Trellis magazine: Winter 2022 by Toronto Botanical Garden

Winter 2022 • Vol 51

Festive TABLES | Holiday GIFTS | Winter Birds

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Winter 2022

inside

Cover Photo: Bring the Outside In by Susan Hyatt. This Page: June Anderson

W i n t e r 2 02 2 • Vo l 5 1

‘Winter Blues’ from Millwood Bridge

[4] From the TBG

Hearts and Flowers Campaign needs your support [5] LETTERS TO THE EDITOR [6] MEET ROGER GETTIG New Director of Horticulture brings new ideas [8] WINTER PHOTO CONTEST Plus picture taking tips [10] ADULT EDUCATION Courses range from Floral Design to Climate Action [12] LIBRARY CHRONICLES Innovation in the time of COVID

[14] HOLIDAY SHOPPING Botanical-inspired gifts [16] JOURNALING The Gift of Reflection [18] BEST DRESSED TABLES 15 tips for creating a botanical tablescape [22] HEY, LET’S GO ARMCHAIR TRAVELLING Virtual tours take viewers around the world [26] SLOW ENTERTAINMENT Jigsaw puzzles make a comeback

[30] GARDEN OF ARTISTS Community of creative characters frequents the TBG [34] BIRDS OF WINTER Use nature as a guide to attract our feathered friends [36] PLANT A NATIVE TREE Help restore urban landscape to support native wildlife [39] HISTORICAL BOOK COLLECTION [40] SPRING IN WINTER How to trick bulbs into blooming inside

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[42] SEEDS To plant

indoors for an early start [44] BOOK SHELF Four garden reads to give as gifts or enjoy yourself [47] RECIPE CORNER Lavender Shortbread has a touch of floral sweetness [48] HOUSEPLANT PROFILE Sharing easy houseplants comes naturally [50] PEOPLE, PLACES & PLANTS Goings on at the TBG [52] CRAFT CORNER Holiday decorating, Au Natural

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Hearts and Flowers Campaign needs your support says Harry Jongerden, Interim ED The golden age of botanical gardens is just around the corner, or so it’s been said many times. I’ve said it myself and believe it fervently, but no one ever said that getting there would be easy. You would think the golden age had already arrived, judging by our parking lot this year. Toronto Botanical Garden became the inspiration and refuge for a deluge of visitors during these hazardous times. With greatly diminished revenues and financial resources we focused on garden excellence. TBG’s new Board of Directors is determined to advance our commitment to our botanical garden mission. And with the arrival of Roger Gettig to lead our horticultural team, the gardens will develop to their full aesthetic and conservation potential. As always, we can’t do this without you. But we had help from an unusual source this year–namely three highly unusual government grants. Cultural organizations would have withered on the vine during the pandemic

without these grants–in our case, perhaps quite literally. For a so-called golden age of botanical gardens, we have been operating under severe financial restraint. But thanks to the grants and your support, we are still here. Hearts and Flowers is our annual end-of-year appeal for the donations that fund this unique bit of paradise. It’s always a nail-biter as we wait to see if our little nonprofit will balance its budget. Please consider supporting the Hearts and Flowers campaign before Dec. 31 with an online donation, or old-style with a cheque. We are counting on you as never before. This is my last report to you as one-time Executive Director, Garden Director responsible for our expansion, and now (back from the briefest of retirements) as Interim ED. I couldn’t be more excited by the prospect of passing a baton of excellence to our incoming Executive Director. Thank you.

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Harry Jongerden Interim Executive Director

Winter 2022

Photos: Harry, Paul Chmielowiec; Paperwhites, Pexels; Fall Cover, Chris Cheung; Pumpkin, Kevin Wong

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TBG News

Dear Editor

You Make TBG Look Great

I just saw the new fall Trellis issue. It is really well done. Congratulations. You make TBG look great. Tony DiGiovanni TBG Board Member Executive Director, Landscape Ontario

A Very Special Issue

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Hearts and Flowers Campaign Needs Your Support

It’s not too late to donate to the Hearts and Flowers Campaign. The TBG’s largest fundraising campaign of the year started November 1 and continues until the end of December with a goal of $175,000.00. Donations support the mission of TBG and are essential for the continuation of programs and the ongoing maintenance of the gardens.

Upon receiving my copy of Trellis, fall 2021, I initially scanned through the magazine and was delighted to see the wonderful pumpkin photos which formed a theme throughout. The cover photo was also captivating. Informative articles on a variety of topics made this issue a real keeper. Kristine Thompson TBG Volunteer Lead Tour Guide, Toronto Music Garden

Meet Roger Gettig

hen I arrived at the TBG early on the afternoon of our interview, Roger was in the courtyard at the entrance surrounded by a group of visitors. All eyes and ears were on him. The group was riveted by what he was saying. He was animated and fully engaged with his audience as they were with him. A couple of hours later as I wandered the grounds I saw Roger escorting

another visitor along the path of the entrance garden, again deep in discussion, pointing and explaining. At the appointed time, Roger and I sat down to chat. I asked him how the first couple of weeks in his new job were going. With a big smile, he chuckled and said, “I haven’t talked so much in a long time.” I nodded knowingly. Roger brings a solid background to the TBG. He comes to us from

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the Holden Forests and Gardens, (it includes the Holden Arboretum and the Cleveland Botanical Gardens https://holdenfg.org) in Kirtland, Ohio where he was the Director of Horticulture and Conservation. With 25 years of experience in various positions, he played a key role in planning the gardens and in conducting public outreach in horticulture. Roger has a Bachelor of Science (Horticulture) from The

Winter 2022

Photo: Jenny Rhodenizer

Our New Director of Horticulture plans to introduce new plants, new ideas and try new things By Veronica Sliva

With a strong background in ecological restoration, Roger aims to make the most sustainable choice in each situation.

Immediate Plans for the Garden

Ohio State University and a Master of Science in Landscape Architecture (Ecological Restoration) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I asked Roger what inspired him to come to the TBG. “I was looking for a new challenge–a place to grow as an educator and teacher and to further develop the plant collection,” he said. “This is a tremendous opportunity–it is exciting to be here.”

Roger referred to the need to stay true to the TBG’s mission “to connect people to plants, inspiring us to live in harmony with nature”, and the goal of being renowned for its display of nature’s beauty and as a dynamic hub for plant-centred learning, conservation and research. “Over the last decade, Holden created dynamic new capital projects and combined two organizations, finding ways to attract more people and reach new audiences with its mission. TBG’s expansion into Edwards Gardens will be an opportunity to engage a wider variety of guests in mission relevant ways,” he said. A botanical garden, says Roger, is a living museum. “’Living’ meaning we must have healthy and beautiful plant collections. ‘Museum’ means we document and verify all the information about the plants, map their locations and curate them over time. As conditions change and plants mature, we need to consider removing, replacing or rejuvenating plants or even entire gardens. I want TBG’s horticulture to be considered best in class.” One of the ways Roger plans to manage the plant collections is through the use of the new plant database collections management system recently acquired by the TBG. IrisBG is a modern and efficient professional software and database solution for botanical collections. It is used by botanical gardens, arboreta and large estates around the world. Once the database is up and running at the TBG, it can be used to track the data associated with plant collections, share information with the public and create tours, among other things. One of the first tasks Roger wants to tackle is to evaluate current trees and gardens, edit out areas that are over-

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grown and remove poor performers. He plans “to introduce new plants, new varieties with new ideas for displays and learning.”

Programming and Resources for the Public

Roger is looking forward to working with the Education Department to implement new and innovative ideas, and to offer more programs and information to the public in different ways both digitally (online) and in-person. He wants to entice visitors to the garden to come and learn something valuable to take home that they can implement in their own gardens. Roger is hoping to use changes in the garden as educational opportunities for the public. For example, a hedge that is ornamental but invasive needs to change. He sees the process of renovating or changing the hedge as an opportunity to educate the public, perhaps through videos or other means of education. With a strong background in ecological restoration, Roger aims to make the most sustainable choice in each situation. He says, “The climate is changing and native plant ranges are shifting. We can ‘push’ the limits.” Roger is quick to point out that he is enjoying working with the TBG’s seasonal gardeners, Dean, Beni and Megan. “They are smart and hardworking and I am looking forward to maximizing their potential.” Of the volunteer gardeners, he says some are already extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic. “The goal is for volunteers to increase their knowledge by learning from the professional gardeners–to maximize the potential of the people volunteering.” It became obvious as we chatted that our new Director of Horticulture is already immersed in the garden.

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Winter

Photography Six tips for taking pictures in cold weather By Alan Li

winter Garden Photo Contest

Begins January 1 and ends February 28, 2022

We are looking for striking digital images of winter, captured January or February 2022 at the Toronto Botanical Garden. One winner will receive a one-year Toronto Botanical Garden (Family) membership.

