Trellis - V40, No3 - Summer 2013 by Toronto Botanical Garden

Water Garden Page 8 MeMbers survey results Page 11

Specif

Editor

lorraine FlaniGan

dEsign

June anderson

trEllis CommittEE

lorraine hunter (chair)

lorraine FlaniGan (editor)

carol Gardner

liz hood

marion maGee

zachary osBorne

Jenny rhodenizer

Paul zammit

VoluntEEr

Editorial assistant m maGee

VoluntEEr ProofrEadErs

e. Brais, m. Bruce, J. camPBell, l hickey, J. mccluskey, l. & s skinner and l uyeno

adVErtising

416-397-4145

Trellis is published as a members’ newsletter by the toronto Botanical Garden at edwards Gardens

777 lawrence avenue east, toronto ontario, m3c 1P2, 416-397-1340

Trellis welcomes queries for story ideas, which should be submitted to the editor for consideration by the trellis committee at least four months in advance of publication dates. opinions expressed in Trellis do not necessarily reflect those of the tBG. submissions may be edited for style and clarity.

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canada Publications

mail Product sales agreement #40013928

issn 0380-1470

cover Photo Janet davis

to do Features News

4 Hort Happenings Brick habitats, salvaged materials and the Green line

Welcome diana Wilson

Blogwatch Great design ideas

5 from the tBg the last hurrah tBgKids cooking camp

Volunteers kay takaoka green Community live Green toronto

6 the Woodland Walk: a cinderella story

8 tips for creating an eco-friendly water garden

11 survey results at a glance

12 Just ask advice from the toronto master Gardeners my favourite Bug the dragonfly in our gardens a World of veggies learning the lingo Xeriscape

13 Container Crazy Water-wise combo garden gear “cool” hats in Your garden Jobs to do around the garden with Head gardener sandra Pella anna’s Plant Pick Angelica gigas

14 tBg lecture series alison syme on the go goings on

Printed by harmony Printing

TBGNewsnews

hort happenings

BricK haBitats

— Compiled by Zachary Osborne, Weston Family Library

the brick biotope is an inventive design element that doubles as a bird-friendly habitat. Presented at milan 2012 design Week by two students from the Piet Zwart institute in rotterdam, the brick was designed as a response to the disappearance of house sparrows caused by the depletion of their natural habitats. made from sand and plaster, the brick functions as a living environment for sparrows by providing space, food, shelter and access to water. brick biotope can be used with standard bricks to create an aesthetic and simple vertical wall. take a peek at: inhabitat. com/brick-biotope-at-fabrikaat-bricks-thatdouble-as-bird-habitats-showcased-in-milan.

Welcome

catch the green line

olD is neW again a growing trend in outdoor design is to use recycled or salvaged materials to create a novel and personalized way to display your plants. using vintage, antique and other household pieces adds one-of-a-kind charm. some ideas include using an old window to frame hanging plants, a wooden pallet to fashion a vertical garden or an unconventional pot, bucket or old sink for a planter. For more inspiration and landscape design ideas, visit landscapingnetwork.com.

a competition for design ideas to transform a five-kilometre stretch of a hydro corridor north of the downtown toronto city core into a usable and beautiful green space has caught the attention of landscape architects, designers and artists. the proposed project is called the green line, and while the project is not set in stone, it provides an opportunity to present the city with new and innovative design ideas for repurposing toronto’s green space.

greenlinetoronto.ca for Details aBout the competition.

Diana Wilson

chil D ren’s eD ucation coor D inator

tBGKids’ newest teacher, Diana Wilson, brings experience from many of toronto’s leading nature centres including evergreen Brickworks, the Humber River and High park. After graduating from the university of toronto, Diana pursued her teaching degree at Queen’s university, specializing in outdoor and experiential education. Her work focuses on the relationship between nature and cities in the lives of urban children, most recently by developing children’s gardens and eco-programs for community centres across toronto. When you meet Diana, ask her how “sleeping crane” became her nature name!

Blogwatch

great Design iDeas from Bloggers near anD far

• Dishfunctional Designs (dishfunctionaldesigns.blogspot.ca) is a very cool blog with ideas for indoor and outdoor living.

• the garDen WanDerer (thegardenwanderer. blogspot.ca/2013/03/the-toronto-botanicalgardens-piet.html) writes about the tBg’s piet oudolf-designed entry Walk garden.

• grounDeD Design (landscapeofmeaning. blogspot.ca) is the blog of Virginia-based landscape architect thomas rainer. his credo is good design matters, and rainer implores readers to “use more natives, plant in humongous masses, and loosen up that landscape, for crying out loud”.

• WilD aBout Design With sara (torontobotanicalgarden.ca/wild-about-design) is the tBg’s own monthly design blog, written by toronto garden designer sara Katz.

— Compiled by Zachary Osborne, Weston Family Library

From The TBG

alDona satterthWaite executive Director

The Last hurrah

My mother always said, “bow out while you are still at the top of your game,” and so it’s time for me to go. But it is with mixed emotions that I write this final editorial as the executive director of the Toronto Botanical Garden.

