Despite the challenges of weather and rock, the Sudbury Horiticultural Society (SHS) is a determined group of gardeners. Sudbury was slightly more than a mining camp in 1911 when a group of citizens with vision got together to find ways to beautify the town.

According to historian Matt Bray, members had to cancel their inaugural exhibit in 1912 because most of the plants had been severely injured by sulphur fumes.*

The SHS has been successful for 100 years in its mandate “to encourage the improvement of private and public grounds, including highways and streets, by the planting of trees, shrubs and flowers, and by promoting outdoor art, beautification, balcony gardening, therapeutic use of horticulture, community gardens and plot gardening while preserving the environment, and sharing of information, knowledge and expertise.”

This centennial year promises to be an exciting one. In February, the SHS won a Community Builders Award in the Environment category. In late May, the society will host the Sudbury Gardening Festival at Market Square.

Celebrity gardener Paul Zammit will be the guest speaker at an event Friday, May 27 at the Howard Johnson Hotel.

In June, members will open up their garden gates and invite the public in during the Open Garden Weekend.

In July, OHA District 13 and the Sudbury group will host the Ontario Horticultural Association's Convention at the Radisson Hotel.

We are fortunate to have dedicated gardeners in our community who share their expertise so enthusiastically.