Beautification

In April 1930, a committee of Winona Horticulture members was formed to interview the Directors of the Winona Institute Hall with regard to the Society improving the vacant lot adjoining the building. Consent was received and the plot was planted with shrubs, trees and bulbs. This was a central showpiece in the community for years. One of the first Japanese Flowering Crab trees was planted here and attracted much attention for its beauty. Mrs. C. J. Bradshaw was in charge of obtaining these shrubs, which were donated by E. D. Smith's Nursery, and also planted by them.

To mark the coronation of King George VI in 1937, a number of Royal Oak seedlings were received from the "Men of Trees". This organization, originating in East Africa, with a branch office in Toronto, distributed the seedlings, grown from the acorns of trees in Windsor Castle Park, England. The young trees were planted throughout the community, and some still survive today.

In 1967, when Canada celebrated its Centennial, the Horticultural Society joined in the festivities by building a stone planter on the grounds of the Saltfleet Municipal Building at Hwy. # 8 and Jones Road. For many years after, members of the Society planted and cared for this planter.

In 1973, another tree planting was undertaken. Nine Almay Crab trees and nine maples were planted along Hwy. # 8 in front of Winona Public School, now the Winona Community Centre. Although some of these have had to be replaced, still others stand as a reminder of this project.

It should come as no surprise that flowers are a big part of the Winona Horticultural Society and tulips have always been a favourite. In 1975, two hundred yellow tulip bulbs were bought from the Royal Canadian Legion on the occasion of their Fiftieth Anniversary. Half were planted and the other half sold to members. Since 1988 thousands of tulips have been planted in the beds at the corner of Winona Road and Hwy. # 8 and still provide a lovely show every spring. In 2000, the Society purchased a quantity of large, deep-pink coloured tulips cultivated to commemorate the Millennium. Some are still brightening our members' gardens.

The intersection of Winona Road and Hwy. # 8 has always held great significance for the Winona Horticultural Society. That is where the Institute Building that housed the first and subsequent meetings was situated. And the current meeting place, St. John's Anglican Church, is just across the corner. The gardens on each of the four corners have seen many changes and additions over the years. For Ontario's Bicentennial in 1984, new beds were planted at the former Winona Public School and the former Royal Bank building. Also planted for the Bicentennial project were the flower beds surrounding the "Peach Hut" in Winona Park.

Enrichment

The Winona Horticultural Society has aided in the enrichment of the community from its earliest conception. It was also a source of support. During the Great Depression, seeds were distributed to needy families and school children were supplied with seeds and plots of ground. The unemployed were often given work in the Community Garden.

In February 1948, the Society supported a proposal that a Community Park be purchased in Winona. Since the acquisition of Winona Park, the Horticultural Society has done a great deal to enhance the park grounds. Flower beds were established and planted, and faithfully tended.

At the suggestion of the late Robert McIntyre, a rhododendron garden was planted in Winona Park in 1976. It consisted of forty rhododendrons and fourteen azeleas. Although beautiful, these beds were removed in 1985 to accommodate alterations to the park.

1967 saw the inauguration of the Winona Peach Festival, which Winona Horticultural Society was a founding member, and it soon became a permanent resident of Winona Park. The Horticultural Society has had a booth at the Festival since 1968. Flowers, plants, trees and shrubs, (and at one time tea and coffee), are sold to raise money for day to day operations of the Society, as well as other special projects.

The Winona Horticultural Society has also participated in additional aspects of the Peach Festival, such as selling tickets on the draw and donating a door prize to the Grand Peach Ball. When the Peach Festival had its 30th anniversary in 1997, the Horticultural Society gave their efforts to the celebration by creating a berm with the Peach Festival name and logo in plants and stone. We have had several contestants in the Peach Pageant over the years, including the winning Peach Queen in 2012

Although the Horticultural Society's main focus is the Winona area, the enrichment extends to the Hamilton and Burlington communities as well. For several years the Society contributed to a horticultural project at St. Peter's Home, and also to horticulture therapy at Participation House. The society purchases an annual group membership to the Royal Botanical Gardens. Member volunteers also help out the Ontario Horticultural Association at the annual Ontario Garden Show.

Education

Flower shows are a fun and creative way to educate and encourage gardeners of all ages. The first annual flower show of the Winona Society was held on June 21, 1929. Over the years, the Society has awarded many bulbs, shrubs, perennials and annuals as prizes for these shows.

For a short time, as part of these shows, the Horticultural Society sponsored poster contests for public school children, which produced some excellent talent. At other times, sunflower seeds were given to school children with prizes being awarded for the biggest blooms! In 1986, a fair was held for school children, and today honorariums are awarded to local students to recognize their "Environmental Awareness".

One happy duty of horticultural societies through the years has been to view neighbourhood gardens and give out beautification awards in their communities. Winona began this practice in 1976, and followed up on it for many years. Now it is carried out through the Trillium Awards program of the City of Hamilton, but members are still active as judges.

Fellowship

The members of the Winona Horticultural Society have always had a friendly bond. Regular meetings are held in order to share ideas and feed our curiosity about plants and the earth. Speakers give presentations on a variety of subjects, and decisions are made about the activities of the Society. Tours and bus trips, both local and distant, have been taken to gardens of beauty and places of interest. In December each year, members get together for a Christmas pot luck dinner, with carols and wishes for the holidays and coming year. Milestones are celebrated.

The 45th Anniversary was marked with a dinner at Wesley United Church, Fruitland, in April 1974. In 1979, the 50th Anniversary was held at the same place, with over 100 members and guests attending. Ten years later, a similar celebration took place at Wesley Church and in 2009 we hosted an old-fashioned garden party at the Erland Lee Museum to salute 80 years.

The official flower of the Winona Horticultural Society is the columbine. At the time this flower was chosen, member and past president Rhea Heeringa, of Telestar Nursery started plants from seed, enough for all the members.

By the 90th Anniversary, held in Winona Park, the Winona Horticultural Society was beginning to be fondly referred to as WinHort!

It was once said that gardeners are the "perennials" of the human race. They are always among us, passing on their knowledge and experience to keep the world beautiful. And where there are gardeners, no doubt there will continue to exist horticultural societies and garden clubs.

The Winona Horticultural Society has certainly had a rich history so far! Our sincere thanks goes out to all who have worked so hard and given so much to keep the Society going over the past 95 years!