TBGNews
on the go
From March 16 to 20, the tBG and the Royal ontario museum join forces at Canada Blooms to create a booth illustrating how nature can survive — and thrive — in the city. Direct energy centre, exhibition place.
• The TBG teams up with the ROM in April to celebrate nature Month with four Friday evening talks at the Rom. Find out how to bring nature into your garden with Douglas tallamy on April 8; learn the impact of the Don River on the city’s eco-system with peter Heinz on April 15; take a virtual downtown nature walk with liz Hood on April 22; and discover the city’s underground creeks with Helen mills on April 29. Programs start at 6 p.m. and are free with Rom admission. For details goto torontobotanical garden.ca/events/up coming.htm.
Who’s Talk InG
LeCtUReR: the Right honoURABLe ADRienne CLARKson toPiC: tRAnsFoRMAtions: PARKing Lots, PLAnts AnD PARADise When: WeDnesDAY, APRiL 6, 7:30 P.M.
You buy a house. It has parking for five cars and a buried swimming pool in the back and eight junipers and mangy grass in the front. If you’ve just spent six years rebuilding Rideau Hall’s gardens, you’ve got ideas. Gardener extraordinaire Adrienne Clarkson faces the challenge of turning a difficult space into a delightful garden and, not surprisingly, succeeds magnificently. A leading figure in Canada’s cultural life, Clarkson has had a rich and distinguished career in broadcasting, journalism, the arts and public service. An eminent writer, she has written five books and contributed numerous articles to major newspapers and magazines across Canada. Public $20, students (with ID) $15, TBG members free. Door sales only; limited seating.
The TBG Annual general Meeting (members only) precedes this lecture at 6:30 p.m. Find out what the TBG has been working on this past year and hear about future plans. Meet members of the Board of Directors and new inductees. Refreshments.
Joanne Fallowfield • Adult education Coordinator
After working as a garden designer for 10 years, in 2008 Joanne decided it was time to take a desk job — and we’re lucky she chose the tBG! After a stint in shopTBG and then as an admirable administrator of the tour guide program in 2009, she worked part-time on adult programming and became Adult education coordinator
in June 2010. She’s the proud mom of two university-age daughters, and she and husband Jeff have just celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. their household is ruled by two gorgeous labrador retrievers. Joanne, along with 14 friends, has formed a fundraising group, which has raised more than $150,000 for cancer research.
• Celebrate earth Day, Thursday, April 21. For event details, goto www.torontobotanical garden.ca
• tBg Plant sale Friends preview, Wednesday, May 11, 10 a.m. to noon; members, noon to 8 p.m. Open to the public: Thursday, May 12, and Friday, May 13, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, May 14, and Sunday, May 15, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Mother’s Day Champagne Reception and Floral Demonstration with Nicole North of Petals, Stems & Leaves design studio. Sunday, May 8, 1 to 4 p.m. Public $55 / members $45. Preregistration required: 416-397-1341 or torontobotanical garden.ca/programs/ registration.htm.
• through the garden gate visits the fabulous gardens of Swansea Village on Saturday, June 11, and Sunday, June 12. For tickets, call 416-397-1357 or e-mail ttgg@toronto botanicalgarden.ca.
From The TBG
ALDonA sAtteRthWAite executive Director
resolution of romance
Once upon a time when I was a much younger gardener, I dreamed of living on a vast country estate styled after Sissinghurst Castle in England. Mistily, I imagined myself surrounded by flowers, harvesting armloads of blooms in my trusty Sussex trug to create artful bouquets throughout the house, which of course was also vast with large, four-square rooms flooded with light. (I think there was a grand piano in there, too, and certainly big, plump, chintz-covered sofas.)
March Break
tBgKids March Break camps offer exciting art and nature programs. In Eco-Art Camp, design and make your own reusable bag. During Creature Camp, meet the animals. And, at Food Camp, learn how to make a delicious meal. Don’t miss these and many more activities! march 14 to 18. public $65, members $60 per day. Book a full week and save! Public $300, members $270.
