Monthly 2005

Fifteenth Anniversary Retrospective Rehabilitation of the Garden

July 26, 2008 marked the fifteenth anniversary of the Friends of Maplelawn Garden's formation - and the start of our long journey, with the aid of the National Capital Commission, to research, reconstruct and renew our beloved historic walled garden. The following is a 15 year photo-documentary of the garden's progress and the Volunteers' considerable efforts in its reclamation.

Early photographs are from a collection compiled by Nancy E. M. Smith, one of the co-founders of the project. They include her own photographs, as well as some by the late Lloyd Brown and the late Ann Falkner. Later photographs are provided by Lloyd Brown, a professional photographer and long-time Maplelawn volunteer gardener, and others such as Eileen Hunt and Wayne Rutherford.

For our web site visitors, we hope to provide not only a concise record of the development of the garden from its initial wild state to the current replication of one of its more formal incarnations, but also to see and understand the process of research and discovery, of contact with the garden's original owners and personal histories, and some of the very physical and technical aspects of this magnificent community effort to reclaim part of our history.

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

*1993*
Photo: N.E.M. Smith	Photo: N.E.M. Smith	Photo: N.E.M. Smith	Photo: N.E.M. Smith
In mid-summer, even in the beginning, the Garden had great beauty and charm.	But a closer examination, revealed the many original plants had dwindled to only a hardy few.	Paths had all but disappeared, and in places, weeds out numbered the flowering perennials.	Wild beauty has its charm, but the heliopsis really had run rampant, in places obliterating other plantings of the 1930s plan
Photo: N.E.M. Smith
Ceremonial replanting of maple in south west lawn area, NCC & FMG.
*1994*
Photo: N.E.M. Smith	Photo: N.E.M. Smith	Photo: N.E.M. Smith	Photo: N.E.M. Smith
Spring in the second season reveals the survival of original plants, such as the many tulips planted by the Garden's last owner.	The benefits the Volunteers provide the Garden is quickly evident, as early spring progressed into late.	Many of the structural surfaces and layout of the garden become more evident as the summer progresses.	The old kitchen garden, outside the walls of the garden, however, remains untouched. It awaits its new destiny - a parking lot.
Photo: N.E.M. Smith	Photo: N.E.M. Smith	Photo: N.E.M. Smith	Photo: N.E.M. Smith
The resurrection of the Garden involved hours of physical research. Here an archeologist examins the underpinings of the original path.	Many more hours of effort are required to return even the paths to a semblance of their original order.	And as the summer progresses, the overgrown nature of the Garden reveals to the Volunteers just how daunting a daunting task lie ahead of them.	Major physical tasks, such as the removal of dead and overgrown trees, are tackled the first full summer the Gardeners are at work.
Photo: N.E.M. Smith	Photo: N.E.M. Smith	Photo: N.E.M. Smith	Photo:courtesy N.E.M. Smith
At every turn, the garden revealed another of its secrets. Here, the original paved seating area at the east center of the Garden is fully exposed.	Research into the Garden's place was not just a physical activity. Members of the Cole and Rochester families (second and third owners of the place) gave invaluable help by means of photographs, documents, and anecdotes from their own memories. Here Ian, Dick and Toby Rochester, pay a nostalgic visit to their boyhood home.	The rewards and recognition for the Volunteers' activities came quickly, however. NCC's Volunteer Week ceremonies were held for the first time in the Garden. And the Friends of Maplelawn were given their first - but as time would tell - not their last Award. In 1994, they were named Volunteer Project of the Year by the NCC	Original plaque indicating the fir tree was planted to commemorate the John Cole honeymoon (1905) is returned by Cole Family to the Garden in 1994. FMG co-founders Nancy E. M Smith & Ann Falkner shown with plaque at the base of the now 15 meter high White spruce.
*1995*
Photo: N.E.M. Smith	Photo: N.E.M. Smith	Photo: N.E.M. Smith	Photo: N.E.M. Smith
