Pre-order pickup: Friday, May 8 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.
Public Sale: Sat. & Sun., May 9 & 10 from 12 noon to 5 p.m.
ANNUAL SALE:
Pre-order pickup: Wednesday, May 13 from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Public Sale: Thursday, May 14 from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Public Sale: Fri., Sat., Sun. & Mén., May 15 to 18, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. &
CIVIC GARDEN CENTRE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
For 1986: Mr. Art Drysdale, Mr. Albert Fisher, Mrs. Hazel Lyonde, Mr. David Tomlinson, Mr. Harold Wakefield, Mrs. Joyce Dossal, Mrs. Marian Lawson.
For 1986 & 1987: Mr. William Aimers, Mrs. Camilla Dalglish, Mrs. Susan Macaulay, Mr. Andrew Osyany, Mrs. June Punnett, Mr. Bob Saunders, Mr. Peter Thomas.
For 1986, 1987 & 1988: Mr. Brian Bixley, Mr. Charles Coffey, Mr. Mark Cullen, Mr. Peter Hand, Mrs. Margaret Killey, Mrs. Susan McCoy, Mr. Phillip S. Tingley, Mr. Victor Portelli.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
President Mr. Brian Bixley
1st Vice-President
2nd Vice-President
Mrs. Sue Macaulay
Mr. Charles Coffey
Acting Treasurer Mr. Robert Saunders
Mrs. Camilla Dalglish, Mr. Peter Hand
| GENERAL INFORMATION ORCHID Vol. 14 No. 4 ISSN 0380-1470 TROPICAL PLANTS
Editor: Aldona Satterthwaite Chinstewn 393 Dundas St. West
Editorial Ass t.: Lorraine Pounden (Unit Q) Teronte (418) 591-7953 Advertising information 445-1552 Chinese Cymbidiums available
TRELLIS is published ten times per year as a Mln' ROSE NUI SCl'y member s newsletter by the CIVIC GARDEN CENTRE, 777 Lawrence Avenue East, Don Mills, Ont. M3C 102. Tef. No.: (416) 445-
Collector of Miniature Roses 1552. Manuscripts submitted on a volunta-
F'or st and map Write ry basis are gratefully received. No remu- Florence Guhagan neration is possible. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the Centre. P.O. Box 873, Guelph, Ont. NIH 6M6
The Centre is located in Edwards Gardens, Ca"al gue available on reques at Leslie St. and Lawrence Ave. E. It is a ® DwarfEvergreens e non-profit, volunteer-bssed gardening, floral ®Heathers ®Japanese Maples e arts and horticultural information organi- ® Rhododendrons ® sation with open membership. Printed by York Printing House Ltd.
Isimc (l}:D.N.gc;s(r)vms H(S)URnS1. (416)562.4836
Sa(:n&- sn _ i2 .0:: & 5 P'm' P O Box98 ® Martin Road | e £ _ ; Vineland Station, Ont. LOR 2E0
IN THIS ISSUE:
SOME USEFUL PERENNIALS FOR THE SHADE by Trevor Cole...........4
C.G.C. Programme Schedule............6
Members Programmes......c.cccceueunnnnn7
At the Centre & Afield...............8-13 Bear . Violutteer.. i anssn hnan8 SHOULD OUR NAME BE CHANGEDPOLE)iv8 CG.CS, GARDEN:TOURS...ivvia9 IN THE LIBRARY
by Pamela MacKenzie................... 12 TRELLIS SHOP
by Jackie :Brish: .o ha i b12 NEW IN THE BOOKSHOP
By Margaret Austin.....cccccceeeeeeennnnn.13 MEMBERS' PROGRAMME UPDATE by iANdrew: QsYany. .. cviivniia14
Courses starting:soon:..ias. i14
Artiat:the Link Gallerysoi . il14 GROWING CONCERNS
by Anne-Marie Van Nest.................16 2ND GREAT GARDENING CONFERENCE INFORMATION..........18
General Application Form.............19
ERRATA
PLEASE NOTE these corrections to errors in April TRELLIS:
On p. 9 - the Milne House Garden Club Show was incorrectly dated for May 1. It takes place on MAY 2.
Onp.12 - Visions of Ontario Flower Show was attributed to the Garden Club of Toronto. It is being presented by the Garden Clubs of Ontario.
We sincerely regret any inconvenience or embarrassment these errors may have caused.
Gentle readers,
There's nothing like Spring to cheer up the heart. My garden, like yours, is sprouting, budding, blooming; I'd love to bound around it joyfully, kicking up my heels, but the neighbours might think it unseemly.
