Canada Blooms
March 2003
'A Symphony of
Gardens'
It’s always nice to see the
first flower show of the season, wherever it may be, because at this time
of year we are aching for something green, growing and sweet smelling.
The Garden Club of Toronto
was formed in 1946 with a mission to stimulate a knowledge and love of
gardening among amateurs, to aid in the protection of native plants,
trees, birds and soil and to take an interest in civic planning. Today it’s
membership includes 262 active and 155 sustaining members.
The Garden Club has raised
over 3.5 million dollars for gardens enjoyed by the citizens of Toronto.
The latest project is the entrance garden at the Civic Garden Centre at
Edwards Gardens in Toronto. Landscape Ontario will support the Halton
Millennium Garden, Gardens of Fanshawe College, Sunnidale Park and
Communities in Bloom.
Canada Blooms: The Toronto
Flower and Garden Show is a not for profit, volunteer driven event
produced by the Garden Club of Toronto and Landscape Ontario. The event
depends on volunteers to plan and also to ensure the show runs smoothly
for its visitors. Every one of the volunteers that I saw was friendly and
very helpful to the many thousands of visitors that passed through the
doors.
I have been to a few major
garden shows in North America - Philadelphia, Boston, Seattle and what has
impressed me with Canada Blooms is the quantity of speakers. They included
demonstrations, seminars, lectures and workshops. I did not see that at
the other shows. The other shows had larger garden displays though with
Philly being my favourite for quantity and variety of display gardens.
Having said that, I must
remember that each area is unique in its growing conditions and what
displays well in each area is determined by what they can grow. Also, each
one of these shows is a tremendous amount of work and co-ordination,
especially when you are using volunteers. Plus, we all have a personal
opinion don’t we. That is what gardening is about. How sad it would be
if everything was the same everywhere we went. Then we would learn nothing
new!
Even with these pictures I
have taken, you will probably say to yourself, ‘why would she take that?’
But this is my personal choice as to what I enjoyed and I hope you see
something in it that you enjoy as well. This year it centered around music
with many displays playing various pieces. There were 30 display gardens
using the inspiration of new plants and the hottest trends to blend
through out.
ICanGarden.com was also the
sponsor of the Garden Writers Luncheon that was held at Canada Blooms and
what that a treat! 33 of us got together to chat, network and enjoy lunch
together before heading out to our various stops at Canada Blooms. It was
great to have a room right there so we didn't have to travel far and for
that we thank Canada Blooms! I met a lot of writers on our site who I hadn’t
even seen before, yet knew as friends already….a great time was enjoyed
by all.
I have included shots of
gardens, floral displays, and new to me - miniature gardens. What I always
find at this show is lack of good light...so again these are a bit dark.
The fellow with the red glasses is Roger Phillips. He was a joy to chat
with and gave me some new ideas for gardens in the London area...
I know I was told that the
show would be moving up in date for next year, but I have forgotten what
the dates were going to be...will have this when I find out. I was also
told at this show that Calling All Gardeners was cancelled...another blow
to the gardeners who enjoyed watching this program.
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