What and How to Enter Photos should be taken: At the Toronto Botanical Garden, Edwards Gardens or Wilket Creek sometime during January or February 2022 torontobotanicalgarden.ca

Submit an email to photocontest@torontobotanicalgarden.ca with your current photograph(s) including: • Where in the Garden the image was taken • Date the image was taken • Your first and last name • Your age • Description of the submission For more information and for full rules and regulation visit torontobotanicalgarden.ca/photocontest

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Photo: Glenn Davidson

Winter presents many opportunities for the photo enthusiast, but it’s important to prepare before heading out into the cold. Here are six tips to help ensure your winter photo outing goes smoothly. 1. Thick winter gloves or mittens will not allow you to operate your device without exposing your fingers to the cold. Look for gloves that are specially made with touchscreen operation in mind. 2. Cold temperatures cause the ions in your phone’s battery to drastically slow down and eventually come to a halt. With no electric current, your device will shut down. To prolong battery life, keep your phone inside a pocket when not shooting and conserve power by keeping the screen turned off as much as possible. 3. Large areas of white snow will fool your camera by telling it that the scene is brighter than it really is. The camera will then underexpose the photo causing the snow to appear dull and gray. You can override the camera by manually brightening up the scene, but be careful not to overexpose too much. 4. Winter light will give your photos a cool, blue colour cast that you may want to correct. Some apps allow you to adjust the camera’s white balance prior to shooting so that the photos will appear warmer and less blue in colour. Photo editing apps, like Google’s Snapseed, gives you the option to alter the white balance after the shot has been taken. 5. A landscape blanketed with snow will challenge your camera’s autofocus system. Look for subjects with contrast that your camera can lock onto, such as a dark tree against a snowy background. 6. At the end of your shoot, place your phone into a Ziploc freezer bag before heading inside where it’s warm. This will prevent any condensation from forming on your phone, or more importantly, inside the device where the electronics are housed. Allow your phone to gradually warm up to room temperature (wait at least an hour) before removing it from the bag.

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Winter 2022

TBG Learn News

Adult Education TBG courses range from Floral Design to Climate Action Floral Design Program

fter a lengthy hiatus, we are thrilled to announce the return of the Floral Design Program online for the Winter session. This series of hands-on courses is taught by accredited floral design judges from the Garden Clubs of Ontario and is suitable for both personal and professional interest. Course fees do not include flowers or supplies, unless otherwise stated. Students must purchase these on their own at a cost of $50 to $60 per class. A materials list will be emailed prior to the start date of each class.

Designing with Natural Materials, Margaret Taylor Mondays, January 10 through February 7, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Public - $200, TBG Member or Volunteer - $160 (plus fees + HST)

Each week a different natural material—wood, branches, foliage and fruit and vegetables—will take centre stage. These elements have always been included in arrangements but here we will make them the stars of the show! We will study their forms and shapes, textures, sizes, colouring and characteristics to discover the new and exciting ways they can be used. Join us on this journey of discovery. Classic Design Fundamentals 1, Lil Taggart Thursdays, January 13 through February 10, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Public - $200, TBG Member or Volunteer - $160 (plus fees + HST)

Classic floral design will open the door to a new world of creativity

and expression. You will learn the basics—the principles and elements of design, colour theory, selecting and conditioning plant material as well as the mechanics of putting it all together. You will also learn four classic arrangements—a water viewing design, a table centrepiece, a crescent-shaped design and a mass design—which you will be able to recreate with confidence for your home, your friends, for events or as hostess gifts.

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In-Person Programs Beeswax Candle Making 101, Oliver Couto Wednesday February 9, 7 to 9 p.m. Public - $60, TBG Member or Volunteer - $48 (plus fees + HST)

Did you know that the flame of a beeswax candle is as close to pure sunlight as you can get? Learn how to make three different kinds of beautiful beeswax candles: rolled sheets, dipped tapers and poured

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mould candles. All participants will take home candles made in class. All materials included. Winter Fitness, Tena van Andel Tuesdays, February 1 through March 8, 10 to 11 a.m. Public - $90, TBG Member or Volunteer - $72 (plus fees + HST)

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Warm up this winter while making a stronger, healthier you. You will practice standing movements designed to increase balance, agility, alignment, and strength. These exercises are gentle and thoughtful, focusing on whole body movement to prevent pain, falls and all-around creakiness. You will feel great after an hour of a little moving, a little stretching, a little weight work and a whole lot of fun!

Volunteer - $12 (plus fees + HST)

How can we bring food justice and climate action to our indoor and outdoor growing projects? Join Rav from Shade of Miti, a food and climate justice organization, to learn about the role food justice and climate action can play in urban gardening. Rav will share some eco-gardening tips for your personal gardening projects, as well as ideas on community initiatives that centre around mutual aid, justice and sustainability.

Online Programs Rooting Justice and Climate Action in your Garden, Rav Singh Thursday, December 9, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Public - $15, TBG Member or torontobotanicalgarden.ca

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Stay tuned for more exciting in-person and online programming in the new year! Learn about Irish gardens, nurture your creativity with watercolour painting and sketching, and plan and prepare your 2022 garden through presentations on shade gardening, soil matters and planter design.

Library Chronicles Innovation in the time of COVID By Julie Kent

he pandemic has certainly presented librarians with challenges. But, it has also given us the opportunity to find innovative ways to connect with our communities when we could not do so in person, making more resources and services available electronically. And, the Toronto Botanical Garden’s Weston Family Library is no exception. There have clearly been losses: physical book loans were fewer during closures, engagement with patrons diminished and many services were cancelled. We missed providing you, our patrons, with comfortable, safe physical spaces. We missed personally interacting with you to help meet your information needs and provide the resources necessary to learn about your gardens, cultivation, garden design, floral arranging and more. For all libraries—public, academic and special—rebuilding community engagement will take time, passion and energy. Librarians continue to rethink and research how we can contribute to our respective communities during times of disruption and upheaval. Libraries are adapting in several ways despite the growing challenges posed by COVID-19 restrictions. To thrive in these taxing times, libraries must establish well-structured approaches to ensuring continuity, consistency and innovation of services. We must prioritize acquiring electronic resources and increase efforts to digitize resources that are only available in printed copies. Library services are shifting to the online environment offering workshops and tutorials. We provide self-help options for you to find and place items on hold and to provide access to digital content. Even during regular times, the lives of librarians and our volunteers,

patrons and staff are teeming with challenges both personal and on the job. Small challenges can compound until they seem overwhelming. This year has been unique. We’ve all had to do extraordinary things in exceedingly difficult circumstances. Despite the challenges, at Weston Family Library we have also created some bright spots and positive changes.

90%

of our members were aware that their TBG membership includes borrowing privileges. (Weston Family Library Survey)

Informed Decisions

Focusing on the needs of our members and community, we strive to include these as we make informed, evidence-based decisions about which library services and resources have the potential to empower and support them. At Weston Family Library, we recently surveyed our members to learn how you use the library and how to better serve you. We learned that 90 per cent of respondents were aware that their TBG membership includes borrowing privileges. Nearly 65 per cent believe the library to be a valuable member resource. We also learned that 55 per cent like learning how to use library resources with short instructional videos.

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Winter 2022

Nearly 65% believe the library to be a valuable member resource.

when creating a new library account. We are exploring software for the public-facing computers to read website text aloud for users with audio or visual challenges. Resilience

Photos: Julie Kent

(Weston Family Library Survey)

We continue to develop and use systems to make access easy. Our webpage and library catalogue have been redesigned. The dynamic webpage reflects new and enriched services and resources in a content-rich environment. The catalogue redesign highlights specific resources, offers book lists and provides access points to digital magazines and databases. We have created safe, welcoming environments where people can read, explore the collection, research and contemplate as COVID-19 restrictions allow. Rearranged shelving and seating promote safe physical distance practices. The collection is reorganized to make browsing the shelves easier and more enjoyable. We keep up to date with literature and information published for users of all ages and abilities and do our best to make these available. Volunteers and staff continually update service practices, take part in library training, adapt to the current pandemic protocols and explore new ways to design and deliver services. We stay informed on innovative technologies, tools and platforms and explore how to use them ourselves and support others. The library’s online catalogue automatically sends an email notice when you check out and check in materials, when items are coming due and torontobotanicalgarden.ca

As librarians we recognize that challenges, uncertainty and change are inevitable. While adjusting to the COVID-19 pandemic, we gain meaningful practices and understanding of the importance of well-being and kindness—looking after ourselves to look after others. We continue to develop strategies to help bounce back when stressed or stretched in new ways. In our work, we design flexible and adaptable services that reduce challenges and barriers and give people options to access library services and resources that work best for them. Future-focused

What are the future challenges for libraries and librarians? How will we mark successes? When we hear about innovative ideas, resources and tools, we think about their potential impact on the library’s services, the budget and the opportunities to improve our users’ access to resources. The pandemic has presented a crisis-driven chance for libraries to advance online capabilities more quickly and more deeply into library service offerings.

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Julie Kent Library Services Manager

Holiday Shopping Botanical-inspired Gifts for Everyone on Your List

here is no end to the number of nature-inspired gifts for plant lovers, gardeners and anyone who enjoys bringing the beauty of outdoors inside. From holiday plants, to eco-friendly candles to botanical card games for the whole family the possibilities are infinitesimal! Here are a few gift ideas. Many of these items are available at the TBG Shop both online and in-store.

