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Purpose
We
were organized in December 1984. Our aim is to promote (on a
non-profit basis) the study of alpine plants, related garden plants,
the creation of rock gardens and similar motherhood issues. Our
membership rises to over 500 each year, once new recruits replace the
fallen ones. We have members in every province of Canada, in many
parts of the U.S. and in Europe. |
Meetings
We
usually meet on the second Sunday of the month at the Toronto
Botanical Garden, SW corner of Leslie & Lawrence,Toronto. A
picnic lunch and socializing starts at 12 noon with the main speaker
scheduled for 1.30 p.m. Talks are generally illustrated by slides and
the speakers are chosen from internationally known rock gardeners and
local members. The talks deal with rock gardening techniques, plants
and travelogues in mountain areas. We also have practical workshops,
demonstrating cutting propagation, starting plants from seed, etc.
after the main talk, there is a coffee break followed by a raffle or
auction of plants and items of interest to the members and a Mini-talk. |
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Plant
Sales
In
the spring and fall we have several seedling and plant sales. These
are major events. There are a great number of unusual and choice
plants available at very reasonable prices. Many plants would never
be found in commercial nurseries. |
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Seed
Exchange
Each
year we operate a seed exchange. Our members collect seed in their
own gardens as well as on botanizing trips. Some members go on trips
to different corners of the world and wild collected seed will come
not only from the mountains of North America, but also from Europe,
Asia Minor, Central Asia and points further East. Up to 60 packets
may be obtained by each member at a nominal cost, chosen from a list
of more than 1,200 selections. |
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Newsletter
We
publish a ten-page newsletter ten times a year. The articles may be
about a particular genus of plants, write-ups of our speakers' talks,
descriptions of gardens, book reviews and correspondence. The
articles are illustrated by drawings or photographs. View
a newsletter |
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Miscellaneous
In
the summer we have occasional picnics at the gardens of various
members. Our Handbook is published in the spring and it contains a
list of all members, the calendar of events, a list of books in our
library, a list of members' gardens open for visits and some sources
for plants and seeds. We now have a considerable collection of books
in our library, which may be borrowed by our members. As well, we
have newsletters from other chapters of the NARGS.
Web
site
www.onrockgarden.com |