Spring arrives, and the Garden is methodically being replanted according the adaped Oliver Plan.	The East Wall, the most damaged and most overgrown with trees and shrubs, begins to get it new plantings after its reconstruction.	The NCC's wall recontruction team soon learns to work around the anxious volunteers. Here foxgloves are re-introduced somewhat before the wall restoration is complete!	Major reconstruction of the physical garden plan continues, as work on a new south path is launched.
*1996*
Photo: N.E.M. Smith
Moving the Garden shed may sound innocent. But once the shed was relocated, an additional 10 feet of garden space opened up along the north wall. North I and North II sections had to be reworked!
*1997*
Photo: N.E.M. Smith	Photo: N.E.M. Smith	Photo: N.E.M. Smith	Photo: N.E.M. Smith
The Rochester family - last private owners of the house, returned a charming lead putto to the garden.	The putto again became an important decorative feature in the garden's central flower bed.It proves to be a fine addition to the center of the Garden - and a great visual return to the true historical past of Maplelawn.	Six years after the Friends launched their efforts, they are still digging out major unwanted shrubs.	Regular meetings throughout the growing season, keep the volunteers in touch with the work of others and larger issues facing the Garden.
In 1997, the Friends of Maplelawn Garden, through the efforts of a volunteer, launched their first website. You can see the Garden online, from early spring to late fall by clicking on the *Through the Seasons* link.
*1998*
Photo: N.E.M. Smith	Photo: N.E.M. Smith	Photo:Lloyd Brown	Photo:W Rutherford
It was labeled the 100 Year Ice storm, and Maplelawn certainly did not escape the damaging effects. Maplelawn was established in 1831.	Spring was quite an eye opener, revealing some of the true challenges to restoring a Garden to its historically accurate past.	But a few hundred hours of effort, and once again spring looks like spring in Maplelawn Garden!	One of the final major planting reconstructions is completed. The West 2 section gets it Oliver plan face-lift.
Photo:W Rutherford
But sadness strike the Maplelawn family of volunteers. Co-founder, Ann Falkner, passes. She is honoured by family and friends in the Garden she loved.
*1999*
Photo: N.E.M. Smith	Photo: N.E.M. Smith	Photo: N.E.M. Smith	Photo: N.E.M. Smith
Fact is stranger than fiction. The paths are dug up - and we finally have water! Gone are the watering cans and miles of hoses - well mostly!	Construction activities of the volunteers move to the details, such as straightening the path stones.	While the house is not part of the Volunteers' responsibilities, it is of major interest to many Maplelawn Garden visitors .. and certainly part of the site's beauty.	The sense of ownership on the part of the volunteers is strong. Fall always brings both a sense of pride and of sadness in the parting of ways for another winter season..
*2000*
Photo: Lloyd Brown	Photo: Lloyd Brown	Photo: N.E.M. Smith	Photo: N.E.M. Smith & Work crew!
The Center Garden is repaired, stones relaid, in preparation for the putto's return.	The pond is re-sealed and water-proofed; the putto, returned	The center beds are replanted.	A rare view of the finished gardens is provided by a crane, there to aid in the pruning of Maplelawn's mature trees.
*2001*
Photo: N.E.M. Smith	Photo:Lloyd Brown	Photo: N.E.M. Smith	Photo: N.E.M. Smith
While the most physical work in renewing the Garden has been done, even the upkeep has its challenges. Planting tulip bulbs in late October 2000.	However, no pain, no gain! No matter how cold the planting time, the results are always worth it.	And as the Garden matures, it gives more time to notice the smaller things. Our Garden Rabbit is loved by some ... not so much by others!	And even smaller things!
The Friends of Maplelawn Garden launched their second major online photo feature. In celebration of the International Year of the Volunteer, and more acknowlegement of their efforts, this time it was an exploration of the individual sections of the Garden and a focus on the individual volunteers who make up the team. Photos from the feature have been recently reorganized into the *Images by Section 2001*.
*2002*
Photo: N.E.M. Smith	Photo: N.E.M. Smith	Photo: Lloyd Brown	Photo: W. Rutherford
