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Extended Summer Hours are back! Starting today, the gardens will be open Thursday through Sunday, 10:00am to 8:00pm. You are welcome to bring a picnic, however alcohol and glass are not permitted.
 
Closing to the public Monday to Wednesday provides more space for our hardworking volunteers and Pacific Horticulture College students to spread out and work safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
We occasionally close early for unsafe weather or private functions. This will be communicated on social media, or you can call ahead to check.
 
As the weather heats up, please remember that dogs are welcome in the gardens as long as they stay on a leash. Never leave your dog in a hot car.

 

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The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific (HCP) is scheduled to be held electronically via Zoom on Saturday June 19, 2021 at 11:00am PT.

This meeting of the Members of the HCP has been called in accordance with the Bylaws of the Society to consider only the business and motions as contained in the Agenda. The Agenda and all AGM documents will be available on Saturday June 5, 2021.

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Hardy fuchsias (Fuchsia magellanica) provide years of beauty and color to your garden. They are deer resistant and hummingbird magnets. During mild winters, they loose their leaves with minimal stem dieback, but when we have a cold snap, they may need to be cut back to where the new growth emerges in March.

In the Pacific Northwest, we grow them in full sun where they bloom nonstop until the first fall frost. They require fertile, well-drained soil with adequate water during summer drought. The golden-leaved varieties prefer some shade from the hot afternoon sun.

Hardy fuchsias' growth habits are categorized as prostrate, trailing, upright or arching. Their flowers are usually bi-coloured-single, semi- double or double.

They originate from South America, although there are species from New Zealand and Tahiti. In the Victorian era, fuchsias took on the common name of “lady’s eardrops” referring to their bi-coloured flowers resembling elaborate dangling earrings.

We are happy to offer a good selection of over 25 varieties of hardy fuchsia, all propagated here at the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific. Our Plant Sale Centre is open Thursday-Sunday and restocked nearly every day.

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Due to COVID-19, the Victoria Master Gardener Association is unable to hold their usual face-to-face clinics until hopefully later this gardening season. Instead, they are ready to answer your gardening questions virtually and look forward to connecting with gardeners who need advice! Please email info@msvmga.org.

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With only a few weeks until the summer break, the full-time students are wrapping up major projects in Soils, Landscape Design and Plant ID. The month of June also includes several Special Topics in Horticulture singular classes on a wide variety of topics: Cut Flower Gardening and Arranging, Medicinal Plants, Introduction to Cannabis Growing, Fruit Tree Culture, Environmental Stewardship and Ethnobotany. Stay tuned for student blog posts about these topics on the HCP website!

PHC is now accepting applications for our Landscape Design Student Projects! If you are looking to design or redesign your garden, would like design ideas and inspiration and are able to make a donation for the student work, please review our post and requirements here: 2021 Landscape Student Project Opportunity

A huge congratulations to the part-time Level 1 students who completed their program on May 19th! We look forward to seeing you all again in future programs.

PHC is accepting applications for the following programs:

2021 Part-Time Level 2 Landscape Horticulturist training program
Starts August 9 – waitlisted

2021 Gap Training program
Starts August 9

2021 Full-Time (non-harmonized) Level 4 Landscape Horticulturist training program
Starts November 1

2022 Full-Time (harmonized) Level 3 Landscape Horticulturist training program
Starts January 11

2022 Full-Time Landscape Horticulture Certification program
Starts January 18 – waitlisted

Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply even if a program is waitlisted. Application forms and admission requirements can be found online. Additional programs will open for applications over the coming months. Please contact the college if you would like to be added to the interest list for any of these programs or if you have any other questions: collegeadmin@hcp.ca

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Our aim is to create and provide land-based learning opportunities for children and youth in our community. Through these outdoor educational programs, we believe that we can promote individual, community and environmental health. During all of our programs, we will use the gardens and surrounding forests as our classroom and as an educational tool to cultivate joy, wonder and meaningful connections to plants and the natural world.

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Summer Garden Workshops
Our workshops explore a variety of plant-centric topics, from organic crafts to concrete gardening skills, while fostering an appreciation of our natural systems, providing creativity and fun! Select from our Video + Kit Workshops and our In-Person small groups in the gardens. We look forward to helping keep your family learning about plants this summer in many different ways!

Creating with Herbs (In Person)
Many of the most common herbs are living in our yards, but we do not always know how to use them. We will begin with a Herb Garden wander to introduce a variety of new and different herbs to our participants. Next, we will learn about harvesting these herbs, then how to use them for culinary and self-care products at home. There will be samples to take away as well as a “how to guide” and recipes.