It’s been a real privilege to work at the TBG and my, I’ve had so much fun. No, this isn’t an easy job, and yes, the last three years have been by turns joyful, challenging, exhilarating, maddening and all-consuming, but they’ve never been boring! I take great satisfaction in knowing that I am leaving an organization that is a happier and better place than when I came to it. And thanks to the combined efforts of our talented and resourceful team of TBG staff and volunteers and a forward-looking Board of Directors, I am very proud of what we have been able to accomplish as well.

My job has been similar to that of an orchestra conductor, and as I write this, the Board of Directors is searching for someone to take my place. I have every confidence that they will choose wisely and well, and this new executive director will build on our achievements and put his or her own special stamp on things, as is only right and fitting.

I will certainly miss the warmth, kindness and camaraderie that I have enjoyed here at the TBG. And when the going got tough, as it did last year, your outpouring of support, dear Members and Friends, touched me deeply.

This is not goodbye, but so long for now. You’ll certainly see my smiling face from time to time, and maybe you’ll even read about my new life in my blog. In the meantime, keep well, keep gardening, and thank you so much for everything.

Green Community live GReen toRonto

Our work on the Woodland Walk would not have been possible without funding from Live Green Toronto. The organization is a component of the city’s Climate Change, Clean Air and Sustainable Energy Action Plan which targets an 80 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 (based on 1990 levels). The Live Green Toronto website (toronto.ca/livegreen) offers tips for growing on balconies, green roofs and small yards as well as a guide to growing food in Toronto.

What’s cooKing at cooKing camp?

Perfect for the aspiring chef, cooking camp is a great way for kids to learn where food comes from and how to make dishes using fresh ingredients from the garden.

garDen fresh salsa

this is one of our most popular recipes. older kids can help with chopping up the ingredients and little ones can mix and stir.

i ngredient s

• 3 tomatoes, chopped

• 1 onion, diced

• 1 clove of garlic, minced

• 1 jalapeno pepper, minced

• 4 tablespoons (60 mL) cilantro, minced

• 2 tablespoons (30 mL) lime juice

• Salt and pepper

1. chop the tomatoes, onion, garlic, jalapeno and cilantro.

2. in a large bowl, mix the chopped veggies with the lime juice and add salt and pepper to taste.

3. refrigerate two hours to allow flavours to blend.

4. serve with your favourite tortilla chips or add to tacos, quesadillas or nachos.

goto

torontoBotanicalgarDen.ca/KiDs for information anD to register for any of our summer camps.

Yours,

Mine & Ours

Kay Takaoka has been a dedicated volunteer with the Weston Family Library since 1985. As a longtime visitor with her family to Edwards Gardens and the TBG, she discovered the library. Kay was looking for a meaningful and relaxing activity, and because she enjoyed books and gardens, the library was a natural fit. Her favourite aspect of volunteering is meeting and helping people. When Kay isn’t at her post in the library on Friday mornings, she does yoga at the TBG and cares for indoor plants at a nursing home. She also enjoys attending and volunteering at events, including Get the Jump on Spring, Through the Garden Gate and the Edwards Summer Music Series: Gardens of Song. We are grateful for Kay’s skills, knowledge and sense of humour.

the Woodland WALk

it’s a cinderella story! Lorraine Hunter tells how a neglected patch of land became an enchanted garden.

LOOk AS yOu LISTEN wITh ThE TBG’S NEw AudIO TOuRS

Have you ever wanted to know more about the inspiration behind our 17 contemporary gardens or why there is a cemetery in Edwards Gardens? Here’s your chance to find out. New this summer, the TBG’s handheld audio tours are easy to use and can be done at your own pace by following a numbered map and/or signs placed in the garden. Just punch in the corresponding number on the device’s keypad and off you go on your own private tour of the gardens, enthusiastically narrated by Paul Zammit, the Nancy Eaton Director of Horticulture, and his special guests (we don’t want to spoil the surprises!).

PROMOTIONAL OFFER FOR TBG MEMBERS

Try the audio tour FREE this summer ($5 VALUE). Present your membership card at shopTBG and take the audio tour for a test drive. And be sure to tell us about your experience!

Officially knOwn as the Woodland Walk and Bird Habitat, an overgrown and derelict patch of land on the northeast corner of the TBG has been lovingly transformed from a tangle of invasive plants and garbage into a magical woodland garden with a winding path running through it. With funding from Live Green Toronto, this project, at 23,000 square feet, will be the largest of the TBG gardens. Work on this area has been going on for the past two years under the guidance of Nancy Eaton Director of Horticulture Paul Zammit and head gardener Sandra Pella, with the help of landscape designer Sara Katz, owner of Wild at Heart Design, and TBG volunteers, affectionately known as KOGs for Keepers of the Garden.

