CNLA Newsbrief January-February 2011

Stewart Brothers Nurseries Ltd. celebrates 100 years

Green Industry News January-February 2011 Vol. 20 Issue 1

What’s inside:

Pacific West Perennials innovative pots

Bouquets to Gerald Boot

Celebrating

Excellence

• Landscape Ontario’s Congress 2011 • Changes to SAWP in 2011 • Keeping track of CEUs • Taylor Nurseries reviews the Garden Inspection Program • Canadian Grown struts its stuff in Essen, Germany • Landscape New Brunswick’s training institute opens

The Cultivated Garden, winner of the John Deere Award of Excellence for Landscape Maintenance for ‘Crisp & Clean Colours’

Over 130 industry professionals, educators, garden writers, politicians, like-minded and allied organizations, joined CNLA in recognizing outstanding excellence in the green industry.

The eighth annual National Awards of Landscape Excellence was held on Wednesday February 9th, 2011 at the Coast Coal Harbour Hotel in Vancouver, BC, with the opening welcome from the BC Minister of Agriculture, the Honourable Ben Stewart.

Tumber & Associates were presented with the Caterpillar Award of Excellence for Landscape Construction for its project ‘Home is where the heart is’

Several awards were presented at the largest and jam-packed National Awards of Landscape Excellence!

These awards include: - The first RBC Grower of the Year Award presented to Bylands Nurseries Ltd. - The Garden Centres Canada Inspection Program Award of Excellence presented to Sheridan Nurseries Ltd., Unionville - The John Deere Award of Excellence for Landscape Maintenance presented to The Cultivated Garden for Crisp & Clean Colours - The Caterpillar Award of Excellence for Landscape Construction presented to Tumber & Associates for Home Is Where The Heart Is continued on page 2

CNLA Newsbrief

January-February 2011

sponsored by:

INDUSTRY NEWS EXECUTIVE BOARD:

President Past President First Vice President Second Vice President Treasurer

Sheridan Nurseries Ltd., Unionville (left) was the recipient of the Garden Centres Canada Inspection Program Award of Excellence.

Cary van Zanten - BC Michael Murray - NL Bill Stensson - ON Christene LeVatte, CLP - NS Rene Thiebaud, CLP - ON

DIRECTORS:

LOHTA Representative, Gerald Boot, CLP - ON

Insurance Chair

LNS Representative Jeff Morton, CLT - NS

BCLNA Representative Michael Kato - BC

Human Resources Chair Harold Deenen, CLP - ON

Environment Chair Bill Hardy, CLP - BC

Landscape Canada Chair Bruce Hunter, CLT, CLD, CLP - BC Government Liaison, COHA Chair, Vic Krahn, CLT - SK

AQPP Representative Pierre Lavallée - QC

Planning & Government, Bruce McTavish - BC

NAPPO Chair

LNB Representative, Darrell Nameth, CLP - NB

Member Services Chair Garden Centre Canada Chair Anthony O’Neill - NL National Certification Chair Terry Nicholson, CLT - ON Landscape Canada Vice Chair, Phil Paxton, CLT, CLP - AB

LANTA Representative

LM Representative, Owen Vanstone - MB

Growers Canada Chair

LNL Representative Don Barry - NL

SNLA Representative Aaron Krahn - SK

STAFF:

Executive Director Victor Santacruz, CAE, CLP victor@canadanursery.com Member Services Manager Joseph Salemi, CAE joseph@canadanursery.com Professional and Business Joel Beatson, CAE, CLP

Development Manager joel@canadanursery.com Manager of Provincial Relations Rebecca Doutre, CAE rebecca@canadanursery.com

Growers Manager Rita Weerdenburg rita@canadanursery.com Landscape Priorities Manager Liz Klose, B.Sc., (Agr), CLP liz@canadanursery.com

Certification Services Julia Ricottone, CEPIT julia@canadanursery.com Minor Use/IPM Co-ordinator Peter Isaacson, B.Sc., MPM peter@canadanursery.com Member Services Co-ordinator Agnes Zawartka, CAE, CLP agnes@canadanursery.com Provincial Relations Co-ordinator Michelle Brown michelle@canadanursery.com Communications Co-ordinator Kim Burton kim@canadanursery.com

Executive Assistant Cheryl Gall

cheryl@canadanursery.com Printed on recycled paper using vegetable based inks by:

Harmony Printing, 50 Woodbine Downs Boulevard, Toronto, ON M9W 5R2

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The CNLA Board of Directors selected an industry leader to be the recipient of the CNLA President's Award. This is only the fifth person to receive this award in the history of the CNLA, and is the highest honour that is bestowed on any worthy and eligible CNLA member. Mr. John Zaplatynsky, Chairman of the Board of GardenWorks Ltd. was presented with the CNLA President's ring and a distinguished plaque.

Our Masters of Ceremony, Liz Klose (CNLA Landscape Priorities Manager) and Brian

Howard Herman Stensson Howard Stensson, father of Bill (Jennifer Macnaughton), Gay (Mike Haddon), and Janice (Allan Fozard) passed away on January 16, 2011, in his 99th year.

Howard was born in England, 1912 and emigrated with his family to Canada in 1914. He graduated from the Ontario Agricultural College (University of Toronto) in 1936, and taught science at Norwich District High School for 24 years. Howard re-joined the family business, Sheridan Nurseries, in 1964 and served as president from 1972 until his retirement at the age of 80 in 1993.

