Landscape Ontario magazine is the voice of Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association — a people magazine for a thriving organization with intense member involvement. Landscape Ontario is also a timely business magazine, addressing specific green industry issues with authority. Landscape Ontario contains industry news, association news, industry issue features, profiles, event announcements, extension bulletins and more.
July | August 2025
KEEPING IT Personal
SILVERFERN LANDSCAPING ADAPTS HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY CULTURE
PAGE 16
AWARDS PROGRAM MAKES CHANGES PAGE 6
MELISSA SPEARING REMEMBERED PAGE 4
BATTERY-POWERED REPORT PAGE 8
JULY - AUGUST 2025 | 1
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July | August 2025 • Volume 43 - No. 04 HortTrades.com Landscape Ontario’s mandate is to be the leader in representing, promoting and fostering a favourable environment for the advancement of the horticultural profession in Ontario.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Features
Landscaping the industry together
16
Member Profile: Silverfern Landscaping Every employer's dream employee
20
Departments
A s we’re in full tilt this reflect on the incredible strength of our Landscape Ontario (LO) community. Our summer edition is a perfect time to celebrate the value of membership and camaraderie — reminding us of the many benefits that come with belonging to the LO family. After all, when we grow together, the industry isn’t just blooming — it’s designing the future! This past year, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting so many of you at various events and gatherings. summer season, I want to take a moment to Every encounter has been truly inspiring. Hearing and learning about your unique paths in this profession is nothing short of exciting — it’s like seeing a different flower bloom in every corner of our industry. Every story, challenge and triumph adds a rich layer to our community’s garden. And let’s face it, just like a good landscape, growth doesn’t follow a straight line. There are plenty of twists and turns, but the view is always worth it!
When we come together and support one another, the collective strength we create elevates the entire profession. Like boats in a rising tide, each of us benefits from the movement of others. We’re landscaping the industry to be more resilient, innovative and prosperous. And don’t worry, we’re not watering down progress; we’re just planting seeds for future success. Remember, your involvement in LO not only benefits your own business, but also helps strengthen our entire industry. When we grow together, we plant the seeds for a landscape community that’s more vibrant than a freshly striped lawn! Let’s keep pushing forward. Wishing you all a productive, sunny summer filled with collaboration, learning and a few good dad jokes along the way. After all, what’s a landscape without a little grassroots humour? Stay sharp, build a solid foundation and make this season the best one yet!
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Association News GROW Success Story Volunteer Profile Professional News Columns
Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Circulation Department - Landscape Ontario 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 Canada Phone: 905-875-1805 ISSN 1928-9553 Publications Mail Agreement No. PM40013519 Views expressed are those of the writer concerned. Landscape Ontario assumes no responsibility for the validity or correctness of any opinions or references made by the author. Copyright 2025, reproduction or the use of whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited. Published 6x per year. Rates and deadlines are available on request. Subscription price: $43.51 per year (HST included). For subscription and address changes, please email subscriptions@landscapeontario.com COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE Gerald Boot CLM, Vanessa McQuade, Lindsay Drake Nightingale, Mark Fisher, Hank Gelderman COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT Communications Director - Penny Tantakis Manager of Communications - Robert Ellidge Creative Director - Mike Wasilewski Managing Editor, Multimedia - Karina Sinclair Graphic Design Associate - Aisha Shaikh Account Manager - Greg Sumsion Account Manager - Liz Lant Digital Marketing Specialist - Laura Fox Communications Coordinator - Angela Lindsay Accountant - Joe Sabatino Staff contact info: HortTrades.com/contact EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President - Ed Hansen Past President - Lindsay Drake Nightingale Vice President - Lindsey Ross Second Vice President - Jeff Olsen Treasurer - Pam Cook
Ed Hansen LO President ed@eandlconsulting.ca
ON THE COVER: Silverfern Landscaping PHOTO BY JEFF SHUH PHOTOGRAPHY
Please recycle your magazine and poly bag after reading.
