November December Landscape Trades 2013

November-December 2013 VOL. 35, NO.9

landscapetrades.com

Safeguarding contracts with condo boards Stress relief for highway trees Reasons to care about containing invasive species

INTRODUCTIONS for Canada 2014 Exclusive roundup: WOODY LANDSCAPE PLANTS TAKE CENTRE STAGE

PM40013519

Inside: CONGRESS CONFERENCE GUIDE

LANDSCAPE DOM I NATOR When you work hard all day taming the tough terrain, you need a machine that works just as hard. You need a Gravely Commercial Mower. With a full product offering from zero-turn mowers to 21-inch walk behinds, Gravely is built to take on the toughest jobs. And when your livelihood depends on getting the work done – downtime is not an option. That is why Gravely Commercial mowers are built to dominate the landscape.

www.gravely.com

contents NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 VOL. 35, NO. 9

PUBLISHER Lee Ann Knudsen CLP | lak@landscapeontario.com Editorial Director Sarah Willis | sarahw@landscapeontario.com Art Director Kim Burton | kburton@landscapeontario.com Editor Allan Dennis | adennis@landscapeontario.com Web editor Robert Ellidge | rob@landscapeontario.com Graphic Designer Mike Wasilewski | mikew@landscapeontario.com Accountant Joe Sabatino | joesabatino@landscapeontario.com Sales Manager, PUBLICATIONS Steve Moyer | stevemoyer@landscapeontario.com INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS REPRESENTATIVE Greg Sumsion | gsumsion@landscapeontario.com COMMUNICATIONS assistant Angela Lindsay | alindsay@landscapeontario.com Advisory Committee Gerald Boot CLP, Laura Catalano, Hank Gelderman CHT, Marty Lamers, Jan Laurin, Warren Patterson, Gregg Salivan, Bob Tubby CLP

Landscape Trades is published by Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 Phone: (905)875-1805 Email: comments@landscapetrades.com Fax: (905)875-0183 Web site: www.landscapetrades.com LANDSCAPE ONTARIO STAFF Shawna Barrett, Darryl Bond, Rachel Cerelli, Tony DiGiovanni CHT, Denis Flanagan CLD, Sally Harvey CLT CLP, Jane Leworthy, Heather MacRae, Kristen McIntyre CHT, Kathy McLean, Linda Nodello, Kathleen Pugliese, Paul Ronan, Ian Service, Tom Somerville, Martha Walsh

NEW PLANT INTRODUCTIONS 2014 A PREVIEW: Next year’s new plants for Canada

8 Woody plants 14 Perennials 18 Annuals 20 Roses, list of suppliers

FEATURE

22 Greening Canada’s highways Made-in-Canada research evaluates tree stress along our highways

BY DR. DARBY McGRATH AND JASON HENRY

COLUMNS 28 MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS | Work harder, but smarter, to build a profitable company

BY MARK BRADLEY

Landscape Trades is published nine times a year: January, March, April, May, June, July/August, September, October and November/December.

30 ROAD TO SUCCESS | The more successful you become, the more folks will gossip

Subscription rates: One year – $46.90, two years – $84.74; three years – $118.64, HST included.

U.S. and international please add $20.00 per year for postage and handling.

Subscribe at www.landscapetrades.com

32 LEGAL MATTERS | What to know when working with a condo corporation

Copyright 2013. All rights are reserved. Material may not be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. Landscape Trades assumes no responsibility for, and does not endorse the contents of, any advertisements herein. All representations or warranties made are those of the advertiser and not the publication. Views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the association or its members, but are those of the writer concerned.

ISSN 0225-6398 PUBLICATIONS MAIL SALES AGREEMENT 40013519 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT LANDSCAPE TRADES MAGAZINE 7856 FIFTH LINE SOUTH, MILTON, ON L9T 2X8, CANADA

BY ROD McDONALD

BY ROBERT KENNALEY

33 SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPING | Why should we care about invasive plants?

BY SEAN JAMES

DEPARTMENTS GREEN PENCIL LETTER TO THE EDITOR NEW PRODUCTS INDUSTRY NEWS PROVINCIAL UPDATE CNLA NEWS COMING EVENTS CLASSIFIEDS WHERE TO FIND IT

4 6 25 26 34 36 37 37 38

Special Insert: CONGRESS 2014 CONFERENCE GUIDE Follows page 20

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 | LANDSCAPE TRADES |

3

greenpencil

A plea for calling plants by their correct names

What’s that you said?

N

ursery growers and other landscape horticulture professionals never cease to amaze me by their extensive knowledge of plant names. Most of you learned plant names from an early age, hearing them from your parents, in the workplace and in an educational setting. Who among you have not learned botanical names for tests, or just to be fluent in your profession? And there may be the temptation just to rattle off a name like the longest one I once learned: Ampelopsis brevipedunculata var. maximowiczii. Oh, by the way, the currently accepted name of that plant is Ampelopsis glandulosa var. heterophylla. Do

By Glen Lumis, you ever wonder if botanical taxProfessor Emeritus, onomists just try to increase our Univ. of Guelph vocabulary? All those names, like a second language, come easily as you work with and use plants every day.

Thousands of botanical names, many with unusual sounds like Eleutherococcus, glyptostroboides and Trachelospermum, roll off your tongues like water over Niagara Falls. However, there is one word that should rarely roll off your tongues. That’s the word VARIETY. What you mean and should say is CULTIVAR. Nursery catalogues are filled with plant names correctly enclosed in single quotes. Those marks denote a cultivar.

Yet when speaking I often hear the word variety for those names. Some nursery catalogues, trade magazines and promotional materials also use the word variety incorrectly.

4 | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

Even respected gardening personalities on radio and television incorrectly use the word. Using an incorrect word for plants seems unusual for those so passionate about correct plant names. Let’s remember to say CULTIVAR. I’ll be listening and watching.

The International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants indicates that “the botanical categories varietas (var.) and forma (f.) are not equivalent to cultivar and these terms must not be automatically treated as equivalent for cultivar.” Botanical varieties occur, and are able to perpetuate themselves in the wild. We often bring them into cultivation and propagate them. Since they breed true they can be propagated from seed. Most nurseries grow very few varieties. Examples are Betula utilis var. jacquemontii and Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis. Cultivars are usually originated and perpetuated in cultivation. They do not perpetuate themselves in the wild. Since they rarely breed true from seed, they are propagated vegetatively.

Since I’m on the subject of naming, another thing I occasionally notice in nursery catalogues and promotional material is the same word used for both the cultivar name and trademark name. Since the cultivar name is part of the plant’s botanical name, that name cannot be trademarked.

Such use of a trademark contravenes the International Code and would render the mark invalid, thus negating the ability of the originator to protect the name of his plant.

Many of you have groaned, or worse, in having to know two names for the same plant. Some originators have made it nearly impossible to remember a cultivar name consisting of nonsensical letters and numbers. But, that’s a matter related to marketing — not taxonomy or nomenclature. LT

Discover Navascape A renewed line of products by Permacon, the leader in landscaping.

StoneTile Abruzzo in Caramel Ferrous

navascape.ca

lettertotheeditor Open letter to CNLA members As some of you know, I have been involved on a volunteer basis with Landscape Ontario and the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association my entire working career. For almost 30 years of that time I was Insurance Chair for the CNLA and now still involved Karl Stensson on the committee. Before I go on, please note this letter expresses my PERSONAL opinion and is not meant to represent the opinion of the association or my fellow committee members although I do know many share my views.

The word “insurance” is usually one that most people would like to leave out of their vocabulary. It is a necessary evil in our business and personal lives and unfortunately only seems worthwhile when something tragic happens.

Knowing that this is not a popular topic, recent events have bothered me to the point where I feel compelled to write and tell you why insurance is so important to the membership of the CNLA and all provincial associations. Firstly, let me tell you what has bothered me. Reports from our authorized insurance brokers, The Investment Guild (TIG) and Marsh Canada, state that our policies are growing steadily however a number of our key members are simply getting quotes and then asking their current brokers to match the quote.

Simply put, in most cases your current broker would not have given you these lower prices IF Marsh or TIG had not given you the quote in the first place. Now, before everyone says that this is normal business practice and that they do not want to go through the hassle of changing brokers, let me tell you why it is important that you try to support your association.

Back in the early 1980s, the CNLA (then the CNTA) was on the verge of bankruptcy.

The member provinces had no choice but to close the office in Ottawa, let the Executive Director go and reduce dues to a minimum of $25. Over the years, the association gradually rebuilt itself and annual dues slowly rose to over $100 per member. At that point, the provinces started to balk at paying increased fees so they directed the CNLA board to “find ways to make money without raising dues.” And we did. We started the insurance program by offering health and life and more recently, the general accident insurance.

In case you don’t know, the authorized insurance companies pay the CNLA and member provinces a small percentage of premiums and the annual income from these payments is now more than our CNLA dues income. In short we did what the members asked us to do!

Every few years the insurance committee of CNLA reviews our authorized brokers to ensure we are getting the best for our members and a couple of years ago we changed our general insurance to Marsh Canada.

As part of their contract with the CNLA, the brokers are required to report on their progress and I always read the monthly summaries. When reporting why members did not accept the Marsh quote, very often they get answers from members such as “current broker matched our quote and not changing” or even worse “not interested in changing or getting a quote.” This is no different than the reports received from the Investment Guild over the years.

I would NEVER ask someone to support something for the Association if it cost them one dime extra in their business, BUT it irks me to know that many companies could change, save money and support our associations at the same time, and yet they do not even try.

Landscape Ontario and the CNLA are two of the most successful trade associations in the world. Why? Because they have remained relevant, they have great volunteer support and they have found ways to enhance membership while making money without raising dues significantly. I find it ironic that we have such huge volunteer participation and yet are struggling to get members to volunteer to see if they can save money.

With all things being EQUAL why would you not support the companies endorsed by your association? When your insurance is coming up for renewal, please think about getting a quote and supporting Marsh or The Investment Guild. They will never be the cheapest in all cases, but where they are cheaper or offer better coverage, I ask you to support them and in turn support your association.

TRADES LANDSCAPE SOURCE BOOK

Yours truly, Karl E. Stensson Sheridan Nurseries, Georgetown, Ont.

2014

14

20 SourcKe

BOO PRODUCTS and SERVICES

for Canada’s stry green indu

6 | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

gs all year -date listin Find up-to

8 VOL. 35, NO.

Congress 2014!

OCTOBER 2013

Meet the Landscape Trades staff at

cover ideas

final choices.indd

3

.com sourcebook

at www.LT

9/19/2013

11:52:57

AM

Do you have an opinion, or comment on something you’ve read in Landscape Trades?

We value and welcome letters to the editor.

Email sarahw@landscapeontario.com, or fax 905-875-3942.

6 | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

LT

A TRUCK AS STRONG AS THE MAN WHO DRIVES IT.

ALL-NEW CHEVY SILVERADO THE MOST EFFICIENT V8 IN a pICkup.* EVEN MOrE EFFICIENT THaN FOrD’S F-150 ECOBOOST V6. STrONg. FOr aLL THE rOaDS aHEaD. *2014 Silverado 1500 with the available 5.3L EcoTec3 engine equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission has a fuel-consumption rating of 11.0L/100 km combined (2WD) and 11.4L/100 km combined (4WD). Fuel consumption based on gM testing in accordance with approved Transport Canada test methods. Your actual fuel consumption may vary. Comparison based on wardsauto.com 2013 Large pickup segment and latest competitive data available. Excludes other gM vehicles.

