Notice of Annual General Meeting

By: Deborah Donahue, General Manager

I would like to say thank-you so much for continuing your support of the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific with your annual membership fees.

August 16th is the date of our AGM this year.

Location: HCP Couvelier Pavilion
Date: August 16th, 2020
Time: 10:00 am

We are at that time of year again where we welcome and encourage our members to join us in reviewing the highlights of the previous year, as well as attending to the annual Society business.

I appreciate that this year is different and many of you are following Dr. Bonnie’s safety protocols and not wanting to come to the meeting in person.

Also new this year, to ensure we control capacity, we are asking that everyone RSVP by either phoning me directly at 250-479-6162 or by registering HERE by NOON Saturday, August 15. For more information on the AGM and to download the documents please visit the website HERE.

Fall Plant Sale - Now Over Two Days! Sept 26/27

Plant an Olearia in your garden!

by:  Linda Petite, Head Gardener

Olearia sp., commonly known as New Zealand daisy bush, are perfect plants for the Pacific Northwest. They belong to the Asteraceae family, originating in New Zealand, Australia and New Guinea. Here at HCP we propagate and sell 4 varieties:

• Olearia x haastii (2m. x 3m.)
• Olearia macrodonata (6m. x 5m.)
• Olearia nummularifolia (2m. x 2m.)
• Olearia paniculata (3m. x 4m.)

All Olearia make good specimen, screening and hedging plants, and they are ideal for coastal areas. They are evergreen and are valued for their attractive year-round foliage, fragrant vanilla-scented summer flowers that attract pollinators and for both interesting seed heads and peeling bark. Olearia need a sunny, well-drained site and are very drought tolerant once established.

Picnic Nights

Picnic Nights have been a welcome addition to Victoria's social calendar this summer. Providing a wonderful way to explore the Gardens at HCP with live music, extended hours, and local artists we are looking forward to the last two evenings!

Giles Jottings

So we have at last had some fine weather. Through most of July the sun has shone and it has felt like a real summer has arrived. Yet, working in the Gardens, warm dry conditions means we must focus more on watering, especially keeping an eye out for areas where irrigation is insufficient and we need to roll out a hose before the plants start to suffer.

But the Gardens are looking wonderful and it is such a pleasure to watch the seasonal changes as they happen. The Lily Garden has been a feast of colour for many weeks; so many different lilies (Lilium spp.) and day lilies (Hemerocallis spp.) have been exhibiting their gorgeous blooms. There are still some magnificent specimens to see (the massed stems of Lilium ‘Black Beauty’ in the upper bed are very striking) but it is at this time of year that one’s gaze is drawn upward to the beautiful Silk Tree (Albizia julibrissin) coming into flower. There is something very special about its domed crown of filigree foliage and airy pink flowers made up of long filamentous stamens. It is said to be a short-lived tree so we should enjoy its magnificence while we can. This also is the season for hydrangeas. We have quite a selection in the Gardens, pink and blue varieties of H. Macrophylla on the banks of the Takata stream, the giant white blooms of H. Arborescens ‘Annabelle’ behind the pavilion, H. Paniculata ‘Pink Diamond’ in the 3B’s Garden and some spectacular white varieties in the Bridal Beds.

Crocosmias also are at their peak with their bright orange and red sprays of flowers; and in the 3B’s garden there is a very attractive shorter yellow variety that shines brightly in a rather shadey spot. It is not always easy to to precisely

identify varieties but I think it may be C. ‘George Davison’. The Bridal Beds are looking their best, filled with hydrangeas, Phlox ‘David’ and Gaura lindheimeri. And facing these across the Gathering Place is a huge yellow-flowered Genista aetnensis. Finally I would like to mention a nicely-situated plant I have hardly noticed before. Growing in the shade beneath the Portugal laurel (Prunus lusitanica) on the upper side of the 3B’s it is somewhat hidden but now the emerging bright white flowers of Guizhou mugwort (Artemisia lactiflora ‘Guizhou’) really stand out.