JULY - AUGUST 2025 | 3
ASSOCIATION NEWS
Remembering Melissa Spearing
Preface by David Milne
his family, my dad and the community: an honest, humble horticulturalist raising a large family through the Great Depression and beyond. When I read the thank you letters addressed to my parents, it made me realize the immeasurable value of what we are all capable of and that as my dad has said in years past, “A nursery can be much more than a nursery.” And now it is my turn to be eternally thankful. As the oldest daughter in the Spearing clan, it is with great excitement and determination that I have left my advertising job in Toronto to return to Ground Covers Unlimited. Landing a job with my parents was not as easy as it might seem. They did their best to emphasize the hard work, long hours and fresh air, but as much as my parents keep throwing us out into the real world, the Spearing kids seem to boomerang back. I wrote the cover letter for our 25th anniversary catalogue in 2004 on the theme of how agricultural roots prepared me for the “real world.” Turns out the real world was expensive, tiring in its rat-race pace and aggravating when you see others with so little responsibility for themselves and the environment. At work I felt personally guilty printing advertisements on Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper, selling SUVs. It was one thing to scold my roommates
In the early morning of Aug. 20, 2024, I learned of Melissa Spearing’s sudden passing. I’ve known her parents, Sandy and Ted, for some time now, and always look forward to visiting their nursery. I only came to know Melissa through social media and was unaware of the connection to Sandy and Ted. I quickly discovered Melissa was an energetic woman who cared deeply about family, friends and the natural environment. I think my love for growing plants from seed is what really caused me to connect with her initially. A common appreciation for food, cooking and travel also resonated with me. That, and a shared love for our untamed spaces. I know there are many, many others who feel the same way. While waiting for her memorial service to begin, I took the opportunity to read a booklet that was distributed. I deeply appreciated being able to learn more about Melissa. But it was an article she had written for the family nursery that really hit home. Not only did I get to learn more about Melissa, I also saw that she knew our horticultural and landscape profession is in real need of young people to further it along. Bringing in new people with new voices is vital to the growth of our field. But we also need people who have experience and personal knowledge to step up and become mentors to those just beginning
Melissa Spearing
their career. I instantly felt compelled to share that message with a wider audience. I wish I had the opportunity to meet Melissa in person, but her message will stay with me for a long time, and I am very pleased to share it with you here to mark the anniversary of her passing. MELISSA’S STORY IN HER OWN WORDS (Reprinted from the Ground Covers Unlimited 2008 catalogue) Back in 1997, our catalogue featured a story on local nursery owner, Harold Moxon. He was an obvious influence on
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Equally important is the necessity to pass your knowledge onto them. I am extremely lucky my parents are willing mentors for knowledge that is not easily accessible (not many growers have time to write textbooks or post blogs!). But wanting to learn begins with knowing the option is available. Your mentorship can be responsible for lighting the fire of enthusiasm in a young person. The offer of a first job or access to resources is often the open door that is needed. Young people are already interested and energetic about environmentalism: this industry needs to continue cultivating that interest. They look at what we do with new perspectives and technology.
Crew App Crew App already. I haven’t figured out a way to download my parents’ brains into mine. I guess I’ll just have to learn the nursery trade the old-fashioned way. This new enthusiasm can collaborate with your well of practical knowledge for real working efficiencies. This kind of open- minded decision-making will only go further in promoting ourselves as a cornerstone to the green movement, not another two- faced contributor to its demise. However, my few years in advertising were not a waste by any means. Continual contact with friends and coworkers is enticing them out to the nursery to learn more about horticulture. I have advanced my marketing, computer and IT skills enough to bring some time-saving benefits to this business
Geofence based clock-ins Geofence based clock-ins Having a family-owned nursery brings to light the fact that the green industry’s sustainability is based on more than how we grow a plant. Our current shortage is the “who” — young people considering this a worthy career. for not recycling, but another to have to participate in the corporate double standard of promoting consumerism candy-coated in conservation. While I was good at advertising, I found my efforts plagued by nagging doubts in its sustainability and true value to our society. And then, as if sleeping on a gold mine, I realized the tremendous opportunity lying under my nose at home. I have come back to the potato patch finally knowing the contentment in making the right choice.
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Showcase your best work in Landscape Ontario’s Awards of Excellence program
BEFORE
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KEY UPDATES to THIS YEAR’S PROGRAM Based on feedback from past entrants and judging committees, several updates have been made to this year’s program. • Before and after photos: New this year, entrants are strongly encouraged to include “before” images along with finished project photos. This will become a mandatory requirement starting in 2026, so now’s the time to build this habit into your documentation process. • New Special Projects category: To provide fairer evaluation, a new category has been introduced for unique or non-traditional work, such as pool installations with no softscape component. Previously submitted under construction, these projects were often penalized due to softscape accounting for 25 per cent of the score. The new category removes this element to better reflect the project's strengths. • Green Stamp criteria refined: Green Stamp recognition will now be limited to only design projects, in line with its focus on environmentally responsible planning. • Top legacy awards: Top-scoring projects overall
Each year, Landscape Ontario’s Awards of Excellence program honours the industry’s most outstanding achievements in design, construction, maintenance and more. With online entry now open for this year’s program, members are encouraged to start planning ahead by capturing high-quality photos of your latest project and reviewing some exciting new updates to this year’s categories. Open only to Landscape Ontario members, the awards program celebrates outstanding skill, creativity and professionalism. Winning an award is a powerful way to promote your business, earn peer recognition, acknowledge your team and raise the bar for landscape excellence across Ontario.
