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Summer Hours
March 1st - October 31st
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Winter Hours
November 1st - February 28
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
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Phone:
250-479-6162
Address:
505 Quayle Rd,
Victoria, BC V9E 2J7
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October 2018
E-News
Horticulture Centre of the Pacific
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by: Deborah Donahue, General Manager
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 In 2013, the Horticulture Centre applied for a Community Grant from the Victoria Foundation to assist the Victoria Native Friendship Centre with their Siem Lelum Community Garden Project. The project is an integral and therapeutic component of the Siem Lelum affordable housing complex for dozens of families drawn from the Aboriginal community.
 Our role was to construct, prepare, plant and nurture a garden filled with numerous food products, including traditional First Nations plants, while teaching them the skills needed to independently maintain and manage the garden. Many of us were fortunate to be part of this project. Our own volunteer carpenter extraordinaire, Robert Korsten, worked his magic on the planters and fence, while Maja, Jano, Tree, Robert and I made quick work of loading in the 10 yards of soil!
 It was then up to the wonderful, Paula McCormick, our Youth Program coordinator, to facilitate the planting and learning portion of this project. The initial planting is done, but this project is not over. Paula will continue this fall and next spring to teach the basics of growing vegetables, hardening off, planting out, maintenance of the crops, and harvesting.
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One more way to support The Gardens! We have an account at the Bottle Depot!
Our account name is:
The Gardens at HCP
How to donate on this account
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Please advise the cashiers at the beginning of the transaction that you would like to donate the bottles onto our account. Please note: Your friends / family / co-workers etc who will be donating to this account must only reference this account by account name and not by any account numbers that may be found on some of the account transaction receipts. Each depot will have a different account number for your account.
You can donate at any of the Bottle Depot Branches:
4261 Glanford Ave, 655 Queens Ave, 3961 Quadra St
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Plants Wanted!
by: Linda Petite, Head Gardener
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Do you have any overcrowded perennials that need dividing?
Fall is the ideal time to do so.
We are in need of the following plants to pot up now to have them available for our Spring Plant Sale:
1) Imperata cylindrica (Japanese Bloodgrass)
2) Rudbeckia 'Goldstrum'
3) Ophiopogon planiscapus' Nigrescens' (Black Mondo Grass)
4) Polystichum munitum (Western Sword Fern)
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With temperatures dropping and leaves starting to turn, it's time to start thinking about the holiday season! (Thrilling or terrifying? Depends on who you ask.)
Skip the holiday headache this year and host your corporate or social event at The Gardens at HCP. Our warm and inviting Couvelier Pavilion offers a fully accessible setting for groups of up to 100 guests. Rental rates include tables, chairs, tablecloths, A/V equipment, and a fully decorated Christmas tree. We can even add a wreath-making workshop to your event so no one leaves empty-handed!
Please email
[email protected] to get started -- we have just eight weekend dates available:
Saturday November 17th
Friday November 23rd
Saturday November 24th
Friday November 30th
Sunday December 2nd
Friday December 14th
Saturday December 15th
Sunday December 16th
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Wreath Making Registration
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One of the best winter tradition will be returning to the Gardens at HCP, and you can register now! Learn how to create beautiful, decorative Christmas wreaths without the hassle of collecting materials and a messy clean up. Expert instructors will guide you through the basics of building a beautiful and unique wreath. No two wreaths turn out the same! The wreaths will contain an assortment of evergreens, berries, cones and bows. These wreaths will last and look great on your front door throughout the festive season! This is a great workshop for groups of friends and families. Participants should bring garden gloves and secateurs/shears to class. These workshops fill up quickly so sign up soon.
To register, call 250 479 6162.
Workshop Dates:
10:00am - 12:00pm or 1:00pm - 3:00pm
November 24/25, December 1/2/8/9
HCP Members $40
Non Members $50
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Leycesteria formosa
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Now the height of summer is past we can take pleasure in the cooler temperatures and occasional rain showers of fall.