1 Natural Bamboo Straws Set of eight organically grown bamboo straws comes with a cleaning brush. This green alternative to plastic is chemical free. Hand wash only by repeated soaking in sterile water. $13.99 2 Luminary Lanterns Modgy Luminary Lanterns set the mood in any space with the addition of water and water-activated, floating LED candles. These durable, plastic luminaries feature modern, graphic designs like butterflies, bright red poppies, cherry blossoms, Irises and more and are suitable for indoor and outdoor use. They will not break or chip and eliminate concerns about fire hazards due to the use of flameless, floating candles. Dimensions: 6” X 6.5” Materials: BPA Free Plastic Arrive flat and expand with water. Each set contains four luminaries, four LED candles and four Lithium batteries. $24.99 3 Eco-Friendly Candles Set the table with Root Beeswax Blend candles. Dipped, unscented pairs in various colours sell for $11.99. Root Scented Beeswax Blend votives with up to 20 hours of burn time come in scents like Hosta, Blackberry Mango and Sparkling Champagne and start at $3.99. torontobotanicalgarden.ca

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4 Doodle by Number A Guide to Calming the Chaos One of a series, these

fun doodling books created by Nova Scotia designer Melissa Lloyd, are said to help lower stress, boost attention, productivity, concentration and creativity through guided mindful doodling techniques. As with paint by number, doodlers are invited to fill in images with suggested shapes and images. Perfect for flower-loving doodlers of all ages. $17.99 5 Happy Houseplants Flowering houseplants such as Amaryllis, Christmas Cactus or Cyclamen make welcome winter gifts for hostesses or anyone on your list. Cacti and succulents are also good choices as they are both long-lasting and low-maintenance. 6 Swedish Dishcloths Bright and bold dishcloths featuring blue jays, cardinals, hummingbirds and more are a great way to add colour to the kitchen. A 100 per cent biodegradable cotton/cellulose mix, these Swedish-made dishcloths are as durable as they are sustainable. Great for use at home, the office or the cottage. Other styles also available. 2 for $12.99

7 Tree Families - a Botanical Card Game Team up the component parts of a tree—from the leaf, flower and fruit plus the tree itself to form a tree family! Perfect for a family gift. Discover eleven of the most beautiful flowering, fruiting trees with Ryuto Miyake’s detailed illustrations and text about each tree written by the Head of the Arboretum at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. See which of your friends or family knows the most about nature! Take the time to learn the different components and see if you can identify the trees next time you’re outside! $22.50

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Journaling

The Gift of

Reflection Perfect for observant gardeners By Veronica Sliva

f By the time the holiday season arrives the garden is often buried under snow, the migrating birds have flown south and other creatures are tucked away out of sight in hibernation. Nature has put everything to bed. This is the perfect time of the year to reflect on the natural world and your garden’s story. It’s a time to dream and plan. Gardeners are record keepers by nature and many keep notes of successes to celebrate and less than perfect attempts to look back on. Any notebook will do, of course, but one of life’s little luxuries is a “guided journal”, a gift that any gardener or nature lover will enjoy and look forward to using in the coming year.

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Winter 2022

1. Gather - A Foraging Journal with art by Maggie Enterrios was developed to help active foragers plan their excursions by season and date. It is the perfect trailside companion with space for making notes on plant discoveries. This is the ideal journal for those who like to get out into the forests and fields and forage nature’s bounty. 2. Nature Observer - A Guided Journal by Maggie A. Sichter is for anyone who wants to record their experiences in the natural world. It is divided by months and filled with gorgeous line drawings that guide you with creative prompts for activities and observations in all seasons. 3. Nature Journal – A Guided Journal for Illustrating and Recording Your Observations of the Natural World with Clare Walker Leslie, opens with a section on tips for starting a journal as well as for drawing and painting and using colour to record your observations. With lots of blank pages and a smattering of sayings and verses throughout, this journal will appeal to those who like lots of room to write about and record their own images. 4. A Year in the Garden – A Guided Journal by Nina Montenegro and Sonya Montenegro is especially for the gardener in your life (or perhaps yourself). It is beautifully illustrated with

prompts and suggestions to help plan weekly tasks and to record and track successes and failures. 5. The Naturalist’s Notebook by Nathaniel T. Wheelwright with illustrations by Bernd Heinrich is for those who want to track changes in the natural world in which they live. From the first songbird to the first frost of winter, this five-year journal is sure to deepen any outdoor lover’s connection with nature. 6. Tanjore Gardens Journal features Liberty’s iconic Tanjore Gardens pattern. Handmade in India on recycled paper, this luxurious journal contains lined pages ready for your entries. You can also purchase a set of pencils dressed in garden-inspired prints that complement the journal’s cover. 7. Toronto & Golden Horseshoe Gardener’s Journal by Helen Battersby and Sarah Battersby is in its 30th year. Designed for those in Southern Ontario (though it has brought rave reviews from gardeners across the country), this much-loved garden diary gives you down-to-earth, weekly tips on what to do when, indoors and out. It should be in every gardener’s toolkit. You can order yours at orders@toronto gardens.com or visit the TBG Garden Shop. Check out Helen and Sarah’s award-winning blog Toronto Gardens at https://www.torontogardens.com/.

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Best Dressed Tables • 15 Tips for Creating a Festive Botanical Tablescape By Lorraine Hunter

“I believe it’s important that you enjoy setting your table and have fun rather than seeing it as a chore,” says decorating stylist Susan Hyatt. “The challenge is to create an atmosphere that also lets your guests relax and enjoy themselves.” Susan gets inspiration for her designs from all over. Every page of her gorgeous book has a different tabletop depicting a variety of themes and every setting has a whimsical name—Romance in the Air, Flirty Flamingos, Apple of My Eye. She delights in bright colours, often mixing them with interesting accessories to complement or contrast. Floral themes flow through her designs. “I

am passionate about flowers from tiny buds to when they are fully opened, and in their glory,” she says. “Don’t feel you have to spend a fortune to set a lovely table.” Start by looking around your house and your garden for unique pieces and then build out from there. Susan recommends starting with heirloom items such as patterned dinnerware or silver serving platters or even trinkets from past trips for your table décor. Or, bring the outside in, even during the winter. “I love using dried pods, twigs, vines and berries to help create a natural vibe.” Having grown up in the Bahamas, she often incorporates shells, coral pieces, sea fans,

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starfish and sand dollars into her table settings. Susan designed two special holiday tables exclusively for Trellis readers. Bring the Outside In features a centrepiece of three weathered terra cotta pots filled with assorted greens including fir branches and cedar boughs, acorns and pinecones sprinkled with red berries, and two red pillar candles on a plaid tablecloth. Wooden chargers under handmade white plates trimmed in red, from Portugal, complete the outdoor theme. Red beaded napkin rings hold green napkins and smaller terra cotta pots serve as placename holders.

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Photos: Susan Hyatt

Setting a table for a special occasion— a big family dinner, a casual lunch with friends, a starry New Year’s Eve party— should be fun, says the author of coffee table book Best Dressed Tables.

Bejewelled tabletop designed for Trellis features rich plum tablecloth and napkins and a centrepiece of hydrangeas, sugar-glazed faux fruit, eucalyptus, fresh greens and miniature cabbages.

The second tabletop, Bejewelled, starts with a rich, plum-coloured tablecloth with matching napkins, and two velvet ribbons down the middle to protect the cloth from the centrepiece of fresh green and purple silk hydrangeas, wide ribbons and sugar-glazed faux fruit including pomegranates, pears and apples accented by eucalyptus, fresh greenery and five miniature purple cabbages from the grocery store. Christmas bulbs with placenames complete the lavish look. Other holiday setting ideas from the book include Santa Claus is Coming to Town with an old sleigh and tiny, gift-bearing Santa, lit with

miniature lights and accented by live pinecones and other decorations. On Table for Two, a goldrimmed crystal bowl filled with gold ornaments goes perfectly with gold chargers and napkins tying everything together. All That Glitters displays a collection of ornamental Christmas trees of all shapes and sizes set on gold and silver raw silk fabric down the centre of the table. Or, for a more sedate Christmas, you might prefer a simple top, she suggests. “A crisp white IRONED tablecloth, wooden chargers and white pots with poinsettias or other plants—plus a few more on hand for your guests to take home.”

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The book includes more than 90 tablescapes as well as recipes from some of her favourite travel destinations including McCarthy Salad from the Beverly Hills Hotel, Conch Fritters and Fried Plantain from Nassau. Susan spent more than two decades custom designing dream weddings in Hawaii, Mexico, the Bahamas and Vancouver, where she now lives. Her love for design and entertaining sparked the creation of her website https://www. tabletopsbysusan.com and the book Best Dressed Tables. It all started with creating beautiful table tops at home for family and friends.

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Susan’s Favourite Tips For making memorable tablescapes 1 | Decide ahead of time what type of mood you want to create. Will it be casual, elegant or grand? Will it be inside or outside? 2 | Will you be using a tablecloth, placemats or both? A runner down the centre? What about plate chargers? 3 | Susan develops a vision before she sets a table: the centrepiece, lighting, linens, plates, cutlery, glassware, colours. 4 | The centrepiece is the ‘life’ of the table! Have fun with it. “I usually think of my centrepieces a few days ahead, and if I need to purchase something extra, I can do so then,” says Susan. 5 | You can use fresh flowers from the garden or from a florist. “I love mixing fresh blooms with silk. Fresh and artificial fruits and vegetables such as a bowl of tomatoes or mandarin oranges are wonderful in centrepieces.” 6 | Hydrangeas from the garden or the florist—fresh or

dried—can make an intriguing botanical accessory. Dried hydrangea in crystal bowls with some dried roses can make a stunning centrepiece in any season. 7 | There is nothing like a burning candle, but be careful. “I use only battery candles on my formal dining room table, but occasionally I use real ones outdoors.” There are battery lights you can set in water to light up a floral arrangement, or the bases that light up a crystal bowl. Susan uses a lot of the battery-operated string lights, as in her Happy New Year centrepiece. 8 | “I love lanterns on and off the table and mix different shapes, sizes, heights and colours. Sometimes I do a combination of lanterns, candles (usually battery) and votives.” 9 | You will get more use out of plain cloth napkins that you can reuse with different settings; patterned ones don’t give you as much flexibility. Linen napkins take

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Winter 2022

Photos: Susan Hyatt

Bring the Outside In, designed for Trellis, features a centrepiece of weathered terra cotta pots, red candles, fir branches, cedar boughs and pinecones sprinkled with red berries.

