HCP Plant Sale 2025!
2025-04-26 09:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-27 09:00 - 16:00 (America/Vancouver) | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
April 26 & 27
9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Find many unique plants propagated from the Gardens at HCP
10% discount for HCP Members
Admission to the Gardens is free during the Plant Sale, so come and visit us!
Plant List

Home Herbalist Series - Spring Workshop
2025-04-26 10:00 - 12:00
Adult Community Education | Health & Wellness | 2-hour workshop
Join Registered Holistic Nutritionist and Herbalist Racheal Schnarr for this year's new and refreshed Home Herbalist Series. This series is more immersive, covers new herbs, and features new seasonal info booklets.

The Spring instalment of the Home Herbalist Series will focus on spring teas, steams, poultices and more. We'll learn about Spring Herbalism including which herbs to harvest locally and preparations you can make at home (including a wild spring salad!), then we'll make our own custom herbal tea and steam formulas. An assistant will be available during this practical portion, so that Racheal is available to assist you in depth with making your own personalized formula.

Date & Location
Saturday, April 26, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
The Classroom at The Gardens at HCP, 505 Quayle Road, Saanich
PLEASE NOTE: This class takes place during the Spring Plant Sale at the HCP and parking in the HCP lot may be limited. More information will be provided in the week prior to the class.
Fee & Registration
HCP Members: $65.00
Non-Members: $70.00 Interested in the benefits of Membership?
REGISTER ONLINE or call 250 479 6162

Instructor Bio: Racheal Schnarr
Racheal Schnarr is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist (R.H.N.) and Herbalist who studied at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition and Pacific Rim College.
In addition to working as an R.H.N., Racheal operates a small botanical dispensary using herbs grown exclusively in her garden. She lives her passion of “connecting people with plants” both in her private business and previously at Pacific Horticulture College as past College Administrator.
Through years of practicing clinical nutrition at multidisciplinary clinics as well as in her own private practice, she tapped into her passion for sharing the power of holistic nutrition and herbal medicine with her clients. Racheal's practice and classes are fun, hands-on, empowering, education based and are led in a supportive and open environment. Developing a deep relationship with plants, growing herbal medicine, ethical harvesting, food growing, food justice and living in reciprocity with the land on which we grow, forage, and learn are pillars in Racheal's practice and everyday life. She enjoys getting fresh air and her hands dirty when in her home garden, foraging the wild with her dog Josie, and occasionally working for her sister, a Landscape Horticulturist.

Free Talk: How to Garden with Deer
2025-04-26 13:00 - 14:00

Plant Identification & Culture with Jane Tice
2025-04-26 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-31 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.
2025 Drop-in Session Dates
Click a date below to register online, or call 250-479-6162.
September 27, 2025, 1-4 pm
October 25, 2025, 1-4 pm
November 29, 2025, 1-4 pm
December 13, 2025, 1-4 pm
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.

HCP Kids - Garden Nature Academy Spring 2025
2025-05-01 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-05-08 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-05-15 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-05-22 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-05-29 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-06-05 09:30 - 12:00
The Garden Nature Academy is a half day program on Thursday's. The outdoors offers safe and seasonal opportunities for your preschooler to explore
through play, games, songs, and activities! These outdoor sessions will include time in our vegetable garden, as well as numerous pathways, and native plant forest areas to
explore. The small group sizes and our experienced nature educators help to create a nurturing and engaging environment for young children to learn, play and grow. Ages 3 to 6 years

Dates: Thursdays Apr 3 to Jun 19
Time: 9:30 am to 12:00
Fees: $300 or $240 with a Family Membership
Register: Online or Call 250-479-6162

HCP Home Learners - Interconnectedness: Our Keystone Species
2025-05-01 13:15 - 14:45, 2025-05-08 13:15 - 14:45, 2025-05-15 13:15 - 14:45
Sustainability comes in lots of different forms. Let's begin a journey of discovery as we explore methods of producing our own food, the importance of soils, and how pollinators play a crucial role in this process. This 3-part series will include lots of hands-on planting of seeds and transplants for take away as well as providing a foundation for the better understanding of food growing systems and their interconnections. For Grades 4 to 8

Dates: May 1, 8 & 15
Time: 1:15 - 2:45 pm
Fee: $90 or $75 with Family Membership
Register: Online or Call 250-479-6162

