golden gardeners in action

The Backyard Gardening Committee of the Native Plant Study Group of the Victoria Horticultural Society |
York Professional Daycare Inc. | Edmonton Chinese Community Services Centre

wildlife from coast to coast is benefitting from the efforts of seniors. More than 500 seniors' groups, from Squamish, British Columbia to St. John's, Newfoundland are working on Golden Gardens projects. They're helping to meet the needs of wildlife through native plantings, nesting structures, ponds, and many other habitat projects outlined in our Golden Gardens booklet.

These are just a few examples of the many inspiring projects going on nationwide. Applications to take part in the program continue to deluge our resource centre. We never cease to be impressed by the enthusiasm of seniors who want to create their own habitat havens.

The Backyard Gardening Committee of the Native Plant Study Group of the Victoria Horticultural Society

Garry Oak meadows are some of Canada's most endangered habitats. Now, thanks to one of CWF's registered Golden Gardens groups, these rare ecosystems are receiving a boost. The Backyard Gardening Committee of Victoria, British Columbia has established a native plant demonstration garden that recreates a Garry Oak meadow. The committee is part of the Native Plant Study Group, a satellite of the Victoria Horticultural Society.

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York Professional Daycare Inc., Aurora, ON

Bringing our Generations Together

"By sharing what we know and who we are with friends of all ages, we add to the treasures we collect throughout our lives."

These are the sentiments underlying the marvelous project initiated by York Professional Daycare Inc. In commemoration of International Year of Older Persons, this project was conceived to bring together the enthusiasm and energy of children with the experience and knowledge of seniors to create a garden wonderland. It was a joint effort of Children are VIPs Child Care Centre in Richmond Hill, Richmond Hill Horticultural Society, and St. Mary's Anglican Church.

Senior volunteers, children, staff, and parents transformed the centre's playground into a flourishing habitat welcoming to both people and wildlife. Planning, digging, and planting were shared by all participants. The children experienced a wonderful, hands-on learning experience, while the senior volunteers happily gave of their experience, time, and knowledge.

"Each child in the centre has enjoyed being responsible for planting a flower, learning about its characteristics and observing its growth," wrote Gail Wright, Co-ordinator of Extended Services for York Professional Day Care, which operates the centre. "There is even a Bug Garden where the children are encouraged to dig and turn over rocks for discovery and observation."

The participants worked together to create beautiful perennial, sunflower, and butterfly and hummingbird gardens which have enriched the daycare's playground. The flowers and shrubs that were planted, along with the installation of birdbath and feeders, were also successful in attracting many wildlife visitors to the garden

Edmonton Chinese Community Services Centre, Edmonton, AB

The Edmonton Chinese Community Services Centre is located in a complex which incorporates two seniors' apartment towers in the inner city of Edmonton. The goal of their project was to provide life, movement, and colour for the enjoyment of seniors living in the building. The project also provided an opportunity for Chinese seniors, who have come to Canada to join their families, a hands-on experience of gardening in Canada.

When they began the project, the planter box held only a thin layer of soil with a few dandelions and thistles. It had also become a makeshift garbage container. Their first task, therefore, was to clear the box of weeds and garbage. Then with the help of Napora Gardening Services, Asian Youth Team, and the Smoke-free Youth Team, a load of soil was delivered and transferred into the box.

Much time had been put into planning the garden. The group spent sessions learning the names, sizes, shapes, and growing conditions of a variety of perennials. On May 20, 1999, planting began. The result was a bright patch of blooming colour in the downtown core, welcoming to birds, butterflies, and people.

As the flowers blossomed, so did the group's enthusiasm. Their renewed interest in gardening spilled over to other local projects and gardening groups. Their project also caught the attention of other people in the neighbourhood, who have watched with interest and even donated plants for the bed. What started as a small gardening project, soon took on a life of its own.

Some of the flowers the group used:

Plant	Benefit to Wildlife
Anemone Anemone spp.	Nectar source for butterflies. Provides pollen for honeybees and smaller flying beneficial insects.
Bellflower Campanula spp.	Nectar attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Pollen and nectar also attracts bees.
Chives Allium schoenoprasum	Flowers attract butterflies and bees.
Shasta daisy Chrysanthemum spp.	Attracts butterflies, hover flies, bees and other pollinators.
Day lily Hemerocallis spp.	Attracts honeybees and other flying insects. Hummingbirds will use the nectar of some cultivars.
Iris Iris spp.	Early flowers provide food source for bees and early flying insects. Nectar attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
Marigold Calendula spp.	Food source for butterfly caterpillars; excellent source for honeybees, bumblebees, and adult butterflies.
Sunflower Helianthus spp.	Pollen for solitary bees; nectar for butterflies and other insects; summer, fall, and winter food for seed-eating birds.

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