Thank you for your warm, enthusiastic letters about the changes in TRELLIS. Keep those letters coming, please, as your input is very valuable. And why not consider trying your hand at writing an article, as well?
Next month, as a new feature, we will begin running a limited amount of small personal ads for the convenience of our members (and the fattening up of TRELLIS coffers for further improvements). Each of these ads will be 2¥%"" x 134", with a border. The cost will be $47.00 per issue. An ad in TRELLIS could be useful if you have something to rent or sell, or are looking for something specific to buy. Ads will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. (To remind you: the deadline for ANY material for TRELLIS is the 6th day of the PREVIOUS MONTH of any given issue).
Happy planting and be careful of your back.
A very happy Mother's Day to all Mothers, Grandmothers, GreatGrandmothers, Aunts and Godmothers everywhere. Have a good rest.
SOME USEFUL PERENNIALS
FOR THE SHADE by
Trevor Cole
In the shaded garden, as in any other, trees and shrubs provide the framework. But it is the perennial plants that give the interest and reflect the personality of the gardener. The number of different perennials that can be successully grown in shade is large. | have just made a list of almost 20 different species without even stopping to scratch my head. Thus | will limit my observations to my favourites, that is, ones that | have grown myself and have felt worth keeping in my garden:
I have always had a soft spot for plantain lilies (Hostas), but it was not until | started my own shade garden that | came to appreciate their true worth. One could easily make an entire garden of plantain lilies, and if only we could keep the slugs and earwigs under control, it would be a picture until frost.
Plantain Lilies vary greatly in size from Tot-Tot, which grows about 15 cm tall to Tall Boy which can reach 2 m or more at flowering time. Foliage is the main reason for growing these plants, but flowers can be very attractive, and, in a few cases, very fragrantly scented. They vary in colour from a deep lilac, through mauve, to white, and can appear from June through to October.
The nomenclature of hostas is very mixed up and the same plant may be sold in different garden centres under a variety of names. Cultivars are less likely to be mixed, although with over 400 named varieties there is obviously a great deal of similarity between some. Among my favourites are H. tocudama with blue-green
almost circular leaves the size of plates; H. lancifolia Subcrochia (a terrible name this - something like Yellow Ray would be much better) has strap-like leaves of a bright yellow that becomes almost white by the end of the season, unless grown in deep shade; Frances Williams , one of the oldest of the American-named hybrids, has leaves that are blue-green when young becoming pale green with an irregular gold edging. Two of the best of the variegated forms are North Hills, which is green with an edging of white, and Middle Ridge, where the colours are reversed. |f you want a wide-leaved yellow type, | have found that August Moon keeps its colour all summer long without reverting to green.
One problem with plantain lilies is that their leaves don 't unfold until late May, so you need something between them to provide early colour. There are a couple of Anemones that fill the bill beautifully; the Wood Anemone, A. nemorosa and the Buttercup Anemone, A. ranunculoides. They are very similar in most respects, being mat forming with underground rhizomes, both growing about 15 cm tall with dissected foliage which dies down by mid to late June. The obvious difference is that the wood anemone has snowy white flowers, while the other has buttercup yellow blooms.
Because their foliage either doesn't die down at all, or not until later in the season, primulas are not suitable for planting between hostas. They are ideal though, for grouping in front of them and using in pockets between hosta plants. My favorite of all the easy primroses is the Japanese species Primula sieboldii, Siebold s primrose. This plant is very easy to grow in half
shade but not good in places where the sun never shines. It also spreads slowly by underground runners and will eventually make large colonies. Flowers are variable in colour, with the species itself having light pink blooms. There are also white forms, other shades of pink and some forms with pink and white flowers. It is easy to raise from seed. Leaves die down in late August leaving the ground bare.
Polyanthus, often available in grocery stores in late winter, will make a great edging to shady beds. Harden them off in early spring and plant out once their beauty as a house plant is over. They are one of the few flowers | know of that come in bright shades of yellow, blue and red - most plants only have two of these colours, at most. Although they are really spring flowering, you will often get a second crop of bloom in the fall as the weather cools. They need dividing every three years or so, to keep them vigorous.
Another plant that seems to respond well to frequent division is Wherry's Foamflower (Tiarella wherryi). When | first planted this it bloomed all summer long and then, as the years passed, the season seemed to get shorter and shorter. Last summer, the plant that | moved to a new garden, and divided into half a dozen small plants, again seemed to be permanently in flower. It is quite similar to our native foamflower (T. cordifolia), but the leaves are more hairy, the flower buds are tinged pink, and there are a lot more flowers on each spike.
