Let sstart a growing friendship soon at a Sheridan Garden Centre.
You'll find it at Sheridan
U alue With comparable prices on the most extensive selection of high quality nursery stock in Canada.
U ltalltY With over 1,200 types of hardy plants and trees, locally raised, fresh from the soil and Guaranteed to Grow".
VarletY With Canada s most comprehensive listing of nursery stock and garden accessories. . . the 74 Sheridan Garden Catalogue. Now available at any of the four Sheridan Garden Centres in Metro, Mississauga, Unionville, or Etobicoke, Sheridan can supply all of your gardening needs.
In an effort to dispel the myth and misconception that the popular Poinsettia plants are poisonous, or contain a milky Juice that is poisonous especially to children garden broadcaster and writer, John Bradshaw joyfully munched away on several of the colourful bracts (usually incorrectly called the flowers) at a press conference hosted by Flowers Canada in mid-November.
Believed to have originated, in the early 1900s from a rumour that a twoyear-old child died from eating a leafof a Poinsettia in Hawaii, the wide-spread old wives tale was recently proven completely false. In fact, just the opposite is true: in Mexico, where the plant is native, the leaves (and bracts) are brewed and taken internally as a medicine against fever, and they are likewise used in the preparation of poultices to alleviate skin afflictions.
John Bradshaw taste-tests a poinsettia bract. They would make a good salad," he said.
Eating unusual Plants may not be Deadly but should not be Encouraged
Research at the academic faculty of entomology, The Ohio State University, four years ago involved the use of rats customarily used as test objects for determining the relative toxicity of pesticides to humans. In the research, the rats were given high dosages of various portions of Poinsettia. None showed any symptoms of toxicity or change in general behaviour pattern, and there was no mortality.
To Canadianize and update this research to the human level, garden broadcaster John Bradshaw took the opportunity to eat a handful of leaves and bracts.
Present at the time, gardening personalities from all over Ontario, heard Dr. Allan P. Chan, director of the federal Agriculture Canada s ornamental research service warn that the demonstration was a graphic illustration of the non-toxicity of the Poinsettia, but that the experiment should not be repeated on a wide scale, since the presence of deadly pesticides necessary for the economic control of insects and diseases, could not be detected by the naked eye.
So, the moral is, the Poinsettia is NOT a dangerous, poisonous plant, but please do not attempt to prove it the hidden chemicals on the foliage on any plant not sold for eating, may get you!
Homes & Gardens Tour
MARCH 28, 1975
Visiting the unusual homes of Charleston, South Carolina, including the Nathaniel Russell House and nearby Cypress and Magnolia Gardens; and Old Salem at Winston Salem.
10 DAYS ONLY $439.00
For further information contact your travel agent or
MARY MORTON TOURS
P.O. Box 436, Station K, Toronto 12 Tel: 488-2674
This Month s Articles
Research shows Psychological Need for Plants 6
All about that New Building and H.B.D. Grubb 8
Care foryour Indoor Plants means Humidity 14 Variations on one Theme How to Start Seeds 18
Editorial
And, May I now have the tenth Last Word ? 22
Regular Features
Gardening Events Calendar, 12; Co-Ordinator of Volunteers, 16; Highrise Gardeners ofToronto, 17; School ofFloral Decoration, 17; Bookshop, 20; and Shop, 21.
Other ltems of Interest This Month
Poinsettias are not Poisonous, proven by John Bradshaw, 3; and How to Spend a Happy Afternoon In and Around Plants, 15.
The Front Cover
Architect s sketch of south-west view of proposed new addition to Civic Garden Centre reveals dramatic use ofglass to woo visitors to enlarged Centre. Sketch by Jerome Markson Architects.
Civic Garden Centre Board of Directors
Mrs. K. G.(Audrey) Allman; R. H. (Roy) Bainard; Mrs. J. H. (Betty) Billes; J. (Jack) Blair; J. E.(John) Bradshaw; Mrs. D. P. (Elizabeth) Bryce; G. P. (Geoff) Clarkson; E. A. (Ed) Endersby; R. A. (Reg) Mackenzie; G. A. (Gib) Milne; E. R. (Ernie) Pope; Mrs. E. (Flavia) Redelmeier (Chairman); Mrs. F. W. (Genevieve) Robertson; W. (Wilf) Sanders; L. C. (Larr{{ Sherk; Mrs. R. (Helen) Skinner; T. W. (Tom) Thompson; D. H. (Dave) Yerex.
Staff for Civic Garden Centre and Trellis
George Sinclair, Executive Director; A. C. (Art) Drysdale, Associate Director and Editor; Mrs. J. W. (Awdrey) Clarke, Executive Secretary.
General Information
N Trellis is published monthly (except July and August) by the Civic Garden Centre, 777 Lawrence Avenue East, Don Mills, Ontario, M3C 1P2. The centre is located in Edwards Gardens, at Leslie Street and Lawrence Avenue East, the geographical centre of Metropolitan Toronto. It is a non-profit gardening and floral arts information organization with open membership. Subscriptions to Trellis are only available through Centre membership ($5 for 12 months). Opinions expressed within do not necessarily reflect those of the Centre. This is Volume 1, Number 10. _
THE CIVIC GARDEN CENTRE Telephone 445-1552
What it is
» A non-profit gardening and floral arts centre for the dissemination of information to amateur gardeners and flower-arrangers
« An open membership body with over 3.000 keen gardener-members (from rank amateurs to advanced professionals) who pay only $5 for 12 months
» Home of six gardening clubs or groups with specific gardening interests
Meeting place for specialized plant societies from Bonsai to Roses
» Home of some of the best flower arrangers in North America (quoted from U.S.A. author and editor, Helen Van PeltWilson)
What it does
o Operates Canada s most complete public horticultural library
« Responds to over 3,000gardening questions annually
o Organizes, in both spring and autumn, garden talks and demonstrations on a wide variety of subjects and atdifferent levels
o Teaches non-commercial flower arranging at various levels to over 300 persons annually and encourages their competition
« Carries on an extensive flower-drying program to extend garden beauty through into the winter months economically
o Operates a Speakers Panel Bureau which brings panels of experts on various subjects to groups desirous of an informative program
o Publishes information booklets on various subjects; e.g. Preserving Beautiful Flowers
« Stages two flowershows each year and hosts numerous others
What members receive ($5 annual fee)
e Ten issues peryear of Trellis
« Free borrowing privileges from the 3,000-volume library
o Ten per cent discount off all purchases of books and gardening and floral arts Supplles bought from the Centre
o Opportunity to join one or more specialized member groups or clubs
« Discounts off all courses offered at the Centre
o Free admission to Members Nights held at leasttwice per year
177 Lawrence Ave. East (in Edwards Gardens), Don Mills, Ontario M3C 1P2
people have a psychological need for contact with plants. One cause of the flight to the suburbs and dramatic increase in wilderness recreation use is a basic desire for contact with vegetation, according to Dr. Seymour M. Gold, an urban planner in the department of environmental horticulture at the University of California, writing in a recent article in Recreation Canada magazine, published by Canadian Parks/Recreation Association.
