The Fort Frances Horticultural Society is pleased to be presenting a talk here April 25 by Chris Graham, director of Horticultural Services for the Royal Botanical Gardens.
Graham, who is returning to this area for the second time, will be giving a presentation on perennial care in Northwestern Ontario at 7 p.m. at Knox United Church.
“The title of his talk is ‘Exceptional Perennials for Northern Gardens,’” said society member Viv O’Donnell. “We are all looking forward to having Mr. Graham give his talk on the 25th.
“It is not too often that we are lucky enough to have someone of his calibre come to town,” she stressed.
Graham’s résumé reads like a horticultural textbook, with a background in everything from ornamental horticulture to arboriculture.
“Mr. Graham has had a very distinguished career,” noted O’Donnell. “We are very delighted that he has decided to visit with us again.”
Upon graduating from the University of Guelph with a B.Sc., Graham worked as production manager for a London, Ont. nursery and landscape firm before beginning his career with the Royal Botanical Gardens in 1975.
As a teacher, he has lectured on a wide variety of horticultural topics at universities, colleges, horticultural societies, and garden clubs across Ontario and beyond.
“Fort Frances is one of 11 clubs in District 14 of the Ontario Horticultural Association,” O’Donnell noted. “In addition to giving his talk in Fort Frances on the 25th, he will also be giving a talk in Dryden and Nipigon.
“He e-mailed me recently and told me that it has been too long since his last visit and that he is really looking forward to returning,” she added.
In addition to his impressive academic and professional history, Graham probably is best know to people for his appearance on the popular gardening show “Gardener’s Journal.”
“Mr. Graham came here in April, 1992 and gave a talk on trees and shrubs,” said Astrid Sobkowicz, past president of the Fort Frances Horticultural Society.
“He is a very informative speaker and always has an interesting topic to discuss. The last time he came, he had a slide show and then held a question-and-answer period.
“Everyone who attended his presentation had really enjoyed it so this year we are very excited about his upcoming talk,” Sobkowicz added.
Although Graham’s presentation is geared toward members of the horticultural society, O’Donnell is hoping non-members also will take the opportunity to hear him speak.
“We have invited the clubs from Atikokan, Emo, and Rainy River to come down for the talk,” she noted. “We have also asked the club from International Falls to join us.
“Of course, this talk is intended for people who are involved with the club but we are opening it up to the public so that they may come and enjoy Mr. Graham’s discussion.”
Admission is $2 to help defray the cost of the event. For more info, contact O’Donnell at 274-7903.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
