing at least five business days for the Plant Health Division of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to process and approve your application don t leave home without one! Enjoy your travels and remember to declare!@
Bring em back legally
For complete information on importing plants, see these online resources.
GENERAL IMPORTATION INFORMATION: www.beaware.gc.ca
AIRS database: airs-sari.inspection.gc.ca
CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY: inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/internat/ importe.shtml and inspection.gc.ca/english/ plaveg/oper/appdeme.shtml
CANADIAN BORDER SERVICES AGENCY: cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/fpa-apa/law-loi-eng.html#c3
BLOOMING WHISTLE STOPS
Carol Cowan explores the VIA Rail Garden Route.
oh it s cold outside. What better time to sit O down with a steaming cuppa and begin planning next summer s garden explorations?
This past winter, that s exactly what I did when I chose to visit the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden in Winnipeg. It s one ofthe 15 gardens, from Victoria to Halifax, and 28 award-winning Communities in Bloom, along the VIA Rail Garden Route.
*NO WORRIES, BE HAPPY
Train travel is leisurely, and cell phone and Internet service is limited on the train for much of the out west portion of the Garden Route. Knowing this, I stepped aboard ready to relax in a big comfy seat, read a book, have a nap or marvel at the breathtakingly magnificent scenery outside my window. I soon forgot the hassles of driving the wear and tear on my nerves and the cost of gas. I also discovered many on-board pastimes: books, puzzles, games, bars and wonderfully interesting strangers to chat with.
R e e AD B i L DA A LS, For information about the VIA Rail Garden Route, visit viarail.ca/garden. Book on-line for a 10-percentdiscount, valid fortravel from mid-Junethrough Labour Day weekend. It's handy to know that it doesn tcostextra tobooka ticketthatallowsyou to getoffthe train to visita garden or city and then get back on board to continue yourioumey.
to enter theToronto Botamcal Garden and Casa Lom Gardens VIARailGarden
*A COMFY BED, A PRIVATE LOO AND GREAT FOOD
On the overnight trip from Toronto to Winnipeg, the sleeping compartments, each equipped with its own toilet, could not be more comfortable, nor the staff more accommodating. Each sleeper car even has a communal shower, which means it s available to everyone in the car, not that we had to shower together! The price of meals is included when booking a compartment, and each of the lovingly restored Art Deco dining cars had two chefs busily preparing delicious dishes.
*ONLY IN CANADA, EH?
Mid-morning day two found me sitting in a panorama car, enjoying mile after mile ofsparkling lakes and white-barked birch forests when all of a sudden, seemingly for no reason, the train stopped. Twelve cars ahead, | saw a knot of about 15 people and five canoes board the train. Fortyfive minutes later, the train stopped again, and off they got. That s when I learned that in Northern Ontario, with 48 hours advance notice, passengers can request the train to stop and pick them up or drop them off anywhere along the line. How wonderful and very Canadian is that? @ \'I\l\l\l,_x\l\l.\l.'..'.\l,\l\ \lll
Carol Cowan is a garden writer specializing in public relationsfor the horticultural industry.
Flying Green
Carol Gardnerexamines how airlines andpassengers can reduce their carbonfootprints.
IN 1903, when the Wright brothers flew their first airplane, they could not have imagined how it would change the world. In fact, when the brothers mused that their invention would eventually be used to convey passengers, they were considered, by many, to be a couple of nuts. By 1947, the commercial aviation industry had grown by leaps and bounds. All the basic technology had been developed: jet propulsion, aerodynamics and radar. At the time, the last thing on people s minds was the eventual effect on the environment.
Today, the airline industry is well aware of its impact. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) states that over the past 40 years fuel efficiency has increased by 70 per cent. Yet the association also acknowledges that aviation is responsible for three per cent of total man-made contributions to climate change. IATA s plan is twofold: to immediately eliminate up to 18 per cent of airline fuel that s currently used inefficiently and to focus on the invention ofalternate fuels and the creation ofa zero-carbonemission aircraft by the year 2050. It isn t just the planes that cause problems; ground operations generate their own pollution. Those issues are being addressed as well. Air Canada has converted from gas and diesel to propane for much of its ground support equipment, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The company has also switched to lightweight cargo containers, which they expect will reduce fuel burn by 2.8 million kilos (6.1 million pounds) annually as well as cutting CO, emissions by approximately 9,000 tonnes a year.