‘Poppa’ was a life long educator and student; his sense of adventure led him and his best friend Alex Murphy to swim all the Great Lakes in just one day. Howard is fondly remembered by Maple Grove United Church, the Maple Grove Probus Club, his book club, and his Maple Grove Tim Horton’s coffee cronies.

The inaugural RBC Grower of the Year Award was presented to Bylands Nurseries Ltd.

Minter (Minter Country Gardens) did a fantastic job steering the course of the evening. Special thanks to Bruce Hunter of Hunter Landscape Design (and chair of CNLA's Landscape Canada Committee) for designing the decor of our West Coast Tropical theme for the evening.

2011 National Compost Conference

Prince Edward Island will host the 21st Annual Conference of The Compost Council of Canada, to be held September 19-21, 2011 at Charlottetown's Delta Prince Edward hotel. All advocates of composting, organics recycling, and environmental initiatives are invited to take part in the conference program that will include presentations, exhibits, facility tours and networking events that will capture the island's personality and charm.

PEI's rich history in advancing organics recycling and supporting the compost industry's infrastructure development will be highlighted in the conference program.

In addition there will be sessions covering national and provincial regulations, feedstock collection and processing as well as compost market development and other related topics.

The conference's Call-for-Papers is now open with the deadline for topic submission being March 18, 2011. More details are also available about sponsorship and exhibit opportunities. For more information, please e-mail Danielle Buklis at The Compost Council of Canada at info@compost.org or visit www.compost.org.

Canadian Nursery Landscape Association / Association Canadienne des Pépiniéristes et des Paysagistes 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 | Toll Free: 1-888-446-3499 | Toll Free Fax: 1-866-833-8603 | Email: info@canadanursery.com | www.canadanursery.com

CNLA Newsbrief

January-February 2011

sponsored by:

INDUSTRY NEWS

Stewart Brothers Nurseries Ltd. celebrates 100 years!

Stewart Brothers Nurseries Ltd. of BC, opened in 1911 and is one of the oldest operating nurseries in Canada, with the third generation of the Stewart family actively involved in the family business. The nursery has grown from the main growing field in Kelowna, to include growing fields in Grand Forks and Midway, each particularly suited to growing the best shade trees for garden centres, landscapers, contractors, nurseries, municipalities and golf courses.

2010 Garden Centres Canada survey now available

It’s that time of year again! The 2010 survey is now available online at www.surveymonkey.com/s/GardenCentresCanada2010.

Please take the time to complete our 2010 Garden Centres Canada Survey prior to February 28, 2011. We look forward to reporting back to you on the trends, financial standing of our members and on the overall situation of the garden centre industry across Canada.

Perennial Plant of the Year Arkansas Blue Star (Amsonia hubrichtii) has been named the Perennial Plant of the Year by the Perennial Plant Association (PPA). The outstanding characteristics of Arkansas Blue Star include its ability to adapt and grow in different zones, its attractive blue flowers in spring, and outstanding golden-yellow color of the foliage in the fall.

Stewart Brothers Nurseries Ltd., 1911.

Richard and William Stewart emigrated from Ireland in the early 1900’s, to begin their new lives in Canada. Together they worked for the Kelowna Land and Orchard Company until they were able to save enough to purchase a nursery of their own, becoming the prime supplier of fruit trees to the Okanagan Valley. When William emigrated to Australia, Richard continued operations in Canada and Stewart Brothers expanded to export trees to China and Australia, then to South America, England, Spain, the northern United States and Italy.

In the 1950’s, the nursery began growing shade trees and found such success that by the 1970’s it was decided Stewart Brothers Nurseries Ltd. would concentrate solely on shade trees. The nursery expanded to its current three growing fields and continues to meet the demands of supplying the horticultural industry in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the U.S. with excellent quality products.

Today, Tomorrow…and all The years To come.

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In addition to saving you money every job, Cat machines also have higher resale value.

Add it up, and you’ll see that Caterpillar delivers the lowest cost of ownership. That’s the difference between price…and value.

special discounTs for cnla members! save up to $2,000 on a variety of new cat machines. for details, visit the caterpillar member benefits section at www.canadanursery.com!

© 2010 Caterpillar Inc. All rights reserved. CAT, CATERPILLAR, SAFETY.CAT.COM, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Yellow” and the “Power Edge” trade dress, as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.

Canadian Nursery Landscape Association / Association Canadienne des Pépiniéristes et des Paysagistes 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 | Toll Free: 1-888-446-3499 | Toll Free Fax: 1-866-833-8603 | Email: info@canadanursery.com | www.canadanursery.com

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CNLA Newsbrief

January-February 2011

sponsored by:

INDUSTRY NEWS

Garden Responsibility’s innovative pots

Neville Sinclair shows off his eco-friendly pots: Just stick them in the ground, the roots grow out, and the pot decomposes.

No more plastic.

Photograph by: Wayne Leidenfrost, PNG

The horticulture industry has long been seeking a more environmetally- friendly method of packaging plants. Neville Sinclair of Pacific West Perennials was tired of the waste caused by unrecyclable plastic pots and decided to do something about it.

He has introduced a line of degradable eco-friendly pots, under the product name Garden Responsibility.

The pots are made mostly from grain husks, so that the plant can be directly placed in the ground without worrying about removing it from the pot. “These are not the pots that crumble or leave a mess on your hands when they are handled,” Sinclair says. “These have been engineered to stand up in a normal environment for up to nine months, but once exposed to microbial

activity in the garden soil they begin to break down.” Slits in the sides of the pots provide better aeration and drainage promoting the plant roots to grow immediately and parts of the pot begin to biodegrade within three weeks. The pots are fully degradable and contain no pollutants to the soil.