Date: Monday, July 12
Time: 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Age: 6+ years
Fee: HCP Members $25 / Non-Members $30
Register: Online or phone (250) 479-6162

Succulents Gardens (In Person)
Creating them is so much fun! These easy care plants require little water and add interest to any yard or low maintenance area. Join us and learn about the propagation of succulent plants as we use the gardens to explore how they are used in difficult to garden areas. Then create your own succulent garden to take home using basic principles of design.

Date: Wednesday, July 14
Time: 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Age: 6+ years
Fee: HCP Members $25 / Non-Members $30
Register: Online or phone (250) 479-6162

Gnome Gardens (In Person)
We hear a lot about fairy gardens, but gnomes need room to hang out and play too! Participants will create their own beach-themed mini garden. We will be using a variety of plants that are easy to maintain and are suited to these miniature gardens that are meant to be played in!

Date: Friday, July 16
Time: 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Age: 4+ (under 6 with an adult participant)
Fee: HCP Members $25 / Non-Members $30
Register: Online or phone (250) 479-6162

Dinosaur Gardens (In Person)
If fairies can have a place to hang out, so can dinosaurs! Participants will create their own mini garden with these fun creatures. We will be using a variety of easy to grow plants that will hold up to some gentle dinosaur action in the garden. These gardens are meant to be played in!

Date: Monday, July 26
Time: 10:00am - 11:30am
Age: 4+ (under 6 with an adult participant)
Fee: HCP Members $25 / Non-Members $30
Register: Online or phone (250) 479-6162

Tea Making (In Person)
The first credible record of brewing tea dates back to the 3rd Century AD. Fast forward to 2021 and the cold brewing of teas made with garden botanicals in our HCP Kids Garden. We have been brewing our harvested flowers and herbs safely, using cold brew methods for years and our participants love to sample and create their own personalized blends. We will also be sampling and adding to commercial blended teas such as mint and green. This is also a fun way to introduce children to basic plant identification as we learn to recognize plant families for their features and their beneficial uses.

Date: Wednesday, July 28
Time: 10:00am - 11:30am
Age: 6+ years
Fee: HCP Members $25 / Non-Members $30
Register: Online or phone (250) 479-6162

Fairy Gardens (In Person)
Every fairy garden workshop is a bit different and this one features a house to create a beach theme. If you are new to these fun mini gardens, this is a great one to start with! We will be using plants suited to these miniature gardens that will hold up to endless garden adventures. These gardens are meant to be played in!

Date: Friday, July 30
Time: 10:00am - 11:30am
Age: 4+ (under 6 with an adult participant)
Fee: HCP Members $25 / Non-Members $30
Register: Online or phone (250) 479-6162

Planting a Fall Garden (In Person)
We love our summer gardens, but did you know that the middle of summer is the perfect time to start seeding for fall and winter crops? Our Pacific Northwest climate allows us to enjoy our fresh harvests well into the colder months, and depending on the season and where you are growing them, into spring! Let’s discover the best plants to grow in the cooler seasons for ongoing harvests. Then assemble seeds and plantings to take home and learn how to look after them, transplant and harvest.

Date: Monday, August 16
Time: 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Age: 5 - 15 years
Fee: HCP Members $25 / Non-Members $30
Register: Online or phone (250) 479-6162

Terrarium Gardens (In Person)
This class is an introduction to tropical gardening in an easy way that children can manage and enjoy. 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. Once you make one you may have to go home and look for more containers to make into gardens for yourself and others. These make great gifts!

Date: Wednesday, August 18
Time: 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Age: 6+ years
Fee: HCP Members $25 / Non-Members $30
Register: Online or phone (250) 479-6162

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The following workshops are available as take-home kits for a fun summer activity for your children. Register and receive a workshop kit (scheduled pickup at HCP), instruction sheet and a link to an instructional video. These are available until June 20.

Teacup Fairy Gardens (Kit + Video)
The mystique of having fairies in our gardens has us all intrigued! Learn how to incorporate tiny plants and elements of design into these little gardens for indoor use. We will explore the needs of plants and how to care for them in a miniature setting, while providing a magical place for wee garden visitors! Warning: These can be addictive and so fun to make!

Age: 6+ years
Fee: HCP Members $20 / Non-Members $25
Register: Online or phone (250) 479-6162

Outdoor Fairy Gardens (Kit + Video)
Using a selection of winter hardy plants, we will create an outdoor fairy garden for your deck, balcony or garden. We will discuss winter hardy plants and how to grow them in small containers. These miniature gardens provide a fun reason to move your child’s play outdoors this season and makes a great destination to check on during the spring and summer too!

