Gardener’s GateEdmonton Horticultural Society

September/October 2017edmontonhort.com

EHS Board Highlights

Board Highlights

• EHS Board received resignations from board members Rosemarie Pelz, Vice-President and Garden Tour Program Lead; and Julie Brown, Secretary. The EHS Board thanks them both for their valuable contributions to EHS. In the interim, Christine Werk, will serve as interim Vice-President and Maggie Neilson as interim Secretary. The EHS Nominations Committee will commence recruitment for the 2018/19 Board and Program positions in the near future.

• The Board is establishing a number of Committees to: – Develop the 2017 Program Plan for Speaker’s Series, Small Talks, and Tours – Coordinate the increasing number of public gardening opportunities – Continue to develop a branding identity for EHS. Plans from these Committees will inform the budget decision-making process.• EHS City Gardeners – Valley Zoo now has 19 volunteers and

have logged over 360 volunteer hours at the zoo gardens. Since July, over 50 pounds of vegetables, herbs and edible flowers have been harvested for the animals. The volunteer gardeners were also involved with the 100 Voices Program, a preschool program, at the zoo.

• The refreshed Open Gardens program featured 12 gardens with the last one held September 10, 2017. Visiting the diverse and interesting gardens is a delightful way to enjoy a Sunday afternoon.

• Patricia McKendrick participated in the national Communities in Bloom Judges tour. She delivered a short presentation on EHS at a luncheon for the judges. Patricia also participated in the final judging for Front Yards in Bloom on August 3, 2017 and she represented EHS at the Edmonton in Bloom Awards on Thursday, August 24, 2017.

• EHS is building an inventory of new marketing tools. Windflags and a pop-up banner displaying EHS’ visual identity have been created for events. New EHS membership cards were introduced in March 2017. Sport-like t-shirts have been created for some EHS volunteers.

• EHS City Gardeners- Muttart has a group of 10-15 volunteers and they have been very busy since May. Visitors to the Muttart (including visitors from Denmark) have been quite impressed with the beds and the EHS volunteers are always being asked questions about the various plants.

• The 2017 Casino, scheduled for September 30 and October 1 has volunteers for all positions. However, a couple of spares for the 6:30 pm-3:15 am shift are needed. Contact Linda and Duncan Campbell at casino@edmontonhort.com

Winners of the EHS Container RaffleEHS Speaker’s Night August 28, 2017

Elizabeth Atherton-ReidMarie Babey

Karen HalldorsonYvonne Johnston

Thank you to everyone who bought tickets!We appreciate your support.

Page 1 Gardener’s Gate September/October 2017

Show Your Card and Save

These businesses offer EHS Members special pricing on non-sale purchase of certain goods and services. Available discounts may change without notice; inquire before you purchase.

All Seasons Garden Centre 780-448-2385Apache Seeds Ltd 780-489-4245Arch Greenhouses 780-438-4349Arrowhead Nurseries 780-472-6260Aspen Grove Nurseries 780-962-3148Aspen Ridge Greenhouse 780-464-5527Best Curb 780-945-6787BMR Greenhouses & Water Gardens 780-986-0787Canar Rock Products 780-466-6650Cannor Nurseries 780-987-9133Cheyenne Tree Farms 780-929-8102Ellerslie Gift & Garden 780-988-6622Flowers on 50th 780-463-7673Friends of the Devonian Botanic Garden 780-221-6467Jils Landscape Supply 780-456-4848Kuhlmann’s Market 780-475-7500LaRue Tree Certified Arborists 780-603-5317Lawnmower Hospital 780-437-1851Millcreek Nursery Ltd. 780-469-8733Organic Green 780-444-5931Prairie Gardens & Greenhouses 780-981-2272Salisbury Greenhouse 780-467-5743South Cooking Lake Greenhouses 780-922-6765Sunstar Nurseries 780-472-6103The Wildbird General Store 780-439-7333Timbertrim Treeworks 780-449-8733University of Alberta Botanic Garden 780-987-3054Wild Birds Unlimited 587-521-2473

A valid membership card and photo ID must be shown before the sale is rung in.

Not yet a discounter? Show your stuff to our members at one of our meetings!

Send us an email toofficeadmin@edmontonhort.com

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For contact information refer to the newsletter directory or https://edmontonhort.com

Gardener’s Gate September/October 2017 Page 2

In This EditionEHS Board Highlights .............................................. 1Gardeners’ Calendar ............................................... 3EHS Open Gardens - Daly Garden ........................... 4EHS 2017 Garden Tour ............................................ 5EHS Open Gardens - Starr Garden .......................... 6Orchids at the Muttart ............................................ 7Britta’s Garden Room .............................................. 9Tomato Extravaganza ............................................ 11Travels with GG ..................................................... 13EHS Open Gardens - Hughes Garden ................... 14Wildflowers of Churchill ...................................... 15EHS Open Gardens - Batsch Garden ..................... 17

Cover Photo:

Karen Kennedy,

First Place, Art in the

Garden

2016 EHS Photo Competition

Corp

orat

e M

embe

rs

Arch Greenhouseswww.archgreenhouses.comCheyenne Tree Farms

www.cheyennetree.caCity of Edmonton

Building and Parks Operationswww.edmonton.ca

Classic Landscapeswww.classiclandscapes.com

Ellerslie Gift and Gardenellersliegift.com

Greenland Garden Centrewww.greenlandgarden.com

Kuhlmann’s Market Gardenwww.kuhlmanns.com

Lee Valley Toolswww.leevalley.com

Manderley Turf Productswww.manderley.com

Millcreek Nurserywww.millcreeknursery.caPegasus Publications

(Alberta Gardener)www.localgardener.net

Salisbury Greenhousesalisburygreenhouse.com

Sunstar Nurserieswww.sunstarnurseries.com

Timbertrim Treeworks Ltd.www.timbertrim.ca

University of Alberta Botanic Garden

www.botanicgarden.ualberta.caThe Wildbird General Store

www.wildbirdgeneralstore.com

Com

mun

ity G

arde

n M

embe

rs Alberta Avenue Community Garden

www.albertaave.org/community-garden.html

Dovercourt Community Garden

ContributingAuthors

Elizabeth Atherton-ReidBritta Johnson

Patricia McKendrickDave Nixon

Rosemarie Pelz

ContributingPhotographers

Elizabeth Atherton-ReidLinda Harris

Britta JohnsonKaren KennedyMike Michaud

OSPF (Dave Bovee/Dave Nixon)Jane Starr

Thank You!

Gardeners’ CalendarFor more information on Gardening Events and Workshops: edmontonhort.com/events

Page 3 Gardener’s Gate September/October 2017

EHS Speaker’s SeriesWho: Everyone is welcome. Free to EHS members (show your card). Non-members pay admission or are welcome to purchase a membership at meetings.

What: Informative and inspiring speakers and presentations at the EHS meetings. Opportunities to chat with other gardeners. Displays, great door prizes and treats!

When: Last Monday of February, March, April, May, June, August, September and November. Come at 6:30 pm for the Gardener’s Corner and browse the displays. Speakers begin at 7:30 pm.

Where: Central Lions Seniors Recreation Centre, 11113 – 113 St, Edmonton. Parking is free.

Why: Amazing and informative speakers. Find the details on the EHS website at: edmontonhort.com/events/speaker’s series.

Mark your calendars! Speaker’s Series 2017 with topic titles:

Monday, September 25: Carnivorous Plants (Joe Gadbois).Joe Gadbois will speak about carnivorous plants. Feed me, Seymour! “Carnivorous Plants: Predators of the Plant Kingdom”, will serve as a thorough introduction to this fascinating group, which many may be surprised to learn is quite diverse and has incredible ornamental appeal. Joe will show you some of the most spectacular carnivorous plants and give an overview of how to grow them successfully, as well as explain how some can be used to help control pests in a very natural way.

Monday, November 27: Annual/Perennial Grasses (Katrina Diebel, Vale’s Greenhouse)Katrina Diebel, god daughter to the previous owner of Vale’s Greenhouse, Anne Vale, bought Vale’s Greenhouse

in 1995. Anne Vale stayed on to help. Katrina has become well-known as a true plants person. She grows a vast variety of annuals, hardy perennials and basket stuffer plants. Her personal collections of plants are on display in well-maintained display gardens that are open to the public to wander through. Vale’s Greenhouse has become recognized in the horticultural industry and by the public as a producer of fine quality plants. Join Katrina as she gives you a new appreciation for annual and perennial grasses.

Note: Check to confirm dates, times and location.

Events listed may charge for admission.

EHS Speaker’s Series: No meetings in January, July, October and December

Affi

liate

Org

anizat

ions Alberta Horticultural Association

www.icangarden.com/clubs/AHAAlberta Invasive Species Council

www.invasiveplants.ab.caAlberta Native Plant Council

www.anpc.ab.caAlberta Regional Lily Society

www.arls-lilies.orgCactus and Succulent Society of Alberta

albertacactusandsucculent.orgCalgary Horticultural Society

www.calhort.orgColouring the Canadian Landscape

Foundationwww.cclf.info

Edmonton and Area Land Trustwww.ealt.ca

Edmonton Native Plant Groupedmontonnativeplantgroup.org

Edmonton Permaculture Guildedmontonpermacultureguild.caEvergreen Garden Club

Josanne Thiessen at prairielily1@gmail.comFriends of the Devonian Botanic Garden

friends-devonianbotanicgarden.orgGlenora Gardening Club

Sheila Taschuk at shetaz77@gmail.comMaster Gardeners Association of Alberta

www.mgaab.orgOperation Fruit Rescue Edmonton

operationfruitrescue.orgOrchid Society of Alberta

www.orchidsalberta.com

Orchid Species Preservation Foundationwww.orchidspecies.ca

Sangudo & District Horticultural ClubMarlene Petersen at hpt1960@telus.netSt. Albert & District Garden Club

www.stalbertgardenclub.infoSt. Albert Botanic Park

www.stalbertbotanicpark.comStony Plain Horticultural Society

www.sphsociety.caStrathcona Garden Club

Brenda Brooke at Brook_eb@yahoo.caUkrainian Cultural Heritage Village

www.history.alberta.ca/ukrainianvillageWetaskiwin Horticultural Society

Barb Lucas at bmlucas@telus.net

Alberta Invasive Species CouncilOctober 22-26, 2017: ICAIS: 20th International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species, Ft Lauderdale, Florida