Pulmonaria, commonly known as lungwort because of its reputation as an old-time cure for lung disease,
is another spring flower. The blooms are pink, turning blue with age and the foliage is rough and coarsly hairy. P. angustifolia has plain green leaves and is not very attractive but P. officinalis (Jerusalem Sage) and P. saccharata (Bethlehem Sage) have leaves mottled and splashed with white. The cultivated form Mrs. Moon , with dark red flowers, is quite readily available. P. longifolia has the most beautiful foliage of them all, but is virtually unobtainable commercially.
Other shade-loving perennials you might want to try include Astilbe (good for wet areas) and Heuchera, both useful because they are summer flowering. Sweet Woodruff (Asperula odorata) will make a good groundcover in even the densest shade and has tiny, white, star-like flowers. Also late-flowering are Bell Flowers (Campanula), which seem equally at home in sun or shade, and Meadow Rue (Thalictrum) which may be 20 cm or 2 m tall, depending on variety. Both The Plume Bleedingheart (Dicentra eximea) and the Western Bleedingheart (D. formosa) will flower almost continuously throughout the summer providing the soil does not get too dry. They are much shorter than the better known D, spectabilis, growing only 30 cm tall.
6 ) [ H Steheiesi
1987 PROGRAMME SCHEDULE - THE CIVIC GARDEN CENTRE - 445-1552
MAY 2 MILNE HOUSE GARDEN CLUB SHOW - 20th Anniversary Annual Flower Show - 10 am to 6 pm Adm. $3 Bus tours $2.50
3 Toronto Gesneriad Society Meeting - Awards Luncheon 2:00 p.m.
3 Southern Ontario Orchid Society - Gen. Meeting 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
4 RHODODENDRON SOCIETY OF CANADA - PLANT SALE -6 pm
20-21 CANADIAN ROSE SOCIETY SHOW - Hosted by THE YORK ROSE AND GARDEN SOCIETY - Sat. 1-5 p.m., Sun. 12 noon4:30 p.m.
25 Canadian Chrysanthemum & Dahlia Society General Meeting - 8 p.m.
28 Indoor Gardening Society Meeting - 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PROGRAMMES
Sunday, May 31st, at 2:00 p.m.
PETER ORRISS
HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS IN AN ENGLISH GARDEN
The use of the herbaceous perennial in garden design has a fascinating history of development which begins with the early introductions from abroad in about the 1550°s. Mr. Orriss will trace the evolution of use from that time until today, as well as the history and development of the wild plant in its relationship to modern cultivated forms of perennials. Slides.
Peter Orriss is Superintendent of the University Botanic Garden, Cambridge, England, and a founding member of the Institute of Horticulture.
Sunday, June 14th at 2:00 p.m.
DOROTHY BOVEY
PLANT COLLECTING AND EXPEDITIONING IN OUTBACK AUSTRALIA
Dorothy Bovey is an award-winning botanical painter, as well as a photographer, world traveller, writer and broadcaster. She also gives illustrated talks and teaches botanical drawing. Ms. Bovey resides in England. Slides.
Members. Free Non-members $2.00 Refreshments will be served
..........since 1960, and we have over 300 varieties of perennials to choose from! But we re famous for lots of other things too - healthy evergreen stock, shade trees, ground covers, great selection, quality, & friendly, qualified staff.
AT THE CENTRE AND AFIELD 7Ry
LIBRARY ASSISTANT REQUIRED = s 7z
A full-time summer vacancy exists in the Centre's Library. This position | do hope all of you had a chance to involves a 5-day working week of see the wonderful Easter Display in 35-40 hours with some weekend our front lobby. Charlotte Smith work, from July 1st, 1987 to Sept. produced our charming Easter egg and 7th, 1987. Initial training is avail- Helen Dority, Margaret Hertling and able, and library experience a defin- Evelyn Moodie helped create the ite asset. Remuneration will be display. We would welcome other competitive. If interested please small groups participating in these call Pamela MacKenzie on Mon- efforts, so if you are interested in days and Fridays between 9:30 am helllping once or twice a year please and 5:00 pm. call.
Our thanks also to the Garden Club
for their * fantasy trees '.
A NOTE FROM BRIAN BIXLEY: SHOULD OUR NAME BE CHANGED?
Your Board of Directors is currently considering the advisability of a name change for the Civic Garden Centre. Unfortunately, the current trend for nurseries to call themselves Garden Centres' has led to some confusion in the minds of the general public as to who we are and what we do. Conversely, we have carefully built up an ever-strengthening international reputation over quite a few years. This has been accomplished under the Civic Garden Centre name.
To change or not to change, that is the question. THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE WILL BE DISCUSSED IN DEPTH AT THE NEXT BOARD MEETING, MAY 19. In order that your input may be taken into consideration, please fill in the following brief questionnaire TODAY and mail it in promptly. Thank you for your participation.