Called in to get the project up and running, Sara Katz began by organizing cleanup, ordering plants and designating planting days: “We started by collecting all the garbage that had blown in from Leslie Street and Lawrence Avenue. And we had to figure out how to do atmospheric testing on an ongoing basis,” she recalls, because air quality should improve as the native plants grow. Another early aim was to create an inventory of all the current plants (both native and non-native) and an assessment of what shape existing trees were in.

The TBG’s ultimate goal for this site is to produce a demonstration woodland garden where people can see how different native plants, trees and shrubs can grow together and

attract birds. “The whole point is to inspire and educate the public on the benefits of native plants—how they can help filter air pollution and how they provide habitat and nesting sites for migrating songbirds, which are in decline,” explains Katz. “While the ultimate aim is to have only native plants, for now many of the new small seedlings need to be under the protection of larger existing trees—we call them nurse trees—but those that are not native will eventually be taken out.” The current challenge is to keep these tiny plants, which are not always easy to see, protected from being stepped on or run over. “The city of Toronto is giving us a lot of plant material. We know that seedlings replanted while they are small are more likely to adapt better to their new surroundings than larger ones. Plus, speciality growers often only have small plants.”

Invasive plants are a major challenge. “The weeds are ongoing,” says Katz. “And the thistles are something else. We have to do regular maintenance. It’s the only way. There is a huge seed bank in the soil that just sat for so long. And now we are digging it up and the weeds are coming to the surface. We have work days at least once a month as well as several days where we just weed and mulch and then try to plant before the weeds come back.”

People have tended to cut through the Woodland Walk area from the street corner where there is a bus shelter. We wanted a path through the middle so that people would actually be able to

Trilliums

see the native plants. “We want people to walk through slowly and enjoy it. A new bike path also runs through it. We hope bike riders will get off and walk their bikes and observe the garden.”

Lots of the shrubs that were taken out were chipped to make the surface of the new path.

The new garden has lots of signage which will include names as well as information about each plant. Large

rocks and logs from some of the trees that were taken down will be used for seating and to keep people out of certain areas in order to protect the new plants. “We are trying to keep it as natural as possible,” says Katz.

The Woodland Walk offers both shade and sun at the moment though there will be less sun once the new plantings grow up. Perennial grasses will be left standing to provide seed

Elements of a Woodland Garden

ALmosT ANy GArDEN—even a small one—can have a woodland area to offer food, water and shelter to birds and small animals, says Katz.

“a woodland garden typically consists of large trees and is very shady but as you get to the outer edges there’s usually a field or stream and then layers of high shrubs, low shrubs, perennials, grasses and forbs (herbaceous flowering plants).” a woodland garden requires a variety of plant materials, including tall, medium and shorter ones, to attract different animals. “there should be enough different plants to provide a variety of seeds, berries and fruit to attract insects

• serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.). its spring blossoms entice butterflies and bees. in summer its fruit attracts birds and animals.

• redbud (Cercis canadensis). this understory tree or large shrub grows in sun or the partial shade of taller trees. it blooms in early spring and is ornamental in all seasons.

• Ground hemlock (Taxus canadensis). this evergreen provides valuable cover for wildlife.

• Eastern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis). a very useful shrub for hedges and a great shelter for birds. it produces small cones that birds will eat.

• Trilliums (Trillium grandiflorum). ontario’s official flower is easy to grow and will spread into bigger clumps. trilliums need compost-rich soil and grow in partial sun or shade.

heads for birds. “Dogwoods and papaws also have been planted.” says Katz. “We will do some pruning but just while the garden is getting established. If a weak limb is causing problems it needs to be looked after. Some nurse trees will come out as others get larger.”

The monthly work days will continue, “and we can always use more volunteers,” says Katz.

as well as a mix of deciduous and evergreens which provide spaces where smaller birds can hide and shelter from snow, wind and predators. sparrows and chickadees will fly into hedges.”

Why use native plants? “if plants are not native they won’t always produce the berries, seed heads and fruits needed by the birds and animals we are hoping to attract,” explains Katz. “and, a new hybrid plant could actually be sterile and produce no seeds.” these 12 plants “know how to live here” she says. “once established, they will be fine even if you don’t water them except during a bad drought!”

• Foamflower (Tiarella). this perennial grows in the shade and has flowers that last about a month.

• Pagoda dogwood (Cornus alternifolia). With its beautiful tiered form, flowers, berries, coloured leaves in fall and lovely shaped branches in winter, what could be better?

• Elderberry (Sambucus). a fabulous, easy-to-grow shrub with big flower heads and berries that birds will eat.

• mosquito grass or blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis). it doesn’t grow very high; seed heads look a little like a moustache. Plant at the edge of the woodland where it will receive a bit of sun.

• Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium). this grass is grey/blue/ green in season and reddish/orange

in fall. Wildlife will eat its seed heads in winter. a tough, drought-resistant plant that does best in full sun, so plant it at the edge of the woodland.

• Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis). spread primarily by ants, this plant is an ephemeral and disappears after blooming in early spring.