In 2007, the Boeing Company and Virgin Atlantic Airlines announced an environmental
partnership to develop biofuels that can be used as commercial jet fuel. The first flight using fuel developed from Brazilian babassu nuts and coconuts took place in February of last year. While algae and other organic materials are considered to be the most important potential source of biofuel in the future, some organizations, including Greenpeace, say plant-based biofuels may contribute to the problems of world hunger and the introduction of alien species. A 2007 University of Edinburgh study concluded that a biofuel based on canola and maize generated more greenhouse gas emissions than did traditional fossil fuels. Clearly, this is a work in progress.
There are, in the meantime, a few positive things we can do as passengers bring and keep our own headsets (the ones on airlines are cleaned with a solution that emits volatile organic compounds and are then disposed of after a few uses) and pack lightly to lessen fuel burn. Perhaps the most innovative contribution we can make is participation in a joint program through Air Canada and Zerofootprint that will calculate the amount of CO, generated by each flight and translate it into dollars. We can then contribute that amount to plant trees to offset the carbon emissions. For example, a round trip from Toronto to Paris, France, will generate 1.3 tonnes of CO,. For that amount, they suggest a donation of $20.80 per passenger.
As for that most annoying of airline problems the food sorry, there s absolutely no hope for improvement there.@
CarolGardnerisan award-winninggarden writer as wellas Volunteer Co-ordinatorand member of the Trellis Committee at the TBG.
SHOW-GOING
Rob Caldwelland Lorraine Hunterprovide the info on some ofthe world s greatgarden shows.
Show gardens often feature ideas that are larger than life .
with the exciting Canada Blooms show, but there is a wide variety of international garden shows, too. If you're especially motivated (and have a large budget), you could attend them all, though you might have a difficult time in March, the busiest season!
*CANADA Canada Blooms
MetroToronto Convention Centre, South Building
March 18-22
canadablooms.com
One of the top three gardening shows in North America, Toronto s own Canada Blooms features six acres of landscaped gardens, a marketplace and seminars.
I n Toronto, we re familiar International Garden Festival/Festival international de jardins
Jardins de Métis/Reford Gardens, Quebec Summer 2009 jardinsdemetis.com
The International Garden Festival features temporary gardens created by Canadian and international designers.
*UNITED STATES
Philadelphia Flower Show
Pennsylvania Convention Center
March 1-8
theflowershow.com
This year s theme, Bella ltalia, will interpret the unique beauty of Italy.
Chicago Flower & Garden Show
Navy Pier
March 7-15
chicagoflower.com
Intricately designed theme gardens and hands-on workshops make this one of North America s premier garden shows.
Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
Disneyworld, Orlando, Florida
March 18-May 31 disneyworld.disney.go.com
A family event featuring Disney topiary, millions of blooms, gardening workshops and the Flower Power concert series.
San Francisco Flower & Garden Show
San Mateo Event Center
March 18-22 gardenshow.com
This long-running show has four acres of gardens, free seminars and shopping at 300 exhibits.
Gardeners gather in throngs to attend Royal Horticultural Society shows such as Hampton Court.
eEurope
RHS Shows rhs.org.uk/WhatsOn/Events
Britain s Royal Horticultural Society hosts an abundance of respected and impressive garden shows in a variety of locations throughout the year, from the world-renowned Chelsea Flower Show to the Malvern Autumn Show.
elondon Plant and Design Show, February 17-18
*RHS Show Cardiff, April 17-19
eMalvern Spring Gardening Show, May 7-10
*RHS Chelsea Flower Show, May 19-23
*BBC Gardeners World Live, June 10-14
eHampton Court Palace Flower Show, July 7-12
*RHS Show atTatton Park, July 22-26
eWisley Flower Show: August (dates to be announced)
eMalvern Autumn Show, September 26, 27
Keukenhof
Lisse, Holland
March 19-May 21
keukenhof.nl/nm/english.html
A large park is the setting for this two-month-long show of millions of flowering bulbs, the largest sculpture park in the Netherlands and numerous flower shows.
