445-1552
The CIVIC GARDEN CENTRE Garden Topics & Events Newsletter
HORT HAPPENINGS
by Anne Marie Van Nest
MAY 1986
GARDEN PREPARATION
If only the month of May could be extended into two. This month is just so busy in the garden that in the blink of an eye, seemingly dormant plants are all in bloom. This is the month that so much preparation is needed for a successful garden. Time spent now will reward you endlessly all summer. Bed preparation is one of these key areas. Although less crucial for annuals than perennials, it is very important to do this before you plant! Soil ammendments and fertilizers are much easier to add now and are more effective if they are uniformly mixed in the soil.
Be sure to use a fertilizer that is specifically formulated for flowering plants or vegetables in your garden. Do not use lawn fertilizers on your flowering plants; you may get all vegetative growth and no flowers or no plants at all if your fertilizer has a weed Killer incorporated in it.
COMPOST
Compost is a very good addition to any garden as long as it is well decayed to destroy any weed seeds. It is ready to use when the original ingredients can no longer be recognized and a dark crumbly material is present. Compost is a good mulch for your established beds as well. Keep your mulch away from directly under your plants as this is an ideal hiding place for insects such as earwigs or slugs. cont. pg. 11
The CIVIC GARDEN CENTRE SPRING PLANT SALES
PRE-ORDERS PICKUP
Wed., May 14th from 1 to 8 p.m.
PUBLIC SALE
Thursday May 15th from 1 to 8 pm as well as on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, & Monday May 16,17,18 & 19th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
2nd ANNUAL SWEET PEA SHOW THE GOOD OLD DAYS
JULY 5th and 6th 12 noon to 5 p.m. Admission free
This show is set up to allow for maximum participation
Entries will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, July 5th
All entries must remain on exhibit until 5 p.m. Sunday, July 6th
All entries in the specimen classes must have been grown by the exhibitor
Flowers for the design class may be from any source but the design must be prepared by the exhibitor
Only one entry per person in each design class will be allowed
As design classes are limited, please contact the Centre by June 30th if you wish to exhibit
For any member who would like to bring any unusual and/or well grown plants, there will be a non-competitive exhibit
OPEN CLASSES ARE AS FOLLOWS: SPECIMEN CLASSES
Class 1 Any cultivar of Sweet Pea - 3 stems named if possible, exhibit to include some Sweet Pea foliage, any colour or colours
Class 2 Any cultivar of Sweet Pea - 5 stems - same as above
Class 3 Any cultivar of Sweet Pea - 7 stems - same as above
Class 4 Perennial Sweet Peas - 3 stems
DECORATIVE FLOWER DESIGN CLASSES
In the following classes, Sweet Peas must be included but any other flowers or foliage(s) will be allowed (except for Class 5)
Class 5 Just for Fun - A humorous design, to be judged by the public, any plant material may be used.
Class 6 Holiday Memories - A design. Occasion can be named. This class is open to those of you who have taken the Basic Flower Arranging classes at the Centre but have never entered a flower show.
Class 7 Time to Economize - A simple design. Here is an opportunity for those who have always wanted to enter a flower show but have never had the opportunity. A special class for beginners who have never had flower arranging classes or entered a flower show before.
Class 8 My Own Choice - Novice. A design. For those who have entered flower shows but have never won a first prize.
Class 9 My Favourite Container - A mass design.
Class 10 Dare to be Different - A creative design.
Class 11 Tea for Two - A design. Linen and accessories may be used to help create the appropriate atmosphere(alloted space,20 deep x 30 wide)
Class 12 A Nosegay - A gift for Grandmother.
NOTE: 10 - 12 stems of Sweet Pea blooms will be provided by Neville Holmes on Saturday morning for those who are not able to complete the designs so that Sweet Peas will be included.
The Lilian Holmes Award will be given to the winner of Class 6. This award will be kept on display here at the Centre with a token trophy given to the winner.
