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March 7th - October 30th
the Gardens will be open
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
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Phone:
250-479-6162
Address:
505 Quayle Rd,
Victoria, BC V9E 2J7
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October E-News
Horticulture Centre of the Pacific
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150th Canadian Celebration
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HCP is taking part in the nation-wide '150th Canadian Celebration'.
Wa are one of the many gardens and communities which have been chosen to plant 1000 red and white tulip bulbs provided to us by Vesey's Bulb as a part of a '150th Celebration Garden' promoted through the Canadian Garden Council.
Everyone is welcome to come plant bulbs on October 26th, 2016. We ask that you look very "Canadian" by wearing your best Red and White gear - boots, jacket, hockey jersey - whatever say's "Canadian" to you.
Planting at the HCP will start at 9:15 AM on Oct 26th, bring you favourite trowel and gloves. Pictures will be taken and we hope to have some local media out to join us.
Any questions please feel free to contact Cheri at volunteers@hcp.ca
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Our fabulous wreath making courses sell out every year. Scroll down to 'Community Education Workshops for more details. To register call 250-479-6162 or come by the reception desk or e-mail communityed@hcp.ca for more information.
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Shrubs with Attractive Berries
by: Linda Petite
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Many trees and shrubs display attractive berries in late summer or fall that persist into the winter. Clusters of crimson, orange, yellow, black, blue, white and even purple shine like jewels in the sunlight!
In addition to providing a colorful display in the winter landscape, these berries are ideal for indoor arrangements, Christmas décor and attracting birds to the garden.
Some of my favorites:
Pyracantha sp.
Ilex verticillata
Callicarpa 'Profusion'
Ruscus aculeatus
Cotoneaster sp.
Euonymus europaeus
Symphoricarpos albus
Malus sp.
Rosa sp.
Viburnum sp.
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One of the projects on our to-do list is to build up our Ethnobotany Trail. We have an opportunity to receive some much needed grant money for our trail in an online competition. You can help the Gardens at HCP receive this grant by voting for us for some much needed funds to build the Trail. The instructions to vote are below.
Voting is Now OPEN! Time is LIMITED. You can vote from October 11th to the 28th.
STEP 1
STEP 2
Click on the top tab "Get Involved"
STEP 3
Click on the "Register Now" button on the left hand side.
STEP 4
Enter your name and email address. You will not receive any AVIVA promotional emails if you choose not to. AVIVA will then send you a confirmation of registration.
Click "Register" after your information has been typed in.
STEP 5
Go to your email inbox you might have to check you "spam" box. You will see a email from Aviva which say's "Please activate your account". You might have to check your "spam" box.
Click the "Click Here" within this email message. This will take you back to the AVIVA website.
STEP 6
Now that you have landed on the AVIVA website and have signed in,
enter HCP's Project Title; "Ethnobotany Trail Development", in the Saanich, Victoria.
Click on our pretty picture. You will be offered 18 votes to place with any of the organisations. You can choose to use all your votes with the Ethnobotany Trail Development project.
THANK YOU for voting for the HCP!
The more votes, the better our chances at receiving this grant.
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Giles is on a 6 month sabbatical at his family farm in the UK. His jottings will bring us to a garden far away.
The 2016 summer in the north-west of England has reportedly been persistently cloudy and wet. So you may imagine my surprise and pleasure to have a first week of sparkling sunshine, clear starry nights and no rain at all. The mountains all around stand clear against the sky.
On the farm we are beginning the replanting of many hundreds of metres of hedges lost over the years to the predations of sheep and neglect. These field boundaries, so characteristic of the English landscape, are commonly made up of just six or seven species, varying surprisingly little across the whole country. Holly ( Ilex aquifolium ) and Hazel ( Corylus avellana ), Beech ( Fagus sylvaticus ) and Ash ( Fraxinus excelsior ), all are familiar from north to south.
But Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) and Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) form the fierce spiny heart of a successful barrier, both covering themselves in a gorgeous froth of white blossom in spring. Generally disease resistant, they also 'break' easily after 'laying'; that is, new vertical shoots grow up fast when the main trunks are partly cut and bent to the ground.
Now in October the hawthorn is thick with berries; collected and soaked for a couple of days to soften the flesh, they are mashed to release their seeds. To break their dormancy the seeds are mixed into a bag of well-draining compost, kept two months at room temperature and then three months in the fridge before sowing.
March should herald the appearance of hundreds of newly sprouting plants.
