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Loss of our beloved Eucalyptus
by Linda Petite

It was a sad day, but it's a fact of life that trees don't live forever.

A few weeks ago, we noticed the Eucalyptus at the main entrance was leaning towards the pavilion. After a few rainy days, it was evident that it was heaving out of the ground and some branches were now touching the pavilion roof!

I contacted Trevor Coey from Bartlett Tree Experts and he quickly had his crew on site, and within a few hours, the tree was cut down.

I asked Trevor why the tree failed. He said it was a combination of issues. Girdling roots, rapid growth and saturated soil along with the lean of the canopy.

I haven't decided what to do in this space, and I quite like the open viewpoint to the gardens.

A new year brings new opportunity.

This was a doubly challenging week for us at HCP as we also had to say goodbye to Cheri Le Brun, our wonderful Community Education Coordinator of almost 9 years.  Cheri has moved on to pursue other interests, but will still be back in the gardens to visit and look after her beloved Mason Bees! All the best Cheri!

Upcoming Events at the Gardens - Mark your calendars!
Family Day - Monday, February 19^th - 9am - 2pm
Earth Day - April 22^nd
Spring Plant Sale - April 27^th and 28^th
Tomato Day - May 18^th
AGM - May 30^th 5:00pm in the Couvelier Pavilion
Arts & Music in the Gardens - August 10^th and 11^th

I hope we see you tomorrow for our Family Day Event where we will be partnering with Rocky Point Bird Observatory!

Deborah

Family Day at HCP Rocky Point Bird Observatory celebrates the Great Backyard Bird Count We are thrilled to be partnering with the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific to celebrate Family Day and participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count!   Monday, February 19 9:00 am to 2:00 pm Bird Walks (departing hourly) Bird Bingo Interactive Display Table Colouring Stations You can be a citizen scientist! We will record the species found for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count. Our findings are entered into eBird, the world's largest biodiversity-related citizen science project. These observations help scientists to better understand global bird populations prior to one of their annual migrations.

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.

"To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow" Audrey Hepburn

Thank you to all our wonderful volunteers!

It has been wonderful to see you in the gardens, enjoying the fresh air, preparing the gardens and planning for spring.

Thinking of joining our volunteer team? This is the time to start!

We have fantastic volunteer opportunities coming up this spring and we have started accepting volunteer applications. Volunteer positions include gardening, conservation, office support, children's projects, and special events.

For more information about volunteering at the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific (HCP) please contact Kim at volunteers@hcp.ca.

The weather has improved a lot since the cold snap in January and there are snowdrops (Galanthus sp.), hellebores (Helleborus sp.) and cyclamen already showing spring colour in the Gardens.

But I was lucky enough to miss the whole of January, travelling in southern and eastern Africa. It was a fantastic trip allowing us to experience a wide range of landscapes and climates and I could go on talking about all the things we saw for page after page. Given however that there is not the space for all that here I will try to limit myself to matters horticultural, though even that might cause me to overrun somewhat.

Our first stop was Cape Town and, as I think many people know, the whole Western Cape has a unique ecology known as 'fynbos'. It is made up of a multitude of tough evergreen mediterranean-type shrubs that survive and thrive on poor sandy soils under the hot sun. There are more than 9000 species of plants in this region, one of the most bio-diverse areas in the world, though at the beginning of January the intense heat did not encourage a lot of flowers and many of the plants we walked amongst were brown and crisp.

But we visited the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, a magnificent 1300 acres of gardens situated right on the slopes of Table Mountain and there we saw many of the varieties and families that make up the fynbos. I am not the person to explain its intricacies but those I somewhat recognised were the Proteas (we have grown some in the polyhouses at the HCP), the Ericaceae (tropical varieties of heather) and several unusual varieties of Iris (Iridaceae), many of which will only flower in the season after a fire.

Garden plants however were easier for me to identify, and I always find it intriguing to see both the similarities and differences in gardens worldwide.

As in so many hot countries bougainvillea and hibiscus could be found everywhere, their vivid colours lighting up the urban landscape. Pelargoniums, rather than in pots, are huge border plants with thick stems and canna lilies are at home in large clumps. Agapanthus were fully in season while we were there and everywhere were beds full of their large clusters of purple flowers. I saw another old friend, Gaura lindheimeri or Beeblossom, blooming enthusiastically in many front gardens; I think this is originally a North American plant so I was interested to see it settling in so well so far from home. Many colourful flowering shrubs and bushes caught my eye which I could not name but one I did know was Plumbago; I recognised its pale blue flowers yet the size of the plants astonished me. It grows profusely there forming enormous hedges, covering fences and buildings; it obviously enjoys the conditions.

