Calgary Horticultural Society celebrates 108 years of beautifying Calgary
By Frances Kordov
Historic photo of the Calgary Horticultural Society’s board of directors in 1914.
finding space to garden. The Calgary Horticultural Society helps new and experienced gardeners learn ways to be successful by providing fun and educational programming year round. Society programs are designed to help Calgarians enjoy a healthy, beautiful yard without compromising the envi- ronment. Founded in 1908, the society played
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a significant role in the blossoming of Calgary. Their first major event was a flower show that attracted 600 entries. By 1930, the annual exhibition attract- ed 1,300 entries (at 10 cents per entry) and 2,000 visitors. In 1910, the group began a series of educational articles in the Calgary
40 • Fall 2016 ardening in Calgary is chal-
lenging, from its unique weath- er to the cost of supplies, to
Herald that encouraged the beautifica- tion of businesses, gas stations, apart- ments and private homes. Four years later 10,000 trees were planted through their efforts and an equal number by the city parks department and private citizens. Society members continued to contribute to beautification projects around the city including the entrance to Heritage Park in 1987-88. They wrote books, Calgary Gardener Parts One and Two, that have become best- sellers and are required reading for aspiring Calgary green thumbs. In 1989, the club helped select an offi-
cial flower for Calgary. After narrowing down the choices to five plants, citizens voted for the red pasque flower, Pulsa- tilla vulgaris rubra. Now, each year, a team of society volunteers choose a “Perennial Plant of the Year” that is
especially well suited to the local grow- ing conditions. In 2008, the Calgary Horticultural
Society celebrated its 100th anniversary with several legacy projects. A special edition of Calgary Gardening, the soci- ety’s newsletter, was printed and sent to all members, a sundial sculpture was commissioned and placed in the Doro- thy Harvie garden in Calgary Zoo’s botanical Garden, and a special garden tour took place culminating in an old fashioned garden party. Currently, the club operates a number
of key programs to support and encour- age gardening in Calgary. The annual Garden Show is a two-day event each spring that includes speakers and demonstrations, an information and trade show area and a place for affiliated gardening organizations and groups to
localgardener.net
All photos courtesy of the Calgary Horticultural Society.
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