Research by behavioural scientists, Dr. Gold adds, indicates that the current popularity of indoor and outdoor gardening is a result of this same frustrated desire as well as an attempt to modify the sterility and ugliness ofmost cities.
The human response to plants in urban environments, he says, provides a frontier for research to link the plant and the social scientist in new ways to solve environmental problems.
We have only begun to explore the unique potentials of plants to make cities more interesting places to live, work and visit. Plants can lend a dimension of visual order, respect, love and joy to cities that is now lacking, he says.
Dr. Gold explains: We have thought too long of building parks in cities instead ofcities in parks; considered landscape plantings as amenities instead of essentials; and have weighed the values
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people have Psychological Need for Contact with Plants
of plants in terms of economic costs instead of social benefits. Traditionally, we have emphasized the production and maintenance of plants rather than the attitudes of people toward plants and the impact plants can have on people in cities.
Research on the use ofplants in cities to satisfy human needs, Seymour Gold says, could result in several social benefits:
® Less need to escape from citiesjust to enjoy plants and green landscapes. With the prospect of prolonged fuel rationing or shortages, it is essential to make our cities and.suburbs more enjoyable, attractive and diverse places, he says. For example, 30 percent ofall automobile use is for leisure and outdoor recreation. Some of this use could be reduced by providing better local public and private recreation opportunities that could give people the same perceived sense of relief or natural character as they now seek in regional parks and wilderness areas. If one assumes one million cars, and the average Canadian family drives 1,000 miles/year at ten miles/gallon to flee the city or suburbs in quest of green spaces; by making cities green again we could save 100,000,000 gallons of gasoline/year, or at a cost of $.70/gallon, $70 million/year. Ifjust 30 per cent ofthis savings per family were allocated to the planting and care of urban landscapes, that could mean $21,000,000 annually for the beautification of our cities.
® Better use of existing local parks which are often sterile because they lack adequate landscaping. Dr. Gold says his research indicates that fewer people are using neighbourhood parks in many cities, and there is a strong relationship between non-use and the lack of trees, shrubs and flowers.
If this trend continues, it means the demise of many urban and suburban
park systems by the year 2000or sooner, because people who do not use or identify with neighbourhood parks are not likely to support existing and future park systems, he says.
® Possible reduction of urban crime and violence because ofthe potential of plants to reduce levels ofenvironmental stress. His observations show a lower rate of vandalism in commercial and recreation areas that are well designed and maintained, especially where plants are used.
We cannot expect people to respect the property and rights of others if we offend their sense of personal dignity and civic pride by providing sterile, unimaginative, and improperly maintained landscapes. Mean landscapes make mean people and the sooner we acknowledge this behavioural phenomenon, the sooner we may begin to view this aspect oflaw enforcement in a positive way, Dr. Gold says.
® More stable property values and less change in neighbourhood populations because of the type and quality oflandscape plantings. He suggests that
people are attracted to and more reluctant to leave the well-landscaped areas of most cities. Property values are higher and more stable for houses near well-landscaped parks and on streets with mature shade trees. He also notes that these well-landscaped areas usually have less neighbour conflict and higher degrees of social interaction and identity.
Seymour Gold says, Perhaps no single item could dramatically change the physical and social character of urban America more quickly, and be less controversial and costly, than plants. At the same time, this massive application of plants could save substantial amounts of gasoline because people would learn to enjoy cities and rely on urban parks instead of traveling long distances to wilderness areas or vacation homes for simple contact with vegetation.
He adds: As researchers together we can help bring a Green Revolution to this nation that future generations will note as the beginning of a new era for urban North America.
Aficr many months of rumours, buzzings and questions, the announcement of enlarged facilities for the Civic Garden Centre has been made. Most affiliated clubs have had formal presentations from the staffofthe Centre on the plans, and virtually all groups using the Centre were consulted on two occasions prior to the presentation ofinitial plans.
The need for a larger building was first presented to the Centre s board of directors more than two years ago by then executive director, Jim Boyd. Showing the increase in membership and other activities, Mr. Boyd recommended the formation of a committee to look into all aspects of a new building particularly the financing. However, it was not until Mr. Gilbert A. Milne, a well-known Toronto photographer, became a member of the board that activity began.
At about the same time, the directors of Meadowvale Botanical Gardens, under newly elected chairman and president, John Bradshaw, commissioned a report on how the gardens, founded by the late Howard B. Dunington-Grubb, might carry out Mr. Grubb s wishes in setting up and operating a botanical demonstration garden for the citizens of Metropolitan Toronto and environs. Since Howard Grubb s death in 1965, little activity had taken place on the 100-acre plot of land adjacent to the Credit River near the hamlet of Meadowvale, south of Brampton. The land, bought in 1958 by Mr. Grubb, as the site for a future, what he called botanical garden , had undergone only the smallest development in the form of a few trees having been planted, and a wall erected along the road front. A small gate and keeper s house were also built.
Unanimous approval at Metro
The prime difficulty seen with any de-
8 / December 1974
New Building and Howard B. D. Grubb
Art C. Drysdale, Editor
velopment was the cost of maintenance, and Howard Dunington-Grubb wisely decided not to build until some visible support for ongoing maintenance could be identified.
