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Page 24
OUR SIXTH ANNUAL MEETING AND FLOWER SHOW - 1977
L. Hancock Mississauga, Ontario
Congratulations go to the Toronto Region for being the first organized Region to
act as host for this year's Annual Meeting and Show. lt was a big job for the
fledgling group but due to the hard work of its President and members, the day
was once more an unqualified success. And this too, was in spite of the lierce
May heat and drought that preceded the occasion. The Show itself was only
saved by the few days of much cooler weather that ended the drought. The new
Civic Garden Centre building in Edwards Gardens provided an ideal locale for
the event.
While judging was in process, Ken Duncan conducted a tour of the new
rhododendron and azaleas plantings in the Gardens. As everyone knows, this is
Ken's main love, and the project needs all the support we can give it.
Metropolitan Toronto should have a Rhododendron Test Garden and in the
writer's opinion this is the best place for it. The long west bank of the Don River
that runs throughout the Gardens provides many good spots for the liberal
plantings, and the wooded slope facing northeast provides just the right
protection from hot summer sun and prevailing west and northwest winds. Bill
Brandis donated and officiated in the planting of a rhododendron to mark the
occasion.
Judging the Show entries was well organized and completed on time, allowing
members returning from the valley to view the exhibits and enjoy a box lunch in
the sunshine on the sunken patio next to the hall. The meeting was held upstairs
after lunch.
The afternoon tours were all to gardens in Mississauga, immediately west of
Metropolitan Toronto. Dr. Joe Brueckner showed his recent plantings and his
objectives in his quite extensive breeding projects. Fred and Connie Gallop were
at home to show members their charming woodland garden. Mr. and Mrs. Keith
Laver entertained the various visiting parties and the visitors could see in their
grounds the considerable possibilities for enjoyment of rhododendrons in the
Credit River region. Visits by many members to see the plantings at Woodland
Nurseries were also included.
No organized rhododendron show can be really complete without a
demonstration of the use of large plant specimens in full flower arranged in a
naturalistic setting. This was provided by Woodland Nurseries to which Ken
Duncan added a very large specimen ol R. smirnowli which greatly enhanced the
display.
The banquet was held in the hall againsthe colourful backdrop of trusses and
display. As our guest speaker, Captain (Dick) R.M. Steele was in his usual good
form, giving a most interesting personal overview of his experiences with various
rhododendron breeders, the men and the plants they created.
Rudy Behring presented the ribbons from the competition and the trophies for
the top honours of the day (see list below). Congratulations to all winners and a
warm thanks to all members who participated in making our'1977 show a day to
remember.