One plant that attracted me very much which I didn't know before was a semi-woody shrub with very lovely five-petalled purple flowers, every petal edged with white. I finally discovered it is called Duranta and is actually originally from Central America (in the Verbenaceae family). I look forward to trying to grow it here but I see that it is considered an invasive weed in many parts of Australia. I am forewarned.

Driving inland and northward one sees the dry flatlands and spectacular mountain ranges and though the soil might initially seem less than ideal the sunshine and soil have been put to good use, providing the basis for a hugely impressive industry cultivating citrus fruits, grape vines, olives, apples, and pears. We drove for hours at a time and the cultivated plantations stretched for mile upon mile on either side. And something I had not seen before, enormously extensive use of shade-screens. One would crest a hill and there in the valley ahead would be an enormous area shining pale in the sun. At first one wondered could it be a lake? But no, its shape was too uniform and as one got closer it could be seen to be white mesh shade-screens erected over plantations of fruit trees or grape vines. But most astonishing to me was the extent of them   -   it was not just the size of a greenhouse, it was not even just an acre or two, it was literally hundreds of hectares at a time. At first I thought it could perhaps be installed to reduce the intensity of the sun in mid-summer but talking to one or two people I think actually the principal purpose is to protect the fruit from bird attack and also to be able to release beneficial insect predators inside. 

It must certainly be a very valuable industry to justify being able to invest in such enormous protective structures.

Well I have only managed so far to talk about the Western Cape so I will have to restrain myself and reserve my experiences in other countries for another time.

Current Hours: Weekdays 10am-3pm

Weekends 9am-3pm

 Be sure to click on the View Entire Message link below to see all of this month's articles!

Plant Identification & Culture Workshops with Jane Tice 
Saturday, February 24 - 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Saturday, March 30 - 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Saturday, April 20 - 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Save by registering for 2024 pack of 12 classes below or join for an individual session.

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.

2024 - Pack of 12 now available - HCP Members $400 / Non-Members $500

Individual Session - HCP Members $40/Non-Members $50
VISIT OUR WEBSITE to learn more or to register online

Line and Wash Watercolours on Japanese Art Paper
Workshop #1: Sunday, February 25 -  1:00pm - 4:00pm
Workshop #2: Thursday, March 28 - 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Workshop #3: Friday, April 26 - 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Join Richard Wong for an afternoon of creative fun and inspiration exploring "line & wash" techniques with archival ink and watercolour. The addition of line and wash adds a little more texture to your paintings and can result in very pleasing effects. 

Class Fee (per workshop): $80.00 not including supplies /$90.00 includes paint supplies but not the pen (Archival ink pens will be available from Richard in class - please bring $5.00 cash.)

VISIT OUR WEBSITE to learn more or to register online

Introduction to Fruit Trees
Saturday, March 2 - 9:00am - 12:00pm

Course participants will be introduced to the pruning fundamentals and concepts for fruit trees, including apple, pear and the stone fruits. We will look at summer versus winter pruning and pruning old, mature trees versus young newly established trees.

Tree planting and early training will be covered along with various methods of growing fruit trees e.g. tall spindle, dwarf pyramid, ufo etc. and also the choice of tree rootstocks. These terms will be explained along with many more. 

HCP Members $40/Non-Members $50
VISIT OUR WEBSITE to learn more or to register online

Introduction to Gardening with Ornamental Grasses
Sunday, March 3 - 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

The workshop will consist of both a classroom session and an outdoor demonstration of planting, care and maintenance in the garden. Each will be approximately one hour in duration.

During the classroom session, participants will be introduced to the joys of gardening with ornamental grasses. Some basic botany, the most popular grass varieties for our area, growth habits and planting considerations will be covered. At all times the emphasis will be on the practical aspects of growing beautiful plants whether in mass plantings or stand-alone feature specimens in a garden or container.

The outdoor demonstration will include planting a new grass in the garden and the annual activity of spring clean-up in anticipation of another year of evolving beauty. The workshop will conclude with a short tour of the garden to highlight some of the grasses talked about in the classroom session.

$40 HCP Members /$50 Non-Members
VISIT OUR WEBSITE to learn more or to register online

Willow Chair Workshop
Saturday, March 9 - 9:00am - 5:00pm

Join artisan Andrew Kent from The Willow Way for this full day workshop. In one day, with Andrew Kent’s expert instruction, you can make and take home your own Bent Willow Rustic Chair. This is a great introduction to rustic building techniques. Learn how to make a square frame from pieces of alder & work with different sizes of willow to create your chair. Registration is for up to 2 participants making one chair together. This is recommended as it is ideal to have a helper for this class.