Selling the promise of season-long colour For the first time in the 18 years Landscape Trades has been collecting information on new plants, the number of new woody cultivars far outpaced all the other types of new plants.

It’s taken a few years for hybridizers to catch up, but the trade can now offer a selection of easy-care shrubs that provide long-term colour for the new generation of décor-obsessed gardeners. Whether

it’s long-lasting flowers, rebloomers or variegated or colourful foliage, there is a whole new palette of compact woody plants for use in small gardens Fresh and new is always a draw for consumers.

Flip through this selection of next year’s new plants, and plan to take advantage by promoting what’s new next year. Supplier contact information appears on page 20.

NEW PLANTS

WOODY PLANTS Acer pseudoplatanus ‘Tunpetti’ Regal Petticoat® maple Spring brings a bird-of-paradise effect as the new leaves unfurl dramatically. Summer sees leaves with a deep glossy green surface and velvety royal purple underside.

Spectacular colours in the fall.

Regal Petticoat® is tar spotresistant, salt tolerant and thrives in calciferous soil. Grows 12 m (40 ft.) tall and 9 m (30 ft.) wide.

Hardy to Zone 4.

J.C. Bakker & Sons

Betula platyphylla ‘Jefpark’ Parkland Pillar Asian white birch A narrow columnar selection of Asian white birch selected

by Duane Beck of Parkland Nurseries in Red Deer, Alta.

Parkland Pillar features darkgreen foliage and attractive white bark. Fall foliage is golden-yellow. Grows 10 m (32 ft.) tall and 1.75 m (5.5 ft.) wide. Hardy to Zone 3.

Jeffries Nurseries

Buxus microphylla var. koreana ‘Eseles’ PPAF, CBRAF Wedding Ring™ boxwood

A unique, compact boxwood that has variegated green, lime and gold glossy foliage. The colour holds through the summer and winter months.

Can be used in formal gardens as hedging or as an accent plant in any landscape. Mori Nurseries

Clematis ‘Sweet Summer Love’ ‘Sweet Summer Love’ clematis PPAF, CBRAF

Wouldn’t it be great if Sweet Autumn clematis flowered sooner and longer and came in other colours? Now it does! ‘Sweet Summer Love’ gives you everything you want: the flowers, the fragrance, the ease of growth and cranberry-violet blooms that start more than a month earlier than others. Hardy to Zone 5, it grows in full sun or partial shade and will reach over 3 m (10 ft.) in length.

Proven Winners. Canadale Nurseries

8 | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

WOODY PLANTS Daphne x burkwoodii ‘Lunar Eclipse’ Lunar Eclipse daphne

The leaf is what really distinguishes this plant from similar species. It has a very wide green margin and narrow yellow centre. The bark is noticeably softer and thicker than the species.

Grows 90 cm (3 ft.) tall and wide. Hardy to Zone 3. J.C. Bakker & Sons

Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Horwack’ PPAF Next Generation™ Pistachio hydrangea

Pistachio is a very unique reblooming hydrangea! It has a wide assortment of colours in each flower and makes the perfect accent in any landscape or container garden. Mori Nurseries

Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Dancing Angel’ PP18393 Peppermint Swirl™ hydrangea

A repeat bloomer, with unusual pink (or blue) mophead flowers from late spring until frost. Flowers have a unique ‘peppermint candy’ variegation.

Upright stems during blooming.

Grows 90 cm (3 ft.) tall and wide.

From the HGTV Home Plant Collection.

Willowbrook Nurseries

Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Horheart’ PPAF Edgy® Hearts hydrangea

A gorgeous hydrangea with large dark pink-red flowers that are accented by white edges. A small to medium sized hydrangea with strong stems and glossy green foliage. Mori Nurseries

Hydrangea macrophylla ‘PIIHM-II’ Endless Summer® Bloomstruck™ hydrangea

This beauty blooms on old and new growth, constantly pushing out new flower heads measuring 6 - 12.5 cm (3.5 to 5 in.) across. Intense rose-pink, violet or blue flower heads on striking red-purple stems. BloomStruck has remarkable heat tolerance, too.

When other mophead hydrangeas wilt in summer heat, BloomStruck doesn’t flag.

In the fall, the leaves take on a deep burgundy color, extending this plant’s appeal.

Grows 1.2 m (4 ft.) tall and 1.5 m (5 ft.) wide. Hardy to Zone 4. J.C. Bakker & Sons

Hydrangea paniculata ‘SMHPFL’ PPAF, CBRAF Fire Light™ hydrangea

Fire Light™ hydrangea is the new standard for hardy hydrangeas. Upright panicles are packed with florets which transform from pure white to rich pomegranate-pink. Its thick, sturdy stems look great in a container, as well as the garden. Hardy to Zone 4, it will grow 1.4-1.8m (4.5-6 ft.) tall and wide, and adapts to full sun or partial shade. Proven Winners.

Canadale Nurseries NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 | LANDSCAPE TRADES |

9

WOODY PLANTS Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Ruby Slippers’ Ruby Slippers oak leaf hydrangea

Magnolia stellata ‘Centennial Blush’ PP22,248 First Editions® Centennial Blush™ star magnolia

Profuse and exceptionally large 9-in. panicles open white, age to dark pink and are held above the deeply lobed oaklike foliage. Compact, dense form is highlighted by mahogany-red hues in the fall. Ideally suited for a small landscape, as an informal hedge or as a standout in the mixed shrub border. Grows 120 cm (4 ft.) tall and wide. Hillen Nursery

Capture the romance of a beautiful southern garden, with First Editions® Centennial Blush™ star magnolia.

This compact variety features beautiful pink buds and double flowers. As they open in early spring, the double flowers transform to a lighter pink, absolutely covering the tree with delicate colour and incredible fragrance.

The leaves turn golden bronze in autumn. Bred by Dr. Michael Dirr. Grows in sun and partial shade, and reaches 3.6-5.5 m (12-18 ft.) tall and spreads 3-4.5 m (10-15 ft.) wide. Hardy to Zone 4. First Editions®

Hypericum Red SnickerTM and White GiggleTM Peppermint PerkTM hypericum mix

The Happy Berry HypericumsTM have two distinctly different cultivars planted together creating a unique mix of ornamental fruit. Peppermint PerkTM has crisp white and cherry red berries in autumn. Best in full sun. Grows 45-60 cm (18-24 in.) tall and wide. From the HGTV Home Plant Collection. Willowbrook Nurseries

PICTURED ON COVER

Hydrangea paniculata 'Rensun' PPAF First Editions® Strawberry Sundae® hydrangea

Fans of First Editions® Vanilla Strawberry® will want to scoop up its little sister, Strawberry Sundae®. This compact version has creamy white blooms that change to pink, then to a beautiful strawberry red, when night temperatures drop a few degrees in late summer.

Grows to only 120 cm (4 ft.) tall. First Editions®

Physocarpus opulifolius ‘SMPOTW’ PPAF, CBRAF Tiny Wine™ ninebark

Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Podaras 3’ Lemon Candy ninebark

Rich, chartreuse foliage persists from spring until fall. White blooms in spring. Compact habit is excellent for foundation and shrub border use. A low water-needs ninebark, it thrives in nearly every condition. Blooms in spring. Grows 60-90 cm (2-3 ft.) tall and wide. Hillen Nursery

10 | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

This new dwarf ninebark is smaller than others in the market. Tiny Wine™ is extra-bushy with small, refined leaves.

The dark bronze-maroon foliage is colourful all season and contrasts beautifully with the white late spring flowers. The flower show is exceptional, with dainty flowers blooming up and down the stem in a very showy display. This is a wonderful cold-hardy native plant that is perfectly sized for residential landscapes. Hardy to Zone 4, it will grow 90-120 cm (3-4 ft.) tall and wide. Best in full sun.

Proven Winners. Canadale Nurseries

WOODY PLANTS Quercus x jackiana ‘Jefmir’ Admiration® hybrid oak

Potentilla fruticosa ‘Setting Sun’ PP20299 Cutie Pie Pink™ cinquefoil

Cutie Pie Pink cinquefoil or potentilla is a compact shrub with pale rose-peach coloured flowers from early summer to fall. Virtually disease-free, this plant is ideal for a border, foundation planting or massed groupings. Plant in full sun to partial shade. Grows 90 cm (3 ft.) wide and high. Hardy to Zone 4. From the HGTV Home Plant Collection. Willowbrook Nurseries

An outstanding hybrid oak (Q. alba x Q. bicolour) found growing as a mature street tree in Saskatoon, Sask., by Dr. Philip Ronald. Admiration® features an excellent growth rate, shaggy bark and glossy dark green foliage.

Leaves turn golden in the fall and are retained into the winter.

Bud grafted on bur oak rootstock.

Hardy to Zone 2. Grows 12 m (40 ft.) tall and spreads 9 m (30 ft.).

Jeffries Nurseries

Salix sachalinensis ‘Golden Sunshine’ PP19370 ‘Golden Sunshine’ willow

Bright gold foliage emerges in spring and persists until late fall. White, fairly small blooms appear in spring.

Best in full sun, heat-resistant and easy to care for. Hardy to Zone 4.

Grows 4.5-5.5 m (15-18 ft.) tall and 1.5-1.8 m (5-6 ft.) wide.

Canadale Nurseries

Weigela ‘Bokrafour’ PP21793 Flamingo Pink weigela

Loaded with rich, rosy blooms all summer, this shrub is a hummingbird magnet. Bright yellow foliage matures to lime green as the season progresses. Trouble-free, and thrives in average soil. Grows 90-120 cm (3-4 ft.) tall and wide. Best in full sun. Hardy to Zone 4. Canadale Nurseries

12 | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

Viburnum trilobum ‘J.N. Select’ Redwing™ American cranberrybush viburnum

If you’re looking for a shrub that provides interest in every season, this is the one for you! The foliage first appears with a reddish tint, and white flowers appear in Mid May, followed by bright red fruit. In fall the foliage turns a rich brilliant red with an attractive show of berries. Mori Nurseries

Super Duty is the truck of choice for those who do the toughest jobs all across Canada. With the hauling, towing and fuel efficiency to make light work of any big job, it’s easy to see why it’s Canada’s best-selling work truck.* Learn more at Ford.ca/SuperDuty

BEST-IN-CLASS -- HORSEPOWER† | CONVENTIONAL TOWING‡ | FUEL ECONOMY^ 2013 Super Duty shown. Vehicle may be shown with optional equipment. *Based on R. L. Polk Canada, Inc. total New Registration data for vehicles over 8,000 lbs. as of YTD June 30, 2013. †Max. gas horsepower of 385 and diesel horsepower of 400 on F-250/F-350. Class is Full-Size Pickups over 8,500 lbs. GVWR vs. comparable competitors. ‡ Maximum conventional towing capability of 18,500 lbs. (8,391 kg) on F-350/450 and maximum 5th Wheel towing capability of 24,700 lbs. (11,204 kg) on F-450 when properly equipped. Class is Full-Size Pickups over 8,500 lbs. GVWR vs. comparable competitors. ^Based on Ford drive-cycle tests of comparably equipped Ford and competitive models. Class is Full-Size Pickups over 8,500 lbs. GVWR. ©2013 Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. All rights reserved.

