The Canadale story begins with Bill and Joan Intven, whose shared dreams took root in the rich soil of Brabant, Holland. When Bill proposed to Joan Somers, he expressed two great hopes for their future together: to immigrate to Canada and to one day own his own nursery. Bill’s passion for plants was inspired by his mother’s garden, where she taught him to bud roses and graft pear trees, instilling in him a lifelong love of horticulture. While Bill found early success in Holland, rising to the rank of Fire Chief, Joan earned her business degree and worked in her family’s thriving hardware store—where she and Bill first met. The two were married in 1947 in a double ceremony with Joan’s brother, and soon began a family, welcoming sons Hank and Mike in Holland. Though they were comfortable in their home country, Bill and Joan longed to raise their children in the “land of opportunity.” So, with courage and conviction, they bid farewell to family and friends and embarked on their great Canadian adventure.

In 1950, Bill and Joan Intven set sail for Canada aboard the Volendam with their young sons, Hank and Mike. Joan, pregnant with their third child, Mary, was ill for much of the voyage and stayed in the women’s quarters with the children, while Bill was in the men’s quarters. They were allowed only brief daily visits with one another during the journey. Like many immigrants at the time, they were limited in what they could bring—arriving in Canada with just $300 and several canary birds, which they hoped to sell to help support their new life. After docking in Halifax, they made their way to Ontario and settled into life in a new land. Over the next few years, the Intvens lived in Port Burwell, Glanworth, and eventually on West Avenue in St. Thomas, where Bill built his first greenhouse. He poured his energy into horticulture, spending a year working at McConnell Nurseries—the largest in Canada at the time—specializing in mail order. To provide for his growing family, he also worked at the old Clevite factory, but his heart remained in the garden. In his spare time, Bill transformed his backyard into a nursery of hope, nurturing young plants in homemade cold frames and laying the groundwork for the farm he dreamed of owning.

In April of 1955, Bill and Joan Intven’s dream became a reality when they purchased the old McManus tobacco farm on Sunset Drive—an overgrown, neglected property that they transformed with determination and heart. Stock was quickly planted, and retail sales began modestly, with Joan selling bare root privet hedging from a wheelbarrow by the roadside. In honour of their new home and the local community they had come to love, Bill and Joan named their business Canadale—a tribute to Canada and inspired by nearby Lyndale and Southdale Line. The nursery steadily grew, and by 1957, a small greenhouse had been added, landscaping graced the front of the building, and the first crank-start tractor was proudly purchased. Just a year later, Canadale welcomed its first non-family employee—marking the beginning of a business that would soon take root in the hearts of many.

Throughout the next decade, the Intven family poured their energy into growing both their nursery and their home. The first heated greenhouse was constructed, allowing for cutting and graft propagation, and a warehouse was added to store fertilizers and tractors. With their growing success, Canadale began selling plants wholesale to other garden centres across the region. In 1963, a new garden centre building was erected, occupying what is now the front section of the gift room, and additional landscaping was added to enhance the beauty and welcoming feel of the space. By this time, the Intven family had grown to include seven children—all of whom were actively involved in the business. From helping in the nursery to managing a pick-your-own strawberry field on the property, the children played a vital role in Canadale’s early success.

The Intvens’ love of plants and their fervent desire to please customers quickly earned them a loyal following of passionate gardeners. With a strong commitment to offering quality plants at reasonable prices and providing helpful, personal service, Canadale flourished. The business continued to grow steadily throughout the 1960s and 70s, becoming a trusted name in the local gardening community.

Beyond the nursery, the Intvens were also deeply committed to putting down roots in the St. Thomas area. Bill, in particular, was passionate about supporting his new community—he helped found the St. Willibrord Credit Union (now Libro Credit Union) and served as its Board President from 1959 to 1970. The family proudly celebrated their Canadian citizenship and loved sharing their journey with friends and relatives back in Holland—many of whom made the trip to see the life they had built in Canada.