“This is a win-win scenario for all concerned,” says Sinclair. These pots offer both environmental advantages and faster growing plants for the consumer. Despite higher costs for the new, biodegradable pots, Pacific West Perennials are offering plants in these pots at the same price as plants in plastic pots to demonstrate to consumers their conviction and committment to being eco-friendly.

COHA-HRSDC strategic plan for HR development approved!

The Canadian Ornamental Horticulture Alliance (COHA) is the national voice for the largest and most significant sector of horticulture in Canada. COHA is a strategic alliance of three broad-based organizations: The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA), Fédération Interdisciplinaire de l’Horticulture Ornementale du Québec (FIHOQ) and Flowers Canada Growers (FCG) The alliance partners assembled a targeted list of human resources priorities. The proposal to HRSDC focuses on holding a strategic planning meeting with related industry sector councils and member stakeholders to address current issues and future needs in human resource development and determine the solutions to further develop our sector’s human resource potential.

The new direction of HRSDC is industry collaboration with sector councils and this proposal embraced the inclusion of six to seven different sector councils to share methodology, programs and resources.

The strategic planning meeting will be held March 2 and 3 in Gatineau, Quebec. A report will be completed and updates shared with all alliance partner-members.

Save the date for the 2011 Atlantic Green Forum!

In its third successful year, the 2011 Atlantic Green Forum, to be held November 7-8, 2011 at the Holiday Inn, St. John’s, NL, will examine issues surrounding "The Green City" including the value of urban parks, challenges in design and maintenance of industrial commercial green spaces, and the value of green space and park development for social and health benefits. Delegates will be invited to network and share information; learning from local, national and international speakers at this event.

We are currently looking for posters and paper submissions for this event; contact Rebecca (rebecca@canadanursery.com or 1-866-383-4711) for more information on submission guidelines.

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Canadian Nursery Landscape Association / Association Canadienne des Pépiniéristes et des Paysagistes 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 | Toll Free: 1-888-446-3499 | Toll Free Fax: 1-866-833-8603 | Email: info@canadanursery.com | www.canadanursery.com

CNLA Newsbrief

January-February 2011

sponsored by:

ASSOCIATION NEWS

Bouquets to Boot!

Gerald Boot, CLP, President of Boot’s Landscaping and Maintenance Ltd, Richmond Hill, Ontario, was recognized for his years of dedication by receiving the Honourary Life Member Award, the highest award bestowed by the Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association at their Awards of Excellence on Tuesday January 11, 2011.

The award is reserved for Landscape Ontario members who have consistently contributed Gerald Boot received their time, pasthe Honourary Life sion, enthusiasm Member Award from and energy over Landscape Ontario. a period of many years, committing a lifetime to furthering the mission of the association. In its 38-year history, Landscape Ontario has bestowed the status of Honourary Life Member to only 10 people. The award was presented

by Landscape Ontario, President, Tom Intven, who shared these remarks, “Gerald Boot has devoted much of his working life to building a vibrant and engaged community. His service ethic is inspirational; always willing to give his time and resources to advance our industry, while enriching the lives of his family, fellow members, customers and community. He leads by example and represents the industry well.”

“Gerald is always willing to mentor others and his dedication to improving prosperity in the industry has encouraged many to improve their business practices. He embodies professionalism and is one of the most influential members of Landscape Ontario and reflects hope, optimism, integrity, honesty, good judgment and wisdom,” said Intven. Boot’s association volunteer activities include: Chapter President, Chair of Canada Blooms, Landscape Ontario President 2004-2006, and is presently the Snow and Ice Management Group Rep, facilitator to the Certification Committee, and LO Executive Committee Advisor for Canada Blooms. On the national level, Boot held the

Professional Development Portfolio on the Landscape Canada Committee, and is in his fifth year as LO Provincial Rep on the CNLA board and at the helm of CNLA’s Insurance Committee.

“It is an incredible honour to receive this recognition from Landscape Ontario,” stated Boot. “It confirms that the best thing I did as a business owner was to join Landscape Ontario. Through being actively involved in the association, I experienced the reality that when you volunteer you receive back much more than what you give. The members, volunteers and staff of our land-

scape associations right across Canada are a wonderful, talented and committed group of people from whom I have learned much and am proud to be associated with.”

Boot’s Landscaping and Maintenance Ltd was founded in 1981 by Gerald Boot, CLP. Gerald is the company President and Manager of the Snow and Ice S ervices department. Boot’s Landscaping has received an award from Landscape Ontario’s Awards Excellence Program each year since 1992, recognizing their achievements in Landscape Design as well as Grounds Management categories.

Attract and retain the right employees Did you know that almost half of the employees surveyed agree that workplace sponsored financial guidance and savings programs can improve their productivity at work?* Through an RBC Group Savings Plan, you can help your employees navigate today’s complex financial environment with personal advice from qualified investment professionals.