Féte des Plantes Vivaces
Saint-Jean de Beauregard, France
April 3-5
domsaintjeanbeauregard.com
A seventeenth-century chateau is the setting for this annual spring plant fair that attracts nurseries from all over France, the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe.
Journées des Plantes
Courson-Monteloup, France
May 15-17
October 16-18
domaine-de-courson.fr
Held in the grounds of the Domaine de Courson, these shows feature exhibitors from France, England, Italy, Germany, Holland and Belgium. Plant workshops are held in both French and English.
Festival des Jardins
Chaumont-sur-Loire
May to October
chaumont-jardins.com
Held on the grounds of the Chaumont-sur-Loire Estate, this festival of contemporary garden design offers a panorama of innovative prototypes for the gardens of tomorrow.
International Specialist Nursery Days
Bingerden, Holland
June 19-21
bingerden.com
This year s theme is Indigenous or Exotic Plants. Staged in historic gardens, the show features rare and unusual plant collections and talks by international specialists.
Ayr Flower Show
Ayr, Scotland
August 7-9
ayrflowershow.org
Scotland s premier horticultural event, the Ayr Flower Show is often referred to as the Chelsea of the North. Held on the grounds of Robert Burns home, there s a wealth of exhibits including cut flowers and vegetables, beekeeping and modern landscaped gardens.
eAustralia
Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show
Carlton Gardens and Royal Exhibition Building
Melbourne, Australia
April 1-5
melbflowershow.com.au
The largest and most successful horticultural event in the Southern Hemisphere, the Melbourne show is rated among the top five flower and garden shows in the world.
OUR VOLUNTEERS have been busy cleaning and packaging an interesting variety of seeds for this year s exchange. Don t be disappointed make sure your order is in by Monday January 19, 2009.
Thankyou to this year s donors: KatyAnderson, Kristin Campbell, Susan Dolbey, Vivien Jenkinson, Shelagh O Neill, Karen Silvera, Toni Vella and A.E. Wade.
Seeds are listed alphabetically by botanical name, followed by the common name, plant type,
1. Agastache Blue Fortune ( Blue Fortune anise hyssop) PE lavender 90cm; summer to frost, bees love it, full sun
2. Agastache mexicana (Hyssop) PE purple 1m; self seeds, late summer, sun, well-drained soil, aromatic
3. Alcea rosea (Hollyhock) PE blue 2m
4. Allium cepa (Egyptian walking onion) PE 70cm
5. Anethum graveolens (Dill) HB 1.2m; June to September
6. Angelica (Angelica) PE 1.5m
7. Aquilegia dicolor (Columbine) PE blue/white 8cm; true alpine (Pyrenees)
8. Aquilegia longissima (Longspur columbine) PE yellow 75cm; flowers till early fall
9. Aquilegia sp. (Columbine) PE blue 60cm; deep rich blue on large-leafed plant, flowers held above
10. Aquilegia sp. (Columbine) PE pink 60cm; early spring bloomer in semi-shade
11. Astrantia major (Masterwort) PE pink 50cm; dainty flowers
12. Baptisia australis (False indigo) PE purple
13. Belamcanda chinensis (Leopard lily)
PE orange 90cm; red spotted orchid look-alike, sandy soil, sun, Zone 5
flower colour, height and a brief description provided by the donor. Plant type is coded as follows: AN (annual); BI (biennial); BU (bulb); GR (grass); HB (herb); PE (perennial); SH (shrub); TR (tree), VG (vegetable); VI (vine).
All plant information is supplied by the donors. We cannot guarantee that all seeds are true to name. Only limited quantities of some selections are available.
Please keep this list for reference or checkwww. torontobotanicalgarden.ca/seedex for full details.