HCP Kids - Garden Club Spring 2025
2025-05-03 09:30 - 11:30, 2025-05-10 09:30 - 11:30, 2025-05-17 09:30 - 11:30, 2025-05-24 09:30 - 11:30, 2025-05-31 09:30 - 11:30, 2025-06-07 09:30 - 11:30
Do you know a child or youth who loves the outdoors and thrives in the garden? Our HCP Kids' Garden provides many opportunities for land-based engagement activities, including seed starting and propagation, planting, garden maintenance, pollinator habitats, and so much more. Each weekly class will have us in this amazing teaching garden where we grow our own food crops. Hope you can join us with your pre-k learner or drop-off (or join) your school age child. There are lots of takeaways, including seeds, transplants and more! Please pack your child's own garden gloves if you have some and bring along a water bottle (and snack if needed:) Ages 3 to 14 (Children under 6 must be accompanied by an adult)

Dates: Saturday's, March 8 - June 7, 2024 (10 Weeks - no classes March 15, 22 or 29, or April 26)
Times:

Preschool (3 to 5): 9:30 am - 11:00 am
School Age (6 to 14): 9:30 am - 11:00 am

Fees :

Preschool (3 - 5): $160.00 or $140.00 with a Family Membership
School Age (6 - 14): $180.00 or $160.00 with a Family Membership

Register: Online or call 250-479-6162

HCP Kids - Pro-D Day Camps 2025
2025-05-16 09:00 - 16:00
These non-instructional day camps feature an outdoor program that includes time in our very own HCP Kids Teaching Garden where we grow food, learn to support natural systems and enjoy the many wilderness areas surrounding us!

Time: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Fee: $45
Dates 2025:

Friday - May 16

Register by Clicking on the Date or call 250-479-6162
Camp is fully booked: registration for waitlist only

HCP - Tomato Day
2025-05-17 09:00 - 16:00
May 17
Tomato plants, Herbs, and Vegetable starts
Hydroponic tomatoes are now just as tasty as tomatoes grown outside in perfect summer conditions, scientists say.
List of plants - to be published
The Plant Sale area will be open and fully stocked
Free education talk at 10 am in the Pavilion (details below)

Free Talk: Growing a Bumper Crop of Tomatoes
2025-05-17 10:00 - 11:00
Learn the essentials of successful tomato growing with Jennifer Kolot of the Victoria Master Gardeners Association.
Topics covered include:

choosing the right variety for your needs
propogation and planting
problems, pests and diseases

HCP Tomato Day
Saturday May 17, 10:00 am
The Pavilion at HCP
Free, no registration required.

Cut Flower Gardening
2025-05-24 10:00 - 12:00
Adult Community Education | Horticulture | 2-Hour Class
with Eiddwen Thomas
Learn the secrets of growing your own flowers for cutting and arranging with floral designer, Eiddwen Thomas. Eiddwen is the owner of Cartref Gardens, a commercial cut flower farm in North Saanich.
Growing your own flowers can be a very rewarding and creative experience. You can select which flowers you want to grow according to your own style and taste. Having your own flower garden will ensure fresh quality for the very best of flowers for your home, special events or gifts. Growing your flowers organically can also provide benefits to the local environment.
This 2-hour introductory talk will include useful information and handouts on how to start and maintain a cutting garden over the growing season. Topics such as soil preparation, propagation, watering, dividing, recommended plants, and seasonal growing tips for beautiful cut flowers.
Date & Location
Saturday May 24, 10:00 AM - noon
The Classroom at HCP, 505 Quayle Road, Victoria V9E 2J7
Registration & Fees
Members $40.00
Non Members $45.00
Register Online or call 250 479 6162
Cancelations
This class requires a minimum registration to run. If you need to cancel, please contact communityed@hcp.ca regarding a refund. Refunds may not be available for cancellations less than 7 days prior to the class.

Floral Design Workshop: Botanical Baskets
2025-05-24 13:00 - 16:00
ADULT COMMUNITY EDUCATION | WORKSHOP | 3 HOURS
Join Katherine Olmstead, Canadian International Master Florist, for a hands-on floral design class where you will create your own spring basket arrangement, blending plants, fresh-cut flowers, and foraged natural materials into a one-of-a-kind seasonal piece.
You will be guided through selecting materials, building a natural basket armature to carry flowers, and composing your overall design with sustainability and seasonality in mind. You will gain practical floral design skills rooted in European technique and botanical storytelling, with a focus on texture, form, balance, and the interplay between living and freshly cut elements. The class will include both indoor class time and time spent outdoors exploring the gardens.
With inspiration from the gardens and step-by-step instruction in a relaxed, fun setting, you will leave with a deeper connection to your creativity and your natural surroundings.