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overall presentation. • Updated judging score sheets: Score sheets used by judges have been revised to reflect the new evaluation standards. GET READY TO ENTER Online entry is open July 1 to Oct. 1 , but don't wait until the last minute. Start organizing your project entries now. Remember to photograph your projects before you begin work — and in their best light — and review the submission guidelines in full. Let your work speak for itself and be recognized among Ontario’s landscape elite. Learn more and begin your entry at loawards.com.
honoured with an Award of Excellence.
will be honoured with Legacy Awards, recognizing exceptional distinction across all categories. • Code and safety compliance: All projects must adhere to building codes and demonstrate safe construction practices. Entries failing to meet these standards may have points deducted. REFRESHER ON LAST YEAR’S CHANGES If it’s been a while since you entered, here are a few important updates previously introduced that still apply: • Scoring tiers: Projects scoring between 80–89 per cent receive an Award of Merit, while those scoring 90–100 per cent are
• Category limits: Each project is limited to a maximum of two categories to ensure focused and fair evaluation. • Marketing category removed: The Marketing category has been eliminated from the competition. • Design criteria alignment: The criteria for the Design category has been updated to align with the standards of the National Awards of Landscape Excellence. • Judging considerations: Judges can deduct points for issues such as untidy sites or dead plants, emphasizing the importance of
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Landscape Ontario report looks at the future of battery-powered equipment
equipment to better understand the successes and challenges they experienced. SURVEY RESULTS The survey data demonstrated there are many benefits to transitioning to zero-emissions landscape equipment, including: decreased noise and vibration, ease of start up, operation and training, avoiding mixing and storing fuels, avoiding fuel spills, decreased exhaust exposure for operators, minimized maintenance, fuel savings and reduced environmental impact. Even though landscape professionals are naturally moving toward battery-powered equipment (only 26 per cent of survey respondents noted they haven’t transitioned any of their equipment to battery), the transition to using battery-powered equipment brings many challenges and barriers. These include high upfront costs, the need for implementing charging infrastructure, limited battery life/runtime, decreased efficiency compared to two-stroke equipment, lack of performance for heavy-duty tasks and battery replacement and disposal. Many landscape professionals expressed concerns about battery-powered backpack blowers not having enough power to accomplish heavy and potentially wet fall cleanups. There was also concern over battery-powered mowers in the spring
In 2024, The City of Toronto’s Environment and Climate Division was directed by Toronto City Council to undertake the necessary steps to study a proposed ban on the use of two-stroke small engine equipment. The City of Toronto consulted with Landscape Ontario (LO) about the implications of a potential ban on the landscape sector and engaged the association to research and produce a report on the feasibility of industry adoption of battery-powered equipment. Completed in April 2025, the Beyond Gas-Powered Equipment: Exploring a Zero-Emissions Future in Landscape Horticulture report details the landscape industry’s perspectives on a potential ban, including the overall cost, availability, power output, battery life and recycling options, charging infrastructure requirements, client requests and more. Over 325 landscape professionals provided feedback — with 71 per cent representing companies with one to 20 employees and 18 per cent with 21-50 employees. Respondents cited various rates and experiences with transitioning their technology — 56 per cent said they have converted about a quarter of their equipment, while about seven per cent said they have fully transitioned. The report also includes 15 case studies that highlight LO member companies who have transitioned to battery-powered
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TORONTO DECISION In May, the full report was presented to Toronto City Council and later that month a number of decisions were made. These include: • To not pursue an outright ban on two-stroke engines, but to instead continue to work toward a transition to zero- emission outdoor power equipment by residents and businesses. • That any new contracts for landscaping services on City-owned property specify that two-stroke gas-powered engines may not be used if zero-emission equipment is available. • For the executive director of Environment, Climate and Forestry to report back in 2027 on progress to transition City-owned equipment from two-stroke engine to electric, as well as an update on the communication campaign to encourage Toronto businesses and residents to choose quieter, zero-emission equipment. Their report will also include an update on any other jurisdictions in North America that are transitioning internal operations to zero-emission outdoor power equipment or have enacted community restrictions or bans. FULL REPORT AVAILABLE Landscape Ontario members can access the full 110-page report in digital format for free by logging in to the online member portal at members.landscapeontario.com and clicking on My Dashboard where the report can be found under Premium Content Library . Non-members can purchase a digital download report for $49 (CAD) or a printed copy for $69 (CAD) for delivery in Canada via a link at gfl.me/hbTo.
when grass is dense, long and wet. Only four per cent of survey respondents answered that battery-powered equipment can tackle these heavy-duty jobs. Some respondents suggested LO should request a spring and fall exemption for two-stroke equipment in these conditions. It was also determined that most businesses would benefit from a delayed implementation of a potential ban on two-stroke equipment. The majority of survey respondents (42 per cent) requested a gradual transition period of three to seven years. Overall, survey respondents can see there is a benefit to transitioning their operations to using zero-emissions landscape equipment. LO recognizes there is work to be done within the industry to support this shift.
