[6] 5 TOp GARDEN READs Checked out from Weston Family Library in 2024
[7] Up AND RUNNiNG Borrow and Donate to the Seed Library [8] MELANiE LOvERiNG New Development Director delighted with campaign results [9] WiLD BEE HOMEs [10] MicROGREENs
Easy to grow kits [11] DiY FLOWER sAcHETs
[12] HELLEBOREs
Don’t miss popular spring sale of nature’s early risers
[14] MAKiNG TEAMWORK FUN Sue Hills retires as TBG Volunteer and Tour Coordinator [16] sTOp AND READ THE FLOWERs Union Station features installation by TBG Floral Design grad [18] cAscADEs OF sUMMER
Recreate this magic Floating Garden [20] DAWN cHORUs
Join the 5:30 a.m. birdsong collective Sunday, May 4 [22] WARBLER pROFiLEs Listen to their musical trill at the edge of the forest
[24] HisTORY OF GARDENiNG Medieval Gardens influenced by politics, economics, religion and culture [26] sAvE THE DATE TTGG June 7 & 8, Hoggs Hollow [28] pETUNiAs FROM sEED Don’t be scared. It’s fun and you can’t beat the price [30] NATivE pLANTs FOR spRiNG cONTAiNERs Bring nature to your doorstep no matter the size of your outdoor space [35] 36 QUEsTiONs Popup exhibit explores our views on Toronto green spaces [36] MiLKWEED, JOE pYE WEED, iRONWEED Have some native plants been erroneously dubbed weeds? [40] cLiMATE cHANGE Threat to native plants and animals. What are we doing about it? [44] NEW ORLEANs TREAsUREs “Who Dat” gardens deserve more attention [52] BALATA GARDENs Botanical Jewel of Martinique [62] BOOK sHELF
Exploring Flowers, Plants and Old-growth Forests [64] REcipE cORNER
Grilled Asparagus Caesar Salad [66] GOOD THiNGs ARE HAppENiNG [68] pUzzLE piEcEs
from the Garden
Stephanie with Jenny Rhodenizer, Director of Marketing and Audience Engagement
Whether it is taking the late shift at Nuit Blanche, or arriving for an early departure for intern fieldtrips, along with the normal tos and fros of any given day, the Garden is rich in human connections and human–nature connections. Moreover, it is how the rhythm of each of our days brings a pulse to a community space that makes the Garden a vibrant place.
One thing that stands out to me when I am in a public garden and community green space is how complete strangers are more likely to strike up a conversation, say hello to one another and participate in shared experiences. With your support we can magnify this to be true at TBG. I invite you to take note as you go to and from TBG—the garden we all love—and think about intentionally saying hello to strangers, share your awe and wonder of nature, and get to know your fellow community members. That is how together we can make TBG a garden for all, while deepening our understanding of the natural world and our role as caregivers, while also enriching our individual community connections.
As we launch another year of programming, we also offer a world of possibilities for you to engage with TBG, for human to human and human to nature connections.
Right from the top of the year we led with tried-andtrue favourites of our plant-loving community with Get a Jump on Spring—read Good Things Are Happening for insights on the learning and community connections that were a part of the 2025 edition of this beloved tradition.
Don’t miss our annual TBG Spring Plant Sale May 10 and 11 for top performing plants from reliable growers. Members look forward all year to the Plant Preview and Shopping Day for Members only on Friday, May 9 from noon to 7 p.m.
Community is the heart of t oronto Botani Cal Garden
With the start of my fourth year at the Garden, I have been thinking about the multitude of human-to-human connections that happen at TBG, day after day.
Throughout my career as a public garden leader and champion, I have had the opportunity to witness public gardens at all hours of the day, through all seasons. And that is part of why I stand in awe of the power of plants and green spaces to bring a community together.
Another great thing about the TBG community, is that we rally around and celebrate other treasured greenspaces and their caregivers during our annual Through the Garden Gate tour. Mark your calendars for June 7 and 8 for a weekend of exploring the gardens in Hoggs Hollow.
And knowing that TBG is where the plant people meet, we continue to keep you informed and inspired with plants. Be sure not to miss the three feature articles in this issue of Trellis highlighting native plants including: Planting Native Plants in Containers, Are We Losing Native Plants because of Climate Change and Are They Really Weeds?
I hope you enjoy the community vibe next time you visit the Garden because you are an important part of what makes this place resonate.
Be well. Stephanie Jutila TBG CEo
HELLEBORE SALE
Preorder online or shop in person
TBG MEMBERS ONLY PLANT SALE PREVIEW
Enjoy a friendly and relaxed shopping experience
GUIDED GARDEN TOURS BEGIN
Led by knowledgeable volunteer guides
TBG ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Current members in good standing will receive an email invitation
EARTH DAY
FREE coffee chaff for your garden available in the Garden Shop
An immersive experience featuring Toronto’s top aerialists 5 APR 22 APR 9 MAY 10&11 MAY
TBG’S SPRING PLANT SALE
Discover plants you won’t find anywhere else, sourced from local and trusted growers.
THROUGH THE GARDEN GATE
Explore the beautiful private gardens of Hogg’s Hollow
TAFELMUSIK AT THE GARDEN
Enjoy an intimate concert of Mozart’s Kindred Spirits
EDWARDS SUMMER MUSIC SERIES BLOOM CIRCUS IN THE GARDEN
Opening day of our beloved FREE outdoor concert series supported by the Edwards Charitable Foundation
5 Top Garden r eads Library
Checked out from the Weston Family Library in 2024 by
Lee robbins TBG Weston Family Library Manager
Pollination, native plants, stormwater landscaping and perennial maintenance were among the most popular subjects in books checked out from the Weston Family Library in 2024. Here are the top five:
1. Pollinators of Native Plants by Heather Holm is a comprehensive and essential resource that profiles over 65 perennial native plants of the Midwest, Great Lakes region, Northeast and southern Canada as well as the pollinators, beneficial insects and flower visitors the plants attract. Beautifully designed and illustrated with more than 1,600 photos of plants and insects, it underscores the pivotal role that native plants play in supporting pollinators and beneficial insects. SB439.Hol 2014
2. RHS How to Grow Plants For Free: Creating New Plants From Cuttings, Seeds and More by Simon Akeroyd, with illustrations by John Woodcock, is the perfect introduction to increasing the number of plants in your garden or community easily and cheaply. Increase your stock by propagating them yourself. This book demystifies the art of taking cuttings, explains other ways to multiply garden plants and demonstrates how propagating your own plants can be fun, inexpensive, and a sustainable way to garden. SB119.Ake 2023
1
3
2
3. A Garden for the Rusty-Patched Bumblebee by Lorraine Johnson and Sheila Colla, provides all the information gardeners need to take action to support and protect pollinators, by creating habitat in yards and community spaces, on balconies and boulevards. In short: everywhere! With more than 300 native plants of Ontario and the Great Lakes region profiled in detail, along with sample garden designs, ideas for beautiful plant pairings and numerous tips for success. This book is an inspiring and practical guide to creating beautiful habitat gardens full of life. QL 59.Joh 2022
4. Greening Your Grounds: A Homeowner's Guide to Stormwater Landscaping Projects, a 55-page step-by-step guide from the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, helps homeowners make the most of rainwater. TD657.4 Tor 2013
5
4
5. The Know Maintenance Perennial Garden by Roy Diblik, starts off with chapters on understanding your garden (soil, light, shade), understanding plants (growth habits, flowers, foliage, stems, crowns), preparing and maintaining the site, and some likely plants to consider. Then comes the true treasure— chapter 6 has 62 planting plans, broken down into sun and shade, and then further into themes inspired by successful public gardens. Diblik, who worked closely with designer Piet Oudolf on the Lurie Garden in Chicago, brings his wisdom and knowledge to the public with Know Maintenance*. SB434.Dib 2014
Wup and
Borrow and Donate to the Seed Library
by Lee robbins
ith spring, hopefully, just right around the corner, now is a good time to remind everyone of the Seed Library in the Toronto Botanical Garden’s Weston Family Library.
The current Seed Library was initiated in the spring of 2024; it was a grassroots project undertaken early in the year with help from TBG staff, Toronto Master Gardeners and Weston Family Library volunteers. A generous seed donation from the Ontario Rock Garden and Hardy Plant Society got us going early on.
Seeds are filed by plant type (i.e., fruit, vegetable, herb, perennial or annual) in labelled envelopes and boxes on a mobile seed library cart. Seeds are shared for free. We cannot guarantee seed germination. The seed library cart also has information about the art and practice of seed sowing and saving. We encourage all members of the public to borrow seeds from the library at any time of the year. At the end of the growing season, we invite all community members to donate seeds. For seed donations delivered to the library, please place seeds in paper envelopes and write the date of collection, variety, collection location and any growing notes or suggestions. We only accept and collect seeds from the last two years to ensure the stock is fresh.
Thank you for the interest in local seeds and seed saving. Please donate–we want your seeds.
Melanie lovering
new director of development delighted with campaign results.
“TBG donors sTep up when they are asked to give in meaningful ways.” That’s the conclusion of new Director of Development Melanie Lovering, when asked about the success of Hearts & Flowers, TBG’s annual giving campaign. Despite the mail strike, the 2024 campaign raised roughly $20,000 dollars more than its $250,000 goal. She’s inspired.
“The development team set up a terrific plan months ahead of the campaign. We communicated our needs clearly, and donors responded in kind,” she said. “They recognized that the community needs us, and we need them.”
Donors particularly like the Giving Tuesday and matching gift elements of the campaign, she said. “They offered a double layer of confidence in the organization. When senior volunteers like Board Members step up, and match gifts to the tune of $44,000, it creates an additional layer of trust in the organization. Due to the mail strike, some of our Board Members even volunteered to call former donors who had not yet given to remind them about the match. The fact that they were willing to do that is so wonderful.”
She adds, “Since we could not send mail, our team relied heavily on email communication, with photos and messages written by TBG champions describing the Garden’s impact. One donor made a point of handing me a cheque in person, because someone he knew and respected had asked him to give.” Donors drove across town to drop off cheques, or contributed electronically for the first time, while others donated publicly traded stocks that had appreciated, helping them avoid capital gains taxes.
Hearts & Flowers, she says, is a community effort and every single donation matters. A collective effort like this has a huge impact on TBG’s ability to meet the needs of its community.
“Like dancing” A newly emerging emphasis in 2025 will focus on securing partnerships with the business
community. “Our highest priority is to identify and connect with companies that align with our mission, and make them aware of the many high-profile opportunities we offer,” said Melanie. “Securing corporate partnership is like dancing. It takes time for partners to learn the steps, but once they do, it’s really fun!”
TBG ‘s partnership program will be launched this spring, and “we are always interested in hearing from supporters if they work for, or know of, a company we could approach,” she said.
Companies that are curious about a partnership with TBG, including employee engagement opportunities, are invited to contact Melanie at development@torontobotanicalgarden.ca.
“TBG is a charity” Melanie says her job is “to create meaningful partnerships with existing and potential funders of TBG. And to lead and motivate my team. We want everyone to give to the Garden they love because TBG is, and always will be, a critically important charity in the community.”
A further emphasis in 2025 will be to secure funding for worthy projects like our Living Winter program, which connects Grade 4 students living in high priority neighbourhoods with a full-day curriculum-rich outdoor experience at no cost to their schools. Simply put, the more donations we receive, the more children we can serve.”