• Native columbines (Aquilegia canadensis). the coral/orange flowers attract birds that like tubular flowers.

If you grow native plants, these birds will come! cardinals, chickadees, robins, blue jays, juncos, american goldfinches, woodpeckers, red-tailed hawks, geese, vireos, nuthatches and hummingbirds.

Lorraine Hunter is a garden writer and chair of the Trellis Committee.

12 NATIvE PLANTs For wooDLAND GArDENs

Bloodroot

Eastern white cedar

Foamflower

tips for creating an

eco-f R iend L y water garden

Planning on installing a water feature this summer? carol Gardner gets some timely advice from Wolfegang bonham of Peace, love, and landscaping.

wolfegang Bonham does all his garden work in the most eco-sensitive way possible, and, in water gardening, he says you can do both yourself and Mother nature a favour by letting her do a lot of the work. it’s both cheaper and easier.

The majority of Bonham’s clients want rock bubblers or recirculating waterfalls because these take up less space than ponds while still providing the sound of running water. Whether you’re installing a waterfall or a pond, however, he stresses the value of buying a dualspeed pump and placing it on the lower speed at night or when you’re not using the garden. (Turning off the pump at night will encourage mosquitoes and, potentially, West nile virus. As long as the water is moving, the little devils won’t settle.)

if you’re considering installing a pond, avoid the biggest mistake people make: making the pond too small or too shallow. A pond’s depth should be at least one metre (three to four feet). it’s very expensive and complicated to retrofit an existing pond, so do it right the first time. Before you begin, check with your municipality to see whether you need a pool permit. depending on the size and location of the pond, it could qualify as a pool and require special fencing or positioning.

Learn How to Build Your Own Pond

Join Wolfegang Bonham on July 8 at the toronto Botanical Garden for an informative course on water garden design. He’ll take you step by step through the design process, explaining the basics of pumps, filtration and liners, as well as giving tips on plant selection and placement.

Public $32; Members $25. register on-line at torontobotanicalgarden.ca or call 416-397-1341.

Basic Pond considerations

• When constructing a pond, create a small bog garden adjacent to it—one that’s a quarter to a fifth of the size of the pond itself and set at a slightly higher grade. Line the bog with pea gravel and plant it with aquatic plants. The pump runs the pond water through the bog, removing algae and excess nitrogen.

• Place something underneath the sides and the bottom of the rubber pond liner to protect it from being pierced by rocks and stones. Heavy landscape is usually used, but you can save yourself some money by using old carpet for the bottom. Bonham gets his at carpet stores which are happy to get rid of their carpet ends. Remove any nails or staples before using it, though. Because carpets contain chemicals and chemical cleaners, use them only under the bottom of the liner; using the carpeting on the sides could allow chemicals to seep in the pond.

• Aquatic plants should cover onethird of the pond. Some of Bonham’s

favourites are chameleon plant (Houttuynia cordata), cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) and marsh marigold (Caltha palustris)

• don’t feed the fish! Aquatic plants should be able to provide everything fish need in terms of nutrition. if you feed the fish, you’re introducing something into the system that will upset its natural balance. in winter, the fish will hibernate and should survive as long as there’s a bubbler which will allow ammonia gases to escape—but only disturb the top of the water. if you churn up water from the bottom of the pond, it will make the pond water much colder.

• if your pond is surrounded by trees, place a net over it in the fall to catch the leaves. This should preclude the need for a major pond dredging in the spring.

• A metal grate installed just below the surface of the water can act as a safety feature. But, says Bonham, it’s a much better idea to educate children about the dangers of water.

• if the family dog likes to take a dip, ensure that the rubber liner is well shielded by plant material; otherwise the liner could be ripped by a dog’s claws.

A new trend for ponds is to have floating island polyethylene foam planters, which are becoming increasingly available at nurseries. The planters come in a variety of shapes and can be either anchored or free-floating. it’s a great way to introduce some nonaquatic plants as well as movement into the scene.

Whether you have a pond or a waterfall, Bonham recommends installing good lighting so that the water can be enjoyed in the evening. enjoyment, after all, is what it’s all about!

Carol Gardner is an award-winning garden writer and member of the Trellis Committee.

Three Essential Types of Aquatic Plants

GARDENS

AMERICAN HISTORY

• Floaters stay on the surface of the pond and help control algae and provide shade. examples are water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes)

• submersible plants produce oxygen as well as improve water quality by absorbing excess nutrients plus fish and organic waste (and if you’ve had fish, you know that this is no small thing!). common waterweeds Anacharis make good submersible plants.

• Marginal or bog plants are planted in a pot, just below the surface of the water. they can also be planted directly into a bog (without the pot). they create a natural unity between the pond and the surrounding landscape. Good examples are the annual ‘King tut’ papyrus (Cyperus papyrus ‘King tut’) or arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia)

• September 20 – 29, 2013

Explore America’s heritage, history and scenic gardens on this in-depth tour of the Eastern United States. Highlights include New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington D.C.