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Communities in Bloom Ontario: A season of growth and beauty
Bloom National. Furthermore, CiB Ontario has taken an innovative step by creating a special video specifically designed to assist our judges in their assessments. This valuable resource will soon be readily available on the CiB Ontario website, providing comprehensive guidance and ensuring consistency in the evaluation process. A particularly exciting aspect of this year's program is our engaging theme: edible gardens. We can’t wait to see the innovative and creative ways communities will embrace this theme, showcasing the beauty and bounty of locally grown produce. The theme not only highlights sustainable practices, but also encourages community engagement through shared harvests and green initiatives. The evaluation period for communities in Ontario is scheduled to take place between the end of July and August — a time when gardens are at their peak and community efforts are flourishing. The culmination of this year's hard work and dedication will be celebrated at the Communities in Bloom Symposium and Awards, which will take place Oct. 16-19, 2025, in Stratford, Ont. This prestigious event offers a wonderful opportunity for communities to share their successes, learn from one another and be recognized for their outstanding achievements. More information about the symposium and awards can be found at communitiesinbloom.ca/symposium- awards.
This year, Communities in Bloom Ontario (CiB Ontario) is in full swing, brimming with excitement and a renewed sense of purpose. We are especially thrilled to extend a warm welcome to Blake Tubby, who has graciously accepted the pivotal role of chair of CiB Ontario. Tubby’s leadership marks a significant moment for our program and his extensive background promises a vibrant future for our initiatives. Tubby brings an impressive 23 years of experience in the landscape industry. As the visionary owner and operator of Arbordale Landscaping, a highly respected firm dedicated to enhancing the green spaces of the Greater Toronto Area, Tubby possesses a deep understanding of horticultural excellence and community beautification. His passion for the profession extends beyond his business as he shares his knowledge as an instructor in the Landscape Technician Program at Humber College. He also currently serves on the advisory panel for Seneca College's Environmental Landscape Program. Tubby’s commitment to the industry is evident through his continued service as a member at large on the Landscape Ontario Provincial Board of Directors and is active on several advisory committees. Tubby’s experience, combined with his infectious enthusiasm, will undoubtedly be a tremendous asset to CiB Ontario. He is excited to bring a fresh perspective to our program and is looking forward to
collaborating with the CiB Ontario board to further the organization’s goal of helping to beautify the entire province. This year, CiB Ontario is proud to announce we will be evaluating five communities vying for recognition for their dedication to horticultural excellence and community engagement. Our judges will be visiting Brantford, County of Brant, Township of Southgate, North Grenville and downtown Kingston. In addition to these communities, we are delighted to include three "friend" communities who are actively participating in the spirit of Communities in Bloom, focusing on growth and improvement: Greater Napanee, Town of Amherstburg and Vaughan. To ensure the highest standards of evaluation, our judges have undergone rigorous training by Communities in
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New member benefit: Greenworks equipment
The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) is excited to announce a new national partnership with Greenworks Commercial, a leading provider of battery- powered landscaping equipment. This collaboration introduces an exclusive member benefit program offering substantial savings on high-performance, eco-friendly tools. Effective immediately, all CNLA members (including Landscape Ontario members) will receive: • 10 per cent off all ride-on equipment. • 20 per cent off all hand-held equipment. • 15 per cent off retail tools at greenworkstools.ca (code required). “This partnership reflects CNLA’s ongoing commitment to supporting members with smart, sustainable business solutions,” said Kevin Nauss, CLHM, CNLA Member Services Committee Chair. “By making battery- powered equipment more accessible, we’re helping members reduce their
the charge toward a greener future. To take advantage of these exclusive discounts, contact memberservices@cnla- acpp.ca to obtain a letter to take to your nearest Greenworks commercial dealer. Members can also visit cnla.ca/login to get full details and to receive the discount code to use online.