Melanie has been coming to the TBG, herself, for many years and like others, visited the Garden to seek solace during the COVD pandemic. She took a flower arranging class from Margaret Taylor a few years ago “and loved it.” When she travels, visits to botanical gardens are always a highlight. She is pictured here in the Rose Garden in Madrid, Spain’s El Retiro Park.
p hoto: William l o vering
garDen Shop
| Scopa Wild Bee Home |
handmade pollinator house designed to last through harsh canadian winters By rosie
agro Assistant Retail Manager
The firs T T hing that pops into my head when I think Bee Home is a swarming bee hive hanging from a tree and dripping honey, but the reality is that there are more than 20,000 species of bees in the world and only eight are honey bees. These bees are considered wild as they do not live in a hive. They are solitary and find safe spaces for themselves and their young on their own. Usually, they would find these spaces in holes in the ground or wood, but Scopa Bee Homes provides safe spaces for them.
Scopa Wild Bee Homes are created by Ryan Brideau and entomologist Dr. Jessica Forrest, head of the Forrest Lab at the University of Ottawa, who studies the evolutionary ecology of plant–pollinator interactions. She researches and explores how climate change is affecting our
pollinator friends and together with Brideau and his woodworking skills, they have created this bee home to truly help our pollinators.
Scopa calls these homes “heirloom pieces” as they are made from white oak to last for many years with every step of the construction process done in Canada. From the trees used for
the wood to the raw materials, everything is locally sourced and handmade, ensuring that each piece is one of a kind. These homes are tested in Ottawa and are made to last through harsh Canadian winters.
Toronto Botanical Garden’s Garden Shop is always looking for high quality pollinator-friendly goods and a Scopa Bee Home is exactly that. Not only is this an eco-conscious purchase, it’s an item that can be passed down to future generations.
garDen Shop
| m icrogreen S |
tbg garden Shop has easy to grow kits. Just add water.
By rosie agro
for The lasT few years microgreens have been in the spotlight. Whether you are at a trendy new restaurant or strolling through your local market you are sure to have a few varieties catch your eye. What has made them so popular? Well, we have Charlie Trotter to thank for that. In the late 80s Trotter ran a restaurant in Chicago that was famous for being one of the first to serve a vegetable-only tasting menu, at a time where a vegetarian diet was less common. One of the ways he broke ground for his new restaurant was by using microgreens in his recipes. Where other restaurant owners would see this produce as unfinished, not yet fully grown, Trotter looked at it differently. He wanted something young and tender yet full of flavour, which is why he turned to microgreens.
So, what are microgreens, and how are they different from sprouts? One difference is how they are grown. While sprouts are germinated without soil, microgreens use a medium when planted, either soil or sponge. The biggest difference between the two is how they are eaten. Sprouts can be eaten from root to tip, but you will want to cut microgreens at the stem.
Microgreens are nutrient dense and flavourful, making them a perfect addition to any meal. While supermarkets have a good selection, growing your own is always recommended. Not only will you have access to the freshest produce straight from the source, microgreens are also an easy to grow, fun activity to keep your green thumb fresh during winter or to introduce little ones to easy to grow produce.
Easy and fast to grow, microgreens are ready to harvest in only one to three
weeks after they are planted. Find a shallow, wide container with good drainage (think creatively,,,old baking trays, milk cartoons, even eggshells work). All you need to do is sprinkle the seeds over the soil, gently cover them with a thin layer of soil and then press the soil down. Allow them a ‘black-out’ period for 48 hours before placing them in an area with ample light. Water them from the bottom and once they sprout up enjoy some fresh flavorful greens to top your meals.
If you are looking to incorporate microgreens into your diet but want something simpler, The Garden Shop carries UgroGreens, an Ontario familyowned business that has ready-to-go, just add water microgreens. UgroGreens started as a small company supplying microgreens to local restaurants and has expanded to retailers all over Ontario. All products 100 per cent manufactured and sourced in Canada.
Want a fun easy recipe to go along with your freshly grown greens? Here is a fast, easy dinner recipe that can be whipped up with only ten minutes of prep time. All you need is a few ingredients and your nutrient-dense microgreens to create a delicious meal that is TBG approved.
RoasTed sweeT PoTaTo, Red Quinoa and MicRoGReens saLad
Vegan sesame seed dressing
Ingredients
1 tbsp sesame seed paste
2 tbsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves
2 tbsp oregano
2 tbsp cilantro
3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
Chili oil to taste
Roasted sweet potato salad
Ingredients
1 lb sweet potatos cubed
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp smoked paprika
Salt to taste
1 cup microgreens of choice (mustard or kale is a TBG favourite) ¼ cup red quinoa
Method
1. Preheat oven to 425o F.
2. On a baking sheet toss the cubed sweet potato in olive oil and add seasonings. Roast for 25 minutes, tossing half way, until golden and tender.
3. Rinse quinoa and cook in sauce pan with salt and ½ cup water. Bring to boil then reduce heat and cover till all liquid is absorbed (15 minutes).
4. While the sweet potato and quinoa are cooking, combine all dressing ingredients into a food processor, and pulse to your desired consistency.
5. Once cooked let food cool to room temperature. Combine with dressing and enjoy.
tBg tip: add toasted walnuts, pumpkin seeds and dried cranberries to take your salad to the next level.
garDen Shop
| di Y FloW er Sac H et S |
By rosie agro
i love keeping my laundry smelling fresh and my home smelling clean, but with sensitive skin, the dryer sheets in drawers trick will only cause skin irritation in the long run. While we want ourselves and our homes to smell good it’s easy to get lost in the world of harmful synthetic scents filled with carcinogens, allergens and environmental toxicants, and forget about the natural scents that grow all around us. My new favourite way to keep my home smelling like a fresh garden
is with flower sachets that I make myself. Not only is this an easy way to bring clean, natural scent into your home; it’s also a fun activity to do for yourself or with the kids, with just few materials and at low cost.
But if you want to save yourself the time and the supplies the TBG Garden Shop has a selection of Lavender Sachets filled with beautifully scented Ontario lavender. The garden shop is open every day from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
what you’ll need
• Dried flowers of your choice. (I am using lavender and rose)
• A fabric sachet–the more breathable the material the stronger the smell will be.
Here’s How
• Choose and lay out your dried flowers. I like to use only a small amount of each (2-3 tablespoons per sachet) as over-filling sachets will lead to flowers spilling out and making a mess wherever you leave them.
• Fill the sachet with your desired dried flowers
• Put anywhere that needs a fresh fragrance (I put them in my closet, my car and I have made small ones that rest in my running shoes as natural deodorizers.)
Hellebores
Don’t miss the popular spring sale of nature’s early risers
By Veronica Sliva
If you are new to growing hellebores, what have you been waiting for?
The annual Hellebore Presale is on now at the TBG Shop. Orders will be ready for pickup from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 5 in the TBG Floral Hall. A limited selection of non-ordered container grown hellebores will also be available.
Photos: Rosie Ag R o
Soil Still Frozen?
iF the WeAtheR is such thAt the soil is FRozen, PlAce youR PlAnt in A coolish sPot in youR hoMe out oF DiRect sun FoR A FeW DAys. then Put it outsiDe FoR A FeW houRs eAch DAy
AFteR thAt, PlAce in An unheAteD gARAge oR shelteReD sPot until the soil is WoRkABle But not soggy. DuRing this tRAnsition PeRioD, WAteR the PlAnt Well so it Does not DRy out
Why Grow Hellebores?
Hellebores are winter flowering plants that can withstand freezing temperatures without damage to the blooms. They usually flower in late winter to early spring when other plants are dormant. In Toronto, depending on the variety, most are blooming by April. Their flowers come in many colours, including white, pink, purple, green, and even speckled or bicoloured varieties.
Hellebores deserve a place in every garden.
Here are a few more reasons to take home a potted hellebore for your garden:
• Easy to care for: Hellebores are easy to grow and require minimal maintenance.
• Evergreen foliage: Hellebores are evergreen, so their leaves can add colour to your garden even in the winter.
• Deer and rabbit resistant: They are toxic, so deer and rabbits usually avoid them.
• Cut flowers for indoor bouquets: Hellebores can be cut and used as a centrepiece for your home.
• Naturalize drifts of hellebores: Planted in groups they are great candidates for naturalizing in areas where the clumps can slowly spread through self-seeding.
• Great Companion Plants: Hellebores make amiable companions for snowdrops, crocus, muscari, daffodils, trillium and bleeding hearts.
How to Care
for Newly Purchased Hellebores
Potted hellebores are typially grown in greenhouses, so it is best to acclimatize
Our Best Late Winter, Early Spring Blooms!
them to outdoor conditions before planting out in your garden. When you take your potted hellebore home keep it in an unheated garage or in a sheltered spot in your garden for a few days to get it used to colder temperatures.
Tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions, hellebores perform best when in partial shade in rich, moist, but well-draining soil. Make sure the crown of the plant is just slightly buried beneath the soil. Be careful not to plant deeply as this can hinder flower production.
DiScoVer the enchanting world of hellebores with dedicated plantswoman and educator Marion Jarvie at the tBg. With their captivating hues and striking foliage, hellebores make a great addition to any garden. Pest-resistant and cold tolerant, they are always happy in ontario gardens. From planting tips to maintenance advice, Marion will cover all aspects of growing hellebores. Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your gardening skills and add the enduring beauty of hellebores to your landscape.
7 to 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 2
registration: Public $20, tBG Members $15
(Plus applicable taxes and fees.)
For more information see torontobotanicalgarden.ca
Sue Hills retires as tbg Volunteer and tour guide coordinator
By Lorraine Hunter Trellis Editor
Making Tea M work Fun
“Find the F un!” That’s what Sue Hills tells anyone looking for volunteer or career advice. retiring from Toronto Botanical garden as Volunteer and Tour guide Coordinator, she has done the job that way for the past 14 years.
Sue has lived and worked in three countries and now calls Canada home. originally from the Uk, she commenced her career in human
resources in the finance services sector. Following a two-year period in the U. S. where she got her M.ed. Sue settled in Canada. after 20 years working in the corporate sector, she was ready for a change. “i was seeking a job to match my values so i looked to the not-for-profit sector. My longtime love of gardening led me to connect with the Toronto Master gardener group and TBg.”
at a garden design course at george Brown College, she met the late John Bertram, then TBg Tour guide Coordinator, who encouraged her to apply to the TBg
“it was fun since day one, if a little chaotic at the beginning because there was no coordinated system to keep track of who was doing what,” Sue explained in her impeccable english accent.
one of the first things she did to streamline the job was to find a digital system for volunteer scheduling and messaging. “as we attracted more volunteers, scheduling all the different teams was becoming a challenge.” To cope she put together a team of volunteers to research and recommend a system. “Finding a sign-up system saved me.”
Teamwork defined Sue’s job. “My most noteworthy memories all have the common themes of teamwork, talent and thriftiness with the common end result of generating ideas, energy and commitment.” examples include working on Trellis and Through the garden gate committees; the “dogged dedication and creative brilliance” of the Canada Blooms team and organizing magical Halloween-themed volunteer appreciation parties with little to no budget “ensuring that our volunteers felt like the ViPs that they are,” she said. TBg had more than 500 active volunteers before the pandemic and 350 now. “we are rebuilding after CoViD,” said Sue, who saw a lot of changes at the garden over the years and was “constantly impressed at how TBg continues to find success with the help of various partnerships” such as with Toronto Master gardeners (of which she is a member), Toronto Field naturalists and many more. “it is amazing to see how teams come together and create more out of less.” one particularly fruitful collaboration with some “supremely talented, passionate volunteers” resulted in the creation of several new tour offerings “which are on mission and have become modest fundraisers that i hope might be seen as my lasting legacy.” Sue thanks volunteers Peter Heinz for helping to create the ravine Tours; Tena van andel for the green roof Tours and Dianne azzarello among others for helping TBg get through CoViD with virtual tours.
