Trellis magazine - Spring 2021 by Toronto Botanical Garden

SPRING 2021 • VOL 50

DWARF CONIFERS | INDOOR GARDENS | SUMMER BULBS

True Yellow

Easy to grow, bright and eye-catching all summer long, looks great in home gardens and photographs beautifully. See Bee’s Knees Petunias in person at the Toronto Botanical Garden!

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inside

COVER PHOTO: ARIES KOREANA ICEBREAKER STANDARD, BY MARION JARVIE. STORY PAGE 20

S P R I N G 2 02 1 • VO L 5 0

UP FRONT

[4] FROM THE TBG

Pivots and Successes… Looking Forward [5] THE EXPANSION TBG names design supergroup [6] TBG DONORS COME THROUGH Opening hearts and wallets in 2020 [7] ALL THE DIRT Staff interview with Dean Ruhnke [8] LEARN SOMETHING NEW Virtual classes for adults and families

[9] STORYTIME IN THE

GARDEN New Children’s Author Series on Zoom [10] INVASIVE PLANTS IN THE RAVINE Alternatives to non-native Euonymus

FEATURES

[13] INDOOR GARDENS

Soilless system produces fresh herbs and greens right on your kitchen counter [16] SUMMER GARDEN GEMS Plant Delightful Dahlias, Cannas, Gladioli

and more for colourful spectacular results [20] SMALL CONIFERS Tiny treasures add yearround appeal [26] SEASONAL TIPS Get a jumpstart on spring with these timely chores [28] OWL FIND YOU Enjoy these incredible birds but respect their space

MOMENTS

[32] GARDEN WITH KIDS

Tips for budding gardeners

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[34] BOOK SHELF Garden book reviews by Trellis garden writers [36] TBG Book Club offers lively discussions [37] FOOD GARDEN Tasty options for garden fresh salad [38] HOUSEPLANT PROFILE Charming African Violets call out for love and affection [40] PEOPLE, PLACES & PLANTS Martha McKee retires from the Garden Shop

FRO M t h e TB G

Our strategic planning session led to the identification of several important projects to ensure the best stewardship of our gardens. Work is underway to review and update our plant inventory, and we are converting our collection management system to ensure that it can grow with us– for those techies among us we are moving from BG-base software to IrisBG. As well, we are installing improved security measures to increase plant security to protect them from theft. This was identified as critical to safeguard our gardens and will be a priority project for 2021. Build financial resilience

WITH SPRING on the horizon and the familiar feelings of anticipation that the season brings, I have been reflecting on the year past and on what our future at the TBG holds. Through the work we have done together in 2020, I can see clearly the exciting potential in our organization and the future development of our gardens. Our board and staff have worked very hard this year to weather the challenges of the pandemic and also to crystallize a vision of our expanded and enhanced TBG. Last fall the board and staff came together to identify our priorities for the gardens over the next three to five years. This was part of overall long-term planning to make sure we are on track to achieve the bigger vision for the gardens. Seven priorities were identified and I would like to highlight three of them. Enhance and scale our garden design

Enhance the visitor experience

Through the generous support of a grant, our team has worked to improve our IT support. This is a project with a broad scope, including updating our email system, computers and hardware, and Wi-fi system. Not only will these changes enhance our efficiency and IT security, they also provide benefits to our members and visitors. A stronger, more reliable Wi-fi network benefits all who use our building, including visitors, vendors and event patrons. Integrated technology helps us to manage our data, coordinate and strengthen our connections and outreach to our volunteers, donors and members. Finally, looking to the future, these enhanced systems will support us in endeavours such as curating garden tours and making plant information available for visitor access on their smartphones. Moving a vision forward requires resilience, perseverance and a strong sense of purpose. I would like to thank our volunteers, members, donors, staff and board for all of the contributions you have made thus far in helping move us forward into our future.

Our gardens are central to everything we do here at TBG and we want to focus on “connecting people to plants”. TORONTOBOTANICALGARDEN.CA

David McIsaac, CEO ceo@torontobotanicalgarden.ca

SPRING 2021

PHOTO: GLENN DAVIDSON

PIVOTS AND SUCCESSES … LOOKING FORWARD INTO 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly demonstrated the need for diversified streams of revenue. This became acutely apparent during the first pandemic lockdown when our retail shop and building had to be closed. Our retail revenue funds our gardens and many of our programs. With virtually no online presence at the beginning of 2020, we were required to quickly create and implement an online retail store. Glenn Davidson and his team have worked very hard to build our virtual presence using the popular platform Shopify. Change breeds opportunity and, through this online launch, we have gained the ability to expand our retail reach to a much broader audience and to engage potential new members.

THE EXPANSION TBG NAMES DESIGN SUPERGROUP PMA Landscape Architects will lead 18 firms in 15 garden disciplines, says Garden Director Harry Jongerden DRUM ROLL!!!!! Music lovers of a certain age will remember the term “supergroup”. It’s when rock stars broke away from their bands and joined together in a new band formed of stars. Think of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, The Traveling Wilburys–even The Three Tenors. They produced amazing music despite the egos that had to be kept in check. So in honour of Ginger Baker, drummer for Cream, the very first band to be acknowledged as a “supergroup” ………..drum roll!!!!!! We are ready to announce our detailed design team. Indeed, we are introducing TBG’s very own design

“supergroup”. Many of them are stars in their various fields—landscape architecture, architecture, garden design, plant expertise, ecological restoration and more. The project team involves 18 firms representing 15 different disciplines. Of course, you would expect to see landscape architects and garden designers, but we will also have lighting designers, heritage consultants and food services experts, among many others. You know many of the TBG design supergroup already, our stars having worked on TBG before, and on numerous significant projects in Toronto and beyond. The lead firm

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is the renowned Toronto firm, PMA Landscape Architects, known to many of you as the lead consultants for TBG’s original four-acre expansion in 2005. They also participated in the original 2014 proposal to expand the garden, the “Integrated Conceptual Proposals”. PMA and its team will be creating garden beauty to be enjoyed for generations to come. This column doesn’t have room to name the whole design team, but some other notables are Gow Hastings as lead architects; Frontier as interpretation master planners; and Dougan & Associates as ecological restoration experts. We also have two highly regarded local individual experts to advise the project in the areas of conservation and native plants. Detailed design for Phase I of TBG’s expansion will involve the complex coordination of many players and moving parts, including the participation of key stakeholders such as TRCA (conservation authority) and our City partners. It all gets underway this spring thanks to the generous support of key donors who have stepped forward to fund this most important aspect of our expansion. Perhaps the analogy to a rock supergroup doesn’t do our project justice. How about an orchestra instead? But if we’re switching musical analogies, I won’t settle for anything less than the Berlin Philharmonic. We’re going to be making some very beautiful music here as TBG enters into the first phase of our expansion.

SPRING 2021

With Gifts to the Garden, April Showers and Hearts & Flowers By Lorraine Hunter

FUNDRAISING is an important aspect of running a non-profit organization like the Toronto Botanical Garden. A necessary but sometimes delicate endeavour. “You have to balance how often you ask against the needs,” says TBG Director of Development Alison Kenn. “But it’s how we survive. Last spring, we suddenly lost five of six revenue streams when everything closed for COVID-19.” And, while the old adage “if you don’t ask, you don’t receive,” might be true, the TBG’s donors have opened their wallets and their hearts over the past year. There is no greater joy than “matching a donor with something they are passionate about,” says Alison. She was enthralled with the beauty of the gardens when she joined the TBG, “but, over the past year I’ve seen firsthand how the garden heals people.”

The 2020 Hearts & Flowers Campaign annual event for the past five years, was an outstanding success. With a goal of $175,000, it raised some

177,015.03

GIFTS TO THE GARDEN

Gifts to the Garden, a new campaign launched early last summer, TORONTOBOTANICALGARDEN.CA

showed her just how much the garden means to members and volunteers. Some 40 donors helped to raise more than $20,000 last spring—all of which was used to make improvements to the gardens. “It started at a TBG board meeting when it was mentioned that a lot of the equipment in the garden was outof-date and needed replacing. It was already a tough year financially. After the meeting a board member offered to buy a piece of equipment and donate it to the garden,” recalls Alison who, realizing that this could be a good fundraising hook, put together a wish list and Gifts to the Garden was born. “We decided to promote it online through the Garden Shop with items people could purchase and donate to the garden—things like the planters that now sit outside the front door, plants for the Piet Oudolf garden and the entryway, a lawnmower, hedge trimmers, hoses, sprinklers, a weed trimmer and six Japanese maples that needed replacing. “The campaign was visible, the money raised went right to the garden and donors received tax receipts. We will be giving donors recognition in the garden with their names on permanent plant markers. Donors will soon see a lot of work in the perennial garden including new sod, which they made happen,” says Alison. APRIL SHOWERS

Last year was the first time TBG had three campaigns, giving donors a chance to spread their donations over the year. April Showers was new last spring. “We will do it again in some form, perhaps by expanding Gifts to the Garden and including lots of new items that people can purchase for the garden at different prices,” says Alison. HEARTS & FLOWERS

The 2020 Hearts & Flowers Campaign, from November 1 to December 31, an annual event for the past five years, was an outstanding success. With a goal of $175,000, it raised

SPRING 2021

PHOTOS: PAUL GELLATLY

TBG DONORS COME THROUGH

All the Dirt

some $177,015.03—the odd number because of transferred stocks—with 333 donors contributing to its success. “We took part in Giving Tuesday on December 1 for the first time,” says Alison. “It’s a global day of giving and TBG board chair Gino Scapillati generously offered to match donations up to $5,000. We raised $27,000 that day plus the $5,000 which brought the total to $32,000. That event brought us an influx of new donors and we will absolutely be taking part in Giving Tuesday again this year.” In addition to thanking all of the donors, Alison has a special thank you for TBG member, donor and volunteer Marjorie Lenz, Honorary Chair for the Hearts & Flowers Campaign.