Though Mr. Grubb, an eminent landscape architect, chose to call his pet project a botanical garden , the project he wanted to see completed on the Meadowvale site should actually have been called a botanical display garden. It was gardening education and information he wished to disseminate to the general public.
After Mr. Grubb s death, the trustees of the Meadowvale Botanical Gardens considered various schemes for development of the gardens, including a major proposal forconservatory, representative plantings of annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees, and an outdoor amphitheatre; all designed by J. Austin Floyd, landscape architect. There remained, however, the problem of ongoing maintenance, as well as the previously little regarded difficulty of the Credit River s flood plain. Finally, as the Civic Garden Centre s need to expand, and their people-orientated programmes became known to Meadowvale s trustees, the idea of Meadowvale making seed funds available for an expansion proposal at the Centre was approved following a detailed submission by the Centre s new building committee then headed by board member, David Yerex.
With funds advanced by Meadowvale, the Centre engaged Jerome Markson Architects to do a programme evaluation in order to ascertain what type of building was needed, and later drawings of the conceptual building were rendered.
In 1974, Meadowvale agreed to offer its property for sale, for conservation purposes, and at the same time advised
the Centre that it would donate $650,000 toward the expansion of the Centre, provided that the amount was matched by the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto. In agreeing to sell the land, the directors of Meadowvale also indicated they would consider, at some future time, the donation of a sum of money to construct a satellite gardening information centre on or near the original Meadowvale site.
In the early autumn of 1974, the Metropolitan Toronto council, on recommendation of the parks commissioner, Tom Thompson, and the unanimous agreement of its parks and executive committees, voted to match the $650,000 donation, making $1,300,000 available for expanded facilities at the Centre. All that remains is for Metro Toronto s new council (elected December 2) to authorize the funds in the 1975 capital budget. Mrs. James A. Gardner, a founding member of the Centre, and East York mayor, Willis Blair, who guided the item through committees and council, see little if any opposition since there continues to be a growing demand for gardening information and the Centre is the only point of access most of Metro s 2,000,000+ residents have for such data. Potential of almost 10,000 square feet for flower shows
As a further expression ofconfidence,
Meadowvale Botanical Gardens have also agreed to advance further funds (as part of its $650,000 donation) in early 1975 to enable the architects to proceed with detailed design, and the working drawings and specifications. Once the Metro capital budget is approved, the project will then be taken over by the Metro parks department, and the construction will be supervised by the department. It is expected that tenders will be able to be called by early summer 1975, and that construction may begin by late summer, depending on construction and financing details not known at this time.
The new building, to bejoined to the existing one on both levels by a short passageway, has been designed by Jerome Markson Architects and contains almost as much space on its lower level as both the upper and lower levels of the old building put together. On the lower level will be a new garden shop (in which will be sold an expanded range of gardening, floral arts and gift items), a bookshop (to accommodate the growing book sale business), a library (with an expanded number of books, and a new collection of gardening periodicals), and a floral hall/auditorium (to seat 500, or host most of the flower shows held in the Metro Toronto area through the year).
Architect's section through proposed addition to Civic Garden Centre. Yellow depicts light coming through sloping glass roof over entrance hall and ramp system connecting two levels. Entrance hall is on mid-level shown here as raised portion of base. Ramps go up to the gallery in front of glass-backed lecture rooms (and workroom at far upper right), and down to garden shop (with display counters) and storage. At extreme left is small area for planting, viewable from main entrance hall as well as upper level gallery. Library and bookshop will adjoin garden shop. Sketches by Jerome Markson Architects.
The upper level will contain three lecture rooms, each substantially larger than the present room in the old building. They will likely be divided by sound-proof folding partitions that will allow considerable flexibility for groups of different sizes and also for flower shows. It is intended that both floor and wall surfaces will be durable to permit workshops in various horticultural and flower activities to go on with little concern for extra maintenance. The three lecture rooms will be served by a common flower preparation room well equipped with water and other services. Lighting in the three rooms is being given prime consideration and in addition to improved artificial light (over the present room) there is likely to be natural lightcoming in from the north. Who was Howard Grubb?
Also on the upper level, there will be two workrooms for member and affiliated club activities such as flower drying, and Christmas decoration workshops where the materials may be left out to be worked on over a period of weeks. One of these 1,000 sq. ft. rooms
will be rented on a long-term basis to the Garden Club ofToronto for similar activities.
The floral hall/auditorium, to be known as Howard Dunington-Grubb Hall, will extend fully into the upper level except for a members gallery which will be the length of one end; from which flower shows, etc. will be able to be viewed. The gallery will also be available for members use in quiet reading and informal get-togethers.
Named in honour of Howard Dunington-Grubb, the hall will contain some indication of Mr. Grubb s great love for Canadian horticulture. Born in York, England in 1881, Howard Burlingham Grubb was sent to the Americas to study in his field of interestlandscape architecture. In 1907, while still at Cornell University, Mr. Grubb decided there was really more opportunity in his vocation back home than in the U.S.A., and he wrote to the late Thomas H. Mawson, one of England s best known landscape architects. He requested employment in Mr. Mawson s London office, but that eminent author-
1010 on your radio
gets you JOHN BRADSHAW
SATURDAYS beginning at 10 a.m
SUNDAYS beginning at 8:10 a.m,
ity advised Mr. Grubb to stay in the U.S.A. where advancement seemed more assured. Paying little heed to the advice,just three months later, after Mr. Grubb s graduation from Cornell in 1908, thefollowing exchange took place in Mr. Mawson s private office:
My name is Grubb.
Well, what can I do for you?
I have come to work for you.
I am sorry to disappoint you, but it is quite impossible. As you will see for yourself, every seat in the office is occupied.
Well sir, I have travelled all the way from America for the purpose of working for you; so you must find me a seat somewhere.
But my dear fellow, I simply cannot do it.
Listen to me, sir. | worked my way back from America on a cattle boat, so you simply must take me on.