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GROW SUCCESS STORY Art Vanden Enden builds trust and confidence in skills of newcomers
Like many in the grower sector, Art Vanden Enden was introduced to his career as a very young child. ”My parents operated a greenhouse business that was on our property,” Vanden Enden said. “So I was working and being in greenhouses since I was four and five years old.” Participating in the family hothouse tomato operations helped Vanden Enden develop a solid work ethic and although he didn’t personally love the product, he loved being surrounded by plants. “I was more interested in trees and shrubs and evergreens, so when I was 15, I managed to get a part-time job at a local garden centre,” Vanden Enden said. Paying it forward After 44 years in the garden centre business, Vanden Enden was getting ready to retire and wanted to give
Landscape Ontario to see if there were any teaching opportunities. Soon, Vanden Enden was running workshops and webinars geared to those working in the independent garden centre sector and branched out as an instructor for the GROW program in 2023. GROWing the talent pool The Landscape Ontario GROW program provides free training for new workers and current professionals in the industry. It aims to help individuals launch careers, advance existing ones and assist employers in attracting and retaining skilled staff. The program offers skills and safety training, delivered by professionals like Vanden Enden, and includes online modules and hands-on training. Job developers help pair participants with landscape companies with open
positions. Over the last year, Vanden Enden has heard positive feedback from employers who hired GROW graduates. “You know you’ve done a good job when you’ve trained [participants] well and they turn into valuable employees,”
back to the industry he’d enjoyed for decades. “I wanted to share my experience because I thought I could help people and I always enjoyed training,” he said. “One of my favourite things in my final 20 years of work was actually doing training.” So he reached out to his contacts at
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Finding community Over the first few days of classes, instructors and job developers emphasize that the GROW program is a safe learning place and try to engage participants who might be shy or lack confidence. ”We want them to overcome those barriers so they can focus on the fun part and the joy of it. We also get such a wide range of people who sometimes have difficult personal lives,” Vanden Enden said, sharing that language, transportation to the training facility and the structure of the day can be difficult for some. “There's all sorts of different challenges that various people face, but we want them to know that it's a safe, inclusive and very supportive environment.” Once participants develop trust — in instructors, their classmates and themselves — Vanden Enden said it’s very rewarding to see friendships and camaraderie develop over the length of the program. By the end, “they're so supportive of each other and they celebrate each other's successes. That's really rewarding for me as a tech instructor to see,” Vanden Enden said. “Almost every class will set up a WhatsApp chat group so they can brainstorm with each other, even after the formal part of the program is over.” Vanden Enden says the most successful GROW participants demonstrate similar characteristics. “People who ask questions, roll up their sleeves, participate and work well in teams are always the most successful,” he said, noting that pre-existing
leadership skills are highly beneficial. “Oftentimes [participants] can fairly quickly get the practical experience and then start to utilize their leadership experience to fast track a career path.” One of Vanden Enden’s favourite moments happens in nearly every cohort — watching those who have never started a two-stroke motorized piece of equipment before. “We show them how to do that, and then they can actually do that,” Vanden Enden shared. “And you see their pride and their faces light up. It's really fun when you see people practice a skill and then do it well.” He also finds it rewarding to ask somebody who didn’t know about different trees and shrubs two weeks earlier: “What is this tree?” and they can answer it. Vanden Enden looks forward to fostering future GROW cohorts and hopes participants take away the value of working together, supporting one another and being good listeners. “Those skills are transferable to any profession,” he said. “We also like to really focus on worker safety, so health and safety, safe practices. Everything along that line is really important.” He also draws on a phrase he borrows from Ted Lasso — be curious . “Curiosity feeds learning. And when people ask good questions, get enthusiastic, that's really fun to see.” More information about Landscape Ontario's GROW program can be found at growtraining.ca.
Vanden Enden said. “I really enjoy giving back to the industry. It’s been really good to me and I had a very rewarding working career. I personally get satisfaction out of seeing new people be receptive and excited about the learning they receive through the GROW program.” Through GROW, Vanden Enden has introduced a wide range of participants to various career paths within the green trades. Some participants have long- term plans to become entrepreneurs and open their own businesses. Taking the GROW program is their first step to getting formal, practical training. Other participants are pivoting from a different career to try something new. And some are attracted to the opportunity to work outdoors. Whatever their career aspirations are, Vanden Enden hopes to set them up for success by giving the proper practical and theoretical guidance. The program often attracts immigrants from India, South America, Ukraine, the Middle East and the Caribbean. Many have already gained horticulture experience in their home countries and are now eager to learn more about working in a colder climate and dealing with winter. Others are brand new to the industry. ”Sometimes there's people who have zero experience and yet they're very much attracted to working outdoors,” Vanden Enden said. “And when I say zero experience, they have never pushed a lawnmower. Never used a wheelbarrow. Don’t know the different types of tools. So it’s very new and revealing to that group.”