NEW ZEALAND’S GARDEN ROUTE

• February 16 – March 6, 2014

Enjoy the gardens of the North & South Islands with Master Gardener Lorraine Flanigan on this delightf ul tour of New Zealand – optional Fiji extension available. PLUS all our garden tours include a one year membership of the Royal Horticultural Society!

Other RHS destinations – England, Portugal, South Africa, Italy, France, Japan and more!

Water hyacinth

Anacharis

‘King tut’ papyrus

TORONTO BOTANICAL GARDEN’S 26th annual garden tour

THROUGH THE GARDEN GATE FOREST HILL

AND THE GARDENS OF SOUTH HILL

Visit 19 exceptional gardens in one of Toronto’s most exclusive neighbourhoods

SATURDAY, JUNE 8

SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2013

11 A.M. TO 4 P.M.

TICKETS NOW ON SALE

One-Day Pass

Public $40/TBG Members $35

Two-Day Pass

Public $52.50/TBG Members $47.50 plus applicable taxes

BUY YOUR TICKETS ONLINE www.torontobotanicagarden.ca/ttgg FOR MORE INFORMATION

CALL 416-397-1341

All proceeds support the Toronto Botanical Garden

classifieds

Hampton Court Flower Show July 5 to 15, 2013. Stay in the palace grounds for 3 discovery days of London’s royal gardens plus private visit to the Tower. Add 7 days relaxing Cotswold Village gardens, castles and antique markets. Champagne afternoon tea at Highgrove included. Personalised mini-coach tour CAD 2,599 (air extra) detailed itinerary www. gardenersworldtours.com

More information on our 10 day Cotswold Summer Garden Adventures 22 May (Chelsea Flower Show) $2,599. No single supplement for departures 31 May: 10 June: 07 July—$2,289 flights extra. Contact lorna@gardeners worldtours.com 905-683-2838 or Karen 416-449-0931 Carlson Wagonlit Travel Source, 3 Duncan Mills Road, Toronto www. gardenersworldtours.com for these personalised tours.

Leaside Garden Society is excited to announce its annual Garden Tour to be held on Saturday, June 22, 11 to 4. Mark this date on your calendar. This year’s tour again promises to be an exciting mix of garden styles and plants. Check the website www.leasidegardensociety. org for further information.

Stewant-Caledonia Tours in conjuction with Expedia Cruise Ship Centres presents Scottish Borders/ Lake District Tour Summer 2014 hosted by Marjorie Mason. Join us and visit the beautiful border country of Scotland and the Lake District in North England — history, culture and gardens galore! Includes Beatrix Potter’s Hilltop garden, Lake Windermere, Holehird Gardens, the Yorkshire Dales and Hadrian’s Wall, Alnwick Castle and gardens, Lindisfarne and the Holy Island, Floors Castle and Gardens, Melrose Abbey, Peebles, Edinburgh Botanic Garden and much, much more! For more info: www.stewart-caledoniatours.com or www.masonhousegardens.com or call Marjorie at 905-985-6573 or 905-649-3532.

SURVEY RESULTS AT A GLANCE

THE TBG IS … An outstanding horticultural resource centre

Your responses to the membership questionnaire distributed last fall, says Liz Hood, will help guide the TBG’s future.

THE TBG IS … A place to learn and get informed

In the fall 2012 issue of Trellis, we distributed a questionnaire asking how the TBG can better serve you and our community. We were delighted to hear from 30 per cent of you—a very high rate of response! Here’s what you told us about yourselves and what you value most about the TBG.

• You’re savvy gardeners: more than 75 per cent of you are intermediate and advanced gardeners.

• You’re loyal: many of you have been members since before and throughout the revitalization of our gardens and building.

• You like being in and around the TBG: you frequently visit the TBG gardens as well as Edwards Gardens or attend events hosted by horticultural and plant societies that take place at the TBG.

THE TBG IS … A welcoming place to be!

TOP BENEFITS

1. Trellis

2. Courses, lectures and visits

3. Advance notice of events and happenings by Garden Enews, web site, e-mail, mail-outs

in season To Do

Just Ask

What’s a non-toxic way of dealing with pests on edible crops such as strawberries, blueberries and winter squash?

The best strategy for home gardeners is to use a combination of practices. Regularly handpick pests such as Japanese beetles and drop them into soapy water. Other pests can be dislodged by shaking plants and repeatedly hosing them off. Protect your veggies and fruits with “trap” plants, such as radishes, that lure pests away from more desirable plants. torontomastergardeners.ca for more tips on dealing with pests. goTo

in our Gardens

A wORld

Of veggies

Where can you see okra, thai hot chilies, bottle gourd, tomatillo, daikon radish, callaloo and other treats from around the world all growing in one spot? this summer, the Kitchen garden will be one of 15 test plots participating in the world crops project of the vineland research and innovation Centre, which aims to examine the commercial feasibility of growing and delivering fresh and locally grown ethnocultural crops to urban communities. Produce harvested from our gardens will be donated to the north york harvest Food Bank, so kindly refrain from sampling these crops.

