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Horticulture Centre of the Pacific - June 2024 eNews
Dates to note!
Canada Day - July 1st - the Gardens will be closed Arts & Music in the Gardens - August 10th
Thank you all for supporting us on Tomato day!
It was a great success and finally the weather has warmed up and the heat loving veggies will take hold. We all look forward to our first ripe tomato.
Our Vegetable Garden volunteers are excited with their new ferrocement bed. We partnered with Hatchet & Seed, a local company that designs and builds food gardens. https://hatchetnseed.ca/
Next time you are visiting, check out the new Ferrocement Bed!
HCP request:
We need gallon nursery pots for potting the plants we propagate and sell.
Please drop them off at
gate 4 by the polyhouses.
Thank you!
Linda, Head Gardener
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 through our memberships as well as donations, sponsorships, grants and income from our gardens through admissions, plant sales, events and weddings. Even though 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.
And thank you so much for your continued support -- we couldn't do it without you! Visit our website or phone (250) 479-6162 to donate today.
Thank you Bartlett Tree Service!
Bartlett recently spent time in our Gardens to remove hazardous trees and provide various tree pruning to improve clearance to understory plants.
Thank you Bartlett and your crew, for your ongoing support by donating your time and skill to tend to many trees and branches around the gardens, creating a safe and beautiful environment for all to enjoy.
We would like to express our greatest gratitude and appreciation to all the volunteers who share their time, skills, energy and enthusiasm with us here at HCP. Together we have cultivated beautiful spaces and created a welcoming environment for everyone to explore. Thank You!
If you would like to join our volunteer team or would like more information, please contact Kim, Volunteer Coordinator at volunteers@hcp.ca
Hours: Everyday 9am-4pm
The College has been very busy as we roll into Summer. Our Part Time Level 1 students just completed their program on May 23rd! Students are patiently awaiting the final marks in order to apply for our Level 2 Program starting August 6th. We anticipate that most will continue, so if you or someone you know are planning on applying, please reach out as soon as possible to admissions@hcp.ca
The Certificate students are halfway through their program and are starting to spend more practical time in the Gardens. They have their own veggie gardens and recently helped Linda plant and design the annual beds.The planting theme is to attract pollinators and the Cardinal climber and Cup and Saucer vines will look amazing on the bamboo teepees and are hummingbird favorites. June’s classes include Soils, Practical Skills, Introduction to Food Growing, Plant ID, Landscape Design, and Special Topics in Horticulture. Applications for our 2025 Full Time Certificate Program are starting to come in, if you want to apply, now is the time! Contact us to learn more or schedule a tour of the grounds and facilities.
PHC is also starting to accept applications for our 2024 Landscape Design Student Projects! If you are looking to design or redesign your garden, or would like design ideas or just inspiration, contact us at collegeoffice@hcp.ca
We are hiring Instructors! We are looking for experienced red seal (or equivalent) instructors in horticulture with a combined friendly and supportive demeanor, to teach Pruning and Turfgrass Management. Contact our College Director at college@hcp.ca for more information.
Program Dates: August 6 to December 13, 2024 Program Details: Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6 – 9 pm and most Saturdays from 9 am – 4 pm Delivery: Part-Time and Blended (a combination of in-person and online classes) Open for Applications: April 2, 2024 Application Deadline: July 17, 2024
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
Curious about the therapeutic applications for horticulture? In this introductory workshop led by Cliff Thorbes, a Registered Horticulturist Therapist with the Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association, discover and experience some of the therapeutic outcomes for yourself.
Celebrate the arrival of summer with an afternoon connecting with medicinal plants! Join Registered Holistic Nutritionist and Herbalist Racheal Schnarr for the summer installment of the "Home Herbalist" series. We will review medicinal herbs that can be used and harvested during the summer, their typical applications and how to make them. For the practical portion of this class, we will enjoy a short plant walk in the HCP medicinal herb garden, then head back to the classroom to make custom herbal salves.
Creating a Forest Habitat at Home (Miyawaki Method) Sunday, June 23 - 10:00 am - 12:00 pmWe are creating a pocket forest at HCP this spring as a project with help from a generous grant from Pollinator Partnership. The space adjoins our Meadow Makers Project Garden that was installed in 2023 and will offer more pollinator rich native plantings for habitat and foraging. This method of afforestation was developed by the Japanese botanist and plant ecology expert Professor Akira Miyawaki, and draws inspiration from nature's ecosystems to create 100% organic, dense and diverse pioneer forests in as little as 20-30 years. Please join our project lead Paula McCormick on a journey of positive change with this onsite presentation. Fees: $35/individual or $45/Family Register: Online or call 250-479-6162
Line and Wash Watercolours on Japanese Art Paper Friday, June 28th - 1:00 - 4:00pm - "Songbird Miniatures" This is Richard Wong's last workshop before the summer break.