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For more information on exclusive offers available to CNLA members only, please call us at 1-877-633-2425 or email us at GFSnationalaccountrep@rbc.com All products and services are offered by Royal Bank of Canada and its subsidiaries and may be changed, terminated or withdrawn at any time without notice. Some terms, conditions, limitations and restrictions may apply. Financing is subject to the lending criteria of Royal Bank of Canada. ® Registered trademark of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. © 2010 Canadian Nursery Landscape Association. © 2010 Royal Bank of Canada. *MetLife: 8th Annual Study of Employee Benefits Trends

Canadian Nursery Landscape Association / Association Canadienne des Pépiniéristes et des Paysagistes 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 | Toll Free: 1-888-446-3499 | Toll Free Fax: 1-866-833-8603 | Email: info@canadanursery.com | www.canadanursery.com

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CNLA Newsbrief

January-February 2011

sponsored by:

ASSOCIATION NEWS

Landscape Ontario’s Congress 2011 A new level of energy is the best way to describe Congress 2011. From day one to closing day, Canada’s largest green industry trade show displayed high levels of enthusiasm from attendees.

This year’s conferences saw excellent enrollment, and keynote speaker Jody Urquhart from Calgary drew much attention with her insights into managing different generations. The 2011 People’s Choice Award for best new or green product was the green roof/green walls system by Sedum Master.

This three-by-three foot vegetative roof and wall system attracted a great deal of attention in the Showcase. Runner-up was Natural Insect Control’s Islandscapes - Floating Island, which can be used for

landscape industry

certified

any water feature to create its own habitat, while providing a natural filtration system in the pond.

Landscape Ontario also held a gala evening to celebrate its Awards of Excellence in conjunction with Congress 2011.

“The excitement surrounding the awards programs just keeps building every year, and exceeds expectations,” said LO executive director Tony DiGiovanni. “Somehow, our members continue to reach new levels of craftsmanship, paired with breathtaking designs. Thank you to all those companies

All employers are asked for online submissions of their worker performance evaluations, discouraging the use of paper submissions. This system allows, both the worker and the employer, to check the status of visas etc. It is a great tool for all

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For more information on the awards please visit www.loawards.com. Congress 2012 will be held from January 10 to 12.

Certification Corner

SAWP program changes for 2011 In late November, a delegation of Canadian employers and HRSDC officials visited Mexico City for the annual bi-lateral negotiations on the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP). Agreements were made on methodology towards establishing employee deductions for airfare and daily deductions. Starting in 2011, employers will be allowed to deduct up to $632.00 per worker for airfare (50 percent of average cost set each November). Also new for 2011, employers will be able to deduct $2.10 per day (more than four hours worked) that is used to offset costs such as utilities and upkeep on accommodations.

This will increase proportionally over time in relation to wages. Mexico’s Ministry of Labour has recently implemented a computerized system, giving Canadian employers access to pertinent information about participants and their status in the program.

that entered the awards competition this year.” One of the most prestigious awards is the Dunington-Grubb Award, with Oriole Landscaping of Toronto the recipient. This award goes to the most outstanding project in the construction category. The Casey van Maris Award goes to the project deemed the most innovative and unique design submitted, with DA Gracey & Associates of Vaughan the winner this year.

Changes in SAWP will provide better information access for Canadian employers.

participants.

Mexico also outlined their medical evaluation process, which will ensure the health of workers now that Canada does not require medicals prior to entry. For more information please contact your local HRSDC office or: - Foreign Agricultural Resource Management Services (FARMS) www.farmsontario.ca - Fondation des entreprises en recrutement main d’œuvre agricole Étrangère (FERME) www.fermequebec.com/qui_ est_ferme.html - Western Agriculture Labour Initiative (WALI) www.bcac.bc.ca

Remember to keep track of your CEUs

The two-year recertification system has now been fully implemented and the rules are stringent. Those who are now halfway through their two year cycle will be due to recertify on December 31, 2011. Be sure to take advantage of winter and spring workshops, along with other events, that are taking place across the country.

Remember, your Continuing Education Units (CEUs) must be related to your certification or your current job. Anything not listed on the back of the recertification form must be pre-approved by the CNLA office. To grant pre-approval, we require the event location, date, length, topics covered and learning outcomes. There are many opportunities available to earn your CEUs, including a self-study option for those in remote areas.

The easiest way to keep track of your CEUs is to record events on the form throughout the year and to keep a folder with all of your documentation in one place; should you be chosen for an audit, the information is easily accessed. Please read the recertification form carefully and be sure to submit your recertification information on time. Contact the CNLA office if you have any questions or concerns.

Canadian Nursery Landscape Association / Association Canadienne des Pépiniéristes et des Paysagistes 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 | Toll Free: 1-888-446-3499 | Toll Free Fax: 1-866-833-8603 | Email: info@canadanursery.com | www.canadanursery.com

CNLA Newsbrief

January-February 2011

sponsored by:

Garden Centres Corner Benchmarking for your retail garden centre – Taylor Nurseries Taylor Nurseries, a 35-year-old family owned garden centre in Milton, ON, chose to participate in Garden Centres Canada’s (GCC) 2009 and 2010 Inspection Programs.

The inspection — from the parking lot, to merchandising, staff and signage — is completed by a consultant who visits the garden centre and scores all areas. Eve Tigwell, is a UK-based garden centre consultant retained by CNLA to conduct retail inspections across Canada.

Taylor Nurseries’ Chas Lawton first learned about the Inspection Program through her experiences with the International Garden Centre Association (IGCA) tours; meeting respresentatives from other centres from around the world who were also participating in inspection programs. “Managers from other countries told me how much they gained from participating in a program like this, so when Eve Tigwell was coming to Canada our centre jumped on board,” stated Chas.

The Inspection Program has proven to be an important element in Taylor Nurseries’ marketing plan.

