Horticulture Centre of the Pacific

Plant Identification & Culture Workshops
2017-11-18 13:00 - 16:00, 2017-10-21 13:00 - 16:00, 2017-09-16 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Vancouver) | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
With Diane Pierce
One Saturday a month 1pm - 4pm
Jan 21, Feb 18, March 18, April 29, May 27, June 17, July 15, August 19, Sept 16, Oct 21, Nov 18, Dec 2

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 & common names, plant descriptions, cultural requirements, general maintenance and landscape uses. This is an ongoing course & can be joined at any time, all year long, one Saturday a month.
HCP Members $35.00 per session or $350 for 12 sessions
Non-Members $45.00 per session or $450 for 12 sessions
To register, call 250 479 6162

Closed for Remembrance Day
2017-11-11 08:00 - 17:00

Cancelled - Pop-Up Mushroom Walk
2017-11-07 13:30 - 15:00
CANCELLED: Sadly we had to cancel the walk due to the weather. The cold and snow means that too few mushrooms will be fruiting. If you have registered, we will contact you to process your refund. Sorry to disappoint the mushroom enthusiasts who were hoping to attend!
With Shannon Berch
The mushrooms are fruiting! Enjoy a walk with mushroom expert, Shannon Berch. Shannon has a PhD in Mycology and is the founding member of the South Vancouver Island Mycological Society and the Truffle Association of BC. If you are interested in joining the walk call the office at 250 479 6162 to register. The cost is $30 per participant, all proceeds to the Ethnobotany Trail at the HCP.
$30/Participant
To register, call 250 479 6162

Terrarium Garden Workshop
2017-11-05 13:00 - 14:30
Explore the amazing world of plants, how they grow and what you need to know to build and maintain your own miniature indoor garden. Participants are invited to bring along a glass container to transform (a great upcycle activity with an open glass container 20cm or less). Plants and other materials will be provided.
Date: Sunday, November 5
Time: 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Ages: 5+
Cost: $15
**For registration, please contact the HCP office at 250-479-6162**

Kids Garden Club
2017-11-05 09:45 - 11:45
Once a month we meet for seasonal gardening activities in our very own JMG Garden Plot! Our growing season starts early, and there is always lots to do!! When the weather is not quite ideal, we can work indoors to start seeds, learn to propagate plants, plan our home gardens, build trellising, and lots more. When the weather cooperates, we spend every minute creating garden beds, amending soil, mulching, planting, weeding, staking, and watering! These are great skills to get your garden enthusiast growing their own food at home. There are lots of take homes, from seeds to plants and harvests whenever available.
2017 CLUB DATES: 9:45 am – 11:45 am on March 4, April 1, May 6, June 3, Sept 9, Oct 7, Nov 5, Dec 2

Twining a Bowl with Rush and Sedge Workshop
2017-11-05 09:30 - 16:30
with Joan Carrigan
Learn the art of basket weaving with Joan Carrigan, experienced instructor and artist. Soft materials such as rush, sedge and flower leaves offer the basket maker a beautiful material for fine twining. In this workshop, we will be weaving a small bowl employing a plaited base, variations of twining for the sides and lovely rolled border. This is a traditional European basket material which we have plenty of access to here in the Pacific Northwest. Please bring scissors, measuring tape, ruler, spray bottle, an old towel, and crochet hook #5ish.
HCP Members $120
Non Members $140
To register, call 250 479 6162
Instructor Bio: Joan Carrigan
Joan Carrigan is a full time basketmaker and basketry teacher living on Salt Spring Island, BC. Over the past 25 years, her passion for baskets has led her to study, travel and explore many different techniques and materials within the medium. Joan studied Fine Art and Art History at the University of Guelph and her love of history has fuelled her research in traditional techniques. Her background in fine art has fuelled her enthusiasm for the sculptural and creative potentials that the medium offers. Her inspiration comes from the plant materials she respectfully harvests from nature. Joan's work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. Joan teaches extensively both close to home and in Europe and finds this to be a very rewarding aspect of her career.