I THINKSTHE-NAME QF. THE -C.G:Ci SHOWL-D L othtor SHOULD NOT .........................BE CHANGED. ...............................................................................................................................
Other comments: L aiia i i s i e s T Myiname: " aaml e L Re eMembership No................ Send to: Mr. Brian Bixley, President, The Civic Garden Centre, 777 Lawrence Ave. E., Don Mills, Ontario M3C 1P2
LET S GET GOING WITH THE C.G.C. S GARDEN TOURS
This year, there are a number of worthwhile and interesting garden tours planned for the members of the C.G.C. and their friends. Watch for further tour announcements in TRELLIS. Please use the general purpose application form on p. 19. If you're not a member, join now and save on the tours. (Tours subject to cancellation if insufficient interest is shown.)
PARKWOOD" - residence of Sam McLaughlin. Tour of the famous home and gardens. Luncheon included. Return via the Pine Ridge Garden Gallery to chat with Marjorie Mason about Herbs and Geraniums.
Date: Wednesday, June 24, 1987
Place: C.G.C. Parking lot at 9 a.m., returning at 4:30 p.m.
Cost: Members $37 Non-members $42 Registration deadline Wednesday, June 10, 1987.
LARKWHISTLE" - garden of Patrick Lima, in the beautiful Bruce Peninsula. Tour of the garden and scenic drive to Dyer Bay. Smorgasbord luncheon.
Date: Friday, July 17, 1987
Place: C.G.C. Parking lot at 8 a.m. returning at 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $35.
SCENIC TOUR TO PORT HORE, ONTARIO - the Architectural conservancy will guide a tour of the town including St. Mark s Church, Trinity College School chapel and three private gardens. Luncheon included at The Carlyle.
Date: Wednesday, Aug. 12, 1987
Place: C.G.C. Parking lot at 9:30 a.m. returning at 4 p.m.
Cost: Members $43 Non-members $48
Registration deadline Wednesday, July 29, 1987.
C.G.C. s Mystery Garden Tours for Spring & Summer 87 ¥ ¥ ¥ X ¥
10 gardens - $12.50
Open from 2 pm to 7 pm on the following dates:
May 16 June 6
May 17 July 11
May 29 Aug 7
June 5 Aug 8
Own transportation is required. Full information will be included on your ticket.
Please use our all purpose registration form on page 19, or drop in to buy your tickets.
THE CIVIC GARDEN CENTRE TOUR TO LONGWOOD GARDEN AND WINTERTHURM X 3 X ¥ ¥
With a tour of: Philadelphia s Museum of Art, historical sites & exceptional private gardens.
Transportation: Chartered Bus with Air conditioning, Stereo sound, Public Address System, Washrooms.
Dates: Sept. 21 to 25, 1987
If you are interested in taking this exciting tour, please call the Centre and leave your name, address and phone number. All details are not confirmed at this time, but cost will be approximately $650.00 Cdn.
AT THE CENTRE AND AFIELD (CONT.) ZEATE
THE GARDEN CLUBS OF ONTARIO
Present
Visions of Ontario Flower Show
May 11 - May 13, 1987
Royal Botanical Garden Building 680 Plains Rd.W., Burlington, Ont. Tickets $3.00
NATURE INFORMATION CENTRE
The pioneer log cabin in Sunnybrook Park will again be open to the public on Sunday afternoons from 12 noon to 4 p.m., May 3 through Oct. 11 (Thanksgiving).
The Toronto field Naturalists will offer literature on the plants, animals and park systems of Metropolitan Toronto, along with free maps of bicycle and nature trails. They will also have on hand copies of their own newsletters and information about their outdoors program of over 100 walks yearly within Metro Toronto.
Whether you are interested in trees, wildflowers, birds, geology, insects, mushrooms, drop in and discover what outdoor Toronto has going for you. For further information about TFN, call 488-7304.
LAKE MUSKOKA - COTTAGE FOR RENT
Fully equipped 3 bdrm, 1% baths, fireplace, separate sleeping cabin. Quiet location on waterfront, 6 acres, dock. Available July 1st to LabourDay weekend. Call after May 12th - evenings 925-4915
There are a number of special features at our show such as an exciting display by the Toronto Japanese Garden Club; acrylic service plates, with dried flower decoration (this is a class similar to the very popular class in Bermuda), and a collage with the title *Songs, Tales and Legends from Here and There . The winning entry of the last-named class will be sent to the world flower show in Brussels, Belgium, June 2-6, 1987. This class is a mail in " class open to Garden Clubs of Ontario and Garden Clubs Canada.