Age: 5+ years
Fee: HCP Members $20 / Non-Members $25
Registration: Online or phone (250) 479-6162

Fairy Furnishings (Kit + Video)
Making your own fairy garden furnishings can be fun and easy with a little expertise and guidance. In this kit and video package, we will take a walk together to forage natural materials that can be made into fun and functional furnishings for existing and future fairy gardens. We will explore doors, gates, transitions and theme-related furnishings. Participants will receive a kit with instructions and supplies to make featured items and will be encouraged to source out their own special materials going forward. Imagination is a wonderful tool as we learn to create items for these playful and whimsical gardens!

Age: 5+ years
Fee: HCP Members $20 / Non-Members $25
Registration: Online or phone (250) 479-6162

Terrarium Gardens for Kids (Kit + Video)
Gardens come in all shapes and sizes. Get creative as you learn about the needs of little plants, and what better place to grow them than in an upcycled glass container? Choose a glass bowl, vase, jar or other container (up to 20cm) to upcycle and see what you can create! You provide the glass container and we provide the rest. 

Age: 6+ years
Fee: HCP Members $20 / Non-Members $25
Register: Online or phone (250) 479-6162

Seed Starting for Kids (Kit + Video)
Growing vegetables from seed is a fun way for children to become self-reliant and aware of their own food security. This class includes an introduction to growing six different cool weather crops from seed, their maintenance and replanting information. Participants will learn about the best soils to use for starting seeds, how to water, when to harden off and how to plan for successive crops. Participants will have the materials to sow their seeds at home in a tray, grow them into seedlings and then plant them. 

Age: 5+ years
Fee: HCP Members $20/Non-Members $25
Registration: Online or phone (250) 479-6162

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Garden Nature Academy – Fall Sessions!
The outdoors offer safe and seasonal opportunities for your preschooler to explore through play, games, songs and activities! These outdoor sessions will include time in our vegetable garden, as well as numerous pathways and native plant forest areas to explore. The small group size and our experienced nature educators help to create a nurturing and engaging environment for young children to learn, play and grow!

Dates: Tuesdays September 7 through October 26
Age/Times:
3 - 4 years old, 9:00 - 11:30am
5 (and almost 5) years old, 12:30 - 3:00pm
Fee: $160 (price is for full series)
Register: Online (click here for morning or here for afternoon) or phone (250) 479-6162


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We are happy to still be offering classes during the COVID-19 pandemic, though there may be some adjustments to keep us aligned with public health recommendations and keep participants and instructors safe. With this in mind, it is possible that your in-person class may be switched to an online format, postponed, or cancelled depending on if current provincial restrictions change or are extended. Registered participants will be notified via email if this happens and will have the option to stay registered or opt out. Please check out our new online classes so you can keep learning no matter what! If you have any questions, please email our Community Education Coordinator Cheri (communityed@hcp.ca).

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Plant Identification & Culture
Learn so much about plants with Diane Pierce, expert gardener, designer and writer. Diane will introduce you to 25 new plants in each session. You will learn Latin and common names, plant descriptions, cultural requirements, general maintenance and landscape uses. This is an ongoing course and can be joined at any time, all year long, one Saturday a month. The June class will be online via Zoom.

Dates: Saturdays June 19 (online), July 17, August 21, September 11, October 2, November 20, December 4
Time: 1:00 - 4:00pm
Fee: HCP Members $35 / Non-Members $45
Register: Online or phone (250) 479-6162

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Forest Therapy Walks
Join Peter Hehl and Kelly Kiss, ANFT Certified Forest & Nature Therapy Guides, 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”. 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. Please bring a mask and dress for the weather.

Date: Saturday June 19, Wednesday June 30, Saturday July 17, Wednesday July 28
Time: 1:30 - 4:00pm
Fee: $45
Register: Online or phone (250) 479-6162

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Floral Design Program - Coming Soon!
Join floral designer Linda Rambaud of Lindara Design to learn industry-level floral design skills. This is the first part of a three-part series, and participants who complete all three parts will receive a certificate of completion. Part One consists of 3 x 3 hour sessions in class and one field trip or speaker event, for a total of 15 hours. This course is designed for those who want to create their own arrangements or join the floral industry. You will develop creativity, techniques and learn to care for fresh arrangements. All flowers are included in the course fees. This class is indoors and masks are required.

