TRELLIS
The newsletter of the Civic Garden Centre in Metropolitan Toronto January/February, 1997 Volume 24, Number 1
Civic Garden Centre General Information
TheCivicGardenCentreisavolunteer-based,not-for-profitorganizationwhosemission isto actas a central resourceforgardening,horticultureand allied environmental issues by encouraging interest; promoting involvement; and gathering, disseminating and interpreting information in order to enhance the quality of life for members of the community.
Located in Edwards Gardens, at Leslie Street and Lawrence Avenue East in North York, the Centre serves members throughoutMetropolitanToronto and across Ontario. The Civic Garden Centre is pleased to rent facilities for meetings, receptions, exhibits and shows.
Hours:
Winter(November1 toMarch31)
LibraryandTrellisShop: weekdays9:30a.m.to4:00 p-m.; weekends and holidays noon to 4:00 p.m. Administrative Offices: Monday to Friday 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Telephone: Area code 416.
Main number: 397-1340
Rentals: 397-1349
Library: 397-1340
Fax: 397-1354
Trellis Shop: 397-1357
Volunteerprogram: 397-1347
Course registration: 397-1410
Master Gardeners Infoline: 397-1345 (hours: noon to 3:00 p.m.)
Board of directors:
Chair: Lynne Robbins
Members: Peter Boeckle
Staff members:
Course registrar: Grant Thompson
Co-ordinator, children s programs: Margot Mather
Lindsay Dale-Harris Horticulturist: Stephen Westcott-Gratton
John Dean
Krnvite B
A.ssistz'mt horticulturist: ~ Sheila Smith
lere?nan: Roslyn Theodore
Trellis editor: Iris Hossé Phillips
Susan Dyer ; : : Manager, marketing and special events:
Susan Gibson
Mirvtine
Carolyn Dalgarno
Plant buyer: Ellen Eisenberg
John Howard Manager, administration and facility rentals: Gwen Kearney
Nancy Laurie
Barbara Mayer
David Money
Maureen Naylor
Liz Primeau
Helen Shaw
Roger Silverthorne
Betsy Chubb
Maintenance supervisor: Walter Morassutti
Administrative assistant: Shirley Lyons
Volunteer co-ordinator: ~ Ada Brzeski
Insidebackcover:
Back
Photo credit: Internationaal Bloembollen Centrum, Netherlands
TRELLIS
Volume 24, Number 1
Editor: Iris Hossé Phillips
Editorial co-ordinator: Leslie Lynch
Proofreader: Mara Arndt
Adpvertising information: (416) 397-1340
Printedby Raised Image, Etobicoke, on recycled paper
Trellis is published six times a year as a members newsletter by the Civic Garden Centre, 777 Lawrence Avenue East, North York, Ontario M3C 1P2. Telephone number: (416) 3971340.
Manuscripts submitted on a voluntary basis are gratefully received. No remuneration is possible.
Articles, manuscripts and advertising material must be received by the first of the month to insure publication eight weeks later.
Opinions expressed within Trellis do not necessarily reflect those of the Centre. Submissions may be edited for style and clarity.
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without written permission.
Editor s note
By Iris Phillips
In late November Leslie Lynch and I attended the Master Gardeners training seminar at the CGC. The three speakers, DouglasCampbellfromCampberryFarms, Anne Marie van Nest from the Niagara School of Horticulture, and Marjorie Mason-Hogue from Mason-Hogue Gardens, provided us with valuable information that we will apply in our gardens.
Douglas showed us slides of magnificent species of trees and told us to look at thehabitatoftheplantbeforewedecideon its location. For example, ifa shrub is part ofthe understoryin a forest, it is unwise to plantitsolo inanexposed and windswept spot. Good advice but how often do we ignore it when deciding on the perfect spot for our plant. Anne Marie showed slides of gardens in the U.K. and southwestern U.S. The gardens that delighted her used plants and artifacts to provide uniqueaccentsandfun.Marjorieprovided us with a list of underused annuals and tender perennials. Her slides showed us some recent additions to the market.