NEW PLANTS

PERENNIALS Heuchera ‘Blackberry Ice’ PPAF Dolce® ‘Blackberry Ice’ coral bells

The breeders claim this will be a new standard in purple Heuchera.

The young leaves are a remarkable iridescent purple with black veining. As leave mature, they develop a soft pewter overlay. A villosa hybrid that offers increased tolerance to high heat and humidity. Grows in full sun to shade.

25-30 cm (10-12 in.) tall and 45-55 cm (18-22 in.) wide. Hardy to Zone 5. Proven Winners

Echinacea ‘Big Kahuna’ ‘Big Kahuna’ echinacea

Big, informal mango-honey coloured flowers in huge numbers sit above the foliage.

Flowers have a sweet scent. ‘Big Kahuna’ has a sturdy upright habit, strong stems and a unique colour, adding up to a tropical treat.

Grows 68 cm (27 in.) tall and 53 cm (21 in.) wide. Terra Nova Nurseries

Heuchera ‘Blondie’ ‘Blondie’ coral bells

Heuchera ‘Blondie’ is part of the Little Cutie series of Coral Bells. This is a terrific choice for adding colour to a partly sunny bed. Leaves are caramel and creamy yellow flower spikes add interest over a long season. These compact Heucheras are also great in containers. Protect from hot afternoon sun. Hardy to Zone 4.

Valleybrook Gardens

Brunnera macrophylla ‘Sea Heart’: USPPP ‘Sea Heart’ Siberian bugloss

With small, dainty, forget-me-not flowers and stunning, silver-frosted leaves veined in green, ‘Sea Heart’ is distinctively different. Thick leaves allow these Brunnera to tolerate heat and humidity well, when others wilt. Vigorous and mounding, this tough shade lover thrives in a shady woodland setting. ‘Sea Heart’ has pink buds that open to blue flowers in spring.

Grows 15-30 cm (6-12 in.) tall and 60 cm (24 in.) wide. Introduced by Plants Nouveau.

Skagit Gardens

14 | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

Festuca glauca ‘Casca11’: USPP #23307 Beyond Blue blue fescue This fescue’s vivid blue colour stays blue without browning later in the season and forms a dense tuft of intense colour. Showy, upright, blue green flowers on slender stems age to a straw colour and are attractive for months. Delicate in looks but tough in performance, Beyond Blue is easy to grow, and reaches 22.5-30 cm (9-12 in.) tall and 45 cm (18 in.) wide. Introduced by Concept Plants.

Skagit Gardens

GROW YOUR PROFITS WITH SMART & STYLISH SHRUBS FROM THE EXPERTS AT HGTV

Find inspiration and expert KNOW HOW! at hgtvhomeplants.com

SMART & STYLISH

Brought to you by:

WILLOWBROOK NURSERIES Contact your sales rep at (800) 661-5237.

HGTV HOME™ is a trademark of Scripps Networks, LLC, used under license to Agricola Management. ©2013

Use your Smart Phone to find out more information!

KNOW HOW!

PERENNIALS Heuchera ‘Sweet Tart’ Sweet Tart coral bells

Heuchera ‘Sweet Tart’ is part of the Little CutieTM series of coral bells. It features bright, lime-green leaves with stems of cerise and pale pink bell flower sprays appearing and late spring and lasting until fall. This compact selection is great in containers, in rock gardens or the front of the border. Hardy to Zone 4. Valleybrook Gardens

Heuchera ‘Zipper’ ‘Zipper’ coral bells

Heuchera ‘Coco’ ‘Coco’ coral bells

‘Zipper’ has brightly coloured, dramatically ruffled leaves that change from orange in spring and fall, to golden amber in summer. The magenta underside of the leaf acts as an accent on the ruffled edges. 45 cm (18 in.) tall and 30 cm (12 in.) wide. Heuchera villosa parentage gives ‘Zipper’ better heat and humidity tolerance. Terra Nova Nurseries

Heuchera ‘Coco’ is part of the Little CutieTM series and features dark chocolate leaves with stems of light pink flowers. This is a miniature version of the very popular Heuchera Obsidian and is great in containers, in rock gardens or the front of the border. Hardy to Zone 4. Valleybrook Gardens

Nepeta faassenii ‘Cat’s Meow’ PPAF, CBRAF ‘Cat’s Meow’ catmint

‘Cat’s Meow’ is a tidy, dense catmint, with sky blue flowers from summer into early fall. It is low maintenance, drought tolerant, deer resistant and long blooming — a powerhouse perennial.

Full sun. 43-59 cm (17-20 in.) tall and 60-65 cm (24-26 in.) wide.

Hardy to Zone 4. Proven Winners

Hibiscus Summerific® ‘Cherry Cheesecake’ ‘Cherry Cheesecake’ mallow

Creamy pink buds open to very large 17-20 cm (7-8 in.) white flowers with magentatipped ruffled petals and magenta veining radiating out from a cherry red eye. Relatively compact, well-branched, rounded habit with dark green foliage. Grows 1.2-1.5 m (4-5 ft.) tall. Walters Gardens Proven Winners

Your one stop shop for Natural Stone & Cultured Stone Veneers A wide selection of natural stone and precast concrete products • Flagstone • Interlocking • Cultured Stone • Masonry products • In-Lite LED Lights

• Retaining walls • Aggregates • Accessories • Bulk/bag road salt • Kichler LED Lights

Office and yard: 25 Langstaff Rd. E., Thornhill, Yonge & Hwy 7-407 Manufacturing plant: 12350 Keele St., Maple 416-222-2424 or 905-886-5787 Fax: 905-886-5795 Yard: 2777 14th Avenue Markham, On. 905-479-2201 Fax: 905-479-2202

16 | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

www.beavervalleystone.com

PERENNIALS

Hosta ‘Curly Fries’ ‘Curly Fries’ hosta

‘Curly Fries’ is a miniatureto small-sized hosta, perfect for containers of the front of borders that need a pop of colour and texture. It forms an arching, wiggly clump of extremely rippled, narrow leaves, and is best in morning sun where its chartreuse foliage will be brightest.

Mature plants have red speckled petioles. Lavender flowers. Grows 15 cm (6 in.) tall. Walters Gardens

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Kerlavangem’ PP23,001 CBRAF Sweet RomanceTM lavender

Penstemon ‘Boysenberry Taffy’ ‘Boysenberry Taffy’ penstemon

Lovely silver foliage with an attractive mounded habit, make this a great filler for containers, or welcome addition to a sunny perennial border. Fragrant, dark blue-purple flowers in late summer through fall. 30-45 cm (12-18 in.) tall and wide. Hardy to Zone 6. Proven Winners

Members of the TaffyTM series of penstemon grow in vigorous upright clumps of glossy foliage. Boysenberry Taffy erupts in stately spikes of berry-wine colour, marked with a small white throat. Bred to have an extremely long period of bloom, with deadheading not required. Grows to 70 cm (28 in.) tall and 45 cm (18 in.) wide. Terra Nova Nurseries

2014 New Introductions Regal Petticoat® Maple & Lunar Eclipse Daphne Acer pseudoplatanus ‘Tunpetti’ Regal Petticoat® Maple

Daphne x burkwoodii ‘Lunar Eclipse’ Lunar Eclipse Daphne

Spring brings bird of paradise effect. Summer sees deep glossy green surface and velvety royal purple underside. Spectacular colours in the fall.

Tar spot resistant. Salt tolerant. Will thrive in calciferous soil.

More compact growth habit then Daphne Carol Mackie. Flowers heavily in the spring and repeat blooms sporadically on new growth throughout the summer. The leaf has a narrow green margin and wide yellow centre.

(USPP 17537p3, PBR#4058)

Bakker Exclusive

100% Canadian grown hardy plant material. Member of the Canadian Nursery Certification Program.

Expert propagators of Roses, Topgrafted Standards, Shade Trees, Ornamental Shrubs, Evergreens and much more.

1360 Third Street, St. Catharines, ON Canada L2R 6P9 T: 1.877.816.6608 F: 905.935.9921 E: nursery@jcbakker.com W: www.jcbakker.com NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 | LANDSCAPE TRADES |

17

NEW PLANTS

ANNUALS Calibrachoa ‘USCAL08501’ PPAF, CBRAF Superbells® Pomegranate Punch calibrachoa

In trials, Pomegranate Punch calibrachoa exhibited superb heat tolerance, disease resistance and large blooms. Flowers are rich, velvety red with a black eye.

A mounding, trailer. Self-cleaning, best in full sun. Grows 15-25 cm (6-10 in.) tall and up to 60 cm (24 in.) wide.

Proven Winners

Petunia x hybrida Cha-Ching Cherry petunia

Lobularia ‘Inlbuwikni’ PPAF, CBRAF White KnightTM alyssum

The debut of Cha-Ching Cherry petunia continues the plant breeder’s pursuit of high-impact, novelty-coloured petunias with mass appeal. Its bicolour striping of rich wines, pinks and creams offers a modern flower array for today’s decor-minded gardener and landscape designer. Makes stunning hanging baskets, and shows equally well in mixed containers. Grows 25-40 cm (10-16 in.) tall and 40-50 cm (16-20 in.) wide. Ball FloraPlant

White KnightTM has the same continuous masses of white flowers and fragrance as Snow Princess®, but with half the vigour, so it makes a better companion in container plantings. It will look the same as Snow Princess on the retail bench, but will grow more slowly once planted in the garden or container. Full sun to partial shade, 15 cm (6 in.) tall and trailing up to 60 cm (24 in.). Proven Winners

Petunia ‘BHTUN6202’ PPAF, CBRAF Supertunia® Flamigo petunia

Supertunias® are self-cleaning, heat tolerant bloomers. Flamingo has bright, sugary-pink flowers. Fertilize in containers all summer, and prune back in July for best results.

Thrives in full sun. Grows 20-40 cm (8-16 in.) tall and spread 45-60 cm (18-24 in.) wide.

Proven Winners

Impatiens hawkerii Divine™ New Guinea impatiens Burgundy, Blue Pearl, Scarlet Bronze Leaf, White Blush

Divine New Guinea impatiens establish quickly in shade landscapes. It delivers great colour mix options, superior performance and high resistance to impatiens downy mildew. Plants are uniform, well branched and filled with big blooms for lush landscapes, hanging baskets and containers.

Provides strong garden performance and showy displays all season. Foliage ranges from green to bronze-green, providing a good contrast with the blooms. New colours for 2014 include Burgundy (shown), Blue Pearl, Scarlet Bronze Leaf, and White Blush. Grows 25-36 cm (10-14 in.) tall and 30-36 cm (12-14in.) wide. PanAm Seed

18 | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

Solenostemon scutellariodes Kong Jr. coleus

The leaves of the new Kong Jr. series of coleus are 30 per cent smaller than its predecessor Kong. The plants are now easier to transport with less breakage and loss. Kong Jr. is a great shade option with landscape longevity. Grows 45-60 cm (18-24 in.) tall and 50-90 cm (20-35 in.) wide.

