Gardens and Flowers

CANADA BLOOMS 2006

Over 30 magnificent gardens designed by the countrys leading edge landscape architects await you at one of the continents greatest annual flower shows. The always eagerly anticipated display of the City of Brampton will return once more with a floral extravaganza. Joining them will be Ottawas famed Tulip Festival, along with host city of Toronto, rejoining the show after a notable absence.

Back also are the popular Balcony Gardens and Townhouse Gardens, joined for the first time this year by Terrace Gardens to lead urbanites even further down the garden path.

Ten years ago the problem of an annual gardening show worthy of Toronto, Ontario and Canada was finally solved. For many years the Garden Club of Toronto, an organization of dedicated women dating from 1946, had tried with varying degrees of success to conduct such an extravaganza. The secret blend turned out to be combining with Landscape Ontario, founded in 1973 and one of North Americas most successful horticultural trade associations.

Staged at the Metro Convention Centre located under the world-famous CN Tower, 500 people work for five days round-the-clock to transform acres of bare halls into floral flights of fantasy. They will use, amongst other items, 1,400 tons of sand hauled in by 32 dump trucks, along with eight truckloads of mulch. These, along with tons of rocks, large trees, shrubs and the like will be installed with the aid of $1.5-million of equipment donated by major horticultural manufacturers. And then there are the flowers . . .

Presenting Sponsor The Home Depots Urban Oasis Dream Garden will be first stop for many visitors.

Anything designed by Parklanes famed experts has to be the place to gain inspiration for turning a dreary desert into a thing of beauty and a joy forever. Despite initial reservations by some, Home Depot has proven to be something of a gardeners delight along with their very welcome support of Canada Blooms where others fell amongst the weeds.

Stroll into the world of Landscape Ontario, one of the two participating partners behind Canada Blooms and the Landscape Ontario Garden. Pick up your free copy of New Plants for 2006 and learn what is making horticulturists happy this season. Founded 1973, LO now has some 2000 members and is one of the most active organizations of its kind in North America.

Next on your list? If you think flower arranging is for florists youll need to visit the Garden Club of Toronto Floral Hall, an outstanding demonstration of over 600 displays of the finest themed exhibits. Doubtless you will come away being inspired to attempt a little something yourself in different seasons, different settings.

Then it might be on to Gardeners Fare, where more than 30 non-commercial organizations are represented here celebrating the first decade of Canada Blooms. No more complaining that you cannot find local specialists in the field of your choice make that garden. Have your questions answered; learn when and where you can put down future roots, encouraged by fertile imaginations.

Next to the garden displays, Blooms Avenue is one of the most popular features. Certainly it is the second largest. Sponsored by the Toronto Star, there are over 200 merchants from sea to sea across Canada lined up for your browsing pleasure. There are even some souls from elsewhere daring to venture into Canada! Enjoy a plethora of plants and meet merchants face to face where before they were only a name on a catalogue, a voice on the phone, an image on their website.

Regular visitors attending Canada Blooms know to search out the Botanical Art side room allocated to this outstanding display by Canadian artists and, to be perfectly crass about it, they offer great value for the asking prices. Also an oasis from crowded aisles elsewhere.

Still looking for more? Check out the Celebrity Class Floral Competition and be the judge of celebrities flower arranging abilities or lack thereof at 1 p.m. the first three days of the show on the Unilock Celebrity Stage.

Certainly by this time, footsore and weary, there will be need of a seat and load off the feet. Catch what is happening in the horticultural world with some noted Canadian gardening personalities presenting seminars, workshops and demonstrations, all included in the entrance price, at

Canadian Gardening Magazine Speakers Series

What Where - When:

Metro Toronto Convention, South Building, 222 Bremner Boulevard beside the CN Tower

Traveling by TTC or GO-Train exit Union Station inside at west end, follow Skywalk signs

Wednesday 8 March through Sunday 12 March

10 a.m. 9 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. 6 p.m. Sunday (least crowded after 3 p.m. weekdays)

General admission $18 ($15 in advance), seniors/students $15, children under twelve free

Sales online at www.canadablooms.com, Sobeys and participating garden centres

Early morning guided tour reservations ($35) call 416-447-8685