To register for the Fall Study Day, please forward your cheque payable to VHPG to Gillian Collins, 2154 West 37th Ave., Vancouver BC V6M 1N8. If you are purchasing for others, please indicate their names and whether they are members or non-members. Please ensure that cheques be received by Friday, October 22. This will allow time for your name[s] to be copied onto a name tag that you will collect and wear after signing in at the pre-paid table, thus helping the committee in providing orderly access to the event. Cheques received after that date will be kept in the order they have been received and may or may not gain you entry to the event. Pre-purchased tickets for members - $30, non-members $35. ALL TICKETS AT THE DOOR - $35.

~GILLIAN COLLINS

Club Events

Spring Study Day 2011 Because We're in Love Again: Gardens Far and Near Saturday March 19, 2011 – 9:30am – 2:30pm H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, 1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver *Remember to allow time to sort out the pesky parking meters

Members: pre-registered $30; non-members pre-registered $35 ALL tickets at the door on day of event: $35 Registration information at the beginning of this newsletter

SPEAKERS:

Carolyn Herriot Carolyn Herriot is the author of “A Year on The Garden Path: a 52-Week Organic Gardening Guide” and “The Zero-Mile Diet: a Year-Round Guide to Growing Organic Food.” (Harbour Publishing)

http://earthfuture.com/gardenpath 

After 20 years of operating The Garden Path nursery, Carolyn is now focused on her certified-organic seed company, Seeds of Victoria, at The Garden Path Centre for Organic Gardening in Victoria, BC, where she produces open-pollinated, organic, and heritage seeds suitable for growing with success in our local climate. She also gives workshops and lectures in which she shares tips on how to grow organic vegetables, fruits, and herbs year-round, including the basics of organic gardening, growing vegetables in containers, “edible landscaping,” how to save seeds, backyard fruits and berries, and growing a winter food garden.

The following is an extract from the Seeds of Victoria 2011 seed catalogue:

"Broad Beans

Crimson Flowered Favas (1778) This is a strain of fava bean originating from the UK, which dates back to 1778! This was before plant breeders bred for the black and white flowers we see today. Thanks to Mrs. Cutbush from Kent these seeds have survived by being handed down through many generations of gardeners. At age 90, Mrs. Cutbush gave some of these precious seeds to the Henry DoubleDay Research Association Seed Library, from where I received a packet. I have grown these beans ever since and am pleased to make them available to you. When we grow out these heirloom varieties we make sure they don't become extinct to future generations of gardeners.” http://earthfuture.com/gardenpath/Seeds_Catalogue.htm

Carolyn’s latest book, “The Zero-Mile Diet,” is based on her personal experience of achieving year-round self-sufficiency in organic fruits and vegetables in only five years at The Garden Path. It is full of information appropriate to this area and teaches organic methods of year-round fruit and vegetable production, including container growing, winter vegetables, saving seeds and preserving the harvest.

As evidenced through our open garden tours, many of our members already enjoy bountiful vegetable and fruit gardens, although many of us do not, whether through lack of space, lack of knowledge or lack of time. With Carolyn’s focus on plants which grow well in our climate zone, and her passion and enthusiasm, her talk is sure to be of interest to both experienced and novice vegetable gardening members and should inspire those of us who do not yet have a food garden to get started!

Carolyn’s website is a wealth of information: http://www.earthfuture.com/gardenpath/

Daxin Liu  

Daxin Liu went to California to do his PhD in Applied Physics at Stanford University in 1990. In 2003 Daxin changed direction and followed a dream to design gardens by enrolling in a landscape design course at Foothill College.

He is the owner of Fragrant Hill Design http://www.fragranthill.com/ in the Bay area. His design work includes traditional Chinese garden design; tropical garden design; Japanese garden design; edible landscape design and drought-tolerant design. He has presented illustrated talks for several different garden groups in the San Francisco area including the California Horticultural Society. Daxin, who will be giving two presentations at our study day, loves plants and especially those that are fragrant.