Time went on and, as luck would have it, my thenhusband’s job saw our family transplanted to London. In the course of our house search, we briefly flirted with the notion of buying a country property with a disproportionately large garden and a huge rolling lawn. Croquet! Tea parties! My vision! But the house was completely impractical for our needs — damp, badly laid out, inconveniently located to the train and schools, miles from any shops, stupidly expensive. And in truth, I was the very busy mother of two young teenagers, and the thought of adding all that additional garden upkeep to my already daunting “to do” list made me feel quite dizzy.
So much for romantic pipe dreams, eh?
The reality is I’ve always gardened in a city. Now that I’m older and more practical, I’m really grateful to have a plot of manageable size. Yes, it’s a smaller canvas, but one that’s filled with delightful possibilities.
If you’re looking for fresh inspiration for your city garden, you’ll receive plenty in the pages of the Urbanscapes special issue, packaged with this spring issue of Trellis. But remember, too, that there are 17 themed, urban-scale garden areas right here at the TBG which are designed not only to be beautiful but also earth-friendly. Next time you’re by, take a closer look. They’re a great source of ideas for plants, combinations and styles.
A GooD ReAD
The Kitchen Gardener’s Handbook by Jennifer R. Bartley timber Press, 2010, 224 pages, $22.95 (Us)
This guide to growing vegetables, fruits and herbs is a cornucopia of growing advice, recipes and design ideas. – Weston Family Library
Celebrate earth Day as the TBG partners with the ROM to help you explore nature in the city. Take part in interactive displays and presentations in the ROM’s Schad Gallery of Biodiversity. Friday, April 22, 6 to 8:30 p.m. (Half-price admission to the ROM after 4:30 p.m.) No registration required.
Green Community Gotta get a rain barrel!
Environmentally friendly, cost-effective rain barrels are now available through an exciting fundraising partnership between the Toronto Master Gardeners and the TBG. The 220-litre barrels, reconditioned from bulk food containers, come complete with all the necessary fittings — all for the bargain price of $55.
How can you get one? Simply pre-order:
• online, using your credit card, through the secure link at www.rainbarrel.ca/tmg-tbg
• by phoning 416-397-1357 or in shopTBG (cash, cheque or credit card)
The rain barrels will be displayed in shopTBG and at many TBG events throughout the spring, and orders may also be placed at these events.
Pre-ordered rain barrels will be available for pick-up at the TBG on Earth Day only, Saturday, April 23, 2011.
in season To Do
in oUr Gardens
wildlife habitat
thanks to the generous dedication of many volunteers and staff, much of the overgrown brush and many of the invasive plants have been cleared to make way for the Woodland Walk and Bird habitat garden at the corner of Leslie Street and Lawrence avenue. We will continue to keep our eyes open for stubborn invasive plants while we move forward to amend the soil and plant a diversity of native trees, shrubs and perennials that will provide shelter and rich sources of nectar, pollen and seeds.
bzzzz
the tBg is partnering with the toronto Beekeepers Co-operative and Foodshare to bring two hives of honeybees to the t B g g ardens. Situated in the courtyard adjacent to and easily visible from the tBg’s Weston Family Library, visitors will be able to watch, participate, learn and read about these important pollinators. the Spring/ Summer Program guide outlines the many workshops on beekeeping. Generously supported by The Home Depot Canada Foundation.
“In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.”