more care and ironing, whereas if you get a fabric blend, you can throw washed napkins in the dryer and straight out onto the table. 10 | You can do all types of folds for napkins, or even tie them in the middle. Napkins can be folded and placed on a plate or folded long and placed under a plate. 11 | As with the napkins, Susan prefers plain colours for plates, as you can use them over and over with different settings. If she uses dishes with a pattern, she will use plain napkins. You can use a plate with a pattern and put a solid-coloured smaller plate on top, or vice versa. An accent plate, shaped like a leaf or a single flower, can add texture while echoing colours in your centrepiece. 12 | Don’t keep your fine chinaware in the cabinet. Use it and enjoy. Going with classic white is a good buy, as

it is so versatile and can serve as a blank canvas on top of which you can add contrasting colour or patterns. 13 | Chargers are versatile. Use them instead of placemats when entertaining eight or more, as they allow more space around the table. Glass chargers will show off a lovely tablecloth underneath. Or, you can place a single pressed bloom or leaf under each charger. Chargers come in all colours and finishes including wood, rattan and glass. 14 | If you have fine crystal, use it. You can mix and match whatever you have available. 15 | Susan has been collecting napkin rings for years. If you don’t have enough of the same napkin rings for a large table, consider using ribbon, twine or coloured rope.

torontobotanicalgarden.ca

Winter 2022

Lake Como, Italy

Hey, Let’s Go Arm

As a travel writer and intrepid traveler, I’m compelled to share my latest discovery—Heygo—an interactive virtual platform where people can access tours in real time with experienced international tour guides at www.Heygo.com. Travel the world from the comfort of your home. All you need is a computer, tablet or cell phone and Wi-Fi. torontobotanicalgarden.ca Best of all—it’s FREE! 22 Winter 2022

Photo: June Anderson

Virtual tours take viewers around the world without leaving home By Gail M. Murray

chair Travelling

torontobotanicalgarden.ca

Winter 2022

Keukenhof Castle, the Netherlands

Toronto Botanical Garden

about the colourful blooms, statues and buildings but I could capture these gorgeous flowers using the post card feature. As they are in real time, even when the guides repeat the tour, they are never the same twice and we gardeners know gardens are in a constant state of change. Using the chat feature you can engage with the guide, comment and ask questions. You really do feel part of it when they call you by name and answer your question. It’s not ZOOMING, no one can see you, and so you can wear your PJ’s. I’ve messaged back and forth with some of the guides. You can join Heygo Voyagers Facebook pages and post comments and post card photos. You can also leave a review at the close of the tour. John and Liam, two brilliant young gentlemen who met at college in Cambridge, studying law and computer engineering respectively, co-founded Heygo at the start of the pandemic as a way to keep exploring new places and stay connected. As they were interviewed by their followers in a park in London, England, their idealism shone through. Guides, unemployed all over the world due to lockdowns, signed on to share places they knew best from their personal and professional perspective. They continue today even as international travel gradually resumes.

How did I find this? The invitation appeared in my

in box. As a volunteer tour guide at Toronto Botanical Garden, I’d received the regular enewsletter announcing a virtual tour the week the site was promoting gardens. Our own Abdulla Hamidi, TBG Board member, Master Gardener, orchid grower and TBG Tour Guide gave a wonderful Heygo Tour called Ornamental Grasses Inspired by Piet Oudolf ’s New Wave Planting, focusing on the graceful flowing ornamental grasses in our gardens. Curious, I checked out the Heygo site and Amsterdam guide Stephan van der Meer’s tour jumped out at me— Keukenhof! The famous gardens in the Netherlands are flooded by tourists in April to take in the reams of tulips. Stephan’s brilliant tour covered a section of the gardens dedicated to a fall standout—Dahlias. Keukenhof Castle—Dance among the Dahlias not only taught me

How can you access these amazing tours?

Go to the Heygo site, www.Heygo.com and sign up for your free account. At the top of the home page you can search under Location, Categories or Calendar. Click on Categories to select by topic such as Art and Architecture, Shopping and Markets, Museums and Exhibitions. Under Calendar, tours are listed in a line by date, time, title, name of guide, for example: Friday 22 Oct/11 AM/ Venice—Grand Canal from a Vaporetto/Andrea. Just click to book and you get a notification in your inbox. You can also ‘follow’ your favourite guides and visit their pages to learn more of their background and upcoming tours. If you try the tour for ten minutes and you’re yawning, just click ‘leave’. Usually tours run 45 minutes to an hour. If you’re entranced be kind and leave a tip. Tours are free but tip-supported which is greatly appreciated by the guides who’ve designed the tours, checked out locations so they run to time, travelled by car or train/ transit to reach the location, sometimes paid an entry fee (to see the sunset from the Eiffel Tower it was 17 euros to ride up in the elevator), battled the elements like light rain and night chill to give you a unique experience. The guide receives 60 per cent and the administration 40 per cent. Otherwise, the guide is not compensated by the company. You can tip in the currency of your country and it’s converted to the currency of the guide’s country. Genius. Anywhere from 25 to 150 people join these tours. It’s so easy using your credit card or PayPal.

torontobotanicalgarden.ca

Winter 2022

Milan Cathedral

to Giverny in the fall to Monet’s Garden I marveled at the quiet and lack of tourist hordes on the Japanese bridge and his bright blue kitchen so welcoming. I’d been there on a busy July day! I’d always dreamed of seeing Iguazu Falls tumbling over the border between Brazil and Argentina. We rode the glass elevator down to the base of the falls with Lilian Slerich as she warned we might lose the signal so stay tuned. That can happen. Usually, they have five bars but drop to three bars and the screen can freeze. Don’t panic. Refresh or leave and come back. We could hear the water thundering, take in the view from the bridge along the bottom as Lilian pointed out plants and butterflies while informing us of the mythology and geography of this splendid natural wonder.

With winter coming , I would imagine European guides

When sweet Lee from Amsterdam took us to the Poezenboot, a shelter for cats on a houseboat in the canal, she donated all her tips, so many of the over 100 animal lovers tipped generously and the shelter got 207 euros that day which I think was exceptional. You can select the amount or type in your choice with the minimum being $2.00, about the price of a cup of coffee. Bargain. I do admit I am addicted. In a month I’ve spent $60.00. It can add up but oh so worth it!

There is endless variety —from walking the cobblestone streets of Montmartre with Florent, to wandering ancient buildings and aqueducts of Segovia with Jose Ruiz, cruising down canals of Amsterdam by night while listening to Starry Starry Night with Lee and Mark, to cooking ricotta and spinach pie with Sara Verde to seeing the tea rooms of Harrowgate with John Wright of Yorkshire to climbing the trails of Banff with our own Patrick Twomey. After several tours with a guide, you sense you are becoming acquainted. I’m rather fond of charming Florent who lived in Montmartre as a student and has mentioned his children Dora and Gabriel, in addition to giving us lots of accurate historical information. I enjoy seeing what state the world is in—masks or no masks, quiet or busy and hearing the guides speak English with their various accents adding flavour. I like visiting places I’ve travelled to before to reminisce and revel in the beauty. Bellagio, Italy is a case in point. I’d stayed a week in this delightful town on Lake Como in May of 2015, so was thrilled to join Patrizia riding the ferry again across the cerulean lake, misty mountains in the distance. In Bellagio as we wandered narrow lanes, I felt at home. Italy is like that for me. When Florent took us

may head indoors to galleries and museums and of course there are the popular Christmas markets and light displays. Mark has already listed Christmas Markets and Sinterklaas in Haarlem, Netherlands in case it’s too frigid to go to Toronto’s Distillery District. They’re creative, so who knows? Perhaps it’s time to leave my comfort zone and venture to Rio de Janeiro or Buenos Aires as South America will be heading into summer. I could tip my toes in the sand of Australia’s beaches or watch a sunset over Angor Wat in Cambodia. These talented professional guides have enhanced my world, making history and geography come alive, enriched my awareness of cultures and values, and shown me more than great views. They have provided valuable insight, allowed me to dream of places too costly or far away to visit while encouraging me to plan for future travel and I am grateful. As travel guru Rick Steves is fond of saying “Keep on Travellin.”

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Banff National Park

Winter 2022

Slow

E n t e r ta i n m e n t Jigsaw puzzles make a comeback as a popular pandemic pastime By Veronica Sliva

igsaw puzzles have been flying off retail shelves for the past 20 months thanks to the pandemic. But this old-fashioned pastime has a storied history going back almost 300 years. The first jigsaw puzzle is said to have been made by mapmaker John Spilsbury in the 1760s in London, England. He drew a map onto a thin piece of wood and then cut it into small pieces that fit together. It was used to help students of the wealthy classes learn geography. As time went by jigsaws depicted nursery rhymes, objects like ships and trains and scenery. In the 1930s, during the Great Depression, the popularity of jigsaw puzzles really took off. Puzzles became a quiet distraction from the troubled economy of the times. In the United States, ‘Jig of the Week’ was sold at newsstands every Wednesday. In mid1932 as a form of advertising, retail stores offered free puzzles with the purchase of a toothbrush, a flashlight or hundreds of other products. By February 1933, the production of puzzles in the United States reached an all-time high of 10 million puzzles per week. Since then jigsaws have always been popular, but perhaps not as popular as the resurgence they made in 2020. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdowns were ordered worldwide and most of us were ‘sheltering in place’. With everyone confined to their homes, puzzle manufacturers saw their sales soar.

« Benefits of Assembling Jigsaw Puzzles Exercise your Mind

• Doing a jigsaw puzzle requires concentration and improves shortterm memory and problem-solving skills. Studies show that jigsaw puzzles can improve cognition and visual-spatial reasoning. Relieves Stress

• Spending time on a jigsaw can help you relax and unwind. Doing a puzzle gets you away from your devices and gives your mind a chance to slow down. Too much time in front of electronic screens is bad for our health. Helps to Improve Short-term Memory

• When looking for puzzle pieces, you have to remember the details of colours and the shapes of the pieces you need to complete the puzzle. This sort of activity engages and improves your short-term memory skills. Improves Dexterity

• A study from Princeton University confirms that jigsaw puzzles can improve motor skills (https:// gfx.cs.princeton.edu/pubs/Isaksen _2017_SSA/isaksen-cig17.pdf). Sorting through pieces and fitting them into small spaces, exercises the small muscles in the fingers and eyes. Fights Dementia

• Puzzles are problem-solving activities that help support the growth of nerve cells and can reduce the amount of brain cell damage that occurs in patients with dementia.

