Eastern Study Weekend - 28th to 30th January 2005 in Toronto, Canada

Updated: 29 November 2004

Toronto, Ontario, Canada Toronto Airport Marriott Hotel 901 Dixon Road, Rexdale, Ontario Theme: Ontario - Multicultural January 28-30, 2005 Registration Form Daily Program Times Conference Fees covers admission to all lectures, sales areas, coffee breaks and Saturday banquet. Can $ US $ By Dec. 15, 2004  225   195 After Dec. 15, 2004 250 215 Optional Friday Dinner 55 48 Non-Registrant Optional Friday Dinner 55 48 Saturday Banquet 60 52 Speakers: John Good - "What Makes Alpines Tick: The Ecology of Alpine Plants" & "Plant Portraits: Alpines from Around the World"  In seeking to grow alpine plants more successfully in our gardens it is helpful to understand the conditions under which they grow in the wild and then apply this knowledge in an intelligent manner to their cultivation. John's talks will identify the key environmental factors and their influence on plant growth and development and illustrate their importance for the growth of alpine plants both in the wild and in the garden. Plant Portraits will deal with some 20 superb alpines from around the world. Included, will be suggestions for successful cultivation based on many years of practical experience obtained through gardening in different climatic conditions and on observations of plants in the wild. John Good, from England, was the Assistant Editor to Roy Elliott of the AGS Bulletin and holds Gold as well as Farrer and Forrest medals as an exhibitor at the AGS. Jim Jermyn - "The Challenge of Growing the Cream of European Alpines" & "Going East - Gardening with Asiatics" What is it that makes certain European alpines so challenging? We will find out how to grow Primula allionii, Daphne petraea, Cam-panula raineri & morettiana, Gentiana froelichii and Ranunculus glacialis and other gems, with ease. Going east means taming such plants as Dicentra peregrina, Glaucidium, Primula, Meconopsis and others which enjoy similar conditions. We might even try a trough of spe-cialist Gentians! Since 2000 Jim has been Show Man-ager of Scotland's premier Flower Show, Gardening Scotland. For 20 years he exhibited plants at RHS Flower Shows throughout the U.K. for which he was awarded numerous Gold Medals. As well as writing many horticultural articles, he has written, 'The Himalayan Garden - Growing Plants from the Roof of the World' (Timber Press) and has com-menced a similar volume specialising in the exciting plants native to the European Alps. Jim is also a contributing author of Gentians with Fritz Kohlein and David Winstanley. Erich Pasche - "Exploring the Wonders of the Tien Shan" & "Botanical Adventures around the Mediterranean" The Tien Shan are the most beautiful mountains in the world. The grassy slopes full of Eremurus, Chorispora bungeana, Ranunculus albertii, and Saussurea gnaphaloides are unforgettable. Many plants from the Tien Shan are of high garden value (Erigeron aurantiacus, Codonopsis clematidea, and Clematis tangutica.). The Tien Shan with its grandiose mountains and beautiful flowers is an unforgettable experience. The flora of the Mediterranean, with its 20,000 species, is by far the richest in Europe. The Mediterranean is a treasure trove of plants which are now valuable garden additions (Cyclamen, Crocus, Scilla, and Muscari) that have proven themselves hardy in colder areas. Erich has traveled extensively around the Mediterranean, Turkey, Greece, Switzerland, Jordan, Kyrgystan and Kazakhstan. Born in Essen, Germany, Erich apprenticed in Germany and Sweden and obtained a Master's diploma in 1965. For 30 years he worked at the Botanical Garden Wuppertal in Northrhine-Westfalia responsible for the plant collections. A noted botanist and horti-cultural writer, he published a monograph in 2002 about the genus Sternbergia and has lec-tured widely in Germany and throughout Europe. Marion Jarvie - "Early Goodies" Marion will discuss how she bulks up un-usual plants and bulbs for a backup supply before they go into the garden. She will then show us the results of her labours and how Spring can be extended featuring rare gems to brighten even the dullest April day - truly a chance to learn from one of Canada's premier hardy plant growers. Marion is a frequent lecturer at rock garden conferences here and in Europe, a university lecturer on gardening, and a recipient of the 2002 Marvin Black Award. Barrie Porteous - "Ontario - Great Place to Grow Alpines, Eh?" Following Saturday night's banquet, Barrie will detail his "Northern Ontario" garden experi-ences, interspersed with insightful observations, tongue-in-cheek comments, and revolutionary gardening concepts. Barrie, a writer & lecturer and founding member of the Ontario Rock Garden Society, has led trips in North America and Europe to study alpines in the wild and grows a wide variety of plants in Toronto and at his Muskoka cottage. René Giguère - "Exciting Alpines at the Montreal Botanic Garden" The Montreal Botanic Garden alpine collection contains over 3000 varieties and represents the largest plant collection within the facility. René will outline many of the interesting plants that are seen by visitors to the Alpinum, including some of the more recent acquisitions that have proven successful. René has been Curator of the Montreal Botanic Garden Alpinum since 1993, and he was the first president of the Quebec Alpine and Rock Garden Society. David Tomlinson - "Growing Wild flowers - Conservation or Rape" David specializes in ecological evaluation of the natural landscape, parks naturalization and the re-creation of wild-life habitats. In his own garden, Merlin's Hollow, in Aurora, Ontario, he grows over 2500 different plants (native & non-native). David graduated in Horticulture at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, England. With over 50 years experience in horticulture and landscape architecture, David has several major awards for landscape design in both England and Canada. SATURDAY AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS There will be two sessions for each workshop that will run concurrently. A - Harvey Wrightman - "Gardening in Tufa" Harvey will demonstrate drilling holes in Tufa, for planting rooted cuttings. He will provide suggestions on appropriate plants for Tufa gardens and will discuss how desirable but tricky plants can be grown with success. B - Paul Ehnes - "Pruning with Paul" Paul will demonstrate pruning techniques for a variety of shrubs, as well as the timing to encourage bloom and to maintain the health and shape of the plant. C - Michael Dolbey - "To go Digital or Not to go Digital - That is the Question?" Michael will examine the pros and cons of digital photography and explain the specific features of various cameras as well as the procedure involved in producing a slide show. OTHER EVENTS Plant Sales - ORGS and vendors will be available for specialized selections of plants and seeds. Silent Auction - Plants and products will be available for bids until 19:00 on Saturday after which the winners will be able to collect their choice selections. Fringe Shows - Meeting space and AV equipment will be available for informal small-group presentations. Bring your slides. Registration for participation is included on the registration form. Book Sales - Horticultural books will be available for purchase both from NARGS and ORGS. Vendors - Selected vendors will be on site with alpine troughs, garden products and seeds. CONFERENCE INFORMATION or BROCHURE Registrars: Norm & Lynne Limpert, R.R. 1, Acton, Ontario, Canada L7J 2L7 EMAIL Co-ordinator: Katy Anderson  (416) 767-3602 EMAIL Print Registration Form: Details Hotel Information: (Airport shuttle available) Toronto Airport Marriott 901 Dixon Road, Rexdale, Ontario M9W 1J5 1-800-905-2811 or (416) 674-9400 Fax: (416) 674-9427 Contact hotel directly to reserve.   Mention the NARGS meeting for the special conference rate of $129 CND