M EET D EA N RU H NK E

TBG Seasonal Gardener is back at work getting the gardens ready for spring

Some 40 donors helped to raise more than

20,000

last spring—all of which was used to make improvements to the gardens.

EAN WAS introduced to gardening by his grandmother who won awards at her local horticultural society for her peonies and roses. “Growing up we had a large vegetable garden that we helped with at home,” recalls Dean. “But. I really discovered my love of gardening at my first job when I was 15 years old working at Hubert’s Springhill Nursery.” After studying for three years at Niagara Parks Commission, Dean spent more than 20 years in various aspects of the gardening field ranging from commercial greenhouses to installing and maintaining gardens as he does now for the TBG. He began as a garden volunteer working 24 hours a week in July 2017 and continued through to the end of December that year. “That’s when I officially became a seasonal gardener and I have been here each year since.” Dean is looking forward to continuing to reinstate the Piet Oudolf Entry Way this year thanks to financial gifts from donors. “It is a great opportunity and an honor to work on it. I’m also really happy with all the new annuals and perennials for the Showcase Garden.” Another wish come true for Dean is that “donations are making it possible for us to redesign the Perennial Border which I am really eager to get at this year.”

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Donations are making it possible for us to redesign the Perennial Border

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”

LEARN

Something New FOLLOWING the success of several sold-out online education programs offered over the last few months, the TBG is continuing with a mix of adult and family classes and lectures this spring. Registration for the following will take place via the TBG’s website at www.torontobotanicalgarden.ca and how she inspires friends and neighbours to garden and to grow new plants—with the hope of inspiring you (and your family) to get in on the action! Suitable for kids ages 12 and under.

Tanya Carvalho

How to Raise Monarch Butterflies with Carol Pasternak Saturday, June 12, 10 to 11 a.m. Public $15, TBG Member or Volunteer $12plus fees + HST

ONLINE ADULT EDUCATION A View into the World of Monarch Tagging with Betty McCulloch Thursday, April 22, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Public $15, TBG Member or Volunteer $12 plus fees + HST

Monarchs need our help! These beautiful butterflies are essential for contributing to the health of our planet, but climate change, habitat loss and pesticide use are threatening our important friend. This Earth Day join Betty McCulloch who has tagged more than 8,300 monarch butterflies. Regenerative Agriculture Practice with ClearWater Farm Wednesday, April 28, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Public $15, TBG Member or Volunteer $12 plus fees + HST Wildflower Writers with Stacey Curtis Wednesdays, May 5 through 26, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Public $100, TBG Member or Volunteer $80 plus fees + HST

STORYTIME IN THE GARDEN Admission is FREE. Family-friendly. Suitable for ages 6 and up. Generously supported by Joan Wright.

TBG Lecture Series: A Bloom’s Story: From Breederto Trial Garden

Join Tanya Carvalho of Ball FloraPlant and Selecta One on a journey through the trial garden process. Get an insider’s look at what’s coming to the Toronto Botanical Garden this summer in the TBG’s trial gardens and learn why your feed back is so valuable

The Boreal Forest with Lindsey Carmichael Saturday, April 24, 10 to 11 a.m. 111 Trees with Rina Singh Saturday, May 15, 10 to 11 a.m.

Thursday, May 20, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Public $15 plus fees + HST FREE FOR TBG Member or Volunteers ONLINE FAMILY WORKSHOPS Gardening with Kids with Emma Biggs Saturday, April 17, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Public: $15, TBG Member or Volunteer $12 (plus fees + HST)

If you’ve ever thought that kids aren’t interested in gardening, 15-year-old Emma Biggs will definitely change that narrative! In this family friendly program, Emma will talk about the fun she has in her own urban garden

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Rina Singh

SPRING 2021

STORYTIME IN THE GARDEN TBG Launches Children’s Author Series on Zoom

ILLUSTRATIONS: JUNE ANDERSON

fascinating and important INDSEY CARMICHAEL is audience. They still have the thrilled to be opening the desire to absorb. They want TBG’s Storytime in the information. We have to be Garden authors series at honest with them. They are 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 24. worried and need to know “It’s an honour to be invited,” there are things they can says the award-winning do—such as to plant a tree.” children’s author who has Since she was a kid, published 22 science books for Lindsey never stopped asking young people. Her latest The “Why?” As a PhD candidate, Boreal Forest: A Year in the she uncovered new reasons World’s Largest Biome is aimed why Arctic foxes are the at eight to 12-year-olds, but, coolest; as a forensic she says, “the content can be scientist, she found out why adapted for any age group.” STORYTIME IN THE bears sometimes get away Lindsey’s presentation will be GARDEN launches in April with murder. As a writer, she suitable for youngsters six and as part of the TBG’s Earth follows her sense of wonder up, and their parents. Month celebrations. Lindsey to the “whys” of subjects as The boreal forest spans Carmichael, author of The diverse as nature, the a dozen countries in the Boreal Forest, will be the environment, medicine and northern regions like “a scarf first featured author, joining technology. around the neck of the us via Zoom on Saturday, Tickets to the presentation world.” The book, beautifully April 24, from 10 to 11 a.m. also include a free PDF with illustrated by renowned Other authors and dates instructions for an at-home Canadian illustrator Josée will be announced in the experiment to demonstrate Bisaillon, has already been upcoming weeks. how the boreal forest filters translated into Russian. and purifies water. Your PDF This introduction to the will be sent to your Zoom boreal biome, 29 per cent of login details, two days which is right here in Canada, before the event. will help kids understand why Storytime in the Garden is forests matter. Lindsey will a brand-new family program explore biodiversity with a at TBG, featuring children’s look at the animals—both authors whose books are iconic and obscure—that call the boreal forest home. Using movement activity, connected to gardens, nature and the environment. These one-hour live, online she will discuss photosynthesis and how it helps presentations invite families to meet and connect forests prevent climate change. The program with wonderful authors and storytellers. During runs approximately 30 minutes, leaving lots of each program, authors will read from their time for questions. book(s), share stories and answer your questions. “Even though I wear bifocals, I still think like a And best of all, Storytime in the Garden is free, 12-year-old,” says Lindsey who writes under the thanks to the generous support of Joan Wright. name L. E. Carmichael. “Writers write to the kid —Lorraine Hunter we still are inside,” she says. “Kids are the most

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Kids are the most important audience… We have to be honest with them, says writer Lindsey Carmichael TORONTOBOTANICALGARDEN.CA

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INVASIVE PLANTS I N

T H E

R AV I N E

Ecologist Katherine Baird offers sustainable garden alternatives to non-native Euonymus

PHOTO: REUVEN MARTIN (WINTER CREEPER) KATHERINE BAIRD

Winter creeper (Euonymus fortunei)

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URING SURVEYS of Wilket Creek ravine, 58 invasive non-native plants were identified, with an additional 38 on invasive watch lists. Among the most prevalent invasive plants were non-native euonymus. These invasive shrubs from Eurasia include three different species:

Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus)

• Burning bush (Euonymus alatus) • European euonymus (Euonymus europaeus) • Winter creepers (Euonymus fortunei) What are invasive plants?

Invasive plants are non-native species that escape cultivation and invade natural areas, negatively impacting the environment. What impacts do they have? Invasive euonymus invades

forests, meadows and prairies (Hutchison 1992*). The dense thickets displace native species and inhibit germination of native plants (Bauer & Reynolds 2016**). Winter creeper can also overtop trees and shrubs (Schwegman 1996***). These factors negatively impact natural areas by reducing native biodiversity and degrading wildlife habitat. How did they get in the ravine? Invasive euonymus are

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popular ornamental shrubs and unfortunately are still frequently sold by nurseries. Since euonymus produce fruit dispersed by birds, they can be transported from gardens far distances into natural areas. They can also reproduce vegetatively, especially winter creeper, which can root at nodes.

Burning bush invades forests, meadows and prairies displacing native species.

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What do they look like?

Invasive euonymus shrubs have opposite leaves, colourful orange to red fruit, cream to green to pale 11

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Burning bush in the fall ravine.

Do we have native euonymus?

Yes. Eastern wahoo (Euonymus atropurpureus) and running strawberry bush (Euonymus obovatus) are native shrubs, not to be mistaken with invasive species. These can be differentiated by wahoo’s hairy leaf underside

What should I do if there are invasives in my garden?

Long distance spread of berries makes it difficult to control the impacts euonymus in gardens may be causing to surrounding natural areas. Because of this, it is best to avoid planting invasive euonymus species and their cultivars. In cases where invasive euonymus is currently planted, it is also recommended that these plants be removed and replaced with an alternative non-invasive species.