AlthoughIresistedbuyingoneofDouglas sapling trees, I did buy a bag of garlic cloves from the Master Gardeners. Judith Adam instructed us to go home and plant them immediately. I obeyed and look forwardtoastrikingperformancenextyear. I didnotsuccumbtotemptationlikeJudith s friendwhohadtoadmit: Sorry,theydidn t make it as far as the garden... I ate them.
The Trellis committee has submitted its reporttotheBoard.Werecommendedthat Trellisbe published six timesa year :Jan./ Feb., March/April,May/June,July/Aug., Sept./Oct., Nov./Dec. The deadline for Trellis submissions willchange to the first of the month starting with March 1 as the deadline for the May/June issue.
Aectivities at the Centre
The all-seasons gardener Mark Cullen
Topic: How to extend the gardening season Thursday, February 13 7:30 p.m.
Have you ever wondered whether the next caller will be able to stump Mark Cullen, as you listen to his call-in radio program? Where does he get his extensive knowledge? Has he tried all the tips he suggests?
Join Mark Cullen in an exciting and informative fund-raising event for the Civic Garden Centre.
Mark is no stranger to Canadian gardeners and members of the CGC. He appears regularly on radio and TV programs and displays extensive knowledge as he answers garden questions in a chatty and informal style. He has provided help and inspiration to gardeners across the country as author of the bestselling The All-Seasons Gardener (1995), The Real Dirt (1992) and A Greener Thumb (1990).
Mark has recently produced a new book-with-video series, Mark Cullen The Complete Gardener: Plants, Furnishings, Planting and Growing, and Color and Design.
In his slide-illustrated discussion, Mark will help you to extend the gardening season. Afterwards, you are invited to join Mark for a book signing and refreshments. And, of course, an opportunity to ask your question.
$8 admission
A fund-raiser to benefit the Civic Garden Centre
Aectivities at the Centre
Coming in February in the Edwards Lecture Series
Daylilies
with Douglas Lycett and Henry Lorrain of We re in the Hayfield Now Daylily Gardens
Wednesday, February 19 7:30 p.m.
Douglas and Henry have been hybridizing daylilies in their wonderful gardens in Orono since 1984. They grow 7,000 seedlings a year, and have 20,000 to 30,000 daylilies blooming at the peak of the season. Their work will be featured in Norman Track s upcoming book, Daylilies. This lecture will cover the history of the daylily, its introduction to European horticulture and the subsequent work of Arlowe B. Stout at the NewYorkBotanical Gardens. Theslide presentationwill alsofeature many exciting new hybrids.
Members: free
Notes from the
Non-members: $4
Landscape D(-signers and Contractors
A selection committee (Annette Dunne, chair; Betsy Chubb, staff representative; Lindsay Dale-Harris, John Dean, Nancy Laurie, and Helen Shaw) met during No- A complete vember and December to recommend can- residential didates for executive director to the Board. landscape
The Board hopes that a new executive service director will be in place inJanuary, 1997. Lynne Robbins will step down as in- . terim executive director on January 1. 265 3533
Aectivities at the Centre ;- o Gardens of the world: R il ol human
culture and horticulture " ik i Garden Centre
A non-credit, adult education course, co-sponsored by the University of Toronto Scho ofContinuing Studies and the Civic Garden Centre and held at the CGC.
This six-session course explores the images and true stories of ancient and modern gardens around the globe. Join seven experts, and the moderator of this series, Eleanor Irwin, as they present:
* Shaded with Roses: Gardens in Classical Greece
e Corn, from Mayans to Iroquois: A Mysterious Journey
* The Lotus is Purity: Flowers as Symbols in China; Chinese Gardens, Ancient and Modern
* The Medieval Persian Garden
* Mogul Gardens of Kabul, Lahore, and Delhi
» Serenity and Elegance: Japanese Gardens
Wednesdays, 7:00 to 9:00p.m., February 5, 12, 19, 26, March 5, 12
Members ofthe CGC: $170; non-members: $200; seniorcitizens: $140. Tuition is tax deductible.
Toregister: calltheSchoolofContinuingStudies (416) 978-3800. CoursenumberSCS 5670 Sec 01A
Bringing kids and nature together ... become a children s tour guide
Share your interest for all things in nature with school groups in the beautiful surroundings of Edwards Gardens. Volunteer to join us in our program Bugs, Flowers and Things in the Dirt. We are an enthusiastic group of varying ages and experience and would welcome new members. Training sessions beginin the spring.