— Margaret atwood
My Favourite Four-SeaSon PLant
Japanese stewartia (Stewartia pseudocamellia)
in this first of a new series, executive director aldona Satterthwaite shares her plant passions with Trellis readers.
spring fall
although it can be tricky to establish, this under-utilized, slowgrowing, small-to-medium, pyramidal- to oval-shaped tree creates a stunning all-season focal point in an urban garden and is virtually problem-free. you can see it in our gardens here at the tBg
Why i like it in…
SpriNg: for its long, pointy, dark green leaves
SuMMer: for its white, camellia-like flowers with orange anthers
Fall: for its yellow, red or dark reddish-purple autumn colour
WiNter: for its gorgeous exfoliating bark, sometimes showing shades of grey, brown and orange on the same tree
a member of the tea family (theaceae), Japanese stewartia prefers a moist, well-drained, humus-rich, acidic soil [or neutral soil if kept moist — ed.]. it likes morning sun but needs protection from strong afternoon rays. Slow growing, to about 10 metres (30 feet) tall. Zone 5b (6b with winter protection).
container crazy
a Shady container meant for the limelight Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘aureola’) is an unexpectedly delightful addition to mixed planters, window boxes and even hanging baskets. here it’s pictured with other shade-tolerant plants, donated by Plant World, including fairy wings (Epimedium), asparagus fern (Asparagus densiflorus) and nonstop Mocca Series tuberous begonias. Watch for this and other creative combinations in the May issue of Canadian Gardening and at the tBg plant sale, May 11 to 15. — Paul Zammit, Director of Horticulture
Anna’s Plant Pick
spring pea Lathyrus vernus
With its typical pea-like flowers, compound leaves and slim seed pods, it’s obvious that the spring pea, Lathyrus vernus, a native of europe, belongs to the pea family. this bushy perennial grows to about 30 centimetres (12 inches) in height and has sprays of magenta-pink flowers that are held above mid-green leaves. however, unlike other pea-type plants, it has no tendrils and the flowers are unscented.
there are lots of reasons to grow it: first, because it flowers in May when the soft foliage provides a contrast to the sharply linear leaves of spring flower bulbs. also, the bright pinkish flower colour complements the yellow and cream of daffodils and many other spring bulbs. Spring pea is easy to grow, is hardy to at least Zone 5 and prefers alkaline soil in semi-shade to full sun. as an ephemeral plant, the leaves yellow and often die down in the summer.
Spring pea is easy to grow from seed, although, surprisingly, it rarely self-seeds. gently rub the seeds with sandpaper, soak in warm water for 24 hours, plant in a pot filled with a sterile mix and keep warm.
there are several forms: L.v. ‘alboroseus’ has bicoloured flowers with white and pale pink petals; L.v. ‘Cyaneus’ and ‘Caeruleus’ are blue without a hint of magenta.
— Anna Leggatt, Toronto Master Gardener
around the garden with head gardener sandra pella
with the much-anticipated first gardening days of spring fast approaching, it’s important to know exactly how to get in and out of garden beds without compacting the soil, disturbing microorganisms and crushing roots. trust me, the best way is to begin from the outside of a bed and gradually work your way in. and rather than haphazardly making your way through the bed, work on small, five-foot (1.5metre) square sections at a time, completing each one before moving on. this way you aren’t walking over the same ground again and again — the less traffic the better. when you finish working on the mid- to backof-the-border sections, keep to the same path or route when stepping out of the garden — and take advantage of strategically placed rocks to help you safely navigate your way out. when the earth is moist, it’s also a good idea to lay down boards to step on to help disperse your weight evenly. — Sandra Pella Head Gardener
JobS to do march purchase summer bulbs, such as dahlias and lilies, early for best selection. store them in a cool spot until it’s safe to plant outdoors.
start a photo record of the garden. pick a location and shoot it bi-weekly.
in late March, cut summer-blooming perennials to the ground. (leave some debris for the worms, which will enrich your soil.)
aPril Monitor for early signs of garden pests such as red lily beetles on Fritillaria foliage.
plant onion sets directly into the garden.
empty compost bins and spread compost on beds.
plant potatoes in the ground or in containers. may plant summerflowering bulbs.
in late May, plant heatloving annuals and vegetables, such as morning glories, cucumbers and beans, directly into the garden.
as the weather warms, harden off tropical plants that will spend the summer outside by gradually exposing them to the outdoors.