Spend a lovely afternoon creating several miniatures suitable for personalized greeting cards, or work on one larger painting. Your choice. Richard will guide you. His classes are suitable for all levels. Beginners are especially encouraged. (Songbird Motif clockwise: Bluebird, Dark-eyed Junco, European Robin, Sparrow)Paintings: one 8x10" piece, or several 3.5x5" pieces.
Plant Identification & Culture Workshops with Jane Tice Saturday, June 29th - 1:00pm - 4:00pm Saturday, July 27th - 1:00pm - 4:00pm
If you are a new gardener, new to Victoria or just want to brush up on your plant knowledge, this is a great place to get started. This is a monthly class where participants will be introduced to 20 new plants which fit with our local climate. Plants are selected for our local growing conditions and the value they bring to the garden. Part of the class will be in the classroom and part will be out in the gardens to view the plants for that month. Dress for the weather and bring something to take notes.
Willow Bark Wall Pouch Workshop Saturday, July 6th - 9:30am - 4:00pmWillow bark is a lovely material for basket weaving and this project is a perfect way to show it off. We will be weaving this variation of a point pouch designed to hang on the wall to hold utensils or a flower arrangement. Along with the plaited designs using willow bark we will also use locally foraged materials for twining patterns. Discussion and demonstrations will cover how to harvest and prepare these locally foraged materials. Tools: sharp scissors, 12” ruler, soft measuring tape, spray bottle, an old towel.
Non Members $140/HCP Members $120 VISIT OUR WEBSITE to learn more or to register online
SCHOOLS - Book for 2024/25 HEREGARDEN NATURE ACADEMY FOR Fall 2024 - Early learners half day program just a few spots remaining HERE
STUDENTS JOBS & VOLUNTEER opportunities. Looking for experience working with children during our JMG Garden Camps this summer break? Become a Junior Camp Leader. Contact youthprograms@hcp.ca for details.
SUMMER WORKSHOPS - Herbal Creations, Tea Time, Fairy Gardens, Creating with Natural Plant Dyes
GROUP BOOKINGS - are available for all workshops and programs? Contact us at youthprograms@hcp.ca
POLLINATOR DAY AT HCP - Sunday June 23 (9:00 am - 1:00 pm)
We are celebrating our amazing pollinator’s with exhibits and activities for Pollinator Week 2024! Join us for interactive and fun activities for families and our general public. Rocky Point Bird Observatory and Rithet’s Bog Society will be onsite to provide information about their work and ongoing efforts to support pollinators.
If you have an initiative that you would like to showcase for your organization or society, please contact Paula McCormick at youthprograms@hcp.ca to learn more about this opportunity.
Stories in The Garden - Pollinator Week
It’s all about our special friends, POLLINATORS this week as we celebrate these amazing creatures with curious observations and chats. Imagine an exploring nature walk with your child to inspire you both! This rain or shine outdoor program on our endless pathways provides us with many social and nature connections. This is followed by a story-time that encourages the development of listening skills and small group interactions and lots of fun facts about local pollinators! Plan to bring along your favourite story blanket and snack to enjoy during the story with your child and invite a friend. Minimum registration is required. Please share word of this engaging program with your friends and make it a play date!
Dates: Friday June 21, 2024 Time: 9:30 am - 10:30 am Fee: $10/family Register: Online or call 250-479-6162
Creating a Forest Habitat at Home (Miyawaki Method)
We are creating a pocket forest at HCP this spring as a project with help from a generous grant from Pollinator Partnership. The space adjoins our Meadow Makers Project Garden that was installed in 2023 and will offer more pollinator rich native plantings for habitat and foraging. This method of afforestation was developed by the Japanese botanist and plant ecology expert Professor Akira Miyawaki, and draws inspiration from nature's ecosystems to create 100% organic, dense and diverse pioneer forests in as little as 20-30 years. Please join our project lead Paula McCormick on a journey of positive change with this onsite presentation.
Dates: Sunday June 23 2024 Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Fee: $35/individual or $45/Family Register: Online or call 250-479-6162
BBQ Herb Planter for Dad Workshop
Does Dad Love to Barbeque? Herbs can really enhance this meal experience to add flavour and interest too! Join us for a garden journey to explore garden herbs to grow for culinary uses and create a make and take planter to gift Dad for Father’s Day! Each planter includes a pot, 3 herbs and plant markers for gifting beautifully.
Date: Saturday June 15, 2024 Time: 10:00 - 11:30 am Age: 4+years (6 and under with an adult) Fee: $40/planter Registration: Online or call 250-479-6162
Herbal Creations
Herbs are a versatile plant choice for their culinary uses, beauty, aromatherapy and so much more! Let’s explore a variety of plants that we call herbs and recognize them for some of their uses. This session will cover some plant identification and time to harvest and make herb based personal products in this extended class time frame.