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Winter 2022

Socializing

• Though working on a puzzle by yourself can be meditative and relaxing, tackling a puzzle with someone else can also give your overall well-being a boost. “I do puzzles with my 13-year-old granddaughter,” says Trellis Editor Lorraine Hunter. “We like to set a new puzzle up on a table where we can leave it for several days or weeks to work on when she is here visiting. And, we usually binge watch one of her endless TV favourites like Modern Family on Netflix while we do it. It’s a great way for us to bond. Not sure I would do the puzzles on my own—or watch Modern Family—but I enjoy them both with her.”

Tips & Tricks Choosing the Right Puzzle for You

Photos: Lorraine Hunter

Assorted puzzles to exercise your brain!

The familiar saying, ‘different strokes for different folks’ applies to those who enjoy jigsaw puzzles. “The subject matter of the picture doesn’t really matter,” says Lorraine. “We like lots of colour with slight variations in shading and hues that we can use as clues about which piece goes where.” Lila Yorke, Lorraine’s granddaughter, is more particular. She says, “I especially like puzzles with art by Michael Storrings, such as Cherry Blossoms in Washington, D.C., because they are not artsy-fartsy. People in them are a mix between cartoon and more human-looking figures. His individual pieces are distinctive and easier to place. I also like the pictures, mainly big city scenes of places like New York, London, Havana and Washington.”

Some puzzles have more colour variations making the pieces easier and faster to assemble and thus more satisfying. My husband, Walter Sliva (a super keen puzzler) says puzzles with contrasting colours are more enjoyable than working on images with only a few colour variations. For example, he says, “a monotonous sky in many similar shades of blue can be a challenge, but also a bit of a bore.” The important thing is to choose a puzzle that isn’t too difficult for you. Experienced puzzlers say that the difficulty of a jigsaw puzzle is directly proportional to the number of pieces… typically, the more pieces, the more difficult the puzzle. Newbies should start with a puzzle with fewer pieces. Choose a puzzle with an image you like and can look at over and over. You will be looking at the same picture for hours! The Workspace

Choose a table where you can leave the puzzle undisturbed for as long as it takes to finish it. This could be weeks or months! If you are using a dining table, a portable puzzle mat or large piece of cardboard makes it easy to move out of the way when you need to use the table for dinner. Make sure your workspace is large enough to accommodate the finished puzzle. For example, 1,000 piece puzzles are usually around 51 cm x 69 cm (20 in x 27 in), so you need at least a 60 cm x 70 cm (2 ft x 2.5 ft) workspace to have room for the puzzle and loose pieces you are working with. The Method

Though there are many ways people assemble a puzzle, here are some guidelines for getting started: 1. Turn the pieces so the image is facing upwards. 2. Find the edge or border pieces and construct the border to give yourself a defined space that you can work inside. 3. Sort by colour. This helps one recognize different sections of the image. 4. Separate special pieces. Keep pieces—such as those with text or some

other distinguishing feature or shape that is different from the other pieces— in a separate pile to make it easier to see where they go as you assemble. 5. Work in small sections. This will keep you more organized and less likely to become frustrated. 6. Take breaks…but don’t give up. Go back to it with fresh eyes. What Makes a Good Puzzle Experience?

Sue Hills, Head of Volunteer Services at the TBG, is a very keen and experienced jigsaw puzzle aficionado. She enjoys doing jigsaws because, “Puzzles offer a chance to escape to a world of colour and variety for a few quiet hours, they are an exercise in patience and focus. Completing one makes you feel smart and that you have given your brain a workout.” I asked her what helps make a good puzzle experience. Here’s her list: • Sturdy pieces that do not easily bend or have the image peel off • Varied shapes and sizes of pieces add to the fun • An accompanying insert with the full picture of the puzzle Missing pieces?

It can be frustrating to buy a puzzle that has a piece missing. It happened to Lorraine Hunter and Lila Yorke. Lorraine says, “We finished one 1,000piece puzzle of different birds in a garden only to discover the final piece was missing. So, we emailed the manufacturer who sent us a new version of the same puzzle explaining that they couldn’t just send the missing piece as every time a puzzle is cut the pieces will come out slightly different.” Good to know—even puzzles are guaranteed. Puzzles at the Toronto Botanical Garden Shop

Check out the TBG’s online shop for a selection of nature, gardens and botanical-themed jigsaw puzzles. https://shop.torontobotanical garden.ca/collections/puzzles/ puzzle. You can order online or visit the shop in person.

torontobotanicalgarden.ca

Winter 2022

Puzzle Pieces Edible Flowers an enticing jigsaw challenge Reviewed by Sue Hills

Fifteen labelled edible flowers on a black background make up this 1,000-piece puzzle by Galison. The splashes of vibrant colour on a dark background promise a handsome end result, which is indeed the case. Getting there however is best suited to the experienced jigsaw enthusiast. The uniform matte black edge pieces can present an intimidating challenge, and all interior pieces are of the same shape and size, so no clues there. Where to start? Recommended approach is to build this jigsaw from the inside out. Once you have the main body together the edge and corner pieces find their spots with relative ease. Watch for more puzzle reviews on the TBG website.

Iris by Les DeSouza

ZimSculpture at the TBG photographed by Sasan Beni.

Garden of

Artists A community of creative characters frequents the TBG By Sasan Beni

’d like to take a break from my usual writing on wildlife to talk about the garden as the birthplace of art, a sanctuary for artists of all kinds. Long before I bought my first binoculars and set out to observe our wild neighbours, I was obsessed with literature and poetry, with creative expressions of spirit. All I ever wanted to do was read and write and share my words. Long before I held my first trowel and occupied my hands with soil, I connected with gardens through art, through the flowerbeds of history. Artists long before me had been inspired by their neighbourhood gardens; had tended them with great affection and spent countless hours preserving those spaces in art form.

Claude Monet, the French impressionist painter, once wrote, “My garden is my most beautiful masterpiece.” Did he feel as if his paintings would never live up, or do it justice? He spent the last two decades of his life solely drawing inspiration from his home garden in Giverny. Those paintings are still popular to this day and are adored by visitors. His pond of water lilies continues to awe and inspire. Perhaps Monet saw the fluidity of all gardenscapes, their ever-changing and fleeting nature. No matter how much time one spends watching the same gathering of trees, the same pool of water or proud blossoms, the light will cast differently each time. The scents and sounds will mingle differently. The garden changes with every glance and so do we.

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Winter 2022

House Finch in watercolours by Les DeSouza.

Our beloved TBG is no different. In my time here as sketchbook—you have likely seen him in the midst of inspiration. Les is a prolific artist, and I’m proud to call a seasonal gardener, I’ve been inspired on a daily basis him my friend. A couple of months ago, he gifted me a to keep my art alive, to fill my notebook and my heart water colour painting of our straw bale shed. with the same free-flowing passion and It meant a lot to me, considering how much poetry that shaped my childhood...but time my colleagues and I spend going in even more so. I have been fortunate to and out of it. This is where we discuss the witness the inspirations of other artists— day’s plans, where we greet our wonderful there is an entire community of creative volunteers every week, where we gather our characters that frequent our grounds, thoughts and catch our breath… Les has using a wide variety of artistic mediums... painted several versions of our shed. Like Some capture moments through a patient many artists long before him, he seems to lens, and some record the passing of seaknow that there is always something new to sons on their canvas. Some scribble, some discover in the same corner of the garden. recite, some heal... Les DeSouza On your next visit to the TBG, if you I could spend the next few days talkcome across a man in the entry garden, ing about the history of gardens and art, with an open sketchbook or canvas, who their ancient connections and the many seems to be utterly infatuated at the sight artists, past and present, who have found of a bumble bee on an aster, or the quiet their quiet in the embrace of Wilket Creek beauty of a spent Echinacea bloom, be Ravine. Instead, I will shine a brief light sure to stop and say hello. He will gladly on one of our resident artists, a common share his inspirations with you. presence at TBG: Les DeSouza. Remember, my friends, the next time you If you are a regular visitor of Toronto wander down the garden path, somewhere Botanical Garden, chances are you have nearby, there is an artist hard at work. seen Les in the garden, immersed in his Sasan Beni torontobotanicalgarden.ca

Winter 2022

torontobotanicalgarden.ca

Winter 2022

Northern Cardinal

Birds of Winter Female Hairy Woodpecker

Use nature as a guide to attracting our feathered friends to your garden By Walter Sliva

Downy Woodpecker

When the first Northern Juncos arrive, we know winter is upon us. By then, most of the tropical migrants have left Ontario and we are left with our year-round residents. The sight of a scarlet red Northern Cardinal singing from a snow-covered spruce tree, or the playful antics of Black-capped Chickadees tearing at a seed pod can warm any heart. Having their company on those cold winter mornings helps keep our spirits high. Other Southern Ontario year-round residents common to many backyards are Red Breasted and White Breasted Nuthatches, Mourning Doves, American Goldfinches, Blue Jays, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, House Finches and House Sparrows.

Chickadee

How do you increase your chances of seeing these feathered friends?