14. Calendula Orange Sherbet ( Orange Sherbet pot marigold) orange
15. Calendula sp. (Pot marigold) AN orange 40cm; daisy-like flowers, edible petals look great in salads
16. Campanula alliariifolia (Cornish bellflower) PE white 60cm; wand-like flower stems, self sows
17. Campanula glomerata (Clustered bellflower) PE blue 60cm
18. Capsicum Small Globe Red (Small Globe Red hot pepper) VG 24cm; mild
19. Capsicum annuum Variegata (Variegated hot pepper) VG 30cm; very hot, deep purple to red fruit
20. Capsicum annuum var. annuum (Longum Group) (Hot pepper) VG 40cm; four-inch pods, likes sun
21. Caryopterisx clandonensis (Bluebeard) SH blue 1m; easy; fabulous late summer to early autumn
22. Cephalaria tchihatchewii (Giant yellow scabious) PE cream 1m; scabiosa-like flowers on tall wispy stems
67. Salvia coccinea Coral Nymph ( Coral Nymph scarlet sage) AN pink 60cm; summer to fall, slender open terminal spikes
68. Salvia coccinea Lady in Red ( Lady in Red scarlet sage) AN red 60cm; summer to fall, slender open terminal spikes
69. Salvia glutinosa (Jupiter s distaff) PE yellow 60cm; hooded flowers, sticky leaves, August
70. Saxifraga sp. (Saxifrage) PE white 15cm; early spring bloom with sprays of flowers
71. Silene armeria (Catchfly) PE pink 45c¢m; thrives in full sun or partial shade
72. Sorghum nigrum (Sorghum) GR black 1.5m; impressive, shiny seed heads on sturdy stems
73. Stachys officinalis syn. S. monieri (Alpine betony) PE pink 50cm; spikes on dainty plant
74. Symphyandra hofmannii (Ringed bellflower) Bl white 45cm; cascades of nodding bells, August to September
75. Tagetes Cottage Red ( Cottage Red marigold) AN red/yellow 60cm; tall, willowy, bright mixed colours
76. Tagetessp. (Marigold) AN browny-orange 50cm
77. Tiarella sp. (Foamflower) PE white 25¢m; mixture, well-marked leaves
78. Tricyrtis latifolia (Toad lily) PE cream 60cm; flowers spotted with pink
79. Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver s root) PE white 1.5m; upright, late summer
80. Viola cornuta (Viola) PE white 15cm; purple centre, flowers till fall
81. Viola x wittrockiana (Pansy) AN purple/yellow 20cm; vigorous
09 SEED EXCHANGE ORDER EQRM
name (please print)i
Orders are filled in the order received, with donors getting first choice. You may order up to 20 packets of seed. Please write the numbers clearly in the boxes at left in ascending numerical order. To have the seeds shipped, send the form along with a SASE large enough to hold your order and a $10 cheque (payable to the Toronto Botanical Garden) for
handling. If you plan to pick up your seeds, send the form with a self-addressed envelope large enough to hold your order and a
] $10 cheque for handling.
FACTSHEET g from Seed
HERE S ADVICE FROM THE TORONTO MASTER GARDENERS HOW TO SOW YOUR SEEDS SUCCESSFULLY.
STARTING PLANTS FROM SEED can be very economical and enables the gardener to grow a very wide range of plants that perhaps cannot be easily transported when mature or readily available from local growers. Growing indoors enables the gardener to carefully control the
WHAT ISA SEED?
A seed is a ripened ovule containing an embryonic plant and its food supply. Some seeds are actually a fruit with an ovary containing one or more seeds (e.g., dill, carrot, corn). Seeds contain enough food to last through their dormancy until the seedlingsproducetrue leaves. The firstleavesarecotyledons; the second sets of leaves are the true leaves.
GERMINATION
Seeds must be subjected to appropriate conditions and have oxygen, water, light or dark and warmth, if they are to germinate. Appropriate information on germination of a particular seed may be found on seed packets, in catalogues, in Ann Reilly s Park s Success with Seed or by consulting material in the TBG library.
growing conditions and minimizes the risk of disease and pests during the early stages of growth. In addition this process enables the gardener to get a head start on the growing season or just enjoy spring flowers during the winter months.