One OF Sue’S
most exciting moments was when British rock star Brian May of Queen visited the garden on his 70th birthday. while her idol enjoyed a tour with former TBg executive Director Harry Jongerden and former TBg Director of Horticulture Paul Zammit, Sue, a longtime fan, “was so thrilled that i stalked them, hiding in the bushes. i saw Paul lend Brian his hat and it became a celebrity keepsake for others to enjoy, including my partner, John.” note: John designs and makes obelisks and fencing for TBg garden Shop. another standout occasion was going to Toronto City Hall to support then executive Director aldona Satterthwaite lobbying Council for funding and silently cheering as aldona quoted winston Churchill “give us the tools and we will finish the job.”
Some of Sue’s favourite events while on the job were the woman to woman fundraiser lunches “when we got to dress up,” walking the Through The g arden g ate route each June “to thank our volunteers at each garden” and the summer of Zimsculpt exhibits in the g arden. i n fact, she purchased her own Zimsculpture of a young girl reading which reflects her longtime love of literature.
a special aspect of Sue’s role, was “getting to interact with every department.” She also loved seeing friendships develop between “volunteers from totally different backgrounds but with the common thread that they each cared about TBg.”
Sue has been heartened to see how popular volunteering in the ‘green sector’ has become and has interviewed a few extraordinary young people “who will no doubt go on to lead countries someday,” she said. “i have been blessed to work with people who have chosen to volunteer. They bolster my optimism about the future.”
a few things she won’t miss are covering the reception role and answering questions like “what time is the 6 o’clock tour?” and “getting to work on bus 51 where the timetable is just a suggestion.”
Sue’S parting comment to staff and her successor, quoting her favourite business writer, David irvine, is “You know you are doing what you are meant to be doing when you don’t get tired on the inside.” So, ”find an organization whose mission matches your values.”
attitude, she believes, is the key to success in any role. “when you answer the phone, smile, even though they
can’t see you,” she advises volunteers on the reception desk. “one of the few things over which we have control in life is our attitude, so make it positive. You will achieve more. i have yet to see a business case for being negative.” what will retirement mean for Sue Hills? “There will definitely be volunteering of some kind in my future,” she affirmed. “My interests include conservation, ravine restoration, animal welfare and travel.
“i still have a few garden clients whom i won’t let down and i’ll be working on a neglected garden–my own.”
we know that whatever you do, Sue, you will continue to find the fun!
Sue purchased her own Zimsculpture of a young girl reading which reflects her longtime love of literature.
stop read&the flowers
union Station features floral installation by tbg Floral design grad Kristina Ljubanovic
“The flowers in silence seem to breathe / Such thoughts as language cannot tell,” says the inscription beneath an illustrated plate featuring an assortment of blooms—poppy (or is that anemone?), clematis, a redand-white striped tulip, carnation, lily of the valley—in a miniature version of editor Mrs. L. Burke’s seminal The Language of Flowers
I picked up the tiny volume in a bookstore in San Francisco in 2008. It was my first introduction to floriography, and I was immediately taken, inspired. Dreams of cryptic posies and clumsily crafted poetry followed (“blue bell for your constancy / red clover to adorn your industry / yellow sweetbriar because I love you less / and less / each day”).
Then, I was a fledgling designer, working in Toronto and living in a lightless basement where nary a potted plant lived to tell its tale. It would be another 15 years before I’d take up the mantle of floral design, earn a certificate in the practice from the Toronto Botanical Garden, and use those skills and early inspirations to create a floral installation as part of the DesignTO Festival group exhibition Dwell at Toronto’s busiest transit hub, Union Station.
But let’s take a step back, or several. What is the language of flowers, or floriography? It is, of course, the art of ascribing meaning to florals, or arrangements of flowers.
Burke’s original The Coloured Language of Flowers (1886) was a codex that listed flowers alphabetically alongside their socially-established meanings (Clematis—Mental beauty; Poppy, scarlet—Fantastic extravagance; Tulip, variegated— Beautiful eyes). It was one of hundreds of floral dictionaries produced during this period, used primarily by young women to communicate their feelings and intents through flowers, without breaching the etiquette of the time.
But floriography as a practice was not limited to Victorian-era London, and many cultures around the world ascribe meaning to particular blooms—to this day. It was this and our ever-evolving modes of communication and meaning that inspired my contribution to the DesignTO exhibition: a series of floral arrangements and slightly updated sentiments suited to the internal lives of the contemporary urban worker and traveller.
designer/writer
Kristina Ljubanovic is a recent graduate of the TBG’s Floral Design Certificate Program
i llu S tration S F rom the in S tallation by Kri S tina l jubanovic
O RIGI n AL vs M ODER n F LOWER M EA n I n GS
Orchid
originaL A belle; Beautiful lady; Magnificence; Refined beauty; Sex and virility; Derived from the Greek orkihis meaning “testicle”; many orchids visually mirror the insect that pollinates them (e.g., A bee orchid releases chemicals that mimic the insect’s sex pheromones and features a fuzzy female bee-like labellum petal).
Modern Beauty is in the eye of the cultural zeitgeist, i.e. IG; “I am beautiful because I am but a reflective surface to normative standards of attractiveness!”
Stop and read the Flowers appeared as part of the dwell designto Festival exhibition, from january 24 to February 2, 2025 at union Station in toronto. many thanks (and belleflower, small, white—gratitude) to the tbg for their support of this work. Kl Uni O n s tAti O n F LO r AL i nstALLAti O n
Amaranth
originaL Immortality; Unfading love; Invisibility; Constancy and fidelity; “Hopeless not heartless!”
Modern Unwithering to the point of invisibility; “Every day I have faith my train will be on time, every day I am wrong! Will my voice not be heard? Will my frustration not go counted?”
Lotus pod
originaL Eloquence; Mystery and truth; Considered by many cultures as sacred, the lotus uniquely provides seedpods, buds and fully bloomed flowers at once, embodying the concept of the coexistence of past, present and future. Modern Everything, everywhere, all at once; “I live on the apps, I am like a god—nowhere, constantly online, ephemeral and eminently reachable!”
Original meanings are from The Illustrated Language of Flowers by Mrs. L Burke.
Source S c on S u Lted
• Flowers and Their Meanings: The Secret Language and History of Over 600 Blooms, by Karen azoulay
• The Complete Language of Flowers: A Definitive & Illustrated History, by S. theresa dietz
• Folklore and Symbolism of Flowers, Plants and Trees, by ernst and johanna lehner
All available in the Weston Family Library
hydrangea
gomphrena
honey locust
cascades of summer
recreate this magic Floating garden in your own home
By Leslie Hockley TBG Lead Horticulturist
If you were able to visit the TBG this winter, for a market, a circus show or your weekly walk, then you likely saw our horticultural art installation, The Floating Garden. Located in the link between the Weston Family Library and the Garden Hall, it featured dried plants from the gardens—from summer annuals to herbs, shrubs and vines—and was a real hit!
This installation was about taking plants, ordinary or not, and showing them in a new way, with a focus on sustainability. For this project you will need: pruners and/or scissors, twine/thread/fishing line, floral wire (optional), paint (optional) and your choice of plants.
Behind-the-Scenes:
Prior to the opening of The Floating Garden, the horticulture team and garden volunteers spent months collecting material from the gardens. Of course, our aim was to never take so much from one garden space where it might become noticeable, and we would often harvest plants that already needed to be removed…like our summer annuals in October.
After carefully clipping, we would process the material, creating bundles of one type of flower or foliage, tying them together with twine, and then hanging them upside down to dry. This practice, known as air drying, is quite low-tech and has been done for centuries. We tried drying all sorts of plants to see which ones best held their colour, had interesting texture or shapes and could stand up to a little ‘people-handling’.
collect them in November, they will be quite brown. And lots of hydrangeas, such as pinnacles, change colours over their bloom period, so you can harvest when they are showing the colour(s) you are looking for—which may very well be brown.
Examples of plants that hold their colour well include: Gomphrena ‘Fireworks’, Salvia ‘BlueChill’, amaranth (Amaranthus), dusty miller (Senecio cineraria), common hops (Humulus lupulus), Hydrangea cultivars (Annabelle, pinnacle), roses (Rosa spp.), Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis), papyrus (Cyperus papyrus ‘King Tut’ and ‘Prince Tut’), marigolds (Tagetes spp.), baby’s-breath (Gypsophila), silver ponysfoot (Dichondra argentea), strawflower (Xerochrysum bracteatum) and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
Most of the installation is completely natural. One of the only areas where we enhanced colour is the archways, where we used a little bit of spray paint to add pops of rose gold, silver, red, blue or gold.
After the materials had fully dried, we carefully, began to process and separate them into smaller bundles, which were then tied with twine and attached to a grid on the ceiling. For the longer hanging strands of material that go from the ceiling almost to the floor, we wove the materials, one at a time, onto a long strand of twine. For this part having material with sturdy or branching stems is helpful, as it can provide places to attach other materials. You can also use floral wire to attach to the twine if there are no natural ‘tie-in’ places.
For the best natural colour results, you need to collect the material while it is still in colour. I only mention this because it requires some planning. Say for example you wanted to use hydrangeas: you will need to collect them relatively early, in summer or fall, to ensure colour. If you
There are many ways you can incorporate dried plants into your life and extend enjoyment of your garden into the winter months…the classic dried bouquet, pressing into cards, creating wreaths or table centrepieces, making confetti, decorating candles…the list goes on.”
TBG Horticulture Team, from left: Leslie Hockley, Sasan Beni, Megan Blacquiere and Jessica Conley in the Floating Garden.
“The birds they sang at the break of day Start again I heard them say.”
-Leonard Cohen
dawn chorus
Join the early morning birdsong collective at 5:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 4
Text and Photos Sasan Beni
TBG Seasonal Horticulturist
Brown Thrasher
American Redstart
Have you ever wondered w H y birds sing so early in t H e morning? wH at do t H ey really H ave to say at suc H ungodly H ours?
The truth is that some of them are wide awake and have nothing better to do. They might be hungry, but it’s too dark to look for food, or a mate for that matter and there’s a certain safety in that cool, lonesome darkness, as in, there are fewer predators out to find them. So they sing!
This symphony of birdsong is known as the Dawn Chorus, which can be heard in spring and summer. Like any other orchestra, each instrument opens the door for the next…the birds inspire one another. Some, like robins and blackbirds, can sing in total darkness. In fact, it’s usually a restless robin that conducts the choir at around 4 in the morning. And not long after that, the song sparrows and cardinals will chime in. The warblers and goldfinches wait for the sun to start singing. The catbird mocks them all.
International Dawn Chorus Day (first Sunday in May) celebrates this collective of birdsong; this emblem of spring. And here at the TBG, I’ll be leading our third annual Dawn Chorus Walk through the Garden and Wilket Creek area.
I’m always surprised by the number of participants. Some are birders, other just early birds…all willing to join me at 5:30 a.m.
For me, a close second to the joy of experiencing this natural symphony, is being able to share it with others, to connect with the bright-eyed and curious members of my community, under the influence of songbirds at daybreak.