For additional information, call: Shirley Gies (416) 488-0343 or Barbara Mayer (416) 922-1097.
The Toronto Historical Board and the Civic Garden Centre present two series:
Our Growing Heritage: a gardening workshop series at Spadina House, 285 Spadina Road
This series explores the historic use of plant material with application for today s gardens.
$7.50for CGC members, $10 for non-members (includes a tour of Spadina House and refreshments). Lectures at 1:00 and 2:30 p.m.
Pre-registration required: (416) 392-6910.
January 25: Container Gardening
February 1: Plant Propagation
February 8: Shade Planting and Wild Flowers
February 15: Perennials and Shrubs
February22: How to Dry and Use Flowers
Marjorie Mason-Hogue
Wendy Woodworth
Marion Jarvie
Marion Jarvie
Peg Spence
History of Toronto Parks lecture series
Toronto Historical Board, 205 Yonge Street
CGC members: $2, non-members: $4. All lectures at noon. For more information, call (416) 392-6827.
January 23: What It Might Have Been
St. James Park Victorian Garden
January 30: Toronto Downtown Parks
February 6: A New Urban Ecology
February 13: High Park
February20: Bridging Two Centuries
The Village of Yorkville Park
Trellis,January/February 1997
Owen Scott
Jill Cherry
Brad Fleischer
James Bell
David Oleson
Join other Centre members for a day at the show: CANADA BLOOMS
Chartered bus and entrance fee only $20
Civic Garden Centre members and their friends are invited to use our charter service to attend The Toronto Flower and Garden Show at its new location. From Wednesday, March 5 to Sunday, March 9, buses will take show-goers from the Centre to the Toronto Congress Centre in Etobicoke. The $20 cost includes transportation anda ticket to the show.
Buses will leave the Centre at 9:30 a.m. to arrive at Canada Blooms at 10:00 a.m. You will have four hours at the show, leaving at 2:00 p.m. to return to the Centre.
You'll enjoy:
* free parking at the Civic Garden Centre
* easy transportation by coach
* no waiting in line with your advanced sale tickets
* special bus entrance with coatcheck, coffee and welcome by a Garden Club of Toronto volunteer
Pre-registration is required in order to determine the number of buses needed for each day.
Yes! I 'm coming to Canada Blooms.
NAME
ADDRESS
CITY POSTAL CODE
TELEPHONE
# OF TICKETS ____ FOR [J WEDNESDAY THURSDAY U FRIDAY (] SATURDAY [ SUNDAY
PAYMENT BY: (1 CHEQUE ] VISA/MASTERCARD
CARD NUMBER EXPIRY DATE
No refunds after February28.
Call it what you want
By Stephen Westcott-Gratton, Civic Garden Centre horticulturist
Itwaslookinglikeanotherseasonalarticle on houseplants, but fortunately for our readership I attended the CGC Symposium on Horticultural Therapy, which should prove considerably more interesting than Leaf-drop ofFicus .
Congratulations to our editor Iris, who has kept herhorticultural cool, despitemy being two weeks late submitting this article. Clearly, sheis in no need oftherapy horticultural or otherwise. (I wouldn t, however, advise such tardy behavior to our membership, since the conduct ofeditorsisknowntobenotoriouslywhimsical).
So what is horticultural therapy? I'm certain that those ofus who spend serious time in our gardens already know: the enormous senseofachievementat the end oftheday. Theconceptthatyouhavemade the world a better place by virtue of your contribution to it. The notion of working with nature, and the serenity and satisfaction that it provides. And best of all, the rhythmofthegarden thebeginning,middle, and end of a sequence. The natural progressionoflife, death, and re-birth. An ordered universe.
All ofthis canprovetobeveryempow-
The Spiral Garden ering, especially to people who feel lost or disenfranchised in our tough, technical, modernworld. Thesymposium skeynote speaker Mitchell Hewson defines hort therapy as the use of plants and gardening activities as vehicles in professionally conducted programs in therapy and rehabilitation. (Horticulture as Therapy, GreenmorePrintingCo. Ltd.,Guelph,Ont., 1994.)