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Gentle
Yoga
and Meditation
with Sarah Kinsley
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Join us for a gentle class of y
oga
and meditation at the Gardens on November 13th at 9:30 am. The gardens provide a tranquil space to slow down and practice the art of being in the moment. The combination of y
oga
and nature is a dynamic duo. One of nature's gifts is its inherent ability to relax our nervous systems, allowing us to rest and heal. No experience is necessary and beginners are welcome. Please wear comfortable clothes and bring a y
oga
mat and blanket.
Call 250-479-6162 to register.
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Wedding Fair at the Gardens at HCP
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Do you know any couples getting married in Victoria? We are hosting a great wedding show this weekend
www.beyoutifulbridal.ca.
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A number of people recognized the picture last month as being the fruit of a Cornus kousa tree. In fact, this particular "fruit" grew on a Cornus kousa chinensis. "Kousa" in the name indicates that it originated in Korea and/or Japan, but "chinensis" tells us this particular variety came to us from China.
Marian says that it's her favourite tree in her back yard, and those of us who have one certainly love its showy (and long lasting) blossoms as well as the red fruit in the fall. On top of that, the leaves turn a nice colour in autumn.
Bev mentioned that there are Cornus kousas at Commonwealth. If you aren't already familiar with these trees, you might want to make a trip to Royal Oak to check them out!
See if you can tell us whatzit below?
Send your answer to
enews@hcp.ca
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Pacific Horticulture College
For more information on registration please call the office 250-479-6162 or e-mail collegeadmin@hcp.ca.
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Upcoming College Courses and Events:
Red Seal Preparation Workshop
November 5, 2016, 1:00 - 4:30 pm
For those out there in the industry who have enough work hours to challenge the Interprovincial Red Seal Exam in Landscape Horticulture, we are offering a workshop to help you prepare for the exam. Instructor Egan Davis will give you an overview of what to expect and how to study.
For more information please see:
http://hcp.ca/event/red-seal-preparation-workshop/
Level 4 Apprentice Training Course
November 21, 2016 - January 13, 2017
Registration for the full-time Level 4 course this winter is open. If you are interested, please contact collegeadmin@hcp.ca.
http://hcp.ca/level-3-4-apprentice-technical-training/
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Youth Programs
To Register: Call 250 479 6162 or email youthprograms@hcp.ca
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The Gardens at HCP is inviting you and your family to "A Harvest Hoot" - a non-scary and education program for your children, all members of the family are welcome to attend.
We are offering the affordable rate of $15 per family and includes pumpkin carving, Halloween activities and crafts and a presentation with a live OWL and other birds of prey from The Raptors Centre.
Pre-registration required. Call 250-479-6162 to register your child today or e-mail youthprograms@hcp.ca for more information.
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Herbs to Beat the Winter Blues
with Lily Fawn
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Sunday, October 23rd
1:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Learn the gentle approach to caring for yourself and reducing stress with Lily Fawn, owner and creator of Earth's Herbal Products. As we transition from the warm to the cold seasons, it is a good time to check in with yourself and offer up a supportive treatment for the nervous system. Learn about specific herbs, aromatherapy, different kinds of nervines "what are they" and more. Create your own tea ritual for relaxation. Make your own - and take home - tinctures, oils and teas.
Members $55.00 per session
Non-Members $65.00 per session
To sign up call 250 479 6162 or email communityed@hcp.ca for more information.
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Growing Medicinal Mushrooms
with Danielle Stevenson
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Wednesday, October 26th
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
This workshop will offer an introduction to the amazing world of medicinal mushrooms, and how to grow your own. We'll explore the nutritional and medicinal properties of Reishi, Turkey Tail, Lion's Mane, Maitake, Shiitake and Oyster mushrooms, and how to prepare them in cooking, teas, broths, capsules and tinctures.
Members $50.00 per session
Non-Members $60.00 per session
To sign up call 250 479 6162 or email communityed@hcp.ca for more information.
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Permaculture Basics
with the Compost Education Centre
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Saturday, October 29th
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
The Compost Education Centre has been teaching children and adults how to compost and grow their own food for over 20 years. Permaculture is a sustainable design theory modeled on natural ecosystems. This workshop touches on permaculture history, ethics and principles, and scale-able ways to apply the theory to your garden and home.
Non-Members $20.00 per session
To sign up call 250 479 6162 or email communityed@hcp.ca for more information.