Seeds can be dormant, doubly dormant, have impermeable seed coats, contain a chemical inhibitor or may require specific conditions such as a fire, a period of warmth followed by cold (e.g., Cornus canadensis) or total darkness (e.g., pansies and delphiniums). If no information is available on germinating a specific seed, identify the country of origin and attempt to replicate the appropriate climatic conditions.
Dormant seeds require stratification. They must be subjected to moisture and cold for a specific time period, anything from two weeks to five months. The seeds should be placed in moist peat moss, soilless mix or potting soil in a container covered with clear plastic (or in a plastic bag) and placed in the fridge or freezer or, in winter, outside. Germination may not be rapid after a warm period as some seeds (e.g., some
of the rose family) need an after-ripening period, which may be three to four months.
Doubly dormant seeds (e.g., trillium, bloodroot or peony) require two periods of cold and warmth that would normally take two years. This process can be accelerated slightly by placing the sown seeds in a temperature of 18 to 29°C (65 to 85°F) for four to six months followed by three months in the fridge. The potted seeds should then be placed outside.
Seeds with hard impermeable coats (e.g., hibiscus) require scarification. The coats can be pierced, scratched, nicked or partially destroyed with acid. Sterilized needles, knives or sandpaper can be used but care should be taken not to penetrate too deeply. Seeds with hard coats also contain a chemical inhibitor (e.g., lupines) should be soaked for 24 to 48 hours in handhot water. This softens the seed coat and leaches out chemical inhibitors.
SUPPLIES
e Any container, as long as it is sterilized (1 part bleach to 9 parts water), has drainage holes and is large enough to prevent overcrowding
e Flats with covers, or use clingfilm/plastic wrap
o Waterproof markers to record plant names and dates
® Write down special instructions and the approximate number of seeds sown. Seeds may germinate over several weeks, and certain seeds do not have 100-percent germination.
e A seed distributor and dibble (a tool for transplanting)
® A thermometer
GROWING MEDIA
e Media are soilless mixes that contain peat moss, vermiculite and perlite
e A layer of coarse sand on top of the soil mix can prevent the growth of moulds. Mould can be a problem when growing seeds that require long germination periods.
e Soilless mixes contain no nutrients but fertilizer is not required until true leaves are produced. However, a slow-release fertilizer (14:14:14) may be added to the medium.
CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS
A temperature of 20 to 22°C (68 to 71°F) and light is often adequate. Many seeds (e.g., delphiniums) will not germinate well in very warm temperatures. Some seeds need a drop in temperature of at least 5°C (10°F) at night to germinate. Fluorescent lights are best because the light can be adjusted to the height of the seedling which prevents legginess. Seeds can also be placed in fairly strong light in an east window. Total dark can be achieved by placing the flat in a black plastic bag. During germination and after, lights may be left on for 12 to 16 hours.
PLANTING
¢ Before sowing seed, the soil mix should be moistened by hand so that it is evenly damp but not wet.
e Fill pots to the rim without packing down the soil.
e Evenly scatter the seeds over the soil and sprinkle a fine layer of soil on top if needed.
e Firmly press down so the seed comes in full contact with the soil. A general rule to follow is to plant the seed no deeper than the thickness of the seed. Avoid hand contact if possible a board is useful.
e Water the pots just enough to evenly moisten the soil, label and cover with clear or dark plastic depending on whether light or dark is required.
e Watering should be done with a mister to prevent dislodging the seeds. Never allow the planting medium to dry out.
e Cover the pots with a plastic top or plastic wrap to increase humidity. If using a wrap slit the plastic to provide ventilation.
e Check the containers daily if they are under lights. Take the cover off for an hour. The moisture under the cover can be tapped back in.
e When 75 per cent germination has occurred, remove the cover.
o Use a fan if the area is poorly ventilated.
e Use a tray or container tag to identify the species and date of planting.