Hours:
Monday, May 11 7 pm -9 pm Tuesday, May 12 10am -9 pm Wednesday, May 13 10 am - 4 pm
Accessible by wheelchair
Horticulture and design graduate with is years professional experience Homer Moelchert 530-1696
C.G.C. WINS AWARD AT GARDEN FESTIVAL 87
Recently, at Garden Festival 87 (held in conjunction with the Home Show) the Civic Garden Centre was honoured with an award of merit for our display. A sincere thank you and congratulations to the User Groups who participated, and to the 100 volunteers who gave so generously of their time.
THE HERITAGE PLANT COMMITTEE NEEDS YOUR HELP
The Heritage Plant Committee has the task of locating and preserving economic and ornamental plants that are known to have been in cultivation since before about 1920. These should be direct descendents of the old plants by vegetative propagation; or in a few cases by seed. Thus Peony Felix Crousse (introduced in 1881) would be acceptable if it has been grown, and divided, in one garden or by one family since before 1920, while the same plant purchased from a nursery last year would not.
We are also concerned with tracing plants that have been introduced by Canadian plant breeders, irrespective of the year of introduction. Obviously most of the new plants are easy to obtain - although some have had such a limited distribution that they are rare. Many of the early introductions, particularly of plants that are trendy (e.g. roses and iris) are probably extinct. We hope that someone, somewhere is still growing these plants, and knows their varietal name. If you grow, or know of, any plants that you think would qualify for in-
clusion in our Heritage Plant List, we would love to hear from you. If you are growing a slip off a slip of the rose that granny brought to Canada with her from her native land, or if you knew this fellow who raised new daylilies and still have some of the ones he gave you, please contact: Trevor Cole, Bldg. 50, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Ont. K1A OCé6
TRILLIUM AWARDS PROGRAM
Scarborough is proud of the commitment its residents have to beautifying their homes and properties.
Each year since 1978, the Trillium Awards Program has recognized this contribution through the presentation of a Trillium-shaped lawn pin, the symbol of the Ontario Horticultural Association.
In conjunction with the Agincourt Garden Club and the Scarborough Horticultural Society, the City of Scarborough advertises the Program in the spring and early summer of each year and requests the public to nominate by July 31st, properties which display excellence in landscape design, maintenance and the quality and variety of plant material used.
The Trillium Awards Program focuses on Scarborough properties, but pulls together civic pride in all corners of our City.
If you are interested in participating in our program or would like more information please call the Scarborough Recreation and Parks Department at 296-7089.
AT THE CENTRE AND AFIELD (CONT.)
IN THE LIBRARY
by Pamela MacKenzie, Librarian
When selecting plants for her own garden, NICOLA FERGUSON could not find what she was looking forillustrated lists of plants for particular purposes, with information on cultivation, so she wrote RIGHT PLANT, RIGHT PLACE" (London, Pan Books c1984). Twenty seven chapters describe more than 1,400 plants according to growing conditions, purpose and appearance. This is an English book, edited by Frederick McGourty for North America, but the remarks on hardiness do not always apply to Canadian climates. Nevertheless, this book will be most useful in taking some of the guesswork out of plant selection.
DOROTHY BOVEY BOTANICAL ART WORKSHOP
June 1 to June 4, 1987
There are still a few spaces available for five-time gold medal winner (from the Royal Horticultural Society of London) Dorothy Bovey s Botanical Art Workshop. Please note that students at any level of expertise are welcome. Registration fee is $125.00. A list of requirements will be sent to students by mail. Please use the general registration form on page 19. Don 't miss this opportunity to learn from an internationally acclaimed artist, who is also a photographer, writer, broadcaster, world traveller and distinguished lecturer.
TRELLIS SHOP by
Jackie Brisby
The Trellis Shop received many requests during the recent Flower Show for the acrylic vases featured in the competitions. We have now received a large shipment of these containers including a handsome new curved shape. Two of these containers interlocked together and filled with coloured nuggets and flowers make a simple but elegant centrepiece. We also have nuggets and marbles in many attractive colours for use in these containers. Also in this shipment were the ceramic placecards sold in the Shop last Fall and requested by so many of you.......6 in a box for $12.25.
To welcome Spring, we have a full assortment of baskets, including a selection of handwoven decorator baskets for patios and picnics. A utensil caddy holding pastel plastic cutlery with spaces for glasses and napkins is just $25.00, with matching holder and salad bowl priced at $20.00. Another super picnic accessory is the Combicold carrier from Denmark, our spaceage insulated tote bag for carrying bottles, cans and sandwiches. It's a reasonably-priced Father's Day gift at $5.95.