Harvest Festival at the HCP
2017-10-28 09:30 - 11:30
Slime of a Time!!
Join us in The Gardens at HCP for our annual harvest festival filled with seasonal activities, games, and exhibits for the whole family! Each year we feature an endangered species to explore. This year special guest Alanah Nasadyk will be introducing the Blue-Grey Taildropper Slug, a local and endangered species needing our help! Create a take home slug with Victoria Artist Joanne Thompson, carve a pumpkin, and lots more. Space is limited so register at HCP early so you are not disappointed. This activity fills quickly. To register, please call us at 250 479 6162. The cost is $15 per family.
For more children and youth activities, please visit our Youth Programs page by clicking this link.
HCP Harvest Festival 2017 Partners
Rocky Point Bird Observatory is a small local nonprofit organization which seeks to influence and inform conservation and ecological management practices of migratory birds in western North America through monitoring, scientific research, and public education. We participate in a number of research and monitoring projects throughout the year. Our main bird banding season is mid-July to October, though we also offer a variety of talks, bird walks, and school programs year-round. If you are listing this info online, feel free to link it to our Facebook or website as well.
Joanne Thomson is a full-time visual artist specializing in watercolour for illustration and fine art. She holds a Masters degree in Adult Education and has taught at the College level and now chooses to teach in community settings. She is an active artist advocate, mentor and facilitator supporting organizations that support environmental sustainability. Examples of her recent works can be seen at www.joannethomson.com and www.wildanticipation.ca.
Habitat Acquisition Trust is a non-profit regional land trust and registered charity that conserves nature on south Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. HAT works towards conservation through habitat stewardship, land protection, and community education. HAT accepts donations for all programs including the Blue-grey Taildropper Slug Habitat Stewardship Project – for more info visit hat.bc.ca
Alanah Nasadyk, Habitat Acquisition Trust Community and Development Coordinator, BA Alanah first became involved with HAT as a volunteer in early 2015, taking part in Western Screech Owl surveys and bat monitoring. Alanah studied at the University of Victoria to receive a Bachelor's degree majoring in both Environmental and Asia-Pacific Studies. Growing up in the Victoria region she has a strong connection to the area and has involved herself in environmental outreach, volunteering, and connecting with others over stewardship. Prior to joining HAT, Alanah worked for the Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team, Tourism Victoria, and international development organization CITYNET Yokohama. Alanah is one of the few people to have seen the rare and at risk Blue-grey Taildropper Slug in the wild. Her encounter inspires Alanah to share her knowledge of and passion for this slug and its slimy, unsung relatives with the world for their protection and for science.

Hopi Style Wicker Tray Workshop
2017-10-21 09:30 - 16:30
with Joan Carrigan
Learn the art of basket weaving with Joan Carrigan, experienced instructor and artist. In this workshop, we will be weaving a beautiful tray inspired by the Hopi trays of the Southwest. The unique start and the sturdy structure with colour and pattern options, offer the participant the opportunity to complete a unique functional and decorative platter. We will be using dyed reed and raffia to make this basket. Please bring sharp scissors, an old towel, spray bottle, awl, and measuring tape.
HCP Members $120
Non Members $140
To register, call 250 479 6162
Instructor Bio: Joan Carrigan
Joan Carrigan is a full time basketmaker and basketry teacher living on Salt Spring Island, BC. Over the past 25 years, her passion for baskets has led her to study, travel and explore many different techniques and materials within the medium. Joan studied Fine Art and Art History at the University of Guelph and her love of history has fuelled her research in traditional techniques. Her background in fine art has fuelled her enthusiasm for the sculptural and creative potentials that the medium offers. Her inspiration comes from the plant materials she respectfully harvests from nature. Joan's work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. Joan teaches extensively both close to home and in Europe and finds this to be a very rewarding aspect of her career.