HCP Members $285 / Non-Members $305
VISIT OUR WEBSITE to learn more or to register online

Starting Veggies from Seed
Saturday, March 9 - 10:00am - 12:00pm

Learn the basics of starting your veggies from seed with Linda Petite, HCP Head Gardener. Starting seeds indoors is a rewarding and effective way to get a head start in your garden. Many seeds germinate quickly and reliably without anything more than moisture and light. Linda will discuss the timing and techniques for starting seeds. Each participant will seed a 6 pack tray of seeds to take home with them.

HCP Members $30/Non-Members $40
VISIT OUR WEBSITE to learn more or to register online

Home Herbalist Series - Spring Workshop  
Sunday, March 17 - 9am - 12pm

Curious about the powers of medicinal plants but not sure where to begin? Join Registered Holistic Nutritionist and Herbalist Racheal Schnarr for the spring installment of the "Home Herbalist" series.

Enjoy a morning connecting with medicinal plants and leave with the knowledge of how to practice herbalism in your own home, as well as your own spring herbal tea blend. 

Read Rachael's BLOG on Three Wild Plants you can Eat in Victoria this Spring

HCP Members $55/Non-Members $65
VISIT OUR WEBSITE to learn more or to register online

Managing Native Mason and Leafcutter Bees for the Garden 
Saturday, March 23 - 9:30am - 11:30am

In this bee-loving workshop learn how these efficient native pollinators can help give you larger and more abundant fruit, vegetables and perennials throughout the spring and summer seasons with their exceptionally high pollination rates. In return, you are providing the important habitat and food for these important insects- it’s a win-win! Learn how to attract and keep the bees, manage their houses and keep their cocoons over the winter, ready for the next generation in the spring.

HCP Members $30/Non-Members $40
VISIT OUR WEBSITE to learn more or to register online

Introduction to Permaculture with Bethany Couture
Saturday, April 6 - 9:00am - 12:30pm

Be introduced to the amazing world of permaculture, a holistic approach to land and life management. This introductory class will share the core principles of permaculture and some of the ways they can be integrated into our gardens, and beyond. It will share practical applications for urban and rural settings and how to cultivate flourishing, high-yielding ecosystems no matter how much space you have available. We’ll explore sustainable practices such as plant curation, composting, water conservation, and many other permaculture practices. Includes a tour of the HCP permaculture garden to see many of these techniques in use.

Non Members $50/HCP Members $40
VISIT OUR WEBSITE to learn more or to register online

Look what is happening this SPRING at HCP Kids!

• SCHOOLS - Last chance to get EARLY BOOKING SAVINGS for 2024 HERE
• Early Learners' - See what is NEW for your child or group  HERE
• BIRTHDAYS - perfect for Spring HERE
• STUDENT JOBS & VOLUNTEER opportunities. Looking for experience working with children during our JMG Garden Camps this school year? Contact youthprograms@hcp.ca for details.
• SPRING WORKSHOPS - see below
• GROUP BOOKINGS - are available for all workshops and programs. Contact us at youthprograms@hcp.ca
• SUMMER CAMPS - registration opens April 4 (April 3 for Family Membership holders)

To see more details about a program please use the link in the title.

BIRTHDAYS in The Garden!

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. For more information contact our School & Youth Programs Coordinator at youthprograms@hcp.ca.

Pro-D Day Camps

Please Click on the date to register

May 17

SPRING WORKSHOPS

Workshops for Early Learners

Exploring Nature Through Crafts

Our gardens and natural surroundings offer many opportunities for foraging and creativity. Together we will use our time to explore seasonal interests in the garden, then gather a variety of materials, using a weekly theme to make a take away project that will delight and entertain.

Extra hands are always welcome as we create and assemble. Please plan to stay if your child benefits from your support or if you crave some nature crafting of your own! Looking for a morning filled with fun? Consider signing your child up for Stories in The Garden. Ages 3 to 5 years

Dates:  Alternating Fridays April 5, 19, May 3,  2024
Time:   9:00 am - 10:15 am
Fee:     $68 or $60/Family Membership
Register: Online or call 250-479-6162

Stories in The Garden

Imagine a gentle nature walk with your child to calm and 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 storytime that encourages the development of listening skills and small group interactions. 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! Consider making a morning with us and add Exploring Nature Through Crafts too!

Dates: Alternating Fridays April 5, 19, May 3,  2024
Time:  10:45 am - 11:45 am
Fee:     $35 or $30 with Family Membership
Register: Online or call 250-479-6162

SCHOOL AGE WORKSHOPS

Seed Starting for Kids

As gardeners it never seems early enough to get started with seed starting. This is an inexpensive way to produce food crops, herbs  and flowers, and we will explore them all. There will be lots of seeds planted and brought home to continue growing and enjoying. This is a great skill to have as a budding gardener!  Ages 5 to 14 years

Date:  Saturday March 9, 2024
Time: 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Fee:   $35 or $30 with Family membership 
Register: Online or call 250-479-6162

Terrarium Gardens
Gardening with tropicals and succulents is an easy way for children to use their creativity to make these miniature gardens. We will learn about the individual needs of these interesting plants and create a safe environment for them to grow in while using a glass container that is being reused or upcycled. These make great gifts!