Dates: TBA
Time: 6:00 - 9:00pm
Fee: HCP Members $450 / Non-Members $495
Register: Click here for the interest list and we will contact you when registration opens

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Yoga in the Gardens
Join us on Thursday evenings for Yoga in the Garden with instructor Michael Toru. If this all-levels yoga class experience had to be summed up in one word it would be “nourishing”. You can expect to move in ways that will nurture key areas of your body like the low back, hips, shoulders and more. The intention of this class is to leave you feeling more connected to yourself and the beautiful nature around you. Please bring your own yoga mat and any other items you might need to make you comfortable during your practice. We are following all provincial requirements for outdoor low-intensity group exercise.

Dates: Thursdays (see below)
Time: 5:30 - 6:15pm
Fees:
$10 for 1 session: Please email communityed@hcp.ca to check if there is space
$45 for 5 sessions: June 24, July 8, 15, 29, August 5 
$90 for 10 sessions: June 24, July 8, 15, 29, August 5, 12, 19, 26, September 2, 9
Register: Online or phone (250) 479-6162

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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. Your donations provide essential support, especially now.

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.

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We have an account at the Return-It Bottle Depot! The next time you’re bringing in your refundables, please advise the cashier at the beginning of the transaction that you would like to donate the amount to The Gardens at HCP.

Please use our name and not the account number you may see on a past receipt, as the account number is different at each Bottle Depot location. The three Victoria locations are 4261 Glanford Ave, 655 Queens Ave, and 3961 Quadra St. The Sidney location is located at #5, 10025 Galaran Rd.

Visit the Return-It website to see which beverage containers are eligible for a refund.

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The Thrifty Foods Smile Card Program is changing on June 15.

The active grant, which provides 5% to The Gardens at HCP under the current program format, will be in effect until June 15, 2021. To maximize earnings for our organization, please load your existing Smile Card or pick up one from the HCP office and load it by June 15. We receive a 5% contribution based on the total amount loaded onto the card. Remember to load funds onto the card at the start of your grocery order before scanning items.

Moving forward, we will be able to purchase Smile Cards instore and receive a discount based on the total value of the order. The savings provided is an immediate contribution to our fundraising efforts.

We will send out a notice in late June and if we receive enough interest, we'll transition to purchasing Smile Cards in bulk at a discounted price and have them available for purchase at the front desk.

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It’s a new month; don’t forget to check your bright green 'Gardens at HCP' membership card to see if it has expired! Memberships are a great value and include:

Free admission to the Gardens

A free guest pass with each membership

Discounted rates for additional guests

10% off plants and gift shop purchases

Discounted member rates on Community Education Workshops

Discounts at select garden centres throughout Victoria

Revenue from annual memberships supports youth programming, horticulture student development, plants and supplies for garden improvements, and volunteer appreciation. You can purchase or renew your membership today online or by calling (250) 479-6162.

Our new database system allows you to manage your membership, donations and workshop registrations online. Current members and most past members have an account already.

When you attempt to log in for the first time, you will need to reset your password. Please note that the password recovery email expires after 48 hours, and may be in your spam folder. Don’t hesitate to phone us if you need any assistance.

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Book Sale! Our 50% off book sale has been extended through June. See our expanded and updated list on our website By Title or By Subject. Come to the library during open hours to make your purchase. Please note that we can only accept cash in the library.

Library Hours:
Wednesday 10:00am - 1:00pm (for HCP volunteers and PHC students only)
Thursday 10:00am - 1:00pm
Saturday 11:00am - 1:00pm

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The Earth's Blanket: Traditional Teachings for Sustainable Living
by Nancy J. Turner

According to the Nlaka’pmx (Thompson) Interior Salish people of BC, plants and grasses are the Blanket of the Earth. If too much vegetation is destroyed, the earth weeps. The stories, values and understandings in this book are focused mainly on BC landscapes and cultures. It ‘explores the wealth of ecological knowledge and the spiritual connection to the natural world that is fundamental to Indigenous cultures.’ In sharing this ethnobotanical knowledge, Nancy J. Turner hopes that this book will highlight the depth and richness of this wisdom, so that all people may live more gently on the earth.

Nancy J. Turner has been learning from Indigenous elders about the relationships between plants and people since 1967. Her first Indigenous teacher was Christopher Paul of the Saanich Nation. She has been adopted by a number of families and given Indigenous names. All of her work is published with permission of the storytellers.

Borrow this book from the HCP Library and gain a deeper appreciation of these teachings in time for Indigenous Peoples Day on Monday, June 21.

Check our online catalogue for more titles and click the blue "Ask About This" button to reserve a copy of any book. Questions? Contact us at library@hcp.ca.

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