— Paul Zammit
go to torontobotanical garden.ca/trellis f or more spring jobs to do
8
North Toronto Horticultural Society
Shari-Lyn Safir: Growing roses organically Studios 1-3, 7:30 p.m. gardenontario.org/site.php/northtoronto
13
Toronto Gesneriad Society
Studios 1 & 2, 11 a.m. torontogesneraidsociety.org
Ontario Rock Garden & Hardy Plant Society
Kate Seaver: 7 steps to successful perennial gardening Floral Hall, 1:30 p.m.; onrockgarden.com
14
Toronto Bonsai Society
Studios 1-3, 7 p.m. torontobonsai.org
15
Toronto Cactus & Succulent Club
Studio 3, 7:30 p.m. torontocactus.tripod.com
21
Toronto Mycological Society Studios 2 & 3, 7:45 p.m.; myctor.org
22
North American Native Plant Society
Unique plants of Malcolm Bluffs Shores Studios 1-3, 7:30 p.m.; nanps.org
24
Canadian Chrysanthemum & Dahlia Society
Studio 1, 6:30 p.m. mumsanddahlias.com
26
Toronto Gesneriad Society
Flower show & sale Studios 1-3, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. torontogesneriadsociety.org
27
Toronto Region Rhododendron and Horticultural Society
Yvonne Cunnington: My meadow garden Studio 1, noon; onrhodos.com
APRil
3
Southern Ontario Orchid Society Floral Hall, noon; soos.ca
5
Toronto African Violet Society
Studio 2, 6:30 p.m.; tavs.ca
9, 10
Toronto African Violet Society
Plant Sale; Garden Hall, Studios 1-3
Saturday, noon to 5 p.m.
Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Admission $2; tavs.ca
10
Ontario Rock Garden & Hardy Plant Society
Pam Eveleigh: Primula Floral Hall, 1:30 p.m. onrockgarden.com
11
Toronto Bonsai Society
Garden Hall & Studio 2, 7 p.m. torontobonsai.org
12
North Toronto Horticultural Society
Malcolm Guest: Bugs need love Studios 1-3, 7:30 p.m. gardenontario.org/site.php/northtoronto
17
Greater Toronto Water Garden & Horticultural Society
John Washington: Pumps
Studio 3, noon www.onwatergarden.com
Ohara School of ikebana
Exhibition; Garden Hall, noon to 5 p.m. homi.shim@3web.net 416-695-8153
18
Toronto Mycological Society
Studios 1 & 2; 7:45 p.m.; myctor.org
19
Toronto Cactus & Succulent Club
Studio 3, 7:30 p.m. torontocactus.tripod.com
21
Earth Day
Details at www.torontobotanicalgarden.ca
Canadian Chrysanthemum & Dahlia Society
Studio 1, 6:30 p.m. mumsanddahlias.com
24
Toronto Region Rhododendron and Horticultural Society
Plant sale, Garden Hall
Members, 9:30 a.m.; Public TBA onrhodos.com
MAY
1
Geranium, Pelargonium & Fuchsia Society Boardroom, 11 a.m. 519-836-4487
Southern Ontario Orchid Society Garden Hall, noon; soos.ca
Ontario Rock Garden & Hardy Plant Society Plant sale; Floral Hall, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. onrockgarden.com
Greater Toronto Rose & Garden Society
Studio 1, 2 p.m. gardenontario.org/site.php/rosegarden
7
Toronto Judging Centre of the American Orchid Society
Studio 1 & 2; 9 a.m. soos.ca/AOS
8
Mother’s Day Reception & Floral Demonstration
To register: 416-397-1341
9
Toronto Bonsai Society Garden Hall, 7 p.m. torontobonsai.org
10
North Toronto Horticultural Society
Studios 1-3; 7:30 p.m. gardenontario.org/site.php/northtoronto
11-15
TBG Plant Sale
Preview, May 11
TBG Friends, 10 a.m. to noon Members, noon to 8 p.m.
