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Canada Blooms 2018 Theme

Let's Go To The Movies

The theme for 2018 is "Let's Go To The Movies" celebrating the grandeur of the Silver Screen. From days of old to the newest blockbuster hit, Canada Blooms is excited to kick off the Spring gardening season by showcasing our theme — "Let's Go To The Movies".

We invite our landscape architects, design/build experts and floral artists to let their imagination run wild and show us their unique and innovative interpretations of this year's theme. Will they choose the classics, contemporary or film noir movies? And, how will they be incorporated into the feature gardens, floral arrangements and stage presentations? Come join Canada Blooms, at the Enercare Centre in Toronto, March 9-18, 2018 to find out ... "Let's Go To The Movies".

Garden Club Of Toronto Members
Head To WAFA

GCT WAFA Winner

Designers from The Toronto Flower Show, along with other Canadian floral artists, will be represented in Barbados at the show of the World Association of Floral Artists (WAFA) from June 19 till 25th.

This show brings together floral artists from around the world to meet new friends and renew acquaintances, design, and learn about the latest trends and techniques with other designers. Many International designers who have exhibited at Canada Blooms throughout the years will be there in Barbados. The Toronto Flower Show appreciates the support of Canada Blooms, with the Canada Blooms award for an entrant in WAFA, which was won by Rosemary Passafiume McLean.

The WAFA show in Barbados is open to the public, so if you find yourself in Barbados in June, make sure you go to WAFA’s “Flowers in Paradise.”

~ Photo Rosemary Passafiume McLean winner of the Canada Blooms Award with Canada Blooms General Manager Terry Caddo and the winning arrangement.

Click Here to Discover More About WAFA Barbados
Click Here to Find Out About The At Last® Rose

Canada Blooms Recognized As
Garden Festival Of The Year

Canada Blooms Wins Garden Festival of Year

Canada Blooms is proud to be recognized as Garden Festival of the Year by the Canadian Garden Council at the 2017 North American Garden Tourism Conference.

The Canadian Garden Council is the North American leader on the subject of garden tourism and the Canadian Garden Tourism Awards, presented in collaboration with the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association, are given to organizations and individuals who have distinguished themselves in the development and promotion of garden experiences as tourism attractions and motivators.

The winners of the Top 10 North American Gardens Worth Travelling For:
Chicago Botanic Garden, Chicago, Illinois
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, Vancouver, British Columbia
Ethnobotanical Garden, Oaxaca, Mexico
Halifax Public Gardens, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Hershey Gardens, Hershey, Pennsylvania
Jardins de Métis / Reford Gardens, Grand-Métis, Québec
Las Pozas, Xilitla, Mexico
Longue Vue House and Gardens, New Orleans, Louisiana
San Diego Botanic Garden, Encinitas, California
Tucson Botanical Gardens, Tucson, Arizona

Congratulations to all the winners!
Visit the Garden Council of Canada Website to view them all.

Click Here to View All Garden Tourism Award Winners

Tips From The Pros

Frankie's Tip: Growing Your Own Food

eLandscape by Frankie Flowers

Growing your own food?
Three things you need to know!
1. Food growing gardens do best in full sun meaning at least 6 hours of direct afternoon sunlight. No sun = little to no food!
2. Grow what you eat! Take the time to plot out your garden according to what you eat! Save some radish or spinach seeds to sow late summer for a continuous harvest of fresh food!
3. Watch out for mint! Mint is an invasive perennial herb meaning it will grow everywhere. I say always plant mint in a pot!
Happy Gardening!
Frankie (:

What is eLandscape by Frankie Flowers?
Frank's passion is plants, his mission is to get people to enjoy the outdoors through gardening. Frank has worked with some of the best landscape professionals in the world and he knows we have the worlds best right here in Canada, in fact right here in Ontario.

eLandscape by Frankie Flowers helps you find and connect with verified contractors in your area so you don't have to deal with unqualified individuals, eLandscape checks their insurance, their business history and insure they have all necessary certifications. Take a look and let Frank know what you think!

Click Here to Visit eLandscape by Frankie Flowers

Denis' Tip: 2017 Trends

Veggies by Italy Magazine

Here is a condensed version of Denis' tips, for the full article please click at the bottom

Part of the joy of gardening is seeing what others are doing:
How are they using certain plants? What colours are prominent this year? Do I need to incorporate some non-plant elements like a statue or bench? Is fragrance important? Then take those ideas that appeal to you, and work them into your own design. Allow yourself to be influenced and inspired.

