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OHA and the Trillium
by Ontario Horticultural Association – 100th Anniversary Edition
OHA and the Trillium
In 1915, a movement was underfoot to select a floral emblem for Canada, specimens of the chosen flower to be placed on the gravesites of fallen Canadian Solders who were buried overseas. By 1917, the Ottawa Horticultural Society had launched an initiative that resulted in a motion at the OHA convention to propose an official national floral emblem. During the next few years, a number of candidates for a national floral emblem were suggested, including Water Lily, Blue Violet, Ox-Eye Daisy, Spring Beauty, Wild Geranium and Cardinal Flower. The favourites, however, were the Wild Columbine and the Trillium. Perhaps because the maple leaf was so firmly entrenched as the symbol of all things Canadian, this initiative never did come to fruition.
During the decade to follow, some other Canadian provinces adopted official floral emblems. The OHA took up the cause for such a symbol for Ontario. At the 1934 OHA convention, a motion was carried to appoint a committee to study the matter of proposing a provincial flower. Professor MacClement of Kingston, in making his pitch to the 1934 delegates, pointed out that the Trillium “occupies a place of honour in the hearts of many people; it possesses most of the qualities which should mark a floral emblem; it is democratic, blooming freely through a great part of Ontario, and known by its correct name by nearly everyone. The Trillium is associated with gladness, beauty, and the fresh hope of spring, and so is eminently suitable for our young country”. At the convention the following year, the committee recommended the Trillium which was met with unanimous approval. The suggestion was submitted to the Legislative Assembly, and in March 1937, the bill was passed and received royal assent.
The OHA incorporated the Trillium into its new logo and set in motion a series of initiatives which would result in the general acceptance of the Trillim as Ontario’s quintessential symbol.
(2008-02-26) |
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