Available in four colours: Green Halo (pictured), Lime Vein, Rose, and Scarlet. Ball Seed

Solenostemon scutellariodes Mighty Mosaic coleus

The new Mighty Mosaic coleus has a very unique colour — bronze leaves with splashes of burgundy and green. It’s part of PanAmerican Seed’s Premium Sun Coleus collection. This easy-to-grow seed coleus delivers all the impact of popular vegetative coleus. It is late to flower and looks great in landscapes and big planters all season. Great in shade, and takes the sun in high humidity. Grows 45-65 cm (18-26 in.) tall and 45-55 cm (18-22 in.) wide. Pan Am Seed

ANNUALS

Zinnia marylandica ZaharaTM Sunburst zinnia

Arresting colour meets disease resistance with the Zahara series of zinnia from PanAmerican Seed. It’s a breeding breakthrough; Sunburst is the first gold/red bicolour of its kind. As the plant matures, a pretty star pattern appears on each bloom. With 20 per cent larger flowers that means more colour. Sunburst is a Fleuroselect Gold Medal Winner. Grows 30-45 cm (12-18 in.) tall and 30-45 cm (12-18 in.) wide. Pan Am Seed

Torenia hybrid PPAF, CBRAF Catalina® Grape-O-Licious wishbone flower

Because it can grow in full shade, Torenia is an alternative to impatiens. Torenia is a mounding spreader that does well in garden beds or containers. Grape-O-Licious has light purple flowers with a deep purple eye. Flowers are small, but prolific. Attracts hummingbirds.

Grows 25-30 cm (10-12 in.) and spreads 35-60 cm (14-24 in.) wide. Proven Winners

Delivering superior sod and quality service • No. 1 Kentucky Bluegrass • Premium Bentgrass • Extreme Fescue • Custom grown sod available • Large or small rolls • Healthier, greener sod

Verbena hybrida Enduro verbena

Ball FloraPlant’s new Enduro series is an ideal landscape verbena, as it won’t flush out of flower in the heat. This is a vigorous verbena that even withstands frost. Available in Purple and White Blush. Grows 20-30 cm (8-12 in.) tall and spreads 45-60 cm (18-24 in.). Ball FloraPlant NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 | LANDSCAPE TRADES |

Phone: 877-727-2100 17525 Jane St. | Kettleby, Ontario | L7B 0J6

www.zandersod.com

19

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 | LANDSCAPE TRADES |

19

NEW PLANTS

ROSES Rosa BAIeels PPAF Easy Elegance® Head Over Heels shrub rose

Fall in love with the fluffy, cotton candy colored blooms of Easy Elegance® Head Over Heels rose. Each rose in the Easy Elegance Collection is as simple to grow as any flowering shrub, with no more worries about constant pampering or the use of chemicals to keep the plant healthy. No chemicals are used in the breeding or evaluation programs, ensuring that Easy Elegance roses are hardy, disease resistant plants that bloom without a lot of extra work. The frilly, two-inch blossoms sit atop dark, glossy-green foliage, adding a perky pink hue to the garden all season long. Grows 90 cm (3 ft.) tall and wide. Bailey Nurseries

Rosa ‘WEKdidusinra’ PPAF White Licorice™ floribunda rose

Rosa ‘Noasplash’ Flower Carpet® Pink Splash rose

The breeder claims White LicoriceTM floribunda rose has a delightful, unparalleled perfume – a strong, sweet licorice and lemon scent. This rose is a bouquet-making machine, with wonderfully formed buds that open into big wavy blooms with dark green leaves. Grows 90 cm (3 ft.) tall and wide.

J.C. Bakker & Sons

This new rose provides masses of bi-colour blooms in hot and pale pink from late spring through to late fall. Flowers are small to medium, 5-6 cm (2-2.5 in.) in diameter. More compact than the original Flower Carpet® Pink, the breeder says it is a genuinely easycare groundcover rose, bred for home garden and commercial use. Grows to 75 cm (30 in.) tall. Anthony Tesselaar Plants

LIST OF SUPPLIERS Anthony Tesselaar Plants www.tesselaar.com

First Editions www.firsteditionsplants.com

Plants Nouveau www.plantsnouveau.com

Terra Nova Nurseries www.terranovanurseries.com

Bailey Nurseries www.baileynurseries.com

Hillen Nursery www.hillennursery.com

Proven Winners www.provenwinners.com

Valleybrook www.valleybrook.com

JC Bakker & Sons www.jcbakker.com

Jefferies Nurseries www.jefferiesnurseries.com

Selecta www.selectanorthamerica.com

Walters Gardens www.waltersgardens.com

Ball www.ballhort.com

Mori Nurseries www.morinurseries.com

Skagit Gardens www.skagitgardens.com

Willowbrook Nurseries www.willowbrooknurseries.com

Canadale Nurseries www.canadale.com

Pan Am Seed www.panamseed.com

Syngenta www.syngentaflowersinc.com

20 | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

The Evolution of

y Garden Style: r t A Romp Through History s u and a Peek at the Future d n of our Gardens I ce n e en e r er G f r n e 14 o i 0 2 m dC h, t e 6 r an y r P a s nu ’ w a J da Sho on a ts n n e e Ca rad ev y T da n o

4 1 0 2

e c n e r e EN nce14 f n e 0 r E e 2 o f s R n s o C ry a nu a J

14 0 ,2 9 7-

US L P

p -u m ar W

G

he r t at yea he t f o t n e v e

Diarmuid Gavin Diarmuid Gavin Designs, Wicklow, Ireland

M

Highs Are Good; Lows Are Bad

But We Are All Under Pressure!

Anwar Knight CTV News, Toronto, Ont.

e d ra c re t l ra he ng u t o lt u Set your professional goals. tic nd t C r ho te a Register now at

T E G t A

www.locongress.com

Getting to the of tree stress along highways

By Dr. Darby McGrath Research Scientist for Nursery and Landscape and Jason Henry M.Sc. Research Technician for Nursery and Landscape Vineland Research and Innovation Centre

It is no secret that urban ecosystems are expanding across Canada. Readers of this article have likely observed many changes in the landscape, probably due to urban, suburban or exurban sprawl — often at the expense of a greener, more natural landscape. Growth to meet the demands of an expanding population has cleared plenty of land, particularly in the last five or six decades. There is need for green infrastructure now more than ever, to address both aesthetic and ecological objectives, including the heat island effect, carbon sequestration and water retention capacities.

There are some practical challenges to installing green infrastructure in Canada: namely, how can we get plant material to survive in less-than-ideal, or harsh, conditions? Many of these green infrastructure plantings, be it a green roof, boulevard planting or multi-lane highway, present obstacles

to the successful transplanting, maintenance and longevity of live material. This is why Vineland Research and Innovation Centre has embarked on a research journey that will tackle these challenges in conjunction with Ontario Ministry of Transportation, Landscape Ontario and Canadian Nursery and Landscape Association. The research program on highway roadsides and right-of-ways is focused on developing a system of establishment and survival for extreme environments, that can then be applied to many different types of green infrastructural plantings with greater certainty of the success.

Compaction kills urban trees The very nature of highway planting sites makes them challenging from a soil systems perspective. Indigenous soil is often removed during road construction and repair, and mixed fill is returned to the sites in its place. The soil found at most modern urban development areas is comprised of poorly drained clay soils with characteristically small particle sizes.

The heavy machinery used for road construction compacts the clay, reducing the pore spaces in the soil, making oxygen and water unavailable to plant roots. The compact soil structure makes Vineland Research and Innovation Centre is focused on developing a system for survival of trees and plants in extreme environments.

22 | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

water infiltration nearly impossible at these sites. Additionally, the topsoil that contains organic matter required for moisture retention and beneficial microorganisms characteristic of a healthy soil ecosystem is often removed from construction sites.

Moisture is the main limiting factor for newly-transplanted trees. The first thought when transplanting a tree is to give it plenty of water while it becomes established. At highway planting sites it is challenging and costly to maintain trees, so most newlytransplanted trees do not receive regular irrigation when they need it most. This is exacerbated by nearly impermeable soil structure around the planting hole, making it unlikely that roots will expand beyond an excavated area. This season we monitored the growth of over 500 trees planted in the fall of 2012 along Ontario’s 406 Highway at St. Davids and Beaverdams Road and Hwy. 58. We realized that lack of irrigation was perhaps not the main driver of tree stress and mortality along these sites. The 30-year average for monthly rainfall compared to 2013 monthly averages demonstrate that June and July of this year were exceptional months for precipitation.

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 | LANDSCAPE TRADES |

23

Your Vision, Their Dream – Anywhere Communicating your vision to prospective customers has never been easier with PRO Landscape design software. Whether your design platform is a desktop, laptop or tablet you can design and sell anytime, and now – anywhere.

PRO Landscape is not only easy to use, but feature rich including stunning photo imaging, night and holiday lighting, 2D CAD, 3D renderings, and complete customer proposals.

Bring your customer’s dreams to life starting today! prolandscape.com sales@prolandscape.com 800-231-8574

D

E

S

I

G

N

S

O

F

T

W

A

R

E

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 | LANDSCAPE TRADES |

23

Over 700 trees are being planted for the trials, evaluating the preparation of highway sites.

Samples are collected to examine soil chemistry, texture and bulk density.

2013 RAINFALL Month 30-year average, 1971-2000 2013 May 74.2 mm 87mm June 80.6 mm 143 mm July 79.7 mm 111 mm August 74.2 mm 62 mm

water to the trees, or should we be bring the roots to the water? The hardpan compacted soils in conjunction with inadequate organic matter is the real driver of tree stress and death along highways and in other urban plantings.

Source: Government of Canada

ORGANIC MATTER CONTENT OF SOILS We hypothesize that, in most cases, it may not be that the trees are suffering because we are not irrigating them (although regular irrigation would of course be ideal) but that they cannot access moisture when it is present at the sites. Pragmatically speaking, is it easier at a highway installation site to bring

Ecosystem Organic matter 9(per cent) Highway sites 3.5 Agriculture 3 to 9 Irish semi-natural grasslands 24 Canadian Shield forests

YOUR SOURCE FOR HIGH QUALITY CLAY PAVING BRICKS  “Genuine Clay Brick Pavers”-

Hard fired, tested, proven to endure and enhance any landscape design.

 Available in over 100 colour ranges, 30 sizes, and thicknesses from 1” to 3”



NEW Permeable Clay Brick Pavers - For rainwater conservation

and stormwater management.

9-5115 Harvester Rd., Burlington, ON L7L 0A3 Burlington: 905-637-6997 • Toronto: 416-252-5811 • Ottawa: 613-739-5850 Toll-Free: 800-567-5800 e gu lo ta Ca & info@ThamesValleyBrick.com Samples uest Req Available on

24 | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

www.ThamesValleyBrick.com

23

To test this theory we have collected soil samples for chemistry, texture and bulk density (soils mass per unit volume; a measure of compaction) in order to characterize the influence of compaction and soil pore size on plant growth and soil oxygen and water availability at the two sites in the Niagara Region. Growth parameter measurements were conducted to monitor the growth and stress of the trees over the growing season. These measurements were Compacted clay from heavy equipment makes water infiltration almost impossible.

compared directly to the repeated snapshot soil moisture readings taken using a portable soil tensiometer (soil moisture in kPa) to determine the significance of the relationship of tree growth and plant stress resulting from soil structure and water availability.

What’s next?