The best way to attract birds is to use nature as your guide and create a similar environment in your backyard. For example: • Dense foliage creates shelter from wind and snow and helps keep fallen snow loose enough for ground feeders to access the nutrients beneath it. • Fallen leaves, dried fruits and seeds, and rotting plant debris are alive with invertebrates that are a succulent meal for a hungry bird. • Dead tree limbs and fallen trees are a treasure trove for Woodpeckers and Nuthatches. Close observation and a bit of luck may even reveal visitors

such as Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Northern Flickers or even Pileated Woodpeckers—the giants of the Woodpecker family. Achieving a Bird-Friendly Environment in your Yard

• Plant bird-friendly native shrubs and trees that attract seed and fruiteating birds. For example, Rosa rugosa is a shrub rose that produces hips rich in vitamin C. Cardinals love them. • According to the Canadian Wildlife Federation, serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis), bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa), Shumard oak (Quercus shumardii), red oak (Quercus rubra), silver maple (Acer saccharinum) and red maple (Acer rubrum) are good tree

choices to attract birds. For more information check out https://cwf-fef.org • Don’t remove all the leaves from your garden in the fall. Wait until spring to clear out the dried seed heads of flowers such as sunflowers (Helianthus annuus), coneflowers (Echinacea) and asters. • Create a brush pile in a corner of your yard using branches and garden clippings. This will provide shelter to keep foraging birds safe from predators and harsh weather.

Female Northern Cardinal

Photos: Walter Sliva

Northern Junco

torontobotanicalgarden.ca

Winter 2022

Native trees support indigenous birds and pollinators, providing them with food and shelter.

Visible flanges connect tree trunks to roots.

PLANT A NATIVE TREE Help restore our urban landscape to support a greater diversity of native wildlife By Georgie Kennedy Large trees are essential to our environment. In addition to releasing life-giving oxygen, they clean pollution from the air, moderate temperatures and absorb massive amounts of rainfall. Native trees do even more than ornamentals. Over time, they have evolved within specific areas to be support systems for indigenous birds and pollinators, providing both food and shelter.

Selecting a tree

ou can sign up for Toronto’s Street Tree Planting Service and have a tree planted on the boulevard in front of your home (if there isn’t already one there) that will help our urban landscape support a greater diversity of native wildlife. Choose from a selection of oaks, maples (not Norway maple), buckeye, hackberry, Kentucky coffee tree, tulip tree, irontorontobotanicalgarden.ca

wood and basswood (provided that the tree is a suitable choice for your growing conditions.) Property owners can submit a tree planting request for their home or business by: • calling 311 • emailing 311@toronto.ca or • visiting toronto.ca/311 The City of Toronto’s Urban Forestry department’s brochure provides further information. https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/ uploads/2021/05/9765-Street-TreeBrochure.pdf Grants and incentives are available for tree planting on private land. https://www. toronto.ca/business-economy/partnershipssponsorships-donations/partner-2/ parks-environment/urban-forestry-grantsand-incentives/ winter 2022

Peel Region has a wide variety of tree planting programs for homes, businesses, and public lands under the One Million Trees Mississauga umbrella. https://www.onemillion trees.ca/ Caring for a boulevard or backyard tree

f you are planting a tree yourself, be sure to inspect the roots first; if they are circling the container in which they came, they can strangle the tree. To prevent this, the roots will require pruning and the tree may require support. Some people believe trees look naked if roots and flanges (triangular wing-like formations projecting upward from the base of the tree) are exposed, when, in fact, this is a natural growth pattern. Stroll through Toronto Botanical Garden or any natural forest and you’ll immediately notice that no tree looks like a telephone pole. Instead, each has visible flanges connecting the trunk to roots going wide along the forest floor. No tree should be boxed in with wood, edging or bricks.

Water a new tree regularly for at least two years.

Don’t

Box in a tree with stone, wood, brick or metal edging.

A word about mulching

ome homeowners may be tempted to pile mulch up the trunk of their newly planted tree. In horticultural circles, this is called “volcano mulch” or “cone of death.” Here’s why: It can prevent water from reaching the roots. Water and insects can be trapped, leading to weakness and disease. The tree cannot get the air it needs to breathe. For the first two years after planting, a new tree needs regular watering. Once the roots are firmly established, it should thrive with a deep watering in the late fall. If your tree is nurtured without harmful chemicals and with other native plants, its impact is magnified further. torontobotanicalgarden.ca

winter 2022

Practicum student Nikole Turrer has been cataloguing and protecting historical books at the TBG’s Weston Family Library.

Historical

Photos: Julie Kent

Book Collection Updated

racticum student Nikole Turrer has spent the last few months delving into the past as she examined more than 500 historical books, folios and magazines in the Weston Family Library at Toronto Botanical Garden. “This has been really exciting.” said Nikole, who is in her final year studying for a masters degree in library and information services and archives at the University of Toronto. “A lot of these materials have been sitting here for decades. Some are so fragile we

are putting them in their own boxes or storage areas.” Nikole’s goal was to do an inventory, cataloguing and protection of the collection, which has some 115 books published before 1900. “The urgency of this project was expressed by the library volunteers who were concerned about the safety of the materials,” she said. Nikole had to evaluate the condition of each book. Some had a protective cover, some needed reprinted covers or small repairs. Some suffered from water damage or just general wear and

torontobotanicalgarden.ca

tear. Many of the books were donations but how the library came into possession of others is not known. The oldest title in the collection, Kalendarium Hortense, or, The Gard’ners Almanac, directing what he is to do monthly throughout the year. And What Fruits and Flowers are in Prime by John Evelyn, was published in 1706. The book Nikole is holding in the photo is The greenhouse, hot house, and stove: including selected lists of the most beautiful species of exotic flowering plants, and directions for their cultivation by Charles Mcintosh, f.h.s. Head Gardener to his grace the Duke of Buccleugh, published in 1838. The coloured images were hand painted. Page edges were painted with a gold-like finish. To see the physical book in the library, email librarian@toronto botanicalgarden.ca to arrange an appointment. Archival gloves must be worn when handling many of the items in the collection, including this one. “History resources are of lasting and cumulative value for developing botanic and horticultural knowledge and understanding,” said Library Services Manager Julie Kent. “Saving unique historical records, photographs, illustrations and published works that document the past practices, perspectives and theories is one of the important services of Weston Family Library.”

winter 2022

Spring in Winter

How to trick bulbs into blooming inside By Leanne Birkholder

torontobotanicalgarden.ca

Winter 2022

When winter sets in we often crave some

TIPs

essence of spring. And if you’re like me, you don’t want to wait for the smell of spring during those long winter months. This is an opportunity to force bulbs. “Forcing bulbs” sounds a bit harsh but really it is about taking steps to trick a bulb to bloom out of season. Creating optimal artificial conditions can encourage bulbs to bloom at any time. Each plant needs different conditions to bloom—the table below outlines some steps to take to get these bulbs to bloom.

Photo: Pexels.com

Plant Bulb

• • • •

Basements and garages are ideal for cool, dark storage locations. Storing in a paper bag in a fridge crisper is also an option. If using potting soil, keep it moist (not wet). Don’t forget to review the instructions from your bulb supplier as conditions may vary depending on the variety of your bulbs.

Preparation

Time Needed Before Blooming

Amaryllis (Hippeastrum)

• Use a narrow pot (with drainage holes) that is about 5 cm (2 in) wider than the bulb. Insert the bulb into potting soil, leaving the top third uncovered. • Place in a warm area with indirect light. Keep the soil moist. • Turn the pot around if the growth is leaning too heavily towards one side to get sun.

8 to 12 weeks

Paperwhites (Narcissus papyraceus)

• Choose a clear vessel; fill a third with small gravel (like 3/8" pea gravel). • Insert bulbs with pointy tips upwards. Fill the rest of the pot with more gravel, keeping the bulb tips uncovered. • Fill the vessel with water up to the base of the bulbs; monitor and water as needed. Place in a warm area with indirect light. • Use gloves when handling bulbs.

4 to 6 weeks

Tulips (Tulipa)

• Use a clay or plastic pot (with drainage holes). Use taller pots for tall varieties. • Fill with potting soil; insert bulbs and cover with soil. Water pots well until soil is consistently moist. • Place in a cool, dark area (0°-10°C); once growth starts move to a warmer area with indirect light (18°C); when the growth is 5 cm tall move to a sunny location (about 20°C).

16 to 18 weeks

Hyacinth (Hyacinthus)

• Using a special hyacinth forcing container, insert the bulb, and fill the container with water up to the base of the bulb. Store in a cool dark place until growth emerges, then move to a warmer area with indirect light (or in a north-facing window). • Refresh the water every two weeks and ensure the water is high enough. • Turn the forcing container around if the new growth is leaning too heavily towards one side to get sun.

6 to 8 weeks

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Winter 2022

Seeds To Get Started in the New Year By Veronica Sliva

y the end of the year, winter has arrived and though the weather outside may be frightful, believe it or not, the new gardening season has begun. The definitive signal is that the seed catalogues have started to appear both online and in our mailboxes. “It’s too early to start seeds!”you say. And mostly you would be right. For the majority of seeds, it is far too early to start them in January. Planted indoors too early, the seedlings become weak and leggy and do not thrive…a waste of time and money. When to sow your seeds indoors depends on several factors—the last frost date in your area (in Toronto it is about May 9th), how long a seed variety takes to germinate, and how much time the plant needs to grow. Most seeds are best sown six to eight weeks before the last frost date, so don’t be in a hurry! But, there are exceptions… Some seeds are slow to germinate and/or slow to grow and should be planted indoors early in the new year so they are ready to go outside in spring after your frost-free date.

Favourite Seeds to Plant Indoors for an Early Start Vegetables

Herbs

Flowers

Berries

Celery

Oregano

Agastache (Agastache foeniculum)

Strawberry

Kale

Parsley

Leeks

Rosemary

Onion

Sage

Begonias Browallia Delphinium

Thyme

Lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflora) Pansies Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus)

Photos: Veronica Sliva

Give Seeds a Good Start Light: Almost all seeds need warmth and consistent temperatures to germinate well. In January the days are short and the sun is not very strong and therefore not very warm. To get good results you’ll need to start your seeds in a warm room and under fluorescent or LED plant lights. No matter what “they” say, at this time of year, your windowsill will not do the job and you will be disappointed in the results. There are lots of reasonably priced lighting options at retailers and online, for example Amazon (https://www.amazon.ca/ s?k=plant+lights&ref=nav_bb_sb).