Excerpted from the Toronto Master Gardener Factsheet, Growingfrom Seed. For more advice, visitfactsheets.torontomastergardeners.ca.
by Rob Caldwell MANAGER,
Horticultural News, Events and Developments
gardenvisit.com
THE BEST DESTINATION on the Internet for garden travel information is gardenvisit. com, the Garden and Landscape Guide. It has details of gardens throughout the world, some public and others private (including hotels, spas, resorts and other commercial organizations), with links to histories of garden design and landscape architecture. Gardens are listed by country and then by province or state, where applicable. Each garden page includes a map, short description, photos, link to the official Web site and sometimes reviews. A trip planner feature allows you to enter an address and the site will attempt to find the 10 nearest gardens, nurseries and hotels.
Ontario s old-growth forests
YOU DON T HAVE TO FLY around the world to see interesting plant life. Ancient Forest Exploration and Research has an informationfilled Web site at www.ancientforest.org that lists Ontario s oldest trees and where they re
located. There s also a guide to the province s ancient and old-growth forests, including exploration information and maps of unique regions in Algonquin Park, Temagami and the Algoma Highlands as well as trail information. The easiest way to navigate the Web site is from the site map.
innovative and |mproved use of our retail space. Stay tuned, as we unveil our plans for a new and exciting way of shoppmg atTBG.
Garden travel resources in our library FOR ARMCHAIR TRAVELLERS,
the library has a large collection of garden travel books. For a taste of the tropics, Balinese Gardens by Tettoni and Warren or Gardens of Mexico by Haas and Sapieha are sure to keep you warm on snowy days. Britain s wet and mild climate is a garden lover s dream, and Gardens of the National Trust by Lacey and The World ofKew by Fry are colourful books to read or browse the photographs. Cézanne s Garden by Fell offers a thoughtful look at the artist s garden: how it influenced and inspired his work and how his artist s eye inspired the garden. If you're still in a thoughtful mood, The Art of the Japanese Garden by Young, provides a look at some notable gardens as well as a discussion of the design principles and history of gardening in Japan.
Book REVIEW
Around the World in 80 Gardens
By Monty Don, with illustrations by Gerry Dawson & Keith
WRITTEN TO ACCOMPANY the 10-part BBC television series,Aroundthe Worldin 80 Gardens isan account of Monty Don s journey in search of the world s most inspirational gardens. In 10 separate trips over 18 months, he sought to get under the skin of each of the various cultures through his garden visits. These include the unique floating gardens of the Amazon, the colourful alpine flower meadows of Norway, the formal magnificence of the Renaissance lItalian gardens, the tropical plantings ofThailand and the indigenous and colonial gardens of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The author assesses each garden and defines what makes it special.
Reviewed byMadge Bruce
Four Seasons Tree Care
Southern Ontario Orchid Society
ORCHID SHOW
30,000 orchid blooms
Plants for Sale
Seminars, Guided Tours
Artwork, Photographs
February 14 & 15, 2009
11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Photographers: Sunday 9 to 11 am
Admission: $ 10 ($8 with coupon) Discount Coupon (@ wWww.s00s.ca
HARDY PLANT SALE
by Anna Leggatt
Rhamnus cathartica -
common buckthorn
In thisfinal in a series on weeds, Anna Leggattwarns ofthe dangers ofimporting an invasive exotic
WE
VISIT MANY GARDENSin different countries and innocently may be helping plants and insects spread and become pests here at home. It s easy to pick up seeds in our travels: even a speck of mud on the sole of a shoe may contain a few seeds. Despite these chance encounters, some of our Canadian weeds have been deliberately brought to North America, including the common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica), which makes a thick prickly deciduous hedge used by pioneer farmers as fence rows and valued for its hardiness and
adaptability. Its berries have been used as a laxative, too. (I even found one reference that noted the bark can be used as a colon cleanser!)
Why should we be worried about this introduced species? Because it forms dense stands that create an impenetrable barrier which then competes with native plants for nutrients, light and moisture, spoils wildlife habitats, shades out our woodland wildflowers (thus possibly contributing to soil erosion) and becomes a host to pests such as oat crown rust and soya aphids. Buckthorn grows well in alkaline to neutral soils, where it quickly becomes a major pest, and there are no natural controls to check its spread.