Spring 2014 will mark the next phase of the project, which will be executed on three new sites including a berm site, a low-lying site with poor drainage and a level interchange, in order to account for variation in highway sites. Two cultivars and over 700 trees will be planted out for the trials. The trials will look at a practical approach to preparing highway sites for tree planting. The treatments will focus on reducing site compaction, increasing the vertical movement of water on the sites, increasing pore size and improving water retention. Stay tuned for our complete set of findings from 2013, as well as the findings from the site preparation trials as they move forward.

For more information on this research contact Dr. McGrath at Darby.McGrath@ vinelandresearch.com.

LT 24 | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

newproducts Insect traps The OrnamenTrap for Yellowjackets and OrnamenTrap for Flies protect against insects while decorating the outdoor living area. The cover has the look of weathered cast copper, is made from a durable plastic, is reusable and uses a non-toxic mode of action. The decorative cover is reusable with either yellowjack or fly trap inserts. OrnamenTrap for Yellowjackets catches all major species of yellowjackets found in North America, but leaves beneficial honeybees alone.

Container filler pads Drain Puffs are lightweight reusable drainage and filler pads for planters. Placed in the bottom of an empty container, Drain Puffs allow for easier potting. Can be used as a filler, so less soil is needed. 30 cm x 9 cm high. Use more than one to fill up space in large planters. Can be reused year after year.

Eddi’s Wholesale Garden Supplies

www.eddiswholesale.com

Rotary broom

Rescue Products

SnowEx introduces a versatile new walk-behind rotary broom with a plow attachment for snow removal and other cleanup applications. Powered by a 160cc Honda GXV Series engine, the SS-4000 features a floating pivotal broom head with five angle settings. The 16-in. diameter broom is centrally driven, allowing the unit to work against curbs, walls and other obstacles from either the left- or right-hand side.

For heavier snow conditions, a front-mounted blade attachment, which comes standard with the SS-4000.

www.rescue.com

SnowEx

www.snowexproducts.com

Top-handle chain saw Echo’s top-handle chain saw, CS-303T, uses a proven engine that has been redesigned for increased power, fuel efficiency, and reduced emissions. The saw is available with a 14-in. bar and features an automatic/adjustable oiler, a sideaccess chain tensioner, a vibration reduction system, a purge bulb, and an inertia chain brake.

Echo Canada

Spray boom

www.echo.ca

The Simple Boom by Eco Solutions, is an easy plug-and-spray boom that connects to a tote or jug, eliminating the need to spend money on a tank. The complete ant-icing/de-icing kit comes with electric cord, battery connectors, on/off switch and plumbing connectors for both 2-in. tote valve or jug valve.

Eco Solutions

www.ecosolutions.net

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 | LANDSCAPE TRADES |

25

industrynews Weather affects peat moss harvest

Sharp & Diamond Landscape Architecture of Vancouver, B.C., won the Intensive Institutional Award in the 2013 Green Roof and Wall Awards of Excellence for its project at Vancouver Island University in Duncan, B.C.

Canadian wins international green roof award Green Roofs for Healthy Cities is pleased to announce the winners of the 2013 Green Roof and Wall Awards of Excellence. Sharp & Diamond Landscape Architecture of Vancouver, B.C., won the Intensive Institutional Award for its project at Vancouver Island University in Duncan, B.C. The project is a 50,000 sq. ft. green roof that features six types of roof systems on three levels.

Level three is fully accessible by students, staff and visitors, and provides quiet spaces to gather and areas for hands-on learning. Level one is ongrade and accessible, while the second level is inaccessible. Green roofs cover 88 per cent of the campus buildings, featuring intensive green roof sections, with trees, shrubs, climbers and groundcovers; extensive green roof areas with native coastal meadow sedums, grasses and wildflow-

Over 88 per cent of the campus building roofs feature green roof sections with grasses, sedum and wildflowers.

26 | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

ers; extensive sloping roofs with additional water retention to reflect the hillsides of the Cowichan Valley, pre-vegetated sedum mats as well as a blue roof, which provides additional stormwater retention. The project has been awarded LEED Gold Certification.

On average, 90 per cent of rainwater is retained on the roof in eight cisterns, which are partially buried in the ground next to the building. Runoff is also retained onsite through permeable surfaces under the parking lot and the entrance plaza, rain gardens and wet meadows.

The Award was presented at CitiesAlive: 11th Annual Green Roof and Wall Conference in San Francisco, Calif., on Oct. 25.

Strong line-up announced for Congress Conference Business smarts, horticultural insights, regulatory tips, electronic marketing and even The Lighter Side of Landscaping are featured topics at the Congress 2014 Conference Series. This three-day celebration of learning is Canada’s top green industry conference, taking place Jan. 7-9, 2014, at the Toronto Congress Centre. The popular Owners Only Workshops continue this year, and special offerings include the IPM Symposium, Effective Management Short Course, Landscape Designer Conference, Living Walls and Green Roofs Train-the-Trainer program and the Irrigation Conference. See details in the Conference Guide following page 20 of this issue, or register at www.locongress.com.

As of this fall, expected peat moss harvest volumes in New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia are down considerably. A late and interrupted start to the harvest season, combined with a wet late summer, has significantly restricted production.

In Quebec’s North Shore, the production has been at or slightly above expectations. However, due to weather-related challenges, the harvest on Quebec’s South Shore is below average.

In the Prairie Provinces, regions in Alberta experienced below average to well below average harvest levels, primarily due to adverse weather.

However, this may be adjusted slightly due to favourable conditions the first part of September.

Manitoba and Saskatchewan have experienced varied harvest weather conditions, but average production levels have been achieved.

Inventory has been carried over from the 2012 harvest, which will help offset the reduced 2013 harvest. The Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association (CSPMA) members, who represent 95 per cent of North American peat moss production, are committed to working cooperatively with their commercial business partners to ensure that supply equates demand.

Cyclists raise dollars to save urban forests The 2013 Stihl Tour des Trees proved to be a successful event, with more than $505,000 raised so far, to support tree research and education.

The 585-km ride kicked off from Niagara Falls, Ont., on July 28, and ended on August 3, on the Toronto Islands, exploring urban centers and local favorites including Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge in New York, Lake Ontario Park in Kingston and several communities in Ontario’s Prince Edward County. During the event, veteran Tour cyclist and park supervisor for Toronto Islands Warren Hoselton, known to many as Professor Elwood Pricklethorn, engaged local children with fun, interactive educational programs that got kids on their feet, learning about the benefits of planting and providing trees with proper care. Additional stops along the New York route included an emerald ash borer protection demonstration by Arborjet in Rochester, a first responder tree dedication in West Webster and an American chestnut tree dedication in Syracuse.

Since the ride’s inception, the Stihl Tour des Trees has raised more than $6.5 million for the

Justin Espry, a field test technician for Stihl in Virginia Beach, Va., left, and Ron Robinson, a Stihl dealer in Toronto, were along for the ride.

Tree Research and Education Endowment (TREE) Fund.

The TREE Fund is dedicated to sustaining the world’s urban trees by providing funding for scientific research, education programs and scholarships related to arboriculture and urban forestry. The Stihl Tour des Trees directly supports research around the world, advancing the science that arborists rely on every day. The riders also cultivate public awareness, teaching people about the many irreplaceable services that trees provide for our society on a constant basis.

Plant Products warehouse moves Plant Products Company has announced plans to relocate its Brampton, Ont., warehouse and office facility to Ancaster, Ont. By January 2014, the new address will be 1520 Sandhill Drive, Ancaster ON L9G 4V5.

“Everyone here at Plant Products is thrilled to move into our new facility,” says general manager Gord Jahn. “This is a new building that will accommodate our growth plans with additional square footage for pest control products, which include features such as separate climate controlled bio-pesticide and biological storage rooms. Most importantly, the relocation is driven by the company’s commitment to better serve our customers.”

AmericanHort launches in January Members of the Ohio Florists Association (OFA) and the American Nursery & Landscape Association (ANLA) have voted in overwhelming support of the consolidation of the two organizations into a new, national trade association to serve the entire horticulture industry. The announcement followed a 30-day open ballot and in-person vote for OFA’s members, held in Columbus, Ohio.

The new trade association, named the American Horticulture Association, will be known as AmericanHort, and will begin operations by Jan. 1, 2014.

The mission of AmericanHort is to unite, promote, and advance the industry through advocacy, collaboration, connectivity, education, market development, and research.

With the consolidation, the new trade association will have the largest national nursery, greenhouse, and garden retail membership of any horticulture association in the U.S. The association will have its primary office in Columbus, Ohio and an office in Washington, D.C., to facilitate government relations and research activities. Michael V. Geary will continue as chief staff executive.

LT To learn more, visit www.americanhort.org.

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 | LANDSCAPE TRADES |

27

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 | LANDSCAPE TRADES |

27

managementsolutions

Work hard, and remember to work smart

BY MARK BRADLEY

“Genius is one per cent inspiration and 99 per cent perspiration.”

Thomas Edison

I often ask contractors why they decided to start a

with the public, weather, mechanical failures, people problems, and a list of project variables as far as the eye can see, and you have the perfect challenge for any self-identified genius!

As a business operator, I continuously strive to improve and grow my companies without adding to my personal workload.

That said, I have found that there are times where I simply need to knuckle down and get things done that need doing! I don’t ever look at this like work ... I always look at it as an investment.

I am investing my time in something that will provide a better future for myself and my family; investing in something that will ultimately make my life more enjoyable as the years pass.

landscape business. They shrug or laugh, and say something along the lines of, “I wish I knew what I was thinking.”

If there is one thing I have come to realize running my own companies, it is that Thomas Edison hit the nail on the head with the line above. In this line of work, there is simply no way to avoid hard work.

Operating a landscape company requires enormous self discipline and an above-average work ethic. The seasonal nature of the work creates some peak demand periods that would test anybody’s capability as a manager — then throw in dealing

Invest in the future By investing time — which some people call working — I focus my time and energy on creating systems that will allow more work to happen in my absence without causing any disruption.

Managing a business is about taking care of all of the things that other people don’t see; often the work that you are doing as an owner or manager is very hard to measure and it is almost always unrecognized by others. I have come to the conclusion that while operating my companies I will almost certainly need

D N A L E TRE

ON D E CAL

WE MOVE AND SUPPLY BIG, BEAUTIFUL TREES! 28 | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

• Transplanting services with large and small tree spade trucks • All varieties up to 25 feet tall • Dependable, Professional, Best Prices

905-880-1828 WWW.TREELAND.CA

to get up early, stay up late, and think more about work than your average 9-5 employee, but if you can find anyone as happy as I am, let me know. I would rather think a bit more about my business than struggle and worry about money and things outside of my control. When asked why I started my company, the same answer always pops into my head: To control my own destiny and enjoy what I do each day.

Measure your personal contribution to your organization with a different yard stick than you use to size up those who work for you. Others may not see or understand your contributions; these people possibly never will and, quite frankly, if you are the owner it does not matter if others see your true value.

Train yourself to be ruthlessly efficient and don’t waste time doing work that can be delegated to others. Identify the work that you cannot delegate and make time to find ways to create systems, or, if affordable, find the right person so that it can be delegated to a competent person.

Lead by example The more you delegate, the faster your operation will improve because you are inventing time to work on more important things each time you delegate work. Lead by example. I mean the little things like keeping a clean desk, a neat truck, insisting others are following company policy regularly. Often people look for leadership from a mountain top, and forget that it starts with the basics and runs through every part of the business.

