Lois Hole An Alberta icon L
ois Hole may well be one of Canada’s most well-known and iconic gardeners. She, and indeed
the entire Hole family, have earned their place in Alberta’s gardening history. Lois Veregin was born and raised in
Saskatchewan. She moved to Edmon- ton as a teenager to complete her education. Here, she met her husband, Ted Hole. In 1952 they purchased a 200-acre mixed farm at St. Albert, Alta. They tried to raise wheat, then chicks, pigs, turkey and cattle but it was the vegetable garden that proved successful. By 1960, they had begun selling fresh vegetables and then garden supplies from their back door. Their produce and sales gradually became their main business. They built their first green- house in 1967; annuals were one of their production staples. Their boys, Bill and Jim, began working the family business and by 1979 they began operating as Hole’s Greenhouses and Gardens Ltd. The business continues to grow and has become one of the largest operations in western Canada. In addition to being a successful
businesswoman, Lois was a bestselling author, penning several books on grow- ing and life in Alberta. Her books were widely embraced by the public, perhaps because they were educational and writ- ten in her easy going, common-sense style, or perhaps because of her and her open and caring nature. In addition to best-selling books she contributed arti- cles to the Globe and Mail, Edmonton Journal and Edmonton Sun; submit- ted Canadian content for the 1999 Old Farmer’s Almanac Gardening Compan- ion and appeared on CBC TV’s Cana- dian Gardener as a regular guest. Lois was an advocate of libraries
and education, healthcare and the arts. Always a willing participant, Lois had a genuine interest in helping others. Whether it was smaller greenhouses and growers in small communities around the province who looked to her for advice or her advocacy for a cause, you could count on Lois. She became involved as a trustee for two school divisions and chancellor of
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“If we hope to preserve our way of life, the first thing we must do is rediscover our respect for the land, the water, and the entire natural world. And if we do manage to regain that respect, then we must make sure that human beings never lose it again.” Lois Hole
the University of Alberta. In addition to this she served on many boards includ- ing the Canadian Heritage Garden Foundation. In 1999, she was appoint- ed Alberta’s 15th lieutenant governor by Prime Minister Jean Chretien. It was an honour and role she excelled in. Over the course of her life Lois was
awarded with many honours and acco- lades including Edmonton’s 1995 Busi- ness and Professional Woman of the Year. She was appointed a member of the Order of Canada and as well has
had a hospital wing and provincial park named after her. Lois died in 2005. Today the business has grown into
so much more than the humble roots from whence it came. The Hole Enjoy Centre is located across from the Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park named in her honour. The Enjoy Centre offers event spaces for weddings, a café and market, and health and wellness services such as massage, yoga and salon services in addition to its full garden and floral services. x
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