In his autobiography, The Life and Work of an English Landscape Architect, Thomas H. Mawson reflected on his initial meeting of Howard Grubb in his private office. To quote Mr. Mawson: He was an exceptionally tall, upstanding young fellow, and proportionate in build. Suffice it to say that within two years Mr. Grubb was in charge of Mr. Mawson s London office! Late in 1910, Mr. Mawson and Mr. Grubb attended a lecture on garden design given by a rising lady landscape architect . Afterwards, Mr. Mawson introduced the lecturer, the late Miss Alfreda Dunington, to Mr. Grubb, and it was just a short three months later that their engagement was announced. For some time Howard Grubb was in charge of his employer s work on the Palace of Peace at The Hague a commission to which Mr. Mawson had been assigned following an international competition.
It was in 1911 that Mr. and Mrs. Dunington-Grubb emigrated to Canada, and in May opened an office in Toronto as landscape architects. Soon after the establishment of the office, the utter lack ofsupply ofornamental plant material became apparent. This led to several attempts at establishing a plant nursery, two of which failed. Then in early 1914 there was a purchase of 100 acres of land at Sheridan, Ontario, and
this was the beginning ofthe successful nursery firm of which Mr. Grubb was founder, and president until his death on February 26, 1965.
No stairs to climb
And so, Howard Dunington-Grubb Hall will be a fitting tribute to a man with a vision for gardening in Canada. The design of the building containing the hall is unusually dramatic, as will be seen from the accompanying architectural sketch of the interior, and the main southerly approach from the Edwards Gardens parking lot shown on our cover. Entry, from a circular drive, (to enable participants to drive right up to the door and unload their flowers for flower arranging classes, during inclement weather, etc.) will be into a large glass-roofed hall area wherein a ramp system will connect the upper and lower levels. Entrance will actually be made on a mid-level, from which one will proceed either down to Howard Dunington-Grubb Hall, the shop and bookshop, or up to one of the lecture rooms or workrooms. Going from one level to the other is simple, the ramps being designed to enable wheelchair occupants to navigate them with ease.
It is envisaged that a receptionist will be available in a large vestibule area, and that this person will answer all incoming telephone calls as well as direct the members of the public making enquiries. The existing building, upstairs, will become administrative facilities, retaining only the board room in its present function. A staff lunch room is to be created, adjoining the present kitchen in the old shop area at the present entrance. Downstairs, the auditorium will be retained, with some other re-organization done around the point at which the connecting passageway enters. Though the new hall will be served by a new kitchen facility, kitchen facilities may also be added, or provided for in the service area adjacent to the present auditorium.
The new building committee is presently chaired in an acting (but energetic) capacity by Mr. G. P. Clarkson, because of Mr. Yerex forced absence from activities due to ill health. He is now back on the committee, along with: (Conclusion on page 20) Trellis
Events in blue held at Civic Garden Centre; more data from the Centre (445-1552) unless a specific phone number given. All other events (in black) held elsewhere; for data call phone number given. All events begin at 8:00 pm unless otherwise stated.
Sun Mon
JANUARY 19
East Toronto H. & Dabhlia S. (691-3665)
Abbreviations used as follows: H. = Horticultural; S. = Society; and G.C. = Garden Club. Note: Civic Garden Centre Shop and Library open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, plus additional hours listed below.
Tues
Leaside G.C. (481-0192)
Thornhill H.S. (889-0231)
Kingsway-Sunnylea H.S. (2399316)
Mount Albert H.S. (473-2120)
Newmarket H.S. (895-4145)
Stouffville H.S. (640-1922)
Westway H.S. (247-6093)
Woodbridge H.S. (851-0300)
26
2
Southern Ontario Orchid S. at 1 pm (759-1439)
North York H.S. (2212158
Roseland H.S. (893-1288)
27
Brampton H.S. (459-0119) 28
Lakeshore H.S. (2782517)
Lake Simcoe (Sutton) H.S. (4763087 )
Schomberg H.S. (939-2146)
Wed
Canadian Ch mum & Dahlia 2964 )
Swansea H.S. (7
3
GARDENING COURSE at 1:30 and 8:00 pm; see page 19
Georgina Brock H.S. (432-2592)
Oshawa H.S. (728-8302)
Library & Shop open 7 to 9 pm
GARDENING COURSE at 1:30 and 8:00 pm; see page 19
Agincourt G.C. (294-1701)
10
Men s Garden Club
Library& Shop open 7 to 9 pm
Highrise Gardeners of ] ] Toronto
North Toronto H.S. (488-4749)
Richmond Hill H.S. (884-2286)
Library & Shop open 7 to 9 pm
Library & Shop open 7 t 9 pm
16
GARDENING COURSE at ] 7
1:30 Ns\d 8:00 pm; see page 1 East Toronto H. & Dahlia S. (691-3665)
Kln%sway-Sunnylea H.S. (2399316) Mount Albert H.S. (473-2120)
Newmarket H.S. (895-4145)
Scarborough H.S. (282-8728)
Stouftville H.S. (640-1922)
Westway H.S. (247-6093)
Woodbridge H.S. (851-0300)
Library & Shop open 7 to 9 pm
Leaside G.C. (481-0192)
Thornhill H.S. (889-0231)
| Toronto Bonsai S. (782- l 8 2403)
Library & Shop op
Etobicoke H.S. (74
Gardening Under Group
Unionville H.S. (2!
Uxbridge H.S. (85
Library & Shopo
Cloverleaf G.C. (
Those gardeners who thoughtfully planned ahéad in the autumn and potted up early varieties of spring bulbs may already have a pot or two in the house or apartment for forcing. If you are just about to bring some in from the forcing pit, or from an unused refrigerator, remember that there must be signs of roots, and top growth as well. Once inside, keep them in the dark for two weeks iftop growth is less than four inches, but be careful, they will easily grow an inch a day in the warmth ofthe home. Once they have reached four inches, give them light and heat (to 70°F.) and as soon as the buds show colour, move them to the coolest, brightest spot for long lasting beauty.