We developed the systems as the ultimate delegation tool. When I have a re-occurring problem, I need to delegate the project and provide resources for my team to assist them to resolve problems and increase efficiency.

With systems in place, I can delegate more tasks in the business. There is no possible chance I am going to be able to hire people who are just going to “know” which tasks I need done, and how I expect things to be done. Without clear expectations and systems, the end result is unpredictable. So, most of us fall back on that tried-and-true method, “If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.”

Long-term strategy I didn’t get into this business to do everything myself. I got into this business for my own freedom and independence. Without systems in our companies, we cannot achieve the goals we set for ourselves when we started.

Without systems, we have little more than a job we could do for someone else, but with far less stress and responsibility.

As winter approaches, take the opportunity to make next year that much more enjoyable. It’s hard work, there’s no other way to look at it. After a hard season, it’s tempting to kick back and relax for a few weeks.

But if you felt overwhelmed, overworked and/or underachieving this season, than I urge you to invest your time into building repeatable systems that will enable work to happen without you being there to manage every step. Create systems for: l Following up on sales leads l Selling each and every client with a sales process

l

Getting out of the yard in the morning Estimating work l Ensuring equipment is maintained on schedule l Tracking and costing your jobs l Hiring and recruiting superstar staff l

You’ll build a company that’s a lot less work, a lot more fun, and a lot more profitable. LT

Mark Bradley is president of TBG Landscape and the Landscape Management Network (LMN), based in Ontario. Search the story archive at www.landscape trades.com for other articles

by Mark Bradley, to get detailss on building systems for your company.

More Nursery. Less Nursing.

All season weed control. One application.

Protect your nursery stock with one easy-to-use granular herbicide. Casoron® G-4 provides residual season-long control of more than 30 different weeds and grasses.

It is easy to measure and apply, and requires no in-season re-application, so you will have more time for all your other important tasks.

Casoron G-4 ®

Gain more time next spring

www.chemturaagrosolutions.com

Distributed in Canada by UAP

www.uap.ca/casoron West: 1-800-561-5444

Ontario & Maritimes: 1-800-265-5444

BC: 1-604-534-8815

Quebec: 1-800-361-9369

® Casoron G-4 is a registered trademark of Chemtura Co./Cie. Always read and follow label directions. Member of CropLife Canada. 13013 09.13

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 | LANDSCAPE TRADES |

29

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 | LANDSCAPE TRADES |

29

roadtosuccess

Gossip and mythology

BY ROD Mcdonald

My column was missing from the last edition of Landscape Trades and as your editor explained, it was for a good reason. I received a kidney transplant on July 16 and I have been in recovery since that date.

I am strong enough to complete the column for this edition. I want to thank those of you who took the time to email your well wishes and prayers. My journey with renal failure has been a long one, diagnosed twelve years ago and on dialysis for the last six. Not what I had planned for my later years.

This edition, I am addressing the issue of gossip and mythology, something that prevails in this trade of ours. Many years ago, in the early Eighties, I was sitting with a group of people at a trade show banquet in the historic Banff Springs Hotel. The topic was Wade Hartwell, who owned Golden Acres, a Calgary garden center. The consensus of the gossip was that he was not near as successful as he claimed to be. I listened. I didn’t have a dog in this fight so I did not have an opinion, one way or the other. Wade walks into the banquet hall, larger than life, and almost every sales rep in the room jumped up and rushed over to shake his hand. Interesting, I thought. What I heard was that he was not all that successful, yet what I saw were many sales people courting his favour. An old adage says, “Believe nothing of what you hear and only half of what you see.” This applied to what I was experiencing. Perhaps, those who were gossiping, were envious and wished to deny his success?

When I hear gossip, and I do, I often go directly to the source to ask for his side. Most people have been quite delighted that I took the time to listen to what they had to say regarding the gossip that circulated within the trade about them.

One of my favourite stories also happened back in the Eighties. I was friends with Bob and Dee Lauder who owned Valley Sod Farm, close to Regina. One January 30 | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

morning, I received a phone call from their largest competitor. He was breathless, telling me that, “Their equipment is up for sale and they have fled the country!” My, my, what a juicy piece of news. Two phone calls later and I discovered their sod delivery truck was for sale, as they had purchased a larger truck — and as to having fled the country, they were in Barbados, on a winter vacation.

Gossip and reality are not the same thing, but you already knew that, right?

Here is what I can tell you: The more successful you become, the more people will gossip about you. That is a fact and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it. People seldom find it worthwhile to gossip regarding a third-place finisher or someone who does not rise close to the top in anyone’s score card.

When starting out my career in the late Seventies, few in the trade took me seriously. I was doing strange things such as selling perennials with tags and information sheets, something that was not done at the time. I was buying up bedding plants at the end of May, fully believing that there was a much later market waiting to be exploited throughout June and into July. At the time, every greenhouse and garden centre put bedding plants on sale for half price on June 1st. I objected to the practice, and today, not a single retailer in my area continues with that fire sale. My doing things differently led to the gossip that I did not know what I was doing. In reality, I saw an opening for a much improved way of doing business, and I went for it. More often than not: Success belongs to those who take chances and do things differently.

A rep from one of the largest nurseries in our province told me that there was no point in staying open past June 15, as all tree and shrub sales were finished by that date.

And that garden centres would never, ever replace the nursery as a primary source of

plant sales. Fortunately for me, I didn’t listen. I followed my own path based upon customer observation and not what had always been done. Those operators who always do what they have always done, have to expect that they will always get what they always got and sometimes, a little less.

“Success has many fathers, whereas failure has but one.” If you try something new and it does not work out the way you had hoped it would, there will be no shortage of people saying, “I tried to tell him not to do it, but he wouldn’t listen.” But, if the idea does work, watch as people come out of the woodwork to claim it for theirs.

We have a very special building in Regina that was constructed in 1963. It was built for the Saskatchewan Power Corporation. The building has a curve and it is several feet longer than the land it occupies. It was on the leading edge of architecture when built, and still admired for its style and function.

The architect was Joe Pettick, who was a long time customer of mine. Over the years, I heard many people lay claim to being the genius behind this architectural gem. One of my friends is also an architect and he said it best. “Anyone who walked through Joe’s office at the time has laid claim to being the inspiration for the building.” I love that statement. It confirms that success has many fathers.

One day, I was having coffee with Mr. Pettick at his downtown office. He was in his eighties. I asked him about all the different people who claimed credit for the building.

He laughed and said, “I have heard those stories, too. Here is what I tell people. There is plaque in the lobby of the building. It reads that I am the architect. There are no other names. That is good enough for me.”

He knew the truth and was secure of his place in history.

Sometimes, family members or friends will carry on what I call urban myths regarding the importance of someone they know.

One afternoon at my garden centre, a woman approach me and introduced herself as being the niece of a woman. I said, “it is clear to me that you think that I know your aunt, but I don’t think I do.” She was taken aback.

She said, “But it was my aunt who helped get you started. You always turned to her for advice.” She was adamant. I asked where the aunt lived and there was still no connection.

I know who helped to get me started and I have always been careful to include them in my gratitude. I have never pretended that I did everything by myself. But I still didn’t know who her aunt was. She left my place hurt and confused. I suspect that her aunt was watching television and my gardening show was on. She told her family that she had helped get me going. Nice story, but it wasn’t true. The problem is that the family believed her and now the myth had become a reality, at least for them.

AND

Myths are hard to dispel, once a family member starts to repeat them. My father

was born and raised in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia. He told us many stories of growing up there. One was of listening to the waves lap against the shore and how they helped him to fall asleep at night; and the other was the five mile walk to school, uphill, both ways, every day. In 2001, I visited Glace Bay. My grandfather’s house that he built in 1904 is still occupied by my dad’s family. Here are two of the things I learned about our family mythology. The house is at least a thousand feet from the shore, so if my dad could hear the waves lapping, he was Superman.

The second reality I discovered was that my grandfather’s house was the second house from the school. My dad could have gotten up at five to nine and still been on time. Every family has mythology and they make for good stories, but they are often not true.

To finish, when I tour Edmonton, visiting greenhouses and garden centres, invariably the gossip is about Hole’s, the leading garden centre in the Edmonton area. I always tell the gossiper the same thing, “You

Awards of Excellence Ceremony President’s Reception Tuesday January 7, 2014

4:45 p.m. PRESIDENT’S RECEPTION 5:15 p.m. AWARDS CEREMONY Plaza Ballroom, International Plaza Hotel AN INITIATIVE OF

Lexa Pavers TM

should get down on your knees every night and thank the Lord there is a Hole’s in your neighbourhood.” Hole’s has never given its stock away, always keeping their prices up.

Other garden centres can set their prices a bit lower than Hole’s and still make decent money. If Hole’s was to lower its prices, then the other garden centres would have to drop theirs by even more, and profitability could slip away. It is to everyone’s benefit to have a first-rate garden centre in their area that does not discount.

Keep that in mind as you stay on the road LT to success.

Rod McDonald owned and operated Lakeview Gardens, a successful garden centre/ landscape firm in Regina, Sask., for 28 years. He now new works full-time in the world of fine arts, writing, acting and producing in film, television and stage.

Get inspired by the talent and creativity of our landscape construction, maintenance and design contractors.This event is the place to be if you appreciate professional standards and quality.

Join the President of Landscape Ontario at the Wine and Cheese Reception, preceding the ceremony.

For more information

www.loawards.com

(Ticketed Event, $55 advance purchase, $65 after Dec. 6. Includes President’s Reception) PRESENTING SPONSORS

DownLoaD oUr Free 2013 eLecTronic caTaLoGUeS.

SUPPORTING SPONSOR

PerMaconPro.ca

PerMacon_LeXa_LanDScaPe_TraDe_vF _LeFT_PaGe NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 | LANDSCAPE TRADES |

31

legalmatters

Contracting with a condo corporation

BY ROBERT KENNALEY

Many of us contract with condominium corporations to provide design, hard and soft landscaping or grounds maintenance services. Most often, we negotiate and execute the contracts with a representative of the condominium — with one of the board of directors or a property manager retained by the condominium corporation to manage its affairs.

We most often enter into these agreements on the understanding that the board member or property manager is properly authorized to represent and bind the condominium corporation in negotiating the contract. Indeed, the board member or property manager will often expressly tell us, sometimes in writing, that he or she has this authority. Without (perhaps) knowing it, we proceed on the basis that the “indoor management rule” or doctrine of “ostensible authority” will operate to bind the condominium corporation on the basis of what its representative or agent has said.

The “indoor management rule” provides that a person who deals in good faith with a corporation is entitled to assume that the necessary formalities have been met. Thus, for example, when the board member or managing employee of the corporation tells you that they want to purchase certain items, you are entitled by the rule to presume that the purchase has been properly authorized by the corporation itself. Similarly, the doctrine of “ostensible authority” operates as follows: if a corporation either expressly or by its conduct holds an individual out as its representative, authorized to speak for it on certain matters, persons who deal with that individual, in good faith and on that basis, are entitled to assume that the authority was properly granted.