The CIVIC GARDEN CENTRE
3 Green Thumbs (Junior Garden Club) 9:45 am to noon
4 Toronto Gesneriad Society meeting 2 p.m. - Awards presentation
4 Ontario Rock Garden Meeting and PLANT SALE 2 p.m.
4 S. Ontario Orchid Society meeting 1 - 5 p.m.
5 Rhododendron Soc. of Can. (Toronto Region) PLANT SALE 7:30 pm
6 Mens Garden Club meeting 8 p.m.
7 Pressed Flower workshop 7:30 pm
8 Canadian Chrysanthemum &Dahlia Society PLANT SALE 8 p.m.
8 Bridal workshop for bouquets from 10 am to 3 pm
1 S. ONTARIO ORCHID SOC. SHOW 12 noon -6 on Sat. and on Sunday 9 am to 5 pm Admission $2.00
12 Toronto Bonsai Society meeting 7 pm short lecture on group plantings - workshop doing Japanese Maple Forest by George Reichert
13 North Toronto Horticultural Soc. meeting 8 p.m. slide presentation on Perennials by Flavia Redelmeier
14 Garden Therapy Group meeting 1:00 pm for handicapped people
14 Ikebana International meeting 7 p.m.
14 CG[ PLANT SALE - Pre-Order Pick-up 1 pm- 8 pm
15 - Public Sale 1 pmto 8 pm
16,17,18,19 o N 10 amto 5 pm
17,18 TOURS OF PRIVATE GARDENS run by the C.G.C.
10 private gardens plus Edwards Gardens can be visited over certain weekends during the summer. A $10.00 ticket will cover all the gardens and can be purchased at the CGC s office - 445-1552
The tour presents a rare opportunity and great value - be sure not to miss the first week-end May 17,18.
18 Rhododendron Society of Canada (Toronto Region) 2 pm A slide program by Audrey Meiklejohn on Inside Africa
19 Canadian Wildflower Society 9 a.m.a TOUR of Edwards Gardens followed by Annual Meeting and PLANT SALE at 3:10 pm
Speakers Helen Skinner and Tony Reznicek ;
21 MEMBERS NIGHT - 7:30 pm Rock Garden Experiences by Cy Molly Baker - an illustrated talk on Rock Gardens
21 Canadian Rose Society - Annual meeting 7:30 pm
22 Canadian Chrysanthemum & Dahlia Soc. meeting 8 p.m.
25 Tommy Thompson Memorial Walk through Edwards Gardens 2 pm
25 TORONTO AFRICAN VIOLET SOC. SHOW 11 am - 5 pm Adm.S$1.
25 York Rose and Garden Society meeting 2 p.m. Container Growing by Paul Thompson
28 Hobby Greenhouse meeting 8 p.m.
June 1 TORONTO BONSAI SHOW 11:30 - 5 pm in Floral Hall - Adm. $2. Movies on Japanese Bonsai will be shown free in the Auditorium at 12 o clock, 1, 2, 3 and 4 pm
1 TORONTO CACTI & SUCCULENT CLUB SHOW 8th Annual SHOW & SALE 11 am-4:30 pm Adm. $1.00
3 Mens Garden Club regular meeting 8 p.m.
8 Toronto Gesneriad Society meeting 2 pm Monte Watler, will give a presentation on Gardening Under Lights
8 S. Ontario Orchid Society meetirég 1-5p.m.
In the Link Gallery:
Apr. 23 - May 8 - Josie Muller
Fantasy landscapes on silk
May 12 - May 27 - Norma Heaver Watercolours - landscapes & florals
May 28 - June 10 - Nancy Converse Towne and country. A joyous exhibition of colour and form vibrations
June 11 - June 24 - Janet Iwaszcenko pen and ink, Japanese brush wildlife
COURSES STARTING SOON
Apr. 30 Photography course - 7:30 pm 6 week course - titled Pleasure from Photography
Apr. 30 Pressed Flowers - one day lecture & workshop 1:30 pm
May 7 Pressed Flowers - one evening lecture & workshop 7.00 pm
May 8 Bridal arrangements - one day from 10 am to 3 pm - students must have taken previous corsage workshops
Jun 19 Basic Flower Arranging 5 week course at 1:30 only
July 8 Church Flowers - one day workshop from 10 am to 3 pm to help anyone wishing to do flowers in their church
CGC OPERATING HOURS
MAY & JUNE HOURS
Trellis Shop and Library
Open Mon to Fri 9:30 to 5 pm Sat. and Sun. 12 noon to 5 pm
SPECIAL NOTICE
THE
CIVIC GARDEN CENTRE is once again offering TOURS OF PRIVATE GARDENS
11 gardens in all for the price of $10.00
The gardens can be visited on the following weekends - May 17 & 18th, May 31 & June 1st, June 21 & 22nd, June 28 & 29th, July 20th and on Aug. 16 & 17th, from 1 pm - 5 pm.
The tours present a rare opportunity and great value. Be sure to get your ticket early by calling the office 445-1552 of the Civic Garden Centre.
