recent events

davis bay nature schoolApril 1, we had the best morning with the Davis Bay Nature School who came to see the amphibian egg masses and tadpoles. What a lovely group of kids, great teachers, and an absolutely terrific educational program. Makes you wish you were in Grade 4 again.

marchOur March events gave us a jumpstart on spring, beginning with Gardening as We Age, a panel discussion with three very experienced members, Frances Overgaard, Harry Almond and Bill Terry. Sheila Watkins offered many useful tips at the Success with Seeds demonstration. Elke Knechtl, back by popular demand, talked about Vegetable Gardening.

One of our favourite days of the year is the day the Pender Harbour Seniors visit the Botanical Garden. April 7 lived up to our expectations. We carefully arranged blue skies and warm temperatures for their visit, and we all had a great time! Here’s the group flanked by our excellent tour guides.

pender harbour seniors

elderuBill Terry’s ElderU garden class came by May 2 for a guided tour of the Native Plant Garden that Harry Hill has been working on at the Sunshine Coast Botanical Garden. The group was enthusiastic and curious, asked good questions, and were excited to see all the tadpoles in the new pond. They were also well behaved, didn’t run around too much, and stayed on the paths, as instructed, so they will be invited back. Bill gave the class a rather wordy title, but it reflects a good philosophy: Simplicity and Serendipity in the Garden: Letting Nature Take Her Course.

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succulent jewel box gardenApril 14, Lorraine Rollerson helped 20 lucky gardeners create a Succulent Jewel Box Garden in a hand-thrown ceramic dish.

mother’s dayMum certainly was the word May 10 at the Botanical Garden. Thanks to all the mothers who shared their special day with us, and all the great families who came along for a visit. We sure hope you all had a great Mothers Day!

bird walkMay 9, Lexi Harrington led a spring Bird Walk. See the 18 birds observed.

native plant tourMay 10, Harry Hill gave a tour of the expanded Native Plants Garden.

l’ecole du pacifique“Très magnifique” is the only way to describe the school visit by l’Ecole du Pacifique May 15! We welcomed close to 80 students, plus parents and teachers for an action-packed morning of nature education. Thanks to the Sunshine Coast Beekeepers Association for the wonderful demonstrations, and to all our volunteer educators for pitching in. And by the way, the grades 6/7 class did a terrific job of broom clearing; we’re thinking of asking them back!

plant saleWhat a day! Clear blue skies, fantastic plants, terrific volunteers, and wonderful customers showing their support for the Botanical Garden. We welcomed over 400 people to our plant sale May 3 and were gratified by the tremendous comments we heard about the sale, and the progress of the Garden. Thanks to everyone who helped out and who came to shop.

Before an invited gathering of SCBGS members and friends, fortified with sparkling wine and yummy finger-food, Bill Terry launched his fourth book, The Carefree Garden: Letting Nature Play her Part, at the Sparling Pavilion on May 19.

In this beautifully illustrated, witty and light-hearted narrative of horticultural discovery, the author describes how he came to realize he must collaborate with Mother Nature, rather than work against her, to achieve his dream of the perfect garden.

The Carefree Garden is available at Talewind Books in Sechelt and as an eBook. The author donates 50 per cent of his book’s royalties to the Botanical Garden.

book launch

Our celebration to open the new Community Forest Bridge and Boardwalk opened with a welcome song by Andy Johnson of the shísháhl Nation followed by remarks from our president Gerry Latham and Glen Bonderud, director of the Sunshine Coast Community Forest, then the ribbon cutting and refreshments.

community forest bridge and boardwalk

Add in weed-a-thons, potting up, seniors planting vegetables, work parties in the rhododendron and native plant gardens, plus bee demonstrations – the whole garden has hummed steadily through spring.

We held a joyful celebration at the Botanical Garden May 27, recognizing the wonderful donation of Rhododendrons from Ron and Carla Knight of Caron Gardens. On hand to join in the festivities was Sue Lofthouse Herd, whose father, Jack Lofthouse, hybridized may of the plants in this collection. We were joined by volunteers and staff who played key roles in digging, transporting and replanting this collection. Many thanks to Maureen Bodie for providing the lovely harp music, always such a treat!

ron & carla knight rhododendrons