There are fewer plants in flower now of course, though one or two stand out. Pink nerines (
Nerine bowdenii) and crimson river lilies (
Schizostylis coccinea) bring fresh colour to the beds and fuchsias, Himalayan honeysuckle (
Leycesteria formosa) and monkshood (
Aconitum) continue to extend their flowering.
But now the gardens have an added attraction, the changing colours of fall foliage.
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| witchhazels |
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At the heart of the Winter Garden two mature witchhazels (
Hamamelis mollis) have turned to golden yellow. Beside them, adding vivid contrast, is another witchhazel variety (
Hamamelis x intermedia 'Albert Promise') whose leaves have turned a startling orange-red; and beneath their spreading branches pink cyclamen speckle the soil. When a little morning sun slips between the surrounding trees all these colours glow as if lit from within.
 Similar colour contrasts can be seen in the Heather Garden where greens and greys blend with reds and pinks in a manner unique to this late season. Fruits and berries show here and there as trees and shrubs offer tempting edible packages with which to distribute their seeds. The dusky reds of crab apples (
Malus sylvestris), the orange berries of pyracantha, white snowberries (
Symphoricarpos) and red rosehips, blackberries on brambles of Rubus and the exquisite purple berries of Callicarpa; all of these are appearing now, not only giving us the enjoyment of seeing them as we pass but also providing nourishment to birds and other wildlife and initiating the new growth of next year.
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Plant Sale Recap
by: Linda Petite, Head Gardener
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Our annual Fall Plant Sale took place on September 22nd.
It was a clear day after a night of much-needed rain, and I think both the plants and the people felt a sense of refreshment!
I want to thank all the PHC students,volunteers and staff that helped make this a successful sale. We grossed $4,150 in one day!
All plants will remain 25% off until October 31.
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Check out that bright green 'Gardens at HCP' membership card to see if it has expired!
Memberships are a great value and include:
- Free Admission all year to the Gardens
- Guest passes and any additional guests for a discounted rate
- 10% off on plants and purchases in the Gift Shop
- Discounts on Community Education programs
- Free Admission into the Arts & Music in the Gardens festival
- 10% discounts at select plant centres throughout Victoria
- Free admission to participating gardens in the American Horticultural Society
- Our monthly E-Newsletter
Membership at the Gardens at HCP supports youth programming,
horticulture
student
development,
supplies, plants for garden improvement, and our volunteers.
You can purchase your membership today by stopping in the office, calling 250-479-6162 or clicking here.
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| 'Picture of the Month' |
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Thank you to visitor Susan Macartney for this month's 'Picture of the Month' submission. She saw (and heard) this house finch. You never know who you will meet in the Gardens at HCP.
Do you have a great shot from your visit to the Gardens at HCP?
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Pacific Horticulture College
For more information on registration, please call the office 250-479-6162 or email [email protected]
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In the weeks leading to the completion of the 2018 program, the PHC students have been busy with various garden projects, the residential landscape design projects and honing their skills for after graduation. The Permaculture class just finished last week with a garden clean-up - have a look next time you stop by! Now they are completing their second week of work experience, and will soon return to a mere five weeks left of their program. These final weeks include taking a small business class, learning about hardscaping, and wrapping up other course work.
Our 2019 full-time program is nearly full - applications are due on or before November 1 (the sooner the better)! Read about the admission requirements and
application process here.
Application deadline for our full-time winter Level 3 and Level 4 programs is November 5. These programs run November 19 until January 11 with a two-week break for the holidays. The application form is available on
our website.
We also have some space available in our last pesticide course of the year - October 27 and 28, exam October 29. Contact us for details or registration.
Coming up:
Pesticide Applicator License Course (Landscape General Category)
- October 27th and 28th, exam on the 29th
Full-Time Level 3 Apprenticeship Training
- November 19, 2018 to January 11, 2019
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Application deadline is November 5, 2018.
