Mississauga Mayor McCallion Rhododendron Garden Tour

Mississauga's mayor, Hazel McCallion, toured Brueckner Rhododendron Garden this afternoon. Today's visit had been rescheduled from a planned tour several weeks earlier. To the delight of all, and thanks to this cool spring season, many rhododendrons and azaleas were still in bloom.

David Culham, Mayor McCallion in Brueckner Garden

David Culham, chair of the BRG stewardship committee, outlined for Mayor McCallion the progress that had been made since her visit last year, showing her the hundreds of additional plants moved from the former Hancock Nursery last season.

Mayor McCallion, BRG Visitors in Heritage Garden

With the rhododendrons and azaleas in full bloom, and the peony and rose buds opening, there were many visitors to the Garden, like these fellows who stopped to chat with the Mayor McCallion in the Brueckner Heritage Garden. A wedding party limo pulled in shortly after, and members of the wedding party asked to pose for photos with Her Worship, who as always, graciously complied.

David Culham, Mayor McCallion at Brueckner Memorial Garden

While touring the hillside slope of the Brueckner memorial garden area on the west border of the BRG, Culham pointed out new plantings done over the past year. Currently, a number of hostas, Sweet William and Solomon Seal plants are being transplanted from this area to other parts of the Garden.

David Culham with Mayor McCallion

Culham, who also oversees Garden volunteers, shows Mayor McCallion where he had recently dug up some Solomon Seal to make room for rhododendrons and azaleas.

McCallion, Culham Tour BRG East Garden

Since Brueckner Rhododendron Garden covers nearly 18 acres (7.19 hectares), Culham used the golf cart to take the mayor to tour the East Garden. The pale purple Herbert azaleas can be seen middle right in this photo. Mayor McCallion was seeing these seven new East Garden rhodo and azalea beds (planted last summer and fall) for the first time.

Para Kanp (Head Gardener), Mayor McCalllion, David Culham

BRG head gardener, Para Kanp, and the Mayor discussed plantings and planting methods, as well as projects planned for the Garden. Upcoming improvements not directly related to gardening include signage for the Garden, an interpretive map, signs for important Carolinian forest trees and the new seating area overlooking Lake Ontario.

Culham, McCallion at Interim Place Garden, BRG Port Credit

Mayor McCallion spent some time at the Interim Place Garden, near the main entrance, where a plaque marks this as the site of the first Interim Place women's shelter, of particular interest to the mayor.

Mauve PomPom Rhododendron with Variegated Leaf Hosta

The still-blooming, late-blooming rhododendrons, like this mauve pompom, backdropped the more serious, business side of the tour of this unique City of Mississauga garden.

BRG Lake Ontario Lookout, Mississauga Ontario

 Another addition since Mayor McCallion's last visit are the three new benches at the lookout over Lake Ontario. Firmly placed on solid concrete footing, these benches are set to serve visitors for many years to come. The new lake lookout seating area is planned a few hundred meters to the east, across the south bridge.

Other issues of interest : Dogs off leash in the Garden (it's NOT a Mississauga leash free zone, despite the beliefs of several dog owners); picnic tables are located only in the East Garden and only for as long as space permits; and the work done by volunteers such as weeding and removing thousands of spent rhododendron blossoms.

Pilfered Plantings: The mayor was plainly shocked to learn that someone had dug up and taken away one of the new rhododendrons the night before. While this type of plant removal or taking of cuttings is rare and contrary to a City of Mississauga bylaw, unfortunately, it does happen. See two instances of plant pilfering: Yellow Tree Peony flowers and peony plants.

Overall, the Mayor expressed her appreciation of the work done by staff and volunteers since last year, and said that she looks forward to seeing the Garden in bloom next year.

And the Garden looks forward to showing itself off to her!

Marta Brueckner Rhododendron Garden Tour

Marta Brueckner visited the family namesake garden in Port Credit today to enjoy the rhododendrons in full bloom, including the Brueckner hybrid Hot Dawn. David Culham, who worked closely with the late Dr Brueckner to establish this Rhododendron Garden, accompanied Mrs. Brueckner through the Heritage Garden beds.

David Culham and Marta Brueckner at BRG Port Credit

 Perfect weather for a special tour with Marta Brueckner, shown above with David Culham, chair of the Garden Stewardship Committee.  Mrs. Brueckner, a longtime Mississauga resident, tours the Garden several times each year to see how the rhodos are faring.

Marta Brueckner with David Culham, Heritage Rhododendron Garden

 This year's cool spring weather has extended the rhododendron and azalea blooming season beyond the usual first week in June. A number of rhododendron varieties are still in fat buds likely to open by this weekend. If the weather remains fairly cool for the next week, rhododendrons may still be blooming by Canada Day, July 1, the latest date in recent memory.

David Culham, Marta Brueckner with Para Kanp, Head Gardener

 BRG Head Gardener, Para Kanp, joined Culham and Marta Brueckner to talk rhododendrons, a favourite subject for all three. About eight years ago, Kanp was instrumental in identifying a fungus attacking the rhodos. Prompt treatment saved dozens of rhododendrons.

BRG Visitors Chat with Marta Brueckner

 Culham introduced Marta Brueckner to this group who happened to be visiting the Garden at the same time. To their delight, she chatted with them and posed for photographs, and confirmed when asked that yes, she was formerly a piano teacher.

Marta Brueckner and David Culham in Rhododendron Garden

 Another picture of the nonagenarian 'Lady of the Hour' Marta Brueckner in the Heritage Rhododendron Garden chatting with visitors. While she toured this rhododendron bed on foot, Culham continued the tour through the rest of this extensive garden by golf cart.

Rhododendrons, Azaleas in Brueckner Memorial Garden

Rhododendrons in full bloom are what all concerned had come to see, and they put on a glorious show. Early bloomers such as the Brueckner hybrid rhododendron Bluenose (photos) and PJMs (photos) had flowered a month ago, and were finished for this year.

Rhododendron and Azaleas in Full Bloom BRG Port Credit Ontario

 Extensive plantings in 2010 resulted in a spectacular blooming show this year, thanks to the addition of hundreds of rhododendrons and azaleas, plus other trees and shrubs. Most of the new plantings were transplants from the former Hancock Nurseries on Camilla Road.

Brueckner Rhododendron Hybrid 'Hot Dawn'

Of special note is the fully blooming though still diminutive Brueckner rhododendron hybrid Hot Dawn, shown here in its bright red glory. The blooms almost overshadow any foliage, with many blossoms on each plant. A number of Hot Dawn are planted on the hillside that slopes down towards Lake Ontario near the three-bench lookout. 

If you haven't yet seen the rhododendrons in bloom, then do come visit in the next week or 10 days. While we can't promise a chance to meet Marta Brueckner, you may run into Mayor McCallion. But even without celebrity appearances, we can safely say you'll enjoy this rare, late-season blooming treat.

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Update October 22, 2013

It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of Marta Brueckner, on Sunday, October 20, 2013, at the age of 96.  

Born in 1917, Marta’s long and productive life was undoubtedly enriched by the many historical events she experienced across several continents, much of which she shared with family and friends and which touched us all.

Her talents were varied and far-reaching. Amongst her many accomplishments she will be remembered for her abiding love of music that inspired her success as a much loved and respected piano teacher in Mississauga and earlier, in Saint John, N.B. 

As a lover of all things beautiful, the flower gardens she created and nurtured are a lasting testament to her artistry and gentle nature and manifested in the devoted support she gave her husband in his life’s work with rhododendrons and the development of Brueckner Rhododendron Gardens, Mississauga.