Mini Rose Nursery
Collector of Miniature Roses For list and map Write Florence Gahagan
P.O. Box 873, Guelph, Ont. NIH 6 M6
General Information
Volume 13 No. 4 ISSN 0380-1470
Assistant Editor: Grace Tughan Advertising Inform. (416) 445-1552
Trellis is published ten times per year as a member s newsletter, by the Civic Garden Centre, 777 Lawrence Ave. East, Don Mills, Ontario M3C 1P2 Telephone (416)445-1552
The Centre is located in Edwards Gardens, at Leslie St. and Lawrence Avenue East, at the geographical centre of Metropolitan Toronto. It is a non-profit, volunteer based, gardening and floral arts information organization with open membership. Opinions expressed within do not necessarily reflect those of the Centre.
Printed by Munns Press Ltd., Whitby, Ont.
MEMBERS PROGRAMME
in the Floral Hall
WEDNESDAY, MAY 21st, at 7:30 p.m.
CY MOLLY BAKER on ROCK GARDEN EXPERIENCES
an illustrated talk on the Baker s former Rock Garden in Quebec and their current garden at Rockton, Ontario
IMPORTANT NOTICE
MEMBERS PLEASE TAKE NOTE
ANOTHER BUS TRIP TO THE ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS AT BURLINGTON LILACS AND IRIS
MONDAY, JUNE 16th, 1986
REMEMBER - WEAR LOW HEELS
Bus leaving C.G.C. parking lot 9 A.M. and returning around 2 P.M.
Luncheon - Brown bag incl. in price
COST $15.00 per person for members
Cascading Petunias
MOTHERS DAY SPECIAL
MAY 10th and 11th
Surprise Mother (Aunty, daughter) & support our Centre with a stunning array of colour with one of our top quality hanging baskets or fibre patio pots.
These will be available at our Centre on May 10th and 11th from noon to 5 p.m.
$12.95 each
$20.00 for a non-member
This will be on a first-come basis so please fill out the form at the bottom and mail with cheque to The Civic Garden Centre 777 Lawrence Ave. East, Don Mills M3C 1P2
PHONES HOMe . sitianssrsosene
BUBIICSS v vsv vibapssads
The Trellis Shop
This month we will be unveiling new items purchased at the recent Gift Shows by our buying committee. Included among these items will be many attractive gift ideas for Mothers Day and Fathers Day.
For Mothers and others we have wrap around shaker baskets beautifully and simply crafted with hand made copper nails, in three sizes; picnic baskets equipped with space for two wine bottles or thermoses, $25.95, hand painted light switches by Cheri Meggs at $6.50, lined sewing baskets at $8.50 each and a selection of beautiful trays from France, at $19.95 and $24.95.
For Father, a selection of garden tools including a boxed set of English Super Grip hand tools with rosewood handles $25.00 for trowel and fork.
Also in stock at the moment is a very limited number of Florian Ratchet-Cut Pruners from $16.00 to $105.00. The ratchet cuts with little effort and the comfortable grips make them blister proof. Just arrived - a new shipment of Snap-Cut Folding pruning saws to tuck in knapsacks and tote-bags for home, farm, camp or cottage $19.49.
Our plant shop has a selection of plastic, terra cotta and peat pots as well as Pro-Mix, potting soils, perlite and vermiculite for your Spring planting.
SNIPPY TIPS
Two new revised editions of Snippy Tips are now available in the Trellis Shop. No. 1 Care of Cut Flowers and Plant Material and No. 2 Drying and Preserving Plant Material . $2.00 each
SHERIDAN LIMITED Where Great
At your closest Sheridan Garden Centre you will find the finest selection of nursery stock in Canada, including more than 750 varieties of plants and trees grown on Sheridan 's own farms.
MISSISSAUCA NORTH-CENTRAL 606 Southdown Rd., 2827 Yonge St., Mississauga L5) 2v4 Toronto M4N 2J4
Gardens
Begin.
And Sheridan's nursery stock is guaranteed for one full year. At Sheridan Garden Centres you will also find qualified nurserymen who will pleased to help you in any way they can.
AGINCOURT ETOBICOKE 3444 Sheppard Ave E, Toronto M1T 3kK4 700 Evans Ave Etobicoke M9C 1A1 Tel. 822-0251 Tel. 481-6429 Tel 293-2493 Tel 621-9100
UNIONVILLE
SHAWA KITCHENER 4077Hwy. 7, Unionville 8A7King St. W., Oshawa 100EImsdaleRoad, Kitchener L3R1LS Tel. 728-9429 Tel. 743-4146 Tel. 477-2253
LANDSCAPE DEPARTMENT: Metropolitan Toronto, Markham, MississaugaandOakville822-7575.