Alberta Regional Lily SocietySeptember 23, 2017: Fall bulb sales, Greenland Garden Centre, 9:00 am–4:30 pm

Cactus and Succulent Society of AlbertaSeptember 24, 2017: Muttart Conservatory show & sale, 10:00 am–5:00 pm

Calgary Horticultural SocietySeptember 30, 2017: 5th Annual Garlic Fair and Growers’ Exchange, Golden Acre Home & Garden, Calgary, 3:00-6:00 pm

Edmonton Home & Garden ShowMarch 22-25, 2018: Edmonton Expo Centre

Muttart ConservatoryOctober 29, 2017: Pumpkin Patch Pyramids, 11:00 am-3:00 pmDecember 10, 2017: Blue Christmas,11:00 am-3:00 pm

St. Albert Botanic GardenOctober 14-22, 2017: Christmas in OctoberGift Shop Hours 10:00 am-5:00 pm

Stony Plain Horticultural SocietyOctober 3, 2017: General Meeting, Speaker: Jim Hole, Hole’s Greenhouses, “Garden Myths”, 7:00-9:30 pm

University of Alberta Botanic GardenDec. 1-3, 2017: Luminaria

Gardener’s Gate September/October 2017 Page 4

Daly Open Garden - July 30, 2017Photos by: Linda Harris

EHS 2017 Garden TourBy: Rosemarie Pelz Photo by: Jane Starr

The 2017 Garden Tour featured eight distinctive gardens. Each garden carried within its boundaries a joy known to its owners but just waiting to be shared with visitors. Perhaps your favourite this year was the meticulously-designed Feng Shui garden or perhaps the garden supporting an impressive array of out of zone plants. Many visitors enjoyed traditional gardens with classic designs while others enjoyed a modern classic which visibly integrated sustainable practices with urban beautification and food gardening. Regardless of personal preferences, we know attendees were inspired by a plethora of creative gardening practices, designs, and collections.

Our garden visitors commented on the unique character of each of the eight gardens and they genuinely appreciated the expertise our wonderful tour hosts so generously shared. The highest number of visitors to any one garden was 943.

Each year we try to add a little twist to the Garden Tour. This year it was the Sunshine Community Garden which received a total of 710 visitors. From the positive responses we received about this garden, it was a welcome addition to the tour. We were fortunate to have several Sunshine Garden volunteers on hand to act as tour hosts. They shared the history of the garden and entertained us with many stories that enriched our understanding of the developmental process of this particular community garden.

Thanks to our gracious Garden Tour hosts who spent countless hours preparing for the tour, our dedicated volunteer gatekeepers who remain steadfast, regardless of weather, and our fabulous team (Donna Bagdan, Brian Heidecker, Deb McCallum, Kate Mcleod and Jane Starr), the 2017 Garden Tour was truly an Edmonton event!

Each year we print 1,000 tickets for this particular event. Once again, the tickets for the Garden Tour sold out early! Online tickets were sold out in two weeks and tickets from vendors were sold out one to two weeks before the event. In addition to our visitors from Edmonton and the surrounding areas of St. Albert, Spruce Grove and Sherwood Park, people travelled from Alberta Beach, Barrhead, Bluffton, Calgary, Camrose, Drayton Valley, Grande Prairie, Whitecourt and Strome to attend the 2017 EHS Garden Tour.

Although I will be stepping down as Garden Tour Lead for the 2018 season, I know that whoever steps in to fill that role will

have an outstanding team to work with as they embark on a new adventure.

For all you avid gardeners out there, please feel free to become involved with the Garden Tour team. Your suggestions and expertise are most welcome. Please feel free to submit your own garden for consideration or send in your recommendations for the Tour. We know there are a lot of spectacular gardens in Edmonton. Please help us find them.

Thank you again to all those who supported the 2017 EHS Garden Tour!

Rosemarie PelzGarden Tour Lead

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Gardener’s Gate September/October 2017 Page 6

Starr Open Garden - August 27, 2017Photos by: Linda Harris

Orchids at the MuttartBy: Dave Nixon Photos: © Orchid Species Preservation Foundation (Doug Bovee/Dave Nixon)

Galeandra [Gal.] baueri

The genus Galeandra is new to this column and we have two species to showcase. There are 42 species in the genus, that tend to be deciduous either terrestrial or epiphytic orchids found throughout the American tropics. As a group, they need shady conditions and copious water while growing and then a tapering off as they bloom followed by a cool and dry winter rest with

just enough misting to keep the pseudobulbs from shriveling. The genus name refers to the helmet-like head of the anther.