It appears, however, that the indoor management rule and the doctrine of ostensible authority might not apply in the 32 | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

case of a condominium corporation. It has been held in this regard, that as a creature of statute the condominium corporation can have no rights other than those set out in the applicable legislation (such as the Condominium Act, in Ontario). It has accordingly been held, for example in Ontario and in Alberta, that unless a contract is ratified by a resolution brought at a properly held meeting of the condominium corporation’s board of directors, the condominium corporation cannot be said to have agreed to or accepted it. In other words, it has been held that neither the indoor management rule nor ostensible authority will operate to ratify a contract if the legislation which governing condominium corporations expressly requires resolution by the board of directors. The Alberta and Ontario cases have also been looked upon favourably, to some extent, in other jurisdictions such as New Brunswick, British Columbia and the Yukon.

This is not the end of the analysis. An unpaid supplier of services and materials could still rely on the doctrines of unjust enrichment and quantum meruit. These doctrines essentially provide that no one (including a condominium corporation) should get something for free. From this perspective, the condominium corporation would be required to pay for the services or materials they received and had the benefit of, at their fair market value. Difficulties arise, however, where there might be a dispute over the actual value of the work or services. In this case, the supplier or contractor would have to prove the value of the services performed and, ultimately, a Court might decide that an amount other than the contract price should be paid. In addition, the condominium corporation might argue that the services or materials were of no value to it — for ex-

ample where it decides not to proceed with, or substantially alter, the project in question.

In addition, an unpaid supplier of services and materials could pursue the individual or agent who held himself or herself out as being properly authorized to represent the condominium corporation. This, too, can be tricky as that individual may not, at the end of the day, have the ability to pay an account.

Furthermore, many property managers will include in the contract a clause which provides that the manager is merely an agent of the condominium corporation, and that no claim can be brought against the manager in relation to the contract.

In the end, although there are ways to pursue recovery on an agreement with a condominium corporation which has not been properly or formally ratified by its board of directors, it would be good practice for those who provide services or materials to condominiums to ask that they be provided with a copy of the resolution which ratifies the agreement. In this way, issues of indoor management, ostensible authority, unjust enrichment and quantum meruit are taken off the table. Particular care should be taken where, as is sometimes the case, a property manager both refuses to provide the confirmation and, at the same time, asks you to agree that there will be no claim against the LT property manager company.

Robert Kennaley has a background in construction and now practises construction law in Toronto and Simcoe, Ontario. Rob can be reached for comment at 416-368-2522, at kennaley@ mclauchlin.ca, or on LinkedIn. This material is

sustainablelandscaping

Why care about invasive plants?

The majesty of the ‘Crimson King’ maple (and public demand and dollars)…

The bulletproof nature of periwinkle and English ivy (and the low-cost maintenance and profitability)…

The broad soil- and light-tolerance of false spirea (and design ideals of landscape architects)…

What do these plants have in common? They’re all invasive species.

Why should it matter? I recently visited Webster’s Falls, an incredible, biodiverse conservation area in Dundas, Ont. Amazing! Downy serviceberry, maple-leaf viburnum, shagbark hickory, chinquapin oak, and this is only the short list. The area is unique, like the rest of the Niagara Escarpment — a United Nations World Biosphere Preserve — and deserves to be protected.

The trouble is, the things that we plant often escape our gardens. They invade our natural areas. Multiflora rose is rampant at Webster’s Falls. Burning bush, though not rampant, is visible where it was obviously not planted. Examples abound across the country — visit Rattray Marsh in Mississauga, Ont., and see how Norway maple and honeysuckle are taking over. Only one species of insect here feeds on Norway maple.

This means that birds can gather less insect protein to feed their fledglings. The more plants we can include to support birds, the more other pests get eaten. Supporting the birds makes our industry look better.

I have a few questions for you to consider.

Is the customer always right? Is money the most important thing in our business? (I realize that money is important to ensure that you STAY in business, but is it the be-all and end-all?) Would you consider an educated customer to be good for your business?

These are all questions that plague me. Is doing the right thing ‘important,’ and can you

make money doing it?

If a customer specifically asks you to include a ‘Crimson King’ maple in his plan, and you tell him that you cannot, in good conscience, plant it, I hope your customer will respect you in a new way.

I took part in a panel discussion on landscaping and the environment where each of the panellists was asked, “How do you reconcile religion and the environmental movement?” My answer was that God gave us dominion over the Earth, and it is our responsibility to be good stewards of it.

Biodiversity — having as many native species as possible — is good for the environment, essential for our food chain, and cheaper and easier in terms of maintenance and fighting pests.

Great work is being done by organizations across the country teaching citizens about alternatives to invasive species. For instance, the Grow-Me-Instead booklet is a fantastic tool for showing landscapers and home gardeners some better choices to make when choosing plants. It’s been adapted for several regions in Canada and is available online by searching its title.

Anecdotal evidence says that retail and wholesale nurseries are selling fewer Norway maples, including the Crimson King. It used to be that the excuse was, “the demand is there and we have to satisfy it or people will go somewhere else.” Has the time come to stop growing and selling Norway maples, and showing our customers alternatives such as purple beech? I have seen fewer and fewer honeysuckles installed in landscapes.

Has the time come to stop growing them? At what point is demand an excuse? My goal, for those reading this column, is to make growers and landscapers think.

Regardless of choices regarding native versus non-native, our industry has had a tendency to design in terms of monoculture

BY SEAN JAMES

— planting large numbers of single species.

This is coming back to bite us now, with issues such as Diplodea blight killing Austrian pine and emerald ash borer that is decimating street tree plantings across Ontario. We need to diversify our plantings so that a disease like downy mildew doesn’t destroy all of our impatiens and daylily rust doesn’t take away from the art of our designs. These issues make us look bad in the eyes of the public when landscapes fail and more money needs to be spent.

For the sake of our industry, do we need to think more long term? Is it about making a buck today without thinking about the future? Is education of the public and education of designers and landscapers a decent solution, or is it okay to just keep doing what we’ve always done because it’s worked so far? We have industry groups across the country that get together on a regular basis to discuss issues. If we put this issue on the table, perhaps we can share some great ideas and come up with alternatives. Maybe we can move forward and make our industry a stronger, greener place in which the public can have more faith.

Another business tip is to keep potential employees in mind. Remember, much of the motivation of the new generation is to do the right thing. They’re very aware of the environment and want to help fix things.

Embracing eco-issues is a great way to inspire and attract a new generation of employees. LT

Sean James is owner of an Ontario-based environmentally-conscious landscape design/build/maintenance company. In addition, he is an eco-consultant and a popular speaker.

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 | LANDSCAPE TRADES |

33

albertaupdate Landscape Trades devotes space in each issue to provincial association news.

This issue features an update from Landscape Alberta Nursery Trades Association

Green Industry Show and Conference Landscape Alberta’s annual Green Industry Show and Conference takes place Nov. 14-15, 2013 at the Edmonton Expo Centre at Northlands. This year, the conference features seven, four-hour workshops covering a variety of topics including Managing Work Crews for Excellence, Retail Redesign: No Bulldozer Required, and Success in Growing. We also have six, 75-minute sessions with topics such as Gardening without Flowers, Insects in the Landscape and Business Succession Planning.

The Green Industry tradeshow opens at 10:30 a.m. on both Thursday and Friday. Our show is the third largest horticultural industry show in Canada serving the nursery, greenhouse, landscape, garden centre and turf sectors. This year we host 240 trade show booths with representation from over 150 suppliers, manufacturers and service companies from across North America.

For more information on the Green Industry Show and Conference, visit www.greenindustryshow.com or view our conference program online at http://bit.ly/1bnnQgI.

Flood relief efforts In June 2013, southern Alberta was hit by a devastating flood. While cleanup is still ongoing, Landscape Alberta members have identified a flood recovery project in the Town of High River.

High River is working to restore Birchwood

Landscape Alberta’s Green Industry Show and Conference is the third largest horticultural industry show in Canada serving the nursery, greenhouse, landscape, garden centre and turf sectors.

Park, an 8.5 acre community recreation area that has been inaccessible to citizens since June’s flood waters receded. The park and surrounding neighborhood were inundated with several feet of flood water that left behind a layer of silt — now hardened into a solid clay cap, five to eight inches thick. The park features a large green space with mature trees, two ball fields, a children’s playground and a soccer field, all currently unsafe and unusable. The ultimate goal is to see the entire park restored, but the town is most anxious to get the large ball diamond and the children’s playground restored and ready for use as soon as possible. They wish to normalize life in the town as children return to school and residents restore their homes.

Phil Paxton (Alpha Better, Calgary) has spearheaded this effort and he is joined on the Steering Committee by John van Roessel (JVR Landscape, Calgary) and Darryl Hardman (Countryside Landscapes, DeWinton) to undertake planning and Birchwood Park, an 8.5 acre community recreation area was inundated with several feet of flood water, leaving behind a layer of silt that has hardened into a solid clay cap, five to eight inches thick.

34 | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

management of the restoration project.

The intent is to restore the large ball field and the playground this fall. Our industry association has asked members and volunteers to contribute equipment and labour to the effort. Even though it is a very busy time, members are stepping up and the committee will arrange a schedule of tasks that fits best with the availability of volunteers.

National Awards of Landscape Excellence Landscape Alberta would like to congratulate those companies whose award-winning entries in the 2012 Landscape Alberta landscape awards have been nominated for the 2014 National Awards of Landscape Excellence: l Peter Hughes Landscape, Kelly Residence l ULS Maintenance & Landscaping, Bayview Residence l Landform, Hills project l Peter Hughes Landscape, Decore/McQueen Residence l Alpha Better Landscaping, The Water Centre l Year-Round Landscaping, EEEL Building U of C l Salisbury Landscaping, MacDonald Residence

Green for Life magazine This professional publication is produced by Landscape Alberta for the landscape horticulture industry in our province. It is published six times per year, including the Green Industry Show and Conference Guide. Don’t miss the latest news, articles and events — sign up for the online version of our magazine here http://bit.ly/XBVyD4. LT

No more guessing.

Let us show you how easy it is to take guesswork out of running a landscape company.

budget

estimate

track time

sync w/ Quickbooks

forms + templates

golmn.com

cnlanews Sheridan Nurseries was awarded the Golden Rose for the second year in a row, as International Grower of the Year.

Canada wins grower competition third year in a row!

This September, at the International Grower of the Year awards hosted by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH), Sheridan Nurseries from Ontario took home the coveted Golden Rose. This is the second year in a row that Sheridan has been awarded this prestigious title, and the third time for Canada, with Byland’s Nurseries winning the Golden Rose in 2011. Competition was tough, with a Dutch orchid grower, Sion, taking home the Silver Rose and a Belgian amaryllis grower, Roberama, taking bronze.

The judges were impressed with Sheridan Nurseries’ commitment to and achievements in innovation, environmental responsibility, efficient production and people management. The nursery covers 400 hectares of hardy nursery stock and container tree production. It is a major supplier to customers across Canada and the U.S., including its own chain of nine garden centres in the Toronto area.

Commenting on the results, AIPH president Vic Krahn said, “Sheridan Nurseries is a worthy winner of the top prize at this year’s awards and to win it for two years in a row really shows how special this business is. These awards are a celebration of the very best in ornamental horticulture production and I am delighted that we can recognize them in this way.”

CNLA is still accepting applications for the 2014 Canadian Grower of the Year competition (deadline is November 30). The winner will be announced at the 2014 National Awards of Landscape Excellence, happening this January in St. John’s, Nfld.

The national winner will then be entered into the international competition. For more information, visit www.cnla-acpp.ca/growers or contact Rita Weerdenburg at rita@cnla-acpp.ca.

