Save the Date! Annual A.M. (Mac) Cuddy Gardens Open House

The Cuddy Gardens, now owned by Fanshawe College and managed by the Horticulture Technician Program, feature one of the largest collections of plants in Ontario.

In 2007 Patricia VanOmen Cuddy, widow of the late A.M. (Mac) Cuddy, donated the property known for decades as Cuddy Gardens to Fanshawe College. This living legacy is comprised of a lush and unique garden stretching over more than five acres and thrives under the constant attention of the horticulture students and specialists at Fanshawe. It also includes the century-old residence where Mac Cuddy and his family lived for more than 56 years.

Over the years Mac Cuddy developed the property in Strathroy, Ontario, into a must-see destination for horticulturalists and landscape designers from across Canada and around the world. It was always a priority for Mac Cuddy that the fardens be opened to the public several times a year for garden tours and Fanshawe College proudly continues this tradition.

As Pat Cuddy said at the time she made the gift: "Mac loved this garden. When he passed away, I wanted to be sure the gardens would live on. By donating the property to Fanshawe College, I am assured that his legacy will continue for all to enjoy."

Over 2,000 species are displayed in dry, rock, woodland, perennial, rose and aquatic gardens. Several plants found in the garden, such as the indigenous Cucumber Magnolia and the Yellow Trillium, are on the endangered species list.

What:
The A.M. (Mac) Cuddy Gardens Open House will feature:

• Over 2,000 plant species;
• Dry, rock, woodland, perennial, rose and aquatic gardens;
• Gardening demonstrations by provincial experts;
• Rare perennial plant sale.

Where:
The A.M. (Mac) Cuddy Gardens
28443 Centre Rd., Strathroy, Ontario
(a map is included with the attached Open House invitation)

When:
Saturday, June 6, 2009
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
and
Sunday, June 7, 2009
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Admission:
$5.00 General
$4.00 Pre-registered tour groups (call 519.452.4430 ext.4323 or 519.245.4108 for details)

For more information please contact:

Michael S. Pascoe, N.P.D., O.D.H., CHT, M.Sc. (Plant Conservation)
Professor and Academic Program Coordinator
Horticulture Technician and Apprenticeship Horticulture Programs
Director, The Gardens of Fanshawe College and the A.M. Cuddy Garden
Fanshawe College
Phone: 519.452.4430 ext.4323 or 519.245.4108
mpascoe@fanshawec.ca