HOUSEPLANTS
by J. Punnett
When I was in the grip of houseplant mania, I would buy a new plant every time I went shopping. A bedraggled reduced to clear item in Woolco would tug at my heartstrings or the tropical heat of the local nursery s greenhouse would entice me to purchase something exotic. From tiny cacti in thimble-sized pots to man-high dragon trees, I gave a home to them all. Of course, within six months most of them were dead. I eventually had to face the truth: much as I love indoor plants, to 99% of them I am the kiss of death.
The small number that did survive and still thrive despite my attentions may be worth a mention. I should explain that in addition to erratic watering, these plants contend with poor light and a dry atmosphere. In Winter, they receive alternate gusts of hot and cold air from heating vents and ill-fitted windows respectively.
The English Ivy (Hedera helix) is a marvellously forgiving plant. There must be hundreds of varieties with different leaf shapes and variegations. I have one which grows stiffly upright, a bit like a punk hairdo, on which the leaves are small and crinkled at the edges. Ivy cuttings root very easily and in the Spring I usually stick a few pieces into a container in a shaded spot outside my front door, to mix in with the flowers. Last Fall I forgot to empty the container and this Spring I was surprised to find my punk ivy still alive after being frozen solid for a couple of months. My favourite ivy has a dainty, arrow-shaped leaf with the central lobe long and pointed. It climbs or trails according to what kind of support you give it.
Back in 1912 someone clever crossed an English Ivy with the fig-leaved Fatsia japonica. The result was Fatshedera lizei, a tall-growing, largeleaved plant that needs a little support and is not so hardy as its English parent. There are variegated varieties. Mine has a two-toned leaf, the central splotch being a paler green. I have also seen a variety which has a dark green leaf with white tips to the lobes.
Grape Ivy is not an ivy at all, but a vine. The correct name is Rhoicissus rhomboidea. It is sometimes confused with Kangaroo Vine (Cissus antarctica), but Grape Ivy can be easily distinguished by its leaves, which are divided into three leaflets. The leaves are pale and glossy on first opening, turning darker and less shiny with age. A vigorous, tendrilled climber, it is at present threatening to engulf my living room mantlepiece.
At the Spring Flower Festival a couple of years ago, I spied an unusual conifer labelled araucaria bidwillii. It has a slender stem and a few radiating, whiplike branches clothed in small, glossy leaves that were hard and thorny to the touch. When I arrived home with my prickly plant, I hurried to find reference to it. There was great consternation in the household when it was identified as the Bunya-bunya, an evergreen tree native to the coastal regions of Queensland, Australia, where it grows to 165 ft. (50 m). The cones can weight up to 10 lb. (4.5kg) and contain edible seeds much prized by the Aborigines for food. Somehow, I doubt that it will bear fruit in my living room, or ever reach the height of a forest tree, as life in a pot seems to retard its growth. So far, it has averaged 3 inches (8 cm) per year and it is still a mere sapling with gracefully pendulous tips to its branches.
1985 C. G. C. DONATIONS
We wish to acknowledge those donors whose support during 1985 enabled us to carry out current programs and set aside funds for future improvements and program development.
Supporting Members
Agnes Gray, Marea Lyle, Mrs. C. Niemuller, Carol Rykert, Johnson Sustronk Weinstein Assoc., Michael Webb.
Contributing Members
D. Andrew, C. Crawford, J.Dembeck, Miss Doyle, R. Fowler, P. Hand, E. Hoffman, P. Holmes, G.M. Horne, B.V.Kelly, A.Norris,G.Ross,G. Wick.
Sustaining Members
P. Baker, C.G.Bishop, J.D.Bodley, R.Bolt, E.Brubacher, D.S.Chant, B.T. Clarke,, B.Dawn-Currie, P.Dermott, J.Forest, J.G.Greey, M.Hall, A.Ker, V.Kitto, D.Logue, D.McGooeye, K. Radaez, S.Ward, H.Weston.
