Wreath Making for Adults
2025-11-23 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-11-29 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-11-29 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-11-30 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-11-30 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-12-06 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-12-06 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-12-07 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Vancouver) and 1 more date | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
Learn to create a unique and beautiful handmade wreath from scratch in this 90-minute hands-on workshop. Workshops are instructed by the HCP Head Gardener, Linda Petite, assisted by experienced HCP wreath-making volunteers, and take place in the covered polytunnels beyond public access at the HCP. All materials are provided. (Prices are per person/one wreath)
Registration is limited to 20 participants per workshop.

Morning Session: 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Afternoon Session: 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Registration now open.
Fees: $80 or $70 for HCP Members
Register Online by clicking on the date or by calling 250-479-6162

Click here to view list of dates/times available and register online

Waiting List
If the workshop you would like to attend is full, email janet@hcp.ca to be added to the waiting list. Please include your full name, phone number, workshop date and number of attendees.

HCP Kids - Wreath Making for Families
2025-11-28 13:30 - 15:00, 2025-11-29 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-11-29 13:30 - 15:00, 2025-11-30 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-11-30 13:30 - 15:00, 2025-12-06 10:00 - 11:30
Join us for this annual gathering to prepare a wreath for your home. Using a selection of greenery along with friendly guidance, create a unique wreath to enjoy or gift! These small sized workshops offer a slower and easier pace for small hands to lend assistance with. All materials provided. One registration is for a family with up to 4 participants.
Please note there is a limit of two wreaths per family.
Family Wreath Making - click on the date to register

Friday Afternoon 28 Nov 2025
Saturday Morning 29 Nov 2025
Saturday Afternoon 29 Nov 2025
Sunday Morning 30 Nov 2025
Sunday Afternoon 30 Nov 2025
Saturday Morning 6 Dec 2025
Fee: $45 or $40/Family membership

Opulent Ink & Glass Ornaments
2025-11-29 10:00 - 12:15
Adult Community Education | Arts | 2.25 hour workshop

Join Instructor Heidi Walter for a fun and creative workshop where you will make opulent holiday decorations using alcohol ink on glass ornaments. You need no prior experience to create a beautiful and unique work of art for the holidays - perfect for decorating or as a special gift.
Alcohol ink creates a beautiful stained glass effect, and metallic ink brings out the shimmer. You'll have the opportunity to make 2-3 full size glass ornaments. This workshop is suitable for beginners, for those with no art experience, and artists interested in new techniques.

All supplies and materials are included.
See Heidi's work on Instagram: @vividartgirl and on Facebook: Heidi Vividartgirl
Date & Location
Saturday, Nov. 29, 10:00 AM - 12:15 PM
The CLASSROOM at the Gardens at HCP, 505 Quayle Road
Registration & Fees
Registration includes all-day admission to the Gardens at HCP.
HCP Members $80.00
Non-Members $90.00 Interested in Membership?
REGISTER ONLINE or call 250 479 6162

Plant Identification & Culture with Jane Tice
2025-11-29 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-13 13:00 - 16:00
Adult Community Education | 3-hour class
This is a monthly class in which participants will be introduced to 20 new plants in each session.
If you are a new gardener, new to Victoria or just want to brush up on your plant knowledge, this is a great place to get started. This is a monthly class where participants will be introduced to 20 new plants which fit with our local climate. Plants are selected for our local growing conditions and the value they bring to the garden. Part of the class will be in the classroom and part will be out in the gardens to view the plants for that month. Dress for the weather and bring something to take notes.
You registration includes all-day admission to the Gardens at HCP (9:00 am-3:30 last admission)
Please register ahead - minimum enrollment is required.