This species was named after Franz Andreas Bauer (1758–1840), a botanical artist who eventually settled in Kew. He tutored Queen Charlotte, Princess Elizabeth and William Hooker in the art of illustration and was appointed ‘Botanick Painter to His Majesty’ by King George III.

This species is found in Colombia, Bolivia and Peru as well as French Guiana, Surinam and northern Brazil. It is a medium-sized, warm to cool growing epiphyte found on trees in pine lands and in open forests usually on palms and found at elevations of 2600-3900 ft. (800-1200 m.) in altitude. They can grow into large clumps.

This orchid is grown on the shade side of the hot greenhouse, but is kept near the top of the rack as it requires a little more sunlight with high humidity during its growing season.

Galeandra [Gal.] leptoceras

This species is commonly referred to as the Thin-Horned Galeandra and is found in Colombia as a small- to medium-sized, hot growing epiphyte in the hot lowlands below 3300 ft. (1000 m.).

The OSPF purchased this plant from Tropical Gardens in 2016. It is grown in the shade side of the hot greenhouse near the top of

the rack as it again needs a little more sunlight. Repotting of these species is best done after the leaves have fallen and before new growth starts.

Epidendrum [Epi.] centropetatum

One of the many species that make up the Epidendrum genus,

the Spur-Like Gland Epidendrum, its common name, is native to Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. It grows in wet lower montane evergreen to semi-deciduous forests from elevations of 3900-5000 ft. (1200 to 1500 m.) in full to partial sun.

This plant was obtained from Ecuagenera in 2017 and is grown on the sunny side of the hot greenhouse.

Encyclia [E.] argentinensis

The Argentine Encyclia is found in Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina at elevations of 650-2000 ft. (200-600 m.) as a medium-sized, hot to cool, strong-growing species that likes bright light. This is an extremely variable species as can be seen by the number of synonyms put forward.

This orchid was first discovered near Salta in western Argentina

and this specimen was taken from the thick branches of Apuleia trees.

This plant was obtained from Ecuagenera in 2017 and is grown on the sunny side of the hot greenhouse.

Bulbophyllum [Bulb.] lobbii

This orchid was named after Thomas Lobb, one of the two Lobb brothers, who worked for Vietch’s Nursery as plant hunters in the Victorian age. Apart from bringing the first Phalaenopsis to the western world, he also brought this gem of an orchid as well. This orchid is also known as the Thailand or Sumatran Bulbophyllum. This bulbophyllum is widespread throughout

southeast Asia. Its range extends southward from Assam, India, Burma, and Thailand, through the Malay Peninsula to the islands of Borneo, Sumatra, and Java. It grows at elevations of 2450-6550 ft. (750-12000 m.).

The inflorescences may appear at any node along the rhizome and produce an inflorence which usually arches due to the weight

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Sources for this article were taken from: Charles Baker / Orchidwiz / Orchid Photographic Encyclopedia /

The Plant List / The Woodland Orchids by Frederick Boyle / Wikipedia

of the large, single flower which may measure up to 4 in.(10 cm.) across. This plant is grown in our hot shade side greenhouse in a pot with a well-draining medium. As the new pseudobulbs develop, fungus can easily occur from overwatering.

This was part of the large collection of orchids donated by Craig Cowie in 2005.

Cattleya [C.] mendelii

Part of the orchid donation in 1991, this species is named after Mr. Samuel Mendel (1811-1884) who was an English Orchid enthusiast and a great personage and businessman living in Manchester in his day.

This species is native to Colombia where it typically grows on short stunted trees, but they are also found on exposed precipices and

bare rocks growing in almost full sun.

This is one of the easiest species of the genus to grow. It is known for its exceptional vigour and ability to reliably produce 3 to 4 flowers per stem. New growth begins during the middle of summer and finishes growth in autumn. The plant rests until February or March when flower buds begin to develop in the sheath. The roots are reported to be more resistant to rot than many other Cattleya species.

Cattleya [C.] schofieldiana

Named after Mr. Schofield, an English orchid enthusiast in the 1800’s, this species is found in Brazil in the state of Espírito Santo. It grows on moss or lichen-covered trees on almost vertical northeast facing slopes at 1300-2300 ft. (400-700 m.), or in open forests of small trees less than 20-30 ft. (6-9 m.) tall.

This orchid grows 5-10 ft. (1.5-3.0 m.) above the ground where light

is high. But in forests with tall 70-100 ft. (21-30 m.) trees, plants grow in the brighter light in the open crowns of the trees. The inflorescence emerges from between the leaves on mature new growths before the rest period.

The OSPF purchased this specimen from Miranda Orchids in 2014.

Masdevallia [Masd.] cuprea

This Masdevallia is unusual as it is one of the few that grow in warm to hot conditions.

It is found in Brazil, Ecuador, French Guiana to Peru growing in the warm, humid lowlands of northern Brazil and the Guianas along the lower foothills of the Andes to Ecuador and Peru.

It is commonly known as the “Coppery Masdevallia” and will produce several blossoms, which open only one at a time. It waspurchased by OSPF in 2011 and is kept on the lower part of the racks on the sunny side of the hot greenhouse.