Hewson was the first registered horticultural therapist to practice in Canada, and has been the driving force behind the movement in this country for the past 22 years. His clinical experience at the HomewoodHealthCentreinGuelphsthe basis of his illuminating and informative textbook, available in Canada only at the CGC s Trellis Shop.
Other speakers included Nancy LeeColibaba from the Royal Botanical Garden sHortTherapyprogram,thefounding members of the Hort Therapy program at Toronto sYouthClinicalServices, and two artists from theSpiral Gardenat the Hugh MacMillan Centre. Using different approaches, and varying degrees of formality, all four groups had amazing stories to
tell,guaranteedtosendshiversupthespine.
One tale that sticks out in my mind is that of an occasional heroin user, who worked on a farm and lost both his legs at the hip in a combine accident. While he wasn t impaired at the time, he had both hisaddictionandhisdisabilitytodealwith during recovery. Between bouts of traditional physiotherapy, aimed at increasing his limited mobility, he was wheeled out into the garden to a raised bed. To the amazement of his care-givers, he hoisted himself out of his chair and threw himself on the bare soil. Touching it, feeling it, smellingit,revellinginit. He thoughtthat he would never feel a part of the earth again, and thebeliefthat this was possible afterallprovidedtheimpetusheneededto make a miracle occur.
Theunbelievablepartofallthisisthatit does work, and there are plenty ofstudies toverifythis. Itworksfordrugandalcohol abuse, weight disorders (anorexia nervosa),
Alzheimer s, gero-dementia, depression (affective disorders), and schizophrenia. Thehowsand whysarestillbeingstudied, butitisexcitingto thinkofthe possibilities of clinical applications. One critical componentofall workbeingcarried outin this field currently is the enormous reliance mostprogramshaveonvolunteerandcommunity support (sound familiar)?
The CGC will presently be reviewing ways in which we can effectively position ourselves to nurture this work, hopefully throughtrainingworkshops and seminars, while at the same time fulfilling our mission statement, printed on the inside front cover of this newsletter, and always worthy of scrutiny.
It's not often that my vertebrae tremble during a hort seminar, but they certainly did on this occasion. It s only right that I shouldpassafewquakesalongtoyou. Call it what you want, it works, and it s here to stay. Let s get in on the ground floor!
LUXURY ESCORTED CRUISE
4 to 11, 1997 Featuring the Spacious and Elegant _@oyal %«@ YourHost . . . NotedHorticulturist, FRANKKERSHAW
INCLUDED FEATURES: $Round trip flights, Toronto/Boston. $Transfers and baggage handling, airport/pier. &7nights cruise accommodation. & All meals aboardRoyalMajesty. $ Private "Bon Voyage" Reception. & Two special tours in Bermuda, featuringvisits to private gardens. & Tllustrated gardenpresentations by FrankKershaw. & PrivateFarewellReception. Fares from U.S.$1099.00 to U.S.$1379.00 (Plustaxes -U.S.$191.00) Forcompletedetailsandreservatians,calltheEXCLUSIVEAGENTS...
Introducing gardening online
By Trevor Cullis
The Internet is a rapidly expanding resource for plant and garden information. Shouldyoubetakingadvantageofit?New programs make searching through the Internet fast and easy. Whether you have questionsaboutyourgardenorarelooking foronlinesupportwhichcanprovidevaluable help, it can be probably be found on the net. New information is being provided continuously!
This does not mean that you have to go out and buy an expensive computer and arrange for a service provider right away. Almost one-third of Canadians are now online and you shouldbe able to enlist the help of a friend to let you access the information. Ifyou are not acquainted with the Internet,youwillneedalittleguidancethe firsttime.Afterthatitiseasy.Youcandoit!
Aneasyplacetobegin istodoubleclick on theNetscape icon ofthe Windows program and go to the Home Page.
Look for gardening items and click on them. If you do not see them right away, they may be under recreation. In November, Canadian Gardening magazine featured the garden of the month. It is the story of a Toronto couple who convert a barren country place to a property with a view and they do it all on weekends!