Last Saturday of each month – 1-4pm.
HCP Members $40.00 per session
Non-Members $50.00 per session

Location
Meet in The Classroom, located in the parking lot to the left of the cafe - 505 Quayle Rd, Saanich.
Please dress for the weather as part of the class takes place outdoors in the Gardens at HCP.
2026 Drop-in Session Dates
Click a date below to register online, or call 250-479-6162.
Jan 31, 2026
Feb 28, 2026
Mar 28, 2026
April 18, 2026 **Note earlier than usual date for April**
May 30, 2026
June 27, 2026
July 25, 2026
Aug 29, 2026
Sept 26, 2026
Oct 31, 2026
Nov 28, 2026
Dec 12, 2026 **Early class prior to winter garden closure**

Cancellations:
This class requires a minimum of 6 registrants in order to run. If the minimum is not met, the class will be canceled or postponed.
Please contact communityed@hcp.ca if you would like to cancel your registration. Registrations less than one week prior to the class date are not eligible for a refund.

Willow Stars and Star Lanterns Workshop
2025-11-30 10:00 - 15:00
**This workshop is sold out. To join the waiting list, email janet@hcp.ca. Please include your phone number**
Adult Community Education | Basketry | 5 hours
Tis the season to make some willow stars and star lanterns! Instructor Joan Carrigan will have willow on hand to make an assortment of decorative stars of various sizes as well as a willow hanging mobile which when strung with fairy lights makes a magical lantern. The shape of the mobile is a dodecahedron which incorporates the star pattern. Many variations within these shapes are possible. They make great gifts and will brighten up your home throughout the winter season.
Tools to bring: Secateurs/pruners, package of small elastic bands, measuring tape.
Date & Location
Saturday, Nov. 30, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
The Classroom at the The Gardens at HCP, 505 Quayle Road, Saanich
Fees & Registration
PLEASE NOTE: Registration for this class opens at 9:00 am on Oct. 16.
HCP Members $130.00
Regular $145.00
REGISTER ONLINE or call 250 479 6162
**If the workshop is full, email janet@hcp.ca to be put on the waiting list. Please include your phone number. **

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 fueled her research in traditional techniques. Her background in fine art has fueled 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.

Whimsical Holiday Trees: A Floral Design Workshop
2025-12-05 17:30 - 20:30
Adult Community Education | 3-hour Workshop
Please note: we are currently experiencing technical difficulties with our registration payment system. If you would like to register for this class and pay on the day, please send an email to janet@hcp.ca, including the name of the class, your name and phone number, and the number of people you would like to register. We will confirm your registration by email and send you payment details.

Create a European-Inspired Christmas Tree Arrangement with Katherine Olmstead IMF

The Holiday Trees workshop is back! Join Katherine Olmstead, International Master Florist, for a hands-on workshop where you’ll design a whimsical holiday “tree arrangement” with a European twist. This new and improved class will guide you in creating easy-to-personalize arrangements that bring festive charm to your home or make thoughtful, handcrafted gifts.
Learn how to prepare foraged greenery, select complementary materials, and apply key design principles to craft arrangements that elevate your seasonal décor using fresh evergreens, natural accents, and sustainable design techniques. Whether you’re creating a statement piece for your home or adding a personal touch to your gifts, this workshop will provide practical skills, inspiration, and a joyful, creative experience.
Workshop Highlights:

All materials included: rustic container, fresh evergreen boughs, sticks and natural decorative accents, wire and securing materials, sand/rocks/moss for anchoring, and a selection of decorative items
Step-by-step guidance on sustainable design techniques you can apply at home
Focus on composition, balance, texture, and other essential design principles
Warm beverage and seasonal treats provided, (make sure to have dinner beforehand)
Relaxed, creative environment filled with the aroma of fresh evergreens
Take home your finished holiday tree arrangement

Additional Info:

Feel free to bring personal decorations, string lights, or tools to customize your arrangement
Wear cozy, warm clothes and garden gloves for handling greenery

Date & Location
Friday, Dec. 5, 5:30-8:30 pm
The Classroom at the Gardens at HCP, 505 Quayle Road, Saanich
Fees & Registration
$115 HCP Members
$125 Non-Members

REGISTER ONLINE or call 250 479 6162
**If the workshop is full, email janet@hcp.ca to be added to the waiting list. Please include your phone number.**

