The Gardener’s Corner: Wild!

April 5, 2014 · 0 Comments

2014 became the eighteenth year for Canada Blooms held at the Direct Energy Centre in Toronto. Founded by Landscape Ontario and the Garden Clubs of Toronto and supported annually by partners, sponsors and volunteers the show remains listed in the top one hundred festivals and events in Ontario. Is it any wonder that gardeners flock from across Canada and the United States to be inspired in time for spring?

With an assigned theme each year, 2014 sported a “Wild” theme interpreted by landscapers and designers in all manner of imaginative ways.

Although not a floral designer, I appreciate the work and details that went into the fashion parade of the floral ladies and the flower cakes were awe-inspiring.

A simple-but-effective design to represent the northern lights was accomplished with angled four-by-four multi-coloured boards.

A landscape trend seen last year and incorporated again: an outdoor gym within a garden or patio. The bright colour used for this year’s entry certainly complied with the theme.

In my favourite landscape portraying the “Wild” theme, it was done in such a way as to be subtle yet command attention, the statue of an elephant walked through a water feature, and the magnificence of the beast was stunning without overpowering the overall design.

Vegetable gardening has had a remarkable resurgence over the last few years, with home owners wanting to grow their own organic produce. A few displays showed how this could be accomplished in small areas and containers. In one such garden, the designer created the cutest sheep by mounting a protruding, iron sheep’s face on a large rock.

Once again there were garden solutions and celebrity teams seminars. The Master Gardeners continued their speaker’s series and had a booth for answering questions. The Ontario Horticultural Association also had a booth and was well represented for visitors wanting to join a garden club in their community.

In the Marketplace, vendors could be found with potted plants, fresh flowers, bulbs, gardening gear, home and garden decor, and a number of new products for sale.

After attending Canada Blooms each year, I’m ready for spring and inspired to get out and get my hands dirty in the soil. Next year the enthusiasm will start all over again with the 2015 theme of “Let’s Play,” bringing in an association with the July Pan Am Games hosted by Toronto.

My home and garden website can be found at www.lavendercottagegardening.com.

Also, visit my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Lavender-Cottage-Gardening/160377127459075 where I have started posting upcoming gardening events of interest.

By Judith Rogers