National Tree Day update Thank you to all of the members that took time out of their busy schedules to celebrate trees. Over 50 members registered their events with CNLA, with the majority leading planting demonstrations at local schools. It was a great opportunity to expose students to the benefits of trees and how to properly care for them; for some, this was their first planting experience. CNLA members planted close to 70 trees on National Tree Day, most of which were planted at schools.

CNLA’s retail members also got involved by holding sales, tree giveaways and garden festivals 36 | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

at their stores. To learn more about the many great events that happened around the country on National Tree Day, check out the map at www.cnlaacpp.ca/nationaltreeday.

Landscape Canada priorities In August, the Landscape Canada Committee refined its priorities during the CNLA board meetings in Montreal. The committee will focus on communicating with the provinces and the public, partnering with like-minded organizations and influencing change, promoting landscaping as a career, and continuing to provide networking and training opportunities for the industry. The committee is excited to move forward with these priorities in mind and appreciates any input from its members.

Canada Blooms contest Member garden centres can be part of a contest that will give their customers a chance to win a trip for two to Canada Blooms in 2014. The contest, sponsored by Via Rail and the InterContinental Hotel, will offer a grand prize of round trip rail travel to Toronto, three nights accommodation and two tickets to Canada Blooms. Participating garden centres will be listed on the Canada Blooms website. Contact the CNLA office to receive a unique entry code, and download a promotional poster at www.cnla-acpp.ca/retailers.

Writing your way to success Did you know… that you could achieve Landscape Industry Certified Designations that require written exams in ALL provinces, just by scheduling a test date? There are four designations that are achieved by the successful completion of a written exam.

Lawn Care Technician: This credential is directly linked to the practice of the profession and reflects what you already know as a lawn care practitioner. A mark of 70 per cent on the two-hour multiple-choice exam is required to be awarded the designation.

Landscape Industry Certified Interior Landscaping: This is a four-hour written exam that

tests your knowledge of many aspects of the interior landscaping industry. A study guide is available to aid in preparation for this exam.

Landscape Industry Certified Designer: This designation was created to establish a high standard of excellence for the industry.

There are two parts in achieving your designation: a written exam, with a mark of 70 per cent or greater, and a portfolio submission of three completed projects, which is judged by a panel of Certified Designers.

Landscape Industry Certified Manager: A series of seven written modules based on seven core competencies designed for owners and managers wishing to improve their business skills. This fourhour exam has seven study manuals that correspond with each test section.

To find out more information about challenging any of these designations, contact Laura Brinton, certification coordinator, laura@cnla-acpp.ca, 1-888-446-3499 ex. 8620, or visit www.land scapeindustrycertified.org

IGCA tours down under From Oct. 6-11, 2013, the International Garden Centre Association held its annual Congress in Melbourne, Australia. The Congress had great attendance with over 140 people, including 21 Canadians. Delegates had a chance to see the best garden centres Australia has to offer. Mark your calendars for next year’s congress, taking place in Ireland, August 10-14, 2014.

2013 Recertification Cycle is coming to an end!

If your recertification cycle is due December 31 2013, there is still plenty of time to get CEUs! l Landscape Alberta Green Show and Conference, November 14-15, 2013 l HortEast Tradeshow and Conference, Moncton, N.B., November 19-20, 2013 For more information, or assistance with your recertification forms contact Crislane Ackermann, certification services, crislane@cnla-acpp.ca. LT The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association is the federation of Canada’s provincial horticultural trade associations.

Visit www.cnla-acpp.ca for more information.

comingevents November 14-15, Green Industry Show and Conference, Edmonton Expo Centre (Northlands), Edmonton, Alta. www.greenindustryshow.com

January 8-10, Northern Green Expo, Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis, Minn. www.northerngreenexpo.org

November 18-20, HortEast Conference and Trade Show, Halifax, N.S. www.horteast.ns.ca

January 9-10, Indiana Green Expo, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, Ind. www.indianagreenexpo.com

November 27-29, PM Expo, Metro Toronto Convention Centre South Building, Toronto, Ont. www.pmexpo.com 2014 January 6-8, Great Lakes Trade Exposition (GLTE), DeVos Place, Grand Rapids, Mich. www.glte.org January 7-9, Congress 2014, Toronto Congress Centre, Toronto, Ont. www.locongress.com January 8-10, The Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show, Baltimore Convention Center, Md. www.mants.com

January 13-15, CENTS 2013, Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio www.centsmarketplace.com January 22-24, The Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition (TPIE), Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. www.fngla.org/tpie January 26-30, Toronto Spring Gift Show, International Centre and Congress Centre, Toronto, Ont. www.cgta.org January 28-31, International Plant Fair, Essen, Germany www.ipm-messe.de

January 29-31, Your Next Level, New Orleans, La. www.yournextlevel.org February 5-7, New England Grows, Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Boston, Mass. www.newenglandgrows.org February 5-7, iLandscape: The Illinois Landscape Show, Rennaisance Schaumberg Conference Centre, Schaumburg, Ill. www.ilandscapeshow.com February 11-12, Manitoba Green Show, Victoria Inn, Winnipeg, Man. www.landscapemb.com February 12-14, ISA Ontario Conference, Deerhurst Resort, Huntsville, Ont. www.isaontario.com February 17-21, CGSA/WCTA Canadian International Turfgrass Conference and Trade Show, Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, Vancouver, B.C. LT www.golfsupers.com

classifieds BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

Landscaper’s Business Office, Home and Property for Sale A successful landscape architect is transitioning his business to the next generation; as part of this plan, he is selling the property where the company is currently located.

Over 55 acres near Terra Cotta, Ont. in the beautifully rolling hills of Caledon is a convenient location to service the GTA. A 30x70 ft barn has been converted to business offices with workshop and storage. The barn has its own mechanical systems plus driveway and yard that are separate from the family home.

The 3+BR/5Bath, 2 storey home is both elegant and inviting. It has an expansive main level that encourages entertaining plus a walk-out basement with games room. The decks and pool take advantage of a southern exposure for optimum enjoyment. Asking $1,450,000.

Call Michele Skawski, Sales Representative at 905-838-5012 RRSI Realty Inc., Brokerage 416-220-4728 or go to: www.LiveInCaledon.ca

ESTABLISHED SCARBOROUGH LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE AND SNOWPLOWING COMPANY FOR SALE Successful, respected company, locally owned and operated, is looking for a dedicated purchaser. Year round operation, with a loyal customer base. Well-maintained fleet of trucks and equipment. Building and yard may be leased separately.

For serious inquiries only, please reply in confidence by email to: rdarding@sympatico.ca ESTABLISHED MUSKOKA LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE COMPANY FOR SALE Successful, respected company, locally owned and operated, is looking for a professional and dedicated purchaser. Well-maintained fleet of trucks and equipment. Dependable staff, loyal customer base. Year-round operation.

For serious inquiries only, please reply in confidence by email to: MuskokaOpportunity@gmail.com

TO ADVERTISE: All classified ads must be pre-paid by credit card. Rates: $62.15 (includes HST) per column inch (approx. 25 words). Deadline: 10th day of the month prior to issue date. Space is limited to a first-come, first-served basis. To advertise: E-mail your name, phone number and ad to Robert at classifieds@landscapeontario.com. View ads online at www.landscapetrades.com

EQUIPMENT

FINN Hydroseeders & Bark Blowers New and Used • Flex Guard FRM • Soil Guard BFM • Erosion Control Blanket Seed & Fertilizer Toll free: (888) 298-9911 • Fax: (905) 761-7959 www.fibramulch.com

SERVICES AND SUPPLIES WHOLESALE TREE NURSERY Growing caliper shade trees and evergreens.

Custom tree basketing.

Contact us for availability and pricing.

STAM NURSERIES INC. 593836 Hwy 59, RR 2 Burgessville, ON N0J 1C0 Ph. (519) 424-3350 • Fax (519) 456-1659 E-mail: info@stamnurseries.com www.stamnurseries.com All Ontario Hydroseeding AND Ice Control Turbo-Turf Ice Control Sprayers Electric, Gas, or Hydraulic Powered 50-1600 Gallon Telephone: 289-200-3089 Facsimile: 905-576-0696 www.allontariohydroseeding.ca NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 | LANDSCAPE TRADES |

37

where to find it COMPANY

PAGE

PHONE

EMAIL

WEBSITE

Beaver Valley Stone 16

416-222-2424

info@beavervalleystone.com

www.beavervalleystone.com

Caledon Treeland 28

800-268-9516

treeland@treeland.ca

www.treeland.ca

Dutchmaster Nurseries Limited 39

905-683-8211

sales@dutchmasternurseries.com

www.dutchmasternurseries.com

Dynascape Software 12

800-710-1900

sales@gardengraphics.com

www.dynascape.com

Ford Motor Company of Canada Ltd 13

905-845-2511

www.ford.ca

General Motors of Canada Ltd 7

800-GM-DRIVE

www.gmcanada.com

Gravely 2

800-472-8359

info@ariens.com

www.gravely.com

J.C. Bakker & Sons Ltd 17

877-816-6608

nursery@jcbakker.com

www.jcbakker.com

Kubota Canada Ltd 11

905-294-7477

info@kubota.ca

www.kubota.ca

Landscape Management Network 35 888-347-9864 info@landscapemanagementnetwork.com www.landscapemanagement

network.com Navascape by Permacon 5

www.navascape.ca

New England Grows Inc 27

508-653-3009

www.newenglandgrows.org

Permacon Group Inc 40

800-463-9278

www.permacon.ca

Pro Landscape by Drafix Software 23

800-231-8574

sales@prolandscape.com

www.prolandscape.com

Thames Valley Brick 24

905-637-6997

info@thamesvalleybrick.com

www.thamesvalleybrick.com

United Agri Products (UAP) 29

800-265-5444

www.uap.ca

Willowbrook Nurseries Inc 15

905-892-5350

info@willowbrooknurseries.com

www.willowbrooknurseries.com

Zander Sod Co Ltd 19

877-727-2100

info@zandersod.com

www.zandersod.com

Win a trip for two to Canada Blooms!

2014 March 14 - 23, nto ro To , re Cent Direct Energy

Enter online at

al entry promotion Ask us for the and enter online code 31st!

by December

looms.com

www.canadab

Sponsored by

Grand Prize: al Hotel, InterContinent Daily 3 Nights at the Tickets for 2 and VIA Rail Train s! om nada Blo Passes to Ca

tre, and:

our garden cen

38 | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

info@newenglandgrows.org

CNLA members:

Promote a great contest for your customers this fall!

– A trip for two to visit Canada Blooms, March 14-23, 2014 at Toronto’s Direct Energy Centre It’s easy! Just register with CNLA, and display the contest poster (shown at left); customers simply use your code to enter online at the Canada Blooms website.

In addition to the trip, winners for two free tickets will be drawn from each garden centre’s entries. It’s a great way to showcase your store and excite your customers!

Contests can begin in your store any time, but must close by December 31, 2013. This GCC/Canada Blooms initiative is designed to both build your traffic and promote Canada Blooms.

This is a FREE opportunity for CNLA members only.

To participate visit http://www.cnla-acpp.ca/gardencentrecontest or email chelsea@cnla-acpp.ca

NEW

Lafitt速 Tandem 90 and 180 Wall tm

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE 2013 ELEctRONic cAtALOgUEs.

PERmAcONPRO.cA