On our walk – about 90 minutes long – before the sun has risen over the horizon, we will share a moment of meditative silence by the creek and listen to the band of characters. I’ll share some tips on how you can identify the different notes and use the sound function of the Merlin bird I.D. app to record birdsong on your travels.
As the sun comes up and pours like honey into the valley, we’ll get to meet the members of the choir, and use our binoculars and/or cameras to better observe them. With our eyes, ears and hearts open to the wild, we will start the day together. Hope you can join us.
Baltimore Oriole
Yellow Warbler
warbler
listen to their musical trill and watch for them at the edge of the forest
By Megan Blacquiere and Sasan Beni
TBG Seasonal Horticulturists
tHe eartH is soft again and birdsong fills the ravine. It seems as if, overnight, a myriad of colourful feathers has returned. Spring belongs to the warblers – often heard, seldom seen.
These tiny birds, weighing no more than 20 grams, have travelled long distances to be here. April and May are the best months for observing the distinctive species, before the trees leaf out and the forest floor is dark again.
Listen for their musical trill and keep your eyes peeled when you walk along the edge of the forest… Here are three warbler species you might encounter at the TBG:
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)
During the breeding season, Yellow Warblers live throughout northern North America, where they can be found in thickets and disturbed or regenerating habitats adjacent to streams and wetlands. They are one of the earliest warblers to arrive in the spring and also to migrate south in the late summer to early fall. They spend the winter months in Central and South America where mangrove forests become their main habitat.
Males and females are serial monogamists, typically remaining exclusive for one breeding season. The females build cup-shaped nests in the forks of small trees or shrubs, but unfortunately, these nests are often parasitized by cowbirds. Nest parasitism is an act in which certain species lay their eggs in another smaller species’ nest, tricking the smaller species into raising their young, and causing competition for the babies of the host species. In the act of defence, the female Yellow Warbler will build a new nest on top of the parasitized nest, thereby abandoning her eggs and the cowbird’s.
Males and females take turns feeding their young. These warblers sustain themselves mainly on insects, while occasionally consuming berries. They are among the most commonly heard warblers in the spring and summer, with a song consisting of a series of whistles that sound like “sweet, sweet, sweet, I’m so sweet.”
profiles
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)
Black-and-white Warblers spend the breeding season across northern and eastern North America, living in mature deciduous and mixed forests. These warblers are among the earliest arrivals in spring, with the males arriving first to seek out and defend their territory. In the winter months, they can be found in the southeastern United States, throughout Central America, the West Indies, northwestern South America and Peru. Their wintering habitat varies from forests to mangroves, urban areas and wetlands.
In mating pairs, the female is responsible for finding a suitable nest site and building the nest. She constructs a cup-shaped nest in a sheltered and camouflaged location on the ground. Their nests also commonly fall prey to parasitism by cowbirds. The male and female both share the task of feeding their young.
The Black-and-white Warbler diet consists of insects found while creeping vertically along the bases and branches of trees, and occasionally catching insects in mid-flight. They are the only member of the genus Mniotilta, meaning “moss plucking” referring to their habit of probing bark and moss for insects. They stand out with their striking colouration and odd birdsong, reminiscent of the sound of the turning of a rusty wheel.
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga
pensylvanica)
The northern United States and southern Canada are the breeding grounds for Chestnut-sided Warblers, where they can be found living in second-growth forests, ecologically disturbed areas, and edge habitats.
In September they migrate to warmer climates in Central America, the West Indies and northern South America. Those traveling to Central America routinely join mixedspecies flocks with resident antwrens and tropical warblers, whereas those migrating to other areas remain solitary.
The males of this species attract their mates through displays in which they fluff up their plumage and raise their yellow crown feathers while spreading and vibrating their tails and wings. Once this monogamous pair is formed the female will build its cup-shaped nest upon the crotch of several small branches, no greater than 6 feet up in deciduous trees or shrubs. These warblers also need to be wary of nest parasitism from cowbirds. Insects are their main source of nutrition, making up about 90 per cent of their diet and 10 per cent coming from seeds and fruit.
The song of the Chestnut-sided Warbler has two variations, one is accented while the other is not. The accented version is used by most males when attracting a mate and the unaccented version is used when defending territory. Males that only sing the unaccented song have a harder time securing a mate.
Medieval Gardens
influenced by politics, economics, religion and culture
By Lee Robbins Weston Family Library Manager
The Medieval period (500-1500 ad) in Europe was marked by significant political, economic, religious and cultural transformation. Gardens too evolved considerably from the early to the Middle Ages and were influenced by these changes. Early medieval gardens in Europe were primarily utilitarian, devoted to food production. The concept of pleasure gardens didn’t emerge until the later Middle Ages, serving as places for relaxation and enjoyment.
In the early Medieval period, most people lived in simple dwellings made of wood and thatch. Gardens were primarily used to grow herbs and vegetables for cooking and medicine. For noble or peasant, the cultivation of food was an essential part of medieval life demanding labour-intensive tasks like planting, tending and harvesting. Seasonal changes presented their own challenges in managing the gardens.
Small medieval gardens, or herbers, were generally square or rectangular and surrounded by hedges or walls of stone or wattle fencing. Often divided into four equal sections, these gardens featured a fountain or basin in the centre and raised beds or containers of herbs, flowers and small trees. As well as food and medicine, later medieval gardens provided pleasure, repose and refreshment to the senses influenced by developments in Byzantium and Islamic gardens. The variety of plants grown increased significantly during this period, with records indicating an increase from about 100 plants in 800 to 250 by the year 1400.
Our understanding of Medieval gardens primarily comes from archaeological findings, textual records and artistic depictions in paintings, tapestries and illuminated manuscripts. One notable document, the Capitulare de Villis or ‘Decree Concerning Towns’ issued by Charlemagne in 812, mandated garden creation throughout his empire, listing 16 types of fruit and nut trees and 73 herbs for dietary and medicinal uses. Charlemagne, a gardener himself, drew inspiration from the gardens of the Abbasid Empire centred in Baghdad.
opposite paGe: top: this example of wattle fencing is an illustration from Medieval Gardens by anne Jennings. Bottom: Charlemagne’s edict from Ziereis Faksimiles, Regensburg, Germany.
tHis paGe: above: the Cloisters in new york City is a reproduction of a classical medieval monastery garden. at right: Charlemagne’s plan. Gardenvisit.com
Of prime importance in the Middle Ages was the monastery garden. Monasteries, with their vast gardens and access to knowledge and resources, were centres of horticultural innovation. The photo from the Cloisters in New York City shows a reproduction of a classic Medieval monastery garden.
The monastery of St. Gall in Switzerland, built 719, contained the most iconic monastic garden, and included a medicinal garden, a cemetery garden and a gardener’s house. The orchard plan specified ornamental fruit and nut trees, reminiscent of those in Charlemagne’s plan, to be planted in the monks’ cemetery. In addition, the plan calls for a cloister garth (courtyard) formatted in similar fashion to the Persian paradise garden – walled with a quadripartite plan that contained a pool of water in the centre.
The later Middle Ages saw the rise of towns and cities, often with castles at their centres.These protected spaces allowed the cultivation of larger gardens with fruit and nut trees and vineyards. The Crusades exposed Europeans to the more sophisticated cultures of Byzantium and Islam, especially to the concept of the pleasure garden.
The legacy of Medieval gardens is still evident today, as many of the influences from this period continue to shape modern gardens.
References
◗ Medieval Gardens by John Harvey, SB458.35 .Har 1981
◗ Medieval Gardens by Anne Jennings, SB458.35 .Jen 2004
◗ The Medieval Garden by Sylvia Landsberg, SB458.35 .Lan 1996
Save The DaTe
through the garden gate takes place June 7 & 8 in Hoggs Hollow
By Veronica Sliva
One Of TOrOnTO’s largest tours of private gardens, Through the Garden Gate (TTGG) takes place Saturday and Sunday, June 7 and 8 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Garden lovers will be able to visit 14 gardens of varying sizes in the unique Toronto enclave Hoggs Hollow.
About Hoggs Hollow
The area is bounded by Yonge Street, York Mills Road, Highland Crescent and Rosedale Golf Club and is accessible via the Yonge-York Mills TTC station. It’s known for its English Cottage homes, as well as Tudor and Georgian architecture, gorgeous landscapes, and some pretty amazing gardeners! Read more on the History of Hoggs Hollow in the BlogTO article on the area.
About tH roug H t H e gA rden gAte tour
The tour is self-guided enabling visitors to discover the gardens at their own pace by following a printed guide and map. Available online, a comprehensive digital guide includes full descriptions of the featured gardens, historical and touring tips, neighbourhood recommendation and more.
With our complimentary shuttle bus service, you can ‘hop on and hop off’ along the route. Knowledgeable Toronto Master Gardeners and/or gardening experts stationed in each garden will be happy to answer plant and garden design questions.
All proceeds from the tour support the Toronto Botanical Garden. This is an outdoor event that can be enjoyed solo or with family and friends, stroll-
ing along the tree-lined streets, while skipping in and out of gardens. Come early or linger after the tour to shop or dine at one of the local restaurants in the area.
t icket i nform Ation
One-Day Pass, Public $45, TBG Member $40
Two-Day Pass, Public $70, TBG Member $65
Student/Child Pass, $25
Please note:
• Online Advance Sales commence in spring. Tickets are available online before the tour through our website and Eventbrite. Wristbands and maps may be picked up at the Toronto Botanical Garden two weeks in advance of the tour. You will be notified by email when they are available.
• In-Person Sales. Available two weeks before the tour at the Toronto
Botanical Garden. Tickets will also be available for purchase at tour headquarters on the weekend of the event.
• For ticket information and questions email programsupport@ torontobotanicalgarden.ca
• The tour takes place rain or shine. Please dress for the weather.
Don’t be Scared… It’s fun and you can’t beat the price
By Veronica sliva
Petunias From seed
Iwas a petunia snob. Years ago, I thought them to be very common and only wanted the new and unusual in my garden, so I breezed past the petunia bench at the garden centre and didn’t even stop to look at petunias while flipping through seed catalogs. These days petunias come in so many new forms and great colours, I have changed my tune. Rather than purchasing mature plants, I start them from seed, choosing from a huge selection of varieties at a fraction of the cost of buying transplants.
isn’t it too Late?
By the time you read this, many of you may be wondering if its too late to start petunias from seed? To be honest it may be just a tad too late to have containers or hanging baskets overflowing with blooms ready for the end of May. If that is what you are hoping for you would be advised to head to the local garden centre. After all, greenhouse growers likely started their transplants around Christmas and by now they are already mature and at the peak of performance.
The problem is that by early July those floriferous petunias you purchased are starting to look sad. By now the soil is ‘exhausted’ and the root balls dry out quickly. Yes, you can cut the plants back and give them a shot of fertilizer to encourage a little growth, but they never look the same. I am usually ready to compost them at this point. For the past few years, I have had a crop of petunias I planted in late March ready to replace my tired bought specimens. And you can, too.
You may think petunias are difficult to start from seed. I did. Maybe it’s because the seeds are so tiny and seem a far cry from the voluptuous plants we see for sale. The truth is petunias are one of the easiest flowers to start. If you haven’t started plants from seed before (not just petunias), give it a go. It’s fun and you can’t beat the price.