Instructor Bio: Katherine Olmstead IMF

Katherine Olmstead is a floral designer, horticulturist, and marketing strategist based in Victoria, British Columbia. In 2023, she became the first Canadian to earn the title of International Master Florist, graduating from the Boerma Institute in the Netherlands under the mentorship of Gregor Lersch, a globally celebrated floral artist.
Originally from Toronto, Katherine draws inspiration from her diverse travels and the natural beauty of her home on Vancouver Island. She is passionate about blending her botanical knowledge with artistic creativity to design sustainable and innovative floral pieces for events, creative projects, wearable fresh floral fashion, and installations.
Katherine is enthusiastic about promoting sustainability and sharing her expertise through teaching and mentorship. Her workshops offer participants a chance to connect with local nature, develop artistic skills, and explore their creativity in a welcoming, hands-on environment. When she’s not designing in a studio or working in a local flower shop, Katherine enjoys experimenting with other artforms and types of expression to add on to her floral toolbelt.

HCP Kids - Holiday Centre Piece
2025-12-06 13:30 - 15:30
It is time to enjoy flowers, cones and twigs on a whole new level. Children of all ages love to pick and collect from the garden. It provides a very basic connection to a plant's beauty, features (such as textures, shapes, colours and scents) at the same time. In this collecting and making workshop, we will include a garden walk for inspiration. Participants will create a takeaway arrangement to celebrate the season. All Ages
Date: 6 December 2025
Time: 1:30 - 3:00 pm
Fee: $40/child and $35/family membership
Registration: Online or call 250-479-6162

Winter Garden Break
2025-12-22 08:00 - 2026-01-04 17:00
The Gardens are taking a brief winter rest starting 22 December.
We will reopen 4 January 2025

Watercolour Painting with Richard Wong: Winter Pansies
2026-01-22 13:00 - 16:00
Adult Community Education | Art Class | 3-hour Workshop

Join us for Richard's first watercolour class of the New Year, and learn how to "line & wash" to create Pansies. Easy and fun! Bring a Pigma Micron 05 black pen, archival ink, if you can; otherwise borrow from Richard. He'll have a few pens available for the tracing in part of the class. Richard's classes are relaxing, fun, and welcoming to artists of all levels - beginners especially encouraged!

Registration includes all-day admission to the Gardens, so come early for some garden inspiration. (last admission 3:30)

Date & Location
Thursday, January 22, 1:00-4:00 pm
The Classroom at the Gardens at HCP, 505 Quayle Road
Fees & Registration

$50 (Students bring their own paint supplies)
$60 (Supplies included, paper provided)
REGISTER ONLINE or call 250 479 6162

If You Are Bringing Your Own Art Supplies:
- Masa paper (several 8x10" pieces). Option: regular 140lb watercolour paper
- Winsor Newton watercolours: bring all your colours
- Paint brushes (medium and small), pencil, eraser, paper towels
- containers for rinse water
- Pigma Micron 05 black pen, archival ink (Richard will have some available)

Sign up to the Community Education e-news for information on Richard's upcoming classes

Richard Wong, Artist Statement & Biography
“How I Became A Wildlife Artist”

This great adventure of mine started fairly innocently.
I spent a glorious 25 years with the provincial government of British Columbia working in finance and policy (Ministry of Environment). During that time, I came to appreciate our wildlife and natural environment, all so delicately balanced! Then it came time to retire. So I did.
My life as a wildlife artist started soon thereafter. With time on my hands, and a Christmas gift of art supplies (from my wonderful spouse), I enrolled in art classes (2010). First it was traditional watercolor classes. Then it was Chinese brush lessons. I soon discovered Japanese art paper, and my career (second) as a professional wildlife artist began. Learning to paint, especially watercolor, allows me to capture the very essence of wildlife and nature like no other medium. Much of our wildlife is affected to the point where we are losing them rapidly. So I do what I can to spread this message of awareness: to paint and capture our wildlife in beautiful, vibrant watercolors; to teach others how to do this; and along the way, to engage and connect people and communities through my love of art. This love has taken me to Australia and the United States, where I've taught, presented and shown my work (Watercolor on Japanese Art Paper). I now paint (professionally), teach and sell from my lovely home base in Victoria, BC, Canada.
Wishing everyone a very lovely journey as we embark on yet another wildlife/art adventure full of wonder, excitement and discovery!
Sincerely,
Richard Wong
Professional Wildlife Artist
Watercolor on Japanese Art Paper