The first of Daxin’s talks will be an illustrated lecture on the magnificent gardens of Suzhou, China, focusing on design principles and techniques that can be incorporated into North American gardens to add classical Chinese touches to the landscape.

Suzhou, a sister city to more than 50 cities of the world, including Victoria, B.C., Portland, Oregon and Venice, Italy, is China's well-known "city of gardens,“ which tops all others in both the number and the artistry of gardens. Dating from Pi Jiang Garden of the Eastern Jing Dynasty, Suzhou's art of gardening spans 1500 years. The city is renowned for its stone bridges, pagodas and meticulously designed gardens which have contributed to its status as a great tourist attraction. The city has been dubbed the “Venice of the East.”

Youyicun Garden in the Lingering Garden of Suzhon

The Suzhou garden originated from the desire to retire from the busy outside world. It seeks the return to nature and the cultivation of contemplation. In Taoist philosophy the refinement of culture underlies the theme of the garden. Hills, water features, flowers, trees, pavilions, terraces, towers and halls constitute the basic garden elements. 

Daxin's second talk will feature gardens of San Francisco where he is a well-known speaker to many different garden clubs.

Outline for the day: 

9:30 - 10:30am – Daxin Liu “Gardens of Suzhou, China and techniques for incorporating some of their elements into North American gardens”
10:30 - 11:00am – coffee break (complimentary)

11:05 - 12:05pm – Carolyn Herriot “Vegetables From Your Own Garden”

12:10 - 1:10pm – lunch (bring your own)

1:15 - 2:15pm – Daxin Liu “Gardens of San Francisco”

2:15pm – Conclusion and door prize(s)
 

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Encore Tour of UBC Botanical Garden with Judy Newton Saturday March 26, 10am to 12 noon

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As your new co-chairs for open gardens, we are pleased to offer this tour again, particularly since last year's tour proved so popular. Garden Admission Fees: $12 adult; $10 seniors - this fee does not include Greenheart Canopy Walkway. The tour will be guided by Judy Newton who will meet our group at the garden shop gate where admission fees are collected. Last year's tour was fully booked within days so sign up early.

UBC Botanical Garden is a wonderful place to go for a guided walk in March when many early Spring plants will be in bloom. We will walk through the Asian and Alpine garden and enjoy hellebores, magnolias and other early shrubs and trees in the garden. The Encore Tour will again be limited to 20 participants and members are asked to e-mail (lbaran@telus.net) or phone in (604.325.7630) requests to attend to Lorena Baran. The first 20 requests will receive confirmation by e-mail/phone.

~ LORENA BARAN AND GERI BARNES 

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My Favourite Perennials . . . and How to Grow
Them An illustrated lecture by Derry Watkins

Wednesday March 30, 2011 – 7:30pm H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, 1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver
*Remember to allow time to sort out the pesky parking meters
Members: pre-registered $20; non-members pre-registered $25. ALL tickets at the door on the day of event $25 Please ensure that all cheques, made out to VHPG and mailed to Gillian Collins, 2154 West 37th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6M 1N8, will be received by Wednesday March 23. Cheques received after that date will be kept in the order they have been received and may or may not gain you entry to the event.

"The miraculous Derry Watkins’s catalogue is nothing short of mouthwatering. It is so easy to get carried away as every page lists something rare, exotic and beautiful."

James Alexander-Sinclair, English Garden, January 2011

"One of the best nurseries in the country."

Mary Keen, Telegraph, July 2004  

We are delighted to announce another talk in March. Derry Watkins is the owner of Special Plants Nursery situated near Bath in southwest England. The nursery has mail-out service for seeds and plants - check the website for details www.specialplants.net/ 

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Far Reaches Farm - Thursday April 28 

A nursery visit and plant-shopping expedition is planned to Far Reaches Farm, Port Townsend, Washington - http://www.farreachesfarm.com/ - proprietors Sue Milliken and Kelly Dodson. As per the last VHPG visit in 2009, we will again venture forth at a very early hour and enjoy the destination. Having been to SW China on a plant hunting expedition last autumn, Sue and Kelly are brimming with excitement as they continue to develop their nursery and create Plantae obscura [Kelly’s words]; by the way, the plant list on the website is never complete.