Here is how i do it…
start them late I start petunia seeds in late March for plants ready to replace the past-their-prime storebought ones. True, it may take a little time for the plants to fill out, but it is very satisfying to admire a robust display in mid August from plants you grew yourself. I have found petunias to be quite cold tolerant and they perform well up until the frost hits.
Choose your varieties:
You can order from seed catalogs (Google ‘Canadian Seed Catalogues’ for a list) or visit a retailer’s seed rack (Check out the TBG Garden Shop). Pelleted or non-pelleted? Non-pelleted seeds are tiny and more finicky to handle (but still easy). Pelleted seeds are easier to see and space out (and more expensive). The coating dissolves over time as they germinate.
supplies: You can use purchased trays for seed starting, but I reuse clear containers with lids—the kind that supermarkets use as packaging. Lighting: A grow light system is ideal (a fluorescent shop light works fine), but a sunny south or west window works, too.
sowing tHe seeds
• Petunia seeds germinate at 24 degrees C (75 degrees F). Fill containers with moist soilless mix.
Do not use garden soil because it is too heavy and not sterile.
• Gently press seeds on top of the medium. Do not cover with planting mix. Petunia seeds need light to germinate. Sprinkle sparingly and not in clumps or you will have to do a lot of thinning later.
• To keep the humidity high, cover the container with something clear, either the container lid, cling film or a disposable shower cap (my favourite option).
• Label each container.
• If you are using artificial lights position them about 10 cm (4 in) above the containers adjusting as the seedlings grow.
• Don’t let the seeds dry out, but don’t drench with water either. I spritz with a spray bottle when I think they need it.
tHen wait!
• To keep the humidity high, keep the cover on until the seedlings have a few leaves.
• Seeds should start to sprout within 10 to 14 days.
• When you think they are large enough to handle, transplant them individually into single containers. Small yoghurt containers work for me. Be sure to poke holes in the bottom for drainage.
• At this stage they can grow on in cooler temperatures as low as 12 degrees C.
FertiLizing
When the plants have a few leaves and I think they need water, I apply a weak solution of whatever fertilizer I have on hand, usually all-purpose (20-20-20).
growing on
You may find yourself with very vigorous growth as your seedlings mature. Now is the time to pinch them back to encourage bushier plants.
PLanting outdoors
Before you move your seedlings outside permanently, help them adjust to outdoor conditions by placing them outdoors for a couple of hours a day for a week or so. Then they should be ready to plant in their new home.
Foxglove Bird Tongue
NATIve Pl ANTS forSPRING CONTAINeRS
bring nature to your doorstep no matter the size of your outdoor space
By Rose Roberts
This spring, why not create a beautiful, beneficial habitat for bees, butterflies and birds by growing native plants in containers? Whether you garden on a condo balcony, a townhouse patio or a tiny well-established city garden, it’s possible to bring nature right to your doorstep.
While research shows a serious decline in our pollinator populations, we can be part of the solution. The small size of our gardens doesn’t diminish the contributions we can collectively make toward a healthier ecosystem and overall biodiversity. Native plants are species that have evolved over thousands of years and naturally occur in a specific region without human introduction. These plants are adapted to their local conditions. And since they’ve co evolved with local pollinators, it stands to reason that
native plants are the pollinators’ preferred food source. The container-sized habitats you create play a part in helping them to not only survive but to thrive.
These resilient plants have many other benefits. They’re low maintenance, requiring less water and fertilizer. Growing them in containers makes them easy to move as needed. And, with some planning, they provide multi-season interest. Another benefit I experienced over the years of growing and appreciating native plants both in my small Toronto garden and in containers: my connection to nature and desire to protect it have grown exponentially.
Read on for resources and tips on how to create and care for your beautiful, friendly container garden. You’ll also find links to specialized native plant nurseries in Southern Ontario. Ready to get started?
Cardinal Flower is a hummingbird magnet
Create A Plan
Know Your space: every gardener’s mantra, “right plant, right place,” applies to container gardening, too. What are your growing conditions? Record details like light, seasonal light changes, wind, space availability and water sources.
set a Direction: Think about the type of plantings you want for ecological, practical and aesthetic reasons. Multiple pots of mixed perennials against your balcony wall? A single specimen like a shrub on your porch? Privacy using native climbing vines? Fruiting plants like wild strawberry or black chokeberry?
Select Your Plants
Almost all native plants will do well in containers. exceptions are those with a taproot that needs to root more deeply to thrive, like Blue False Indigo (Baptisia). That still leaves many plants from which to choose. Where to start? It’s simpler than it seems.
Keep Your growing Conditions Front and Centre: You can familiarize yourself with native plants by visiting specialty nurseries where the experts can assist you in choosing plants to match your site. But before you head out the door, some online research will help make the visit even more fruitful. Use filters to refine your search. For example, for Ontario pollinator-friendly shade plants visit: https:// www.inournature.ca/ontario-native-plants-for-dry-shade
Choosing a colour scheme or ecological theme can also help you zero in on specific plants. For example, my ‘Hummingbird Haven’ container theme led me to consider hummingbird magnets like wild columbine, cardinal flower, beardtongue and bee balm.
Multi-Season Interest and Support
From diverse colours and shapes of blooms to colourful foliage, seedheads and dried structures in fall and winter, your planters can maintain their year-round beauty while supporting wildlife. For example, the hollow stems of wild columbine or New Jersey Tea provide nesting sites for solitary bees, while seedheads like those of goldenrod are late-season food sources for insects and birds. Consider using plants like spotted geranium for its spring flowers and lobed leaves that turn red and orange in fall, evergreen plants like Christmas fern or red osier dogwood for their vibrant red stems in winter.
Here are two concepts to help you achieve containers filled with layers of texture, colour and diversity that both you and the wildlife they attract will love through the seasons.
[1] Use the Thriller, Filler, Spiller container design technique for mixed plantings. This approach calls for three plants that fulfill different roles:
• Thriller is tall, upright and provides a focal point, like Dense Blazing Star (Liatris spicata)
• Filler is medium height, provides fullness and texture, like lance-leaf coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata)
• Spiller is low-growing and planted at the edge of the container for a trailing or cascading effect like Wild strawberry (Fragaria virginiana).
[2] Create a ‘recipe card’ for each container using these categories: light; Bloom season; Bloom colour and Height. (Optional: note a unique seasonal feature.)
Full sun
• Thriller: Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) light: sun, part shade; Bloom season: early summer through fall; Bloom
Woodland Phlox
Wild Strawberry
colour: yellow; Height: 1 m (3 ft) Note: long-blooming.
• Filler: lance-leaved coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata) light: sun, light shade; Bloom season: late spring to midsummer; Bloom colour: yellow; Height: 60 cm (2 ft).
• Spiller: Barren strawberry (Waldsteinia fragarioides) light: sun; Bloom season: early spring; Bloom colour: yellow; Height: 10–15 cm (4-6 in) Note: evergreen foliage turns bronze in fall.
s un to Part s hade
• Thriller: Foxglove beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis) light: sun, part shade; Bloom season: early to midsummer; Bloom colour: white to pale pink-lavender; Height: 60–90 cm (2–3 ft).
• Filler: Wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) light: sun, part shade; Bloom season: late spring to early summer; Bloom colour: yellow and red; Height: 60 cm (2 ft).
• Spiller: Woodland strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) light: sun, part shade; Bloom season: spring and summer; Bloom colour: white; Height: 7–15 cm (3–6 in); Note: evergreen foliage, edible fruit. s hade
• Thriller: Heart-leaf aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium) light: part to full shade; Bloom season: late summer to fall; Bloom colour: lavender to pale blue; Height: 60–90 cm (2–3 ft) Note: fluffy seedheads, stems for overwintering insects.
• Filler: Woodland phlox (Phlox divaricata) light: shade, part shade; Bloom season: late spring to early summer, semi-evergreen leaves remain; Bloom colour: lavender, light blue or white; Height: 30 cm (1 ft).
• Spiller: Canada wild ginger (Asarum canadense); light: partial to full shade; Bloom season: leaves emerge early spring; Bloom colour: dark purple to burgundy; Height: 15–30 cm (6–12 in).
Containers
Choosing the right containers will help your plants thrive. Keep these tips in mind:
• Frost-proof containers are best for overwintering plants.
• Size matters. Medium containers are generally about 30–45 cm (12–18 in) wide and deep. –But biggest isn’t always best, says scientist and author Robert Pavlis at https://www.gardenmyths.com/potting-up-correct-pot-size/
• Drainage, drainage, drainage. Pots with drainage holes are a must. Raise pots slightly off the ground with pot ‘feet’ to prevent water from pooling.
Maintenance
• Soil should be well-draining potting mix with added nutrients.
• Fertilizing native plants isn’t usually necessary but is recommended for container plants. Use it sparingly. Too much fertilizer can harm your plants.
• Watering doesn’t have a set schedule. Plant type and conditions influence watering needs so monitor closely for the first 4–6 weeks. Once established, rule of thumb is to water deeply and allow to dry out between waterings. If in doubt, use your finger to dig down about 5 cm (2 in) to get an indication of its needs.
• Mulch with dried leaves to provide protection in winter. Remove in early spring.
• Prune for shape and divide for space as needed to keep your container looking fresh.
• New gardeners might want to visit this step-by-step guide for planting a container https://campus.wwf.ca/wp-content/ uploads/2022/08/In-the-Zone-Container Gardening enjoy creating a native plant container garden that will be beautiful and ecologically beneficial. It may become your new passion!
Heartleaf Aster
Lance-leaf Coreopsis
southern ontario nurseries specializing in native Plants
Native plants are available at specialized nurseries and reputable generalized nurseries. If you purchase plants at garden centres, try to find out their sources since native plants are adapted to specific regions. Watch for sales put on by organizations like the North American Native Plant Society and groups in your own community. Reminder: Never dig wild plants from the woods.
• For a comprehensive list created by Halton Master Gardeners, Native Plants Nurseries in Southern Ontario, Updated April 2024: https://halton mastergardeners.com/2022/03/28/native-plants-nurseries-in-ontario
• Native Plants in Claremont (Pickering): https://www.nativeplants.ca/
• In Our Nature https://www.inournature.ca (Nursery open by appointment only. All orders are done through online store with pickup at the nursery.)
• Kayanase Greenhouse (Six Nations reserve in Ohsweken, Ontario) https://www.kayanase.ca/
• St. Williams Nursery & Ecology Centre (St. Williams, Ontario) https://stwilliamsnursery.com
resources
• Reference chart for southern Ontario native plants, including Suitable for Containers: https://cwf-fcf.org/en/resources/encyclopedias/ native-plants and WWF-Canada: https://inthezonegardens.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Loblawnative-plants-SOntario 2024_FINAL.pdf
• Free downloadable guides for choosing the right native plants for Ontario gardens: https://www.inournature.ca/ontario-native-plant-resources https://www.inournature.ca/ontario-native-plants-for-dry-shade
• The Best Native Plants for Toronto Gardens chart includes species, bloom period and light needs https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/ 2018/pe/bgrd/backgroundfile-113557.pdf
• https://www.torontomastergardeners.ca
• North American Native Plant Society: https://nanps.org/ native-plant-database
• List of Ontario native plants for containers https://torontourbangrowers.org/
• A Garden for the Rusty-Patched Bumblebee: Creating Habitat for Native Pollinators: Ontario and Great Lakes Edition, Lorraine Johnson and Sheila Colla, Douglas & McIntyre, 2022
• The Gardener’s Guide to Native Plants of the Southern Great Lakes Region by Rick Gray and Shaun Booth, Firefly Books, 2024
These are just a few of the three dozen questions visitors are invited to answer at the Museum of Toronto’s popup exhibit inside the lobby of Toronto Botanical Garden.
