October 4, 2023
Easing into sweater weather…and dreaming of spring
BY KALI PEARSON
Fall is in full swing — kids are back in school, the air is getting cooler and in many areas of the country leaves are blazing red, yellow and orange against crystal blue skies. It’s certainly one of my favourite times of the year.
But even before the first frost, landscapers and gardening enthusiasts across the country (myself included!) are already dreaming about what to plant come spring. That’s one of the reasons why we’re so excited about our annual New Plants and Ground Management issue.
This year, we had the good fortune to collaborate once again with Rodger Tschanz, manager of the University of Guelph’s trial garden, for our New Plants feature. Rodger has handpicked some of the most exciting annuals, perennials, and woody shrubs coming to market — and you definitely won’t want to miss them (see page 7). We also had the chance to get an insider's look at what it takes to create unique cold-hardy roses (see page 20) at the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre in Vineland Station, Ont. A unique collaboration between the research centre and the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) has produced the 49th Parallel Collection of roses — cold-hardy cultivars that are nothing short of spectacular.
Of course planning for the seasons and grounds management is becoming more and more complicated as the effects of climate change continue to wreak havoc across the country. We had a record-breaking wildfire season in Canada this year. And with effects felt from coast-to-coast, we’re learning no one is immune to the effects of scorching temperatures and tinder-dry conditions.
While we can’t combat climate change single-handedly, those in the landscape trades are uniquely positioned to help mitigate risk and make a positive impact. Read on for Karina Sinclair’s thought-provoking feature on landscaping with fire safety in mind (page 26).
I also encourage you to head on over to the CNLA News (page 50) features to see how the association is working with the industry to reach carbon zero. Plus, learn more about how the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association’s Landscape Designer Committee is working to create a LEED-style approach to support designers in green projects (page 42).
Like many, I always see fall as a time of new beginnings and a chance to pause and reflect on the year ahead. We hope this issue provides you with plenty of inspiration — and food for thought — as the busy season winds down and we head into this “new year.”
We’re always planning our next issue and we’d love to hear your feedback, story ideas and thoughts. Just reach out to me at editor@landscapetrades.com and let’s chat!