GARDEN ALL YEAR
A hobby without peer - for leisure, home beauty and livability - a garden that blooms all year with only a few hours care each week. Our catalogue contains dozens of full colour photos of prefabricated greenhouses in lifetime aluminum. With it you can choose a greenhouse that is sure to harmonize with your home. Write for your copy today!
Care for your Indoor Plants means Humidity in particular Deiter Maier*
The same conditions apply to most flowering house and gift plants as well, such as cyclamen, primula, and cineraria. Others such as amaryllis, poinsettia, rieger. begonia, gloxinia and Christmas cactus appreciate more heat (to 75°F.). All plants in flower must never be allowed to dry out completely. And, with the furnace on steadily, humidity is reduced to almost desert conditions. This has a great bearing on the condition ofyour favourite plants. Keep them away from heating outlets and place the pots on trays filled with pebbles or marble chips, filling the trays up to the top of the chips or pebbles, with water, but making sure that the standing water never touches the bottoms of the pots. Spraying the plants, particularly larger specimens such as palms, with a mist of water three or four times per day (at least) will also make an immense difference. These famous little spray bottles are available from the Centre s shop for only $1.85 including tax and there is no advertising on them!
Outside in the garden, you should already have tied up the conical evergreens such as the Mountbatten and Skyrocket varieties. This will prevent individual branches being broken or forced out of place ifwe are hit with an ice storm. Ifyou did not get a chance to rake the leaves off the lawn in the autumn, and there is a mild spell without snow in January, rake off as many as you can. This will prevent matting and disease problems in the spring. And, do not forget our feathered friends outside put up feeding stations and keep them stocked up well.
*Mr. Maier is foreman in charge of Edwards Gardens, part of the regional parks system operated by the Metropolitan Toronto Parks Department.
Miss Dorothy Campbell, retired teacher of art and architecture, will speak on Toronto Architecture, What It Is and Where to Find It at the Milne House Garden Club regular monthly meeting on January 21, at 9:45 am. Maybe we will find out why they build so many cold, grey concrete buildings when we have a cold, bleak climate five to six months ofthe year. Why not more warm, browns, reds, and rose-coloured glass reflections?
And, speaking of dull drabness, now that the holiday season is over, and the decorations carefully packed away for next year, does the house seem drab and uninteresting after all the colour and whirl of social activities? Don t let the January Blahs take over stash away a bit of great-aunt Susie s Christmas cheque and plan a day out to nearby nurseries and flower shops. Just a few ofthese in the Bayview and Sheppard area can provide a pleasant outing.
Vince Vaughan of Vaughan Nurseries on Sheppard East near Warden tells me that many people start their geraniums from seed in January. And, do take a look at your houseplants they could probably use a colourful new pot and some fresh soil to perk them up. Maybe a table-top Grow-lite would fit under a kitchen cupboard for an herb garden or to bring back to life a drooping African violet!
Weall & Cullen had not replied to my inquiries at the time ofwriting but from personal experience I know Irene Thomas buys many lovely items suitable for birthday gifts any month of the year. Some particularly handsome macrame hangers for pots were noted on an earlier visit. They are located on Sheppard between Leslie and Bayview.
If we continue along Sheppard we come to the Bayview Shopping Centre and find the ultimate in exotic, dried arrangements. Van Bassen s can fill any
How to Spend a Happy Afternoon in and Around Plants
Eleanor Weckman
bowl, pot or vase to make it brighten any corner ofthe house and a real conversation piece. Their selection of copper and brass containers is superb.
Do make a right turn and go north on Bayview to Cummer; turn left to see Wain s Greenhouses before you go home. Right in the midst of an urban residential area are Don Wain s delightful greenhouses. They should have some new and exotic plants for you to add to your collection. There is an excellent selection ofAfrican violets, tropical plants and chrysanthemums from which to choose. Wheén I was in they had a lovely selection ofhybrid hibiscus some with single blossoms and others with giant double blossoms. Their miniature Calamondin orange trees from the Philippines fascinated me. The fragrant waxy white blossoms, and green and orange fruit all appearing at one time make the plants a real attraction.
Ifyou are like me and linger and look around two or three times everywhere so as not to miss anything you will probably have spent a pleasant morning or afternoon and be ready to head home before lunch or the evening rushhour traffic. I hope you don t go alone; take a friend or two with you. Or, maybe there is a handicapped person or a senior citizen in the neighbourhood who would appreciate an outing.
£-BONSAI
For Indoor Growing Browsing Daily and Sunday
No. 6 Highway, off #403, HAMILTON.
Honour Award to Centre s Members for their Volunteer Efforts
Eileen Brooks, Co-ordinator
WOrking on the theory that an association or organization is only as efficient and worthwhile as the people who support it, then members of the Civic Garden Centre can give themselves an honour award for an excellent year. It has been a demanding time, with expansion of the shop, tremendously increased book sales, shows, weekend functions, etc. All of these have placed pressure on the staff and volunteers to participate to their utmost abilities. Name dropping is not advisable, but I do send wonderful accolades to those members who were daily helpers at the peaks ofactivity not to the detriment of those who help us on a regular basis throughout the year in the shop, library and in craft-making.
FOUR STEPS TO A BEAUTIFUL LAWN.
So-Green has developed an easy-to-follow, four step program that will guarantee you a beautiful lawn. Each step will be outlined in this publication during the coming months.
Projecting into this new year, we know it will be equally busy, with an expanded shop and bookshop; but hopefully it will be somewhat less complicated by the unexpected! During the quieter winter months, commencing now, all interested members will be meeting once per week to make old and new hand-crafted items, and to discuss craft ideas to work on at home, all year round if so wished, or as leisure time permits. Some of these items will be sold through the shop (as in recent months), or reserved for an appropriate time (i.e. Easter or Christmas). This is an attempt to avoid the usual last minute rush to produce saleable items at seasonal times when so many other demands are made upon our time. Please leave your name and telephone number at the Centre s office (445-1552) if you are interested.
Ifyou do not hear from me, it may be that your line was busy or unanswered at the time of my call. Please advise when you are available, and do remember, that your help is always needed at some time and place!
STEP1:MARCH/APRIL.