My Favourite Bug

the dragonfly

Bug Lady Jean Godawa talks about this beautiful— and helpful—flying insect.

Long before hawks and falcons cast shadows over their prey, another aerial predator reigned overhead. Fossils of ancestral dragonflies, some more than 300 million years old with wingspans of 75 centimetres, confirm that these delicate winged creatures soared through the skies millions of years before birds. except for a reduction in size, today’s dragonflies aren’t much different from their prehistoric relatives. With two pairs of membranous wings, a long, slender abdomen and eyes that occupy most of the head, it’s easy to recognize a dragonfly. a closely related group, the damselflies, look similar but hold their wings together over their backs when resting but dragonflies extend their wings outward. although dragonflies may not help plants directly, they are a welcome sight in the yard. visually, their colourful bodies and skilled aerobatic tricks draw our attention, but it is their voracious appetite

for mosquitoes that makes them so valuable. young dragonflies, known as nymphs, live under water, sometimes for several years. they gobble up mosquito larvae and other aquatic creatures with their peculiar and efficient lower expanding jaw. nymphs look nothing like their adult forms. Wingless and coloured to blend with their surroundings, they move around by jet propulsion, expelling water through their gills. Mature nymphs preparing for adulthood crawl out of the water onto tall aquatic plants where they shed their shell-like outer casing. once the adult takes flight, it is a master at dining on the go. it catches and consumes adult mosquitoes while skilfully flying in any direction, even backwards.

Backyard ponds are excellent habitats for dragonflies. add native sedges in and around the edge of the pond to provide egg-laying sites and protection for nymphs, especially if there are fish in your pond. ensure that a portion of the water feature receives afternoon sun. Place basking rocks in sunny spots around the pond for adult dragonflies. Keep the water clean and chemical-free to seduce these beautiful insects into your yard.

a landscaping method that minimizes water use zehr ih skape

goTo torontobotanicalgarden.ca/bugs to learn the difference between dragonflies and damselflies.

container crazy

wATeR-wise COmBO this design of succulents should be able to get by with a thorough watering once every seven to 10 days. Echeveria ‘Doris taylor’ and Rhipsalis (mistletoe cactus) make a simple and beautiful pairing. the fine bristles on the Rhipsalis and the downy leaves of the Echeveria echo the patina on the planter.

— Paul Zammit, Nancy Eaton Director of Horticulture

Anna’s Plant Pick

Angelica gigas Korean angelica

angelica makes a dramatic focal point in the garden, adding architectural interest. this biennial grows to two metres in height and bears large domed umbels of small flowers (similar to those of Queen anne’s lace).

When it starts growing in the spring, the whole plant is a dark red-purplish green. as the season progresses, the stems remain reddish purple while the green in the leaves intensifies. toward the end of July, leafy shoots develop and form large red-purple flower heads. the seeds are quite large, adding more interest to the fall garden, especially if they catch an early snow before falling to the ground.

as a biennial, angelica flowers in the second year. Fresh seed germinates well, so try to find some in the fall and plant them outside where you want the angelica plants to grow. Because they resent transplanting (although it’s easier when plants are tiny), allow them to self-seed, and in the spring, remove unwanted seedlings, keeping those with the best colour.

Angelica gigas is hardy to Zone 4, growing in sun or part shade. it is not fussy about soil. however, it will grow taller in damper soils.

accentuate the form of A. gigas with soft-textured plants, perhaps those with grey leaves or small yellow flowers.

— Anna Leggatt, Toronto Master Gardener Emerita

Garden Gear

in Your Garden

JOBs TO dO

“COOl”

hATs

Beekeeper’s Fiber hats are “really cool”, says beekeeper and passionate Master gardener Cathy Kozma. She’s tried and tested them and likes them for:

• The breathable natural fibre construction.

• The adjustable band that ensures a comfy fit and stays on tight. $34.99 in shoptBg while quantities last!

around the Garden with head

Gardener sandra Pella

Although we often think about garden planning and revisions in winter, summer is a great time to fill in gaps and create a succession of colour and interest. look at your current plant combinations and ask yourself if adding another plant might complement what’s already there — be it an annual, a perennial, a shrub or even a container — and carry the display into the next season.

Follow Sandra’s gardening escapades at toronto botanicalgarden.ca/ inbloom

be bold! add colour by repainting containers, patio furniture or a shed.

cut back late springblooming perennials, shrubs and vines to generate a new flush of foliage.

group containers together according to moisture requirements to reduce the amount of time it takes to water.

harvest, dry and preserve herbs as the stems begin to harden. this selective pruning encourages fresh growth and a more compact form.

it’s never too late to plant more containers.

leave allium seed heads in place for drama and textural interest.

Pinch back aggressive vines such as wisteria, bittersweet and sweet autumn clematis to control growth.

refresh water in bird baths regularly.

sow a late summer or early fall crop of bush beans or cucumbers.