Keep the Flowers Blooming

Thank-you for your generous support.

As a charity, HCP depends on the support and generosity of others to help us make a difference. The maintenance of our gardens is funded through our memberships as well as donations, sponsorships and grants, and income from our gardens through admissions, plant sales, events and weddings. Even though much of the creation and maintenance of the gardens has been carried out by teams of hardworking and cherished volunteers, there is still the large financial commitment of caring for 9 acres of curated gardens.

Your donations provide essential support and your generosity helped us in 2019 with the following:

• Inner deer fencing

• Irrigation upgrade in the Children's Garden

• New wrought-iron front Gate

• Equipment upgrades and maintenance 

Thank-you so much for your continued support, we couldn't do it without you!

Visit https://hcp.ca/donate-to-ktfb/ to donate today.  

Pacific Horticulture College

It’s a particularly beautiful time of year to be a PHC student, spending these warm summer days learning in the Gardens at HCP! The full-time students are working hard at Plant ID, Practical Skills, Plant Health, Turfgrass Management and Introduction to Food Growing. Soon they will also start Introduction to Permaculture, Grading and Drainage and the second half of the Landscape Design course.

PHC is now accepting applications for our waitlist for the 2021 program starting in January. To learn more about the program and a career in horticulture, contact collegeadmin@hcp.ca.

As the fall and winter season are rapidly approaching (too quickly!), PHC is also accepting applications for the Full-Time Level 3 and 4 Landscape Horticulture Apprenticeship programs. Level 3 will be offered from November 9, 2020 until December 18, 2020 and Level 4 will be offered from January 11, 2021 to February 19, 2021. For more information about these program options, please contact collegeadmin@hcp.ca or visit https://hcp.ca/level-3-4-apprentice-technical-training/. Please note these programs will be blended delivery, with both online and practical components.

Coming up:

Integrated Pest Management Course (Noxious Weeds Category)

·         September 22nd and 23rd, exam on the 25th

·         Please call HCP to register

Integrated Pest Management Course (Landscape General Category)

·         October 3^rd and 4^th, exam on the 5^th

·         Please call HCP to register

Integrated Pest Management Course (Landscape General Category)

·         November 17^th and 18^th, exam on the 20^th

·         Please call HCP to register

Please note that custom IPM courses are available for groups. Please contact PHC for more information. All courses and exams will be delivered with appropriate physical distancing measures for the safety of our staff and students.

Youth Programs

Birthdays in the Garden

We are now offering our unique outdoors children's birthday parties at HCP. This is an exclusively outdoors event for up to 12 children.

Our birthday parties include the outdoor venue and a 1-hour program, and craft followed by 1 hour for you to entertain your guests for refreshments. For more information and to check on available dates, please contact our coordinator at youthprograms@hcp.ca.

Workshops

Eco Crafts

Do you ever wonder how to reduce, reuse, and repurpose household items into new products? Bring along an old t-shirt to make a fabric tote bag to take your goods home in. Then create some more cool crafts with a variety of household pieces! Maximum of 8.

Date: Saturday September  19 2020

Time: 10:30 - 12:00

Age: 6+ years

Fee: $20/child

Register online or call 250 479 6162

Fairy Gardens

Miniature gardens are fun to make! They provide us with a connection to plants, help develop creativity and offer us a chance to play! We can all use more of that. Join us for an inspirational garden wander and then make your own dream garden to keep the fairies comfy. Maximum of 8.

Date: Saturday September 19 2020

Time: 1:30 - 3:00 pm

Age: 5+ years

Fee: $20/child

Register online or call 250 479 6162

Lessons in the Garden

In you are looking for a small group, outdoor learning opportunity for your family, class or home school network consider our outdoor classroom delivery featuring gardens and space to explore learn and grow! Check our website for seasonal programs, or contact our coordinator at youthprograms@hcp.ca to tailor a program for you!