All materials are provided. Feel free to bring small decorations to personalize your basket.
Suitable for professional florists, floral hobbyists, and creatives of all kinds.
Take home your finished floral basket and a beautiful introduction to Vegetative floral design.

Your registration includes all-day admission to the Gardens at HCP (9:00-3:30 last entry)
Date & Location
Saturday May 24, 2025 - 1:00-4:00 pm
The Classroom at the Gardens at HCP, 505 Quayle Road, Saanich
Fees & Registration
$95.00 HCP Members
$110.00 Non-Members Interested in Membership?

REGISTER ONLINE or call 250 479 6162

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 - Tea Brewing May 2025
2025-05-24 13:30 - 15:00
The first credible record of brewing tea dates back to the 3rd Century AD. Fast forward to 2025 and the cold brewing of teas made with garden botanicals in our HCP Kids' Garden. We have been brewing our harvested flowers and herbs safely, using cold brew methods for years and our participants love to sample and create their own personalized blends. We will also be sampling and adding to commercial blended teas such as mint and green. This is also a fun way to introduce children to basic plant identification as we learn to recognize plant families for their features and their beneficial uses. Ages: 6+ Limited to 10 participants

Date: 24 May 2025
Time: 1:30 - 3:00 pm
Fee: $35/child and $30/family membership
Registration: Online or call 250-479-6162

Basket Weaving with Rush and Soft Materials
2025-05-30 09:30 - 16:30
ADULT COMMUNITY EDUCATION | WORKSHOP |FULL-DAY
This class is full. To join the waiting list, email communityed@hcp.ca with a phone number where we can reach you.
Explore weaving baskets with soft materials such as rush, sedge and daylily leaves with expert instructor Joan Carrigan. These materials are lovely to weave with and offer the opportunity to explore a variety of twining patterns. We will focus on control of shaping this basket without the use of a mold. The ancient skill of making cordage will also be explored. Discussion will cover the identification of useful plants you might find in the garden, sustainable harvest practices and preparation for weaving. Suitable for all levels.
Tools to bring: scissors, ruler, cotton string, spray bottle, an old towel.
Your registration includes all-day admission to the Gardens at HCP (9:00-3:30 last entry)
Date & Location
Friday May 30, 2025 - 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
The Classroom at the Gardens at HCP, 505 Quale Road, Saanich
Fees & Registration
$130.00 HCP Members
$145.00 Non-Members Interested in Membership?

This class is full. To join the waiting list, email communityed@hcp.ca with a phone number where we can reach you.

Space is limited to 10 participants.

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 prompted her research in traditional techniques. Her background in fine art has encouraged 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.

Twill Woven Cat's Head Basket
2025-06-01 09:30 - 16:30
ADULT COMMUNITY EDUCATION | WORKSHOP |FULL-DAY
This class is full. To join the waiting list please contact communityed@hcp.ca and include a phone number where you can be reached.
Instructor Joan Carrigan will guide you through the process of creating a “Cat’s Head” basket, with its distinctive elegant shape. It starts with a square base and moves to a round form which sits on four-pointed base corners. This is a traditional Shaker style basket with many variations in its shape and size and makes a beautiful storage basket. This version has a continuous twill pattern adding to its elegance. The size is approximately 11” wide x 8” high. Suitable for beginner and intermediate.
Tools list: an old towel, measuring tape, 12” ruler, sharp scissors (preferably with a shorter blade) approx. 12 clothes pegs, knife for carving, spray bottle.
Your registration includes all-day admission to the Gardens at HCP (9:00-3:30 last entry)
Date & Location
Sunday June 1, 2025 - 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
The Classroom at the Gardens at HCP, 505 Quayle Road, Saanich
Fees & Registration
$130.00 HCP Members
$145.00 Non-Members Interested in Membership?

This class is full. To join the waiting list please contact communityed@hcp.ca and include a phone number where you can be reached.
Waiting List
Space is limited to 10 participants. If the course is full, contact communityed@hcp.ca to be put on the waiting list.

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 prompted her research in traditional techniques. Her background in fine art has encouraged 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.

HCP Kids - Father's Day Pizza Planter
2025-06-07 13:30 - 15:00
Celebrate Dad this Father's Day with a planter designed just for him! These "Gardens on the Go" will feature plants that mature to produce crops for making pizza! As we plant, there will be sharing to provide an introduction into container gardening, as well as a walk through of plant maintenance. 4+ years (under 6 with an adult)

When: Saturday June 7, 1:30-3:00pm
Fees: $40/planter (All), and $35/planter for (Family Membership Holders)
Register: Online or call 250-479-6162
