Horticultural Societies of Parkdale and Toronto Celebrate 175 Years

By Lorraine • Oct 7th, 2009 • Category: Favourite Gardens, Gardens

Allan Gardens

Lights glowed from the Victorian Palm House and greenhouses at Allan Gardens while dignitaries and gardeners alike gathered on October 5, 2009 to celebrate the 175th anniversary of Canada’s oldest horticultural society – the Horticultural Societies of Parkdale and Toronto.From the evening’s speeches, it was evident that gardening traditions run long and deep. Both Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable David C. Onley and His Worship, Mayor David Miller harkened back to the days of their youth, sharing memories of times spent in their grandfathers’ gardens. Lt. Gov. Onley went on to speak of the significant contributions of horticultural therapy to the ill, disabled and at-risk youth while Mayor Miller pointed out the importance of community gardens to a city of “newcomers from everywhere”.

No slackers in this area, “the Hort”, as members fondly refer to it, has a long history of contributing to the community. Funds from the gala reception’s Silent Auction will be added to monies the Hort has already raised to support more than 15 community-based gardens as well as the heritage gardens at Colborne Lodge Museum in High Park.

In a call to gardeners to make gardens not war (my words, not hers), author and garden personality Marjorie Harris spoke to the crowd gathered in the greenhouse, pointing out that gardeners and horticultural societies are in a good position to form a powerful lobby group to help save our green spaces. “Gardeners are smart and see the big picture,” she said, “and are not disconnected from the environment.” In fact, our “biophilia”, she says, gives us the right perspective to leave this planet in better shape.

Will we raise our trowels to make our world a better place? Let’s hope enough of us do so that future generations will be celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Horticultural Societies of Parkdale and Toronto.