Common buckthorn is a small tree or multistemmed shrub that grows to about eight to ten metres (25 to 30 feet) in height. It s easy to identify, as it s one of the first shrubs to leaf out in spring and remains green long after others have dropped their leaves in the fall. The glossy oval leaves are dark green, pointed at the tip and finely toothed with prominent veins. They appear in pairs along brown stems, which frequently end in a thorn. Inconspicuous female flowers form loose clusters of small blackberries that are obvious from late August until earlyNovember. Birds love the berries, which they devour after the first frost, littering the ground with purple droppings filled with seeds.
Dig out the plants when you see them (they re easiest to spot in late fall as their leaves are the only ones that remain). The roots are tough to remove, and if you just cut them down to the ground, they produce new shoots.
Lookoutforthis pest (I've found seedlings even in my frontyard in the city) and help our habitats.@
Anna Leggatt is a Master Gardenerand a tireless TBG volunteer.
by Rebecca Golding® PROGRAM CO-ORDINATOR
Start packing! Here s Our Tempting Lneup of Summer Tours
THIS SUMMER PROMISES to be an exciting one with a full schedule oftours ofbotanical and private gardens, special forays to nurseries, a winery tour, anda trip to organic vegetable and fruit gardens.
The bucolic Brandywine
After the success of last year s trip to Quebec City, you won't want to miss this 5 night/6 day excursion with Marjorie and Jeff Mason to the Brandywine Valley of Pennsylvania. Departing on Sunday, August 23, and returning Friday, August 28, the tour will highlight Longwood Gardens, with its spectacular 1,050-acres of gardens and four conservatories, and Chanticleer, a 35-acre garden gem featuring lush courtyards of tropicals, colourful cut flower and vegetable gardens and a spectacular ruin. You'll also stop at Terrain, the hottest new shop for plants and garden ornaments, and spend one morning on a guided tour of historic Philadelphia. Discover the renovation of hundreds of row houses with their distinctive brickwork and eighteenthcentury formal gardens. All five nights will be spent in downtown Philadelphia, so you ll have access to the masterpieces of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Barnes Collection and the great shops and restaurants of Rittenhouse Square. Last summer s trip to Quebec sold out early, so don t miss out.
A day (or four) in the country
GO IT ALONE
You needn t forego the overnight trip just because you re a single traveller. Here s what one participant in last summer s Quebec tour wrote: A word of advice for the single traveller Go for it! | was paired with anothersingle when | registered for the Quebec GardenTour in July 2008. We spoke prior to the tour and decided thatwith a shared interest in gardening, we had to have something in common and we both knew how many plants the single supplement ¢ fee would buy!
The exquisite pigeoniere at Les QuatresVentes, taken during last year s summer tour to Quebec.
At a recent reunion of our tour group, everyone enthusiastically exchangedphotographsandmemories. - My roommate and | both recalled a . serendipitous moment as, during a . late evening walk, we sat for over an hour beside the St. Lawrence River under an inky velvet sky. Not very much was said as we watched the stars, but the gardening experiences we shared that week obviously left a lasting impression on both of us.
We have four day trips planned for the summer and fall of 2009. Frank Kershaw is back to show you hidden urban paradises located in the greater Toronto area, the domains of passionate
gardeners, plant collectors and, in some cases, professional horticulturists. Theresa Forte will lead a tour of the private gardens in Niagara; tour members will shop at new stores and dine at a renowned winery. Marjorie Mason will be your guide on a June trip to the Port Hope area to see many private gardens, including Peter Keeping s collection of clematis. On our fourth trip, Margaret Nevett leads a group to the countryside around Erin, where you'll visit organic farms and private kitchen gardens and feast on local food.