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VOLUNTEER PROFILE Tanya Olsen Rooted in tradition, growing the future By Julia Harmsworth
I was really little. Somewhere, my mom has a photograph of me sleeping in a wheelbarrow while she potted bare-root roses.” Olsen got her Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Guelph, where she met her husband, Dave, who is now co-owner. That same university is also where her grandfather worked, running the greenhouses, before opening Royal City in the 1970s. Olsen feels lucky her family has been so immersed in the industry for so long. “That’s how I learned,” she said. She and her sister were introduced to plant identification on childhood trips to the cottage. While walking through the woods
At a birthday party when she was eight, Tanya Olsen, owner of Royal City Nursery in Guelph, Ont., was asked what she wanted to do when she grew up. “I want to run Royal City Nursery and I want to be a horticultural apprenticeship instructor just like my dad,” she replied. Years later, Olsen’s words came true. She’s not only the third-generation owner of the nursery (after her grandparents and parents), she’s also a professor at Humber College’s horticulture program. Olsen never had a doubt about what she wanted to do. “For me, horticulture isn’t a job, it isn’t a career. It’s what I do. I desperately love the industry. I love the ability to marry an indoor space with an outdoor space and
make it usable, make it creative, make it unique and really help a customer see themselves living in that space on a very personal level,” Olsen explained. “I truly do not know what the heck I would do if I weren’t doing this,” she added. “I’ve been in this business since
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industry she already loves through her students’ eyes. Her dad taught at Humber, too, until he passed away in 2015. To honour Peter’s legacy and commitment to the industry he so dearly loved, the family asked for donations and established The Peter Olsen Scholarship Fund through the Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation. Each year, basic-level apprentices and advanced-level apprentices can apply to receive a financial scholarship from the fund. In 2025, the Peter Olsen Scholarship Fund paid for two students’ full tuition. “For my family — for me and for Dad, we really want to promote someone who […] actually sees themselves in the industry and who really exemplifies what we look for as a potential business owner,” Olsen said. The scholarship is awarded to students who value learning and are naturally curious about the industry — qualities the Olsen family value in their efforts to support the next generation of landscape professionals. “It’s a little bit of that legacy sharing. It’s a little bit of that storytelling that our grandparents did with our parents, who did with us. If we don’t teach those around us, then we lose an awful lot.”
hiring period is each spring.
they would be asked, “What’s this? How does this work?” Olsen explained, “We always talked plants and nature with both my grandparents and my dad. We’ve done that forever and always.” Olsen’s involvement with Landscape Ontario (LO) is also hereditary. Royal City Nursery has been a member since the association’s inception. Olsen’s father, Peter, served as president in 1986, pushing for stronger membership recruitment in his term. Growing up, Olsen attended the Waterloo Chapter’s annual Fall Freeze Up dance with her parents. Her first time teaching took place at LO’s home office in Milton, Ont., in partnership with Humber’s horticulture program. She’s taken classes, too, and is a member of the Garden Centre Sector Group, encouraged by member Art Vanden Enden. The two are creating training videos for fellow members to train seasonal staff. Videos focus on basic botany, watering, customer service, houseplant identification, maintenance and placement. Next on the list of topics are: annuals, container gardening and native and pollinator plants. “That’s one of the biggest hurdles, is training,” Olsen explained, noting how quick the seasonal
She also thanks LO and former executive director Tony DiGiovanni for helping Royal City Nursery move locations when it was expropriated from its land in 2015. LO helped cut through some of the red tape when it came to zoning and site planning. “I love the fact that […] if I have a problem or a question, I can unabashedly call someone. And I’m pretty sure I would actually get an answer. And sometimes those answers come at really strange hours of the day, because I’m asking the question at really strange hours of the day,” she said, laughing. “There’s a network standing behind all of us.” Now, Olsen feels it’s her responsibility to share the knowledge she lives and breathes with industry newcomers. She’s taught both the landscape technician and apprenticeship programs at Humber for 22 years. Her courses encompass everything from business, to construction, to plant ID. “I like the light bulb,” she said of teaching — something she also said of helping customers at the nursery. It’s valuable, she explained, to watch somebody get something and to see the
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Member Profile
SILVERFERN LANDSCAPING By Julia Harmsworth A MARRIAGE OF SERVICE AND SKILL
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W hen calling for the owners of Silverfern Landscaping, you may be faced with a question: Are you looking for Carl or Carla? Turns out, the answer is both. Married couple and co-owners Carl Anso and Carla Oskam met back in 1999 during frosh week at Western University in London, Ont. Anso introduced himself with a nickname, but Oksam asked for his real name. “It’s Carl,” he replied “No way,” Oksam replied, “I’m Carla.” “Next thing you know, driver’s licenses are getting pulled out for confirmation,” Carl said. Carla concluded: “At which point, I told him it didn’t have my phone number on it, but…” Continued >