European euonymus (Euonymus europaeus)

Euonymus europaeus flower

Alternative options:

There are a number of native shrubs with vibrant fall foliage and colourful berries to use in place of invasive species. These include the following shrubs native to southern Ontario: • Eastern wahoo (Euonymus atropurpureus) • Grey dogwood (Cornus racemosa) • Red-osier dogwood (Cornus sericea) • Mapleleaf viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium) • Fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica) • Red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) • Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) • Downy, Smooth and Canada Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea, A. laevis, A. canadensis) For groundcover replacements for winter creeper, the following species are native to southern Ontario: • Running strawberry bush (Euonymus obovatus) • Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) • Virginia and woodland strawberry (Fragaria virginiana, F. vesca) • Barren strawberry (Geum fragarioides) • Heartleaf foam flower (Tiarella cordifolia)

FOOTNOTES *Hutchison, Max. 1992. Vegetation management guideline: wintercreeper or climbing euonymus (Euonymus fortunei). Natural Areas Journal. 12(4): 220-221.**Bauer, J. T., & Reynolds, H. L. (2016). Restoring native understory to a woodland invaded by Euonymus fortunei: multiple factors affect success. Restoration Ecology, 24(1), 45–52. https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.12285 ***Schwegman, John E. 1996. Euonymus fortunei—wintercreeper. In: Randall, John M.; Marinelli, Janet, eds. Invasive plants: Weeds of the global garden. Handbook #149. Brooklyn, NY: Brooklyn Botanic Garden: 56

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PHOTOS: KATHERINE BAIRD, REUVEN MARTIN, SCOTT HOKUNSON

pink four-part flowers, and also can have winged stems. Winged and European euonymus are upright shrubs, while winter creeper is a trailing shrub or woody vine and also has leaves with lightened mid-veins.

and maroon flowers, and running strawberry bush’s small size, obovate (egg-shaped) leaves, five-part flowers and spikey fruit.

Indoor Gardens Soilless growing system gives you fresh herbs and greens right on your kitchen counter By Veronica Sliva

n the summer months we can grow herbs, salad greens and other veggies outdoors in the garden or containers. But during the winter months, we have to rely on what we can find at the grocery store. That often means settling for sadlooking potted herbs or greens jammed into a plastic package.

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It doesn’t have to be this way. Years ago, I received an AeroGarden as a gift from a picky husband who wanted fresh basil with his pasta. No matter what the season, thanks to my indoor garden, I always have fresh herbs and greens (they can be fully grown in less than a month) growing in my kitchen at the ready for snipping. Nowadays there are many different brands of similar units available and they all use hydroponics to grow plants. Hydroponics is a system that does not use any soil. The technique isn’t new. It’s a method of growing plants that dates back to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and the Floating Gardens of China. In Ontario’s commercial greenhouses, hydroponic technology is used to produce vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers and much more.

WHAT IS AN AEROGARDEN?

On a much smaller scale, this personal hydroponic system can be set up almost anywhere in your home. It is ideally suited to apartment dwellers and those without gardens. However, even those of us who have outdoor growing space, appreciate being able to grow plants indoors in winter. This is a soilless system with no ‘dirt’ to deal with. Using a subset of hydroponics called “aeroponics”, it is a system that allows the plants’ roots to grow into an air space and then down into a highly oxygenated nutrient solution. There are several AeroGarden models available but they all feature the same basic parts: • • • • • •

A container or base that holds the water and a nutrient solution along with a water pump built into the base. LED grow lights that are attached to the base with an adjustable light post. They provide white, blue and red light for optimal plant health and help to maintain the ideal temperature for plants at 16-24°C (65-76°F). A tray called a ‘grow deck’ fits over the container to support the plants. Holes in the grow deck keep seed pods in place and help minimize evaporation. Seed pods filled with a sponge-like substance are pre-planted with seeds (there are different choices available). Clear plastic domes to cover the pods while the seed germinates. Pre-mixed plant food.

Asian greens

Parsley growing in pod.

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PHOTOS VERONICA SLIVA

Set up is easy. In just five minutes you can assemble the unit, add water and plant food, drop the seed pods into the grow deck and plug in the machine. You don’t have to figure out the nutrient amounts, the lights’ on and off schedule, or water levels. It is all pre-programmed. An LED display tells you when the water is low and when to add nutrients. All you have to do is watch your plants grow. 14

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What About flowers?

Annuals like petunias and snapdragons are good choices, but there are many others. Avoid flowers that grow very tall. There is even a seed starting system that is designed to get your transplants going. See https://www. aerogarden.com/accessories/ garden-seed-starting.html. The Fertilizer

Herbs and basil in soilless garden.

THE ISSUES The Seed Pods

When you buy an AeroGarden it comes with seed pods. The issue in my mind is that the manufacturer wants you to buy additional seed pods when you are ready to grow your next crop. This can get pricey. The seed pods are not made for reuse with your own seeds. To be fair, many hydroponic kit makers sell pods unique to their machines. Basil growing in pod.

There are workarounds of course. You can use your own seed. Ask Mr. Google and you’ll learn that you can buy knockoff seed pods online for less money. Or, you can try making your own. I did. I had an old outdoor cushion filled with polyester batting and I cut up pieces to fit the plastic pod cage. Did it work? Yes, it did, though some greenish algae developed on top of it. Still, the mesclun seeds I ‘planted’ germinated well and they are growing happily in the unit. What Else Can You Grow?

Besides herbs like basil, dill, thyme and mint you can grow almost anything. The company offers different seed options, but you can use your own seed—snap peas, cucumbers, bell peppers, red chiles and tomatoes, to name a few. Keep in mind that you need to choose suitably small varieties. TORONTOBOTANICALGARDEN.CA

AeroGarden’s fertilizer is premixed and contains nutrients designed specifically for plants that are grown hydroponically. You can purchase it separately. Regular plant food is not a suitable substitute as it lacks many compounds that hydroponic nutrients contain. You need a solution designed for hydroponics. But, you don’t have to buy AeroGarden’s product. There are many hydroponic fertilizers available online and at retailers that sell hydroponic products. Provision Hydroponics & Garden, located in Newmarket, is a retailer I highly recommend. Check out https:// www.provisiongardensupply.ca Not the Only Game in Town

AeroGarden is probably the most recognizable name in consumer hydroponics these days thanks to a very robust marketing campaign. With at least a dozen models to choose from, a modest price range starting at about $99 and widespread availability at big box stores like Costco, Canadian Tire and even Bed, Bath and Beyond, as well as smaller retailers, and online - https://www.aerogarden.com/ aerogardens.html, and also on amazon.ca. AeroGardens are an easy way for beginners and veteran gardeners alike to get into hydroponic growing. But it’s not the only game in town. Here are a few other options to check out: https://justvertical.com/products/ the-aeva https://www.clickandgrow.com/

SPRING 2021

Summer Garden

GEMS Plant Delightful Dahlias, Cunning Cannas, Gleeful Gladioli for Spectacular Results By Paul Gellatly

ONE OF THE beautiful things about gardening is our ability to look ahead. In the cold of winter, we look forward to emerging spring bulbs. When we plant a Japanese maple, we look ahead to its fall colour. And, when we think about our summer planters and gardens, we look ahead to the summer bulbs that will soon be gracing garden centres and the TBG online Garden Shop. The promise to be found in the jewels of summer planters and gardens are currently nestled into the corms, rhizomes and tubers found in packages, boxes and crates in retail establishments, and stored in our basements, cold cellars and garages. I am no stranger to summer sub-tropical plants and have crates of them stored from years past, ready to be planted into their temporary homes. Each year as gardeners get the ‘itch’ to put their fingers into the dirt, as if perfectly timed, the delightful dahlias, cunning cannas and gleeful gladioli line up with all their tender, but worthy, competitors, waiting to be chosen by gardeners looking forward to warmer weather. I can’t imagine a planter or a garden without a few–or more–of these often under-appreciated, sub-tropical plants. Canna foliage

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PHOTOS: PAUL GELLATLY

Each flower is unique

Perfection in bloom

Captivating

Dazzling

CANNAS

DAHLIAS

ONE OF THE most talked about cannas both in my garden and the planters at the TBG last year, was canna ‘Cleopatra’. This canna, with random red and green breaks in the foliage, and both red/orange and yellow spots and streaks in the blooms, is the perfect canna when you can’t make up your mind which colour you’d like. Not only is each leaf a piece of art; each bloom is marked uniquely different from the next. This flamboyant garden jester invokes a sense of whimsical fun wherever you might choose to include it. Grown as a valuable food source, the primary species of canna for food production is canna indica, frequently used in Vietnam to make high quality ‘cellophane’ noodles. Used extensively in Central and South America for over 4,000 years, it has been replaced in recent times by higher yielding starch-crops such as potatoes and corn. In the garden, cannas have bounced in and out of popularity for decades. With extensive hybridizing, cannas are now found in sizes ranging from dwarf to giant and almost every colour imaginable in foliage and bloom. This makes canna an easy addition to any garden. Keep an eye out for some of my favourite cultivars including ‘Cleopatra’, ‘B. Marley’, ‘Wolfsong’, ‘Australia’, ‘Bengal Tiger’ (also sold as ‘Pretoria’), ‘Durban’, ‘Pink Sunburst’, Tropicana and ‘Stuttgart’. Each brings its own unique spin on a tropical foliage plant that will surely delight you and attract a few hummingbirds with their summer blooms.