A great way to find information on the net is to use a search engine . Using a searchengineisverystraightforward.From the Home Page there are several buttons. OneofthemiscalledSearch.ClickonSearch and then click on the search engine you want to use. There are different ones such as Altavista and Yahoo .Justtypeakey word about plants in which you are interested, and click on the appropriatebutton to execute a search.
Suppose you choose Yahoo. This is the legendaryand massive directoryofglobal
internet resources. Just type gardening in the rectangle and click on Search. It usuallybringsyou a multitudeofmatches referredtoas hits tolinksandsites. Soon your screen is filled with topics to choose and interest you.
In a few seconds Yahoo found 237 matches such as: Rare seeds, Sculpture for gardens, over 900 mail-order suppliers, Garden escapes, Gazebo gardens, Learning exchange, Growing better roses, Environmentallyconsciousgardening,Garbage bag gardening and Gardening hotline. These are just a few of the topics. Remember there over 225 more entries.
..100,000 matches for the word flower
Altavista, a comprehensiveandpowerful search engine, found 100,000 matches forthewordflower.Tonarrowthesearch,it is better to be as specific as you can . Even so,someofthetopicssuchasProteas,FlowersofJapan,andFlowersofAustraliamight prove interesting.
Wildflowers had about 10,000 matches, rockgardensabout9,000andorchidsanoverwhelming 100,000. Theinformationcomes in groups of ten, not all at once. For more informationclickonanyitemthatisunderlined. To quit, click on Back.
A wholenewworld ofgardeninformation awaits you. Eventuallyyou should be abletocommunicatewithgardenersworldwide on the web. Why not give it a try?
TrevorCullis isa CivicGarden Centremember andMaster Gardener. Reference Sympatico.
CLASSIFIED
Portugal and Madeira garden tour: April10to24/97. Arepeatofourverysuccessful touroflastyear. MadeiraFlowerFestival,Quintas, gardens and wine tasting. Limited to 30 passengers. $3,589 plus tax. Call Glad Roth, Northstar Travel, 1-800-830-3299. L]
Gardeners Tour of Ireland. Exclusively conducted tour of 13 private, three castle and two botanic gardens in the beautiful south ofIreland including Kerry, Waterford and Dublin. Garden writer escorted. Call Uptown Travel, 1-800-667-0803.
Merlin s Hollow winter seminars:
Saturday, January 18, 1997: Rock gardens and ponds/The charm of Manitoulin Island wildflowers and wildlife.
Saturday, February 15: Small garden design/ Memorable gardens great and small.
Saturday, March 22: Plants for late fall, winter and early spring/American garden visits for a long weekend.
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at historic Hillary House, Aurora. $40 each day. Phone (905) 727-8979 for information. Numbers limited.
Wildflower and birdwarching walks.
Peleelsland,AlgonquinPark,RideauTrail,Grand Manan, Canadian Prairies. For free newsletter, call George Bryant at Natural History Tours, (416) 223-6922 or 1-800-371-7779.
Next
Trellisdeadline: January 15, 1997 for the March/April issue. Submissions welcome.
May 25 toJune 15, 1997 (21 Days)
Cost:US$ 3,195 from Kunming
Limit:20 participants
Join Peter Cunnington, DirectorofEngland sNess Botanic Gardens, on thisexclusive trip ofa Llifetime tosee the fabled mountain | wildflowers ofYunnan.
Scotland
GardensofScotland
Sept7 toSept 20, 1997 (14 Days)
Cost:US$ 2,895 from Glasgow
Limit:20 participants
Join Allan Paterson, retired DirectoroftheRoyal Botanical GardensinHamiltonandauthor ofseveral gardeningbooks on a tourofthe remarkablegardens ofScotland.
Formoreinformationpleasecall: 416-221-3000 tollfree 1-800-387-1483
Questions and answers with the Master Gardeners
Q. Can Istart crocusfrom seed?
A. Plants are variable, not true to type, from garden hybrids. Some species produce more seed than others. You canfertilizetheflowerbyopeningabudandremovingthe anthersbeforethepollenisshed.Thentakeapairofforceps or tweezers and rub pollen from another flower on to the stigma. Seed capsules staybelow ground untiljustbefore ripening (from May to July). Gather them before the capsule splits and store in envelopes, in a cool dry area. Ripe seed capsules of crocus Sow no later than the first week of September. emergefrom the ground.
