As the cascade of plant sales and other springtime events listed here indicates, the active growing season is fully upon us and Vancouver Island gardening groups are engaging the public in gatherings that contribute to the enjoyment of gardens and gardening and, at the same time, support worthwhile causes.
Many of these May sales and events have become traditions over the years. An example is the Victoria Conservatory of Music Mother’s Day tour featuring music in the open gardens. It is now in its 42nd year.
Gardening families will also be slipping into their own traditional patterns of planting, shopping for supplies, and planning together for the season.
One of my spring traditions is the selection of a red geranium to plant in a clay pot and place on the patio table. It’s a sweetly nostalgic reminder of Italy and my travelling adventures there.
In the past few years I’ve chosen from the “Really Red” zonal geraniums at a nearby garden centre. I did that again this year, but on impulse I decided to veer from the tradition. I bought three plants, destined for a patio tub in the company of white and blue lobelia. Traditions are lovely, but they can be tweaked.
GARDEN EVENTS
VHS meeting. The Victoria Horticultural Society will meet on Tuesday, May 7, 6:30 to 9 p.m. in the Garth Homer Centre, 813 Darwin Ave. The Victoria Rhododendron Society will host a workshop at 6:30. At 8 p.m. Barrie Agar will speak about “Fruit Growing for Small Spaces.” Non-member drop-ins $5. vichortsociety.org.
Floral arts. The Mid Island Floral Art Club will meet on Thursday, May 9, at 2 p.m. in St. Stephen’s Church Hall, 150 Village Way in Qualicum Beach. Members will build a vignette — an elegant display of flowers with other objects to create a small, pleasing picture. [email protected]
Plant a hanging basket. Dinter Nursery, 2205 Phipps Rd. in Duncan, is hosting a Build a Basket for Mother’s Day event on Friday, May 10, between 3 and 5 p.m. Drop in to participate. A selection of flowers and assistance will be available. This is a fundraiser for Cowichan Family Life, which offers affordable counselling support and other programs in the community. A donation of $10 per basket is suggested.
PLANT SALES ON SATURDAY, MAY 11
Victoria Horticultural Society. Garth Homer Centre, 813 Darwin Ave., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Annuals, perennials, native plants, fruits, vegetable transplants seeded, dug or divided from members’ gardens plus house plants, seeds, a children’s gardening table. Cash or cards. Free parking nearby. Proceeds go toward a rooftop garden on the new Garth Homer building.
Victoria Rhododendron Society. Show and Sale at Horticulture Centre of the Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Specialty rhododendrons. Most are collector plants propagated by the society. Free admission to sale and gardens.
Compost Education Centre. Haegert Park, 1202 Yukon St., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Over eight organic plant vendors, parent and child gardening, music.
Garden Babies for Birthright. Peggy’s greenhouse, 550 Langvista Dr. in Langford, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Perennials, flowering shrubs, over 30 varieties of heirloom tomatoes. Drought tolerant and deer resistant plants. Irresistible prices.
Cairnsmore Hospice Volunteer Gardeners. Cairnsmore Place, end of Cairnsmore St. in Duncan. Starts at 9 a.m. Large selection, arranged alphabetically by Latin name. Email [email protected] for plant list. Master gardeners to answer questions. Bird houses, trellises, specialty daylilies. Fundraiser to keep the hospice gardens beautiful.
Ladysmith Saltair Garden Club. Aggie Hall, corner Symonds St. and 1st Ave., Ladysmith, 9 a.m. until sold out. Perennials, annuals, shrubs, herbs, house plants, vegetable transplants, Mother’s Day gift plantings. Experienced garden equipment. Master gardeners.
Alpine Gardeners of Central Vancouver Island. Nanoose Place, 2925 Northwest Bay Rd. in Nanoose, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Co-hosted by Eswyn’s Alpine & Rock Garden caretakers and celebrating the 15th anniversary of Eswyn’s Garden. Large selection. Paul Spriggs, alpine plant specialist, in attendance.
Musical garden tour. The Victoria Conservatory of Music Mother’s Day Musical Garden tour of 10 springtime gardens will be on Saturday and Sunday, May 11 and 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Two-day pass $45. For details and ticket sources visit the Musical Garden Tour page of the conservatory's website.
Mother’s Day tea. Abkhazi Garden, 1964 Fairfield Rd. in Victoria, is hosting a Mother’s Day Tea on Saturday, May 11, and Sunday, May 12, with three sittings: 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. each day. By reservation only at 778-265-6466.