WHEN WRITING ABOUT summer gems, I would be remiss if I didn’t include the delightful dahlia. One of the first plants I ‘collected’ and showcased in my garden when I was 15 or 16 years-old. I remember being enthralled with the varieties, shapes, sizes and colours of dahlias. Visiting British Columbia in the 90s I stumbled upon a dahlia show at a local mall with hundreds upon hundreds of flowers that could only be described as perfection in bloom. Whether it was the tiny pom pons, the exotic cactus forms or the giant dinner plate dazzlers, the show opened my eyes to the variety and perfection that can be found in a dahlia. A few decades later, while living in Halifax, NS, and visiting the Halifax Public Gardens, I came across a display of well-known dahlia cultivars, all hybridized in Atlantic Canada! From Butchart Gardens in Victoria to Jardins de Métis in Quebec and everywhere in between, it’s hard to find a public garden that hasn’t included at least a few. Toronto Botanical Garden will be joining the dahlia craze this year. Ball FloraPlant/Selecta has worked with hybridizers across the globe to produce quality dahlias, some of which will be featured in the TBG ‘s new Showcase/Trial Gardens! Be sure to plan a trip to see them for yourself.

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Classic corms of summer

Brightens shady spots

Glorious

Beautiful

GLADIOLUS

BEGONIAS

GROWING UP IN the Region of Waterloo and being a regular visitor to the St. Jacobs Farmers Market, for me the month of August would not be complete without seeing buckets upon buckets of gladiolus blooms, found at the end of almost every Mennonite farm lane and booth at the market. In the past few years, I have noticed a resurgence in these classic corms of summer. With exciting new colour combinations, textured blooms and spectacular form, no summer garden is truly complete without a gracious grouping of gladioli.

SUITED FOR PARTIAL to full shade planters, begonias have made leaps and bounds in the last few decades and can now be found in forms ranging from perfect pendulous to upright bushy. The tuberous begonia comes in many colours, shapes and sizes, making it perfect for adding a pop of orange or a sultry red to the shade planter. I have always had an appreciation for the delicate looking begonia. Many varieties, such as Rex begonias, are known more for their foliage. Although related, the tuberous begonias available for sale with other summer bulbs (corms) are known primarily for their floriferous nature and big bold blooms.

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One of the great things about all these summer gems is that once fall’s cold nights set in, they can all be cut back to their corms, bulbs or tubers, and stored over winter in a cool dry place. They can then be added to the new gems you are sure to pick up at this time next year to create dynamic, new plant combinations for years to come. Whether you have a garden, a terrace, a balcony or simply a sunroom, be sure to add a few summer gems to your plantings this year.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE For Summer Bulbs

Bodacious balls of blue

Glamorous

AGAPANTHUS THE FINAL JEWEL I want to highlight in this article is one of the more unusual plants available, the Agapanthus. Hailing from the hills of Africa, it has bountiful bodacious balls of blue. No other summer plant brings that spectacular true-blue bloom to the garden. With great drought resistance, it can be grown in planters, on its own or in the garden. This underappreciated, underused sub-tropical plant should have its place in many more gardens than it currently has.

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• When selecting summer bulbs, be sure to feel the roots to make sure they are firm. Once home, store them in a cool, dry spot, but remember to check on them. • If they have started growing more than 2.5 to 5 centimetres (1 to 2 inches), they may need to be potted up sooner than May. Plants can be started in pots under lights, or near a bright window. If started inside, they should not be fully planted outside until after the last frost date. • Roots, corms, tubers and bulbs can be directly planted out a couple of weeks prior to last frost date; even earlier if we have a warm spring… from early to mid May in Toronto. • Make sure to add compost or worm castings around the roots. As they start to grow, these plants become heavy feeders. • Plant them in the garden where you want them to grow. Once they’ve started growing, they don’t like to be moved. • Make sure to mark the spot where they are planted. They can take a few weeks to break soil. • Always consider full grown height when placing bulbs in the garden. It’s often hard to tell how big they are going to get by the size of their roots. • Each plant has different requirements. Be sure to read any information provided on the package. • Even if you think it isn’t alive… It likely is… Plant it anyway! • Summer gems are often inexpensive and a great way to try something new! • Make sure to set up a regular fertilizing schedule; it takes a lot of energy to produce beautiful summer blooms.

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Taxus Stonehenge Skinny is a space-saving yew for sun or shade.

SMALL

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Most dwarf conifers are the result of a genetic mutation called Witches Broom.

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PHOTOS: PROVEN WINNERS

CONIFERS Tiny Treasures add year-round appeal to any garden By Carol Gardner

Sprinter Boxwood is hardy and stays attractive all year round. TORONTOBOTANICALGARDEN.CA

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Most importantly (to me) junipers produce berries which are the basis of making gin.

N OUR LAST edition of Trellis, Paul Gellatly focused on the TBG conifer connection, re-awakening my conifer addiction. I became a conifer convert some years ago after touring Foggy Bottom, the six-acre Norfolk garden of Adrian Bloom on a long-ago trip to England. It took seeing a couple of other gardens—Whistling Gardens in Wilsonville, ON and the Thornhill garden of horticulturist and teacher Marion Jarvie—to demonstrate how well they integrate into any landscape. These gardens are all huge, whereas mine is ‘bijou’ (read ‘pitifully small’), so I set out in search of conifers that might fit my humble space. There are over 600 conifer species including spruce, pine, firs, hemlock, cedars, junipers, larix (larch), cypress, yew and redwoods. They come in a wide variety of sizes, from tiny to huge, although for our purposes we’re talking mostly about miniatures and dwarfs. Calling a conifer “miniature” or “dwarf” is about both its size and its rate of growth. Miniatures grow less than 30 cm (12 in) in 10 years, whereas dwarfs grow 0.3 to 1.5 m (1-5 ft) in the same time frame. I assumed (wrongly, as usual) that dwarf conifers were the result of Mother Nature. A few are naturally small species, but most are the result of a genetic mutation called Witches Broom that causes compact growth. Conifers are ancient plants, with a fossil record extending back about 300 million years. Many of the large

THE SMALLEST 1. Anna’s Magic Ball® (Arborvitae Thuja occidentalis) was developed in Canada, so it can deal with our winter weather! It will grow to a height and width of only 25 to 38 cm (10 to 15 in). 2. Tom Thumb Gold Caucasian Spruce (Picea orientalis ‘Tom Thumb Gold’) presents best in a

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location receiving a half day’s sun exposure at most. Given too much sun, the foliage tends to burn, too little sun and the plant turns green. It grows at an extremely slow yearly rate of about 2.5 cm (1 in), mostly outward. After 10 years, it should be about 30 cm (12 in) wide and 15 cm (6 in) tall.

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PHOTOS: TOP, PROVEN WINNERS; BOTTOM, MARION JARVIE; OPPOSITE, PROVEN WINNERS

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THE TOUGHEST 3. Tortuga Juniper (Juniperus Tortuga) is a really hardy plant. It grows as a neat, low mound of fluffy, green foliage. According to its grower, “It is tolerant of deer, drought, dry soil, air pollution, poor fertility, mountain goats, polar vortexes, black walnut toxicity, sand, rocks, ground hogs, limestone and road salt; perhaps more.” Wow! I’ll bet you’ve never worried about mountain goats. It grows to

0.6 m (2 ft) tall and 1 to 1.21 m (3 to 4 ft) wide. 4. Ground Hug Aronia (Aronia melanocarpa) is another tough native shrub. In the spring, it is sprinkled with tiny white flowers and in fall it has red foliage with dark purple berries. Will grow to 20 to 35 cm (8 to 14 in) and will spread to 90 cm (36 in) as a dense groundcover. 5. Good vibrations gold juniper (Juniperus horizontalis ‘Hegedus’)

is a tough cookie, able to tolerate both very cold winters and very hot summers. It loves a sunny garden. Its leaves have a gold tint, turning to orange-purple in the fall. It tolerates both drought and salt, and, as if that weren’t enough, it has lovely, soft foliage. It makes an excellent evergreen groundcover, since it grows only 30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 in) high but spreads outward to nearly 3 m (9 ft).

3 5

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Conifers add height, drama, colour, texture, shape and aromatic scent.

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PHOTO: XXXXX XXXXXXX

herbivorous dinosaurs are said to have fed on them (no wonder they died out!). Conifers provide all the world’s softwood lumber and about 45 per cent of the world’s annual lumber production. More importantly (to me) is that junipers produce berries which are the basis for making gin. So, they’re important plants, but why have them in your garden? Because they add height, drama, colour, texture, shape and an aromatic scent. They are kind to garden creatures, providing birds with sheltered housing as well as cones or edible nuts for birds, squirrels and other garden creatures. Conifers combine happily with just about every other shrub, perennial or annual. They’re easy to care for and well-behaved. Moreover, most are evergreen with the exception of larches (Larix), which matters a lot in a country with what feels like nine months of winter! Small conifers can also be planted in pots, for those gardening on balconies or patios. Make sure your pot has drainage and is two or three sizes larger than the root ball of the plant, because the roots need a lot of soil to survive. Mulch the pot to prepare it for winter; pot-bound conifers are more susceptible to temperature changes than are those planted in the ground. Wrap the pot in bubble wrap and water the root ball until it is completely frozen. Water again during winter warm spells and when the soil starts to warm up in the spring. No matter how you plan to use them, here are a few worth considering (all within Toronto and GTA gardening zones): 24

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THE MOST DRAMATIC 6. Taylor’s Sunburst Lodgepole Pine (Pinuscontorta var. latifolia ‘Taylor’s Sunburst’) is an upright pine with short, open branches. In the spring, it lights up the garden with bright yellow fresh growth that can last for three or four months before turning green. After 10 years of growth, a mature specimen will measure around 2 m (6 ft) tall and 60 cm (2 ft) wide, an annual growth rate of 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8 in). 7. Russian Cypress (Microbiota decussata ‘tree form’) needs welldrained but moist soil and wind protection. Height at maturity is 1 m (3 ft).

