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CIVIC GARDEN
The Newsletter of The Civic Garden Centre in Toronto
Volume 26, Number 4 -
July/ August, 1999
Notes from the Board
Cryptolaemus
Spring brings good news
montrouzieri arrives at CGC
by Lindsay Dale-Harris, president, Civic Garden Centre Board The annual meeting was a wonderful evening. Spring was in the air and there was a feeling of optimism and enthusiasm. Thanks to the City of Toronto and some skilled pruners, the Centre was filled with branches of beautiful blossoms — forsythia, magnolia and cherry — and the stage in the Floral Hall was a blaze of colour. Dugald Cameron, president of Gardenimport Inc. and one of our more entertaining board members, gave an excellent slide presentation on new and interesting plants. If only our gardens were bigger and our pocketbooks fuller. At the meeting, five new board members were elected to
About the middle of April, 500 adult Cryptolaemus montrouzieri took up residence at The Civic Garden Centre at the invitation of Douglas Markoff, executive direc-
tor. The little insects, Australian relatives of the Canadian lady beetle, immediately made themselves at home on the large Ficus in the lobby and settled in for a feed of mealy bugs, their favourite food. Scale, another problem
replace retiring members Liz Primeau, Mark Hartley, David
on the CGC’s indoor plants, was also on the
Money and Charlotte Ambridge, bringing the total to 21 plus the city’s representative, The new members— Marisa Bergagnini, Clare Fisher, Lorraine Hunter, Jane Larson and Victoria Lister Carley — bring to the board considerable skills as gardeners, horticulturists, landscape architects and volunteers. We are honoured to have them join us. Retiring president Dr. Helen Shaw summarized the acLindsay Dale-Harris complishments of the Centre over the past year. I thanked her at the meeting for her dedication and hard work, and I would like to thank her again for her outstanding efforts over her two-year term . The best news of the evening came from our trusty treasurer, Ken Maiden: the financial report shows that the Centre is back on a solid financial footing, the result of critical support from our funders, especially the City of Toronto, and the dedicated efforts of our volunteers and hard-working staff. We still have much to accomplish. The future planning committee, chaired by board member Tracey Lawko, will present a series of initiatives to the board at our annual retreat the end of May. Certain physical spaces, such as the library and horticultural services, are in need of refurbishment — but what about the grounds, and improving the linkages with Edwards Gardens? The Teaching Garden has been a resounding success — should we now provide space indoors for children’s education during the winter months? And horticultural therapy is a growing interest — should there be a special place for it at the CGC? If you have any thoughts on these questions, run, do not walk, to the suggestion box. Or speak to executive director Douglas Markoff — his door is always open. Although it will be challenging, I’'m looking forward to my term as president of the board. With your support we will be able to continue to build on the strengths of The Civic Garden Centre.
menu. “We brought them in to control the inseets, in conjunction with good horticultural practices, not to eradicate them,” Douglas says. “That’s the way beneficial insects like these should always be used.” In the few weeks since they arrived, the bugs have had limited effect on the mealy bugs, but they’re earning their keep. The best place to observe them is from the upper level of the ramp in front of studios 1 and 2, and the best way is with binoculars.
Seed saving tips .........cccoeuee.
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Rusty Rake gardeners featured at Helen Flegg lecture...........cccccvuvervnnene page 4 Teaching Garden celebrates first birthday
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DIRECTORY Main Number:
(416) 397-1340
Fax: (416) 397-1354 Email: cgc1@idirect.com Course Registration: (416) 397-1362 CGC Library: (416) 397-1343 Horticultural Services: (416) 397-1358 Horticulturist: (416) 397-1355 Master Gardener’s Free Info Line: (416) 397-1345 Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sunday & Holidays 12 to 3 p.m.
Rentals: (416) 397-1349 Trellis Shop: (416) 397-1357 Volunteer Coordinator: (416) 397-4145 Photography Permit, Toronto Parks and Recreation Division:(416) 392-8188