For Mother s Day, be sure to see our satin lingerie cases in pastel colours and note paper cases containing fragrant pot pourri. Another popular item is our flat backed wall jardinieres in white ceramic or terra cotta in three sizes, priced from $17.00.
New to the Trellis Shop is pot-pourri created by our own talented Milne House ladies. Attractively packaged, it's priced at $1.95.
NEW IN THE BOOKSHOP
by Margaret Austin
From Reader s Digest:
GARDENER 'S REFERENCE GUIDE
TO PLANTS AND FLOWERS - complete quick find' information about the characteristics and cultivation of more than 4,000 popular plants.
Price: $29.95
GARDENERS QUESTIONS
ANSWERED by Stefan Buczackiexpert advice and practical solutions for your gardening problems.
Price: $29.95
From Crown Publishing: PRIVATE GARDENS OF ENGLAND by Penelope Hobhouse - a visual celebration of 33 of England s most im-
pressive private gardens.
Price: $60.00
From Weidenfield & Nicholson: THE ENGLISH GARDEN ROOM edited by Elizabeth Dickson - a tour around 25 garden rooms with accompanying text by their owners.
Price: $24.95
From Houghton Mifflin:
Four of the excellent TAYLOR GUIDES based on Taylor's Encyclopedia, each with hundreds of colour photographs and notes on cultivation:
GROUNDCOVERS, VINES & GRASSES
SHRUBS
HOUSEPLANTS
VEGETABLES AND HERBS
Priced at $24.95 each
WEDNESDAYS AT WEALL & CULLEN!
Weall & Cullen will take 10% off the regular price of all annual flowering plants, vegetable plants, hanging baskets and patio pots purchased on Wednesday.
Weall & Cullen will endeavour to have a complete range of plants available for these Wednesday Sale Days The discount will only apply to plants available at the time of purchase. No "Rain Checks" for future purchases will be issued.
*SAVE 10% WEDNESDAYS APPLIES TO BEDDING PLANTS ONLY.
s
NURSERY. LEISURE FURNITURE & TO SERVE YOU CHRISTMAS TRIM-A-TREE CENTRES
4300 Steeles Ave. E. Markham ................. 477-4477
490 TatintorERa: W, Whiltby S350 Sainn e 686-0844 2575 Dundas:St. WL Mlississauget. . oo v 820-9494
MEMBERS PROGRAMME UPDATE
by Andrew Osyany
BRIAN HALLIWELL, of Kew, visited Japan twice, and he showed overall garden pictures as well as individual plant portraits. There are three essential elements in a Japanese garden: water, rock and tree. A variety of colours does not seem to be important; the concentration is on shape and shades of green. A most remarkable feature is that practically all shrubs (even rhododendrons) are clipped into dome shapes.
In the mixed, deciduous & evergreen forests of Hokkaido Hydrangea petiolaris grows through the trees just like liana. Trilliums and terrestrial orchids form ground covers, as well as Primula kisoana. This primula spreads by runners, and both white and magenta are equally aggressive. At Kew in three years three plants
covered 20 square yards. Of the three species of epimediums, E.grandiflorum sets seeds and has attractive crimson leaves in the wintertime. Cut back the foliage at the end of the winter as the young leaves are also pinkish.
Japan encompasses climates from the subtropics to some very severe weather zones. Brian Halliwell visited some of the small islands off the northern end of Hokkaido, and on one, Aoshiri, bamboo had overrun everything. Other types of vegetation could be found only in spots, but there were very desirable stands of Fritillaria camschatica and a dwarf Lilium dauricum (only 10" high), now in its third generation of cultivation at Kew. "
Steeles Ave. W. (2 miles west of Highway 10) R.R. 10 Brampton L6V 3N2
Knowledgeable staif
7 days a week (9-5pm) mid-April-mid-Oct. Over 3000 dlfferem hardy plants, alpines, dwarf conifers and shrubs, Hardy ferns, vines, groundcowers and native wildflowers Gift Certificates$10. up (10-15-20 etc{ by mail any time All Year Send $2.00 for NEW (No10) PLANT L
ST by mail to above address
SPECIAL EVENTS AT THE RBG
June 27-28
31st Annual Rose Show
WONDERLAND
Sat. 12:30 - 5 pm, Sun 10 am-5pm. OF BUL BS Auction of rose bouquets 4 pm Sun.