8. Norway Spruce (Picea abies ‘Pusch’) produces multiple red cones each spring and grows only 5 to 7 cm (2 to 3 in) per year. Eventually grows to 45 to 90 cm (18 to 36 in) tall and wide, but don’t hold your breath; it’s a very slow grower. 9. Icebreaker Korean Fir (Abies koreana ‘Kohout’s Icebreaker’), a lovely silvery blue dwarf, will add a shot of unusual colour to your garden. It grows only 2.5 to 7.5 cm (1 to 3 in) per year and, when fully grown, will be 60 cm (2 ft) tall and wide.

THE BIGGEST DIVA PHOTOS: OPPOSITE, CAROL GARDNER; MARION JARVIE

(it must be said)

10. Hinoki Cypress (Chamaecyparis obtuse ‘Nana Gracilis’) does best in full sun and needs shelter from the wind. It doesn’t especially enjoy winter temperatures, so be sure to wrap it for the season. Still, it’s worth planting because of its unusual and exotic shape. It will eventually grow up to 1.3 m (4 ft).

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Get a jumpstart on spring with these timely chores By Paul Gellatly

Paulownia tomentosa tree

PHOTOS: PAUL GELLATLY, ILLUSTRATIONS: JUNE ANDERSON

SEASONAL TIPS

START OFF THE season by making sure everything is in working order, clean up the yard, get the beds ready and plan for this year’s special garden features. • • • • •

Start seeds six to eight weeks before your final frost date which is mid- May in Toronto. Prune roses, old raspberry canes, late flowering clematis, etc. Remove dead branches. Cut back perennial grasses and any other perennials that were left for winter interest before the new growth starts to appear. When spring bulbs start to poke their heads through the ground, carefully top dress your garden with about five cm (two in) of compost or well-seasoned manure, which will add slow-release nutrients, conserve water and suppress weeds for the upcoming season. Divide perennials as new growth starts to appear. This is the

perfect time to dig up a clump, divide it, transfer segments to areas of the garden where you have bare spots, or share with family and friends. • Remove leaves and mulch from your vegetable garden to help warm the soil. Wait until soil has dried out sufficiently before tilling. Add amendments such as manure or compost, and plant early season crops like lettuce, radishes, kale, onions and peas. • Protect young plants from late frosts with a cold frame or cloche. • You have waited all winter to see a splash of colour; add some pansies and ranunculus to your garden or planters. • Plan projects for the season. What areas of

A Winning Combo – Rodgersia ‘Bronze Peacock’. Osteospermum ‘Blue Eyed Beauty’ and Hakonechloa macra ’Aureola’

Lotus leaf (Nelumbo nucifera)

• •

your garden needed improvement last year? Maybe you want to add a water feature or a new pathway. Now’s the time! • Do a tool inventory, sharpen and oil your tools and get them ready for an exciting year of gardening ahead. If you need to replace an old or broken tool, best do that now. Clean water features, replace filters, turn on pumps, remove leaves that have accumulated since the fall. Ensure your garden is wildlife friendly; plan to add some new native plants, install a nesting box in the right spot to

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• •

attract birds and provide a clean, consistent water source. Birds and other wildlife help control pests in the garden. Consider plants that offer nectar, seeds and berries. Ensure trees and shrubs are present for shelter and nesting. Tuck back in any perennials and/or shrubs planted late last fall that may have heaved from the frost. And finally, don’t step in the garden too much as you might damage perennial crowns and spring bulbs not yet poking above the soil.

OWL FIND YOU

HIS YEAR, THANKS to a raging global pandemic, more and more people are turning to nature. The Great Backyard Bird Count in February saw a major increase in participants, many of whom were stuck at home in isolation, watching the bird feeders in their yards. Nature has an extraordinary ability to heal us, to calm us down, to bring us back to our quiet selves. Wildlife photography has become many people’s preferred pastime, myself included. It is a remarkable feeling to observe a wild animal in its natural environment, to record its movements, its unique character... but, this wonderful pastime also poses a challenge: in the pursuit of the perfect shot, we often disturb the wild animals we love so much. We try and get closer to them, which, in many instances puts them in harm’s way. This is, perhaps, most true in the case of owls. Toronto is home to several species of owl. This past winter, I set out to find and photograph as many of the reclusive birds as I could. After about three years of frequent birdwatching, my only owl sightings had been the images shared on Facebook groups like Toronto Birding,

or Ontario Birds. So many talented photographers, armed with heavy lenses, were finding owls on a regular basis, and in the flurry of incredible photographs posted online, one thing was often clear: most of these owls did not look happy. In fact, they looked stressed. A disturbing pattern that I noticed on social media was when several photographers would share images on the same day, of the same bird, perched on the same branch, same lighting/time of day, same vexed glare. It was evident that groups of photographers were flocking to a location where someone had reported an owl sighting. Some photographers, no doubt, would stay there for hours, often provoking the bird to take flight, or to open its eyes if asleep, so they could take their dream shot. Masters of Camouflage

Most owl species are nocturnal. They spend their days hiding in tree cavities and dense forests. They are masters of camouflage for a reason, and we need to respect their space. This is why many birders keep their findings a secret or are vague in reporting the location of their beloved owls. I, too, feel their concern, but I like to

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Enjoy watching these remarkable birds but respect their space By Sasan Beni

share my sightings. The more I find, the more I like to share. The more I learn, the more I want to teach. On December 29, 2020, I found my first owl, or, better to say, it found me. After about three hours of hiking in Tommy Thompson Park, I was ready to call it a day and head home, when suddenly, I came face-to-face with a sleepy Barred Owl in a birch tree, completely visible on all sides. I froze in my tracks and stood as erect as the thin pillars of horsetail grass that surrounded me on the narrow trail. My heart was beating something fierce—the flutter of butterflies in my stomach made the whole world quiet. I wondered how I hadn’t noticed it earlier; I’d made my way through the same lot of horsetails and dogwoods, past the same birch, an hour before! How long was it sleeping there? I adjusted my footing an inch closer. The Barred Owl cracked open its weary eyelids and glanced at me with its deep black eyes. I froze again and felt as if I was in the presence of an ancient forest deity, full of peace and understanding. Barred Owls have expanded their range in recent years. They are not uncommon in our region, but to find one like this was a real treat. I stood there for half-an-hour

and watched the sleepy owl and did not get any closer. They say that a sleeping owl is a happy owl, and I was beyond grateful for the experience. A few days later, I returned to Tommy Thompson Park, to the same forest of horsetail, dogwood and birch, this time with a friend. I recounted my sighting of the Barred Owl, its relaxed state, how I presumed that it must nest nearby. Naively, I somehow thought we would find it in the same birch tree, or further down the path, still asleep. It was no longer there, and we continued our walk through the horsetails as quietly as possible. It was not long before my friend noticed the silhouette of a bird of prey perched high-up in a tree on the edge of the woodlot. We raised our binoculars and both gasped. It was a Great Horned Owl. I had heard from other birders that there was a pair living at the park, that they were quite active and could even be heard calling to each other during the day. Unlike the Barred Owl I had seen a few days before, the Great Horned Owl was wide awake, surveying the area and completely aware of our presence like another type of ancient forest deity, full of rage and hunger, with sharp yellow eyes. Great Horned Owls are among the largest in North America, with the most extensive range of habitat, from the tropical forests in South America to the frozen plains of the Arctic. They are highly adaptable and dominant predators. My friend and I were ecstatic, almost floating, as we moved closer to a small clearing and took a few photos of the incredible bird from about 70 metres away. I commented to my friend, “I love this park. It is something special.” I would be going back there frequently in the coming weeks. Baby Steps

I updated my list and set my sights on the next owls I hoped to find—the Northern Saw-whet Owl (one of the smallest in North America) and the Snowy Owl that leaves the Arctic every winter and flies south to feed. And, of course, there are the Eastern Screech Owl, the Long-eared Owl, Short-eared Owl… My recent luck with finding these almost mythical birds was making me a bit over-confident that I would find every one of these species before winter’s end. “Baby steps,” I told myself. On January 16, 2021 I decided to dedicate an entire day to Tommy Thompson Park. I mapped out the longest route, making sure to cover the entire park, to leave no stone unturned, no side-trail free of steps. I estimated it would take me five hours or so, but my plans changed about 30 minutes down the main path. I noticed a photographer sitting on the snow by a small patch of cedar trees, with his giant camera lens pointed at the dense conifers. I walked past him at first, even though I knew he was definitely looking at an owl, a Northern Sawwhet. I am always reluctant to approach other wildlife

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Witnessing these remarkable beings in our own backyards will inspire us to cherish our green spaces, to safeguard them.

