Early History

By 1868 it was known as the London Horticultural and Agricultural Society; records are not available to indicate when the Agricultural segment separated.

The Society’s early directors were men of wealth and social prestige; it was not until 1938 that ladies were invited to be directors.

In 1906 the Society became affiliated with the Ontario Horticultural Association, an umbrella organization that acts as a liaison between societies and the Provincial Government Agricultural Ministry. The Association also encourages and promotes Horticultural Society activities across the province. All societies are governed by Bill 66 – AN ACT RESPECTING AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS.

Early history from the pre 1900’s is scarce but some of the known meeting venues include the Normal School, Ealing Public School, City Hall, South Collegiate, Wortley Road Public School and presently, Sir George Ross Secondary School.

Directors meetings have been held at such places as director’s place of business, their homes, at schools and presently The Dearness home.

The Peony

Two members of the London Horticultural Society, W.E. Saunders and L.S. Cousins, brought fame to London through their development of numerous varieties of peony and iris. Because this, at the February 1919 council meeting the Horticultural Society influenced the London City Council to adopt the peony as London’s Civic Flower.

Flower Shows

Throughout the Society’s history, major flower shows have been an integral part of each year’s activities. The prize money in 1868 was $2500.00 but grew to $10,000.00 in 1872. Today the London Horticultural Society budgets less than $1,000 for prize money.

Over the years these shows have been held at various locations such as the Morgan Gardens, Victoria Park, the Carling Building, the McManus Motor’s showroom, as well as the old Horticultural Building at the Western Fair Grounds. Our major shows are now the spring flower show (in conjunction with the Home and Garden show), held at the Western Fair grounds and the June rose show that takes place in White Oaks Mall.

Various awards and prize money are given to the winners in the flower shows and competitions. Also two awards are given to students, one at Sir George Ross Secondary School, the other Thames Secondary School for completing the Horticultural course with top marks.

Today

Since its beginning, the London Horticultural Society has promoted the value of horticulture and gardening in our daily lives. This has been done through tree plantings in remembrance of people, places or events and the planting and maintenance of several flowerbeds throughout the city. Informative speakers are presented at the monthly meetings and workshops are arranged on many topics. In 1994, for example, the Society helped sponsor a Horticultural Judging School where 75 Certified Judges graduated. One of Ontario’s first Master Gardener programs was started in London in 1984 and is affiliated with the London Horticultural Society although they are now a separate organization.

Society funding comes from membership fees, participation in the spring Home and Garden Show, setting up a display at the Western Fair, plant sales, bus trips, small bequests, other occasional Society activities and a grant from the Provincial Government based on the number of members in the society.

In 1852 the membership fee was $1.00 and was still the same in 1906; by 1969 it had increased to $2.00 and since then has made several jumps to its present day $8.00. Premiums have been given to members during most of the recorded history and have included gladiolus bulbs, peony roots, roses, shrubs, perennials and annuals.

Over the 150 years of the Society’s existence, membership has fluctuated from a small beginning to over 2000 members in the 1920’s (when they used boy scouts for their membership drives) and then down again. The present number is fewer than 400.