Water wisely. deliver water at ground level with soaker hoses, for example, instead of using more wasteful sprinklers.

TBG LECTURE S ER i ES on tHe go

— Generously supported by The W. Garfield Weston Foundation and The S. Schulich Foundation

Who’s Ta Lk InG

LeCtUReR: aLison syme

topiC: tHe CULtURe of QUeeR fLoweRs

wHen: tHURsday, JUne 20, 7:30 p.m.

pRe-LeCtURe LigHt dinneR avaiLabLe fRom 5:30 p.m. tbg aRt gaLLeRy opening, 6 to 7:15 p.m.

Celebrate Toronto Pride with Alison Syme, Associate Professor of Modern Art at the University of Toronto and author of A Touch of Blossom: John Singer Sargent and the Queer Flora of Fin-de-Siècle Art (2010). Explore the life and lessons of queer flowers. For centuries artists, writers and scientists have been fascinated by the sex life of flowers and the “perversions” to which plants are prone. Learn how the wilder side of natural history has inspired erotica, art and political activism.

Public $25, students (with valid ID) $15, TBG members free. Door sales only. Limited seating.

• Free guided garden tours: TBG and Edwards Gardens, May through September, Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and Thursdays at 6 p.m.; Toronto Music Garden, Wednesdays at 11 a.m. and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. No registration required.

• Spectacular Town and Country Gardens Bus Tour. Private gardens of the Guelph and Elora region; lunch at Breadalbane Inn.

Thursday, June 20, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Public $120, Members $100.

• Shop Till You Drop Plant Lovers Bus Tour. Stops include Whistling Gardens, The Potting Shed and lunch at Twisted Lemon.

Thursday, July 18, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Public $132, Members $112.

• July in the Jarvie Garden. A true plantswoman’s garden; plants for sale. Wednesday, July 24, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Public $43, Members $35.

• Royal York Rooftop Tour and Gourmet Luncheon with Marjorie Mason and executive chef Collin Thornton of EPIC. Wednesday, August 14, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Public $135, Members $120. To register, 416-397-1341 or torontobotanicalgarden.ca

goings on

• Organic Farmers’ Market Thursdays, May 16 through October 10, 3 to 7 p.m.

• Through the Garden Gate: Forest Hill and Gardens of South Hill Saturday, June 8, and Sunday, June 9, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. One-day pass: public $40, members $35; two-day pass: public $52.50, members $47.50; prices subject to applicable taxes. Tickets, 416-397-1341 or online at torontobotanicalgarden.ca.

• Summer Art Gallery Exhibit: Threads of Life Traditional and modern botanical textiles by Penny Milton and the late Renée White of the Gesneriad Society. Opening: Thursday, June 20, 6 to 7:15 p.m. Exhibition runs to September 19.

• Edwards Summer Music Series: Gardens of Song Bring your own chair or borrow a stool ($5 deposit). Thursdays, June 27 through August 29, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Free admission. Generously supported by the Edwards Charitable Foundation. For details, visit toronto botanicalgarden.ca/ gardensofsong.

• Kate’s Garden Lavender Lore and Lunch Friday, July 12, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Public $55, Members $45. To register, 416-397-1341 or torontobotanicalgarden.ca.

Become a Master Gardener!

Basic gardening knowledge entrance exam September 16

Personal interviews September 23-25 Course start January 2014

To register or for info: training@mastergardeners.ca

A B out tHE toro

N to BotAN ic A l gA r DEN

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 more than 95 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. Charitable business number 119227486RR001.

g ENE r A l H our S AND ADM i S S io N

gA r DENS : Free admission, dawn to dusk

A DM i N i StrAtiv E oFF ic ES : Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

W ESto N FAM ily l i B rA ry: Call 416-397-1343 or check www.torontobotanicalgarden.ca for hours of operation.

shop t B g : Call 416-397-1357 • shop@torontobotanicalgarden.ca

M ASt E r gA r DENE r S’ iNFo l i NE : 416-397-1345, noon to 3 p.m.

(April & July, Monday to Thursday, Saturday; May & June, daily; August through March, Monday, Wednesday and Saturday). Visit torontomastergardeners.ca and Ask a Master Gardener

MEMBErSHip: $45 single, $65 family. call 416-397-1483 or sign up on line at torontobotanicalgarden.ca/join

SigN up For Bi-WEEkly gArDEN ENEWS!

Receive the latest horticultural news and information on events, workshops, lectures and other horticultural happenings. Free registration at torontobotanicalgarden.ca

o F t HE toro N to B otAN ic A l g A r DEN

The Toronto Botanical Garden is deeply grateful to its Friends for providing continued and generous support towards programs and services. Our Friends enable the TBG to educate and provide the community with information on horticulture, gardening and environmental issues through lectures, courses and events.

The following individuals made their contribution to the Friends program between January 1 and March 29, 2013.