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photographers. I don’t like to crowd a scene where an animal has been spotted and in the case of Saw-whet owls, this concern is amplified. Being such small birds of prey, they will be hunted by pretty much every other raptor. They are notoriously nocturnal and will spend all day hidden in evergreens. Their instinct is not to move, because leaving their hiding spot in broad daylight could put them in great danger. Despite my inclination, I turned around and went back, approaching the photographer with slow and wellmannered steps. What followed was, to me, a great example of ethical owl watching, a neighbourly moment between two lovers of wildlife who believed in sharing, in approaching owls with kindness. He waved me over. “Saw-whet Owl,” he whispered and pointed halfway up the cedar. “I am done taking pictures,” he went on and quickly packed up his gear and offered me his spot. He was sitting on the ground, as low as possible, not only because that offered him a great view of the bird’s face, but also because it was less threatening. This owl, too, was completely asleep. I thanked him repeatedly for pointing it out to me and apologized just as much for having approached him. He didn’t mind at all, and said, “I noticed the binoculars around your neck. Us birders need to look out for each other,” he laughed and walked away. Since then, I have taken a few friends, some birders, some not, to show them the small owl. And every time, their excitement takes me back to my first sighting, to my beating heart, to the flutter of butterflies in my gut. I have come to learn that witnessing these remarkable beings in our own backyards will inspire us to cherish our green spaces, to safeguard them. I am confident that education will lead to care. The more we know about the threats posed to owls, the more we will try to minimize them. “Us birders need to stick together,” but even more than that, we have a responsibility to share our passion with non-birders, to teach them about the vast biodiversity in our urban jungle. I want everyone to enjoy the experience of seeing these remarkable and reclusive birds, and to know that a photograph from upclose is almost never worth it. The more I find, the more I want to share. The more I learn, the more I want to teach. — Sasan Beni is a seasonal gardener at the TBG and an avid bird watcher and photographer.

NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS are among the smallest owls in North America. Named for their loud, repetitive whistle that sounds like a saw, they are often seen at eye-level.

APPS — ALL FOR THE LOVE OF BIRDS THE GREAT BACKYARD Bird Count, which took place on February 12 to 15, this year, is a cornerstone in citizen science-based initiatives—a shining example of community involvement on

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a global scale—and all for the love of birds! The goal is simple: go out in your neighbourhood, or favourite park, and document the birds you see, at least once over the four days.

This annual event, a partnership between the National Audubon Society, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Birds Canada, encourages people all over the world to not only enjoy their natural

THE BARRED OWL is named for the vertical brown bars on its chest. Young ones can climb trees by grasping the bark with their bill and talons and walking up the trunk.

THE LONG-EARED OWL is a medium sized species. They are cryptically marked which means they can blend into the background. They have long ear tufts and an orange face.

GREAT HORNED OWLS are among the largest owls in North America. They are thick-bodied with two prominent feathered tufts on the head. Their call is a series of deep stuttering hoots.

SNOWY OWLS native to the Arctic but found in southern Canada. Their thick feathers for insulation make them North America’s heaviest owl.at about four pounds. Photo: Luke Trotta

environments, but to submit their observations, to help scientists and conservationists draw a clear image of global bird populations prior to spring migration. You can submit your find-

ings through the Merlin Bird ID app (if you are new to birdwatching, or doing the count for the first time, this app is a great place to start), the eBird Mobile app, or eBird website http://

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www.birdcount.org. These applications are fantastic tools for scientists, birdwatchers and pretty much anyone who has ever seen a bird and wondered what it was. —Sasan Beni

1 5 TIPS

FOR RAISING BUDDING GARDENERS

Help young children Choose Easy Plants to Grow such as yellow, green or purple beans. Start indoors or out when all danger of frost has passed. Purple beans are fun because they change colour when cooked.

IT’S NEVER TOO early to teach a child about gardening. Not only is growing your own food an easy way to encourage healthy eating habits, foster curiosity and responsibility but it’s a wonderful activity for bonding with your children or grandchildren. Here are some fun tips for sowing the seeds for a lifelong love of experimenting with and enjoying nature.

2. Plant a Pizza Garden . Draw a circle in the soil and divide it into

wedges. Grow a different topping in each wedge—tomatoes, onions, peppers, garlic, basil, etc. Or, you could plant separate items in containers. Amend the soil with compost. Plan to celebrate later in the summer with a pizza party serving pizza made with toppings from the garden. TORONTOBOTANICALGARDEN.CA

4. Make a Garden Chore Chart and include jobs for everyone such as prepare the soil, plant, weed, water, harvest and make food to eat using vegetables and herbs from the garden. Preschoolers, for example, can learn to pull weeds and water seedlings. Five- to seven-year-olds can help rake and prepare the soil. Older kids can research and help choose what to plant. Teenagers can make compost, prune shrubs and mow the lawn. 5. Organize a Scavenger Hunt. Kids of all ages love a

treasure hunt and it’s a great group activity. Give each child or team paper, pencil or pen, a bag to hold their finds and a list of what they are to look for. The list can include anything they are likely to find in the vicinity such as a yellow flower, an orange leaf, a white pebble, a feather, etc. You could have themes such as six items of different colours or a list of five items they’ve seen that represent the senses of see, touch, smell, hear and taste. Set a time limit and when everyone gets back sit down and discuss what each child has found.

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ILLUSTRATIONS: JUNE ANDERSON

By Lorraine Hunter

Make Magic Plant Markers. To keep track of which seeds are planted where, have kids print or paint the names on popsicle sticks (available from craft and dollar stores) and place them in the soil.

6. Encourage them to Read About Gardening. Introduce them to

Create a Fairy Garden in a container with a large open surface area to accommodate as many small plants and garden décor pieces as possible. Tin buckets, wicker baskets, wheelbarrows, old baby baths, wooden crates are all good containers for a miniature garden. Be sure to put drainage holes in the bottom so plants don’t rot.

15-year-old Toronto author Emma Biggs who with her dad Steven Biggs has written Gardening with Emma (Storey Publishing). Written for kids by a kid. Or, to Forest Magic: A Guidebook for Little Explorers by Sarah Grindle, a book to take on a walk in the forest (Nimbus Publishing). Or, Wildflower, a retelling of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale Thumbelina by Briana Cox Scott, coming out later this month. (Nimbus Publishing)

7. Grow Your Own Jack-OLantern. Pumpkins have nice big,

easy-to-plant seeds. Start inside in a pot on the windowsill in early spring and transplant outside in an area with lots of room for expansion. Be patient and keep watering.

9. Paint Some Rocks.

Collect smooth river stones. Wash and dry them in the sun. Paint them all over with a water based acrylic sealer and a foam brush. Paint on any design you like— ladybugs, flowers, hearts, rainbows. Whatever. Take inspiration from the shape of the rock. Dry overnight. Apply sealer with a foam brush. ‘Plant’ outside in flowerbeds, pots or display indoors.

10. Let them grow Vegetables They Enjoying Eating.

Plant Sunflower Seeds.

Find a sunny patch. Plant a handful of seeds and watch them grow. For an early start plant in a pot inside in early April and transplant outside when there is no longer a fear of frost. Most varieties grow 1.5 to 2 metres tall. In fall you can harvest and roast the seeds to eat, leaving a few to plant for next year.

Kids love fresh peas. Plant them to grow up a teepee support made of three bamboo sticks tied together at the top… Radishes can be planted anywhere and will grow quickly, ready to harvest in about 30 days… Carrots will grow well in a deep pot. Try growing purple ones… Lettuce is quick to grow from seedlings. Try a tray with a few different varieties.

11. Press Flowers and Leaves

between the pages of heavy books. Use them to design cards, book marks and writing paper. Cover with see-through adhesive plastic. Or, encourage youngsters to make a pressed flower album using a small plastic-sleeved photo album.

12. Keep a Garden/Nature Journal. A great way to get kids

outside with binoculars and magnifying glasses. Encourage them to make notes, draw pictures and keep track of their observations of trees, grasses, birds, insects and more. And, of course, to write about their gardening successes and failures as a learning exercise for next year.

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14. Challenge children to Use Their Senses while exploring

outside. Sniff trees and flowers. Listen to birds and fountains. Touch rough bark and soft leaves such as lamb’s ear. Look for different colours and textures. Taste fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables.

15. Let kids Use Real Garden Tools. They are much more durable than ‘play’ tools and will help children gain confidence in the garden. You can get small versions of spades, rakes, hoes and more. Teach kids what each one is for and how to look after them.

SPRING 2021

BOOK SHELF

T Author Luke Keogh

The Wardian Case

A simple box that changed the world Reviewed by Sonia Day

“FERNS WOULD LAST FOR YEARS—WITHOUT WATER OR NUTRIENTS—IN CLOSED BOXES WHICH HAD GLASS SIDES.”