In getting ready for the 2017 planting season, there are several trends taking root this year that should be top of mind for your garden.
1. Water is vital to the health of your garden, but water features — ponds, fountains, waterfalls, pools — are incredibly popular right now.
2. Red & White - of course, Canada 150 is everywhere this year as our nation ramps up to celebrate its sesquicentennial and gardening is no exception. Red and white flowers are all the rage, but in particular demand this spring is the new Canadian Shield™ Rose.
3. Vegetable and fruit gardens are allowing urbanites to bypass the produce aisle at the grocery store. Tomatoes are always a popular backyard garden item, but don’t overlook things like cucumbers, radishes, peppers, lettuce, kale, chard, carrots, peas … you can feed your family all summer from the bounty in your backyard.
4. Trees - we are also seeing increasing awareness about the ecological and societal importance of trees. Besides purifying the air and producing the oxygen we need to survive, they are beautiful elements in our neighbourhoods that provide vital shade where we can escape the blazing summer sun.
5. Extend Outside Spaces - with the overall growing interest in gardening in general, we are seeing the backyard garden become more of an extension of the home. People want to spend more of their time outdoors, enjoying the fruits of the labour and the beautiful weather while they can. As part of the effort to extend the use of outside space, we are seeing garden sheds being repurposed as three-season living spaces. Furniture, lighting, perhaps a television and a mini-fridge, and where once you hung your spade is now an escape hatch steps from home.

The season is now upon us. Have a look around, get some inspiration, steal an idea or two and get planting. It is well worth the effort.
Denis Flanagan, Landscape Ontario

~Photo from Italy Magazine

Click Here to Read The Full Article by Denis Flanagan

Herbs

Herbs by Jules Tortie

There's nothing better than the aromatic kick of just-snipped chives on a cream cheese - slathered bagel or freshly torn basil leaves on a strawberry feta salad. Herb gardens are a savior for instant, fragrant flavour boosts to catfish tacos or front porch mojitos.

Roast Chicken by Zoe FordWhat are you planting this year? And what will you be planting your kitchen herb garden in? There are lots of fun ideas to choose from — our favourites are old bread pans, cowboy boots, silver tea pots and watering cans. Share your inspired photos with Harrowsmith on Facebook and Twitter!

And, if you're wondering what to make for dinner tonight, a Herb Roasted Cornish Game Hen seems appropriate and decadent!

~Photo Above from Jules Torti, Right from Zoe Ford

Click Here for Herb Roasted Cornish Game Hen Recipe
Click Here to Discover More About Harrowsmith

10 Reasons Why Pavers Are The Best Drive Way Material

Unilock

The top 10 reasons that pavers are the best drive way material:
1. Added maximum curb appeal and increased value to your home
2. Huge design options so you can choose the right one for your home
3. Rich colours that last from materials that stand the test of time
4. Permeable options that drain water and reduce ice
5. Surface will not spall (the top layer will not shed)
6. A properly installed paver driveway will not settle or crack
7. Low maintenance - better joints keep weeds out
8. Pavers for walkways, steps and proches complement your driveway
9. Complementary walls, pillars, planters, steps take your driveway from good to great
10. There is a paver for every budget.

COME AWAY INSPIRED....
If you are planning an outdoor project with pavers or other stone product, the exciting prospect can sometimes feel overwhelming. So why not take a trip to the Unilock® Outdoor Idea Centre where you can visit their expansive display of products in actual settings and expeience all Unilock® has to offer. This will give you the ability to compare colours, textures, styles and designs to help determine what best fits your home. Let Unilock's knowledgeable staff help you make a big impact no matter the size of your project.

Click Here for More Details on Paver Driveways
Click Here to Discover More About Unilock

Garden Days

Garden Days

Canada’s Annual Celebration of Gardens and Gardening

From June 9 to 18, Canada will be bursting with coast-to-coast Garden Days activities for the whole family.

This fun-filled celebration of the vital role that gardens and gardening play in our communities and our lives, is getting bigger and bigger every year.

Gardens, garden centres, horticultural societies, community destinations, garden clubs, schools and even proud private garden owners are all planning wonderful events in celebration of Garden Days. Finding a nearby activity couldn’t be easier, just visit our website.  Be sure to check the website regularly as Activities will be flooding in right up to the start of Garden Days 2017.

And don’t forget Dad!  There are loads of activities that Dad will enjoy on Father’s Day weekend too.

Garden Days is organized by: Canadian Garden Council (www.gardencouncil.ca).

Click Here to Find Out About Garden Days 2017

Through The Garden Gate 2017

Through The Garden Gate 2017

Through the Garden Gate: North Rosedale & Moore Park
Saturday, June 10 and Sunday, June 11, 2017 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Through the Garden Gate, one of Canada’s largest private garden tours, will celebrate its 30th year by showcasing 30 of Toronto’s most beautiful gardens. This self-guided tour enables participants to discover the gardens at their own pace following a map and garden guide containing descriptions of the featured gardens. A complimentary shuttle bus service is available for participants along the garden route. Knowledgeable Toronto Master Gardeners will be at each garden to answer any questions about the plant materials and design features. There will be opportunities to buy snacks and refreshments along the route with our partners Augie’s Gourmet Ice Pops and Vert Catering Pickle Cycle.

