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This edition features Head Gardener's Message = "Narcissus", Featured Garden = The Doris Page Winter Garden - Part 2, Mason bees, Arts & Music heads up, Community Ed, HCP Kids Youth program highlights, Weddings notes, plus Library Used Books Sale and the Bookend.
Horticulture Centre of the Pacific - March 2025 eNews
Our Mission is to bring a diversity of people together to learn, enjoy and participate in the rewards of horticulture and environmental stewardship.
To me, seeing the Narcissus blooming here in the gardens is a true harbinger of Spring!
Narcissus is a genus of about 50 species of bulbous perennials from Europe and North Africa. Flowers appear singly or in clusters. Flowers generally feature a trumpet or cup(corona)surrounded by six petals(perianth segments), in colors ranging from white to yellow to orange to pink and bicolors. Some are fragrant, all naturalize well and fully open once cut and brought indoors.
We have lots of Narcissus on site and in the Conservation Park. These areas were planted by the Vantreights over 45 years ago and we still continue to enjoy the colorful blooms each Spring. I found an old article from Michael Vantreight mentioning the species they had planted on HCP lands.
Carlton - big yellow east of the lawn
Ice Follies - big ivory in the west field
Erlicheer - double white flowers, highly scented in the field by the weir
Golden Dawn - yellow with an orange cup in the field by the weir.
Our volunteers cut and make bouquets from the various species growing here. We will have bundles for sale at the front office for several weeks.
Come by and take a piece of HCP history home to enjoy!
P.S. Don't forget to mark your calendar for theSpring Plant Sale April 26 & 27
" We're excited to host our 31st annual Arts & Music in the Gardens at HCP, this August 9th and 10th! Admission is $10, children under 12 are free. 100% of admissions proceeds go towards keeping the Gardens growing.
Come enjoy over 40 local art and craft vendors, live music from talented local performers, snacks, and drinks - all set in our lovely gardens. We'll have plants and our signature sunflower bouquets available for purchase.
We hope to see you there! If you are interested in becoming a vendor or musician for the event please contact artsandmusic@hcp.ca for an application or more information. "
The Doris Page Winter Garden - part 2
The Doris Page Winter Garden
The reason I wanted to volunteer at HCP, and I’m sure why many of you are members, is that so much of enjoying a garden comes from building a relationship with it that spans seasons and years. It’s a treat to tour a famous garden once or twice, but there is ample pleasure to be had in enjoying a favourite tree or anticipating an annual spectacle. Ideally, you don’t settle on just one, you have a succession of them that take you through the whole year, and through repeated visits to check up on your favourites your affection grows. ... Read the full article
I’m genuinely sad to miss even a week of volunteering in January, February and March, as the garden progresses so rapidly, and there are so many minor events that could be celebrated. Just this week the first daphne flowers opened! What richness
Looking for a simple way to support pollinators and boost your garden’s productivity? Raising mason bees is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to help the environment—no special equipment or beekeeping experience required! These gentle, non-stinging super-pollinators are incredibly low-maintenance and play a crucial role in supporting local ecosystems.
Why Mason Bees?
Unlike honeybees, mason bees don’t live in hives or produce honey. Instead, they nest in small holes, like hollow reeds or drilled wood, and work tirelessly to pollinate fruit trees, flowers, and vegetables. A single mason bee can do the pollination work of 100 honeybees, making them a powerhouse for gardens and farms alike. How to Get Started
Mason Bee Cocoons will be available for purchase soon.
It’s spring - ready to get growing? Adult Community Education at HCP offers a wide variety of classes to help you create healthy, sustainable gardens and beautiful nature-inspired art projects.
Learn about these classes and more spring workshops to come on the new one-page summary of all Adult Community Education classes now open for registration, and join the community education e-news for seasonal updates and highlights when new programs launch. Sign up here.
Thank you volunteers!
“In the spring at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.” Margaret Atwood
It has been fantastic to see so many of you working in the gardens, digging in the dirt and enjoying the fresh spring air!
The Gardens at HCP is supported by the contributions of over 275 amazing volunteers! Our hard working team of volunteers work in all areas including gardening, conservation, office support, hospitality and special events.
We are now accepting volunteer applications for our spring and summer volunteer roles. For more information please contact Kim, Volunteer Coordinator at volunteers@hcp.ca.
SCHOOLS- Our gardens offer many seasonal opportunities to connect with indigenous plants and food crops, experience demonstration gardens and explore wilderness spaces. We offer programs that are 1 hour and 1.5 hours as well as an optional 30 minute self guided activity in the gardens for an additional fee. Program fees include entrance into the gardens.
Contact our School & Youth Program Coordinator; youthprograms@hcp.ca for more information or use this link to request a booking. Share the experience! Book together!
Please click on the link in the title or date to register
These non-instructional day camps feature an outdoor program that includes time in our very own HCP Kids Teaching Garden. Ages: 5 - 12 years (school age)
90 minute birthday program includes a garden component and time for visiting with your guests. Up to 12 participants
Themes: Mythical Creature Gardens such as Fairy, Dragon, Pet, Unicorn and other special characters, as well as Tea and Pollinator gardens. We also offer Flower Pressing for older youth.
"Exciting News for Wedding Planning! 💍✨
A couple of wedding dates for 2025 have just opened up at the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific! If you’re looking for a breathtaking garden setting for your special day, or someone you know ~ now is your chance!
Contact events@hcp.ca for more details—we would love to help make your wedding truly unforgettable! 🌿💕"
HCP Memberships offer a wealth of benefits for the body, heart & Spirit. Share your love of plants and nature with a friend.
Did you know -
Guest Passes don't expire? check your junk drawer and bring a friend.
And, if you've used your passes, your Guests' admission is only $9.00
Garden entrance is discounted to $9 with a same-day C&Q receipt {children under 16 receive complimentary entry}.
Hours: Everyday 9am-3pm
FEEL WORLDS AWAY | DINE WITH THE FLOWERS "Charlotte & The Quail" has called The Gardens home since 2010. "Our lives have forever changed with the time spent here. The Gardens have given us perspective, peace & patience. The seasons have offered us repetition, reminders & reassurance.
Please note the Library will be closed the week of March 17 and re-open on 26 March
Gardening with Grains: by Brie Arthur
"Grow more food with less work in any yard."
Have you ever thought about growing grains? Brie Arthur shares her enthusiasm and experience on why this is an idea worth considering in Gardening with Grains. This is her curious, joyful adventure in bringing six common grains to her own suburban garden.
Arthur’s desire is to design and manage gardens that are first beautiful and inspiring. She shows how grains, with their structures, colours and textures, blend beautifully into residential landscapes as ornamental annuals. Read the entire review
We look forward to seeing you at the Gardens this Spring
Thank you for reading, we hope you enjoyed the content. hcp.ca
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