Community Education

Paint Nights with Ilana Selivanov

Picnic in the Gardens starts at 1pm, so consider arriving early for your class and bringing a picnic lunch while enjoying the sounds of a live local musician. At 5pm, move into the pavilion for your paint night experience.

At its core, our Paint Night offers a creative platform for individuals to create, experiment, learn, and socialize; all while working towards their own version of the same painting. You’ll learn about working with Acrylics, mixing colours, the application of paint on canvas, and how to create good composition. There is no painting experience required as we’ll lead you through the painting step-by-step!

We’ll be featuring a new painting every month inspired by flowers, trees, and landscapes, alongside unique techniques. Whether you paint regularly, haven't painted in a while, or have never painted, painting workshops are a favourite among those who like to try new things, find creative expression, meet new people, and explore new sides of themselves.

Participant Fee - $50.00 - Includes all materials

Visit our website to register online or call 250 479 6162

Register online for Trees

Register online for Summer Beach

Register online for Still Life

Willow Bark Diagonal Plaited Baskets Workshop
Saturday - August 22  - 9:30am - 4:30pm
Instructor: Joan Carrigan

As part of a weekend focusing on using willow, today we will be using willow bark to weave a diagonally plaiting basket and a small flat pouch. Discussion and hands on demonstration will cover how to grow willow and how to harvest and prepare the bark

HCP Members $120 / Non Members $140
Register online or call 250 479 6162

Forest Therapy Walks
Saturdays -  1:30pm - 4:00pm - August 29, September 19
Instructor: Kelly Kiss

Come join Kelly Kiss, ANFT Certified Forest Therapy Guide, to discover “Forest Bathing”, what it is, along with its health and wellness benefits.

Forest therapy is inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku, or forest bathing. Shinrin-Yoku means to “bathe in the atmosphere of the forest” and is a term that was originally used by the Japanese government in the 1980’s, to describe the practice of spending time in nature to soak up its health benefits. If practiced regularly, “forest bathing” may improve your health, wellness and happiness!

Moving slowly over a gentle landscape, the practice of forest therapy is accessible to people of all fitness levels, ages and abilities.

HCP Members & Non-Members - $45.00

Register online for August 29

Register online for September 19 or call 250 479 6162

Fox Painting

Thursday, September 24th - 12:30pm - 3:30pm

Please join Richard for a lovely safe day of art this fall that starts at 12:30pm!  Bring a lunch to enjoy in the Garden before heading over to the Pavilion to learn how to paint “Fox” on Japanese art paper. Everyone is welcome.  Beginners are especially encouraged. Richard’s classes frequently sell out so early registration is recommended.

Richard’s classes are also fun, relaxed and fully supported within a safe learning environment. Overhead projection will ensure social distancing requirements are met.  Provincial Health guidelines will be followed.  Hand sanitizers will be available. And use of masks will be recommended for instances where distancing is not possible. Tables, chairs and all art supplies will also be cleaned before and after use.

Richard Wong is a local professional wildlife artist with international credentials.  His art is popular.  His classes are fun. Learn more about Richard: www.richardwongwatercolors.ca

Class Fee: $55.00 (includes workshop, art supplies and Garden admission)

Register online or call 250 479 6162

Help Support the Gardens at HCP

You can donate at any of the Bottle Depot Branches: 4261 Glanford Ave, 655 Queens Ave, 3961 Quadra St

The Bookend

“Grasses are sympathetic to the ideals that gardens are both inspiring and conserving, high-spirited and low maintenance.”

Rick Darke’s award-winning book, Color Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses, shows us how graceful and elegant these versatile plants are. Growing from 12” to 15’, they also have a wide range of textures, forms and colours. From Achnatherum (needle grass) to Zizania latifolia (Asian wild rice), this comprehensive encyclopedia includes superb photos of each species.  This is just one of many books on ornamental grasses in the HCP Library available for members to borrow. 

New Hours: Saturdays 11am to 1pm. 

For further inspiration check out the Miscanthus giganteus hedge in the Takata Garden!