Heat: Seeds germinate faster with bottom heat. Place seeded containers on a heat mat designed for this purpose. They are readily available online and at hardware, box stores and garden specialty retailers. Place the container about 30 cm (12 in) below the lights. Note: Once your seeds have germinated, remove them from the heat mat. Day Length: Use a timer to set the day length of your lights to simulate summer days…14 to 16 hours is about right.

torontobotanicalgarden.ca

Winter 2022

Book shelf

Field Study

Meditations on a Year at the Herbarium

Reviewed by Lorraine Hunter

N the 19th and 20th centuries, collecting and pressing flowers and plants was a popular pastime. Collectors gathered their specimens into notebooks, preserving the botany around them for posterity. For Canadian poet and novelist Helen Humphreys, the Fowler Herbarium, an hour from her home in Kingston, ON, became a way to find connections to nature lovers from the past and to consider the changes that have taken place since. Each specimen in the herbarium is mounted on a sheet of paper with a label affixed by the collector, providing details of the plant, the location where it was found and the person who preserved the plant. “Herbariums,” she writes, “are the record keepers of the plants still with us and those that are not.” For one year Humphreys visited the herbarium regularly and considered life and loss and the importance of finding solace in the natural world around us. She divides the book into seasons starting with winter. It celebrates the connections that still exist between people and nature. “A visit to the herbarium is an exquisite kind of time travel,” writes Humphreys. “And by learning more about

the intersection of people and nature in the past, I hope to gain some understanding of where we can go from here.” She writes about the history of the herbarium which began in the late 1800s and was once housed at Queen’s University in Kingston. Specimens in the herbarium lead Humphreys to other stories. Describing different plants and who collected them–a beech fern (Phegopteris Dryopteris) collected by Sir Charles James Fox Bunbury on June 10, 1844, for example, and goes on to describe ‘ferning’ in the Victorian era. There is a sample of a red oak (Quercus rubra) taken in June, 1893 from the cemetery where the author’s brother is buried. She visits the cemetery and writes about it– including two enormous red oaks, probably each over 100 years old. Throughout the book Humphreys goes through many personal and societal losses. Many times, when she was feeling sad and adrift about the state of her life and the world in general, she found comfort at the herbarium and writing about it. This book is an easy read and a good place to find solace and hope for the future. “There is much to be joyful about in this world, and we need to feel a certain amount of optimism or joy to do what needs to be done to effect change. Despair is not a good motivator, but hope is,” she concludes. Field Study by Helen Humphreys (ECW Press).

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Winter 2022

Photos: ECW Press, Hardie Grant

Four garden reads to give as gifts or enjoy yourself

Green Home

The joy of living with plants

Reviewed by Georgie Kennedy

veryone has heard of “crazy cat people.” You may even have one in your circle of acquaintances. But I’m fairly sure you’ve never met anyone as enthusiastic about plants as Anders Røyneberg. Gentle readers, allow me to introduce a most energetic plant collector. Agriculturist, therapist, writer and lecturer, Røyneberg curates and tends over 100 houseplants in his tiny, luxuriant apartment in frigid Norway. His inspiring new book, Green Home, the joy of living with plants might be your perfect guide to creating a similarly healthy indoor environment, no matter what size your living space. Using a clear and inviting style of writing and gorgeous photos, Røyneberg begins with hints for plant selection, then provides clear step-by-step instructions for propagation, on to light, water, soil, potting and feeding. Although two chapters are devoted expressly to style and decorating, the entire book could be considered a generously illustrated interior design guide to the natural placement of houseplants. Not only does the author include the practical reasons for introducing more greenery into the home, he also takes us to visit a few favourite plants in

botanical gardens and nurseries around the world. The final pages are given over to descriptions and care of his 23 topmost reliable plant companions, from Aloe vera to Strelitzia Nicolai (White Bird of Paradise). Here is a practical book for anyone who appreciates the lush, airy feeling of being among tropical trees and vines. It would make an ideal gift for a budding gardener or one with years of experience, especially those living in a northern climate such as Canada. For your daily dose of verdant living, head over to Instagram: @arcticgardener at JungleUpNorth. Green Home by Anders Røyneberg, (Hardie Grant Quadrelle)

root stem leaf flower

How to Cook with Vegetables and Other Plants Reviewed by Veronica Sliva

hough the title may allude to it, root stem leaf flower, by Gill Meller, is not a “vegetarian” cookbook exactly. This book is all about the plants, though meat is mentioned occasionally and cheese is in some of the recipes. The 120 recipes are organized by the seasons of the year, Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Meller says “I’m a big advocate for simple, seasonal cookery and making the most of ingredients and the natural qualities they possess. This way of thinking has helped me to define a style of cooking that is both simple and, for the most part, quick. Mine is an approach that doesn’t call for complex processes or tricky techniques.” root stem leaf flower does not disappoint. The recipes feature vegetables, herbs and fruit that you may be growing in your garden. If you don’t have a garden they are common enough that they are readily available year-round at good grocery stores. The herbs and spices are not hard to find. What I particularly liked about this book is that if there are veggies that aren’t on your go-to list, his uncomplicated recipes might entice you to give them a try. For example, I am not a fan of aubergines (we call them eggplants in Canada), but Meller’s recipe—Aubergine on Toast with Basil, Pumpkin Seeds and Chilli (page 84) got my attention. The ingredients are easily sourced, the recipe looks quick to make and the photo by Andrew Montgomery of the finished dish is very appealing. Some of the combinations of vegetables are innovative, too. Meller pairs runner beans with leeks, cream and celery seeds…not something I would think of, but a dish I’d like to try (pages 114-115). Or what about Celeriac Fudge Ice Cream (page 254)? I might try celeriac if it was made into ice cream!

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Winter 2022

The photographs by Andrew Montgomery are not overly styled and are only about the food. They go a long way to enhance the recipes. It turns out that Meller is a poet. His poetry is peppered here and there throughout the book. If you enjoy reading short poems you may enjoy this curious aspect of the book. It doesn’t detract from the content in any way. This book will appeal to anyone who wants to try simple and easy recipes that highlight vegetables. Others who veer away from certain veggies may even be tempted to step out of their comfort zone and try something new. With many of us trying to transition to a more plant-based diet, this cookbook will encourage us to move in that direction. root stem leaf flower by Gill Meller (Quadrille Publishing c/o Chronicle Books, 2021) Aubergine on Toast

Rewild Your Life

52 ways to reconnect to nature Reviewed by Carol Gardner

irst, a confession: I didn’t think I would like this book. The author, Sarah Stirling, is a freelance adventure writer, and my idea of an adventure is online shopping on a new website. However, I was about to be surprised. Felled by a health setback during the pandemic, the author became unable to enjoy her previous, very active, interactions with nature – tree climbing, wild swimming and animal tracking. She decided that she had to find other ways in which she could still experience nature. This book is the result – an outline of 52 ways you can reconnect to nature in spite of whatever challenges life has to offer. The book is divided seasonally, and every chapter sings with the writer’s bright spirit. I found that it doesn’t matter if some of her suggestions (wild camping, spoon carving) don’t work for you (or perhaps just for me), anyone can relate to her central theme of learning new skills in order to forge a new and joyful relationship with nature. Her philosophy is explained early in the book, when she says, “I’ve come to believe that ‘wild’ is all around us: under hedgerows, hiding in cracks in the pavement, drifting silently over our heads and even inside us. In fact, I think you can find ‘wild’ anywhere, if you come to your senses and tune into it.” This quixotic, thoughtful book, published by Hardie Grant Books, would be a lovely gift for anyone open to new possibilities. Rewild Your Life by Sarah Stirling (Hardie Grant)

torontobotanicalgarden.ca

Winter 2022

Recipe Corner These cookies bring a touch of floral sweetness to the holiday table

Lavender S h ort b re ad

Photo: Bing

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without shortbread cookies but this verson from Veronica Sliva with a touch of lavender from the garden or store-bought brings a subtle floral sweetness to the table. Or, you could experiment with dried rosemary instead of lavender for a more herbal flavour. Makes 30 small cookies

1 cup all-purpose flour ½ cup cornstarch ½ cup icing sugar 1 tbsp dried lavender 1 tsp. ground black pepper ¾ cup cold butter *pinch of salt (omit salt if you use salted butter) 1 Preheat the oven to 300° F. 2 Combine flour, cornstarch, icing sugar, lavender, pepper and salt in a food processor. 3 Pulse about 12 times until well combined and the lavender is fragrant.

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4 Add butter and pulse 20 times until it forms a ball. 5 Scrape the dough onto a work surface and form into a 1-inch thick disc, wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes. 6 On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Use a 2-inch cutter to cut out cookies and place them on ungreased cookie sheets. 7 Bake until the edges are slightly brown, about 18-20 minutes. 8 Remove to wire racks to cool.

