May 15, 2008
By Wendy Harry CHT
LO London chapter coordinator

The London chapter held its final chapter meeting of the season on March 11, with 36 members attending. Guest speakers from Valleybrook Gardens and Canadale Nurseries left us with wonderful images of the new and exciting plants for 2008, and inspired us all to say goodbye winter and hello spring.

Other educational topics presented at the fall and winter meetings were Bringing Plants to New Heights using Green Roofs, Job Costing for Successful Landscape Projects, Pond Gardening the Ecological Way and Marketing Strategies for your Business. All who attended are fully motivated and ready for an exciting growing season.

Alex’s Butterfly Garden at the Children’s Hospital of Western Ontario is almost complete. In honour of perinatal and infant loss, London Chapter members have helped to make this garden a reality for the Hart family, who suffered the unimaginable loss of their child, and who hope to make a lasting difference through the creation of this haven for healing. Through sponsorship, fundraising and volunteer time, our members have played a major role in helping this garden become a reality. Special thanks to Jay Murray, chapter vice president, for his active role in bringing this garden to life. For more information visit www.alexsbutterflygarden.com.

The London chapter is now working with the Canadian Diabetes Association to install the Global Garden at Banting House National Historic Site of Canada. This initiative will transform Sir Frederick G. Banting Square from a passive garden space featuring the Flame of Hope and the statue of Sir Frederick Banting, into a more appropriate space where visitors can relax and reflect. The garden is to be completed by August 2008.

The London board is working on something new, a premium garden tour to showcase 10-12 gardens that LO members have created. A planning committee developed criteria over the summer for selecting gardens. This is great opportunity for branding LO to the public, as well as giving our members the opportunity to showcase their projects and generate some business. Stay tuned for more information, as details are finalized.

We look forward to an exciting lineup of speakers and topics for the 2008/9 season, which starts with our first meeting on Sept. 9. Following that, Sept. 12 is the third annual golf tournament at Pine Knot Golf Course, Dorchester. For current events and information, please visit the new London Chapter website - www.lolondon.com.

The website is still under development and information is still being entered. Any input or comments would be greatly appreciated to wharry@landscapeontario.com.

On a final note, I would like to say a special thank you to the London board for its continued volunteer efforts to promote the London chapter and its members. Without these volunteers, the London Chapter would not be as successful as it is today!
This past autumn we welcomed Grant Harrison, Jerry Hakkers and Pete Vanderley to the board. We also said goodbye to three members, as they have decided to pursue other interests within their community. Special thanks to Bill Beamish, Marc VanDenheuvel and Jack Parker.

The London chapter will be holding elections at the Sept. 9 meeting, and encourages new members, who would like to become more involved, to consider joining this dynamic team.

Caption: London chapter members enjoy a variety of lively and educational meetings.