Meiracyllium trinasutum 13070A

The genus Meiracyllium is one of the smallest of the orchid genera and currently has only two recognized species. The derivation of genus name is from the Greek word ‘meirakyllion’ which roughly translates to a stripling or little fellow and refers to the diminutive size of the plant.

The two species are ‘gemma’ and ‘trinasutum’, they are epiphytic or lithophytic plants with a creeping

rhizome concealed by scarious sheaths and giving rise to a single leaf. They are found in Guatemala and Mexico. The gemma species range is depicted in blue and the trinasutum species in green on the map opposite. Both species require shade and ample watering while growing and less after flowering.

Trinasutum, commonly known as the “Three-Nosed Meiracyllium”, is found in southern Mexico Guatemala and El Salvador in canyons on trees and rocks up to 4265 ft. (1300 m.) in altitude. It is the type species for the genus.

The plant has no pseudobulbs and grows as a creeping, mat-forming, sympodial epiphyte on trees or rocks. The flower stalks emerge through the covering sheath at the base of the newest leaves with each inflorescence bearing from one to six flowers.

This plant has been in the collection since 1996 and is grown as a mounted specimen and kept on the shade side of our hot greenhouse with fairly high humidity.

Gardener’s Gate September/October 2017 Page 8

Britta’s Garden RoomBy: Elizabeth Atherton-Reid Photos by: Elizabeth Atherton-Reid

Warning! If you are an enthusiastic gardener, especially one that likes to use grow lights, and if you have a few jealous bones in your body, then you probably should not read this article.

I visited Britta Johnson’s home on April 20th, and toured her basement garden room just as her forty pots of canna lilies were peeking above the soil. The year before, I’d have seen sixteen pots but after a summer thriving in Britta’s yard, sixteen bulbs had become forty bulbs.

Five years ago Britta and her husband Don snatched up a very desirable lot adjoining Mill Creek, built a generous bungalow and surrounded it with a large beautiful garden, mostly planted with perennials and shrubs. From top to bottom, this is a gardener’s house and yard.

When you build your own house at a time in life when you know what you really want, you can end up with a garden room and cold room like Britta’s.

The Garden Room

In the garden room, I immediately noticed shelves of healthy plants under grow lights and across the room, shiny red cupboards with a spacious countertop and a large sink integrated with a drainboard.

What was in all those cupboards? The first one Britta opened revealed two bins of potting soil and a second one contained two bins of bags of alternate soils such as orchid media.

Smaller drawers revealed washed and stacked plastic pots and another one contained plant saucers, also clean and tidy. I asked Britta if she had a junk drawer and she opened an upper cupboard to display the tidiest ‘junk drawer’ I’ve ever seen.

The Cold Room

Adjoining the garden room is an insulated cold room about 6 by 8 feet with a pipe to the outside. Britta keeps the winter temperature at 5 to 7 degrees C. and if it goes lower, she “sticks a sock” in the pipe, although, in five winters she has only had to do that once.

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Britta’s caster bean Canna lilies

Potting soil bins Garden room drawers

Garden room drawers

Cold room jams Garden room sink

Rubbermaid containers contain canna bulbs stored in vermiculite. On the opposite wall are shelves of jam: grape, plum, haskap, rhubarb, cherry, mixed berry and rhubarb/walnut (her husband’s favourite).

Plants in the Garden Room

Britta’s main use for her garden room is to store plants that could not survive our winters. For example, she has two glorious pots of succulents which bask in the summer sunshine but would never survive freezing temperatures. Britta grows at least half a dozen species of orchids and when they start to bloom, she brings them upstairs for her viewing pleasure. She never takes them outside. When I saw her room in April, Britta had a few annuals started under the grow lights: tomatoes, artichokes, and nicotiana, and this year she tried melons but most of the plants in Britta’s garden are perennials.

Britta’s Spectacular Summer Cannas

Around the first week of April, Britta pots up her canna tubers. Any earlier and they would be too big and susceptible to winds shredding them when she moves them outside towards the end of May. They are about twelve to eighteen inches tall when she plants them in big pots lining the sidewalk. Each pot contains four tubers which grow six to eight feet tall.

Water

The lucky plants living in Britta’s garden room drink only premium water sourced from either rain or snow. She keeps several five-

gallon pails of water in her garden room and three more in a window seat just inside her back door.

Britta’s ideas for a successful indoor garden room

Make everything easy care. For her flooring Britta used sheet linoleum in a colour that matches dirt and laminated cupboards that are easy to wipe.

• Use pullout drawers on the bottom cupboards to easily install bins for soil

• Install a large sink with an integrated drain tray, the largest you can find. Have some open-front upper cupboards

• Use adjustable legs so tables are at a comfortable height• Use proper grow lights. Britta uses grow tubes on a timer

system• Bleach all the pots you are going to reuse• Store large covered pails of rain or snow water

My favourite part of Britta’s house

I am not as envious of Britta’s garden room as of her sunroom. It overlooks the spectacular water feature in her backyard where ducks sometimes land. I’d sit there in a rocking chair, close to the window bench with the extra water, and count my wealth in canna bulbs. That’s the life!