Chas knew what needed to be changed at her family’s garden centre, but having an outside opinion confirmed her thoughts.

There were things that needed tweaking that did not take too much effort, but made a big difference to the overall feeling of the centre; leading to increased sales and improved customers’ shopping experience.

“Things like adding more signage and providing easier access to certain areas of the centre made a big difference,” said Chas, “Eve Tigwell helped to point out things that we walked by everyday and didn’t notice —

having someone else point out these things to you can make a big difference on how you see your centre, and realize how your customer sees it too.”

In the final report that Taylor Nurseries received, Eve Tigwell provided scores and written comments, along with a CD of photos to reinforce the areas of improvement to be considered. Chas signed up for the program again in 2010 to see how they had improved from the previous year.

“We liked the results we received from the 2009 inspection, especially after hearing the positive comments,” said Chas, “The changes really created a new and better atmosphere at the centre.”

Taylor Nurseries’ score did increase from 2009 to 2010 with the changes that were made, and Chas was able to use the final report from both years to show staff how their improvements made a difference. Before Eve came to the centre each year, the staff really worked together to make improvements. “It was a great team building experience — they wanted the garden centre to look good and score higher each year!,” commented Chas.

One of the changes that Eve had recommended in 2009 included adding more colour to their evergreen sales area; drawing the customers’ attention rather than showing them an endless sea of green. “This really helped us to sell product from the area,” stated Chas, “Eve taught us that merchandising is key and to always utilize hot spots.”

Chas recommends that garden centres participate in the inspection program annually. “Do not wait to do it every two or three years, otherwise you will put off making the necessary changes — use the inspection program to benchmark from year to year and show your staff how you are improving in the areas that you are making changes to.”

For more information or to sign up for the inspections in 2011, visit www.canadanursery.com and click on “Garden Centres Canada”, or contact Rebecca at the CNLA office at 1-866-383-4711, or rebecca@ canadanursery.com.

From the Chair

Hello Garden Centre Members, On behalf of your Garden Centre Canada committee, I would like to extend to you and your families the very best wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year. I hope 2010 has kept you all in good health and positioned you well for another year of profitable retailing.

It is the goal of Garden Centres Canada to gather pertinent information that allows you, our member, to position your enterprises within parameters that are profitable and prepare well for the future. Part of our strategy is to also gain guidance for our committee in providing value services. The sharing of information among colleagues in any industry is essential for successful growth. Thank-you, in advance, for taking the time to fill out your survey available at www.canadanursery.com. You will find the new form simple and quick, and the information gathered over the next few years allows the committee to better analyze patterns for the future.

Garden Centre Canada has put forward a request to the board of the CNLA, for the funding of a dedicated part-time staff person to focus on sector-specific initiatives.

This new position would allow the implementation of the directives established in 2009. Please take the time to contact your provincial boards and CNLA representatives of the importance of initiatives being developed for the garden centre members.

During ever-growing challenges to stay competitive, member services and programs are essential for the success of our members.

The garden centre inspection program was a success in 2010 and we hope to see more of you take advantage of the program in 2011. I would like to thank everyone on your GCC committee for their work this year and wish one and all great prosperity for 2011.

Hope to see many of you during the year.

Anthony O’Neill Garden Centres Canada Chair

Canadian Nursery Landscape Association / Association Canadienne des Pépiniéristes et des Paysagistes 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 | Toll Free: 1-888-446-3499 | Toll Free Fax: 1-866-833-8603 | Email: info@canadanursery.com | www.canadanursery.com

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CNLA Newsbrief

January-February 2011

sponsored by:

Growers Corner

By rita weerdenburg

Canada’s nursery sector represented at IPM Essen Canada’s wholesale nursery growers were the new kids on the block at this year’s IPM Essen, by far the most important international trade show to represent the floriculture and nursery sectors. Under the Canadian Grown banner, Canada’s nursery industry was on view to the more than 50,000 visitors from around the world for this four-day event, which is held at the end of January each year in Essen, Germany.

“IPM Essen is an amazing trade show,” notes Growers Canada chair Owen

Vanstone. (Vanstone Nurseries MB). “One really does have to see a show such as this in person to really appreciate the scope of the sector on an international scale.”

Vic Krahn (Lakeshore Tree Farm, SK) agrees, adding that while the selection of Canadian grown nursery stock eligible for export to off continent markets may be limited, seeing first hand the size and scope of the international marketplace brings a new perspective to the business opportunities available for Canada’s grower industry.

Canada’s nursery sector was represented by (l-r) Gord Mathies, Cannor Nurseries; Dave Adamson, Adamson’s Heritage Nurseries; Vic Krahn, Lakeshore Tree Farms; and Owen Vanstone, Vanstone Nurseries.

Also in attendance to represent the BC sector of the industry were Dave Adamson (Adamson’s Heritage Nurseries) and Gord Mathies (Cannor Nurseries). “I was really pleased at how well we were received given this was our first year at the show, “ noted Gord. “Generally, it takes at least three years for a group or company to really become established

CNLA’s export development initiative is further supported by a new website, www.Canadian-Grown.com, designed to support both the buying and selling of exportready nursery stock. All CNLA grower members interested in off-continent export opportunities may list their available inventories at no charge.

Simply log on to the site and click the Grower tab on the main page to register your company.

at a trade show, and that would especially be true at a trade show of this size and caliber.”

CNLA’s participation at the IPM Essen show was financially supported through AAFC’s AgriMarketing program. Further information on future export development opportunities will be made available through the Growers’ E-Mail Updates, pending project funding approval.