HE WARDIAN CASE. Is it a recently-discovered Sherlock Holmes mystery that no one knew about? Or perhaps a rare instance of a patient surviving some ghastly fatal disease? Neither. In fact, The Wardian Case was nothing more than a simple wooden box. Yet it’s no exaggeration to say that this box literally changed the world we live in. Now an Aussie environmental historian named Luke Keogh has chronicled its remarkable history in an entertaining new book. If you’re a sucker for tales about early plant explorers (as I am) this is an eye-opening read. It made me realize the debt we gardeners owe to Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward, a medical doctor and amateur botanist who devised the box (a forerunner to the modern terrarium) to help plants survive in the dirty air of Victorian London. Ward found that ferns would last for years–without water or nutrients–if planted in closed boxes which had glass sides. His ‘Wardian Case’ wound up catching on in a big way, moving thousands of plants between continents, usually on decks of ships. Tea, which originated in China, went to India where it became a huge crop. A similar thing happened with bananas sent to Samoa and the Caribbean. Dozens of beautiful garden plants that we now take for granted–like roses, rhododendrons, magnolias, wisteria, countless ferns and more–travelled

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SPRING 2021

PHOTOS: UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO PRESS; OPPOSITE, COURTESY OF NIKI JABBOUR

Book reviews on all aspects of gardening from a Victorian invention to growing outside in winter to understanding the lingo

thousands of miles from their countries of origin in these unpretentious but surprisingly efficient boxes. Predictably, all the botanical bustling about the globe had a downside. Invasive species spread too and the soil used in the boxes transported myriad diseases and bugs. But what happened makes a great story, and Keogh tells it well. The photos are also fascinating. The Wardian Case. How a Simple Box Moved plants and changed the world (University of Chicago Press, 2020.) Sonia Day is a former Toronto Star gardening columnist. Her second novel, The Mexico Lunch Party, is being published by Olympia this year. More at soniaday.com

Growing Under Cover

Yes, you can grow veggies in winter

Reviewed by Georgie Kennedy

RE YOU UNDER the illusion that you don’t have the perfect space to grow veggies all year long in our cold Toronto climate? What if I told you that you do have the right place and it’s simple to make it work? Have you ever thought about creating a covered garden outdoors so that you can give seeds the correct light, temperature, water and nutrients they need to become luscious tomatoes, spinach and parsnips? I fell headlong into Niki Jabbour’s latest how-to picture book, Growing Under Cover, imagining my own greenhouse and planning my own mini hoop tunnels. Canadian gardening superstar Jabbour has taken her well-documented experience with cultivating food in Halifax, Nova Scotia, to a new level in this publication. She provides clear answers to every single question that a prospective vegetable gardener could possibly have. The book offers advice and cautions to both novices and experts as they navigate the decisions needed to make before building their beds, and follows up with clearly illustrated directions for construction. The second half of the book is devoted to growing vegetables protected as organically as possible, using vertical space. If you have a yard of any size, this book is an easy-toread guide, whether you plan to start small with cold frames or go large with a professionally installed greenhouse. Niki’s insights will help you consider everything from choosing and preparing the site to dealing with humidity and pests. The layout, with its colourful sidebars and personal notes, appealed to me because it revealed the genuine enthusiasm of the author. Growing Under Cover, (Storey Publishing, 2021) Georgie Kennedy is a Toronto Master Gardener, a garden writer and an avid caretaker of her gardens in Toronto and Jamaica.

Author Niki Jabbour

A Botanist’s Vocabulary

1,300 terms explained and illustrated Reviewed by Carol Gardner

F YOU’RE OFTEN bewildered by botanical terminology, this is the book for you! A Botanist’s Vocabulary is written by Susan K Pell, who has a PhD in plant biology and an impressive work history. The book contains 1,300 botanical terms, listed alphabetically—from abaxial (lower surface) to zygomorphic (having a single plane of symmetry such that only one line drawn through the middle produces two mirror image halves). The fact that there are excellent illustrations by Bobbi Angell goes a long way towards understanding the explanations, which are not always easy to fathom if you’re not a botanist. As an example, here’s a definition of capsule— “1) Dry, dehiscent multilocular fruit splitting open along one to many lines or locations of dehiscence

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SPRING 2021

—may be circumscissile, loculicidal, porcidal, septicidal 2) The spore-containing structure (sporangium) of mosses” As a comparison, I looked up the definition of capsule in the New York Department of Horticulture Glossary of Horticultural terms and found this— “Simple, dry, dehiscent (see definition of dehiscent) fruit with two or more locules (the cavities of the ovary of the pistil of a flower) which split in various ways. So, I can’t help feeling that this author sometimes aims to impress rather than to educate.

Notwithstanding the above, A Botanist’s Vocabulary will definitely increase your horticultural vocabulary and understanding. Moreover, as Agatha Christie’s sleuth, Hercules Poirot, would say, it’s a good workout for your ‘little grey cells’. A Botanist’s Vocabulary (Timber Press, 2016) Carol Gardner is a long time TBG member and volunteer and a freelance garden writer. She is Chair of the Trellis and the Through the Garden Gate committees.

TBG Book Club Offers Lively Discussion For Passionate Garden Lovers LOOKING TO CONNECT more with garden-minded people and learn about new green things? The Toronto Botanical Garden Book Club may be the thing for you. Run by Jan Neuman since 2013, the informal and friendly group meets monthly and discusses a range of books related to gardening, but also shares passions about history and gardens (local and international), famous gardens and gardeners, and gardens in fiction. In addition, the group discusses topics such as naturalization and ecology, climate change and the environment, and agriculture and growing food.

All participants are encouraged to provide suggestions on books and lead discussions on the books they recommend. Examples of the club’s recent readings reflect its diverse readings: • Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants, by Douglas W. Tallamy. • Cutting Back: My Apprenticeship in the Gardens of Kyoto, by Leslie Burk • Silence of the Songbirds, by Bridget Joan Stutchbury • The Adventures of Alexander von Humboldt, by Andrea Wulf and Lillian Melcher • Food in the City: Urban Agriculture and the New Food Revolution,

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byJennifer Cockrall-King • Wilding: The Return of space in your garden with Nature to a British Farm, by Isabella Tree • American Grown, The Story of the White House Kitchen Garden and Gardens, by Michelle Obama • Gardener of Versailles – My Life in the World’s Grandest Garden, by Alain Baraton The book club meets the last Wednesday of every month (except May-August) from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Meetings are currently done via Zoom. For more information and to register, members can contact Jan Neuman at janneuman@rogers.com. —Leanne Burkholder

SPRING 2021

FOOD GARDEN 3 tasty options for garden fresh spring salads Garden writers Veronica Sliva and Nikki Jabbour share the following recipes to turn your early spring greens into tantalizing salads.

NIKI JABBOUR’S VINAIGRETTE FAVES LEBANESE LEMON VINAIGRETTE

VERONICA SLIVA’S MIXED GREENS SALAD WITH CLEMENTINES AND SPICY THAI DRESSING

This is a simple and delicious salad dressing that I learned from my Lebanese mother-in-law. I use it to dress all types of salads: mixed greens, garden lettuces and arugula, as well as couscous and quinoa salads. Adjust the amount you make according to how much you need.

SERVES FOUR

1 part fresh squeezed lemon juice 2 parts olive oil Salt to taste Mix and toss into your salad.

BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE This is a family favourite for salads made with spinach or lettuce. We like to add seasonal vegetables to our leafy green salads (shredded winter carrots, summer tomatoes) as well as other elements like strawberries, crumbled feta or toasted almonds.

6 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar A sprinkle of salt, to taste A couple grinds of fresh ground pepper 1 tbsp honey 1 tsp Dijon mustard

FOR THE SALAD 4 cups torn salad greens (try a mix of kale, arugula, pak choi, mustard greens) 4 cups torn lettuce leaves 2 cups clementine sections (or any citrus fruit you like) cup toasted walnuts or pecans Thinly sliced red onions to taste (optional) FOR THE SALAD DRESSING 1 small clove garlic, minced ¼ tsp finely chopped fresh ginger 3 tbsp rice vinegar 1 tsp brown sugar 1 tsp soy sauce cup vegetable oil ¼ tsp red pepper flakes Whisk all salad dressing ingredients together until well blended. Toss salad greens with dressing and enjoy!

PHOTO: NIKI JABBOUR

Whisk to combine and taste, adding more oil, vinegar and/or honey to your taste.

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Houseplant Profile With the right care, they give nearly constant bloom. Understanding their needs is fairly intuitive. Rekindle your love for these old-fashioned favourites with the following tips. Container: African violet roots do

well in small containers. Ideally, the diameter of the pot should be a third the size of the plant’s diameter, measured from one leaf tip across to the opposite leaf tip. A drainage hole and saucer are necessary. For more technical advice on every aspect, including measurement guides and how to set the roots into the pot, visit Baby Violets, a specialist blogger at babyviolets.com.

Soil: African violets do best in a light, loose, slightly acidic mix that allows air to reach the roots. Leave the soil for six months, then simply replace with African violet or indoor potting mix. Both compositions are perfect for them. Light: Place your African violet

Grandma was right! These tiny charmers call out for love and affection By Georgie Kennedy

’M GUESSING you remember African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha) growing in your grandparents’ living room. Don’t you wish you could ask what made them bloom so prolifically? Could it have been the intimate and caring relationship between gardener and plant? The fuzzy leaves in rosette-shaped whorls have always appealed to anyone with a tactile nature, and the adorable flowers of

these tiny charmers practically call out for love and attention. What are the reasons for their enduring popularity? African violets are like furry puppies, except they stay strictly confined to their containers and must never go gallivanting outdoors in the summer. They are non-toxic, thus compatible with all babies, both fur and human. They’re inexpensive and come in a wide range of variegation and flower colour.