Q. How do Icarefora Norfolk pine?
A. Araucaria heterophylla likes a medium light, but will drop its needles iflight is insufficient. Avoid the summer sun. Water regularly, but sparingly in winter. Fertilize with a standard balanced (e.g. 20-20-20) liquid fertilizer every two weeks during spring and summer when it is actively growing. It is quite slow growing, a few inches each year. Norfolk pine can tolerate wide variations in temperature,butneedsaddedhumidityabove80°F(27°C). Norfolk pine grows very slowly. ~ Repot every two years.
Q. Which annuals and perennials are relatively tolerant to salt?
A. Salt-tolerant perennials include:
Climbing hydrangea (H. petiolaris) ~ Hosta
Clematis varieties
Rugosa rose
Bugle (Ajuga)
Heather (Erica)
Violets
Annuals that tolerate some salt are:
Periwinkle
Pachysandra
Thyme
Sedum
Morning Glory (Ipomoea purpura) Zinnia Morning glory, nasturtium
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum) Portulaca and portulacca are salttolerant annuals.
Thanks to Vivien Jenkinsonfor illustrations.
Gardening questions? Call the Master Gardeners Infoline (416) 397-1345 daily, noon to 3:00 p.m.
Plant of the month:
Cosmos atrosanguineus: Chocolate cosmos
By Anna Leggatt
I have been growing this plant for two years now. I think it is one of the current in plants. I first met it ten years ago in England. A garden was open under the National Gardens Scheme. I usually look atlistingsinthelocalpaperwhenIamback visiting. IfIsee alpine or plantperson s garden, I go.
The garden was tiny, in the back of a house built into the medieval walls of the town of Warwick. The gardener was elderly, and I eagerly went up to him as I surveyedhistreasures. Isoonrealizedthat he didn t want to waste his time on someone who would notrememberanything. I was tested! Luckily, I recognized a tiny evergreenasahebe,soherelaxedand [had a personal tour. It was, Do you know what thatis? Well, what does it look like? When we got to the cosmos, I had to smell it. Yes, it smelt strongly of chocolate!
The flower looks like an ordinary annualcosmos,exceptitisadarkvelvetyred and shorter. The40-50cmstalksonlyseem to have one flower out at a time and they weaveinandoutofotherplantsinanopen border. This gives sudden surprises and interestingcolorcombinations. Ofcourse, whenyouinviteavisitortohaveasmell,all
BLOOMING FOOLS
get growing.
Mail-A-Grow is a subscription service for a
the flowers have positioned themselves rather too close to a hardy cactus.
The mainingredientforsuccessiswelldrainedsoilandsunshine. Thisyear,itwas inasandbedwithcacti,fleshy-leavedplants and unusual annuals. It is only hardy to Zone?7,soitmustbeoverwinteredindoors. Lastyear,Ileftthethicktubersinapotina cold, but frost-free, greenhouse. Treat it like a dahlia. It looks similar. I will try to divide the tubers next spring. I may have six plants! (Or am I counting chickens?) There was no sign ofviable seed. I thinkit shouldgrowfromstemcuttingstakenearly in the season. I will try next year.
Itcan beused as a cutflower. I wantto tryitwiththefrothy chartreuseflowers of lady s mantle, yellow Stella de Oro and dark ligularia leaves. This combination would not work in the garden the growing wants are too far apart.
Ask your favorite garden centre if they will have chocolate cosmos this spring. Heritage (wholesale) carries it.
Anna Leggatt isa TorontoMasterGardener,a member of Garden Writers of America and a mad rockgardener.
Crazy about gardening? Here s the easy way to year s worth ofgrowing kits. Six times throughout the next year, you'll receive a complete package tied to the season: exotics for indoors, showstoppers for garden or balcony, little treasures for gift-giving. Each comes with resultsguaranteed instructions and green-thumb newsletter. All delivered right to your door. This could be the year you really bloom. For more information telephone: 416-801-4040
A late fall black-eyed Susan
By Sheila Kinross
TheFestivalofFlowerscelebratingSt.James Cathedral s200thanniversary(mentioned in Trellis, September-October, 1996, issue) prompts me to share the story of a special gift that came to my garden years ago.