Japanese barberry: Canadian grower industry declines to pursue addition of new cultivars at this time Épine-vinette du Japon: le secteur de la production de l’industrie canadienne renonce à ajouter de nouveaux cultivars pour le moment For many years, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has regulated the importation and domestic movement of Berberis thunbergii (Japanese barberry), an alternate host of black stem rust, a disease capable of causing major crop losses in grain crops such as wheat, oat, barley and rye.

As a result of CFIA’s field evaluation of selected Japanese barberry cultivars that were initially determined to be rust-resistant through testing conducted by the USDA’s Cereal Rust Laboratories located at the University of Minnesota, a registry of resistant barberry cultivars was compiled and appended to the Plant Protection Regulations

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as permissible for import into and movement within Canada. This was completed in 2001, and although this scientific lab testing is ongoing by the USDA and has resulted in many new varieties of Berberis being introduced in the US, there have been no new cultivars added to CFIA’s Plant Protection Regulations since that time due to the necessary investment in field evaluation of new Japanese barberry cultivars and legislative amendments.

Due to pressure from the grower industry on both sides of the border to add to the list of Berberis cultivars currently allowed entry into Canada, this matter was an

agenda item for industry meetings with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in the winter of 2007-8. In consideration of the resource requirements to enact such a change to the Plant Protection Regulations, especially in light of the many other issues being dealt with on behalf of the ornamental horticulture sector, including Phythopthora ramorum, it was agreed by the CNLA’s Growers’ Canada group that this initiative would not be further pursued at that time.

With the passage of three years, a request was made to once again review the Japanese barberry issue and a conference call between industry and CFIA representatives was held in late December, 2010.

Canadian Nursery Landscape Association / Association Canadienne des Pépiniéristes et des Paysagistes 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 | Toll Free: 1-888-446-3499 | Toll Free Fax: 1-866-833-8603 | Email: info@canadanursery.com | www.canadanursery.com

CNLA Newsbrief

January-February 2011

sponsored by:

Coin de producteurs

By rita weerdenburg

During those meetings, CNLA was once again made aware by CFIA of the threat posed by a new and virulent strain of wheat rust known as Ug-99 (the name relates to Uganda as the country of origin and first discovered in 1999.) Although Ug-99 was previously considered to be a factor in the decision to not pursue the registration of additional barberry cultivars, more recent scientific studies continue to reinforce the threat of Ug-99 to the billion-dollar Canadian wheat industry.

As wheat rusts are airborne, the introduction of Ug-99 would be devastating to grain farmers should it reach North America. At issue, notes CFIA’s Ken Wong is the fact that it is not known whether the currently approved barberries are in fact resistant to this virulent new strain of wheat rust. Especially when taken into consideration with the fact that barberries can easily crosspollinate to produce new and possibly non-resistant types but still have the appearance of rust resistant cultivars, the threat to the wheat industry is considered by CFIA to be unacceptably high.

“As Ug-99 has not yet reached North America, scientific testing of the pathogen is all but impossible,” notes Ken. “Although the Canadian government has and will continue to invest in off-shore research, the focus will be on the development of rust-resistant wheat varieties.”

In view of the threat to Canada’s wheat industry, the CNLA has once again agreed they will not pursue the addition of new barberry cultivars to the Plant Protection Regulations. This matter will be reviewed in consultation with CFIA on a regular two-year basis.

Depuis plusieurs années, l’Agence canadienne d’inspection des aliments a réglementé l’importation et le transport en territoire canadien de Berberis thunbergii (Épine-vinette du Japon), un porteur intermédiaire de la rouille noire, une maladie capable de causer des ravages importants aux cultures de céréales telles le blé, l’avoine, l’orge et le seigle.

L’ACIA, à la suite de résultats de ses tests sur des cultivars sélectionnés d’épinesvinettes du Japon , cultivars qui avaient

été initialement reconnus comme étant résistants à la rouille noire lors d’études menées par les laboratoires spécialisés de l’USDA (Département américain de l’agriculture) à l’Université de Minnesota, a compilé et mis à jour un registre de cultivars d’épines-vinettes résistants à la rouille noire qui apparaît dans ses Règlements pour la protection des végétaux qui sont autorisés à être importés et transportés au Canada. Cette liste fut complétée en 2001 et, malgré le fait que les tests de laboratoire qui se poursuivent toujours aux É.-U., ont permis d’introduire de nouvelles variétés de Berberis dans ce pays, aucun cultivar n’a été ajouté aux Règlements pour la protection des végétaux de l’ACIA, dû au manque de ressources nécessaires pour évaluer de nouveaux cultivars d’épines-vinettes du Japon et des amendements requis à la loi.

Cette question faisait partie de l’ordre du jour des réunions conjointes de l’Agence canadienne d’inspection des aliments (ACIA) et de l’industrie à l’hiver 2007-8, suite aux pressions incessantes exercées par les producteurs canadiens et américains pour allonger la liste de cultivars de Berberis qui peuvent présentement être importés au Canada. Après avoir considérer les ressources requises pour apporter de tels changements aux Règlements sur la protection des végétaux, et spécialement avoir tenu compte des nombreuses autres questions du secteur de l’horticulture ornementale qui doivent être résolues, dont Phythopthora ramorum, le secteur de la production de l’ACPP (Growers’ Canada) avait décidé de mettre cette initiative de côté pour le moment.

