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Horticulture Centre of the Pacific - August 2024 eNews
Thank you all for making our Arts and Music festival a success.
Next up is our Fall Plant Sale!
September 20 - HCP (members and volunteers only) September 21- open to all
Save the dates! Friday, September 20 for HCP Members and volunteers only. The sale will be open to the public on Saturday, September 21. The sale will be 9:00am – 4:00pm daily.
Fall is the perfect time for planting, the soil is still warm and the fall rains are on the way!
All plants are reduced by 25% and the ever popular bargain bin will have plants at a 50% discount (what I refer to as ‘pot bound specials’, plants that just need to get out of the pot to thrive). Victoria Master Gardeners, HCP staff, volunteers and PHC students are on site as well to answer your gardening questions and help you choose the right plant for your garden.
The plant availability list will be available on the website prior to the sale.
Linda Petite Head Gardener, HCP
Dates to note:
Labour Day - September 2nd - the Gardens will be open Fall Plant Sale - September 20th for members & volunteers only
Fall Plant Sale - September 21st for everyone
Harvest Fest - October 5th
Thank you so much for your generous support!
As a charity, the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific depends on the support and generosity of others to help us make a difference. The maintenance of our gardens is funded by memberships, donations, daily admissions, sponsorships, grants, plant sales, events and weddings. While much of the creation and maintenance of the gardens is carried out by teams of hardworking and cherished volunteers, there is still a large financial commitment when caring for nine acres of curated gardens and the Conservation Park.
Your donations provide essential support.
Thank you so much for your continued support -- we couldn't do it without you!
Revenue from annual memberships supports youth programming, horticulture student development, plants and supplies for garden improvements, and volunteer appreciation.
Discounted member rates on Community Education Workshops
Borrowing privileges at the HCP Library
Discounts at select garden centres throughout Victoria
20% off Admission at Victoria Butterfly Gardens
Free admission, free parking, or other discounts at participating gardens in the American Horticultural Society’s Reciprocal Admissions Program
We are very grateful for the large team of volunteers who come together throughout the year to support HCP. The many contributions made by almost 300 volunteers have contributed to a vibrant space where everyone can enjoy the beauty of the Gardens and the Conservation Park at HCP.
For more information about volunteering, please contact Kim, Volunteer Coordinator at volunteers@hcp.ca
Hours: Everyday 9am-4pm
We have hired a new part time Admissions Assistant to assist with questions and inquiries. Please welcome Sarah Evans to our team. She will be in touch regarding your questions and will be assisting with all your admissions needs.
Please note that we are very busy in Admissions and all of our classes are filling up quickly. Please reach out directly to admissions@hcp.ca to express interest and we will be sure to help you through the process.
Program Dates: October 28 to December 6, 2024 Program Details: Monday to Friday from 9 am – 4 pm Delivery: Full-Time and Blended (a combination of in-person and online classes). Weeks 1 - 4 will be online and the final 2 weeks (weeks 5 and 6) will be in-person at Pacific Horticulture College. Open for Applications: April 2, 2024 Application Deadline: September 30, 2024
Registration for our Backyard Farmer and Master Gardener training programs for 2025 opens this September. Click the link to join the Interest List and find more information.
GROUP BOOKINGS - are available for all workshops and programs? Contact us at youthprograms@hcp.ca
STUDENTS JOBS & VOLUNTEER opportunities. Looking for experience working with children during our JMG Garden Camps this school year? Become a Junior Camp Leader for Pro D Day Camps and Spring Break. Contact youthprograms@hcp.ca for details.
A shout out to our summer students, Sienna, Christine and Fiona for all their enthusiasm and effort with this summer's HCP Kids programs.
Garden Nature Academy - Fall Session!
The outdoors offer safe and seasonal opportunities for your preschooler to explore through play, games, songs and activities! These outdoor sessions include time in our HCP Kids Teaching Garden where we grow food throughout the year, as well as numerous pathways and native plant forest areas to explore. Our small group sizes and experienced nature educators help to create a nurturing and engaging environment for young children to learn, play and grow! We welcome parent participation. This is a great opportunity to introduce your child to an outdoor learning experience! Ages 3 to 6.