36 Questions That Lead to Loving Toronto Green Spaces is an interactive installation designed to help visitors explore and celebrate Toronto’s diverse ecosystems by taking part in various hands-on activities.
exhibits like Messages to the Birds or Would You Rather? encourage participants to choose any of a variety of answers.
You’re My Hero invites visitors to design a wristband for someone “who gets lost in Toronto” or “gets naked on the beach”.
What’s Your Perfect Outdoors? invites you to design a green space for any number of different activities ranging from “a secret rendezvous” to “a perfect picnic”.
You can even send in your own story to the Toronto Stories display.
Hosted in partnership with the Museum of Toronto, the exhibit is free and will be at the TBG until April 22, earth Day.
joe pye weed
milkweed ironweed
have some native plants been erroneously dubbed weeds?
By Georgie Kennedy
Aconfession, dear readers.
I admit to feeling somewhat uneasy when I began planting Milkweeds for Monarchs in my front yard. I knew they were Ontario native plants but they spread quickly, and I wondered what the neighbours would think. Many flowering hosts for endangered pollinators also carry the noxious designation: Joe-Pye weed (Eupatorium purpureum), giant ironweed (Vernonia gigantia) and common thimbleweed (Anemone virginiana) for example. My curiosity about this phenomenon led me down several cavernous rabbit-holes, and I have come to the conclusion that they are not weeds.
Origin of Names:
Botanical nomenclature began around 1753 with Linnaeus’ Species Plantarum. The International Association of Plant Taxonomy was formed in 1950 to promote uniform botanical names for algae, fungi and plants. Botanists are trained to keep current with changes due to new discoveries. However, some gardeners do not use the Latin-based system when referring to plants. Most still use common names that arose centuries before botanical classification; these can vary widely between regions.
How did Native Plants become known as Weeds?
Europeans came to the western hemisphere with plans to dominate the land for agriculture, shelter and trade. Indigenous peoples had recognized and named all plants, but settlers
preferred to give them new English and French names. They largely dismissed the Native peoples’ longstanding methods of co-existing with nature, growing food crops and using plants for medicine. The work of the newcomers created ideal conditions for growing familiar crops while inadvertently providing sunlight and water for dormant seeds in the soil.
They considered uninvited plants to be nuisances, invaders to be vanquished, and, as they had in their homelands, they called them weeds. Orderly, straight-row farms, tidy ornamental gardens and immaculate lawns were preferred over wild, uncontrolled meadows and forests. Thus, mammals taking nourishment from cultivated fields and insects nibbling on imported flowers and
Green Milkweed
trees became pests. This attitude eventually justified eradication.
The genus name for fragrant milkweed is Asclepias, which comes from the name of the Greek god of medicine, Asklepios. Despite its bene fits to pollinators and humans, the common name milkweed persists. Named for their latex, milkweeds exude a sticky, milky substance. There are more than 100 species across North America. Butterflies, including Monarchs, rely exclusively on milkweed plants as a food source for their larvae. Indigenous people use milkweed for medicinal purposes.
into forests or rivers or ravines. Learn how to remove and dispose carefully to avoid inadvertent spread.
A handy booklet, Grow Me Instead (3rd Edition), provides colour illustrations of unwanted invasives and their analogous alternative plants. Goutweed (Aegopodium podagraria) can make way for Large-leaved aster ( Eurybia macrophylla ). Daylily ( Hemerocallis fulva) can be replaced with purple coneflower (Echinacea pallida) or black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta).
Not a Weed
What are the real Weeds?
In this century, we consider plants to be weeds if they are invasive, not cooperative with others, either damaging or neutral to the overall environment, and not providing shelter or food for native animals, birds, insects, bacteria or microscopic beings. In short, many people today describe a weed as any plant growing in a spot where you don’t want it.
According to the Ontario Invasive Plant Council, goutweed, Creeping bellflower, barberry, buckwheat, knotweed, Lily of the valley, purple loosestrife, morning glory, Manitoba maple, White mulberry, and English Ivy are some of the true weeds. Many were introduced to North America as ornamentals. Goutweed, for instance, is aggressive; it is shade-tolerant and regenerates and spreads vigorously through an underground root system. These traits allow it to outcompete native plants. The Council’s advice: Do not purchase, do not share, do not throw waste material from invasive plants
Milkweed is not on any current Ontario weed or invasive list. Neither are its formerly despised friends. Don’t be fooled by their ignoble names. Let’s openly celebrate these workhorses of our habitat. No matter how small the plot in which they are nurtured, native plants will attract native butterflies, moths, frogs and microscopic insects, all essential to our survival.
From now on, when I refer to common names rather than the Latin, I plan to use more flattering ones for the native plants I admire: Butterfly Flower for milkweed and Pride of the Meadow for Joe-Pye. I can nurture them with pride.
Georgie Kennedy is a Toronto Master Gardener. Toronto Master Gardeners are volunteers who share current, sciencebased horticultural information with the gardening public.
d isc Over TH e MaG ic OF Mil KW eed
For more in-depth information on the planting, care and many varieties of milkweed see Year of the Asclepias on the national garden bureau site at http://nbg.org/year-of-the-asclepias/
F O r MO re i NFO r M aT i ON , c ON sulT :
• Toronto Master Gardeners for resources, fact sheets, demos and presentations: torontomastergardeners.ca
• Ontario government for advice on organic agricultural methods: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ introduction-organic-farming • and for details about noxious weeds: https://www.ontario.ca/ page/noxious-weeds-ontario
r ec OMM e N ded r eadi NG :
• The Serviceberry, robin wall kimmerer, 2024.
• Braiding Sweetgrass, robin wall kimmerer, 2013
• Milkweed for Monarchs, christine Van Zandt, 2024.
• Martha Milkweed Has No Friends, Flora caputo, 2021.
• Cattail Moonshine & Milkweed Medicine: the Curious Stories of 43 Amazing North American Native Plants, tammi hartung, 2016.
• The Milkweed Lands: an Epic Story of One Plant, Its Nature and Ecology, eric lee-Mäder, 1972.
• Weed Free Gardening: a Comprehensive and Organic Approach to Weed Management, tasha greer, 2022
swamp Milkweed
TORONTO BOTANICAL GARDEN
SPRING PLANT SALE
Members Preview & Shopping Day
Friday, May 9
noon to 7 p.m.
Open to the Public
Saturday and Sunday
May 10 and 11
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Discover plants you won’t find elsewhere, sourced from local and trusted growers. Enjoy a friendly and relaxed shopping experience surrounded by plants and the people who care for them.
HIGHLIGHTS:
NEW Recipe Container Auction
NEW Preorder Pickup: Roses, Hydrangeas, Fruit Shrubs and Trees, and Conifers Natives, nativars, and pollinator-friendly plants. Knowledgeable staff and volunteers offering personalized recommendations and gardening tips. Garden Advice Clinic by Toronto Master Gardeners FREE Coffee Chaff fertilizer from Zavida Coffee. Preorder Peonies while at the Sale.
TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS:
Bring old plant trays, bins, containers, or cardboard trays to gather and transport your plants home. Bring a wagon or cart to collect your plants. (limited carts available onsite)
Change CLimate Garden issues
A threat to native plants and animals. What are we doing about it? By Carol Gardner
Climbing Prairie Rose (special concern)
Photos: Pexels
WhenW e think of climate change, we generally think in terms of global warming and sometimes, while experiencing a frigid Canadian winter, it doesn’t seem like such a bad thing. It is, of course. Global warming is responsible for so many of the disasters we read about, or suffer through, today – extreme weather, drought, heat waves, wildfires, hurricanes, loss of sea ice, melting glaciers, sea level rises and agricultural crises. It isn’t only we hapless humans who suffer; a number of native animal and plant species are being threatened as their habitats are destroyed. Ontario’s climate has experienced significant changes over the last 40 years - a 2.6°C rise in temperature in Northern Ontario and a 1.4°C rise in Southern Ontario. Only a small percentage of the old growth forests that once covered southwestern Ontario remain. Long before we worried about climate change, most of our forests were decimated through logging, forest fires and settlement. As of 2021, 250 plant species are at risk in Canada and 850 wildlife species are at risk, including birds, fish, mammals, amphibians and reptiles, according to the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada.
Many agencies, governmental and non-governmental, are working on the problem, including The David Suzuki Foundation, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Environmental Defence Canada, Greenpeace Canada, Nature Canada, Nature Conservancy of Canada, Sierra Club Canada, Wildlife Habitat Canada, World Wildlife Canada – the list goes on and on.
dense Blazing star (threatened)
red Mulberry (endangered)
Lady’s slipper (threatened)
eastern Prickly Pear (endangered)
The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) has a number of interventions either happening or planned. The following four points are directly from the Ministry’s website at Ontario.ca
• 50 Million tree PrograM: In partnership with Forests Ontario, MNRF is continuing to support a commitment to plant 50 million trees across the province by 2025, including 2 million trees within the boundaries of urban municipalities
• Wetland Conservation strategy. Ontario has more than 330,000 square kilometres of wetlands. In fact, Ontario currently accounts for about 25 per cent of all the wetlands in Canada and six per cent of all the wetlands in the world. They are biodiversity hotspots, serving as an important habitat to an array of plants, birds, insects, amphibians, fish and other animals, including many species at risk.
• ontario grasslands steWardshiP initiative: MNRF is working to develop and implement a program to create, maintain and enhance 30,000 hectares of grassland in Ontario by 2036, with a target of creating 22,500 hectares in the first 10 years
• CoMbating invasive sPeCies – Taking steps to prevent the introduction of new invasive species into Ontario and where possible reduce the impacts of those that are already here, will allow species and ecosystems to better withstand and recover from climate change related stresses. Scientists use five categories to determine the risks to plants:
1. extinCt – no longer living anywhere in the world
2. extirPated – lives elsewhere in the world, but no longer in Ontario
3. endangered – lives in the wild, but in danger of becoming extinct or extirpated
4. threatened – not yet endangered but at risk unless threats are dealt with
5. sPeCial ConCern – may become threatened if steps aren’t taken to eliminate threats
Big business is now weighing in with start-ups of companies dedicated to “direct air capture systems” (called DAC) which means basically pulling carbon from the air and storing it underground. Large fans suck in air from the atmosphere, the CO2 is extracted from filters using heat or electricity and then stored safely. The initiators are among the “who’s who” of the rich and famous, including Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, who have both contributed serious money to research.
Will it work? Scientists say they hope so, but that it has not been sufficiently investigated to predict results. However, people are tripping over themselves wanting to invest in the technology. According to the Direct Air Capture Coalition (founded in 2022) there were to be 53 DAC plants working by the end of 2024 and 93 plants by the end of 2030, all in various countries.
Photo:
a sM all s ele C tion of t roubled o ntario Plants & t rees
‘Who Dat’ gardens deserve more attention By Leanne Burkholder
“Who Dat” is New Orleans speak for “Who’s That?” And the cheer for the New Orleans Saints!
Most travellers to New Orleans (NOla) stick to the historical French Quarter with its beautiful architecture, museums, and of course, the Bourbon street party. I did all those things but for me the surprising part was the gardens. New Orleans gardens do not get the attention they deserve. In addition to being unique, they provide insights into the history and culture of the city.