To get your lawn off to a fast healthy start, apply So-Green Premium 21-7-7. This formula contains all the nutrients a lawn needs after the long Canadian winter
If you were troubled with crabgrass last year, apply SoGreen Crabgrass Killer plus 10-5-10 fertilizer now. It will kill your crabgrass and feed your lawn at the same time.
Premium is available in 50, 25 and 12% Ib. bags. Apply at the rate of 5 Ibs. per 1000 sq. ft. Crabgrass Killer is available in 40 and 20 Ib. bags and 5 Ib. boxes. Apply at the rate of 8 Ibs. per 1000 sq. ft.
For a free copy of the complete So-Green Four Step Program write to the address below.
December 1974
So-Green Division, F. Manley Corporation,25Lesmill Road, Don Mills, Ontario.
Wi spring in sight we need not remind you that spring bouquets will be lovelier if your flowers are arranged to show off their charm and beauty. Flower arranging classes have been in progress since the New Year but in case you were busy then, new classes are coming up, so register now.
New teachers are instructing this year and you will find excitement and stimulation in the different interpretations of floral design. Before trying Course 2 we do recommend that the basic course should be taken twice but with two different instructors.
In April, three special workshop days for advanced flower arrangers will be held. More details in a future issue.
Now is the time to telephone the
Typical prize-winning arrangement of one of the Centre's instructors Mrs. H. (Kathy) Cantlon. Photo by A. C. Drysdale.
different approaches for Flower Arranging
Genevieve Robertson
Centre and reserve a spot in either Course 1 or Course 2. Course 1 (the basic one) will be held on six successive Wednesdays beginning March 12, both in the afternoon at 1:30 pm with Doris Spafford instructing, and in the evening at 8:00 pm with Beth Frost instructing. Course 2 will be conducted on six successive Thursdays beginning on March 13, also both in the afternoon with Margaret Dove instructing, and in the evening with Kathy Cantlon instructing. Times are the same as for Course 1. All instructors are graduates ofan intensive judging school and most are famous for their prize-winning floral displays at flower shows throughout Ontario.
Work on your shade trees done by competent, professional men with years of experience. Call us early for an estimate.
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1480 St. Clair Avenue West Toronto, Ont. M6E 1C7 (416) 654-7025
PEFFERLAW PEAT COMPOSTED MANURE/ PEAT MIX
The ideal soil mix correctly balanced to fill the needs of all growing plants indoors or out.
G. T. STRAIN & SON
Cannington, Ont. Phone (Toronto) 364-6068
lacarn As You Grow no, this is not a pearl ofwisdom to a young school child, it is practical advice to novices and even the more experienced indoor light gardeners. The demonstrator of that edict was Ralph Chamberlain, one of the executive committee members of the Toronto Indoor Light Gardening Group, centred at the Civic Garden Centre. At two successive meetings, November 13 and December 11, Ralph Chamberlain; along with Wayne Ray, gardener at Windfields Farms; and group chairman, Gib Milne offered their own methods of doing the same kinds ofplanting and growing. Through their friendly banter the members ofthe group present were able to glean alternative methods; the overall rule seemed to be: Ifit works for you, do it that way.
Mr. Chamberlain had geranium, coleus, and imaptiens cuttings to plant, showing how the leaves and a bit of stem are broken offnear a node, dipped in a hormone powder, planted in vermiculite within a pre-soaked, crocked clay pot, and then placed in a tray with about halfan inch ofwater. Challenged by other members, when some of his less-orthodox methods were illustrated, Ralph showed his results from earlier
hears many Variations on one Theme How to Start Seeds
Betty Naylor
such experiments which more than bore him out.
He does not water from the top: all the moisture required is absorbed from the water in the tray. Fertilizer, applied every two weeks, from the top, consists ofa formula similar to 10-45-15 for the first two feedings, then he mixes that halfand halfwith a standard 20-20-20.
The new cuttings are placed under lights, but on the edges of the trays where the light is weakest the requirement for root growth is not so demanding as for top growth later. When the cuttings have sufficient root systems to warrant re-potting, Mr. Chamberlain uses a light soil mix of two parts good compost, one part peat moss, and one part vermiculite. However, he is experimenting, with the thought of perhaps being converted, using the soilless mix of equal parts of peat moss, perlite and vermiculite.
Another charter member, Les Marsh, one ofthe group s members fortunate to attend the Indoor Light Gardening convention in Boston in October, where the soilless mix is almost decreed as law , added that he includes some bone meal to the mix for slow release nutrition.
As alternative to the tiresome, smelly task ofsterilizing one s own soil, Ralph recommends the fungicide Captan in lieu of a rooting hormone as is suggested by the Royal Botanical Gardens chiefpropagator, Ray Halward. He says his results are satisfactory. To eliminate the wiggly creatures in the soil the bane of many home gardeners he uses Chlordane ant and grub killer.
After answering questions about cuttings, Mr. Chamberlain turned to the section ofthe table containing the seedlings he had started within the previous fortnight as illustrations of his techniques. He concentrates on annuals and ornamentals, though another speaker, Wayne Ray (who begins a series of
18 / December 1974
short articles on plant propagation in the January issue of Trellis) dealt with even a wider range of plants.
Ralph s method with seeds is simple and yields excellent results: he wets a small clay pot to keep the moisture in the vermiculite with which he fills the pot. The vermiculite used is the fine granule type. If the pot is not moistened, it will draw off all the moisture from the seeding medium (the vermiculite). He sprinkles the seeds on top of the medium, barely covering them, and then places a piece ofglass over the pot. He places the pot in a tray ofwater over heat, ifat all possible. Another variation is to put the pot in a plastic bag, sealed, and place it over heat that from the ballast of a fluorescent fixture is ideal. The glass is removed as soon as there is a sign ofgermination, and the tiny seedlings are transplanted just before the second set of leaves develop. He explained his reason for the early transplanting is the considerable ease with which single-root plantlets may be
moved without damage to the roor, whereas if the plantlet is left to develop further, it will have a small root ball and moving it is more likely to involve damage to the delicate roots. He uses a widger, a double-ended transplanting aid available from specialty garden shops. He urged never to pull tender plants from the medium, rather to make use of a widger, and to handle the plantlets by the leaves, never the stems.
