Greater Ottawa Water Garden
Horticultural Society
2019 Water Garden Tour video Graciously provided by Betty Ann Grainger
Monthly general meeting
Oct 15th - Regular Meeting - Origin and Breeding of Koi
Verne Gilkes will be discussing the origin and varieties of koi. He will also be introducing the topics of koi harvesting and breeding.
Biography:
Verne Gilkes is a well-known koi enthusiast residing in Vankleek Hill. He is the President of the Mountain View Koi Club, which was established in 2005 with the goal of providing its members in eastern Ontario and western Quebec with koi and pond-keeping information.
Between 2000-2015 Verne was involved with importing koi fish from Quality Koi in New Jersey and from Blackwater Creek Koi Farm in Florida. He also assisted in the annual fall harvesting of the koi from the various ponds.
Verne is a key organizer of and participant in the Montreal Botanical Garden’s Koi Show, a judged competition which takes place annually each July in the Japanese Garden. His koi have won many awards.
Since 2006 Verne has operated his business, Verne’s Koi and Pond Care, servicing many ponds in eastern Ontario and western Quebec. He is slowly retiring from this business.
Nov 19th – Annual Meeting - plus short presentation by Daniel O'Leary on How to Find and Fix a Leak
Jan 21st, 2026 - Regular Meeting - Isa Webb (BloominBog, London) – Virtual meeting
2023 Water Garden Tour
The 12th annual Water Garden Tour, hosted by the Greater Ottawa Water Garden Horticultural Society, was a great success. The board wishes to thank all of our hosts, and the Pond Tour Committee, for all the hard work in preparation. Thank you hosts for opening up your beautiful gardens and ponds for all of us to enjoy and get ideas from.
Finally, thanks to everyone for your support of our Water Garden Tours. Without the participation of the homeowners who open up their properties for viewing, our generous sponsors, and the retailers who sell the tickets, the Tour would not be possible. Proceeds from the Tours are directed towards community projects in the Ottawa area, such as the construction of water features at the Ronald McDonald House by CHEO, in Gayle’s Garden at the Ruddy-Shenkman Hospice in Kanata, in the Healing Garden at the Queensway Carleton Hospital, and outside the Peter D. Clark Long Term Care Home.
About our Society
Founded in 2006, the Greater Ottawa Water Garden Horticultural Society (GOWGHS) is an organization dedicated to the enjoyment, education and promotion of water gardening in the National Capital Region. more...
Consult the Gardening Calendar for information on other gardening events in the Ottawa area