Throughout the 1970s, Canadale continued to grow rapidly. The underground greenhouse was constructed, and the existing heated greenhouse was expanded to three times its original size. In 1971, the first polyhouse was built—though in true pioneer fashion, it blew away during a spring storm and had to be quickly rebuilt. In 1972, Mike Intven officially joined the business and took the lead in the landscaping division, which experienced significant success during this time. That same year, Canadale was incorporated under the Business Corporations Act. Another milestone came with the registration of Canadale Gold Euonymus, a unique variety developed by Bill Intven and officially recognized by the Canadian Ornamental Plant Foundation—a foundation Bill proudly helped establish.

In 1977, Bill and Joan’s son Tom graduated from Queen’s University with a degree in plant biology and joined the family business full-time. With a keen interest in propagation, Tom spearheaded the expansion of the wholesale division, which grew exponentially under his leadership. That same year marked several exciting advancements in production: the first outdoor mist beds were installed for summer propagation, and Canadale began growing plants in containers—overwintering them in the polyhouses for the first time.

Throughout the 1980s, Canadale continued to grow—both in staff and in family. Major infrastructure improvements were made, including the addition of sewers to the garden centre and the development of a large gravelled container area, complete with polyhouses and a high-capacity electric pump.

In 1984, Bill and Joan’s daughter Pauline joined the team after earning two degrees from the University of Western Ontario. She stepped into the role of managing the garden centre, bringing fresh ideas and strong leadership.

To support the nursery’s expanding operations, Canadale rented 15 acres from the St. Thomas Cemetery and purchased an adjacent 50-acre farm for the production of standard trees. In 1985, the company proudly celebrated its 30th anniversary. The following year, Bill and Tom took their first plant-hunting trip to Oregon and British Columbia, returning with exciting new varieties like weeping pussy willow and hinoki cypress. These sourcing trips became a beloved tradition—one that continues today—in Canadale’s mission to offer the most unique and high-quality plant selections to their customers.

Over the years, many members of the third generation—including Tom’s and Pauline’s children, as well as several nieces and nephews—have worked in the nursery or garden centre. Today, Tom’s daughter Kate proudly carries the torch as a garden centre supervisor, continuing the family legacy with passion and care.

Throughout the 1990s, Canadale continued to flourish—not just through growth and innovation, but through the dedication of its expanding team. Many long-time staff members who joined during this era became like family, helping shape the values and success of the garden centre. Jim Stinson (1985), Robb Parmeter (1988), Rick Graham (1991), Shane Good (1992), Connie Silcox (1991), Jeff Haveron (1995), and Lesley Livingstone (2001) each brought their unique skills, passion, and loyalty—contributing to the warm, customer-focused atmosphere that Canadale is known for today.

This decade also saw major operational developments. Canadale imported its first plants from New Zealand, expanded the container area once again, made key updates to the irrigation pond, and constructed a four-bay dock to improve shipping and receiving. The purchase of the first wheel-loader further enhanced production efficiency. Always looking to learn and lead, Canadale continued to participate in numerous trade shows to connect with industry peers and showcase its unique offerings. In 1992, the first Landscape Ontario Awards of Excellence were held, and Canadale became a regular recipient of awards in the years that followed—including the coveted title of Ontario’s Favourite Garden Centre.

The new millennium marked a major milestone as Canadale Nurseries proudly celebrated 50 years in business. That same year, Canadale hosted a Business After 5 Garden Party—a lively and memorable event that set a Canadian record for attendance. In 2006, the Design & Inspiration Gardens were installed, a visionary idea brought to life by Tom Intven after a visit to garden centres in South Africa. The concept featured a variety of themed vignettes, each created to spark customers’ imaginations and offer fresh ideas for their own home gardens.

Throughout the decade, Canadale deepened its commitment to the local community by partnering with several charitable organizations to host special events. These included our well-loved charity BBQs and various fundraising initiatives that supported important causes. It was also during this time that the Canadale Kid’s Club took root—offering free gardening crafts and activities to inspire and engage children of all ages.

The 2000s also brought the introduction of two beloved annual traditions: the Spring Garden Show and the Christmas Open House, both of which quickly became seasonal favourites for customers and families across the region.

In May of 2002, Bill Intven passed away peacefully with his family by his side.

Over the many years of building and running Canadale, Bill instilled in his family a deep appreciation for nature—believing it to be the very heart of gardening. He was endlessly fascinated by the beauty and complexity of the natural world, a wonder he saw captured in the tiniest of miracles: a single seed. Each spring, Bill found joy and awe in watching new seedlings emerge, a reflection of the hope and renewal that gardening brings.