At both the November and December meetings, chairman Gib Milne spoke of Electroculture the use of metals in growing plants; particularly the use of steel-rod pyramids over plants to attract the ions which promote natural healthy plant growth. He is having some sample pyramids made up for club members who are being asked to report onthe results they produce. A future Trellisarticle will deal with this tremendously interesting subject.
The group met also on January 8, and the next meeting is February 12 at 8:00 pm at the Civic Garden Centre.
SPRING GARDENING COURSE
Again this year, The Civic Garden Centre 's six-week Gardening Course the Toronto area s most comprehensive, educational and enjoyable is offered to members and non-members alike. There will also be an Advanced course commencing March 17, details later.
The basic course begins on Monday, February 3, and runs for six weeks at 1:30 and 8:00 pm at the Centre in Edwards Gardens, Don Mills (Lawrence and Leslie). This year too, the famous Royal Botanical Gardens, Hamilton is involved through its Outreach Programme funded by the Cultural Affairs Division of the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities.
February 3
Herbaceous Plants for Toronto Area Gardens
by Dr. Leslie Laking, Director, Royal Botanical Gardens
February 10
Plant Propagation for Home Gardeners by Bill White, Clargreen Gardens Ltd., Mississauga, Ontario
February 17
Woody Ornamentals for Toronto Area Gardens by Ray E. Halward, Propagator, Royal Botanical Gadens
February 24
Plant Clinic -Bring Your Problems
by Dr. Peter F. Rice, Plant Pathologist, Royal"Botanical Gardens
March 3 Balcony and Patio Container Gardening by George J. Pagowski, Horticulturist, Royal Botanical Gardens
March 10 Vegetable GardeningforAllotments& Back Yards
Cost: $3 for each talk for non-members of the Centre; $2.50 for members. Members mw( register forall six talks at a fee of only $11. Call and Register NOW, 445-1552!
Mrs. Marilyn Waugh, Director
bt would seem that the only gardening we can do in this weather is indoors! The Centre s bookshop has an interesting selection of books on the many and varied aspects of indoor gardening. For those of you who are interested in gardening in glass containers (terrariums), Fun With Terrarium Gardening by George and Virginie Elbert ($3.50); The Complete Book of Terrarium Gardening, by Jack Kramer ($11.50) and Gardening in Glass Containers by Baur ($8.50) will be ofgreat help. For others, gardening under lights is offering an interest and challenge. Helpful books on this subject are: The Indoor Light Gardening Book, by George Elbert ($12.50), and The Complete Book of Gardening Under Lights, by Elvin McDonald (hard bound, $6.95; and paperback, $1.50), along with, for those interested in greenhouse growing, Gardening Under Glass, by Jerome Eaton ($9.95).
The Citrus Seed Grower s Indoor How-to Book, by Perper ($4.50); The Avocado Pit Grower s Indoor How-to Book, also by Perper ($4.70); and The Indoor Water Gardener s How-to Handbook, by Loewer (Hard bound, $4.70; and paperback, $1.25) are interesting volumes that might well spark a new interest to help pass the late January and February days.
In the area of house plants, we stock: 200 House Plants in Colour, by Kromdijk ($6.95) an extremely useful and popular book; 128 Houseplants You Can Grow, by Rob Herwig ($1.75); or if
you already have this latter book, Mr. Herwig also has a completely new one out entitled /128 MORE Houseplants You Can Grow at the same price; Houseplants Arefor Pleasure, by Helen Van Pelt Wilson, ($9.25); and The Woman' s Day Book ofHouse Plants, by Jean Hersey ($6.95).
If you are growing, or hope to grow herbs indoors, in response to George Elbert s article in the last issue of Trellis you might enjoy: Herbs to Grow Indoors, by Adelma Simmons ($6.75); Cooking with Herbs (the 15 herbs to grow indoors), by Jean Hersey; or Dining with Herbs our own Canadian book by MacKenzie ($1.50).
To help you keep tab on the new books you received at Christmas, as well as your old favourites, when they are loaned to eager neighbours, you might like a package ofattractive bookplates at $2.95. Remember, if you are unable to shop in person, we will mail books anywhere. Just drop a line, or give us a call for information on any gardening or floral arts books. And, there is ten percent off listed prices for members of the Centre.
New Building
(Conclusionfrom page 11)
Messrs. Gib Milne, Bill Young, and Ron Hambly (representing Metro Toronto). Mrs. Lois Wilson and Mr. Ken Comyns represent Meadowvale Botanical Gardens, and the Centre s executive director and associate director complete the team. Currently, the committee, together with architects, engineers and other consultants, are considering the various types and combinations ofglass, shading, heating and cooling for the glassed area. The main reason for the expanse of glass is to attract to the building, more of the thousands of visitors who come to Edwards Gardens especially on weekends.
The production of these two pages in each 1974 issue is made possible through a donation from Meadowvale Botanical Gardens, founded by the late Howard B. DuningtonGrubb, whose love of gardens was exemplified by his life work and wish to see gardening made a common recreational hobby in Canada.
A the Centre s shop prepares to move to its new, larger location in the building s foyer, there are still some afterChristmas bargains. But, they re just for those who come in to search them out!
Over the next few months, many will be concentrating on bird feeding, and we have several items of particuiar interest. The most important is the famous Distlefink Feeder with origin from the Pennsylvania Dutch. It attracts goldfinches, purple finches, cardinals and other less-common birds. It is uniquely designed to conserve seed by restricting birds to picking out one seed at a time rather than wasting most of it on the ground beneath a conventional feeder.
After Christmas, most of you will have many thank you notes to write, and our shop has a wonderful selection of hasty notes and note cards the variety is too large to even begin mentioning. You ll find just the design or motif suited to your notes in this afterChristmas season. And, these make ideal small gifts as well.
Indoor gardening is in full swing now, and the shop has a fairly good range of supplies including fluorescent tubes (of several types), gardening-under-lights fixtures (from less than $40 to $200), planting soil, vermiculite, plant propagators, windowsill trays and many other items.