Date: Thursday July 11 2024 Time: 1:30 - 3:30 pm Age: 6+ years Fee: $35/child or $30 with Family Membership Registration:Online or call 250-479-6162
Tea Time
Tea brewing is a very ancient tradition and kids have been enjoying this with us in many of our camps and workshops over the years. We have recently been introducing tea to our tea themed fairy garden birthday parties too! We will begin with a garden wander to discover some of the plants and their special parts that can be used for brewing. Together we will learn to harvest and prepare these collections to brew some basic herbal blends for a tea tasting experience.
Date: Thursday July 18 2024 Time: 1:30 - 3:30 pm Fee: $35/child or $30 with Family Membership Registration:Online or call 250-479-6162
Fairy Gardens
It’s summertime and even the fairies need a place to relax on hot days. Looking to our many demonstration gardens for inspiration, we will create a wee oasis for magic in our gardens. These miniature gardens are perfect for creative play on hot days and also provide a sweet addition to existing fairy gardens or another themed garden.
Date: Thursday July 25, 2004 Time: 1:30 - 3:00 pm Age: 4+ years Fee: $35/child or $30 with Family Membership Registration: Online or call 250-479-6162
Creating with Natural Plant Dyes
The history of natural dyes can be traced back to the earliest civilizations, where plants, insects, and even minerals were used to create a variety of colours. In this session we will explore some plants that contribute their pigments for dyeing, in our Herb Garden as well as natural spaces at HCP. With some guided foraging, we will collect plant materials and create some paper and fabric items to take away.
Date: Thursday August 01, 2024 Time: 1:30 - 3:30 pm Age: 7+ years (recommended) Fee: $35/child or $30 with Family Membership Registration:Online or call 250-479-6162
Bee Time: Lessons from the Hive Mark L. Winston Decades of devotion to the study of bees are brought to a reflective and scientific confluence in Bee Time: Lessons from the Hive, written by Simon Fraser University professor Mark L. Winston. It has the rare distinction of winning the Governor General’s Literary Award for Non-Fiction. The place of bees in the world and our relationship with them is considered through a loving lens. In 1860 moveable frame honeybee hives were invented. Honey production increased dramatically, and colony observations led to numerous discoveries. It was confirmed that they are sophisticated: bees collaborate and communicate. Stressors for bees include the use of chemicals such as pesticides and antibiotics, pests and diseases, loss of habitat and climate change. Research suggests that a combination of these factors is responsible for the serious decline of the bee population worldwide. However, Winston believes that the resilience of bees is inspiring. The stories in Bee Time: Lessons from the Hive look at bees and their importance, honey and how it’s made, beekeepers, the honey business, colony collapse disorder and even killer bees. Infused in these stories are ideas about what bees can teach us and how important it is to learn from them. “Bees remind us that it’s only together with nature that we can guarantee our own prosperity and survival.” Pollinator Week (June 17-23) is a great time to read Bee Time: Lessons from the Hive. Available now to borrow from the HCP Library. And check out our online catalogue of more than 2600 books for more about pollinators.
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Curious about the therapeutic applications for horticulture? In this introductory workshop led by Cliff Thorbes, a Registered Horticulturist Therapist with the Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association, discover and experience some of the therapeutic outcomes for yourself. 
Celebrate the arrival of summer with an afternoon connecting with medicinal plants! Join Registered Holistic Nutritionist and Herbalist Racheal Schnarr for the summer installment of the "Home Herbalist" series. We will review medicinal herbs that can be used and harvested during the summer, their typical applications and how to make them. For the practical portion of this class, we will enjoy a short plant walk in the HCP medicinal herb garden, then head back to the classroom to make custom herbal salves.
We are creating a pocket forest at HCP this spring as a project with help from a generous grant from Pollinator Partnership. The space adjoins our Meadow Makers Project Garden that was installed in 2023 and will offer more pollinator rich native plantings for habitat and foraging. This method of afforestation was developed by the Japanese botanist and plant ecology expert Professor Akira Miyawaki, and draws inspiration from nature's ecosystems to create 100% organic, dense and diverse pioneer forests in as little as 20-30 years. Please join our project lead Paula McCormick on a journey of positive change with this onsite presentation. Fees: $35/individual or $45/Family Register: 
Spend a lovely afternoon creating several miniatures suitable for personalized greeting cards, or work on one larger painting. Your choice. Richard will guide you. His classes are suitable for all levels. Beginners are especially encouraged. (Songbird Motif clockwise: Bluebird, Dark-eyed Junco, European Robin, Sparrow)Paintings: one 8x10" piece, or several 3.5x5" pieces.
Willow bark is a lovely material for basket weaving and this project is a perfect way to show it off. We will be weaving this variation of a point pouch designed to hang on the wall to hold utensils or a flower arrangement. Along with the plaited designs using willow bark we will also use locally foraged materials for twining patterns. Discussion and demonstrations will cover how to harvest and prepare these locally foraged materials. Tools: sharp scissors, 12” ruler, soft measuring tape, spray bottle, an old towel.
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