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Advanced Composting
with the Compost Education Centre
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Saturday, November 19th
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
The Compost Education Centre has been teaching children and adults how to compost and grow their own food for over 20 years. Advanced Composting aims to broaden the scope of participants' knowledge of composting methods. Topics covered will include dynamic accumulators and hot composting, compost tea, in-situ composting methods and humanure.
Non-Members $20.00 per session
To sign up call 250 479 6162 or email communityed@hcp.ca for more information.
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Bark Woven Pouch Workshop
with Joan Carrigan
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Sunday, November 20th
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Learn the traditional art of basket weaving with Joan Carrigan. Joan is a skilled basket weaver and teaches both locally and in Europe.
This technique of woven pouch is like weaving a magic trick and is super fun to create. Participants will explore 2 scales in this technique, a large pouch woven with willow bark strips and a small pouch woven with cedar bark and waxed linen thread. The large pouch can be used as a wall basket or a purse with a strap attached and the small basket can be made into a necklace or a tiny treasure basket. Discussion will cover how to harvest and prepare tree barks.
Non-Members $135.00 per session
THIS CLASS IS SOLD OUT. PLEASE CALL TO BE PUT ON THE INTEREST LIST FOR THE NEXT TIME IT IS OFFERED.
To sign up call 250 479 6162 or email communityed@hcp.ca for more information.
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Wreath Making Workshops
with Finlay Nicolson
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Saturdays November 20th & 27th
and Saturday, December 3rd & Sunday, December 4th
10:00 - 12:00 PM or 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Choose from one of eight possible sessions.
Finlay Nicolson, HCP graduate and college instructor will show you how to create beautiful, decorative Christmas wreaths. 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.
Non-Members $45.00 per session
To sign up call 250 479 6162 or email communityed@hcp.ca for more information.
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Reindeer Workshop
with Lonnie Paton
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Saturday, December 10
th
1:00 - 4:00 PM
Bring your little elves to Santa's workshop! This is a great activity for children, families, grandparents and adults too! Participants receive a reindeer kit and then set about creating their own Rudolph with guidance from instructor Lonnie Paton. This is a drop in class and space is limited. Spots are given on a first come first serve basis, so come early and enjoy a walk in the gardens before class.
$20 per Reindeer/Drop in Only/Limited Spaces
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Festive Table Centrepiece Workshop
with Patty Brown
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Sunday, December 11
th
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM or 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Garden and floral designer Patty Brown will teach you how to create an exquisite holiday centerpiece using fresh greens and natural materials that will become the focus of conversation, not just decoration. You will learn about the tools, supplies and floral products required to create your own arrangement in this hands-on workshop. Take home a one-of-a-kind centerpiece that will last for weeks with minimal care. Bring secateurs (hand pruners). All other materials supplied.
Members: $25
Non-Members: $35
To sign up call 250 479 6162 or email communityed@hcp.ca for more information.
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Plant Identification and Culture 2016
with Diane Pierce
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Saturdays:
Oct. 15, Nov. 19 and Dec. 3rd
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 email communityed@hcp.ca for more information.
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Spotlight on the Volunteers
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Many people volunteer at the HCP because they love gardens, but also because of the social aspect. It is a good opportunity to get out and meet others with similar interests. Our volunteers talk and laugh during coffee break each week, making new friends and exchanging gardening tips.
The HCP also hosts several social activities for our volunteers. Volunteer movie night in June was a big hit with the comedy Green Fingers giving people a chance to relax, socialize and share some laughs. Our biggest social get-together is our annual Volunteer Appreciation BBQ in September. We have over 100 volunteers attending to share a each others company and a great meal prepared by staff.
This week, volunteers helped us press our apple harvest. Juice will be stored and used to make warm spiced cider for our volunteer holiday celebration in December. HCP Volunteers from a rich variety of backgrounds form a close community making it feel like home. If you would like to join the HCP volunteer community, please email the volunteer coordinator to ask about current openings -
volunteers@hcp.ca
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In case you are thinking ahead to December and wondering what to give someone with lots of ambition but no experience as a gardener, there's a book called "1001 Plants to Dream of Growing." (It's in the GVPL system if you want to check it out first. )
You will find that it has good pictures of a lot of plants - we assume there are 1001 of them! - with considerable information about each one, including hardiness zones (in the USA), eventual size, and "alternatives." All this comes in a volume of considerable thickness and weight - certainly impressive for its size alone when received as a gift!
Of course, it might be just as practical to give the gift of an HCP membership so that your "giftee" would be able to see 1000 plus plants in situ and, as well, have access to information about a good many more in the HCP library.
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