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Founders of the Floriculture Industry
of the Floriculture Industry in Canada |
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Written by Canadian Florist Magazine
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The birth of Canada’s
floriculture industry took place in Toronto, Ontario. As far as
records show, James Flemming, who is considered to be the founder of
the industry, built his first greenhouses devoted to commercial flower
growing in 1837. As the city continued to grow and prosper, others
engaged in the flower growing business, and by the end of the 19th
century, Toronto had the highest concentration of greenhouses and
flower shops in the country.
As an excert from January 17th, 1907, The Canadian Florist paid tribute to Canada’s old-timers and founders of the industry:
“In congratulating ourselves over the general air of prosperity and
progress that today pervade the floral industry in Canada, we are
liable to forget and depreciate the efforts of those who, years ago,
laid the foundations of which it has since been built. These men of
the old regime encountered many obstacles to despirit and little
encouragement to animate their work; we, the benefited, can at least
express our gratitude for the work and our esteem for the workers. The
status of the trade today is a sufficient reminder of their efforts.”
 James Flemming
Born in 1812 in Aberdeen, Scotland, James Flemming came to Canada in
1834, where he settled in Montreal for two years and then permanently
located to Toronto. Before his death in 1887, Flemming was the director
of the Horticultural Society and was commissioned a Justice of the
Peace for Toronto.
 Harry Dale
Founder of Dale Estate, Harry Dale began as a market gardener. Later
he became interested in the flower business and soon devoted his whole
business to the industry. Dale Estate grew and flourished, and in the
early 1920s it became the largest flower-growing plant in Canada, if
not the world.
 John H. Dunlop
Born in New York City in 1855, John Dunlop came to Toronto in 1862. The proprietor and manager of Dunlop’s Limited, the
largest wholesale and retail floral establishment in Canada, he became
one of the leading florists in Canada and the United States. He served
as a president of the Canadian Florists’ and Gardeners’ Association,
president of the American Carnation Society, and was one of the first
Canadian members of the FTDA. He passed away on September 16th, 1930.
 Joseph Pape
A native of Yorkshire, Joseph Pape came to Canada in 1853 and started a
market garden on the corner of Gerrard and Pape Avenue in Toronto. In
1875, Pape built his first greenhouses and started into the flower
game. Additions were made every year until his death in 1889.
Stephen Tidy
Immigrating to Canada in 1873 from Rochester, England, Stephen Tidy
operated as a grower until 1877, at which time he officially opened the
retail business S. Tidy & Sons Limited with his three sons,
Stephen, William, and Charlie. After Tidy’s death in 1896, the
business continued to flourish, and today is one of Canada’s oldest
florist.
Joseph Bennett
In 1886, Joseph Bennett came to Montreal from Boston. He is credited
with producing the first good roses and carnations to sell in flower
shops in the province, if not in the whole of Canada.
A.M. Terrill
Originally from Toronto, A.M. Terrill decided to move to Calgary, which
in the early 1900s was a small cattle town with a population of 5000
people. He founded his business, A.M. Terrill Limited, in 1904 and by
the mid 1920s, it was considered the largest retail florist
establishment in Western Canada.
James McKenna
In 1850, J. McKenna commenced business at Cote des Neiges as a market
gardener. By 1903, the firm decided to enter the retail arena, which
became a huge success. The shop was one of the first florists in
Canada to have an up-to-date refrigerator and delivery van.
H.J. Cull
In 1914, the firm of H.J. Cull opened its door in Winnipeg, Manitoba. With three successful retail stores in business, Cull was
always eager for the next modern invention to help him run his shops.
He owned a fleet of motor trucks, all heated for winter service, to
ensure his customers had rapid and efficient deliveries.
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