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The couple have been together ever since. As business partners, they’re the perfect balance: Carl is the expert in the field and Carla is the professional in the office. When asked what it’s like working with their spouse, they agree it’s made their marriage stronger. “It is truly awesome. I absolutely love it,” Carla said. Neither is a stranger to a family business. Carl grew up working summers for his dad’s architecture firm in Toronto and Carla worked for her family’s steel fabrication business. They said it’s sometimes hard to turn off the shop talk, but their two sons, Landon, 16, and Logan, 13, have helped them build necessary boundaries. Silverfern employs about a dozen people at peak season. The commercial and residential landscape design-build company serves Guelph, Cambridge, Kitchener-Waterloo and the surrounding area. It doesn’t do property maintenance (except for gardens) and is focused on high-end residential design. “We are super fortunate. The clientele that we get to work with — there are days that you stand there and you’re like, ‘How the hell did I ever make it here?’” Carl said. Starting with hospitality Carl has worked in the landscape trades his entire professional career. He previously owned a business in the Beach neighbourhood in Toronto, where he grew up. When he and Carla started a family, he sold the business and they moved to Guelph. There, he worked as operations manager for a large landscape company before striking out on his own once more. He founded Silverfern Landscaping in 2016, named after his mother’s Kiwi background; the silver fern is New Zealand’s national plant. Carl and Carla agree that plants are the star of any landscape design. They bring a space to life. Carla joined in 2021: “I convinced her!” Carl said. “The grass is greener over here.” At the time, Silverfern had recently entered a partnership with Pearle Hospitality, a large hospitality company in Ancaster. Carla was brought on to facilitate communications between the two offices and help support Silverfern’s sudden growth. Through this partnership, the young company cut its teeth on large-scale, high-end commercial projects. They worked on Whistle Bear Golf Club in Cambridge, The Pearle Hotel & Spa in Burlington and a trio of mills in Ancaster, Cambridge and Elora Mill, which Anso said “was a really big feather in our cap” and earned the company a nomination at the CNLA National Awards of Landscape Excellence. “We got thrust into large projects. You can call it magnetic luck,” Carl said. Here, Carla cut in: “You call it magnetic luck. I don’t think so. I call it who you are. You’re very good at your craft and people see that.” Carl laughed and said, “Well, thank you.”
Carl Anso and Carla Oskam
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Silverfern and Pearle Hospitality dissolved their partnership amicably after three harmonious years of business. Then, Silverfern scaled back on maintenance and focused on high-end residential construction. “That is what Silverfern is,” Carla said. She and Carl credit their staff with facilitating a smooth transition out of the partnership. “There were definitely challenges,” Carl said. “To go through something like that… I don’t want to say it’s necessarily starting back over, but […] it’s picking your boots back up and going, ‘Okay, we’re taking the reins over, and we’re gonna have to point this ship in a different direction.’ We were very fortunate in terms of our staff. They rallied around us.” Keeping it personal Carl and Carla take a family-business approach to managing their team. They run Silverfern from the bottom up rather than top down. They make sure it’s easy for crews to access the owners in the office and encourage them to speak up about their own ideas. “We want to support you as an entrepreneur without the risk,” Carl said. He loves the opportunity to enter his team’s projects (most of which are private backyards) in Landscape Ontario’s Awards of Excellence program. They have been recognized with a few awards and are in awe sharing the room with companies Carl grew up idolizing, like The Beach Gardener and Oriole Landscaping. “It’s a full circle moment,” he said. Much of the company’s success reflects back on its history with hospitality. Carl and Carla have adapted the culture of the hospitality industry to residential projects — namely the constant pursuit of perfection — striving to provide clients with an honest, genuine and thoughtful experience. The landscaping itself, the physical doing of the work, is 10 per cent while the other 90 is client experience. That’s where true value is created. Each project is unique. Silverfern prides itself on its ability to pull off all styles and to read the client to produce exactly what they’re looking for. The team loves connecting with clients on a personal level. Carl said that because projects can go on for several months, “it’s like a marriage.” And, of course, a marriage is more than the honeymoon. “You have your ups and downs and in the downtimes, how do you handle those situations? Can you communicate? Can you get a resolution and are you able to push forward?” Sometimes, clients even invite crews over for dinner in the backyard after the job is complete. “Some guys joke it’s like being on MTV Cribs,” Carl said. “That might be dating me, but it really is. You can sit there some days and go, ‘holy Christopher, I’m being paid to do this.’ That part’s special.”