Gardener’s Gate September/October 2017 Page 10

Garden room succulents

Canna lilies

Stored rain or snow waterSaved rain water in seat

Tomato Extravaganza was a hit!By: Patircia McKendrick Photos by: Jane Starr

Tomato Extravaganza! a celebration of all things tomato, was held on August 29th at the Hole’s Greenhouses and Gardens at the Enjoy Centre. It was the perfect venue to showcase a variety of tomato programs and activities. More than 490 attendees enjoyed the event, and based on completed exit surveys the top five popular activities were:• Tomato Talks featuring Claudia Bolli, Jim Hole, John Hubensky

and Junetta Jamerson• Tomato Displays featuring numerous new and unusual tomato

varieties, the majority grown by Brian Heidecker• Tomato Alley Tours, by Jim Hole, which was a behind the

scenes view of the many heirloom and hybrid varieties of tomatoes grown by the Hole’s family

• Tomato Tastings by Mark Hughes and Garry Phillips which provided an opportunity to taste a wide variety of lesser-known varieties

• Cooking Demos by ATCO Blue Flame Kitchen, Get Cooking, and The Roti Shop

More fun activities included the Tomato Competition, Caricatures with Laurel Hawkswell, Tomato Art and three engaging Tomato Mascots. It was a day jam-packed with new events and activities celebrating tomatoes.

Significant planning and positive energy were invested in making this event a great success. The impetus for the event was Donna Bagdan learning of the 73 heirloom and hybrid tomato varieties being grown by Arch Greenhouses. Donna turned this information into the Tomato Extravaganza! event which was enjoyed by all. Donna’s vision for the event, and her ability to engage a very capable team were the right ingredients to make this inaugural event a great success. Brian

Heidecker did a stellar job growing copious amounts and varieties of tomatoes that intrigued attendees. To answer a common question, 150 tomatoes were in the glass jar!

The enthusiastic and energetic team that collaboratively planned the Tomato Extravaganza! include: Donna Bagdan – the ‘Top Tomato’ Galen Bagdan Sharron Batsch Kay DaSilva Dawn Dushenski Brian Heidecker John Hubensky Mark Hughes Azim Jeraj Patricia McKendrick Jodi Stevenson

A big shout to this group for making, planning, and executing this fun event.

Many thanks to Jim Hole and the Hole’s Greenhouses and Gardens for hosting the Tomato Extravaganza! Without their generous support this event could not have occurred.

We also want to acknowledge the Enjoy Centre staff for their administrative support of this event. Mary Bailey, editor of the Tomato Food & Drink Magazine, was a champion for this event from the very beginning. EHS appreciates the advertisements, tomato articles, and ongoing words of encouragement!

The Alberta Canola Producers Commission provided financial support to the event for which EHS is most grateful.

Arch Greenhouses, Greenland Garden Centre, and Hole’s Greenhouses and Gardens rallied around this event this spring and delivered tomato talks in the spring to keen vegetable gardeners.

A number of vendors attended the event including: • Alberta Canola Producers Commission • ATCO Blue Flame Kitchen• City of Edmonton • Evoolution • Italian Centre Shop Ltd.

Their involvement in the event was both contributions in kind and information sharing. I personally loved the bruschetta from the Italian Centre Shop Ltd.

Over $2500 in prizes were awarded to attendees from generous EHS supporters including: Apache Seeds Ltd. Arch Greenhouses BMR Greenhouses & Water Gardens Cannor Nurseries Ltd. Cheyenne Tree Farms Ltd. Creekside Home and Garden Ellerslie Gift & Garden Centre Italian Centre Shop Ltd. Kuhlmann’s Market Gardens and Greenhouses Lee Valley Tools Sorrentino’s Restaurant Group Sunstar Nurseries Ltd. The Root Seller Wood’n Things

Page 11 Gardener’s Gate September/October 2017

Many selfies were taken with three engaging Tomato Mascots (Markus, Roger and Elizabeth); attendees were entertained by the lively “Skewed Tomatoes”; and many went home with a fun caricature by Laurel Hawkswell. Over 60 volunteers supported this event in a variety of roles. Some painted tomato rocks and others created catchy posters for the event. A cadre of volunteers was required to execute the events of the day, their enthusiasm, energy, and spirit of engagement enriched the event. Thank you one and all!

EHS Board and staff also provided significant support to this event. Thanks to Jane Starr, Caley Tse, Jimm Valentinsen and Lori Valentinsen for their support of this event. A big thanks to all!

While there was significant work involved in this Tomato event it was made possible by many groups and individuals coming together in the spirit of community. A special thanks to Sustainable Food Edmonton who contributed two great speakers (Claudia Bolli and Junetta Jamerson) and the Edmonton Food Bank who took away the tomato donations.

The Tomato Extravaganza! is now a wonderful memory. Many thanks to Donna Bagdan and Brian Heidecker for all their networking, connecting and planning to make this successful event happen. Perhaps Tomatoes and Peppers Extravaganza! in 2018?