Refer to bulletin 71, June 2009, for a description of the last trip. Cost of the trip to be determined - probably in the vicinity of $125 Canadian. This includes bus and ferry fare, driver gratuity and phyto [whether or not you plan to purchase plants].

If you are interested, contact Beverley Merryfield for a registration form or further information at 1.604.885.6255 or snowdrop@dccnet.com. The trip needs 18 people in order to go.

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GARDEN EVENT

Southlands Nursery In early February Southlands will be offering hellebore hybrids from Northwest Garden Nursery, the creations of Marietta and Ernie O'Byrne. 6550 Balaclava St. 604.261.6411 www.southlandsnursery.com Northwest Flower & Garden Show February 23 - 27, Washington State Convention Centre, Seattle The Northwest Flower & Garden Show offers bus tours from Vancouver, BC to the garden show in Seattle For more details: http://www.mygardenblogs.com/NWblog/?p=1588 Western Winter Study Weekend 2011 – Sidney, BC February 25-27 – Plants from Far and Near Hosted by Vancouver Island Rock & Alpine Garden Society www.virags.ca/winterstudyweekend.htm Phoenix Perennials: The Hellebore Hurrah March 5, 6, and 7 Featuring a large and exciting selection of hellebores sourced from some of the best breeders in North America and around the world. www.phoenixperennials.com Master Gardeners Association of BC 2011 Spring Seminar Sunday March 13 – 9am-3:30pm “On the Cutting Edge” Michael J. Fox Theatre, Burnaby General public welcome Free Spirit Nursery Re-opens Friday April 1 20405 32nd Ave., Langley, 1-604-533-7373 www.freespiritnursery.ca

Helleborus x hybridus ‘Peach’: Photo by Beverley Merryfield

Request for Open Gardens

Ask any members who have shown their gardens and you will quickly discover the many advantages of becoming a Garden Host. Opening one's garden encourages the completion of garden jobs that have lingered and initiates long-planned changes. Listening to the delighted comments of visitors can be very rewarding as is the discovery of the elusive name of a plant identified by a visitor. Each garden is unique and showcases the originality and creativity of its gardener. Even a garden which has been shown can change dramatically in a few years and be well worth another look. 

From the prospective of our members, an opportunity to stroll through gardens of members and friends is one of our most popular activities. So why not become a Garden Host and bask in the pleasure of watching others enjoy your special place? This year we are looking forward to providing many enjoyable garden excursions.

Any suggestions or ideas are very welcome regarding any aspect of our favourite pastime – we look forward to hearing from you soon, by phone 604.325.7630 or e-mail lbaran@telus.net.

~ LORENA BARAN AND GERI BARNES

COMMITTEE 

Speaker Registration:	Gillian Collins, 604.266.7667 2154 W.37th Avenue, Vancouver BC V6M 1N8 gmcollins@telus.net
Treasurer:	Angela Miller, 604.922.6249 2450 Ottawa Avenue, West Vancouver BC V7V 2T1 panmiller@telus.net
Membership:	Shirley Cole, 1.604.485.5713 7179 Westminster St., Powell River BC V8A 1C7 Membership: $20 per year svcole@shaw.ca
Bulletin Editor:	Sally Spires, 604.922.4066 560 Craigmohr Drive, West Vancouver BC V7S 1W9 sally_spires@hotmail.com
Honorary Life Members:	Nel Grond, Beverley Merryfield

Thank you to all who have contributed to the newsletter, which would not exist without your input and support. Please note: the deadline for electronic submissions for the April 2011 newsletter is on or before March 15, 2011 - a few days earlier much-appreciated for handwritten submissions.

If possible, create your submission in a Word doc. and e-mail to me (using “VHPG” in title) as an attachment or copy-and-paste from your working document directly into e-mail. Many thanks.

~ SALLY SPIRES, ED. 

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