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Celebrating Robert Ellidge for 30 years of service Every employer’s dream employee
By Karina Sinclair
F or three decades, Robert Ellidge has been a cornerstone of Landscape Ontario (LO). To honour this milestone, we reached out to members and staff — both past and present — to gather some stories and memories that offer a glimpse of the profound impact Robert has had. This collection of tributes celebrates Robert's 30th work anniversary and reflects on his diverse roles, steadfast loyalty and instrumental contributions to the organization's success. His commitment to supporting the association's members, along with his broad skill set, quick wit and get-it-done attitude, makes him a truly exceptional asset. And as Rita Weerdenburg says, “Landscape Ontario is an organization where employees want to stay, but from my perspective, Robert has been a key player in making LO that kind of workplace.” Recently, Rob mentioned working over the weekend to resolve some issues with the new LO website. When asked if he’d requested overtime pay, Robert replied, “No overtime. It’s my unwavering determination to make things
right that motivates me.” This is just one example (of thousands!) of how committed Robert is to
making the member experience rich and meaningful. Thank you, Robert, for going above and beyond for LO members and fellow staff. Your impact is felt far and wide.
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Tony DiGiovanni Former LO executive director When Karina Sinclair asked me to share some thoughts about Robert Ellidge's 30th anniversary with Landscape Ontario (LO) for a magazine tribute, it was an absolute pleasure to delve into past records and memories. Revisiting years of email correspondence provided a rich tapestry of insights into Robert's invaluable contributions. A consistent theme emerged from every email and chat log: Robert is a problem solver. Always proactive and taking initiative, he tackles challenges head-on. Whether it was brainstorming letterhead designs, deliberating furniture choices or planning circulation, Robert's problem-solving skills were evident. The sheer volume of emails demonstrates a consistent, logical, detailed and member-centric approach to every task. Robert's organizational ability shines. His involvement in Canada Blooms and his role in building construction, particularly concerning space requirements and furniture selections, illustrate his keen eye for detail. Beyond logistical tasks, Robert's versatility is remarkable. Robert's role extends beyond the typical. He is skilled in so many different and critical areas. He is a great storyteller and captured the history of so many members and events. He excels as an editor, videographer, photographer, computer technician, website designer and much more. He is a master communicator and is always first to help his fellow teammates. If that was not enough, Robert was also the property manager at one time. He contributed his organizational skills to the renovation of the new LO headquarters, working closely with the architect and construction firm. Robert is very capable in so many areas and
Rita Weerdenburg Publishing department manager
he just kept improving as the years passed. Robert is trustworthy and wise. His "quiet wisdom" resonates through his interactions, and his advice is always sound. This reliability is why he's someone people turn to for guidance. He was always the first to volunteer for staff social events and was always involved in organizing holiday parties and staff outings. One memorable staff excursion was to the Journey Beneath Niagara Falls. Robert and a few other team members took the elevator down and were stuck beneath the falls because the elevator stopped working. Unfortunately there happened to be an elevator employee strike at the time, so help was delayed. At first, it was a fun adventure but as the hours passed there was a little panic. Robert’s calm demeanour helped everyone. While incredibly professional, Robert brings a vibrant personality to the workplace and he “keeps on the sunny side.” Robert has a fun side — his air guitar skills are legendary and his Halloween costumes are outrageous. He loves golf and hockey and excels in both. This blend of serious commitment, contribution ethic and fun-loving spirit makes him a delight to work with. Everything Robert does is member-centric. He prioritizes the needs of the organization's members and ensures their voices are heard and their stories are told. Robert is a devoted family man. He has two daughters. We remember his joy when they were born and we have had the pleasure of watching them grow. Happy 30th anniversary, Robert!!
I hired Robert to join the small Landscape Ontario (LO) publishing team shortly after the association moved to Milton. His main responsibility was overseeing the production of the provincial publication, Horticulture Review (now Landscape Ontario magazine). Robert quickly proved himself an earnest and dedicated employee, and 30 years later, that remains true. In short, Robert was and remains to be, every employer’s dream employee. Although Robert was hired to be a part of the publishing team, over the years he willingly took on many, many more very diverse responsibilities, ranging from webmaster to building maintenance. The current offices differ significantly from the facility that LO moved into in the 1990s and its upkeep was an ongoing challenge. Thank goodness Robert was willing to tackle just about everything that needed attention.
We gathered too many tributes to fit the magazine, so head to our website to read all the memories and see photos of Rob’s contributions over the past 30 years. Visit gfl.me/hbTR.
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