BEnEfaCToRS

Marjorie & Donald Lenz

Susan Loube & William Acton

Helen & John Shaw

SUSTaininG MEMBERS

Mary & Jim Fisher

Myint & Jay Gillespie

Sondra & Allan Gotlieb

Jim Harbell

Jean C. McGrath

fRiEndS

Merle Burston

Joanne & Bruce Campbell

Marjorie Harris & Jack Batten

Ann Hogarth

Patricia & Richard Humphrey

Mary Margaret & John Kot

Geri Kozorys-Smith & Larry Smith

Karen Lockwood

Gloria & Albert Lockyer

Linda J. Lynott

Patty & David McKnight

Joanne Miko & James E. Onyschuk

Marion Moore

Bonita Parshuram

Jannette Porter

Gisele Quesnel-Oke

Dawn Rayner

Linda Read

Allen & Marion Russell

James N. Stanley

Lyn Vrensen

Martin Wade & Daniel Larocque

pAtro NS

Ho N orA ry pAtro N : ADriENNE clArkSoN Brian Bixley, Mark cullen, camilla Dalglish, Sondra gotlieb, Marjorie Harris, lorraine Johnson, Michele landsberg, Susan Macaulay, Helen Skinner

B oA r D o F D ir Ector S

President: Allan Kling. Co-Chairs: Allan Kling and Rebecca Golding. Tim Bermingham, Mark Bonham, Ellen Carr, Heather Cullen, Beth Edney, Colomba B. Fuller, Ryan Glenn, Cathy Kozma, Elaine Le Feuvre, Shelagh Meagher, penny richards, Judy Shirriff, Nancy tong, Barbara yager

ExEcutivE DirEctor director@torontobotanicalgarden.ca 416-397-1346

BuSiNESS AND FiNANcE Director of Business initiatives and Finance Margaret chasins business@torontobotanicalgarden.ca 416-397-1484

Accounting, Nadesu Manikkavasagam accounting@torontobotanicalgarden.ca 416-397-1352

Database & technology Administrator & Social Media Specialist, trish cassling database@torontobotanicalgarden.ca 416-397-1371

resource Specialist, Stefan Weber assistant@torontobotanicalgarden.ca 416-397-1321

MArkEtiNg & coMMuNicAtioNS DEpArtMENt creative Director, Jenny rhodenizer communication@torontobotanicalgarden.ca trellis Editor

publicist, pracheer Saran media@torontobotanicalgarden.ca 416-397-1351

editor@torontobotanicalgarden.ca

DEvElopMENt DEpArtMENt Director of Development, claudia Zuccato ria development@torontobotanicalgarden.ca 416-397-1372

Development officer, Andrew Mckay annualgiving@torontobotanicalgarden.ca 416-397-1483

rENtAlS & EvENtS DEpArtMENt

Events & Facility Manager, paulina cadena events@torontobotanicalgarden.ca 416-397-1324

Events & Facility coordinator, rachel kay rentals@torontobotanicalgarden.ca 416-397-1349

EDucAtioN DEpArtMENt Director of Education, liz Hood education@torontobotanicalgarden.ca 416-397-1355

children’s Education Supervisor

777 l awrence Avenue East, toron to, o n tario M3 c 1 p 2 , c anada 4 16-397-1340; fax: 416-397-1354 • info@torontobotanicalgarden.ca torontobotanicalgarden.ca • @TBG_Canada

Natalie Harder

StAFF D ir Ectory By ttc : From Eglinton subway station take the 51, 54 or 54A bus to Lawr ence Avenue East and Leslie Street. The TBG is on the southwest corner. torontobotanicalgarden.ca TO LEAR n ABO u T THE

childrensed@torontobotanicalgarden.ca 416-397-1288

children’s Education coordinator Diana Wilson tbgkids@torontobotanicalgarden.ca 416-397-5209

Adult Education coordinator

Anna-liza B adaloo adulted@torontobotanicalgarden.ca 416-397-1362

tour guide coordinator

Sue Hills

tourguides@torontobotanicalgarden.ca 416-397-4145

WEStoN FAMily liBrAry

Head librarian, Zachary osborne 416-397-1375

librarian@torontobotanicalgarden.ca

HorticulturAl DEpArtMENt

Nancy Eaton Director of Horticulture paul Zammit horticulture@torontobotanicalgarden.ca 416-397-1358

Head gardener, Sandra pella 416-397-1316

gardener@torontobotanicalgarden.ca taxonomic Assistant, toni vella taxonomy@torontobotanicalgarden.ca shoptBg

Supervisor, Heidi Hobday shop@torontobotanicalgarden.ca 416-397-1357

MAiNtENANcE

Maintenance Manager, Walter Morassutti Maintenance officers, Alvin Allen, Jonas kweko-teye, Marcos tawfik maintenance@torontobotanicalgarden.ca 416-397-1344

HEAD, voluNtEEr SErvicES

Sue Hills

volunteers@torontobotanicalgarden.ca 416-397-4145