Full-Time Level 4 Apprenticeship Training
- November 19, 2018 to January 11, 2019
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Application deadline is November 5, 2018
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Upcoming Workshops
Call to Register for Programs: 250-479-6162
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Stories in the Garden
J
oin us at the gardens for our bi-weekly storytime designed for our youngest gardeners. Each program centers around a theme that explores subjects such as gardens, pollinators, vegetable growing, and other environmental themes through stories, garden activities and related crafts. Children under 5 must be accompanied by an adult.
October 15th Story in the Garden: Join us for the end of our story season in the garden as we hear about the changing season and explore the many colours, textures, and scents around us. Dress for the weather and bring along your snack to enjoy as we learn about Fall!
Dates: October 15, April 29, May 13, May 27
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Cost: $5/child, free admission for an accompanying adult
Ages: 2+ years (designed for younger children, however, siblings are welcome)
Call to register: 250-479-6162
Fun with Terrariums
Learn to design and assemble these miniature gardens using up-cycled containers, indoor plants, and natural materials.
*Bring along a small glass container to use for this creative activity time (up to 20 cm). Adults are required to participate with children 6 years or younger.
Date: Saturday, November 3, 2018
Time: 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Cost: $15/child
Age: 5+ years
Call: 250-479-6162 to register
PRO-D Day Camp
Year round gardening is a possibility here in the Pacific Northwest and gardening with kids is what we do!! Join us for a day of seasonal gardening and nature activities in The Gardens at HCP for our fall one day camps! Register early, as we fill up fast.
Date: Friday, October 19
Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Cost: $38/child
Ages: 5-12 years
Call: 250-479-6162 to register
 Harvest Festival
Our annual Harvest Festival is a fun way to enjoy the season with family-friendly activities for all ages. There will be pumpkins,
seasonal games, activities, special guests and the beautiful gardens to explore.
*Pre-registration is required*
Date:
Saturday, October 27, 2018
Time:
10:00am - 2:00pm
Cost:
$15/family (Family includes up to 3
children, $5 per additional child)
Age:
All ages
To register please call: 250-479-6162
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Mason Bee Maintenance
with Tom Lahey
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Sunday, October 28
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
This informative class is with Mason Bee expert, Tom Lahey. Tom will cover all you need to know to keep your mason bee cocoons healthy. Many people start out with great enthusiasm in the Spring, but in the Fall they are not quite sure what to do with the cocoons. If you have cocoons, bring them along and get the job done with Tom's guidance. If you don't have your own cocoons, don't worry, we will have plenty for you to practice with. Tom will cover how to harvest the cocoons from various homes including wooden or plastic trays, cardboard, bamboo or paper tubes and drilled holes. After that the group will clean the cocoons and homes. Tom will also cover how to overwinter cocoons to help with their survival for the Spring. Leave with the job done and confidence about taking care of your bees. Time permitting, Tom will cover additional care topics and participant questions.
HCP Members $20
Non Members $25
To register, call 250 479 6162
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Hypertufa Workshop
with Paul Spriggs
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Saturday November 3rd
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
In this hands-on workshop, participants will produce a 12 x 14 inch hypertufa trough in the classic rock garden style. Hypertufa is a concrete substitute that looks just like concrete but weighs much less, making it easier to transport. Participants will go through the process of creating the forms, mixing the materials, and setting the trough. As there is a curing period, participants will have to return at a later date to collect their creations. Included in the cost are the forms and all the materials to make one trough. The forms are reusable, so once the skill has been learned, participants may continue to create many more troughs in the future.
HCP Members $65
Non Members $70
To register, call 250 479 6162
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Miniatures and Small-Scale Basketry Techniques
with Joan Carrigan
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Sunday, November 4th
9:30 am - 4:30 pm
In this workshop you will be exploring small scale basketry techniques which are well suited to jewellery and basketry forms. Two projects will be made. First a miniature basket using twining and plaiting with bark and waxed linen thread and secondly a small pouch made with knotless netting using waxed linen thread. A variety of patterns and design possibilities will be on hand for inspiration. Please bring a pair of scissors with a sharp point like embroidery scissors, ruler, spray bottle and old towel. We will run a second workshop on Saturday, November 3 if this date fills up, so please add your name to the interest if the class is full.
