Ottawa Horticultural Society

http://www.ottawahort.org

History of the Ottawa Horticultural Society 1980-1990

In 1980 the Ottawa Horticultural Society continued to meet every fourth Monday of the month in the McNabb Centre on Percy Street in Ottawa. The Directors met in the same place on every second Monday. Seven flower shows "were held during the year and ten speakers gave interesting talks to the members at various meetings.

A highlight of the February meeting was a slide show given by Trevor Cole of a holiday in England visiting various gardens and parks. Trevor Cole was the President in 1980. Several members attended the Ontario Horticultural Association's Annual Convention at the University in Thunder Bay, in June. A bus trip to Les Floralies International was arranged in July. A new group was formed for flower-arranging enthusiasts under the chairmanship of Judy Shedden. They met once a month beginning in October at the Central Park Lodge whose residents were also invited to attend if they wished. The club is a subsidiary of the Society.

1981 was marked by the appointment of Mrs Isabel Kindle as the first woman President of the Society, and very efficient and capable she proved to be.

The usual seven flower shows and meetings were held during the year. In July a bus trip to Belleville Rose Show and Corby Rose Gardens was arranged, and much enjoyed by the members. The Experimental Farm again allowed the Ottawa Valley Flower and vegetable Show (previously known as the Autumn Show) to be held in marquees set up on the lawns of the Experimental Farm, and lasting two days viz:- Aug 22 and 23. The Society continued to recognize the efforts of individuals to beautify the city of Ottawa by giving four framed Trillium awards o the best gardens, judged by a Committee three times during the year i.e.- Spring, Summer and Fall. A different Postal district was chosen in the city each year, and the gardens were viewed from the street. The best of the four winners was also awarded the Myles Trophy for one year. The Annual O.H.A. Convention was held in June in Niagara Falls and several members attended.

In 1982 the usual seven flower shows and meetings were held in the McNabb Centre on Percy Street in Ottawa. The Annual O.H.A. Convention was held in Guelph. Eight members from the Society were accommodated at the University.

A slide show by the Marshalls in January showed a visit to the Chelsea Flower Show and various English gardens. The society was also given a talk in April by Aldo Bonini on Dahlias. He has won prizes at International Flower Shows and has an outstanding collection of dahlias on a city - sized garden. The Ottawa Valley Flower Show was again held in August in the grounds of the Experimental Farm.

In 1983 the Society's new logo was designed by Mrs Christine Smith wife of the Treasurer, and a floral artist. It was a black and white drawing of the shrub the Sumac, and it was first reproduce on the cover of the 1983 Year Book, and every year thereafter. The Annual Convention of the O.H.A, was held in Hamilton, famous for its Botanical Garden, and therefore a special place to visit the usual seven flower shows and meetings were held at the McNabb Centre. A trip to Kemptville in July to visit the garden of Larry and Anstace Esmond-White was a highlight of the summer. These two gardeners broadcast on Radio and T.V. and the members enjoyed meeting them in person. A trip to New York was the highlight of the Labour -Day weekend. A tour of the city was fantastic, but the New York Botanical Garden visit was disappointing. A Judging School was held at Kemptville Agricultural College, and members of the Horticultural Societies in

District #2 were invited to attend. Three members of the Ottawa Horticultural Society graduated.

In 1984 John Soar became President of the society in place of Mrs Kindle Who had guided the society so well for three years. The annual Convention of the O.H.A was held in Sudbury on June l3th and 14th in the University. It was of special interest to the Ottawa delegates as Maurice Marshall, Past-President of the society, was elected as President of the O.H.A from June 1984 to June 1985. His duties involved much traveling across the Province to visit the many societies, presiding at meetings, and organising the 1985 O.H.A. Convention, which would be held in Windsor in 1985. In Ottawa the society continued to beautify various public places, e.g. the Old Forge Community Centre by planting bulbs, annuals, and trees. Trees were planted in hospital grounds. The Bells again arranged Arbour-Day trip, this time to Boston, which proved most enjoyable, especially the visit to the Harvard University Laboratory, to view the marvelous collection of 700 glass flowers, true to life in form and colour, which is used for teaching students. The usual seven flower shows and meetings were held at the McNabb Centre.

In 1985 a record number of public plantings were done, these included McNabb Centre, the Old Forge Community Centre, and City Hall. Visits were made to various local hospitals to advise patients on the care of indoor plants and those in outdoor planters at wheel-chair height. Mary Bryant, a member, responded to the C.N.I.B request for help to plan a special courtyard garden for the Blind. The seven flower shows and monthly meetings were held at the McNabb centre. A record number of delegates attended the annual O.H.A. Convention in Windsor on June 13, 14 and 15. To support the President of the O.H.A, the society's Past-President, Maurice Marshall. The Convention concluded with a planting of a tree in the university grounds by the President. An oak tree was also planted in the summer in the grounds of Rideau Hall (Government House) to honour Maurice Marshall's work in horticulture, first as President of the society, then as

Director of District #2, and finally Vice-President and President of the O.H.A. Unfortunately his health worsened in August 1985 and the society was saddened by his death on December 4 1985. The society Year Book won first prize at the O.H.A Convention. A heritage garden was admired by the public when the Billings Estate was opened.