Ofparticular interest, since the publicity received through our board member, Mr. Gilbert Milne, are the supplies for Electroculture pyramids of steel rods for encouraging plant growth, metal containers and the instructions that are needed. Come in and get involved with this latest twist in growing plants. I understand Trellis will have a feature article all about pyramid culture in an early 1975 issue.
Ten Percent Discount to Members
Mrs. Doris Weir, Shop Director
A complete bird feeder no construction or mess!
You are invited .
..
to visit our greenhouses (80,000 square feet) and see our quality tropical and foliage plants, cactus and succulents plus African violets.
Have your house plant questions answered by experts!
Open six days per week (closed Sundays) from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Just a few minutes off Highway 403 (Main St. West Exit).
BEN VELDHUIS LTD.
DUNDAS, ONTARIO (416) 628-2632
Members of the Civic Garden Centre will be sorry to learn of the resignation of Mrs. L. (Wendy) Hillier, as librarian. Effective the end of October, Wendy said goodbye but promised to come around periodically to see how things were going,.
Coming to us three years ago, Mrs. Hillier was just the right person at the right time with the library growing by leaps and bounds. She took charge, setting up new systems and procedures and procuring many, many volumes for our shelves to make ours the best public horticultural and gardening library in the country. She also guided the development ofa substantial book sales business which has since lead to the establishment of a separate bookshop and sales never even conceived of a few years ago.
Wendy s husband, Larry, was not a stranger around the Centre either, always present at members nights, and
Members of the Centre's Junior and Enthusiasts garden clubs demonstrate their talents during Christmas sale, in November 1974. Photos by A. C. Drysdale.
And, may | now have the tenth Last Word ?
Art C. Drysdale, Editor
visible in the activities ofthe ever-growing Canadian Chrysanthemum and Dahlia Society. Larry s interest in horticulture and gardening was a just complement to Wendy s efforts in our library.
In advising the Centre s executive director, George Sinclair of her intention to relinquish her position, she said she thought the library needed a person with more time available for the job than she was able to offer her children (and husband) in mind. And so, reluctantly we did say goodbye and set about the tough task of finding a replacement. At this writing in early December, the position is not filled. Special thanks go to library assistant Miss Susan Brisby and secretary Mrs. Esther Field for filling in so adequately.
* * *
Under the theme Christmas Magic another successful Christmas sale was operated from November 28 to December 1. Thousands attended many coming to our building for the first time. Convened by Mrs. J. H. (Betty) Billes, the sale of Christmas gift items, books, plants and paintings grossed the Centre within a hair of $10,000. Virtually all of the affiliated groups of the Centre played a role, but special thanks go to the members of the Milne House Garden Club, the Garden Club of Toronto for decorating the stage, the Juniors and Enthusiasts garden clubs for their members demonstrations of the making of Christmas decorations and the staffwho answered literally thousands of inquiries!
The proceeds from the sale, together with the business done in the remainder of December, and the sales at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, will mean a balanced budget for the year 1974. Optimistic as the budget seemed when it was set just 12 months ago, we have achieved better results in most areas, for
a net black result! It is interesting to note that 1974 revenues of over $135,000 will be derived approximately as follows: garden shop sales, 37 percent; bookshop sales, 28% a fantastic, almost 100 percent increase over last year; Trellis advertising receipts and donations, 13%%; membership fees, 9%; building rentals, 7%; net receipts from gardening, floral arts and allied courses, 3%%; and sale of dried flower material and bouquets, 2%.
Expenditures, also in the $135,000 range, will be dominated by the purchase of re-sale garden shop and bookshop merchandise (42%); and salaries (38%). The balance of the expenditures are categorized as production costs for Trellis (14%); and miscellaneous (6%).
Membership in the Centre rose by more than 40 percent during 1974, primarily due to Trellis; however, interest shown in various courses and activities was generally on the rise as well.
Considerable positive response has been received to my suggestion in the November issue of raising the member-
ship fee by one dollar per year to cover the actual costs of mailing Trellis by first class mail. However, before that recommendation is made to our board of directors, I want to try and solve the problem ofadvance notice for events at the Centre by carrying an advanced calendar in the centre spread. Therefore, this December issue, which should be received by most members in the fourth week of January, contains a calendar covering the last two weeks of January and the first three of February. The January issue should follow this one very closely, and members should receive it before the end ofthe month. It will contain a calendar covering February and the first few weeks of March. In this way, there should be adequate notification of coming events.
The new system does present a problem. Earlier deadlines for events! So please; groups, clubs and societies: let us have your dates for events at least three months in advance!
A belated Happy New Year to all readers, and look for a new headline (title) on this column in 1975!
Good
for
Mother Earth for all seeds and cuttings
Everything You Grow
Composted Cattle Manure ideal for transplanting evergreens
African Violet Soil best for tender-rooted plants Farms and production: R.R. # 4, Woodstock, Ontario (519) 537-7942 And, many other fine products
Potting and Planter Soil for potting all young plants
HILLVIEW FARMS LTD. Toronto Office: G. R. (Dick) Sale, Sales Manager (416) 231-0589
YEAR ROUND GARDENING aluminium greenhouses
Complete package models including frame and glass.
ENJOY FRESH VEGETABLES AND FLOWERS DURING THE WINTER MONTHS.
When gray days get you down there is no better tonic than fresh cut flowers from your own greenhouse. Realize the fabulous bounty of enjoying fresh vegetables during winter months when prices are high and selection is poor.
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e Cannot rot, warp or rust
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o Handily portable ROOF VENTILATORS rain and extremes of temperature. IncorRoof ventilators come as a standard fea- porates sliding fastening bolt. ture on all Eden greenhouses, lean-to's GUTTERING and extensions. You get aluminum guttering as a standard SLIDING DOOR feature on the 8ft wide greenhouses. Our sliding door moves smoothly and LQUVRE VENTILATORS silently, at a touch. Set on nylon wheels |ouvre ventilators are a very good idea, and sealed within a weatherproof track, since they give improved ventilation to it is completely protected from wind, your plant growing area.
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