Townsman, 1991-04, Page 29Behind -the scenes
Dennis Washburn the green thumb of Stratford
Festival
While the proverbial green thumb is
a gift possessed by few, the beauty
created by the gifted is beauty for all
to enjoy.
Dennis Washburn has had a recur-
ring role behind the scenes of Strat-
ford Shakespearean Festival as
on -staff gardener for 30 years. The
landscape he creates through the use
of flora and fauna sets the stage for
the cultural and visual enrichment
people associate with Stratford the-
atre.
First impressions are important and
visitors can not be oblivious to the
well -tended grounds, neatly -mown
lawns and prismatic beauty of the
flower beds surrounding the majestic
structure. The overall picture is one of
esthetic perfection and Washburn and
the rest of the gardening staff, work
hard year-round to guarantee its excel-
lence. Even those of us who are less
discerning horticulturalists can not
deny its splendour.
Washburn, a 59 -year-old English-
man, who immigrated to Canada in
1954, unearthed his fascination for
gardening early in life. In those days,
he said, most Europeans were "very
into gardening" something that has
really just developed in Canada more
over the last few decades he has
noticed. His father, an "avid amateur
gardener" helped nurture Washburn's
horticultural interests.
His professional training began in
England, where for seven years he
worked as an apprentice in a Birming-
ham greenhouse. The idea of coming
to Canada was precipitated quite sim-
ply, by a desire for change, he said.
An aunt and uncle were living in
Stratford, so he made that his first
stop upon arrival, but when he could-
n't find any work he eventually settled
in London. He worked in greenhouses
LFLFthere until 1962 when he moved back
Stratford and began as Festival gar-
dener.
or Washburn, the Festival's other
full-time gardener, John Campion and
three part-time summer workers, the
big push begins in spring, when the
grounds are readied for opening night
at the end of May. Though it was cus-
by Bonnie Gropp
tomary to have all the beds planted'
ready for the special evening, Wash-
burn says that in recent years, with the
opening being moved up, it ha.,
Doug Washburn, the gardener of Stratford Shakespearean Festival has been in
charge of the outdoor flower beds, yard maintenance and the greenhouse for 30
years.
TOWNSMAN/APRIL-MAY 1991 27