A Century of Public Plantings

A Century of Public Plantings

Searching through the existing records of 100 years of the Ottawa Horticultural Society initially has been both fascinating and disappointing. I was browsing specifically for information on "Public Plantings" by the Society but I found that, if it existed at all, it took an insignificant place in the reports compared to shows, monetary standings and social events.

Records of the first thirty years were destroyed in a fire at City Hall. Notes of that period have, however, been resurrected by the Society's historians from newspaper archives and conversations with early members.

Since many of the prominent citizens of Ottawa a century ago were also active members of the OHS, it is difficult to separate their work as individual citizens from that taken on by the Society.

The dominating theme "Make Ottawa a Beautiful City" and the fundamental intent of the Society "to do all possible to help keep the gardens and grounds of Ottawa's citizens increasingly more attractive" were evident in the early constitution. One of its stated aims was to encourage "the improvement of home and public grounds by the planting of trees, shrubs and flowers, and by otherwise promoting outdoor art and public beauty".

Before the turn of the century, planting the West Bank of the Canal was planned with the Parks Commission. The modern masonry walls were not yet built except at the locks, so the canal, like a ditch, needed beautification on the banks.

I found many references to donations of seeds by the Society. The first, in 1899, supplied the children of West End Methodist Church with flower seeds. That effort culminated in "Flower Sunday" at the church. Throughout the decades much effort was made by giving seeds and plants to schools, assisting the children to plant gardens, learn their care and enter competitions.

As far back as 1899 Society members worked on improvements at Rockcliffe Park, Minto Square and on beautiful flower beds at the grounds of the Central Canada Exhibition. .

In many cases members were supported in producing fine garden displays as a means of promoting public interest in horticulture. While these may not have been classed as "Public Plantings" they were ultimately sites of display and instruction for the public.

As early as 1902 many members began to take care of City Hall gardens. This effort has continued. In 1967, the Canadian Centennial, a major project of the Society landscaped, planted and contributed a special area of the grounds. Annual plantings (such as the 1986 planting of 66 roses) and upkeep proceeded until 1990 when expansion and re-building of City Hall necessitated the salvaging of as much as practicable of the garden. Some plants were moved to the City's premises at Leitrim. Cuttings and roots of others such as the Preston Lilac are being nurtured by members until such time as the new City Hall is landscaped. An OHS representative works with the City on future development plans.

In the early years an active committee of the OHS dealt solely with Public Plantings. In 1908 it conceived the idea of beginning with one street and selected Gladstone Avenue from Bank Street to Bell Street and houses on Percy, Florence and Concession. By assisting the residents to beautify their properties, the entire street would be improved. The Society offered each householder two shrubs, two climbers and assistance in planting. Response was very poor. Despite records of the offer having been withdrawn there is unrecorded evidence that the program continued on a reduced scale.

During the First World War the Society formed a Vacant Lot Association. It developed countless wartime gardens, provided seeds, plants, labour (if needed) and instructional lectures to demonstrate how to "Grow Food and Help Win the War". The society gave patriotism priority and disrupted regular public plantings around institutional buildings.

In 1918 the gardens of the Protestant Hospital on Rideau Street were the first to be replanted. Next the flower beds at Plant Baths on Preston Street were continued. Although the records note the moneys allotted t_ public plantings for many years, they do not provide details on what was done.

The Great Depression of the '30's saw the Society assisting in the "Relief Gardens for the Unemployed". Lands at Range Road and Mann Avenue, behind the Civic Hospital and at Main and River Drive were divided into lots. Fostered by necessity, home gardens and public allotments achieved great importance.

Then came another War - and the War Gardens. The OHS members procured public lands, paid for ploughing, tools and "know-how" for what continued as "Victory Gardens".

In the early fifties public plantings were carried out to demonstrate the advisability of using good bulbs, seeds, etc. and of the best cultural practices. Some members helped to plant window boxes and laid sod at the "Home of the Blind". Annuals were planted at the "Good Companions" and outstanding landscape displays were constructed at the Central Canada Exhibition.

Continuing their goal of "Beautifying Ottawa" the OHS used opportunities as they arose. Some plantings were discontinued, new ones began. Annuals, perennials and tulips were planted at the Old Forge Community Centre. Three trees were planted there in memory of two OHS members, Helena Jacob and Elizabeth Brown, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Ontario Horticultural Association. Plantings were made at Causeway House and TELCI (Therapeutic Educational Learning Centre Incorporated).

For several years attempts were made to add floral beauty to the McNabb Recreational Centre but finally were given up due to continuing damage done by parking and snow plowing.

Many hours were given to assist the Billings Estate re-organize the flower beds and to plan a restoration of their 1830 heritage gardens.

In 1985 plans were drawn up, money and support solicited for a Courtyard Garden at the CNIB headquarters at McLeod and O'Connor Streets. Scented plants took root in six high cedar boxes and songful birds bathed in a new bath. Before the project could be completed, however, the building ceased to be used as a residence for the visually impaired and the courtyard was needed for parking. The remaining funds were held and are presently being diverted to establishing a special scented garden at the Central Experimental Farm.

In 1986 a truly memorable planting was made of an Oak tree in the Rideau Hall gardens to commemorate Maurice Marshall.

To honour one of the Society's most noted members, W.M. (Sandy) Cavaye, a Pin Oak tree was planted at the Central Experimental Farm in 1989. Since then another tree, a Legacy Sugar Maple has been planted and dedicated to Gwen and Bill Bell.

Several OHS members continue to assist in therapeutic plantings and assistance at Saint Vincent's Hospital, Abbotsford House and the Rehabilitation Centre. At the latter, raised outdoor gardens designed to be accessible to patients in wheelchairs are planted annually.

Beginning in 1989 members of the Society responded to an appeal to plant annuals at the Terry Fox Memorial at Rideau and Colonel By Drive, thus beautifying a prominent monument in the centre of Ottawa.

Mary Bryant

Please contact the OHS or the author if you wish to republish these articles. © Ottawa Horticultural Society

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