Some major work continues to be done, not by the Volunteers, but by specialists. Here the Northeast wall is torn down and reconstructed.	While the visible portions remain historically accurate, modern foundations now underpin them.	By midsummer, everything is back to normal.	And by Fall, it's as if nothing ever happened. Maplelawn endures.
*2003*
Photo: courtesy N. E. M. Smith	Photo: W. Rutherford	Photo: W. Rutherford
Time for rest ... but not much. A great effort is made at having the Garden look its best for the Tenth Anniversary Celebrations	Many different groups love the Garden. Painters and photographers are regular visitors Occasionally during plant sales, their products are also available.	Plants are frequently available for a modest donation to the garden.
*2004*
Photo: W. Rutherford	Photo: Lloyd Brown	Photo: N.E. M. Smith
After many years under the care of a single AG, the East section is divided into two to better distribute the work load.	Paths are restored after sprinkler system has been installed. Thanks to her hard work, the long held dream of Helen M. Brown of a professional watering system for the Garden, finally comes true. Helen, one of the original FMG volunteers, served as Garden Manager from the creation of the position in 1995 to 2006.	At the 7th Annual Canadian Peony Society show, Uli Schmidt submitted Maplelawn historic peonies, and won two seconds and a first for the Garden!
*2005*
Photo: W. Rutherford
The watering system is working well - spectacular improvements, especially to the large cedar in the center of the south sections and the grass in the quadrangles.
*2006*
Photo: Howard Sandler	Photo: W. Rutherford
First full season of the monthly online photo gallery is launched. Members and users provide photos. Garden visitor, Howard Sandler, provides us with spectacular flower studies.	Mark Burleton, the Governor General's gardener agrees to propagate the old driveway red junipers.
*2007*
	Photo: W. Rutherford	Photo: Eileen Hunt	Photo: Eileen Hunt
May 4, FMG receives the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects Award for Service to the Environment, its third award.	FMG turns its attention towards the park area of the garden, building more professional compost and soil storage area.	The first "mega" compost blitz! With help from Algonquin College students, 18 cubic yards of compost is distributed across the nearly 1 acre garden . In the past, as each section had been renewed, soil improvements had been made, although in 1998 18 cubic yards of top soil was added in a single effort.	FMG celebrates all milestones with food! Hot homemade soup after a long, cold, hard day's work shovelling compost is reward enough!
Photo: W. Rutherford	Photo: N.E. M. Smith
The visual view of the Garden will be undergoing a major change, as a high tower is being constructed east of the Garden wall. The original barns associated with the estate, were originally located off the north east corner of the walled garden, with nothing blocking the light through the day.	October - sadly, after years of tree surgery and the use of supporting steel rods, the entrance maple is deemed "unsafe", and is cut down.
*2008*
Photo: Eileen Hunt	Photo: Eileen Hunt	Photo: Eileen Hunt	Photo: Eileen Hunt
We are 15! NCC celebrates the Fifteenth Anniversary of FMG volunteers aiding in the restoration and maintenance of the garden.	To the delight of FMG volunteers, as part of the 15th Anniversary celebration, the NCC plants a large maple to replace the one cut down the previous fall - dedicated to all the volunteers who have contributed to the development of Maplelawn Historic Garden through the years.	FMG takes part fo the first time in Doors Open Ottawa - a city wide exploration of art, heritage and architecture. Some 550 new visitors discover the delights of the Garden.	FMG says goodbye to one of FMG's original volunteers, ULI Schmidt - retiring to interior BC. Her profound horticultural knowledge and engaging personality will be missed.
Photo: Eileen Hunt
Aging lilacs are dug out of Section C and D, to be replaced by the NCC. With many trees planted in the early 1900's, and bushes at the time of the garden's renewal in the 1930's - the life span of many are coming to an end. You can follow the history of the renewal of Maplelawn's trees and bushes here.