Willow Chair Workshop with Andrew Kent - January 2026
2026-01-25 09:00 - 17:00
Adult community education | full day workshop
Join artisan Andrew Kent from The Willow Way for this full day workshop. In one day, with Andrew's expert instruction, you can make and take home your own Bent Willow Rustic Chair. This is a great introduction to rustic building techniques. Learn how to make a square frame from pieces of alder & work with different sizes of willow to create your chair.
While these chairs can be made alone, bringing a helper is recommended. The registration fee is for up to 2 participants making one chair together.
Please note that you will need to bring your own lunch and snacks to this full day workshop. Admission to the Gardens at HCP is included in your registration.
Location & Date
Sunday, January 25, 2025, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
The Classroom at the Gardens at HCP, 505 Quayle Road, Saanich
Fees & Registration
REGISTER ONLINE or phone 250-479-6162 register.
Fees include materials.
HCP Members | $285
Non-Members | $305 Interested in becoming an HCP Member?

Cancellation & Refunds
Note that this class requires a minimum of 2 registrants (not including helpers) in order to run. If the minimum is not met, the class will be canceled or postponed. Please contact communityed@hcp.ca if you need to cancel your registration. Note that registrations less than one week prior to the class date may not be eligible for a refund if registration minimums are not met.

Instructor Bio: Andrew Kent
The Willow Way's roots go back all the way to 1993 when I made my first willow chair in a workshop with Kate Lawes. Over the next five years, Kate and I opened and ran a store in downtown Nanaimo, attended many large and small shows, and hosted numerous willow furniture workshops. Many of the designs I use are traditional, coming from Kentucky by way of Pemberton, BC. Some are then updated with design ideas suggested by the materials themselves.
I grew up on a rural island and have always felt at home in the woods. A keen mountain biker, I am passionate about the outdoors and Vancouver Island. Many of my days are spent hunting for materials, foraging local species of willow and alder, and finding the best shoots and whips for each piece, which directs the creative construction.
From forest to finished product, the entire willow furniture process is an adventure and ever-evolving, which to me is the real beauty of this work. Most of the materials are natural and not milled, which means not one project is the same and it's always a new experience.
I think people respond to my work because it is more than just your average rustic furniture – it is handmade with materials that are otherwise not utilized. My passion for nature and for the creative process comes through in each piece.
Andrew Kent

Plant Identification & Culture with Jane Tice
2026-01-31 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-02-28 13:00 - 16:00
Adult Community Education | 3-hour class
This is a monthly class in which participants will be introduced to 20 new plants in each session.
If you are a new gardener, new to Victoria or just want to brush up on your plant knowledge, this is a great place to get started. This is a monthly class where participants will be introduced to 20 new plants which fit with our local climate. Plants are selected for our local growing conditions and the value they bring to the garden. Part of the class will be in the classroom and part will be out in the gardens to view the plants for that month. Dress for the weather and bring something to take notes.
You registration includes all-day admission to the Gardens at HCP (9:00 am-3:30 last admission)
Please register ahead - minimum enrollment is required.

HCP Members $40.00 per session
Non-Members $50.00 per session

Location
Meet in The Classroom, located in the parking lot to the left of the cafe - 505 Quayle Rd, Saanich.
Please dress for the weather as part of the class takes place outdoors in the Gardens at HCP.
2026 Drop-in Session Dates
Click a date below to register online, or call 250-479-6162. Links will be live as registration opens
2026 Drop-in Dates
Click a date below to register online, or call 250-479-6162.
Jan 31, 2026
Feb 28, 2026
Mar 28, 2026
April 18, 2026
May 23, 2026
June 27, 2026
July 25, 2026
Aug 29, 2026
Sept 26, 2026
Oct 31, 2026
Nov 28, 2026
Dec 12, 2026 **Early class prior to winter garden closure**

Cancellations:
This class requires a minimum of 6 registrants in order to run. If the minimum is not met, the class will be canceled or postponed.
Please contact communityed@hcp.ca if you would like to cancel your registration. Cancellations less than one week prior to the class date are not eligible for a refund.