Pro-D Day Camp
2017-10-20 09:00 - 16:00
NEW for the 2017/18 school year! This fun and active garden program is modeled after our popular JMG Garden Camps held in The Gardens at HCP. Our program features lots of seasonal gardening activities, nature and crafts to keep the most avid young gardeners growing!
Dates: October 20, November 24, February 23, & April 20
Time: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Ages: 5-12 years
Cost: $38/child
**For registration, please contact the HCP office at 250-479-6162**

Pesticide Applicator Certificate Exam
2017-10-16 18:00 - 21:00
Pesticide Applicator's Certificate Course (Landscape General Category):
Course: October 14 and 15, 2017
Exam: October 16, 2017
Course: Saturday + Sunday, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Exam: Monday 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: The Gardens at HCP
Cost: $400 including textbooks and exam fees
Cost without books: $280
Cost for exam only: $110
To sign up: Phone our office at 250-479-3210, or email collegeadmin@hcp.ca.
Full payment is required with registration.

Pesticide Applicator Certificate Course
2017-10-15 09:00 - 16:30, 2017-10-14 09:00 - 16:30
Pesticide Applicator's Certificate Course (Landscape General Category):
Course: October 14 and 15, 2017
Exam: October 16, 2017
Course: Saturday + Sunday, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Exam: Monday 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: The Gardens at HCP
Cost: $400 including textbooks and exam fees
Cost without books: $280
To sign up: Phone our office at 250-479-3210, or email collegeadmin@hcp.ca.
Full payment is required with registration.

Herbs for Immune Health Workshop
2017-10-07 13:00 - 15:30
with Lily Fawn
The Fall and Winter brings on the cold and flu season. This workshop introduces medicinal herbs that are effective for boosting the immune system, treating colds naturally and speeding up recovery time. Building a natural home medicine chest is a good starting point from which to explore the uses of natural medicines and their effects on your family. We will discuss the basics, what remedies to have on hand and how to use them. You will also make an herbal immune boosting tonic to take home.
HCP Members $45
Non Members $50
To register, call 250 479 6162

Instructor Bio: Lily Fawn
Herbalist, Lily Fawn, has been studying the art of blending herbs and teas since 1992. She is fun, knowledgeable and full of innovative ideas. The success of her recipes spread among the local community until she was encouraged to create a line of products to be available in stores. Lily started her own company called Earth's Herbal Products Inc, an ever-growing line of fresh plant apothecary and herbal teas that are healthy, natural, medicinal, self-stable and tasty. Lily values community, organic farming, wildcrafting, folklore, holistic health and sharing her knowledge via educational events like tea parties and workshops.

Stepping Stone Workshop
2017-10-07 13:00 - 15:00
Come to the Gardens at the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific to learn to create a beautiful garden path that will add art to your home garden. Concrete, stones, gems, shells, and hands will be used to create a lasting impression! Parents/Guardians are asked to stay for the duration of the workshop.
Date: Saturday, October 7
Time: 1:00pm - 2:00pm OR 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Ages: 5+
Cost: $15
**For registration, please contact the HCP office at 250-479-6162**

Kids Garden Club
2017-10-07 09:45 - 11:45, 2017-09-09 09:45 - 11:45
Once a month we meet for seasonal gardening activities in our very own JMG Garden Plot! Our growing season starts early, and there is always lots to do!! When the weather is not quite ideal, we can work indoors to start seeds, learn to propagate plants, plan our home gardens, build trellising, and lots more. When the weather cooperates, we spend every minute creating garden beds, amending soil, mulching, planting, weeding, staking, and watering! These are great skills to get your garden enthusiast growing their own food at home. There are lots of take homes, from seeds to plants and harvests whenever available.
2017 CLUB DATES: Saturday's from 9:45 am – 11:45 am on March 4, April 1, May 6, June 3, Sept 9, Oct 7, Nov 4, Dec 2

Golden Spruce Dedication Ceremony with Film Screening
2017-10-04 13:00 - 15:30
The Gardens at HCP is getting a piece of BC history. A tree propagated from the original Golden Spruce from Haida Gwaii will be planted in the Gardens on October 4th.
The public is invited to a dedication ceremony at 1 pm following by a reception and screening of the film "Hadwin's Judgement" which is based on the book “The Golden Spruce: A True Story of Myth, Madness, and Greed” by John Valliant. This book will be available in our gift shop.
We hope to see you at this exciting event and please come back as we all enjoy seeing the growth.