Admission: $1.50 Send $2.00 for our new July 11-12 catalogues, refundable on
Ontario Regional Lily Society s first order. Annual Lily Show - RBG Centre The multitude of rare and Sat. 2 -6 pm, Sun. 10 am -5 pm interesting bulbs listed, over Admission $1 at door. 700 varieties, many difficult to obtain elsewhere, will
GARDEN SEEDER prove to be a revelation. By far the most camplete bulb
Small - Easy to Use - Even Spread catalogue in Canada.
A.B. Nelson
Since 1925 62 Ternhill Crescent Canada'sLelc):dmgBulbSpecialists Don Mills, Ont., M3C 2E5 ept. T | Toronto M4P2M 1 488-8292
GROWING CONCERNS
by Anne-Marie Van Nest
THE FLOWER GARDEN
It must be May, because spring fever has struck everyone in Southern Ontario. The ohh s and ahh s can be heard clear out to Thunder Bay. Visions of the perfect garden to come fill many minds, for isn t this the year to expand, renovate and create new plantings? At least, we have good intentions to do this at the start of the growing season. Before we get too ambitious, how about settling for some energetic preparations to ensure prolific blooms - preparations that should be completed well before any plants are put into the ground. The gardener who rushes off to the Garden Centre on May 24th to load up the car with 5 bales of peat moss, 3 bags of cow manure, 16 assorted flats of flowering annuals and a bag of limestone for good measure will soon come to realise that haste makes waste . Successful gardening requires careful planning and preparation.
This year, why not take the initiative and start a compost area? Composting is the most economical way to add organic matter to your soil, while getting rid of grass clippings and other garden wastes. Compost added to the soil will greatly improve the drainage of heavy clay soils and will increase moisture-holding ability in sandy soils. Peat moss will help accomplish the same task.
A soil test is a good suggestion for your flower and vegetable beds. The test can be used as a basis to change the pH if necessary, or it can be kept as part of an on-going record of your tests. This test for pH (parts Hydro-
gen) level and salts should be done before any additives (i.e. fertilizers or manure) have been put into the soil. For the test, soil samples should be taken from a number of locations within a similar area or bed. For example, in the case of a flower bed that is shaded at one end and sunny at the other, two separate tests should be performed, as the conditions are different. To gather samples for a test, include soil from the root area of several locations within the similar area or bed.
Most flowering plants prefer a pH level of 6.5, which is slightly acidic. Lime and sulphur, the two major additives which change the pH of soil are quite slow acting and should be worked into the soil well in advance of the planting season, ideally in the fall. |f major soil modifications are made, an additional soil test should be done after six months to check on the progress of the soil.
Fertilizers are another key element to add to the soil before you start to plant the garden. The three main nutrients in the soil required by plants are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. These are available to the plants in varying degrees. Nitrogen is water-soluble and therefore subject to being leached out of the soil. This must be replaced and added to the root zone area for lush growth. Phosphorus and potassium are both subject to slow release from the soil. This leads to situations where there is not enough available for the plants during key times. To ensure that the plants have adequate fertilizer to bloom profusely and to be healthy, supplemental applications must be made. This should be done one or two weeks before you plant so that
there is no danger of the salts burning the roots. The level of pH will also affect the availability of some of the minor nutrients. Iron is one of the key nutrients that becomes lockedin'" at extreme pH levels.
We are now ready to start to plan the garden. This is just as important as preparing the beds. A plan of the beds with exact measurements will allow you to judge the number of plants to fill the area. This plan will also serve as a reminder for next year of what performed well. When you lay out your bed consider the following suggestions for the design. Taller flowering annuals should be placed at the back of the bed and given more room to grow. These may require stakes later in the season, so save some tree or shrub prunings for this purpose.
Shorter growing plants and trailing plants are well suited for the edges of beds to act as a border between the lawn and the bed. These plants can be planted close together to form a solid group. Specimen plants such as canna lilies should be used in groups of odd numbers for areas that require a focal point.
For more ideas about annuals in your garden, please join us for our Annual Plant Sale, May 14-18, 1987. (Members only, May 13).
SOIL ANALYSIS AT THE C.G.C.
Before you plant, be sure that your soil is in good condition. Have your soil tested for pH and salt levels at the Civic Garden Centre NOW. The Centre can test soil from any location, be it the cottage, vegetable garden, lawn, flower bed or greenhouse. Just bring in one cup of soil (which is
representative of any given area - see preceding article) and within one week the results will be ready for you to pick up. The fee for this service is $5.00 for members, $7.00 for nonmembers. For detailed how to" instructions, please pick up a soil testing sheet during your next visit to the Civic Garden Centre.
MOTHER S DAY WEEKEND,
May 9 & 10th, IS THE TIME FOR THE 2ND ANNUAL HANGING BASKET SALE!