Woven Together: A Valentine's Bouquet Workshop
2026-02-06 18:30 - 20:30
Adult Community Education | 2-hour Workshop
Create a Valentine's Day Arrangement with Katherine Olmstead IMF

Make a date of it: flowers included!
Join Katherine Olmstead, International Master Florist, for a fun, feel-good, pre-Valentine's floral workshop designed for couples, friends, or anyone who might like to craft together.
Work side by side to create a lush, romantic hand-tied bouquet, finished with your handmade knit heart. Guided by professional European floral techniques, you'll learn how to spiral your stems, stem-pick decor items, balance colour and form, and wrap your bouquet beautifully.
No pressure, no experience needed.
Expect fresh flowers, wine, snacks, laughs, and hands-on making in the welcoming Couvelier Pavilion at the Gardens at HCP. Come play with flowers, learn something new, and leave with a bouquet you made together.

19+ event
Bring a partner, a date, or a friend
Wear comfy clothes you don’t mind working in
Tools provided (bring your own if you like)

Date & Location
Friday, Feb. 6, 6:30-8:30 pm
Couvelier Pavilion, Gardens at HCP
505 Quayle Road, Saanich
Fees & Registration
Individual: $90 / $80 HCP Members
+1 (2 attendees): $160.00

REGISTER ONLINE or call 250 479 6162
**If the workshop is full, email janet@hcp.ca to be added to the waiting list. Please include your phone number.**

Instructor Bio: Katherine Olmstead IMF

Katherine Olmstead is a floral designer, horticulturist, and marketing strategist based in Victoria, British Columbia. In 2023, she became the first Canadian to earn the title of International Master Florist, graduating from the Boerma Institute in the Netherlands under the mentorship of Gregor Lersch, a globally celebrated floral artist.
Originally from Toronto, Katherine draws inspiration from her diverse travels and the natural beauty of her home on Vancouver Island. She is passionate about blending her botanical knowledge with artistic creativity to design sustainable and innovative floral pieces for events, creative projects, wearable fresh floral fashion, and installations.
Katherine is enthusiastic about promoting sustainability and sharing her expertise through teaching and mentorship. Her workshops offer participants a chance to connect with local nature, develop artistic skills, and explore their creativity in a welcoming, hands-on environment. When she’s not designing in a studio or working in a local flower shop, Katherine enjoys experimenting with other artforms and types of expression to add on to her floral toolbelt.

Introduction to Winter Pruning Fruit Trees
2026-02-15 13:00 - 15:00
ADULT COMMUNITY EDUCATION | WORKSHOP | 2 HOURS

Undercuts, espalier, UFO system, bevel cuts/flush cuts...what does it all mean...?!Learn tips and tricks for maintaining and training fruit trees in the winter to prepare for a productive growing season.

This workshop will focus on apple and pear tree pruning in the winter. What is the intention and desired outcome for pruning at this time of year and how does one decide where to prune and how much? All will be revealed under the expert instruction of Gordon Mackay, who will also provide tips on how to train younger fruit trees after planting, and discussing important tips to consider when working with older trees.

This workshop is designed for beginner pruners with the aim to give you confidence and courage to tackle your own trees.

Date & Location
Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026 - 1:00-3:00 pm
The Classroom at the Gardens at HCP, 505 Quayle Road, Saanich
Fees & Registration
$50.00 HCP Members
$55.00 Non-Members Interested in Membership?