Through his hard work, honesty, and integrity, Bill helped grow Canadale into a thriving business recognized across Ontario. He was proud to see Canadale receive two significant honours: the Better Business Bureau of Western Ontario Business Integrity Award and the Landscape Ontario Consumer’s Choice Award, celebrating Canadale as Ontario’s Favourite Garden Centre.

Despite his many accomplishments, Bill remained humble throughout his life. One of his most cherished sayings captured his grounded outlook:
“I am a lucky man — and the harder I work, the luckier I get.”

His legacy lives on in the gardens he nurtured, the family he raised, and the business he helped build from the ground up.

In 2012, Canadale was honoured to receive the prestigious Garden Centre Inspection Award of Excellence from the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association—recognizing our continued commitment to quality, service, and innovation.

Throughout the decade, the retail garden centre saw several exciting upgrades. The outdoor yard was restructured with the addition of new benches and a thoughtfully designed walkway layout to improve flow and enhance the customer experience. The Veggie House was introduced to accommodate a wider selection of fruit and vegetable plants, and each greenhouse received a vertical hanging wall to maximize space for our popular hanging baskets.

Meanwhile, the wholesale nursery made significant advancements in sustainability and efficiency. The pumping station and computer-controlled watering system were upgraded to enable pulse watering—a technique that improves fertilizer efficiency and reduces waste. In keeping with Canadale’s commitment to responsible growing practices, more natural insect control methods were adopted to help reduce the use of pesticides.

Johanna Francesca (Joan) Intven (née Somers) passed away peacefully on January 9, 2015, in her 95th year, surrounded by her loving family. After the passing of her beloved husband Bill, Joan took great pride in watching Canadale continue to grow and flourish. She remained closely connected to the business, receiving regular updates and offering her thoughtful insight and guidance—always eager to support the vision she and Bill had started decades earlier.

Joan was a tireless worker and a pillar of strength, dedicating herself to making Canadale a respected and valued part of the St. Thomas business community. She instilled a strong work ethic in her children, grandchildren, and everyone who had the privilege of working alongside her. As the matriarch of the Intven family, Joan supported her loved ones with unwavering love and devotion. Her kindness, generosity, and ever-cheerful spirit touched countless lives.

Beyond the business, Joan gave back to her community in meaningful ways. She was a generous supporter of many local organizations and a devoted member of St. Anne’s Parish and the Catholic Women’s League. Her legacy lives on in her family, in the thriving garden centre she helped build, and in the hearts of the St. Thomas community she loved so deeply. She is greatly missed.

The 2020s began with unprecedented challenges, but also moments of resilience and growth. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadale remained open as an essential service, swiftly adapting to ensure the safety of our staff and customers. Gardening became a source of comfort and joy for many during those uncertain times, and we’re proud to have played a role in helping our community reconnect with nature. We hope that passion continues to flourish.

In 2022, we introduced Dino Days—a family-focused community event featuring animatronic dinosaurs, food trucks, a fossil exhibit, reptile zoo, and giant obstacle course. It was a roaring success, bringing families together while raising funds for local charities.

Throughout this decade, we’ve continued to invest in improving the Canadale experience. We modernized our checkout system for faster, more efficient service and installed an electronic road sign to better communicate with customers. We also expanded our parking lot, making visits more convenient and accessible.

We remain committed to discovering and introducing exciting new plants and products. By staying on top of trends and working closely with our trusted growers and suppliers, we ensure our offerings remain vibrant, diverse, and inspiring for every gardener.

The Christmas season has also seen joyful expansion, with the addition of beloved characters like Frosty the Snowman and the Grinch, creative workshops, and an even broader selection of holiday plants and gifts. Alongside long-time favourites like Lunch with Santa, these festive additions have brought new magic to the season—all while continuing to support local charities.

None of this would be possible without the dedication of our loyal, long-time staff. Their hard work, passion, and deep horticultural knowledge have shaped Canadale into what it is today. Their commitment is the heart of our success, and we are truly grateful for everything they do to make each season brighter.