Summer is not that far away. Perhaps it s already time to start planning your getaway! @
Photo: Myint Gillespie
on atthe Toronto Botanical Garden|
JANUARY
Toronto Judging Centre of the American Orchid Society
Judging, Studio 1, 9 a.m.; soos.ca 4
Southern Ontario Orchid Society
Floral Hall & Courtyard, noon; soos.ca
11
Ontario Rock Garden & Hardy Plant Society
Sue and Mike Dolbey: Roughing It in the Bush Floral Hall & Courtyard, 12:30 p.m. onrockgarden.com
12
SOOS Newcomers Meeting
Boardroom, 7 p.m.; soos.ca
Toronto Bonsai Society
Garden Hall & Patio, 7 p.m. torontobonsai.org
13
North Toronto Horticultural Society
AGM,; Garden Hall & Patio, 7 p.m. 416-488-3368
North American Native Plant Society
Dr. Laurence Packer: The Importance of Bees Studios 1, 2, 3; 7:30 p.m. nanps.org
18
Ont. Water Garden & Hort. Society
Studio 3, noon; onwatergarden.com
20
Toronto Cactus & Succulent Club
AGM,; Studio 1, 7 p.m.; torontocactus.tripod.com
25
Toronto Region Rhododendron & Horticultural Society
Studio 3, 2 p.m.; onrhodos.com
FEBRUARY 1
Southern Ontario Orchid Society
Floral Hall & Courtyard, noon; soos.ca
8
Geranium, Pelargonium & Fuchsia
Society of Ontario
Garden Hall & Patio, 9 a.m.; 905-986-4307
Ontario Rock Garden & HardyPlant Society
Marion Jarvie: Dreamy Plants for Springtime
Indulgences
Floral Hall & Courtyard, noon www.onrockgarden.com
9
Toronto Bonsai Society
Garden Hall & Patio, 7 p.m.; torontobonsai.org
10
North Toronto Horticultural Society
Studios 1, 2, 3; 7 p.m.; 416-488-3368
14-15
Southern Ontario Orchid Society
Annual show & sale
Floral Hall & Courtyard, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
$00s.ca
16
Mycological Society of Toronto
Garden Hall & Patio, 7:30 p.m.; myctor.org
17
North American Native Plant Society
Garden Hall; 7:30 p.m.; www.nanps.org
22
Ont. Water Garden & Hort. Society
Studio 1, noon; onwatergarden.com
1 LOVE TREES e SHRUBS
Postage
CLASSIFIED ADS
GASTRONOMICAND CULTURALTOUR OF SARDINIA
Join us on this epicurean adventure (April 25-May 3, 2009) and immerse yourself in a different culture and traditions. Savour the textures and aromas of some of nature s finest gifts and discover a world of flavours. Special introductory price $2,080 (double), $2,150 (single) plus air (max. 20 participants). For information, contact Antonella-Manca-Mangoff at (416) 2380983 or (647) 271-3004 or by e-mail at oocc@mac. com. Visit www.oocc.ca for typical itineraries (Click on the FYWTour button). Final April-May itinerary to be posted on website by January 15, 2009.
HIGHLIGHTS OF BRITISH ISLES GARDEN TOUR 5
July 19 July, 2009 Featuring the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show with Marjorie Mason of Mason Hogue Gardens in Uxbridge Our Garden Discovery tour begins in the South-East corner of England with visits to
Wisley, Beth Chatto s garden and a special day at the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show. The National Botanical Garden ofWales will highlight our touring in Wales with David Austen Rose Garden Nursery visit en route.
DUBLIN, IRELAND - here we explore the city plus a private visit to the renowned Helen Dillon Garden and selected private gardens. The rugged coastline of Northern Ireland, beckons us to the fabulous Giants Causeway and the Mount Stewart garden in the Belfast area. Finally, 4 days of touring the Scottish Highlands and Lochs from our historic Stirling Highland Hotel visiting Royal Deeside, Balmoral, Crathes Castle and Pitlochry. Contact Lorna for detailed itinerary and register now for another Marjorie annual mirabilis tour. Cost per person double occupancy air included $4,889 plus taxes. Contact Lorna at 905-432-8411 lorna@cwtajax.com.
