Horticultural Information Service

You wish to learn more on indoor plants, insect pests and diseases, trees and ornemental shrubs, lawn and garden care and much more? We invite you to consult the Green Pages on the Botanical Garden Website.

You have questions on gardening, horticulture, botany or identification of plants and problems? Ask at the desk in the Reception Centre or contact the Horticultural Information service by mail, fax or e-mail.

Please note that in order to provide detailed informations and considering the number of requests we receive, the delay of response may be up to 3 weeks during the high season.

Please note that:

• We do not receive horticultural information requests by phone.
• We do not offer home consultations.
• We do not perform lab analysis (soil, plants...).
• We do not offer legal advice.
• We do not make landscaping plans.

Identification of a plant or a tree

Bring either the entire plant, some sections or representative pictures : stem with leaves, buds, flowers and/or fruits.

Observe and note:

• The plant measurements (height, width, form) and its habitat.
• The leaf arrangement on the stem (alternate, opposite, verticillate).
• The form, size, color of leaves, flowers and/or fruits.

Identification of a problem (on annuals, perennials, shrubs or trees)

Bring representative samples of the damaged plant : leaves, stems and/or fruits slightly, moderately, and highly infected. In the case of a tree, bring an infected branch of 30 cm or more.

Observe and note:

• The growing conditions: Light (sun, shade), soil type (clay, sand), drainage, habitat (forest, garden, plants growing nearby...)
• The symptoms: Insects, injuries, holes, spots, necrosis, outgrowths...
• Their location on the plant: On leaves, stems, trunk? Everywhere equally or only on an isolated section? Inferior, intermediate or superior branches?
• The progression of the symptoms: From top to bottom? From the center to the exterior?
• Date of appearance of the symptoms and the speed of their spread.
• Plant history: watering, fertilization, pesticides/chemicals applied directly on the plant or its surroundings, any unusual event that could have an impact on the plant (digging, construction, heavy machinery, exhaust from vehicles...)

Horticultural Information Desktop Hours

• From November 1, 2011 to February 29, 2012: Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to Noon and from 1 to 5 p.m.
• From March 1 to May 14, 2012: Tuesday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to Noon and from 1 to 5 p.m.

Address

Montréal Botanical Garden
Horticultural Information Service
4101, rue Sherbrooke Est
Montréal, Québec
CANADA, H1X 2B2
Fax: 514 872-3765

Reference and e-mail

• Consult our Green Pages, a gardener's notebook for the gardening tips of the month, various horticultural leaflets and other useful and interesting information.
• You can also consult the Library of the Montréal Botanical Garden where we can help you find what you are looking for. The Library of the Montréal Botanical Garden is open to the public for on-site consultation only. Check the opening hours.
• E-mail requests are answered according to the e-mail policy of the Internet Website, the availability and capacities of resources and the scope of questions.