Wondering about ways to get involved in the War of 1812 Bicentennial? Here's an idea - plant red geraniums. To commemorate the war - and one woman's efforts to preserve the memory of the conflict - red geraniums are being planted across Ontario.

The flowers were a favourite of Ruth Redmond, a school teacher from Niagara Falls who on seeing important sites related to the Battle of Lundy's lane being built upon, began buying up remaining properties to preserve the sites. Thanks to her efforts, and a condition in her donating the properties to the city in 1996, the site is now a commemorative park honouring everyone who fought and died in the battle.

So why not remember heroes who helped shape this country - in both the War of 1812 and its aftermath - by planting a red geranium?