New Orleans (UsDa zone 9b) has year-round seasonality. It has a southern climate and a lush tropical feel. The quintessential southern tree, the live oak (Quercus virginiana) is ‘evergreen’ as its leaves remain green all winter, shedding in the spring. The air plant spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides) often hangs from its branches. Magnolia grandiflora, with its thick and glossy green and rust leaves, is a frequent ornamental in front gardens. and even though the bloom period was technically over, the pink flowers of the Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) could still be seen in November. a must see for gardeners is the New Orleans Botanical Garden, located within City Park. John McDonogh donated 100 acres to the city in 1884, and in 1891 the city authorized a group of private citizens to manage the park. Private citizens still oversee the Park today in partnership with the City Park Conservancy. The botanical gardens (originally The rose Garden) were established in 1936, funded by the roosevelt administration works Progress administration, a New Deal agency. City Park was flooded for weeks after hurricane Katrina but, with overwhelming support from residents, the park was restored with improvements.
City Park is not just home to the Botanical Garden, it is also home to several attractions including the Museum of art, the louisiana Children’s Museum and the sydney and walda Besthoff sculpture Garden.
The Botanical Garden’s 10 acres offer diverse gardens – formal, water feature, conservatory, follies, a butterfly walk, native plants, roses, azaleas and camellias, as well as Japanese and sculpture gardens. The botanical garden is well laid out and easy to walk. New Orleans Master Gardeners support its creation and maintenance.
sydney and Walda Besthoff sculpture Garden
This sculpture garden, a short walk from the botanical garden, is located beside the Museum of art. Created in 2003, over 90 sculptures are situated among meandering footpaths, reflecting lagoons, spanish moss-laden 200-year-old live oaks, mature pines, magnolias, camellias, and pedestrian bridges. The sculptures are strategically placed by taking advantage of locations, viewpoints and foliage.
Photos: Top left to right: Yellow Corgi, Overflow Sculpture, Blue Corgi and Tree House in Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden.
Bottom left to right: Brazilian Star, stone water feature, Lily pond and Helis Foundation Enrique Alférez sculpture.
lonGue vue estate and Gardens
The longue Vue estate, built in 1921, was the family home of edgar and edith stern, a prominent business and philanthropic family in New Orleans. The family bequeathed the property in 1980 to operate as a nonprofit museum and public garden.
edith stern was a resolute gardener she hired landscape architect ellen Biddle shipman to design “an oasis of elegant beauty”. Interestingly, shipman convinced the sterns to replace the original 1920s house with a new house in 1942, designed around the original 1920s gardens. The reason? The original house did not live up to its beautiful gardens! The old 1920s house was moved down the street.
shipman and stern hired botanist and author Caroline Dormon to choose plant material, including seasonal gardens for iris and camellias, favourites of the owners, and plants indigenous to louisiana including orange azalea (Rhododendron austrinum), woodland pinkroot (Spigelia marilandica) and species of the louisiana iris.
The house and gardens are integrated seamlessly; many of the main living areas have views of the gardens or rooms adjacent to the gardens. In fact, edith stern’s cutting room is still used today by estate staff.
It seems fitting that a city filled with lush greenery has a Garden District filled with unique 19th-century homes and gardens with live oaks, magnolias, trimmed evergreens and tropical plants. audubon Park, adjacent to the Garden District, contains a golf course, biking and walking paths, and is home to some of the oldest live oaks in the city.
clouet community Gardens
Marigny is a residential area east of the French Quarter, full of colourful Creole cottages. Originally a parking lot, Clouet Gardens was established by area residents as an eclectic community garden with art created by local artists. Used furniture donated by residents is placed around the garden for people to sit and converse. a combination of live oaks, crape myrtle trees, banana and other tropical plants surround the garden, creating a quiet oasis in the middle of a busy street. The entrance is framed by a thick wall of wisteria.
other Gardens in nola
• press street Gardens – Urban Farm in Marigny
• Paradigm Gardens – Urban Farm in the Garden District; the food is grown for area restaurants
• Crescent Park: former industrial lands restored as a park along the Mississippi river
• Cemeteries: New Orleans cemeteries are famous for their architecture and history but are also filled with sculpted gardens and plants. Top cemeteries are st louis, lafayette and Metairie.
Garden District House
Southern Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana)
[ s pecies at r isk]
Bald or Swamp Cypre SS ( Taxodium dis T ichum )
THE OFFiCiAL tree of louisiana since 1963, bald cypress can establish in a variety of conditions, including swamps, where the base develops. their trunks are slightly buttressed at the base and the root
system is often visible. protrusions that look like ‘knees’ often grow from the roots. bald cypress sheds its leaves in the fall. the wood of the bald cypress is valuable because it is rot resistant.
Refe R ences
however, the species is slow growing, and coupled with climate change and over harvesting, it is a species at risk. it is against louisiana law to cut these trees – if caught penalties are fines or even jail time.
• s ydney and Walda Besthoff s culpture Garden • https://neworleanscitypark.org/visit-city-park/sculpture-garden/#:~:text=The%20twelve%2 Dacre%20sydney%20and,old%20live%20oaks%2C%20mature%20pines%2C
• l ouisiana i ris - s pecies • https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/beauty/iris/louisiana/ https://longuevue.com/history-of-iris-collection/
• r hododendron austrinum • https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=rhau
• s pi G elia marlandica • https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=spma3
longue Vue House and Gardens by Mary lee. The american Gardener, January/February 2022 https://ahsgardening.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/raP-Garden-TaG-JF22.pdf
Greenwall with Grasses at
New Orleans
Botanical Garden
Jardin de Balata
The Botanical Jewel of Martinique Story by Veronica Sliva
this past winter I found myself on vacation in the Eastern Caribbean visiting the Lesser Antilles, a long chain of small islands that extend in a north-south direction from the Virgin Islands to Grenada. I have been to the Caribbean many times and though I love the stunning natural beauty of the islands, I’m not much of a beach babe. Sitting under an umbrella with a tropical drink in hand just isn’t for me. I wilt at the thought. Instead, I look for gardens to visit. I’m not picky. But I do find the Caribbean thin on well developed botanical gardens, so my expectations were low. That is, until we hit Martinique, a new destination for me.
Jardin de Balata –t he Botanical Jewel of Martinique
In 1502 when Christopher Columbus discovered the island, the indigenous Carib people called it Madiana meaning “Island of Flowers” or Madinina, “Fertile Island with Luxuriant Vegetation”. Those names are still very apt. The main industry is sugar cane, making Martinique famous worldwide for the high quality of rum it produces. To my surprise I discovered it is also home to ‘Jardin de Balata’ a famous, most
remarkable private botanical garden. In 1982, Jean-Philippe Thoze, a horticulturist, landscape gardener and artist, returned from abroad to settle in the home of his grandparents not far from Martinique’s capital, Fort de France. Thoze began to cultivate the garden of his dreams with tropical plants he sourced from far away places. After four years, with more than 3,000 plant species, Jardin de Balata (the garden takes its name from the many old Balata trees that once grew on the land) opened to visitors.
Torch Ginger
Bromeliads fastened onto tree stumps
Kapo K trees can reach 70 metres /230 feet
t he c reole h ouse
Our visit started at the family home known as The Creole House, a building that features distinctive Creole architecture of stone and brightly coloured wood with a large verandah. To access the garden, we entered through the house where the rooms are decorated with typical Creole period furniture. There is a video presentation in which Jean Philippe Thoze explains his passion for botany and the creation of his garden. Some of his landscape paintings are also on display.
h u MM ing B irds that g reet Visitors
Once on the verandah, we were greeted by shimmering purple throated hummingbirds (Eulampis jugularis) as they flitted back and forth visiting feeders hung from the roof. Every now and then a dainty bananaquit (Coereba flaveola) with its bright yellow chest showed up looking for its share of the sweet nectar. It was a treat to observe these beautiful birds up close.
Breathtaking Views
From the verandah the magnificent views across the rainforest to Martinique’s oldest mountain range, the Pitons du Carbet was breathtaking. From here it was clear that this landscape involved climbing up and down hills. Though the beautifully kept paths did wind up and down, they traversed the landscape horizontally making it less challenging than I expected.
Creole House
Carbet Mountains
Bananaquit
Purple throated hummingbirds
t he Plants
The garden is home to an exceptional collection of tropical species including: anthuriums, hibiscus, exotic water lilies, torch ginger, aka porcelain rose (Phaeomeria magnifica), heliconias, South American bromeliads (Bromeliaceae), variegated dracaena, pandanus, red alpinia known as red ginger (Alpinia purpurata), wild orchids (Orchidaceae), bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris), cinnamon tree (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), philodendrons and Ti plant (Cordilyne terminalis). A full list can be found at https:// en.jardindebalata.fr/collection-de-plantes. Teeming with fish, another highlight of the garden is the Japanese Pond with its exotic blue water lilies.
The Palm Grove was a highlight. Three hundred palm tree varieties line the paths to form the palm grove. Signage throughout the garden is excellent and generous with interesting facts. I learned that palm trees do not have a trunk, rather they have a stalk filled with fibre. Did you know that? I was struck by how beautifully coloured and textured the bark of these trees are. The artist in me was instantly inspired and reaffirmed what I already know–when it comes to colour combinations Mother Nature knows best.
t he Bro M eliads
Another fascinating area was the bromeliad collection. Members of the pineapple family, they come from tropical rainforests where they grow naturally on the bark of trees, getting moisture from a central ‘vase’ in the middle of the rosette of leaves. Every time it rains, they get a fill up. In Canada, we buy bromeliads as houseplants tucked into a container of some kind. At Jardin de Balata the bromeliads are fastened to tree stumps en masse, not the prettiest picture, but a unique way to display them.
t ree to P c ano P y walk
It did not surprise me to find a suspension bridge, another way to discover the garden…from the treetops. Botanical gardens all over the world are trying to not only educate but entertain and attract visitors with unique experiences. The treetop canopy was a very popular attraction with a long line of people waiting their turn. At over 15 metres high, the suspension bridge allows visitors to climb to the treetops and walk among the towering mahogany trees. I cannot personally attest to the experience. I’d rather see the plants with my feet firmly on the ground. However, I am told that once on the suspension bridge you can see wonderful panoramic views over the Bay of Fort-de-France and the Pitons du Carbet.
Jardin de Balata was one of the most interesting and beautiful gardens I have visited and worth seeking out if you are ever in Martinique, especially if you are interested in seeing many of the tropical plants we grow indoors in their natural environment
Palm Bark
Suspension bridge
Bromelaid
t he palm Grove has 300 palm varieties
Book Shelf
exploring Flowers, plants and old-growth Forests
Flower: Exploring the World in Bloom
Reviewed by Veronica Sliva
This is a fascinating book curated by an international panel of expert art historians, botanists, floral designers and museum curators. Its 352 pages are filled with over 300 images, each depicting an aspect of the floral world. You will find something for everyone including botanical illustrations, still-life paintings, photographs, floral arrangements, as well as images from the fashion and design world.
The book showcases a wide range of species of flowers from all over the world, everything from ordinary garden blooms such as roses, irises, tulips, daisies, hollyhocks, cacti and orchids to more exotic and tropical varieties. Each large reproduction is accompanied by a short description. This is a book you can pick up, enjoy a few pages and then return to again and again.
