Horticultural Society unveils its 2007 program

The new year was launched Jan. 9 at the regular monthly meeting in Westmount Public Library with an overview by McGill entomologist Prof. Christopher Buddle on the most common bugs likely to be found in local gardens, differentiating between pests and those that are beneficial.

Lily and hosta expert Roger Millette will provide an illustrated talk at the next meeting, Feb. 13, on the care of hosta and the many types that make this a favourite in many Westmount gardens.

“We’ve planned a program that we hope will be especially meaningful to local garden enthusiasts,” says Brigitta Brittain, co-president with Gabrielle Pilot. “We welcome new members as well as visitors.”

An annual membership fee of $15, available at the door, entitles members to attend monthly lecture meetings and participate in special activities and garden visits. Admission for non-members is $5 Meetings take place on the second Tuesday of the month, starting at 7 p.m., in the Westmount Room of the library, 4574 Sherbrooke St. W.

The society’s objective is to foster, study, and encourage all aspects of horticulture year-round.

The following subjects are also slated for presentation in the coming year:

March 13: ‘Green Roofs’ with Owen Rose.

April 10: ‘Indoor Plants; with guest speaker George Libby of Alpha Plantes et Poteries.

May 8: ‘Dahlias’ with guest speaker Michele Cartier.

June 12: ‘A personal landscape: Glen Villa and its gardens’ with Pat Webster, featuring her Eastern Townships garden.

Sept. 11: ‘Gardening Tools’ with Stuart Robertson, CBC radio host, Gazette garden columnist and the Society’s founding president.

Oct. 9: ‘Organic Gardening’, an evening devoted to the growing movement.

Nov. 13: “Attracting birds to the Garden” with McGill bird specialist David Bird;

Dec. 11: Christmas Wreath/Centre Piece workshop and party with Orysia Krywiak-Valenti of Tuilerie Fleurs.

Assisting the co-presidents are members of the 2007 board: Elizabeth Tsuk, Susan Zegray, Laureen Sweeney, Rosalind Moquette, Andrea Leber, Jody Negley, Sally Cooke, Joan Shideler, Diana Bruno and Diane Cameron, the past president. For more information, call 514-932-9349 or e-mail westhortsoc@canada.com.