Valleybrook Gardens held an open house and barbecue at its Niagara-on-the-Lake location on July 16 for customers and garden writers. This summer event provided a chance for garden writers to learn more about the growth and culture of perennials, and gave retailers an opportunity to get up close and personal with one of their suppliers.

Valleybrook staff conducted tours of the facilities, starting with the propagation department and ending up demonstrating the water bath that all flats go through, before being loaded onto shipping carts. Staff horticulturist John Valleau gave a presentation on some of the new plants Valleybrook is selling this year, as well as a preview of some of the new perennials that will be on garden centre benches in 2010.

Caption: Valleybrook displayed some of the new perennials that will be in garden centres next year.