About Us

The Smiths Falls Horticultural Society (SFHS) is organized under the authority of the Agricultural and Horticultural Societies Act, is affiliated with the Ontario Horticultural Association and is part of District 2. Funding is granted by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food based on membership. The Society gratefully acknowledges this support.

A History of Smith Falls Horticultural Society

The current Horticultural Society was formed in 2004, however, a horticultural society previously existed in the Smith Falls area.

“In the late 1890's a horticultural society was formed. In early 1897 it together with the town council requested permission from the Rideau Canal officials to lease the land lying between the canal basin and Lombard Street to be used as a public pleasure grounds or park.(224) This long narrow strip of land included the embankment that formed the south bank of the canal basin. Through this property there flowed a creek to drain a marshy area south of Lombard Street. The property was leased to the town, giving the horticultural society permission to beautify the area between the combined and detached locks with trees and flowers. Within a year the area along the south bank was named Victoria Park, and town council granted funds to build a bandstand. The town requested of the Rideau Canal superintendent "that the Basin wall on the North side of the Basin, between the Bridge and the By-wash be raised and repaired in order that (the town) may proceed with the work of improving that section of the park." (225) The town's investment in this "lower town" park ultimately invited pressure for a bandstand in the "upper town" vicinity. (226). In 1907 Adam Foster offered to "donate a drinking Fountain to be erected at the intersection of Brockville Street and Irish Creek Road provided the town Council put the piece of land in proper shape for a small Park, "an offer that was readily accepted by the town.(227)

The care of these public parks and gardens was given entirely to members of the horticultural society. This enthusiastic body of volunteers began to receive an annual grant from the town beginning in 1909(228) and their membership by 1925 grew to between 250 and 300 persons(229) So ambitious were members of the horticultural society to extend the amount of park space that in February 1910 they asked the town council to purchase twenty acres along the south shore of the Rideau east of Brockville Street, otherwise known as the "Ship Yard" for a public park (230)…..”[1][1]

Archives from the Smiths Falls Library indicate that the society remained active into the 1940's with membership at approximately 120. No meetings were held between 1956 and 1960 due to lack of interest or leadership, and the club disbanded in 1961.

[1] Smith Falls: A Social History of the Men and Women in the Rideau Canal Community 1794-1994, by Glen J. Lockwood 1994

EMBLEM

The Sunflower (Helianthus annus) was adopted as the Smiths Falls Horticultural Societies official flower in 2004.

Each horticultural society has to choose a flower emblum to represent it. After many suggestions and much discussion, the Executive Committee chose the Sunflower.

· Tolerant - will thrive in a wide variety of conditions

· Diverse – comes in many different sizes and colors

· Easy care/maintenance

· Likes sunshine

· Nature and child friendly

· A heritage plant that has improved over time, but retained its character.

The sunflower is “A Fun Flower”. In describing the sunflower, we could also be describing our members, and our community.

Helianthus annus

Plant Type

AnAnnual

Light

Full Sun

Soil

Any

Water

Once a week at minimum

Height

dwarf 60 cm (24”); giants up to 4.5m (15 ft)

Width

30-60 cm (12-24”)

Propagation

Seed - Indoors in late winter; direct sow

Uses

Cut flower, attracts birds, seed crops

Flower Color

Most commonly yellow, but newer varieties in orange, red, brown or cream; typically with brown, purple or rusty-red centres.

Bloom Time

Mid-Late Summer

Pests/Diseases

Powdery mildew; Aphids; Birds

Public Beautification Projects

The Public Planting Committee had a great response when members were asked to sign up at one of our early meetings. It was obvious our members supported the society getting involved in some community projects and they were anxious to get their hands dirty!

Our challenges were, where to "dig in ", how to divide our time, deciding what we hoped to accomplish and how best to utilize our enthusiastic volunteers.

Several beautification projects in the Town of Smiths Falls were undertaken and are maintained by volunteers of the society. These include the Royal Canadian Legion, the Smiths Falls Town Hall and the Smiths Falls Public Library.