Master Gardeners Association of BC

Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) - keep well pruned throughout the year and it will reward you with a curtain of flowers at this time of the year.

Choisya 'Aztec Pearl' is an aromatic elegant shrub that often blooms twice/year; and generally left alone by deer. Sometimes called Mexican Orange Blossom.

Rhodendrons in full glory - pinks and reds playing against dark green foliage. Make sure they have good mulches and moisture in hot weather. Dead-heading after flowering is worth it!

Fremontodendron californicum, sometimes called Flannel Bush, grows well in a sunny, sheltered site. Don't touch the hairy stems, leaves or seed pods -- aggravating tiny hairs call for gloves when pruning.

Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata 'Royal Star'). Many-branched, compact shrub with pure white flowers opening from large fuzzy buds early spring, before leafing out.

Celebrating Spring and more ...........

Yes, it really is spring out there. Not that we’ve been able to tell from the latest weather patterns. However, the eagles are foraging for their nests; the frogs are in the ponds; the buds are bursting on the trees; and there is that wonderful, familiar, sweet smell in the air. It looks promising.

Inclement weather hasn’t stopped our Master Gardeners from doing their annual volunteer activities. Watch for them in your community as they volunteer in nurseries, schools, senior’s centers, demonstration gardens and hospitals. They are always there to help. Check out what’s happening in your region! And, if you have some great spring-time gardening tips and seasonal experiences to share, please send them along to us for inclusion in our next issue of GROWING.

Spring is usually all about new beginnings, but the MGABC will also introduce a new beginning this fall. The MGABC will host an educational conference that celebrates our 30 years of volunteer public education in the Province. Make it a weekend getaway to the Island.

Save The Date: Saturday, October 20, 2012. It’s promoted as “BEST OF THE WEST” and we are excited to showcase our special guest speakers with what they know; what they grow; and what they can share. Watch for details in our website NEWS and EVENTS feature columns of how you can celebrate and learn with us.

In addition, we have another new feature coming to our Site: “What’s Up?” Provincial Council updates. Just like in our gardens, there is always something happening within our association: growth; change; renewal.

Happy Gardening to all of you,

Jan Hemming, President, MGABC

News

Announcing SEPTEMBER COURSE and New FACILITATOR for VIU/VIMGA May 8, 2012 We are thrilled to announce that our collaborator in the MG Basic Training program, Vancouver Island University, has hired a new Facilitator for the MG Basic Training Course scheduled for this September 2012 at... Read more >>	BEST OF THE WEST: Fall Education Conference EARLY BIRD PRICES! April 3, 2012 In recognition of 30 years of Master Gardeners in BC, the MGABC is excited to announce the 2012 Conference ‘Best of the West – a celebration of Best Gardening Practices’. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC,... Read more >>
SEEDY SATURDAY VANCOUVER: Super Successful March 15, 2012 Despite the windstorm that took over the city the morning of February 25th, the VanDusen Floral Hall was a buzz! Packs of seeds were studied, queried and snatched up by the eager hands of local gardeners and urban... Read more >>	2012 OKANAGAN BASIC TRAINING COURSE Okanagan February 18, 2012 Imelda, Rita and Darlene enjoying an early fall clinic at the Summerland Ornamental Gardens 2010. The 2012 Basic Training Course will be held in Kelowna from September to December. Click on... Read more >>

Articles

STELLA ~ The Arisaema Vancouver May 3, 2012 I would like to introduce you to Stella, my Arisaema sikokianum. I named her Stella because she is such a stellar specimen in the Araceae family. I get a huge amount of joy from her. Actually she is bisexual... Read more >>	THE WOODLAND SKIPPER May 3, 2012 Photo and research courtesy of Ingrid Gowans, Vancouver MG, currently attending MG Advanced Training It was a beautiful sunny day, (August 21st, 2011) ; I was taking pictures in my garden when this little creature... Read more >>
HOLLAND - Springtime Splendor May 3, 2012 Vancouver MG Betsy Jones was fortunate enough to spend some time in Holland this spring: Spring is the right time to be in Holland especially in Lisse, where the famed bulb fields are located. This is near... Read more >>	A GIFT OF GARDENING Okanagan March 31, 2012 I was looking through our dining room sideboard a few weeks ago in an attempt to locate the watermelon placemats for the dining room table. Maybe it's the time of year, time for clearing out clutter... Read more >>

Resources

ATTRACTING POLLINATORS TO YOUR GARDEN May 3, 2012 (photo courtesy of Vancouver MG Karen Bos) An informative pamphlet detailing what to grow to attract pollinators to your garden. A collaborative effort by Kamloops Master Gardeners Elaine Sedgman and Fearon... Read more >>	GARDENER'S SPRING PLANTING CALENDAR Vancouver May 3, 2012 Jo-Ann Canning, well known Master Gardener from Vancouver Chapter, shares her Gardener's Spring Planting Calendar - A Week by Week Guide to Sowing Seeds just in time for this year's start. Thanks to... Read more >>
MGABC Provincial IPM Policy on Promoting Plant Health Vancouver May 3, 2012 The Master Gardeners Association of BC supports an IPM approach and environmentally responsible use of pesticides. This means that you should only consider the use of the least toxic chemicals after all non-... Read more >>	Gardener's Spring Planting Calendar Vancouver February 9, 2012 Jo-Ann Canning, well known Master Gardener from Vancouver Chapter, shares her Gardener's Spring Planting Calendar - A Week by Week Guide to Sowing Seeds just in time for this year's start. Thanks to... Read more >>