Gardener’s Gate September/October 2017 Page 12

Donor Donation Description Category Winner’s Name

Apache Seeds Ltd. $50 gift certificate Most tomatoes Lucy KriscoApache Seeds Ltd. $50 gift certificate Group of 7 SteersCheyenne Tree Farms Ltd. $50 gift certificate Heaviest tomato (907 gms.) Brian Heidecker Creekside Home and Garden $50 gift certificate Best dressed tomato Florence NieberdingCreekside Home and Garden $50 gift certificate Odd-shaped tomato Lauren WrightLee Valley Tools How to Grow Tomatoes book Tomato jar guess (150) Marie Wenger and $20 gift certificate

Tomato Extravaganza DonorsDonor Donation Description

ATCO Blue Flame Kitcken Tomato cooking demostrationsAlberta Canola Producers Commission Cash donationApache Seeds Ltd. Two $50 gift certificates and unique metal stand with basketArch Greenhouses Two $300 gift certificatesBMR Greenhouses & Water Garden s Four $25 gift certificates and container with succulentsCannor Nurseries Ltd. $100 gift certificate and decorative wall rackCheyenne Tree Farms Ltd. $50 gift certificate and gazing ball with standCreekside Home and Garden Two $50 gift certificates, ceramic birdbath, and wall artEllerslie Gift & Garden Centre Two-piece wooden wall artEvoolution Donation of cooking oil Hole’s Greenhouses and Gardens Host facilityItalian Centre Shop Ltd. Tomato themed gift basketJuice Plus+ Germination kit including seeds, rough wool, and vermiculiteKuhlmann's Market Gardens and Greenhouse Ltd. $100 gift basket and tomato donationLee Valley Tools How to Grow Tomatoes book and $20 gift certificateSorrentino's Restaurant Group Dinner for 4Sunstar Nurseries Ltd. Two $35 hanging basket (12 inch) certificatesThe Root Seller Tomato BarrelTomato Food and Drink Magazine AdvertisementsWood‘n Things Birdhouse and wooden trellis

Tomato Competition Prizes

Tomato Extravaganza Door Prizes

Page 13 Gardener’s Gate September/October 2017

Donor Donation Description Winner’s NameBMR Greenhouses & Water Gardens $25 gift certificate Garry PhillipsBMR Greenhouses & Water Gardens $25 gift certificate Sharon BrodieWood’n Things Birdhouse Donna KoziakSunstar Nurseries Ltd $35 hanging basket (12 inch) certificate Eilene LowenbergerSunstar Nurseries Ltd $35 hanging basket (12 inch) certificate Debbi DicksonBMR Greenhouses & Water Gardens $25 gift certificate Lil EnderelBMR Greenhouses & Water Gardens $25 gift certificate GossenWood’n Things Wooden trellis Sophia MotoskaCheyenne Tree Farms Ltd. Gazing ball with stand Wayne McKendrickCreekside Home and Garden Wall art Leanne StruveCannor Nurseries Ltd. $100 gift certificate Linda AndersonItalian Centre Shop Ltd. Tomato-themed gift basket Margaret RussellBMR Greenhouses & Water Gardens Container with succulents Robin J YouellThe Root Seller Tomato barrel Caroline OlynykKuhlmann’s Market Gardens and Greenhouses Ltd. $100 gift basket Edna AffolderEllerslie Gift & Garden Centre Wooden wall art Sonia PullishySorrentino’s Restaurant Group Dinner for 4 Julia CarterCreekside Home and Garden Ceramic birdbath June LeskiwCannor Nurseries Ltd. Decorative wall rack Donna BloskiApache Seeds Ltd. Decorative metal stand with basket Ron TaggArch Greenhouses $300 gift certificate Lidia KolskiArch Greenhouses $300 gift certificate Kathy Brodeur Robb

Travels with GG

GG travels to the Tomato Extravaganza!

GG travels to the Rock!

Roger Pullishy, Tomato Mascot and EHS member, shows his GG

(photo by Linda Harris)

Linda Harris, Co-Lead, Gardener’s Gate, in front of a punt with GG in Twillingate, Newfoundland (photo by Mike Michaud)

GG with one of the “best dressed” tomatoes

(photo by Linda Harris)

GG, in front of a root cellar, travels to Trinity, Newfoundland

(photo by Mike Michaud)

Gardener’s Gate September/October 2017 Page 14

Hughes Open Garden - July 9, 2017Photos by: Linda Harris

Wildflowers of ChurchillBy: Britta Johnson Photos by: Britta Johnson

Churchill is famous for polar bears, northern lights and mosquitoes (many large mosquitoes!). On July 6 & 7, 2017, my husband and I visited Churchill for two days to see beluga whales and explore a bit of this northern town. Churchill is perched on the edge of Hudson’s Bay in an area where the boreal forests of the south meet the tundra of the north, a zone known as the taiga. This transitional zone has a few short spruce trees along with shrubby dwarf birch, snow willow and an amazing variety of hardy flowering plants.