Backyard Beekeeping Workshop: The First Year
2017-10-01 11:00 - 15:00
With Gordon Mackay
The interest and popularity of this wonderful craft is increasing every year. It is very important to become familiarized with the hive and the honey bee before you get your bees to maximize your chance of success. This workshop will focus on the beginner beekeeper who is planning on setting up a hive in the spring of 2018, or for those that have had bees for a year. If you attended our Spring Backyard Beekeeping course with Gordon and want to learn more before setting up your home apiary. We will cover the basics of getting started, equipment required, dealing with potential pests (yes we will be talking about those pesky Varroa mites!) and disease problems in the hive along with looking at some favourite honey bee plants. We will also cover some tips on how to get your bees ready for winter. There will be lots of opportunity to ask questions throughout the class and time will be left at the end for further questions too.
HCP Members $30
Non-Members $40
To register, call 250 479 6162
Instructor Bio: Gordon Mackay
Gordon Mackay started working in horticulture at a young age with his father and uncle. He helped them with installing and maintaining gardens in the Glasgow area where he grew up. Working with plants and being outdoors so much strengthened his connection with nature and a love for all things apicultural ensued. He is currently the Secretary for the Cowichan Beekeepers Society and is a certified arborist. He has been forever smitten with alpine plants and dwarf conifers. Along with running his own arboriculture business and plant nursery, Gordon teaches arboriculture and fruit culture at the Pacific Horticulture College as well as teaching the EARTH Gardening Program at Camosun College.

Fall Plant Sale
2017-09-30 09:00 - 16:00
Get ready for Fall planting. All prices on plants will be reduced 25% with further reductions on plants in our bargain bin. See you there!
HCP Fall Plant Sale List 2017

Creating a Cut Flower Garden Workshop - Fall
2017-09-24 09:00 - 12:00
with Eiddwen Thomas
This Fall workshop is part of a seasonal four part series on Growing Your Own Cut Flower Garden. Each class can be taken on its own or as part of the series. Learn about beautiful flowers, grasses, herbs, and foliage you can use in the fall for cutting and making into your own gorgeous fall arrangement with Eiddwen Thomas of Cartref Gardens. Find out about fall clean up and soil preparation for next year. Learn what bulbs and plants you can plant now for colour in your garden in the spring, such as tulips, narcissus, and other gorgeous spring bulbs. Specialty tulip and narcissus bulbs will be available for sale to workshop participants.
HCP Members $45
Non Members $60
To register, call 250 479 6162

Instructor Bio. Eiddwen Thomas
Eiddwen is a local floral designer, flower farmer and owner of Cantref Gardens. She has grown many different kinds of flowers and other materials for cutting and especially loves doing floral design for weddings and special events. She has a flower stall at the Sidney Market and the Peninsula Country Market. Eiddwen has been the curator for the cutting garden at the Horticultural Centre for the Pacific for several years.