During a glorious period of late-fall Indian summer, I walked to work, from Union Station, through the beautiful garden of St. James Cathedral in downtown Toronto. The cathedral grounds comprise a small, immaculately-kept formal garden with manicured lawnsand colorfulflower beds and a largerarea ofparkland spreading over an entire city block with the cathedpral spire rising majestically from its midst. This green oasis provides a welcomereliefforcityworkersandisafavorite haunt for students from the Ontario College ofArt.
Most days I took my lunch there and watchedabevyofgardenersastheypruned trees, planted bulbs, divided perennials and raked up the last leaves ofthe season. One gardener was friendly and greeted everyone with a warm smile. One daywe gotinto conversation and I told him that I, too,wasa keengardener. Whydon tyou bringmesomethingfromyourgarden, he said, and I'll give you a division to take home from here. What would you like?
Well, Isaid, I'vealwaysfanciedablackeyed Susan.
The nextday, I dugup a plantfrommy garden a bright red perennial (species unknown) and carefully carried itonthe GOtrain. Mygardenerfriendseemedquite delighted with the new acquisition forthe garden. Now, he said, You come back hereatlunchtimeandI'llhaveablack-eyed Susandivisionreadyforyou. Atmid-day I returned, and collected Susan.
Getting Susan home was simple; but getting her planted on a dark November
evening required some ingenuity. Amed with a flashlight, my husband and I crept out into the garden after dinner. First, we foragedaroundintheshedtofindatrowel, some peat moss and fertilizer. After all, Susan deserved the best in soil preparation. Findingtherightplacetoputherwas a hit and miss affair but we ultimately settled on a spot, dug a hole in the blackness,preparedthesoilwithourfingersand shoved her in!
A few days later, after lunch in the cathedralgarden,Ireturnedtomyofficeonly todiscoverthatthepartnershipforwhichI worked had succumbed to the recession andthatdayceasedoperations. Thiswasa shocktothestaffandapersonalsadnessto me because it had been a happy and congenialworkplace. Alas,therewouldbeno more walks through the cathedral garden, but I recalled my newly-planted Susan which would be a continuing memento of these pleasant times.
With the onset of winter, Susan lost her remaining dark green leaves and retired
into the deep dormancy of her new environment, leaving no visible sign of her existence.
The visits I had made to the cathedral garden took on added significance when, earlyinthenewyear,mydearfatherpassed away. Hehad requested aburialservicein thecathedral sbeautifulchapelofSt.Jamesthe-Less.
Myfatherhadalwayslovedflowersand was, for may years, a keen gardener himself. This truly seemed a fitting place in which to honor him.
Spring came to our garden and fresh green shoots started pushing through the soil. Iwatchedeagerlyforsignsoflifefrom Susan. Oneday, a darkleafappeared, and then another. She had survived the winter and was ready to come to life again in her new location.
More leaves came out; a healthy plant developed and fat yellowbuds started ap-
pearing. Whatathrillwhenthefirstflower broke forth, some time in lateJuly. Gradually, my Susan became a mass of golden blooms. Intheyears since, shehassteadily expanded and nowprovidesa hugebright splash of color at a time in the summer when other perennials are waning. She looks up at me lovingly, her black velvet eyes contrasting vividly with her shining golden petals.
I had an opportunity someyearsafter acquiring Susan to travel downtown again. Makingmy wayover to St. James, I soughtout mygardenerfriend. Icameto thank you for Susan; she s doing just fine andweallloveher, Isaid. Hesmiled: I'm glad and the smile ofa black-eyed Susan isourongoingrichlegacy from thegarden of St. James Cathedral.
Sheila Kinross is a volunterand memberofthe Civic Garden Centre.
For the love of gardens.
When you're at work on the garden you love, remember Sheridan Nurseries. At Sheridan, we have expert staffto help you, and the finest selection of nursery stock in Canada, including over 750 types of plants and trees grown on our own farms. And all ofour nursery stock is guaranteed for two full years! Need any advice to help make your garden even lovelier? Gardens By Sheridan landscape designers offer everything from peerless consultation and planning to complete construction and maintenance services. All for the love of gardens, at Sheridan Nurseries.