2017 EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

• MORE GARDENS! 30 gardens for 30 years (Consider a two-day pass!)
• NEW pop up “Celebration Stations”
Headquarters: Chorley Park, 245 Douglas Drive, Toronto

CONGRATULATIONS TO THROUGH THE GARDEN GATE 2017
TICKET WINNERS:
Sharon Dougall, Melancthon, ON
Stephen Chen, Richmond Hill, ON

Didn't win, you can still buy tickets to this great event.
TICKETS

One-Day Pass: Public $45 / TBG Members $40
Two-Day Pass: Public $65 / TBG Members $60
Students $25 (With ID, One-Day Pass Only)
Tax included. Tickets are limited, advance purchase recommended.
For more information call 416-397-1483 and follow #TTGG17

View pictures from the Through The Garden Gate 2017 Preview

~Photos from gardens on the Tour, Above Photo: Toronto Botanical Garden, House: Douglas Drive
Below Top Row: (L) Heath Street, (C & R) Harper Ave, Bottom Row (L & R) Harper Ave, (C) Douglas Dr

Heath Street #TTGG17
Harper Ave #TTGG17
Harper Ave #TTGG17
Harper Ave #TTGG17
Harper Ave #TTGG17
Douglas Dr #TTGG17
Click Here to Find Out More About
Through The Garden Gate
Click Here to BUY TICKETS

Landscape Roses
Perfect For Your Garden

At Last Rose

Landscape or Shrub Roses can fit right into almost any garden and the two roses that seem to be the talk of the town are the Canadian Shield™ rose, (Canada Blooms 2017 flower of the year) and the perfect rose for Canada's sesquicentennial, and the At Last® rose.

These easy-to-grow roses are great for your garden because they are beautiful and essentially carefree don't require any special pruning, longevity in the garden, are disease resistant and very fragrant.

The Canadian Shield™ rose, bred and grown by the Vineland Innovation and Research Centre, is a hardy, low maintenance, disease resistant landscape rose with plenty of full, red flowers and glossy green foliage. It’s a repeat bloomer that stays stunning throughout the entire garden season.

The At Last® rose is a modern Floribunda rose, developed by Proven Winners, which combines all the romance of a fragrant, fully-petaled tea rose Canadian Shield Rosewith the no-nonsense practicality of a disease-resistant landscape rose. And you get to enjoy a non-stop display of large, sweetly perfumed sunset-orange blossoms from late spring through frost.

Check your local garden centre to see when the roses are available in your area. Local Canadian Tires are carrying the Canadian Shield™ rose and you can visit the Vineland website for a full list of retailers.

Click Here to Find Out About The Canadian Shield™ Rose
Click Here to Find Out About At Last® Rose

Decorating Trend 2017
Hula Hoop Wreaths

Hula Hoop Wreat

One of this year's decorating trends it the Hula Hoop Wreath which is great for indoors, as a welcome on your front door, or in your backyard dining areas. They are easy, cheery and take about an hour to make. Below are instructions from the HomeTalk.com team to create your own wreath.

Items needed:
Hula Hoop
Faux Flowers
Faux Greenery Garland
Wire Cutters
Flower Wire
Possibly - Glue Gun, Ribbon, Additional Accessories to make it your own

Instructions:
Step 1: Wrap your hula hoop with the greenery garland.
Step 2: Cut a large amount of floral wire and wind it around your greenery to secure it tightly to the hula hoop.
Step 3: Place your faux flowers within the greenery.
Step 4: Secure the flowers tightly to the hula hoop with your floral wire.
Step 5: Continue placing your faux flowers around the hoop, securing them with floral wire as you go.
Step 6: Add spring buds, twigs and foliage to add another dimension to the wreath.
Step 7: Hang your beautiful spring wreath in an area with a lot of open space, or hang from a ceiling or in front of a bay window for all to enjoy!

Visit HomeTalk.com for instructions with pictures.
For additional ideas and instructions visit: AFloral.com and RefreshStyle.com.
~Photos Above AFloral.com
Below Top Row: (L) RefreshStyle.com (C)HomeTalk.com, (R) AFloral.com,
Bottom Row (L&C)CountryLiving.com/Pinterest (R) Brit.co

Hula Hoop Wreath
Hula Hoop Wreath
Marilyn Lightstone
Hula Hoop Wreath
Hula Hoop Wreath
Hula Hoop Wreath

Upcoming Events

Spring Flowers

The Southern Ontario Iris Society Iris Show (SOIS)
Sunday, June 4, 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Royal Botanical Gardens
This is an annual fund raiser for the SOIS. Admission to the show itself is free however there may be an entrance fee to enter the RBG. Visit: www.cnd-iris.ca for more information.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
680 Plains Road West, Burlington ON

A Town and Country Garden Tour
Saturday, July 8th - 10:00 - 4:00 Rain or shine.
CFWU Belleville & District
Self-guided, boxed lunch included. Explore 8 private gardens.
Tickets are $25.00
Call 613-394-5953 for more info.
St. Thomas Anglican Church, Belleville, ON

 
CanadaBlooms.com

Our address is:
7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8

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Canada Blooms was founded by the Garden Club of Toronto and Landscape Ontario
Garden Club of Toronto Landscape Ontario

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