Date: Sunday, March 10 , 2024
Time: 10:30 am - 11:30 am 
Age: 5+ years 
Fee:  $35 or $30 with Family membership  
Register: Online or call 250-479-6162

Garden Club

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, including seeds, transplants and more! Please pack your child’s own garden gloves if you have some and bring along a water bottle (and snack if needed:) 

Date: Saturdays April 6 - June 1, 2024 (no class April 27)

• Times: 
  • Preschool (3 to 5) 9:30 am - 11:00 am
  • School Age (6 to 14): 9:30 am - 11:30 am
• Fees:  
  • Preschool (3 to 5): $160/8 weeks or $140/8 weeks with Family membership 
  • School Age (6 to 14): $180/8 weeks or $160/8 weeks with Family membership  
• Register: Online or call 250-479-6162

WORKSHOPS FOR FAMILIES

Growing Together for Families - (3 part series)

Have you thought about growing your own food crops, but are overwhelmed? Let’s work together in the HCP Kids Teaching Garden and transform an area into a garden plot. Learn about soils, productive garden planning, maximizing yields, managing pests,  seeds and starts as well as seed saving. Join us along with your family for this 3 part workshop to build skills and understanding to make your own food production possible. This workshop series is also a great way to improve your garden experience. Bring along your own garden gloves. Lots of sharing of seeds and seedlings to plant in your home garden too!

Date:  March 2, 9, and April 6, 2024
Time: 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Age: All welcome!
Fee: $140 or $125 with Family membership  
Register: Online or call 250-479-6162

Creating A Butterfly Garden

The role of pollinators has continued to evolve and we have been amazed at the essential role these garden helpers play in food production. Let’s explore the key role that butterflies play in this, the plants that support their full life cycles and how to create a butterfly garden at home. Lot’s of sharing of seeds to set you up for success!

Date:  Saturday April 13, 2024
Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Age: 6+ (Families are welcome to join
Fee: $35/individual, $45/family  
Register: Online or call 250-479-6162

HOME LEARNERS 

We are featuring some exciting new short series and workshops beginning in February. Be sure to check our website for more information later this month! As always, our spaces provide unique and hands-on experiences for home learning families and networks! Whether you are a homeschool parent or group teacher, these garden based nature programs are filled with curriculum rich learning experiences for your child. We offer full day, drop in and series programs. If you are looking for inspiration for program ideas, in addition to the program listed HERE, please take a look at SCHOOL PROGRAMS, these can also be provided for your group as can all of our HCP Kids – Workshops.

Garden Creatures - (3 part series)

Worms, snails, birds and beetles! Join us in the garden to discover all the amazing creatures that call this place home. Together, we will learn about who they are, what they need to survive and how we can help their habitat thrive. See our website for more information on the Curriculum Competency Learning Standards for this program HERE

Dates: Wednesdays February 21, 28, March 6,  2024 
Time:  9:45 am -11:15 pm
Level: K -Gr 2
Fee:  $115 or $105 with Family membership  
Register: Online or call 250-479-6162

Our Food Web - (3 part series - food production, soils, pollinators)

Sustainability comes in lots of different forms. Let’s begin a journey of discovery as we explore methods of producing our own food, the importance of soils, and how pollinators play a crucial role in this process. This 3-part series will include lots of hands-on planting of seeds and transplants for take away as well as providing a foundation for the better understanding of food growing systems and their interconnections.                                                            

Dates: Wednesdays April 3, 10, 17 2024 
Time:  12:30pm - 2:30pm
Fee:  $115 or $105 with Family membership  
Register: Online or call 250-479-6162

If you are interested in having us design something for your needs, please reach out to us at youthprograms@hcp.ca 

Thanks to our wonderful volunteer, Bev, for bringing this fundraising opportunity to us! We have redeemed $24,000 in receipts for $240 in gift cards so far! Amazing!!

Please drop off your Country Grocer receipts at the Front Desk, it's as easy as that to support our Volunteer cookie program!

Thanks again everyone!

Deborah

Our 2024 wedding bookings are open with new packages available, and we’ve still got some room in the summer! August 2024 is almost full for the weekends, but we’ve still got some room for June, July & September.

Please reach out to events@hcp.ca with any questions or inquiries! We are happy to connect and make sure your special day will be perfect!

We are booking our pavilion throughout the year for corporate events, meetings, memorials, workshops, birthdays, and more! We are always excited to hear what event you’d like to hold at our beautiful Gardens.