July 15, 2017
Landscape Ontario’s Growers Sector Group is holding their annual buying event for garden centres, contractors and plant lovers on Sept. 12. Hosted by Brookdale Treeland Nurseries (BTN), 15450 Hwy. 27, Schomberg, Ont., attendees will be able to purchase nursery stock while helping to raise money for industry research and scholarships.

The auction offers buyers access to some of the best nursery stock in Ontario — skids of trees, shrubs and perennials, as well as related products and many silent auction items. Everything up for auction is donated by retailers, suppliers, contractors and growers. Proceeds from the event benefit industry research and scholarships through the Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation. Each year, the Foundation awards tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships to high school and post-secondary students to ensure the skills and training of the next generation of landscape and horticulture professionals.

The auction also offers Ontario growers the opportunity to showcase their best plant material by entering the LO Growers Awards of Excellence Program. Entries are judged onsite, winners are announced, and product is then auctioned off at the event.

Growers Awards of Excellence categories include: Evergreens – Field Grown, Upright and Spreading; Evergreens – Container Grown, Upright and Spreading; Broadleaf Evergreens; Deciduous Shrubs; Deciduous Trees – 300 cm or less; Deciduous Trees – Top Grafted/Worked; Caliper Trees (minimum of two specimens); Vines and Groundcovers; Perennials; Unusual and Rare Plants (worthy of attention; minimum of four specimens) and Design on a Skid – be creative, anything goes, as long as it fits on a skid. Judges will also choose the best overall entry to receive special recognition.

Deliveries will be accepted at BTN on Sept. 11, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sept. 12, 8 to 9 a.m.

Auction day events begin with the lot preview and farm tours from 10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. followed by lunch and refreshments. The live auction will run from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and winning lots will be ready for pick up upon completion.

Plaques will be presented to Awards of Excellence winners during a ceremony at the Garden Centre Symposium on Jan. 10, 2018 in conjunction with Congress.

Be ready to bid on plant materials of all colours, shapes and sizes; landscape supplies; and hard goods. There is no entry fee or RSVP required.

To donate items to the auction, or to enter the Awards of Excellence program, click the “Donate or enter” link at IndustryAuction.ca.