700EvansAvenue 606SouthdownRoad 2827 YongeStreet 100ElmsdaleRoad 4077Hwy. #7 EtobicokeM9C 1A1 ~ MissisaugaL5]2Y4 TorontoM4N2J4 KitchenerN2E 1H6 ~ Unionville L3R 1L5 Tel: (416) 621-9100 Tel: (905) 822-0251 Tel- (416) 481-6429
(519) 743-4146
(905) 477-2253
Raffle winners announced
Lucky winners in the Centre s autumn raffle were:
* Pat Keating, Elmvale, Loi Hathaway watercolor
¢ Linda Lindo, Downsview, Weall & Cullen gift basket
* Claire Finch, Toronto, Pamela Stagg numbered print
¢ Debbie Robertson, North York, Cruickshank s gift basket
e Joan Sleep, North York, Pamela Stagg numbered print
e Penny Eccles, North York, Sonia Day watercolor
* Violet Drew, Concord, four books from the editors of Canadian Gardening magazine and a one-year subscription to the magazine
e A. Dunne, Toronto, $50 gift certificate from Michaels The Arts and Crafts Superstore
e Pat Hunt, Etobicoke, hand-crafted tool basket by Maureen Robbins.
Our sincere appreciation to all the donors who provided prizes forthe raffle. Maureen Naylor, raffle co-ordinator, reports that just under $4,000 was raised for the Centre.
Coming events at the Centre
January +
® Orchid judging centre, 1:00 p.m. o
* SouthernOntarioOrchidSociety,meeting, 1:00 p.m. 12
¢ Ontario Rock Garden Society, meeting, 1:30 p.m. Speaker: Barbara Wilkins. Topic: A year in the garden. 13
¢ Toronto Bonsai Society, meeting, 7:00 p.m.
* SouthernOntarioOrchidSociety,newcomers meeting, 7:30 p.m. 14
e North Toronto Horticultural Society, meeting, 8:00 p.m. Annual meeting. Speaker: Cathy Cox. Topic: Propogating from seed and growing under lights. 19
e Federation of Ontario Naturalists, meeting, 7:00 p.m. 21
e Toronto Cactus and Succulent Club, meeting, 7:30 p.m. 23
¢ CanadianChrysanthemumandDahlia Society meeting, 7:00 p.m. 26
¢ Rhododendron Society, meeting, 2:00 p.m. 28
* Toronto Potters, meeting, 7:30 p.m.
Did you know ...?
Master Gardeners answered 1,430 phone calls in the first six months of 1996.
February 1
* Orchid judging centre, 1:00 p.m. 2
* SouthernOntarioOrchidSociety,meeting, 1:00 p.m.
* Geranium and Pelargonium Society, meeting, 2:00 p.m. 10
¢ TorontoBonsaiSoc.,meeting,7:00p.m. 11
¢ North Toronto Horticultural Society, meeting, 8:00 p.m. Speaker: Marjorie Hancock. Topic: Rhododendrons. 12
e Jkebana International Chapter 208, meeting, 7:45 p.m. 13
* Benefit for the Civic Garden Centre: Speaker: Mark Cullen Topic: How to extend the gardening season 7:30 p.m. Admission: $8 17
e MycologicalSociety,meeting,7:00p.m. 19
e Edwards Lecture Series: Speakers: Douglas Lycett and Henry Lorrain. Topic: Daylilies. 7:30 p.m. 23
e Horticultural Societies open house, noon to 4:00 p.m. Exhibits, demonstrations, information about the CGC. 26
* Ontario Rock Garden Society, meeting,7:30p.m. Speaker: JimGermyn. Topic: Gentians. 27
e CanadianChrysanthemumandDahlia Society, meeting, 7:00 p.m.
rticulture Societies Open House
Sunday, February 23 noon to 4:00 p.m.
Floral Hall
Curious about how to propagate an orchid? Interested in learning how to prune a bonsai tree? Looking for friends to share your passion for hostas? Eager to discover a no-fail method to winter your roses?
Join representatives of the Horticultural Societies for an afternoon of exhibits, demonstrations and a chance to discover the benefits of membership.