Trois ans plus tard, à la fin décembre 2010, lors d’un appel conférence entre l’ACIA et des représentants de l’industrie, on demanda à nouveau de revoir la question de l’épine-vinette du Japon.

Durant ces réunions, l’ACIA informa de nouveau l’ACPP du danger posé par une nouvelle souche virulente de la rouille du blé, appelée Ug-99 (le nom fait référence au pays d’origine (Uganda) et à l’année de sa découverte, soit 1999.)

Bien que dans le passé, on a tenu compte

de l’impact possible d’Ug-99 dans la décision de ne pas poursuivre l’homologation de nouveaux cultivars d’épine-vinette, des études scientifiques plus récentes confirment et renforcent la menace que pose Ug-99 à l’industrie canadienne du blé et l’économie. Étant donné que les spores de la rouille noire sont disséminées par le vent, l’introduction d’Ug-99 en Amérique du Nord aurait des effets dévastateurs sur l’industrie céréalière. Ce qui inquiète particulièrement Ken Wong de l’ACIA est qu’aucune des variétés de blé cultivées en ce moment n’est résistante à la rouille noire et que de plus, nous ne savons pas si les épines-vinettes qui sont présentement approuvées sont en fait résistantes à cette nouvelle souche de rouille du blé. De plus, si l’on tient compte que l’épine-vinette pratique la pollinisation allogame pour produire de nouvelles variétés qui sont possiblement non résistantes à la rouille mais qui ont l’apparence de cultivars qui le sont, on comprend que le danger très élevé pour l’industrie du blé est inacceptable pour l’ACIA. “Puisque Ug-99 n’a pas encore atteint l’Amérique du Nord, il est presqu’impossible de procéder à des tests scientifiques sur l’agent pathogène,” dit Ken. “Bien que le gouvernement canadien a et continuera à investir dans la recherche outre-mer, les efforts seront mis sur le développement de variétés de blé résistantes à la rouille.”

C’est en considération pour le danger que pose la rouille à l’industrie canadienne du blé que l’ACPP a encore une fois accepté de ne pas demander que l’on ajoute de nouveaux cultivars au registre des Règlements sur la protection des végétaux. Cette question sera abordée avec l’ACIA sur une base biennale.

Japanese barberry Berberis thunbergii Photo by James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

Canadian Nursery Landscape Association / Association Canadienne des Pépiniéristes et des Paysagistes 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 | Toll Free: 1-888-446-3499 | Toll Free Fax: 1-866-833-8603 | Email: info@canadanursery.com | www.canadanursery.com

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CNLA Newsbrief

January-February 2011

sponsored by:

Landscapers Corner 28th Perennial Plant Association Symposium – Part 2 of 3

BY LIZ KLOSE, CLP AND BETH EDNEY, CLD

The Perennial Plant Association (PPA) is an international trade association dedicated to improving the perennial plant industry.

This is part two of a three part series of speaker presentation excerpts from the PPA Symposium in July. It is intended to feature the highlights of the presentation of interest to the landscape and retail garden sector sectors.

What’s Next: Garden Trends for 2011

Suzi McCoy, Garden Media Group, Chadds Ford PA www.gardenmediagroup.com/ - www.o2foryou.org/ website re: oxygen and clean air benefits of indoor plants (lots of statistics and information on benefits) - www.gardenmediagroup.com/pressroom/trends10.pdf for 2010 Gardening Trends - green and saving the planet is becoming a lifestyle, one back yard at a time. By landscaping the back/front back yards people feel they can contribute to saving the planet.

- “It is the healthy consciousness that is bringing us back to the earth being restored” - eight out of 10 people in all age groups are doing something green - 84.4 percent will pay more if it is green - 54 percent shop at garden centres - #1 Trend: gardening with a multi-purpose ie: how it enhances and improves the environment and self (ie: urban farming and vegetable gardens are rapidly increasing in popularity) - 2011 Year of the Forest re: biodiversity focus

Gardens for Healing

Theresa Hazen, Legacy Health Systems, Portland, Oregon - just three minutes of exposure to a natural setting has impactful physiological benefits - landscapes with 70 percent plants 30 percent hardscape provide better healing results - plants help with cognitive memory, speech therapy, and mobility – patients loose inhibitions and are more readily open to advancement when connected to plants

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Next of Kin: Inducting the Next Generation into Gardening

Panel: Garden Fever, Portland; Al’s Garden Centre, Portland, Ed Hume Seeds and Gardening in America Presentations included several children-oriented activities. See the following websites for youth gardening programs: Al’s Garden Centre Kids Club Activities www.alsgardencenter.com/index. php?cID=248 Ed Hume Seeds and Gardening in America www.humeseeds.com/edgarden.htm - After a gardening adventure with children and you hear comments like “this is the best day of my whole life”… that is the reward - We need more kids saying “I have been doing this all my life” - For success, the programs need to be fun, quick and yield instant results - Garden centres need to include children in their marketing programs to draw in adults - Choose programs for youth in the shoulder seasons, but be sure to get an early start to keep the adults coming back to the garden centre - Build customer loyalty by providing a service - Children’s programs provide adults the opportunity to learn in a non-threatening environment they are learning together. and THEY come back again and buy!! … sales dramatically increased after children’s programs - In “yesteryear” we all gardened with grandparents – there is now a generation gap that we need to fill to capture the art of gardening with children - Need to get kids to overcome the “critter phobia” and the fear of “getting your hands dirty” - The message: children are our future and we need to invest in them now – they are to be seen, heard and involved.