We further acknowledge the generous donation by the following members: A. Agnew, J.M. Apastolides, E.H. Ballantine, M.Bick, J.Boers,R.J.Bower, E.M.Boyce, M.Brazier, A.H.Carter,J.C Cawley, A.Chisholm, M.Christie, P. Cleland, R.Clewes, G.Craig, J.CranmerByng,K.Crossgrove ,M.Curry,B.Dalziel, K.Davidson, H.Dechert, E.Dew, N. Dickson, G.E.Dyson, W.R.Evanson,
FROM THE BOOKSHOP
by Margaret Austin
PLANTS AND GARDENS
Brooklyn Botanic Garden Record
At $3.95, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden handbooks are one of the great bargains in garden literature. Often overlooked in favour of glossier books, this series of over 60 titles is reprinted from special-feature issues of Plants and Gardens.
H.Falkner, E.Fallis, V.Farquar, L. Ferguson, E.Flaxman, M.deFreatas, M.Geary, J.Gittens, C.W.Goldring, P. Gooderham, D.Gordon, E.Hatch, L. Hawkins, J.M.Hedman,R.Helmstadter, M. Henry, D.C. Higgenbotham, V. Hudson, G.Jacobi, D.F.Junod,H.Kelly, J. Kerr-Lawson, S. Kinread, J. Lang, H.Lasthiolakis, D.Laycock, R. Letycartier, H.Lichley, R. M. Litch, R. Louer, L.Magalnick, N. Mallett, D. McCowan, E.Mearns, L.Muckle, J.S. Munro, T.H.Murphy, S.Murray, Nightdecor, P.Norton, T.Oikawa, S.Omura, A.Paterson, J.A.Pedler, M.Prala, J. Quibell, C.P.Rance, M.Raymond, M. Riley, J.S.Robinson, J.N.Rouledge, M. Sampson, D.Scott, S.Sebulath, C.V. Shaver, M.Shortt, H.Skinner, R.E. Smith, M.C.Stafford, L.Stanton, B. Studdard, A. Struk, J. C. Thomson, W.M. Young.
Organizations and Foundations
The Milne House Garden Club gave $1000 towards upgrading of the Garden Auditorium. A committee of the Garden Club of Toronto, operating the Winter Bouquet Workshop, raised $6000.
Edwards Charitable Foundation gave a total of $25,000 a portion of which went for the Memorial lecture program and the Garfield Weston Foundation gave $5000 towards our outreach display unit.
Our thanks go out to all donors and volunteers who help raise funds.
Catalogue available on request o Diwarf Evergreens e e /feathers @ Japanese Maples ® ® Rhododendrons ®
(416) 562-4836
P.O. Box 98 ® Martin Road Vineland Station, Ont. LOR 2EO
FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31. 1985 AND 1984 REVENUE
Membership Fees
Auditorium & Meeting Facilities
Donations
Dunington Grubb - Donation
Interest
Activities - Net
Trellis Garden, Gift & Bookshop - Net
Winter Bouquet Workshop EXPENSES
General & Administrative Salaries & Benefits
Trellis Newsletter - Net
Library Activity Expenses
Building Maintenance(net of Metro Grant)
Equipment Purchases
Other
Dunington Grubb - Floral Hall Renovations
Excess (Deficiency) of Revenue over expenses for the year
Accumulated Excess of Revenue over Expenses
Beginning of year Interest on funds held in trust CGC foundation
(deficiency) of revenue over expenses for the year Balance, end of year Represented by:
Less: Accounts Payable
Deposits & Prepaid Course fees
Unspent Portion of Designated Donations Due to James Boyd Fund
260,552 254,960 $(21,584) $(19,671) $139,775 $131,796 23,918 27,650 (21,584) (19,671) $142,009 $139,775 $145456 $147,168 6,476 11,914 49,524 45,223 2,509 2,392 2 2 203,967 206,699 24,088 33,601 14,508 13,013 17,172 14,340 6,090 5,970 61,858 66,924 $142,109 $139,775
The above statement presents a summarized report for the members convenience any member wishingto examine the full audited financial report may ask to see a copy at the administrative office during normal administrative hours.
VOLUNTEER NOTICEBOARD
Dear Volunteer,
Our annual Spring Plant Sale is turning up before us and considering the pre-orders already in, it is going to be our biggest ever. Although the pick up day is Wednesday 14th May we do need help preparing everything on Tuesday 13th May and, of course, from then until the end of the sale Monday 19th of May.
We will be having a little buffet lunch for everyone on Tuesday & Wednesday and I'm sure that we ll have fun working together.