Public: May 12 & 13, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 14 & 15, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
15
Ontario iris Society
Iris Show, Studio 3, 10 a.m. www.torontoirissociety.com
Toronto Gesneriad Society
Studios 1 & 2, 11 a.m. torontogesneriadsociety.org
17
Toronto African Violet Society
Studio 2, 6:30 p.m.; tavs.ca
Toronto Cactus & Succulent Society
Studio 3, 7:30 p.m.; torontocactus.tripod.com
28
Toronto Bonsai Society
Annual show; Floral Hall, 9 a.m. torontobonsai.org
SCHEDU l ES CAN CHANGE AFTER PRESS T i ME – BE SURE TO CHECK AHEAD
Discover the latest plant introductions at the TBG Plant Sale, May 11 to 15.
EDWARDS l ECTURES
April 6 • Adrienne Clarkson Transformations: Parking lots, Plants and Paradise
The Rt Hon Adrienne Clarkson faces the challenge of turning a difficult space into a delightful garden and, not surprisingly, succeeds magnificently.
April 8 • Douglas Tallamy Bringing Nature Home
Simple garden techniques to improve urban diversity.
Note: this lecture takes place at the ROM at 6 p.m. Free with ROM admission.
June 1 • Laurence Packer Wild about Bees
Melittologist Laurence Packer talks about the diversity of bees and the many roles they play.
Unless otherwise indicated, lectures take place in the Floral hall at 7:30 p.m.
Public $20, students (with valid id) $15, tBG members free. door sales only, limited seating. 416-397-1340.
Generously sponsored by the Edwards Charitable Foundation
aB o U t t he toronto Botanical Garden
the toronto Botanical Garden (tBG) 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. the tBG raises over 90 per cent of its operating funds through membership, facility rentals, retail enterprises, program fees and donations. the organization relies on the generosity and financial commitment of individuals, foundations and corporations to help maintain the gardens and support the many horticultural and environmental services we provide to our community.
G eneral ho U rs and ad M ission Gardens: Free admission, dawn to dusk a d M inistrative oFF ices: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Weston Fa M ily l i B rary: Call 416-397-1343 or check www.torontobotanicalgarden.ca for hours of operation. shop t BG: Call 416-397-1357 • shop@torontobotanicalgarden.ca Master Gardeners’ i n Fo l ine: noon to 3 p.m. 416-397-1345 (April & July, Tuesday to Saturday; May & June, daily; August through March, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday) www.questions.torontomastergardeners.ca
GiFt MeMBershiP: $45 single, $65 family. call 416-397-1483 or sign up online at torontobotanicalgarden.ca/membership
siGn UP For Garden e-neWs!
Receive the latest horticultural news and information on events, workshops, lectures and other horticultural happenings. Free registration at torontobotanicalgarden.ca/e_newsletter.asp
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 with the most valuable and up-to-date information on gardening and horticulture. The following individuals made donations to the Friends Program from June 30, 2010, to January 4, 2011.