Watercolour Paper Basket Workshop
2017-09-23 09:30 - 16:30
with Joan Carrigan
Learn the art of basket weaving with Joan Carrigan, experienced instructor and artist. Watercolour paper is very strong and durable and offers endless opportunities for the basket maker. In this workshop, we will be plaiting with ¼” wide pre-painted watercolour paper creating an attractive decorative vase with curl embellishments. Please bring sharp scissors, a ruler, and a flat screwdriver. Variations of shaping and curl embellishments will be on hand for participants to choose their own design.
HCP Members $120
Non Members $140
To register, call 250 479 6162

Instructor Bio: Joan Carrigan
Joan Carrigan is a full time basketmaker and basketry teacher living on Salt Spring Island, BC. Over the past 25 years, her passion for baskets has led her to study, travel and explore many different techniques and materials within the medium. Joan studied Fine Art and Art History at the University of Guelph and her love of history has fuelled her research in traditional techniques. Her background in fine art has fuelled her enthusiasm for the sculptural and creative potentials that the medium offers. Her inspiration comes from the plant materials she respectfully harvests from nature. Joan's work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. Joan teaches extensively both close to home and in Europe and finds this to be a very rewarding aspect of her career.

PHC 30th Anniversary Celebration
2017-09-17 13:00 - 16:00
PHC 30th Anniversary Celebration - Sunday September 17, 1:00 to 4:00 pm
Current and past students, instructors, and staff will be gathering at the Gardens at HCP to mingle and celebrate this special year for the College. Join us for an afternoon of reminiscing, photos, activities, and great conversation. Light refreshments will be served, but feel free to bring a snack item if you like too!
Please RSVP to collegeadmin@hcp.ca.

Fairy Garden Workshop
2017-09-09 13:00 - 14:30
Join us at the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific for a Fairy Garden Workshop. We will begin with an enchanted walk through the Gardens where children will collect natural materials to use towards the creation of their own take home Fairy Garden. They will have a chance to explore a variety of materials such as clay, moss, and twigs. Parents/guardians are welcome to stay and participate.
Date: Saturday, September 9
Time: 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Ages: 5+
Cost: $15
**For registration, please contact the HCP office at 250-479-6162**

Picnic in the Garden
2017-08-30 17:00 - 20:00
Our annual summer Picnic in the Garden has returned!
Last Wednesday of every month: May 31, June 28, July 26, and August 30.

Pesticide Applicator License Exam
2017-08-25 09:00 - 12:00
Pesticide Applicator License Course Dates:
Course: August 14 + 21 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

Exam: August 25, 9 am - 12 pm (Exam)

Information:

The cost for the course with books is $400 and without books is $280. Exam only is $110.

To sign up and pay for the course, you can phone in to pay via credit card, pay via e-transfer (accounts@hcp.ca) or pay in person.

Pesticide Applicator License Course and Exam
2017-08-21 09:00 - 16:30
Pesticide Applicator License Course Dates:

Course: August 14 + 21 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

Exam: August 25, 9 am - 12 pm

Information:

The cost for the course with books is $400 and without books is $280. Exam only is $110.

To sign up and pay for the course, you can phone in to pay via credit card, pay via e-transfer (accounts@hcp.ca) or pay in person.

Plant Identification & Culture Workshops
2017-08-19 13:00 - 16:00
With Diane Pierce
One Saturday a month 1pm - 4pm
Jan 21, Feb 18, March 18, April 29, May 27, June 17, July 15, August 19, Sept 16, Oct 21, Nov 18, Dec 2

Learn all about plants with Diane Pierce, expert gardener, designer and writer. Diane will introduce you to 25 newplants in each session. You will learn Latin & common names, plant descriptions, cultural requirements, general maintenance and landscape uses. This is an ongoing course & can be joined at any time, all year long, one Saturday a month.
HCP Members $35.00 per session or $350 for 12 sessions
Non-Members $45.00 per session or $450 for 12 sessions
To register, call 250 479 6162

Tea Time Workshop CANCELLED
2017-08-17 10:00 - 12:00
CANCELLED
This is an introduction to the art of making tea for children, including plant identification, growing, harvesting, and preparing flowers, leaves, and fruit to brew. Participants will host their own tea party to explore the various tastes and scents of herbal tea. Then we will finish by packaging up our own sample tea brews to take home.
Date: Thursday, August 17 Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Cost: $15/person Ages: 5+ years
**For registration, please contact the HCP office at 250-479-6162**