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Water: Remember the roots require aeration. Water only when the soil feels dry and avoid splashing those fuzzy leaves. They’ll rot if dampness settles on them. A long-mouthed watering can will allow you to direct the water properly. Let any excess escape to prevent root decay. Clay pellets/pebbles or a self-watering system can provide humidity to help

SPRING 2021

PHOTOS: GEORGIE KENNEDY

AFRICAN VIOLETS

where it gets plenty of indirect light. Its sensitive leaves will burn if exposed to strong, bright sun beaming all day long into a south facing window. If you notice the flower stems becoming leggy, give it more sky exposure but keep it from touching cold glass. Some growers rotate a quarter turn weekly to allow equal light. For a clear, scientific method of calculating the right spot for every plant, I recommend Darryl Cheng’s blog, House Plant Journal at www.houseplantjournal.com

replicate the mountains and forests of Kenya and Tanzania, home of the African violet. But make sure the drainage hole is not blocked. Misting is not recommended. Yes, you can add leftover (organic) tea water to the can, just as Grandma did. African violets like acidic soil. Fertilizer: Flowering consumes nutrients in the soil and each watering dilutes those nutrients. If you wish to have continuous bloom, it will be necessary to provide the right food. According to the African Violet Society of Canada: “African violets prefer the availability of fertilizer in small amounts or what is known as a continuous feeding.” African violet fertilizers are available at retailers. They range from one that has a balanced N-P-K (nitrogenphosphorus-potassium) ratio such as 20-20-20 to one that is somewhat higher in phosphorus such as 12-36-14 or 15-30-15. The latter two formulas are designed to produce more and larger blooms. No matter which formula you use it should have added micro-nutrients, particularly if you are using a soilless mix or one that is nearly soilless. Be sure to follow the directions on the label. Propagation: Making more African

violets is so simple that some guides use them as the illustrated example. Division: Turn over a crowded container and gently pull the plants apart.

Cuttings: 1. Take a new leaf with

its stem attached and insert the stem into a pot with growing medium. Roots should develop in four weeks. Some growers suggest cutting off the tip first and some suggest dipping in rooting powder. Why not experiment? 2. Cover a glass of water with plastic wrap or fill a hydroponic vase with water and insert the stem only. Change the water regularly. Roots should develop in four weeks.

PLANT CARE AND PROPAGATION REFERENCE BOOKS

Ongoing care: To encourage

new growth, simply pinch or snip off individual dead flowers and leaves. To wash the dust off the leaves, let Baby Violet be your guide. I’ve found African violets to be mostly problemfree. Refer to the recommended websites or books below for other issues you may encounter. HELPFUL TOOLS AND MATERIALS: Light meter,

hygrometer (humidity meter), longmouthed watering can, specialty fertilizer and soil, long handled snips, hydroponic glass vasehandled snips, hydroponic glass vase https://www.optimara.com/ doctoroptimara/diagnosis.html https://www.houseplantjournal.com/ Darryl Cheng’s lighting guide is worthy of bookmarking for future reference: https://www.houseplant journal.com/bright-indirect-lightrequirements-by-plant/ https://donotdisturbgardening.com/

HANDS OFF THOSE AFRICAN VIOLETS

• Complete Guide to Houseplants, Meredith books, Des Moines, Iowa, 2008 • New Plant Parent: Develop Your Green Thumb and Care for Your House-Plant Family, Darryl Cheng. Abrams, The Art of Books, New York, 2019 • Indoor Plants, Lia Leendertz. HarperCollins, London, 2004 • Indoor Plant Gardening For Canada, Laura Peters. Lone Pine, 2004 • Houseplants, David Squire and Margaret Crowther, Chancellor Press, London, 1995 • Plant Parenting: Easy Ways to Make More Houseplants, Vegetables, and Flowers, Leslie F. Halleck. Timber Press Inc, Portland, Oregon, 2019 • Propagating Plants, Alan Toogood, editor. Dorling, Kindersley, 2004.

YEARS AGO, I heard that failure with African violets was due

to lack of a mysterious substance in in the fingertips of good gardeners. I chose to believe it because mine flourished. I recently discovered that scientists researched a similar theory and recommended that people not touch the leaves, especially with lotion on their hands (Science Daily, 6 Dec 2009*). Upon close reading of that study, you may agree with me that anyone with the time to caress the leaves of their plants five times daily is obsessed. I still touch mine…I’m usually too lazy to lotion up after washing. Besides, if I wouldn’t drink it, why would I put it into the pores of a plant? — Georgie Kennedy *https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091103171915.htm

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SPRING 2021

Martha McKee and Joanna Joyet at a TBG Summer Music Series popup shop.

people, places & plants Goings On at the TBG

Martha McKee retires from TBG Garden Shop

MARTHA MCKEE, Buyer and Visual Merchandiser for the TBG’s Garden Shop, is retiring after almost a decade. If you’ve admired the look of the shop or the TBG booth at Canada Blooms over the past few years then you are familiar with Martha’s display skills…the beautifully set out chinaware, colourful flowing scarves, horticulturally-themed books and puzzles, plant pots and so many other garden accessories. Martha started in the shop as a volunteer. After 30 years as Vice President, Media and Communications for Waterford Wedgwood Canada— where she set up displays for more than 50 trade shows—she took a course in horticultural design at George Brown College where she met Sue Hills who would become TBG Volunteer Coordinator and others who encouraged her to sign up as a TBG volunteer. When former Director of Horticulture Paul Zammit was looking for a volunteer to help set up the booth at Canada Blooms, Martha stepped up. At the end of the show, she had put in so many hours and so much effort that “I told Paul there was no way this was a volunteer job,” she recalls. “So, I began doing it on a contract basis.”

About five or six years ago she also became “temporary” stock buyer and continued to share running the shop with Joanna Joyet. One of the joys of the job, says Martha, was learning so much from Paul Zammit, whom she describes as “a font of horticultural knowledge.” When COVID-19 shut down Toronto in March 2020, “we were just finished setting up the booth at Canada Blooms. I was saying that I couldn’t believe we were actually ready ahead of time when they told us the show was closing, before it had even opened.” The pandemic actually gave Martha a lot of time off and she discovered, “I had lots to do.” She and her husband Andrew Borkowski, a writer

Martha flanked by two volunteers in the TBG Garden Shop.

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and teacher at George Brown College, were both reaching retirement age, their last child was leaving home and they began to reflect on how life can change very suddenly. They had been talking about moving to their family cottage in Thornbury, on Georgian Bay, and decided “the time is right.” Their Toronto house is going up for sale in April but they won’t be moving until after May 24 “as I have to move my plants. We’re starting a new garden and I’m taking my grandparents’ peonies with me. They were in my grandparents’ garden, then my parents’ and now mine.” Gardening is in Martha’s blood. Her grandfather won prizes at the 1929 Canadian National Exhibition for his peonies and delphiniums. Martha’s favourite TBG event was the annual spring plant sale. She says she will miss walking around the gardens and the people. “I worked with a lot of wonderful volunteers in the shop.” She and Andrew will be splitting their time between Thornbury and “somewhere more urban.” You never know, she says. She could end up volunteering back at the TBG sometime in the future. So, it’s not so much “goodbye, Martha”, as “see you later.” —Lorraine Hunter

SPRING 2021

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CLASSIFIED

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Through the Garden Gate Update

As a result of The City of Toronto’s cancellation of major in-person events until July 1, our in-person Through the Garden Gate tour, originally scheduled for June, has been cancelled. With the slower rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine, the government is now predicting that the earliest time the vaccine will be available to everyone will probably be the early fall. Rescheduling our event for later in the summer seems precarious. However, all is not lost! Fearing that this might happen, we have been in touch with a virtual event company that is very experienced in gardening and garden-related events. We are currently in discussions on how we can recreate our tour online and continue with this popular annual fundraiser. Whereas we are disappointed at not having an in-person event, we are very excited about the opportunity to find a creative and fun way to continue with this inspiring tour. Please consult our website for details as they emerge. —Carol Gardner, Chair, Through The Garden Gate Committee

PHOTO: PAUL GELLATLY

Garden Obelisks Make use of vertical space in your garden with a 4 or 6-foot obelisk. Made in Toronto exclusively for the Toronto Botanical Garden, these obelisks are superb structures for showcasing and supporting vines and vegetables. Black, powder-coated steel ensures that these towers remain rust-resistant and durable for many years to come. Available throughout the year at the Garden Shop. Place your order by April 16 for delivery in May. Available in two sizes: 4 ft $99.99; 6 ft $124.99.

TBG Tours Return Building on the success of last year’s small group tours, these will be on offer again with options for weekday and weekend bookings. Look out for additional special focus tours such as bird watching! Tours will commence in late spring/early summer. Check the TBG website for more details. — Sue Hills, Volunteer Coordinator

JUNE 17

AGM

6:30 P.M.

Watch your inbox or call the Membership office for a link to our Annual General Meeting on June 17 on Zoom. There will be a call for board member nominations. More information to follow.

Sales Representative, ABR, SRES HALL OF FAME AWARD LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD TORONTO MASTER GARDENER RE/MAX HALLMARK REALTY LTD., BROKERAGE

Direct 416.564.9450 @JoseeCoutureTorontoRealEstate

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Trellis magazine - Spring 2021

Articles inside

Book Shelf

Expansion: TBG Names Design Supergroup

PEOPLE, PLACES & PLANTS

HOUSEPLANT PROFILE

OWL FIND YOU

TIPS FOR RAISING BUDDING GARDENERS

SEASONAL TIPS

TBG DONORS COME THROUGH

ALL THE DIRT