PRESiDENT’S CiRClE
Geoffrey & Susan Dyer
DiRECTOR’S CiRClE
Michael & Vivienne Wiggan
BENEFACTORS
Mary & Mark Cullen
Lindsay Dale-Harris & Rupert FieldMarsham
Janet Davis
Ellen & Scott Hand
Rosamond Ivey
Shelagh O’Neill
SUSTAiNiNG MEMBERS
Karen Ann Barnett
Mike & Susan Dolbey
James & Susan Eckenwalder
Joy Gray-Donald
Jim Harbell
Barbara Hill
Joan & Alan Lenczner
Sonia & Alan Leslie
Helen Skinner
Deborah Vernon FRiENDS
Carol Bairstow
Virginia & James Baxter
Sandra Beech
Kathleen M. Belshaw
Daryl Bessell
Brian & Maureen Bixley
Kelvin Browne & Michael Allen
Vern Campbell
Denise & Ken Cargill
Marilyn Chapman
Ellen Clark
Deborah Cloakey
Vicky Coristine
Gail Farquharson
Erica Gilbert
Barbara Goldring
Naneve Hawke
Lyn Hickey
David Hogarth Smith
Alison Hymas
Frances Johnson
Donalda & George Kelk
Susanne Law
Anna Leggatt
Jane Lennox-King
Anne Lindsay
Susan Lipchak
Karen Lockwood
Jane McCulloch & John Hunter
Barbara McDonald
Toshi Oikawa
Geraldine O’Meara Burke
Bonita Parshuram
Doryne Peace
Patrons
h onorary Patron: adrienne clarkson
Brian Bixley, Mark cullen, camilla dalglish, sondra Gotlieb, Marjorie harris, lorraine Johnson, Michele landsberg, susan Macauley, helen skinner
B oard o F directors
Geoffrey dyer, Mary Fisher (co-chairs); nancy G. dengler, suzanne drinkwater, James eckenwalder, colomba Fuller, Jim Gardhouse, lynn Grogan, Janet kennish, allan kling, Joan lenczner, Penny richards, dawn scott, Judy shirriff, tom sparling, Pat Ware, anne Ullman, Barbara yager
sta FF directory
execUtive director aldona satterthwaite director@torontobotanicalgarden.ca 416-397-1346
BUsiness and Finance director of Business initiatives and Finance rebecca Golding business@torontobotanicalgarden.ca 416-397-1484
Facility event Manager, Paulina cadena events@torontobotanicalgarden.ca 416-397-1324
Facility supervisor, sherri Johnson rentals@torontobotanicalgarden.ca 416-397-1349
accounting, nadesu Manikkavasagam accounting@torontobotanicalgarden.ca 416-397-1352
coMMUnications dePartMent interim director of Marketing & communications, carrie shibinsky media@torontobotanicalgarden.ca 416-397-1351
trellis editor editor@torontobotanicalgarden.ca develoPMent dePartMent director of development claudia Zuccato ria development@torontobotanicalgarden.ca 416-397-1372
Catherine & Bruce Peer
Mary Jean Potter
Konrad Radacz
Richard Rawlins
Sylvia Raynham
Joy Reddy
Flavia Redelmeier
Elisabeth Renner
Vivian Rosen
Susan Scott
David & Elizabeth Sisam
James N. Stanley
Nancy Sutherland
Shirley Taylor
Irene Udo
Martin Wade
Eleanor Ward
Judith Wardell
Frances M. Weir
Joan Williams
development officer Jessica reese annualgiving@torontobotanicalgarden.ca 416-397-1483
office/database administrator trish cassling database@torontobotanicalgarden.ca 416-397-1371
edUcation dePartMent director of education, liz hood education@torontobotanicalgarden.ca 416-397-1355
children’s education supervisor natalie harder childrensed@torontobotanicalgarden.ca 416-397-1288
adult education coordinator Joanne Fallowfield adulted@torontobotanicalgarden.ca 416-397-1362
tour Guide coordinator John Bertram tourguides@torontobotanicalgarden.ca 416-397-1366
horticUltUral dePartMent director of horticulture, Paul Zammit horticulture@torontobotanicalgarden.ca 416-397-1358
head Gardener, sandra Pella gardener@torontobotanicalgarden.ca taxonomic assistant, toni vella taxonomy@torontobotanicalgarden.ca
shoptBG
shop@torontobotanicalgarden.ca 416-397-1357
Weston FaMily liBrary library@torontobotanicalgarden.ca 416-397-1343
Maintenance sUPervisor Walter Morassutti maintenance@torontobotanicalgarden.ca 416-397-1344
volUnteer oFFice volunteers@torontobotanicalgarden.ca 416-397-4145
777 l awrence a v enue e ast, tor onto, o ntario M3 c 1P2, c anada 416-397-1340; fax: 416-397-1354 info@torontobotanicalgarden.ca torontobotanicalgarden.ca