HCP Members $120
Non Members $140
To register, call 250 479 6162
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Wild Food and Nutrition
with
Latifa Pelletier-Ahmed
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Sunday, November 4th
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
You may already be aware that many wild plants are edible, but do you know how and why they are good for you? This 3-hour-workshop will explore the vitamin and mineral rich world of local in-season plant species. Are wild plants really much more nutrient dense than domestic plants? What are antioxidants and what are they good for? How do wild plants increase the diversity of gut bacteria and why is this important? All these questions and more will be answered in this fun and interactive educational workshop, including a short walk around the HCP gardens.
HCP Members $35
Non Members $40
To register, call 250 479 6162
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Herbs For Women's Health For All Ages
with Lily Fawn
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Saturday, November 10
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Join herbalist Lily Fawn in an introductory class on herbal health for women of all ages. This workshop is about honoring the wild woman within in us and learning about the herbs that nourish our body. Through understanding feminine balances we gain the knowledge and initiative to heal ourselves naturally.
HCP Members $60
Non Members $70
To register, call 250 479 6162
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Working with Live Willow
with Andrew Kent
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Saturday, November 10
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Join artisan Andrew Kent from The Willow Way for this one-day workshop. With Andrew Kent's expert instruction, you will learn to grow a living willow fence. Using fresh Willow, you will learn to plant and weave shoots which will take root and grow to form an intricate living fence on the HCP grounds. As the fence grows, a cover of green leaves will form over the structure. All tools will be provided! All you need to bring is a lunch and appropriate clothing.
HCP Members $60
Non Members $70
To register, call 250 479 6162
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Random/Wicker Woven Basket
with Joan Carrigan
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Saturday, November 17
9:30 am - 4:30 pm
In this workshop we will explore combining two different weaving techniques to create a striking sculptural basket. First we will start with random weaving the base of the basket using dyed reed. This weave is inspired by bird's nests and offers many sculptural possibilities. The top of the basket will be woven with 2 and 3 strand twining and offers many design and shaping possibilities. Used together we will finish up with a unique storage basket worth of holding your attention if nothing else. Please bring a pair of sharp scissors, an old towel, and a spray bottle. We will run a second workshop on Sunday, November 18 if this date fills up, so please add your name to the interest if the class is full.
HCP Members $120
Non Members $140
To register, call 250 479 6162
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Plant Identification and Culture 2018
with Diane Pierce
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Saturdays:
October 20. November 17 and December 8
1:00 - 4:00 pm
Learn all 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.
Members $35.00 per session
or $350 for 12 sessions
Non-Members $45.00 per session
or $450 for 12 sessions
To sign up, call 250-479-6162 or come into the office.
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This is the time of year when we often look around our gardens and decide what to keep and what to toss. Which plants worked well together this year. . . and which ones just didn't fit in that spot you had planned for them? WHY didn't they fit? Was it because of size. . . or colour. . . .or lack of textural interest?
Perhaps you would enjoy having a look at "Designer Plant Combinations." It isn't a particularly new publication, but it's one of those books that stirs the imagination and helps us to consider new combinations of plants that we might not otherwise have thought of.
The author, Scott Calhoun, seems to have done considerable research, and he took lots of pictures so that we can see for ourselves what various combinations of plants look like. In addition, along with the pictures, he makes a number of suggestions for plants we might use to achieve similar effects.
In addition, there are tips from professional designers! For instance, in the section called "Dutch minimalism in New York" we are told that "Oudolf" often chooses other plants for moist and part-sun locations. You just can't beat getting advice from a celebrity of the landscaping world!
Perhaps we may not like some of the suggestions at all, but they will certainly prompt readers to at least pause and consider just what an interesting alternative might look like. That's the thing about a book like this: It stirsup the creative juices!
The Gardens at HCP library is open:
9 am - 1 pm on Wednesdays
10 am - 1 pm on Saturdays
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