Science Friends is a half day program for a parent and child that runs on Tuesday's for 10 consecutive weeks. Bring along your budding naturalist for a trek around the pathways, bridges and fields as we explore the creatures who call our gardens, woodlands and ponds their home. Each session will focus on a different nature friend and include a wander, story time and craft. Pack a snack and picnic blanket for story time and dress for the weather. For ages 3 to 6
Date: Tuesday’s September 17 - November 19, 2024
Time: 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Fee: $250.00 per child or $200.00 per child with a Family Membership
Do you know a child or youth who loves the outdoors and thrives in the garden? Our HCP Kids Garden provides many opportunities for land-based engagement activities, including seed starting and propagation, planting, garden maintenance, pollinator habitats, and so much more. Each weekly class will have us in this amazing teaching garden where we grow our own food crops. Hope you can join us with your pre-k learner or drop-off (or join) your school age child. There are lots of takeaways. Age: 3+ suggested age (under 3 are free)
Date: Saturday’s September 14 - October 19, 2024 (6 weeks)
These non-instructional day camps feature an outdoor program that includes time in our very own HCP Kids Teaching Garden where we grow food, learn to support natural systems and enjoy the many wilderness areas surrounding us! Ages 5 to 12 (school age)
Our Birthday Package includes time in the gardens and time to host your guests! We offer a 2 hour unique birthday experience for children in the gardens. Our parties are based on fun and engaging nature themes, including Terrarium Gardens, Mythical Creatures, Fairy Gardens, Enchanted Forests, Herbal Creations, among others. See our complete list of workshops HERE. Explore the gardens, create an amazing take away craft, then host your guests for refreshments. We host outdoors (rain or shine, year round) and offer an indoor option and covered areas to temper the seasonal weather.
Do you know a youth who enjoys crafting and flowers? This new program offers weekly opportunities to explore plants and flowers in their garden settings, then provides an introduction to ways of using them. Together, along with visiting facilitators, we will learn to identify plants and many useful and creative ways to use them for design and art. This 6-week series will include drying of flowers, flower pressing, bouquet making, seasonal displays, weaving and wreath making. Ages 8 to 14.
Magic is in the air this Autumn as we gather inspiration and natural treasures from the gardens and many pathways at HCP. Then the creativity continues with lessons of making and designing our sweet miniature gardens to demonstrate our unique preferences. These miniature gardens are perfect for budding gardeners and creative playtime too! Bring along a child to experience this precious session together and plan to make one yourself. Age: 3+ years
How many times have you found a special door leading into a magical tree or nature space? Curious how to make one of your own? Let’s explore the use of pre-made doors and collect and use natural materials to create a one-of-a-kind entry for magical creatures in our gardens. These little doors are suited to outdoor uses and make perfect gifts. Join a child in your life for this hands-on crafting experience together. Everyone will have a chance to make 2 miniature doors. Age: 6+ years
Terrariums and succulent gardens are perfect for this time of year! Let’s get inspired by the many succulent plants featured in our HCP outdoor gardens. Then, using a variety of plants, choose to make a terrarium or a succulents garden to take away for indoor (terrarium or a succulents garden) or outdoor (hardy succulents garden) use. A variety of recycled and new containers will be available for your use. Choose the garden you prefer to make and let your child create a fun growing miniature to take away. A perfect centerpiece for the Thanksgiving table! Age: 6+ years
Our annual HARVEST FESTIVAL is coming up Saturday October 5 and we are welcoming vendors and other community members to help us celebrate the season with their goods and services. For more information please contact Paula McCormick at youthprograms@hcp.ca
Botanical Art Techniques Edited by Carol Woodin & Robin A. Jess
With our Arts & Music Festival of August 10th in mind, here’s a look at an outstanding and comprehensive guide to an art form we here at the library love, botanical art. The experts at the American Society of Botanical Artists have put together this engaging reference manual with tutorials for projects that move from introductory to advanced. Every major technique used in botanical art is dissected, from graphite to watercolours to oils.
A dying art form in the late 20th Century, botanical art is now enjoying a renaissance. Scientific accuracy, aesthetic quality and artistic proficiency are the three pillars that it, and this book, are built on. By the numbers, there are tutorials by more than 50 of the best contemporary botanical artists, with more than 1000 instructive photographs in more than 400 pages in this encyclopedic instruction guide.
Observation of the subject is key. This book inspires everyone to take a fresh look at plants. The possibilities for expression in botanical art are endless and can last a lifetime. Botanical Art Techniques covers all the bases. It is available now to borrow from the HCP Library. And check out our online catalogue for other horticulture books that contain botanical art.
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