Hundreds of eager buyers turned up for the annual LO Growers Auction on September 15. This year’s host, Connon Nurseries/NVK in Dundas, served lunch and set the stage for a successful fundraiser. Lot sales for the day exceeded $30,000 and proceeds will benefit horticultural research and scholarships.
The Growers Awards of Excellence program was also held at the auction. Special thanks to all of the growers who entered the program and to the judges: Jen Llewellyn, OMAFRA; Len Mancini, Holland Park Garden Gallery; Cathie Cox, Toronto Botanical Gardens; Luba Taylor, BritAli Gardens; Chris Graham, BritAli Gardens, and Chris Kessel, Landscape Ontario.
The Growers Group thanks all of the volunteers who helped coordinate the auction, Connon Nurseries/NVK for hosting the event in conjunction with its 100th anniversary and all of the growers and suppliers who donated plant material and hard goods. The auction would not be possible without your support.
The annual event is an initiative of the LO Growers Commodity Group. The group is always looking for new members. Please contact christoph.kessel@landscapeontario.com for more information.
Join the growers in 2007 — next year’s auction will be held at PAO Associates.
Product for the auction was generously donated by the following companies:
Braun Nursery Ltd.
Brookdale Treeland Nurseries
Canadale Nurseries
Congress Trade Show
Connon Nurseries, AVK Holdings
Connon Nurseries, NVK Holdings
Delaware Nursery Ltd.
Gro Bark
Ground Covers Unlimited
Hillen Nursery Inc.
ITML
JC Bakker & Sons Ltd.
JM Peeters Nurseries Ltd.
Kobes Nurseries Inc.
Langendoen Nurseries Inc.
Maple Leaf Nurseries
M Putzer (Hornby) Nursery Ltd.
Norview Gardens Ltd.
Nutrite
Ontrac Equipment
Oregon Distribution Ltd.
Pan American Nursery Products
Pieper Nurseries
Plant Products
Rittenhouse
Sheridan Nurseries
Timm Enterprises
United Agri Products Canada Inc.
Uxbridge Nurseries
V Kraus Nurseries Ltd.
VanWissen Perennials Inc.
Willowbrook Nurseries Inc.
Winkelmolen Nursery Ltd.
Wright Lawn Care Service Ltd.
2006 Growers Awards of Excellence Winners
Plant material submitted for the Growers Awards of Excellence Program was judged in the morning and auctioned off later in the day. Congratulations to the winners.
Category 1: Evergreens – Field Grown Upright and Spreading
Winner: Maple Leaf Nurseries
For: Taxus cuspidata ‘Capitata’
Category 2: Evergreens – Container Grown Upright and Spreading
Winner: Willowbrook Nurseries Inc
For: Assorted Evergreens
Category 3: Broadleaf Evergreens
Winner: Willowbrook Nurseries Inc
For: Assorted Broadleaf Evergreens
Category 4: Deciduous Shrubs
Winner: Langendoen Nurseries Inc
For: Assorted Deciduous
Category 5: Deciduous Ornamental Trees, 300 cm or Less
Winner: Connon Nurseries/NVK Holdings Inc
For: Betula x Royal Frost (PPAF)
Category 6: Deciduous Ornamental Trees, Top Grafted/Worked
Winner: Willowbrook Nurseries Inc
For: Assorted Top Grafted Deciduous Trees
Category 7: Caliper Trees
Winner: Connon Nurseries/AVK Holdings Inc
For: Pinus strobus
Category 8: Vines and Groundcovers
Winner: Connon Nurseries/NVK Holdings Inc
For: Assorted Vines
Category 9: Perennials
Winner: Maple Leaf Nurseries
For: Assorted Perennials
Category 10: Unusual and Rare Plants
Winner: Connon Nurseries/NVK Holdings Inc
For: Taxodium distichum ‘Peve Minaret’
Judges Choice Award: Best overall entry chosen by the judging panel
Winner: Willowbrook Nurseries Inc
For: Entry in Category 2, Evergreens, Container Grown Upright and Spreading