During the last Ice Age, mile-thick glaciers covered the land, scouring the hard rock beneath and leaving deep gouges on their surfaces. The sheer weight of the ice flattened and compressed the land beneath and once the glaciers melted, the land slowly started rising which it continues to do to this day. The environment is a harsh one for plants. The average daytime highs in December and January are minus 19-23 C with average lows of minus 27-31 C and an average yearly snowfall of 75 in. (190 cm.) and 10 in. (26 cm.) of rainfall. Long, cold winters with brutal north winds off the bay that turn ice crystals into daggers and sheer the needles off the windward side of the evergreens; permafrost that forms bogs since the snow and rain cannot drain away; a shallow area for roots to grow; miniscule amounts of topsoil; lots of rocks; and a very short growing season, create a major challenge for plants.

The flowering plants have adapted in a variety of ways to this inhospitable land. They are all very short compared to their counterparts in the south, thereby conserving energy required for lush growth and limiting the damage by cool summer winds. While the plants are very short, the flowers are proportionately much larger; many of the stems and buds have fuzzy hairs for extra insulation; small, leathery leaves provide protection from wind and sun; and tap roots anchor plants firmly. Since there are no bees this far north, the larger flowers serve to alert mosquitoes and flies to their presence and provide a warm, wind free spot for these insects to rest, thereby ensuring pollination.

There are 9 kinds of edible berries in the area, including black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum), alpine blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum), stemless raspberry (Rubus acaulis),

dry ground cranberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) and gooseberry (Ribes). An abundance of nature that will see you on hands and knees when picking since none of these plants is more than 6 in. (15 cm.) high. The stemless raspberry grows 2-4 in. (5-10 cm) in height, has a large 1 in. (2-3 cm.) bright pink to purplish flower and produces red to purple fruit.

Raup’s Paintbrush (Castilleja raupii) is one of the taller plants at 6-10 in. (15-25 cm.) in height with showy dark pink flowers and growing at the base of rocks in sandy soil. Velvet Bells (Bartsia alpin) looks like a very dark purple paintbrush with a hairy, square stem and growing 4-8 in. (10-20 cm.) high. Northern Hedysarum (Hedysarum boreale) is a member of the legume family reaching 6-14 in. (15-40 cm.) tall and grows in areas between the rocks. The stems are hairy and the masses of magenta blooms rising above the leaves makes a great show. Another species that grows in large colonies tucked between the rocks in moister areas is the Large Flowered Wintergreen (Pyrola grandiflora). The scented creamy flowers rise on 4-6 in (10-15 cm.) stems above basal leaves and are much larger and more open than the wintergreens found in our area.

There are also plants that grow right on the rocks in the harshest of conditions. Elegant Starburst Lichen (Xanthoria elegans) is a

Page 15 Gardener’s Gate September/October 2017

Velvet Bells Northern Hedysarum

Stemless Raspberry

Raup’sPaintbrush

bright orange lichen that covers many of the rocks. Three-Toothed Saxifrage (Saxifraga tricuspidata) grows 2-6 in. (5-15 cm.) tall with flowering stems rising above leathery, mat-forming leaves. These plants grow right on the rocks in the small cracks and crevices and secrete an acid that erodes the smooth surface of the rocks to provide a tiny bit of growing medium. White Mountain Avens (Dryas intergrifolia) is an evergreen dwarf shrub that grows in sandy soil and tiny soil pockets on the rocks. The large, 1 in. (2-3 cm.) creamy flowers with bright yellow stamens, rise 3-4 in. (7-10 cm.) above leathery mat-forming leaves.

Northern Labrador Tea (Rhododendron tomentsum sp.Subarcticum) is a miniature 2-6 in. (5-15 cm.) version of our

familiar evergreen shrub that grows in boggy areas. Large clusters of white flowers bloom above leathery, rolled down leaves that have wooly hairs underneath. The biggest surprise was another member of this family, Lapland Rosebay (Rhododendron lapponica), an evergreen shrub with small leathery leaves growing 2-6 in. (5-15 cm.) tall and nestled among the rocks. The large pinky mauve flowers are 1-2 in. (2-5 cm.) across and caused me to seriously doubt my plant identification skills since I couldn’t believe that azaleas could grow so far north.

These were a few of the flowering plants we saw in our brief visit to Churchill. If you walk slowly, look closely and get down low, you can find flowering treasures everywhere.

Gardener’s Gate September/October 2017 Page 16

Three-Toothed

Saxifrage

LargeFlowering

Wintergreen

White Monutain

Avens

ElegantStarbrust

Lichen

NorthernLabrador

Tea

Lapland Rosebay

Page 17 Gardener’s Gate September/October 2017

Batsch Open Garden - July 30, 2017Photos by: Linda Harris

Gardener’s Gate is the newsletter of the

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DirectoryGardener’s Gate September/October 2017 Page 18

President Patricia McKendrickpresident@edmontonhort.com Vice President Vacantboard@edmontonhort.com Treasurer Tamara Sloboda treasurer@edmontonhort.com Secretary Vacant board@dmontonhort.com Directors board@edmontonhort.com

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