GOOD NEWS!! I'm ready to take orders for our new smocks. The CNIB have about 20 ready now and are working on more. We will be asking for a $10.00 deposit on each smock which is refundable providing the smock is in good condition. Before too long CGC volunteers will be instantly recognizable. Please call me as soon as you can.
m pleased to tell you that our Sweet Pea and Pansy Sale was a tremendous success. We raised over $1,000.00 from Neville s sweet peas and $540.00 from the sale of pansies.
These fund raising projects are so vital to our Centre and I'd like to thank our volunteers who helped during the weekend and especially Neville Holmes for growing these beautiful plants and for spending the entire weekend here giving advice and encouragement to our members.
If you have ideas for fund raising events or can help at any that are already planned (Spring Plant Sale) please call me, remember your support helps keep us growing.
Thanks Dorothy
WEDNESDAYS AT WEALL & CULLEN!
Weall & Cullen will take 10% off the regular price of all annual flowering plants, vegetable plants, hanging baskets and patio pots purchased on Wednesday. Weall & Cullen will endeavour to have a complete range of plants available for these Wednesday Sale Days . The discount will only apply to plants available at the time of purchase. No "Rain Checks for future purchases will be issued. "SAVE 10% WEDNESDAYS APPLIES TO BEDDING PLANTS ONLY.
784 Sheppard Ave. E. Wiillowdale. ..... .. 225-7705 1774 Ellesmere Rd. Scarborough ........ 438-6931 8575 #27 Hwy Woodbridge ............. 743-9177
4300 Steeles Ave. E. Markham .......... 477-4477 410 Taunton Rd. W. Whitby ............. 686-0844
SPRING BULBS
After your bulbs have finished blooming, immediately remove the flower head from the plants leaving the stems in place. Even though this will leave an unsightly bed of stalks the green plant parts photosynthesize and add needed energy back into the bulb for next year. Removing the seed heads will prevent the bulbs from wasting energy in seed production. This is a good practice for all your garden plants.
Bulbs should also be given some fertilizer that is specially formulated for them at this time. At annual planting time your tulips will either have to be removed or planted around. Do not cut your tulips down to the ground; this is a death sentence for them. If you do not want to leave them in place, your spring bulbs should be dug up and transplanted to another location in the back of the border where they will get plenty of sun and rejuvenate the bulb for next year. As the summer progresses they will naturally die down and can then be dug up and dried for planting in the fall.
ANNUALS
Beware of starting your outdoor garden too early. Remember that your tender annuals are not tolerant of the cold frosty nights unless you harden them gradually. This involves plants that you have purchased in a garden centre or started at home. Gradually expose these plants to daytime temperatures outside for a few hours each day and build up to leaving them out protected over night. This saves a lot of time and money if an unexpected frost strikes. Gradually bringing your plants outside will also build up light tolerance for plants that have been indoors all winter. At this time of year watch your south west windows; this brilliant sun can do damage in the form of scorch (sunburn).
LAWNS
Do not neglect this important part of your garden. It is your lawn that acts as a frame for all your grand flowers. Why put all your time and energy into the picture and neglect the frame? A high nitrogen fertilizer for your lawn will help it green up faster.
Applying fertilizers will help give resistance to disease, drought and weeds. A good schedule to follow is to give a feeding first in the early spring and to follow this with two feedings in the fall starting in early September. When fertilizer is spread on the lawn it is better to use a spreader than to spread by hand. A more even distribution is achieved. A few garden centres will lend out spreaders with the purchase of fertilizers or spreaders can be rented for a small sum from rental stores.
Apply your fertilizer to dry grass or burning may occur. Your lawn should be watered if there has been no rain within two days of application. Raking your lawn with a fan or spring rake will help eliminate another problemthatch. This is the layer of dead material that is found above the soil surface and is caused by leaving the clippings lay without removing them. This layer will stop water and fertilizer penetration into the root area. The grass will also send roots into this layer and reduce the plants tolerance to drought and disease. A simple way to reduce this problem is to remove your grass clippings and give your lawn a good spring raking.
Compaction is also a problem in high traffic areas of your lawn and can be reduced by using a garden fork to aerate the soil by inserting the tines every 6 inches (15 cm.). This allows for greater air and water penetration to the roots. For large areas a power driven unit should be rented that will remove cores from your lawn.
ROSES
These plants, as well as many other dormant nursery trees and shrubs should be planted immediately, if not sooner. Prepare your site in advance of your purchase and decide where your plants will be located. Roses should be in a sunny open area free of obstructions such as fences or hedges so that good air circulation will be present. Space your roses 2 ft.(60 cm) apart at least and plant them to the same depth as previously grown. Bare root plants should be set so that the soil reaches just to one inch above the graft union. Firm the soil well around your plant and water. Do not add any fertilizer or manure to the root zone area. Place this in a ring at the surface.
