PAGE 20, WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 1988 BrookhinProfile News? Call Veronica Colangelo. Phone 655-8945 People love to snoop. There isn't anything we real detriment as you ailknow.Ike people, plats humans like better than to see what the other need water - plants, except weeds, that is. Man pofus does. We encourage this quality in our young. We ca lit are on wells and are very possessive about ur water curiosity and do everything to cultivate this quest for supply. [t ws hard to decide between the health and discovery in them. When we get a little older, we know welfare of the family well and the needs of the soon to that we have to be somewhat more discreet in our SEEM S TO M E* * displayed gardn. Im ashamed to admit, tht. my curiosity. garden received more attention in the weeks prior to There's a fine line between being nosy and being- by Veronica Colangelo the tour than the fanily did. After ail one as a "interested." If you are perceived as being nosy, well, reputation to uphold! people will do just about everything to avoid you or There were other stresses too. Few tickets hadolbeen telling you what you want to know. If, however, you sold in advance. Was this to become ne of our 'lees not can perfect the art of being "interested," we humans doit or even talk about t again" schemes will open up and spill out our knowledge, however F There were many last minute detailsto attend to limited, whenever asked for it and often when it isn't or the nosy and as is often the case a few people (usually the solicited.Odsa sie ones) who can always be counted on came to Basically, I'm nosy. I like to know whaet's going on the rescue) nd save the day. where and when and with who. I think most people are usually badger members to donate some time for he We needn have worried, last Sunday was botand like me. actual work involved, but to raise money we have to be steamy but the gardens were overflowing wit Many of you will know that I have an intimate a little more creative. Holding a gardon tour semed vistors. association with Brooklin's Horticùltural'Society. It's a like a good way to raise a few bucks. Human curiosity was at its eight. The questions large membership and my connection with them has And so, in thé depths of winter, when a blizzard was flowed and information was exchanged. confirmed my suspicions that gardeners are among the raging outside we were very entbusiastic about the The most common question I was asked idnt nosiest people there are. prospect. It's a good time to plan such an event. People have a thing to do with the hours I toiled in my Gardeners love ·to poke around in everyone else's wi agree to anything that's six months off. We lined garden getting it in shape for the day. More ofen gardens. I think the main reason for this is that while up the gardens that were to be on the tour, all chosen than I want tg recal, I was asked why we have a you're busy checking out someone else's gardening because there was something unique about them and peach tree on the nort sid of the house actually techniques, you can ignore your own and get a rest · the owners quickly agreed because the garden was loaded with peaches. This isnt supposed to happen in Wethg w oaz d tr i a saflyin bed for the winter. The trick is not to mention our locality. I don't know why the tree has beaches. It We thought we'd orgnize a garden tour. First and it again too early in the spring. It's at this time you belongs to the Mister and though I want to take foremost, as an opportunity for anyne and everyone to have dropouts. We idnt want any, . so we gently credit for its success I can't. Every now and then he snoop around othr gardens and get ideas, or even reminded people only a few weeks prior to the event so gives it an affectionate glance and very little else. confirmation that their own wasnt really se bad after that tey could madly scramble and at least pull a few I guess because Pin so nosy, he won't tell me his al. Secondly, and uppermomt, in ou i treasurers m d is weeds.1 secrets. mongy. Brookin Hort. plants and maintains al the A Jy 10 got coser and closer, those of us whose At any rate the garden tour was a huge success hangi baskets and barrels, as well as many of the gardens were to be toured were becoming more and and we are in great danger of having to repeat it next flower eds in town and this costs money. We can more paranoid. The heat and lack of rain bas.been a year. Ashburn resident specializes in 'interiorscaping' Everytime we walk into a commercial office building, a shopping mall or even our doctor's or dentist's offices, chances are that while we don't perhaps consciously take note, we are often surrounded by "greenery". Savvy business owners have recognized for a long time the value of putting people and plants together, and Ken Brown of Ashburn is no exception. FORMERLY THE HAIR STATION WB a - q w "CREATES Linda is delighted toTHE LOOK introduce Karen, an V l additional part timeFO IOU (Tues. Thurs. Sat.) stylist to her staff. Karen is formerly of Canadiana Hair Fashions and Ultra Cut. SPECIAL 20% OFF All Perms & Streaks with Karen from July 16th - Aug. 13th HOURS Tues. - Fri. 9 - 6 Sat. Summer Hrs. 8 - 2pm Brown owns and operates a company called "The Plant Manager." He is a professional horticulturalist and his business specializes in "interiorscaping." Brown says that "interior- scaping" is the latest buzz word in the industry for his service but as he says, "I prefer to call it what it is, and that's developing interior plantings." Simply put, Brown's company installs and maintains interior planting in commercial establish- ments, mainly offices and shopping malls. "In the workplace, plants are a valuable commodity," says Brown. "They act as dividers and can subtly direct or redirect traffic flow. Plants are a natural sound barrier and help to make office situations quieter." Brown goes on to say that "plants such as a spider plant can convert an enormous percentage of carbon monoxide and poll- utants into oxygen, making the work environment cleaner and safer. Plants help to soften an often. austere and sterile environment and simply make the workplace a more pleasant place to be." Marketing people know that plants can enhance and show off a product to its fullest advantage. "Car showrooms are a good example of this," states Moyra Dobson, marketing manager of Brown's company. Brown comes well qualified to advise and design interior plant- ings. When the Metro Toronto zoo opened 11 years ago, it was Brown who designed, sought out and oversaw the purchase and installation of, all the tropical plants that were installed in thej pavilions.1 The plant manager will sell orî rent plantings on a contract Angie welcomes new and old clients 69 BALDWIN ST. BROOKLIN ONTARIO LOB 1CO 655-4201 655-4201 basis. An analysis of the client's situation is first taken into account. Such things as layout, what the client hopes to achieve, lighting situations and personal preferences are all considered. Knowledgeable consultants then desgn a personal plan and make rocommendations te, the client. The plantings are maintained on a weekly basis by qualified plant technicians and the service includes pruning, cleaning, disease and insect control, wat- ering and fertilizing as required. As well as green plants, Brown says "many interior plantings are• enhanced with flowering specimens which are rotated seasonally to provide an interest- ing variety. Fabric plants are used where living plants aren't suitable." A custom floral design service is also available when only an arrangement will -do, such as in the reception area. The Plant Manager offers a total package service. "There is a shift in the industry that seems to be moving from masses of unknown greens to centres of focus using more exotic and interesting material," says Brown, who notes that his clients "are more informed than ever before." He also says that because more and more computer ter- minais are in offices, less and less flourescent lighting is being used. "This means that 'task' light- ing at individual work stations is more widely used." Because of this, his company is often called in at the planning stage to advise on the correct light requirements for the interior plantings. Brown's client base ranges from small offices to large corporations such as General Motors, Nissan, Lasco Steel, Campeau Corp. and Sandoz-Anca to name a few. To contact The Plant Manager call 655-3907 or 460-8340. KEN BROWN STREE SALON