This has probably been our best season ever.  Despite the cold, wet and late spring we have enjoyed one of the most beautiful growing seasons to date.  The North Parks Division pulled off  another spectacular floral show.     Our flowers were well protected in the green houses this spring.  We avoided a May snow disaster by holding off on the planting until early June.    Mother nature was good to us mid summer.  We managed to avoid the destructive hail storms that can knock back the foliage.  And the grass was green all summer thanks to the frequent summer rain. 

To create a reference for future designs, the Parks Department has been documenting the floral designs to compare them with our initial plans.   Our goal is to highlight the foliage that grows well in our climate and highlight those which should not be used.  We will be addressing the poor performance of the purple petunias  along Hawkwood Blvd with the grower.  Since the purple petunia has had 2 years of lack luster performance we will be requesting a new species or different seed selection for next year.     As for the rest of the flowers.... What a show!  The Parks Department has built a strong relationship with a local grower who is producing some quality flowers for our neighbourhood.   The plants are arriving healthy and huge.  The geraniums are spectacular.   The season starts off on the right foot when the flowers are healthy.

As for our relationship with the North Parks Division, we are so lucky to have them on our side.  They have been wonderful to work with.   Whenever issues occur we are able to solve them easily thanks to the strong leadership of Judy Herman.  To Maria (our head gardener) and all the gardeners and lawn mowers, we would like to say thank you.  We are grateful for your diligence and attention to detail.  Hawkwood looked wonderful this year thanks to you.

Fall clean up will begin October 17.  They will begin with the planters and leave the beds in as long as they can.   As for the budget this year.  I hear the numbers are looking good.  The weather was on our side.   The final numbers will be calculated after the completion of the fall clean up.  Over all this was an awesome year.

Susan Johnstone

Director of the Landscape Enhancement Program