Winter 2022

Houseplant Profile Sophisticated, Tropical, Structural

SHARING COMES NATURALLY Easy houseplants make great hostess gifts By Georgie Kennedy

re you that dinner guest who arrives with a cellophane wrapped bouquet? “Here. Just untie all this, find a vase, cut the stems, pour in the freshening agent, add water, arrange the flowers artistically, dispose of the wrapping, and find a special place on the table for my generous offering.” Similarly, do you greet your hosts at the holiday season with a gigantic poinsettia? “Here. Find a place to display this monster away from pets and children. Take care to give it enough light and water to survive at

least a week before it starts dropping its withered glitter-covered leaves and bracts all over the floor.” Without a doubt, these are convenient gifts to pick up on the way to a festive event. Supermarkets, box stores and nurseries place them temptingly close to the check-out counter for last-minute dinner party gifters. But cut flower arrangements never last and poinsettia are notoriously difficult to maintain. This time of year, they thrive in the tropics, high up in the cool breezy mountains, on hillsides or in sunny, humid ground-level gardens. Here in Ontario, they suffer terribly

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in the dry heat and dim light of our northern indoor environments. I regularly hear of some brave gardening souls trying to keep their poinsettia alive for the following December. This experiment requires providing precise amounts of light and darkness, water and fertilizer. I gave up on that frustrating nonsense after my first unsuccessful attempt. If you have any amount of gardening DNA, sharing plants comes naturally, so why wait until the day of the gathering to grab something on the run, something that will be thrown into the compost bin? Instead, plan

Winter 2022

Winsome, Hardy, Fascinating, Elegant

Glamorous, Electrifying, Trendy, Chartreuse

Photos: Georgie Kennedy

Whimsical, Robust, Spontaneous

to give your friends bright, showy, low maintenance houseplants they’ll treasure forever. Any of these would make an outrageously stunning alternative to a poinsettia: 1. Umbrella Plant (Schefflera): Sophisticated, Tropical, Structural 2. Philodendron ‘Golden Goddess’: Glamorous, Electrifying, Trendy, Chartreuse 3. Bonsai Fig (Ficus microcarpa): Hardy, Winsome, Fascinating, Elegant 4. Philodendron hederaceum ‘Brasil’: Whimsical, Robust, Spontaneous Purchase your plants at a reputable nursery. Inspect closely to be

sure they are free of insects or disease. Large, well-established plants are great value as you can divide them to create two or more. Philodendron and Schefflera are divinely simple to propagate by stem cuttings. Dip lightly in rooting powder and set in water, freshening weekly. Once strong roots have formed, pot them up with indoor soil mix, using any plastic container with drainage holes. Drop into an indoor plant pot, available at every price point through many local retailers and artisans. If you opt for the grand and mysterious Bonsai Fig, use the correct recom-

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mended potting soil and blend and place it in a bonsai planter with tray. Print off any special care instructions, tie it with a ribbon, and you’re prepared for all occasions. The note attached can say, “Here, my dear, I brought you something gorgeously stylish and simple to maintain. It provides oxygen and will enhance the beauty of your home. I nurtured it just for you, and I hope it reminds you of me every time you see it. May it last as long as our friendship.”

Winter 2022

TBG receives $247,400 Trillium Foundation grant

Toronto Botanical Garden was the location for a press conference held by Lisa MacLeod, Ontario Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Cultural Industries, where she announced that TBG will receive a $247,400 operations grant. Harry Jongerden, TBG Interim Executive Director, expressed the garden’s deep gratitude for this significant support. “This needed funding, along with the ongoing support of our donors and members, will help sustain our organization through an unprecedented and difficult time, allowing us to continue offering valuable programs and services to our community.” He stressed that “the pandemic may have had a devastating effect on our revenues, but the physical and mental health benefits of exposure to nature have never been better understood or appreciated.” The Ontario government is providing more than $46 million to support 648 non-profit organizations, including the TBG, experiencing significant financial pressures due to COVID-19. Funding is being delivered through the Community Building Fund’s Operating stream. The Community Building Fund, launched earlier this year, is administered by the Ontario Trillium Foundation. This grant money is being distributed to “make sure that iconic organizations like the Toronto Botanical Garden, the Royal Winter Fair and others survive and thrive,” said Minister MacLeod.

people, places & plants Goings On at the TBG

Library volunteers, left to right, Jean Gardiner, Joy Reddy, Judy Donaldson, Zainab Isam and Jean McCluskey, wore floral aprons available in the Shop. Volunteers Lee Robbins, Susan Brown and Maneck Sattha also participated.

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Winter 2022

Photos: Left: Julie Kent. Above: Jenny Rhodenizer

Gently Read Books & Bulbs Sale

Supports Library and Shop TBG’s outdoor Gently Read Books & Bulb Sale earlier this fall was a big success. Organized by staff and volunteers from the Weston Family Library and the TBG Shop, the sale took place on a sunny day that saw lineups of a dozen or more waiting for the sale to start. The library had more than 600 books available and more than half were sold. Volunteers worked tirelessly in the months leading up to the sale to process donations by sorting, pricing and categorizing. Proceeds from the book sales go to support the Weston Family Library. “The library is grateful for all book donations and the support shown by members and visitors,” said Julie Kent, Library Services Manager. She asks that before bringing books to donate to the garden that people contact the library at librarian@ torontobotanicalgarden.ca to review and make arrangements. The sale of spring bulbs also did well and the Shop took in about $3,500.

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Celebrate Canada’s Year of the Garden 2022

From January 1 to December 31, 2022, The Year of the Garden 2022, a Centennial Celebration of our horticulture sector, will commemorate Canada’s rich garden heritage, celebrate today’s vibrant garden culture, and create important legacies for a sustainable future. Planning is already underway for a year of exciting Live the Garden Life activities, celebrations, special events and promotions that will take place in communities, schools, businesses, public gardens, and backyard gardens in all parts of Canada. For more information visit gardenscanada.ca/ year-of-the-garden/

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, powdercoated steel ensures that these towers remain rust-resistant and durable for many years to come. Available throughout the year at the Garden Shop. Available in two sizes: 4 ft $99.99; 6 ft $124.99.

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

Direct 416.564.9450

Photo: xxxxx xxxxxxx

Ball FloraPlant Trial Garden Faves

The garden trials of some 65 varieties of new Ball FloraPlant varieties at the TBG gardens this past summer were an outstanding success. Visitors voted for their favourite new coleus, salvia and dahlia varieties. And the winners are: Electric Lime and Lime Wire Coleus; City Lights (Neon) Dahlia (pictured here) and favourite pollinator plants Purple and Bloom and Roman Red Salvia.

@JoseeCoutureTorontoRealEstate

- TREE & SHRUB PRUNING -INSECT & DISEASE CONTROL - PLANTING & TRANSPLANTING - TREE & STUMP REMOVAL - DEEP ROOT FERTILIZING

AUTHENTIC

Derek W Welsh President

I.S.A. Certified Arborist #ON-0129A

TREE CARE INC.

DYI Craft Corner Holiday Decorating, Au Natural By Jenny Rhodenizer Director of Marketing & Communications

I love making things from nature. It allows me to save mementos from my garden, and reimagine them for my hygge (cozy) home. I was inspired by a twig star ornament I purchased a few years ago from the Garden Club of Toronto’s booth at the TBG Holiday Market. I used it as a prototype to make my own collection of twig ornaments. My 11-yearold daughter loves to get crafty too, and this was a great project to work on together. I also enjoy saving dried flowers. They can be added to a Christmas tree to fill in the gaps and add colour or texture. I have a hydrangea limelight bush which I clip and dry in the fall. Some years I will also sprinkle the blooms with a little glitter before tucking them into the tree. Pressed flower petals can be used to decoupage old ornaments to create “new” botanical bobbles to add to your tree or hang from the chandelier. How to Create a Twig Star Ornament

Cut a few branches from a tree then cut them to the size you want. Cut twigs to approximately 12 cm (5 in) in length. Divide and organize them by thickness and shape to help make the star shapes more balanced when you are assembling. Start by creating a cross, and glue these twigs together in the centre to make a stable frame. Since we’re using hot glue, it will dry quickly. Then angle twigs in all directions to create a three-dimensional star, gluing one twig at a time. Once your star is completed, brush it with one or two coats of paint. The twig ornaments are very light, so I just nestle them on top of the tree branches once it’s been decorated and I find they stay in place. They would look great on a gift or also on a wreath.

Twig Star

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winter 2022

Photos: Jenny Rhodenizer

Supplies needed: • Twigs • Pruners • Ruler • Glue gun • Acrylic paint and brush

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Interim Board Chair: Gordon Ashworth. Members: Barb Anie, Dianne Azzarello, Michele Chandler, Adeline Cheng, Ben Cullen, Tony DiGiovanni, Lisa Ellis, Margareth Lobo Gault, Sue Grundy, Abdullah Hamidi, Nicole Leaper, Michael Schreiner, Janice Winton. Ex Officiate: Christina Iacovino (City of Toronto), Marg Wilkinson (Garden Club of Toronto), Ingrid Smith (Milne House Garden Club).

About The Toronto Botanical Garden The Toronto Botanical Garden (TBG) is a volunteer-based, charitable organization that raises more than 95 per cent of its operating funds through membership, facility rentals, retail operations, program fees and donations. The organization relies on its partnership with the City of Toronto and on the generosity and financial commitment of individuals, foundations and corporations to support the many beneficial services we provide to the community. Our mission: Toronto Botanical Garden connects people to plants, inspiring us to live in harmony with nature. Our vision: Toronto Botanical Garden will be renowned for its display of nature’s beauty and as a dynamic hub for plant-centred learning, conservation and research.

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

GENERAL HOURS of ADMISSION Gardens: Free admission, dawn to dusk Parking: $2.50 PER HOUR, Members & TBG Volunteers, FREE Garden Shop: https://shop.torontobotanicalgarden.ca Master Gardeners: Visit torontomastergardeners.ca for information and to Ask A Master Gardener Administrative Offices & WESTON FAMILY LIBRARY: Reduced hours due to COVID-19. Check torontobotanicalgarden.ca for times.

Trellis magazine: Winter 2022

Articles inside

Winter in Spring

Garden of Artists

Hey, Let's Go Armchair Travelling

Library Chronicles

DYI Holiday Decorating, Au Natural

Holiday Shopping for Plant Lovers

Winter Photography

Meet Roger Gettig

From the TBG