Plant Marriages: Exceptional Combinations Using Foliage Aspects

Dan Hinkley, Indianola, Washington - when designing, avoid the “vomitous sprawl, that looks like a large whale that has washed up on the beach and rotted” look at designing and partnering plants in three ways: 1. punctuation: balance and boldness – “let plants sing on their own and give them space to punch the landscape”

By Liz Klose BSc. Agr, CLP

2. exclamation: height differential and vertical lift 3. accentuation: multiples and repetition of plants and hardscape features The 29th Perennial Plant Association Symposium will be held in Atlanta, July 17-22, 2011 and in Boston in 2012. For more information on the Perennial Plant Association, visit www.perennialplant.org

Red Seal Gets the Green Light in New Brunswick

After many months of intense planning and development, the Landscape Horticulture Training Institute (owned and operated

by Landscape New Brunswick) opened its doors on Jan. 31, 2011, to begin the first Landscape Horticulture Apprenticeship training in the province. It is a proud day for Landscape New Brunswick!!

“It’s been an impressive journey for us, so we are told by our provincial Post Secondary Education Training and Labour department,” stated Jim Landry, executive director of Landscape New Brunswick. “Normally the time frame between application for trade designation and the actual beginning of block training can take many years. Thanks to the work of the various groups, such as, nationally, Landscape Canada and the CNLA; provincially by people like former president Darrell Nameth and respective committees; and interprovincially by most of our sister associations, things have fallen into place very quickly…but the road here has not been easy.”

“We always knew that we had the best people who could provide the best training, and now is the chance to prove it. Our line up of top-notch instructors includes Karen Carrier of Kutting Vine Garden and Lawn Maintenance and Ben Scholten of Scholten Landscape,” said Landry. “With Karen’s teaching and horticultural background and her critical review and feedback together with Ben’s methodical approach to program development; and our entire association supporting it along the way… the road ahead looks very bright,” concluded Landry.

Canadian Nursery Landscape Association / Association Canadienne des Pépiniéristes et des Paysagistes 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 | Toll Free: 1-888-446-3499 | Toll Free Fax: 1-866-833-8603 | Email: info@canadanursery.com | www.canadanursery.com

CNLA Newsbrief

January-February 2011

Landscape Horticulturist Apprenticeship – a national perspective

A working group of members provided input into the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum’s Employer Engagement Strategy.

The purpose was to share information on the value of apprenticeship training and identify key messages to contribute to communication materials, created by CAF on our behalf, geared towards employers to help promote the Landscape Horticulturist Apprenticeship. CNLA Landscape Priorities Manager, Liz Klose, connected with all provinces to review and provide input on the final Landscape Horticulturist Apprenticeship National Exam, known officially as the Landscape Horticulturist Interprovincial Examination.

ELCA UPDATE: Promoting “Green Research” at the European level

The following are greening initiatives excerpted from recent press releases from the European Landscape Contractors Association.

Creating the foundation for sustainable urban development and design of green areas, the ELCA-president Emmanuel Mony stated, “There are still enormous gaps in the research efforts concerning the effects of plants and trees on the environment and sustainability. Profound research in, and proof of, the assumed connections are absolutely necessary. The working fields of gardening and landscaping depend on both to provide possible solutions.” Therefore environmental-related research must be increased to allow direct answers to climate change and what vegetation would contribute to the mitigation of climate change, interactions of biosphere and human health, the conservation of biodiversity as well as concerning sustainable urban development, creating higher biodiversity in urban areas and design of green areas.

Research in the area of “green and health” needs to provide new empirically sound results to prove the idealistic value of green and the monetary value of green with regard to health promotion.

ELCA Green Research

Research and innovation are key initiatives for the ELCA. The ELCA is planning a border-crossing research workshop in Brussels on May 24, 2011. Topics such as “Green and Health”, “Green and Particulate

sponsored by:

Matter”, “Green and City Climatology” as well as “Biodiversity in European Cities” and innovative services will be in the centre of interest. Results and deficits of research will be discussed and investigated, with suggestions for new, continuative research plans.

Innovation is the best solution for the European gardening and landscaping industry to cope with issues on climate change, the scarcity of energy and resources as well as with questions of health and aging. European gardening and landscaping depends on scientific results to be able to provide solutions according to the latest state of science and technology. Therefore, environmental-related research regarding questions of building and vegetation technology must be expanded to cope with challenges if the future. Educational institutions need

to address the development of curricula and the training of postgraduates, so that the taught abilities correspond better to the requirements of entrepreneurs.

It is absolutely necessary to create a real, standardized European research ventures, where all those participating, private or public can act and form alliances in an unrestricted way. The European system of R&D-promotion has become much too complicated. Those who are potentially entitled are facing a large number of national and regional programmes, inter-state initiatives as well as the EU means of promotion.

Procedures and conditions must be further simplified and standardized. To those jobs high priority must be given.

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Canadian Nursery Landscape Association / Association Canadienne des Pépiniéristes et des Paysagistes 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 | Toll Free: 1-888-446-3499 | Toll Free Fax: 1-866-833-8603 | Email: info@canadanursery.com | www.canadanursery.com

11

CNLA Newsbrief

January-February 2011

sponsored by:

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Canadian Nursery Landscape Association / Association Canadienne des Pépiniéristes et des Paysagistes 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 | Toll Free: 1-888-446-3499 | Toll Free Fax: 1-866-833-8603 | Email: info@canadanursery.com | www.canadanursery.com