PLANT SALE
MAY 14 - 19th are the dates to mark on your calendar for our Plant Sale.
A special feature for this year is Non stop Begonias. The best annual introduced for a great number of years said Mr. Ernie Pope, renowned Civic Garden Centre member. These compact continucus flowering plants are a real show all summer and will be available in many colours at the sale.
Be sure to keep in mind the Civic Garden Centre s Plant Sale when dividing your perennials this spring. We welcome all donations of plants to help raise funds to keep the centre growing. Your support, no matter what size, is always appreciated.
IN THE LIBRARY
Some books on flower arranging recently added to the Library
Pressed wild flower pictures, by Mary Beazley. London, Batsford,1985.
Flower arranger s Bible, by Derek Bridges. London, Century, 1985.
Elegance in flowers: classic arrangements for all seasons, by Vicki L. Ingham. Birmingham, Oxmoor, 1985.
Wedding flowers, by Pauline Mann. London, Batsford, 1985.
Flower arranging, by Barbara Pearce. London, Optimum, 1985.
The floristry handbook, by Harold Piercey. Piscataway, New Century, 1985.
Flowers in every room, by Daphne Vagg. London, Batsford, 1985.
Flower arranging for special occasions, by Pamela Westland. London, Columbus Books, 1985.
Pamela Mackenzie Librarian
CiL eSpecializes in dried and silk flower arrangements.
Arrangements for sale in The Trellis Shop
Knowledgeable staff a2 »» PERENNIAL o @ountry Squireo @arden PLANT SPECIALISTS
Steeles Ave. W. (2 miles west of Highway 10) R.R. 10 Brampton L6V 3N2
Open 7 days a week from April 12 - Oct. 19
Over 2000 different hardy plants, alpines, dwarf conifers and shrubs, Hardy ferns, vines, groundcovers and native wildflowers
Send $1. for a plant list by mail to above address
GARDEN ENTHUSIASTS
The American Conifer Society
by Jim Lounsbery
During October, 1982 a group of conifer enthusiasts met in Long Island, New York for the purpose of organizing a conifer society. The Society was formed on Jan. 20,1983.
The purposes of the American Conifer Soc. are the development, conservatjon & propagation of conifers, with emphasis on the dwarf & unusual.
The Soc. is made up of groups nurserymen, collectors & those simply interested in growing and learning about these plants.
An informative bulletin for members is published 4 times a year. Annual meeting is held each July, the site varying from year to year. Annual meeting in 86 is in Portland, Oregon.
Annual membership is from July 1 to June 30. Annual dues for Canadian membership are $15.00 (U.S.).
Although the Conifer Society is based in the United States, this should not stop anyone from Canada from joining. Conifers do not stop growing at the border.
There are a number of Canadian members already, and we would like to meet more enthusiasts. I know there are a large number of people interested in rockery, plants, rhododendrons, and Bonsai, and this should be an added attraction to those plant lovers. If you are interested in joining, please don t hesitate to contact me for a membership form.
Jim Lounsbery, Canadian Director, A.C.S. P.O. Box 98, Vineland Station, Ont. LOR 2EO (416) 562-4836
Some members of the Civic Garden Centre may not be aware that all men are eligible to become members of the Men s Garden Club.
The Club holds its meetings in the evening, usually on the first Tuesday of each month. Both novice gardeners and experts comprise its membership and value the opportunities afforded to exchange useful information and helpful advice.
The club arranges visits to members gardens and frequently invites outside specialists to attend its meetings.
More details can be obtained by getting in touch with:
Howie Nichols - secretary-treasurer 244-3059
Bob Saunders - president - 489-1479
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IN PRAISE OF SHADE
by Trevor Cole, Curator Dominion Arboretum, Ottaw
Following my talk at the Great Gardening Conference last November, I was surprised at the number of people who asked me questions on the trees and shrubs suitable for growing in the shade.
While there are several books available on this subject (notably George Schenk s The Complete Shade Gardener ), they generally contain too much information. So many of the plants cannot be grown in this part of the country, and if they can, they are almost impossible to obtain.