Linda Temple and Mary Bryant responded to requests to give advice and help plant that garden in 1984. The Floral Art Group continued to flourish and their workshops have helped to raise the standard of the Decorative Classes at the Flower Shows.

In 1986 John Soar concluded his term as President of the society after two most successful years, going on to become District Director of District #2. The usual seven flower shows and meetings were held at McNabb Centre. The Annual O.H.A. Convention was held at Peterborough and attended by several delegates. They found the site of the Convention exceptionally beautiful. Public planting was done at the Old Forge, City Hall and the C.N.I.B. Courtyard garden. In 1892 the Ottawa Horticultural Society was formed and has continued to date. The Centennial will take place in 1992 and already, the society is matching plans to have special projects to celebrate 100 years of existence. Tree planting and a Clematis arbour in the Experimental Farm are among the projects suggested.

In 1987 District #2 Director John Soar conducted a plant auction in May at the McNabb Centre. It was so successful that it will be an annual event in future. The O.H.A. Annual Convention was held in Kingston at Queen's University. The delegates enjoyed the programme and the Kingston and District Flower Show was outstanding. Public planting was done in Ottawa as usual, and also Vanier City asked the society for judges for their "Beautify Vanier” competition, and these were supplied.

A familiar exhibitor a society flower shows, Mr. Bud Hay, died. According to society records he was the winner of more society trophies and awards than any other exhibitor. The usual seven flower shows and meetings were held in the McNabb centre.

In 1988 the Ottawa society, helped by other societies in the district, held the O.H.A. Annual Convention at Carleton University on June 22, 23, and 24. The weather co-operated and the Convention was a success. The theme was "Harmonize with Nature." The society planned for 700 delegates, and this was about the number that attended. There was a lot of hard work by many people but the result was worth it.

Mayor James Durrell attended the opening and Marilyn Light gave the Convention theme lecture. John Soar was the chairman of the Ottawa Society Committee.

A Pin Oak "Quercus palustris", was planted on the lawns of the Experimental Farm in honour of William "Sandy" Cavaye, with President Stephen Murphy in charge of arrangements. Sandy was Secretary-Treasurer for over 30 years and is affectionately known as "Mr. Horticulture”. His expertise and hard work contributed enormously to the well-being of the society, he broadcast on Radio and T.V in addition to working at the Experimental Farm, yet was always ready to answer member’s questions regarding horticulture. The plant auction was again a success, largely due to John Soar's silver tongue. The usual seven flower shows and meetings were held.

In 1989 the Trillium awards included an award to McDonald's Restaurants for their excellent landscaping in one of their locations. The District#2 annual meeting was held at Deep River with Mary Harris, the new District Director officiating.

The O.H.A Annual Convention was held in June at the University of Waterloo. Seven delegates attended. The theme was "Gain by Growing". President Stephen Murphy, Mary Bryant and other members responded to a request for plants to be put around the Terry Fox Memorial, and this will be done each Spring in future.

The President presented a $100 Bursary to Highland Park school on behalf of the society. The Autistic Society was given a load of topsoil. A Maple tree was planted in October in the grounds of the museum in Pembroke in memory of Harvey Fraser, who did so much for Pembroke and the Ottawa Valley. The Ottawa society sent representatives. A wreath continued to be placed on the War Memorial on November11, by retired Captain John Havard. This is done every year. A pot-luck supper was held on December 11 at the McNabb Centre. This was followed by slides from the Photographic Competition, and then the election of officers for the following year, The usual seven flower shows and meetings were held.

In 1990 the Ottawa Valley Show held each August, was moved from the Experimental Farm to a High School Auditorium in Pembroke, It will return to the Experimental Farm grounds in 1992- the society's Centennial year. The O.H.A. Convention was held at York University in Toronto. The theme was "Environment--let's face the facts". The Ottawa Valley Show was held in Pembroke in August. It was very successful with over 800 exhibits. The society mailing list was computerised. The usual seven flower shows and meetings were held. A successful plant auction was held in the year.

A trillium award was given to John Lebrun, a member of the staff of the south branch of the Ottawa Public Library for the garden he made on the library property.

Public plantings were carried out at various locations. Marilyn Light represented the society at meetings of the new City Hall Landscape Committee. She also wrote a gardening column for the magazine "Habitabec." The society urged all members to apply for the composting boxes offered by the City, unless they already possessed one. Saving the environment was stressed throughout the year.

Margaret Marshall.

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