April 15, 2008
Members of Landscape Ontario’s Interiorscape Commodity Group combined their hearts and the group’s finances to help children with chronic and life-threatening illness at The Darling Home for Kids in Milton.

The commodity group helped to create an indoor garden, complete with waterfalls. “The area provides the children at The Darling Home with a natural setting that they can enjoy,” said Phil Van Alstyne of Ambius (formerly Initial tropical Plants), who promoted the project to the commodity group. He said the waterfall provides the children with both visual and audio pleasure.

Formerly known as Rose Cherry’s Home for Kids, the hospice, open since 2004 and originally conceived by The Cedarbrook Society, now is called The Darling Home for Kids. The Home is a special place that provides pediatric respite and palliative care. It’s a refuge for chronically ill children who are medically fragile and/or technology-dependent.

The area planted is a corridor area that also provides a meeting place for some of the children. A planter box incorporates an existing water feature along with tropical plants. There are two floor plants to complete the space.

The LO commodity group members feel that the project is very worthwhile, and a wonderful addition for the home, while resulting in a positive image for Landscape Ontario. Phil Van Alstyne says he will provide ongoing maintenance of the plants.

Caption: Phillip Van Alstyne (left) and Steven Schell of LO’s interiorscape commodity group with Kristin Horrell of the Darling Home for Kids in front of the finished garden.