The work of well-known artists such as Cecil Beaton, Rachel Ruysch, William Morris, Pierre-Joseph Redouté, Ansel Adams, Claude Monet and Leonardo da Vinci, as well as more contemporary creatives like Lewis Miller, Azuma Makoto, Nick Cave, Yayoi Kusama, Flora Starkey, Jeff Wall and Alexander McQueen are included.
At the back of the book a timeline with short references to significant ‘events’ of a floral nature is included. It starts at c.3000 BC and goes up to 2019. For example, in c.605 BC it is thought that work began on the Hanging Gardens of Babylon in Nineveh (modern day Iraq) and in 2019 the peony was chosen as China’s national flower replacing the plum blossom chosen in 1928. This section is followed by a glossary of flowers with their meanings and/or history.
Flower will appeal to a wide audience including artists of all kinds, gardeners, floral designers and just about anyone with a curious nature who enjoys getting lost in a book filled with beauty. This is a great gift book that can be consumed in bits and pieces and will never feel old.
Published by Phaidon Press Limited
Plant: Exploring the Botanical Worlds
Reviewed by Veronica Sliva
The dramatic cover of Plant: Exploring the Botanical World, with its shiny black background embossed with a stunning kaleidoscope of floral and leaf images, lets you know that this is no ordinary book. Selected by an international panel of experts, it features illustrations, photographs, watercolour renderings and drawings of ordinary garden plants as well as those rare and exotic.
With over 300 images, each page is devoted to a single plant. A heading with the artist’s name and a short description of the image’s relevance includes the name and date of the art piece, as well as its dimensions, the medium used and where it is currently being held. As you would expect, many of the art pieces are now housed in museums and art galleries around the world, but some are in privately owned collections.
At the back, a timeline from 950 B.C. through to 2011 takes you on a journey of botanical art through the ages with details of important milestones. There is also a helpful Glossary of Botanical Terms and Techniques and a section with short biographies of some of the more important artists.
Accomplished botanical artists, or those just working on their craft, will be sure to find inspiration within these pages. Gardeners and nature lovers will appreciate how different artists interpret a variety of plants in so many ways. This is a large and impressive picture book worthy of any coffee table.
Published by Phaidon Press
Old-growth Forest Walks: 26 Hikes in Ontario’s Greenbelt
Reviewed by lorraine hunter
This book leads readers to some of southern Ontario’s most amazing places: a visit to an 800-year-old cedar on the Niagara Escarpment; a 5,000-year-old walking trail in Toronto’s west end; oak trees with musket balls buried inside from the war of 1812; and Toronto Botanical Garden and Wilket Creek Park in the midst of public greenspace in the heart of Toronto and its connected ravines.
The introduction includes the history of Ontario’s Greenbelt and helps to answer the question – What is an old-growth forest? There are many descriptions but basically
there are two broad categories: very old, undisturbed forests where trees may be dying of old age; and middleaged forests (typically over 150 years) that may or may not have had some human disturbances.
When author Michael Henry set out to visit the old-growth forests of the Greenbelt, he expected to be wowed by the trees. What he did not anticipate was to become fascinated by the human history that took place alongside the trees. Stories of First Nations, the settlement of Upper Canada and the Province of Ontario are woven through the book.
Henry defines the Greenbelt, how its boundaries were determined and why it is so important. He describes the making of the Bruce Trail and various other sites such as The Oak Ridges Moraine, and describes various examples of public pressure to protect the land. He talks about the region’s oldest trees (over 1,300 years old) and where they can be found.
And then there are the walks – 26 of them. For each walk Henry describes how to get there by car, public transit or bike; history of the surrounding area; what to do there and even historical events that occurred there. Detailed maps, photos and a wealth of information are included.
The book is divided into geographical sections: Niagara Peninsula; Niagara Escarpment Central/North; Greater Toronto River Valley and Headwaters and Oak Ridges Moraine. Much more than a list of nearby walks, Oldgrowth Forest Walks is an in-depth reference on these areas.
Smoky, creamy, garlicky — perfect for a spring barbecue
By Joanna notkin
A fresh ApproAch to the much-loved Caesar salad, this dish takes advantage of spring’s yummy bounty! Beware, though: asparagus can overcook quickly. For the best results, make sure your asparagus is grilled to perfection — soft but still toothsome.
Serves 4 to 6
Ingredients
1 to 2 bunches asparagus, woody ends removed
1 tbsp olive oil
croutons
3 or 4 slices ciabatta or other light, airy bread, crusts removed
3 tbsp olive oil
1 clove garlic, finely minced
¼ to ½ tsp salt
Pepper
Dressing
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
¼ tsp salt
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
3 anchovy fillets, finely minced, or
2 tbsp chopped capers (optional)
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
¼ cup vegetable oil
½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
Pepper
Method
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
croutons
1. Using a sharp bread knife, slice the bread into 1-inch cubes, or tear the bread into 1-inch pieces by hand.
2. On a parchment-lined baking sheet, toss the bread cubes with olive oil, minced garlic, salt and pepper to taste.
3. Toast in the oven until the croutons are well browned and fully dry, about 30 minutes.
4. If you’d like to make extra croutons, simply double or triple the recipe and use a whole small loaf of bread.
Dressing
1. In a medium bowl, combine the minced garlic and salt and whisk until the mixture thickens slightly.
2. Add in the Dijon and lemon juice and continue whisking.
3. Add in the anchovies, if desired. While whisking vigorously, add the olive and vegetable oils in a thin stream.
4. The dressing should be quite thick and emulsified.
5. Stir in the Parmesan until well combined.
6. Season to taste with pepper and more salt, and an extra squeeze of lemon, if desired.
7. This recipe makes about 1 cup of dressing, which will keep for up to 10 days.
Grilling
1. To grill the asparagus, get the barbecue or fire as hot as possible, around 500°F.
2. Lightly oil the asparagus and place on the grill.
3. Once the asparagus comes off the grill, it will continue cooking, so all you’re looking for is a nicely charred, semi-cooked stalk.
4. Set asparagus aside to cool slightly before drizzling it with just enough dressing to coat.
5. Garnish with the garlic croutons and serve immediately.
by Chef Jo Notkin. Photo and recipe courtesy of Harrowsmith magazine
Photo
Good Things Are Happening
Get the Jump on Spring garden lovers were happy to get the Jump on Spring, February 22, following one of the coldest weeks in toronto history. there might have been snowdrifts and icy streets outside but inside the tbg it was wall-to-wall houseplants and garden seeds. the parking lot was packed, the garden Shop was full and people were eager to learn and shop. there were lectures, a plant swap, poetry by the firepit, hellebores, orchids, roses, ferns, succulents, cacti, all kinds of tropical indoor plants, ontario honey and lots, lots more. over 40 vendors, numerous horticultural groups and societies provided plants, accessories, growing advice and information.
Tafelmusik at TBG
More than 200 classical music lovers attended the January 25th tafelmusik concert at tbg the “modern style” of the 17th century featured unfettered improvisations, dramatic contrasts and the passionate give-and-take of friends in musical conversation.
tafelmusik returns to the tbg at 7 p.m., Friday, June 13. For tickets see: torontobotanicalgarden.ca
60 Year S of e nchan T men T
People lined up outside in the cold for the 60th annual Southern Ontario Orchid Society (SOOS) Orchid Show and Sale, February 8 and 9 at the TBG. And it was well worth it with orchid exhibits, sales, contests, lectures and basically anything you ever wanted to know about orchids. The largest orchid show in Toronto celebrated the society’s 60th anniversary.
pieces Puzzle
Lii Shenn: Balance of the Oak Meadow
Reviewed by Walter Sliva
This is a poster-style 1,000-piece puzzle featuring the work by artist Kristi Bridgeman, an award-winning Metis fine art painter, who works in the traditional lands of the Lekwungen Nation on Vancouver Island. She focuses on environmental and ecological material. In this work, she depicts the entwined flowers and foliage native to a Garry oak meadow – an endangered habitat – presented in the style of her ancestors, who used glass beadwork and quillwork in their art. This is one of the most complex geometric designs that I have worked with, and it required patience and organization to piece together the vast array of very similar pieces. For example, there are 58 identical images in a circular ribbon, only differentiated by the shape of the piece or the patterns on adjacent pieces. It helped to look closely at the included poster and locate each piece on the photograph of the finished work.
The puzzle is lovely, made with a linen-print texture, and follows Cobble Hill’s 1,000-piece puzzle standard practice of using quirky shaped, random-cut pieces. It’s challenging but offers a pleasing final result.
Kristi Bridgeman’s artwork can be seen at her website at: kristibridgeman.com. Another of her current puzzles is entitled Kiwetin. This reflects her impression of the rattling sound of the wind blowing through the leaves of the trembling aspen, again reflecting her CreeMichif and Chinook heritage. Both Lii Shenn and Kiwetin puzzles are available at the TBG Garden Shop and from many on-line retail outlets.
Wild Animals
Reviewed by Lila Yorke
TThis 500-piece puzzle called Wild Animals may have fewer pieces than a 1,000-piece puzzle but it is no less challenging. Featuring 20 animals, each in its own square, this puzzle’s pieces look more alike than you might think. Specific animals like the tiger, the giraffe and the zebra stand out but the backgrounds and skin tones of several are surprisingly similar.
The best way to proceed is to separate the outside border pieces and then put together each of the 20 miniature borders.
Good for all ages from 10-years-old up, this 28 by 20 inch puzzle from GiftCraft is made with recycled cardboard.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Susan
Doris
Your support and engagement are essential in developing an inspired plant place, an engaging learning environment, and a dynamic community hub. We invite you to grow with us. mission
Toronto Botanical Garden connects people and plants, fostering sustainable communities and developing reciprocal relationships with nature through lifelong learning. V ision
Toronto Botanical Garden is a garden for all; a diverse community that recognizes the life-giving role of nature, working together for a more sustainable world.
DIRECTORY M AST h EAD
CEO Stephanie Jutila sjutila@torontobotanicalgarden.ca
Trellis is published as a members’ newsletter by the toronto botanical garden at edwards gardens 777 lawrence avenue east, toronto, ontario, M3c 1p2, 416-397-1341
Trellis welcomes queries for story ideas, which should be submitted to the editor for consideration by the trellis committee at least four months in advance of publication dates.
Visitor Centre: Open daily, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Garden s ho P : Open daily, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Weston Family l ibrary: Weekdays, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Weekends, 12 to 4 p.m.
t he b loom Ca F é: (located in the historic barn) is closed for the winter. Will reopen in the spring.
Parkin G : $4.00 per hour. $8.00 on event days. TBG Members, FREE.
WESTOn FAMILY LIBRARY 416-397-1343 librarydesk@torontobotanicalgarden.ca
777 Lawrence Avenue East, Toronto Ontario M3C 1P2, Canada • 416-397-1341 fax: 416-397-1354 • info@torontobotanicalgarden.ca torontobotanicalgarden.ca • @TBG_Canada
By TTC
From Eglinton subway station take the 51, 54, 54A or 162 bus from Lawrence Subway Station to Lawrence Avenue East and Leslie Street. The TBG is on the southwest corner.
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opinions expressed in Trellis do not necessarily reflect those of the tbg submissions may be edited for style and clarity.
Chee, s ecretary; Claudia Alvarenga, treasurer; Gordon Ashworth, Past Chair
Barb Anie, Dianne Azzarello, Nicholas Brearton, Michele Chandler, Adeline Cheng, Ben Cullen, Lucie Gauvin ex officio: Deborah Maw, Garden Club of Toronto; Nancy Tong, Milne House Garden Club