REGISTER ONLINE or call 250 479 6162

Instructor Bio: Gordon Mackay

Gordon was fortunate enough to have a (very basic) pair of Felco secateurs thrust into his hands as a teenager while apprenticing for his father, maintaining and installing gardens in The City of Glasgow. This led to more learning as he attended the same College as his father and was the first 2nd generation student at the renowned Threave School of Gardening in southwest Scotland. It was on this two year full-time program that he was truly bitten by the horticultural bug; in particular plant identification (awarded top plant I.D. student over the duration of the two years), arboriculture and plant production/plant propagation. This inspiration led to further training as he ventured further south to attend the 3 year Diploma program at Pershore College of Horticulture in England with a middle year in industry. Gordon was fortunate enough to work his middle year at Wyevale Nurseries in Hereford, one of Europe's largest and most reputable wholesale producers of quality hardy nursery stock, with production aimed at both the retail and landscape sectors.
Along with working and teaching at the HCP and Pacific Horticulture College, Gordon runs his own arboriculture business. His obsession with plants is almost matched by his love for all things honey bee related and has been fortunate enough to have been working with the bees for over 20 years.

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Pottery: Hand-built Flowers in Clay
2026-02-21 09:00 - 12:00
ADULT COMMUNITY EDUCATION | ARTS WORKSHOP | 3 HOURS
Enjoy a delightful morning working with clay, foliage and flowers of the HCP, with instructor Monika Burrell.

This class is for the beginning creator.
While we are waiting for Spring and the natural blossoms, we can create bursts of colour and forever blooms in clay. In this morning workshop, let’s sculpt forms starting with the interior of a flower and working out to the petals. I will have press moulds available to help us form the petals. Source materials will be available for specific flowers but forms from the imagination will also be encouraged. Once the workshop is over, your pieces will be fired, glazed, and mounted on wires ready to be displayed. Pick-up of your floral creations will happen approximately 3 weeks after the workshop.

The projects created in this workshop will then be fired, glazed, and mounted on wire ready to be displayed, and and returned by the instructor three weeks after the workshop. All the materials and tools for this project are provided; however, please bring an apron or wear clothes that you don’t mind getting messy. No previous clay experience is necessary.
Your registration includes all-day admission to the Gardens at HCP on the day of the class (last admission 3:30 pm)
Date & Location
Saturday Feb. 21, 2026 9:00 AM - Noon
The Classroom at the Gardens at HCP, 505 Quayle Road, Saanich
Fees & Registration
$85.00 HCP Members
$95.00 Non-Members Interested in Membership?

REGISTER ONLINE or call 250 479 6162

Instructor Bio: Monika Burrell
My name is Monika Burrell and I primarily work in clay making both sculpture and functional pottery. Clay has had a central role in my life for over 30 years and I live and work on the Saanich Peninsula. My work in clay is shaped by the local seascape and landscape, as these elements often appear in the designs on my pots. As well as making pottery, I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching pottery classes and workshops for over 25 years. My work for sale can be found at www.Emburr.etsy.com and my clay process can be viewed on instagram http://instagram.com/emburrs/

Splint Woven Basket with Joan Carrigan
2026-02-27 09:30 - 16:30
Adult Community Education | Basketry | Full-day Workshop
**This class is full. To join the waiting list, email janet@hcp.ca. Please include the name of the class and your name and phone number***
Splint Woven Basket with Side Handles
Come spend the day with basketry instructor Joan Carrigan learning how to weave a splint woven basket with side handles. This is a wonderful introduction to weaving with flat materials. We will be using flat reed/rattan splint to weave a lovely storage basket that allow us to explore plain weave, incorporate a diamond twill pattern with the addition of side handles and a lashed border. The basket at rim measures approx. 10” x 7” x 6.5”.Suitable for beginners and for those with some basketry experience.
Your registration includes admission to The Gardens at HCP - bring your lunch and enjoy the grounds.
Tool List

Sturdy sharp scissors – like kitchen scissors,
finer tip scissors or angled wire cutters,
spray bottle
an old towel.

Dates & Location
Friday, Feb. 27| 9:30 PM-4:30 PM
The Classroom at HCP, 505 Quayle Road
Fees & Registration
HCP Members $135
Non-Members $145 Thinking about becoming a member?
REGISTER ONLINE or call 250.479.6162