This series of articles are intended to bring to your attention plants which fit three rules
They will grow well in shade
They are hardy in the Toronto area
They are available in the nursery trade
Having said that, let me further define two of these rules. By shade, I mean areas that receive less than five hours direct sunlight in mid-summer and very little of this between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. A great many plants will grow well in half sun, even if they don t flower freely. Secondly, the availability of a given plant may require some work on your part. Do not expect to be able to walk to the nearest garden centre and buy everything I will write about. But they should all be available in the retail trade in the Toronto/Hamilton/Niagara area.
I first became interested in shade gardening when I moved into a small house on a 50 x 100 ft. lot, which contained a Chinese elm hedge, five 2 -3 mspruce, a 20 m white pine and a 15 m elm. To make it worse, there was a 4 m tall lilac hedge on the south and west sides, a row of sugar maples
in the garden that backed on to ours a to the south and a 10 m oak in the garden on the west. The only part of the garden that did not classify as shady was up close to the back of the house. This got sunshine from about 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the summer.
The Chinese elm hedge was the first to go. The spruce went over the next few years, mostly in mid-December. Beds were made in the back garden under the trees, and a rock garden was made with the stone that was excavated while making the beds. The sunny area was immediately commandeered for tomatoes and herbs. And so, perforce, I became interested in shade plants.
TREES
Being the climax vegetation, trees generally tower over everything else and hog all the light. There are a few trees that have adapted themselves to lower light levels and these form a second canopy or understory in the forests. They can be used to give height in shaded gardens.
One of the most attractive understory trees is Acer pensylvanicum, the Striped Maple, also known as Moosewood. This native tree never reaches great heights, generally about 5 - 7 m, and will often develop a clump form. The beauty is in the young stems and small branches which are green with long whitish vertical stripes. This character is lost as the trunks mature and become covered in bark.
Another native maple that will take partial shade is A. spicatum, the Mountain Maple. This is generally more shrubby than Moosewood and doesn t have the attractive bark. It does, however, have much better fall color and a leaf that is more typically Maple shaped. cont
IN PRAISE OF SHADE
A medium tree growing up to 10 m and tolerating deep shade is Carpinus caroliniana, usually called Ironwood or Blue Beech. This native tree does not transplant easily and should only be moved balled and burlapped or container grown. Mature bark is quite interesting, becoming gray with smooth, rounded ridges which are best described by another common name, Musclewood. Fall colour is yellow to orange.
If I lived in the Toronto area, providing my garden was not subject to sweeping winter winds, the one tree I would plant is a Redbud. Unless the garden is in very deep shade this tree will thrive and flower well each spring.
Bedbud is unusual in that, in addition to the sprays of flowers on its branchlets, it also produces clusters of flowers along the trunk and mature pbranches. They are a reddish-purple in bud, opening to a lilac-pink. There
1S also a white tlowered form, several named pink-flowered clones; Forest Pansy with purple leaves and Silver Cloud with variegated leaves. These seem almost impossible to find commercially in Canada at present but keep asking for them, public demand can work wonders. cont. in June
TOMMY THOMPSON MEMORIAL WALK
through Edwards Gardens
SUNDAY. -MAY 25 3t 22 pm. with Art Drysdale of Radio CFRB
SUNDAY. JUNE 22 at -2 pm: with Anne Marie Van Nest
SUNDAY, JULY 20 at 12 noon with Anne Marie Van Nest
Light refreshments will be served in the Civic Garden Centre following the walk please wear low heeled shoes and suitable clothing. Children should be supervised for the walk.
CIVIC
% &y * President Mrs. Camilla Dalglish ot * 1st Vice - President Mr. Donald McLaren
GARDEN § % 2nd Vice - President Mr. Brian Bixley i * Treasurer ~ Mr. Charles Coffey
Board of Directors:
* Executive Committee
For 1985: Mr. Brian Bixley, Mr. Charles Coffey, Mrs. Rae Fowler, * Mr. Peter Hand, Mrs. Hazel Lyonde, Mr. Howard Stensson
For 1985, & 1986: Mr. Art Drysdale, Mr. Albert [Fisher, Mrs. Sue Macaulay, Mrs. Katie May McCarthy, Mr. Donald G. McLaren, Mr. David Tomlinson, Mr. Harold Wakefield.
For 1985, 1986, & 1987: Mr. Wm. R. Aimers, Mrs. Camilla Dalglish, Mrs. Margaret Elliott, Mr. Andrew Osyany, Mrs. June Punnett, Mr. Robert Saunders, Mr. Peter Thomas, Mr. Robert G. Bundy.
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