Surprise your mother, wife, grandmother or valued friend with a flowering hanging basket. She will be delighted with this treat all summer long. A marvellous selection of plants for all conditions will be on display: Fuchsias for the shady porch, lvy Geraniums for the sunny balcony, Sunshine Impatiens, etc. Our 10" baskets are loaded with blossoms and will provide instant beauty anywhere, at a cost of $15.95. |n addition, there will be plenty of experts on hand all weekend to help you choose the ideal plant for any location. AND YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS OUR PERENNIAL SALE, ALSO BEING HELD DURING THIS WEEKEND.
TEAY T AT A
THE CIVIC GARDEN CENTRE PROUDLY PRESENTS u*
THE SECOND GREAT GARDENING CONFERENCE Y.\\}
OCTOBER 16th - 18th, 1987 % 7
AT THE CIVIC GARDEN CENTRE IN EDWARDS GARDENS
777 LAWRENCE AVE. E., DON MILLS, ONTARIO M3C 1P2 )9
SPEAKERS INCLUDE:
Christopher Grey-Wilson - Plant-Hunting in the Himalayas and China
Penelope Hobhouse - Garden Style
Stephen Lacey - Colour and Scent in the Romantic Garden
Pamela Harper - Colour and Combinations
James van Sweden - The New American Style of Garden Design
Jim Archibald - Rock Garden Plants in their Homes
Allen Paterson - Old Roses for Northern Gardens
Raymond Evison - Clematis, the Species and their Small-flowered Cultivars 725 AR
Lunches included \( /<! Members: $100.00 Nonamembers $125.00 . 12N
Please watch for further information in your June issue of Trellis'". Due to limited registrations available, we are unable to offer partial registrations, i.e., one day or less. Special dinner speakers Friday the 16th and Saturday the 17th.
PLEASE REGISTER ME FOR THE 2ND GREAT GARDENING CONFERENCE | enclose a cheque for $100 (member) or $125 (non-member), made payable to the Civic Garden Centre. | will attend lunch on the 17th.......and/or the 18th....... | understand lunches are included in my registration fee.
NamEl L s L LR R iMembership No.................. PaTa e SRR R RS St e S SR TRe S ST GRS SR PostaltCodeNt Bl nnialnasaasebNO G ss
MASTERCARE or VISA NG, .05 ..o sl as i camaatin
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SHERIDAN NURSERIES LIMITED
Where
Great Gardens
At your closest Sheridan Be in And Sheridan's nursery Garden Centre you will . Stock is guaranteed for find the finest selection of nur- ~one full year. sery stock in Canada, including At Sheridan Garden Centres you more than 750 varieties of will also find qualified nurseryplan_ts and trees grown on men who will pleased to help Sheridan's own farms. you in any way they can.
MAY WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US?
We at the Civic Garden Centre warmly welcome new members. Join us, and you will make friends who share the same interest in gardening, the floral arts and horticulture that you do. In addition to the many exciting classes, garden shows, speakers, clubs-within-the-Centre, etc., that will be available to you, our modest membership fee entitles you to the following:
* Free borrowing privileges from Canada s largest horticultural library with more than 5,000 titles currently available, plus journals.
* A 10% discount on regularly priced merchandise over $2 at the Trellis Shop.
* A discounted registration fee when enrolling in our classes.
* Special members discount for many special events.
Please keep in mind, too, that a Civic Garden Centre membership, with all of the privileges outlined above, makes a splendid gift for any occasion. Think of us for birthday gifts, anniversaries, Christmas, Hannukah, housewarming presents, etc. Where else can you give so much value and enjoyment for only $15? (Your gift recipient will receive a handsome card with your name).
THE CIVIC GARDEN CENTRE
777 Lawrence Avenue East (at Leslie)
Don Mills, Ontario M3C 1P2
RENEWAL ...\
Yes! | wish to become a member of the Civic Garden Centre in the following category:
BASIC ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP $15:00- 55 FAMILY MEMBERSHIP $25:00 -e CONTRIBUTING MEMBER ($50 0rmore). == 0 1 ae s se THIS IS A GIFT MEMBERSHIP FROM.......cccoeeovnmmenmnnnnnn,$15:00. e DONATION F0 THE CIVICGARDEN CENTRE. 5 o0 s 0 it So
Please send the TRELLIS' newsletter to:
L IR R e N R S I R D g e s Addrass. = e R T e R R s Cityos s T vaas PostalCodevgTelephone NG . v b e Receipts issued for tax deductions for all but the $15 basic annual membership. Please keep in mind that the basic annual membership fee alone cannot meet our total operating costs, and consider a tax-deductibie donation or enrolment in another membership category. (Charitable Reg. No. 0228114-56-13)
