Brian Minter offers up a partial list of some of the garden events we have to look forward to this spring.
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It’s great to see all our garden clubs and plant societies meeting again on a regular basis after the COVID-19 hiatus. Some of their events have become a tradition in many communities and folks really look forward to these special days. Not only will you find some great buys, but these plant sales are often a spot to score those very unusual and rare plants.
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These events are also a major fundraising source for many clubs. Having had the privilege to speak with so many garden associations, I have learned how much they contribute to their communities. Many also support scholarships and bursaries for horticultural students across the province.
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As I mentioned last year, there are over 200 gardening clubs and plant associations in British Columbia with over 14,000 members. They are the horticultural leaders in so many cities and towns and provide a great deal of plant knowledge to all those willing to learn more about plants.
The following is a partial list of some of the garden events we have to look forward to this spring.
Many venues are cash only and workshops/events may require the purchase of tickets in advance. For more information, please visit each club’s website or Facebook page. Please note that many garden clubs and community groups plan summer events as well, so do watch for more exciting days to come.
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2023 B.C. Garden Club spring plant salesand garden themed events
Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival
When: Until April 23
Where: Venues throughout Vancouver
More info: vcbf.ca
Farmers on 57th Grow Your Own Food Course
When: Starting April 11/April18; Registration required
Where: 57th and Heather St., Vancouver
More info: farmerson57th.ca
Fraser Valley Dahlia Society Tuber Sale
When: April 15, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Garden Park Tower, 2825 Clearbrook Rd., Abbotsford
More info: fraservalleydahliasociety.ca
Vancouver Island Rock & Alpine Garden Society Annual Spring Show & Sale
When: April 21, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., & April 22, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Lambrick Park Church, 1780 Feltham Rd., Victoria
More info: virags.com
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Mount Arrowsmith Rhododendron Show & Sale
When: April 22, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Qualicum Beach Curling Club, 644 Memorial Avenue, Qualicum Beach
More info: marsrhodos.ca
Darts Hill Garden Park Plant Sales
When: April 29, May 27 & Sept. 9, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Darts Hill Garden Park 1633 170th Street, Surrey
More info: dartshill.ca
Gibsons Garden Club Annual Plant Sale
When: April 29, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Gibsons and Area Community Centre (lower parking lot), 700 Park Rd., Gibsons
More info: gibsonsgardenclub.ca
Langley Garden Club Annual Spring Show & Sale
When: April 29, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Southridge Fellowship Church, 22756 – 48th Ave., Langley
More info: langleygardenclub.com
North Island Rhododendron Society
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When: April 30, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: K’ómoks First Nation Hall, 3320 Comox Road (Dyke Road), Comox
More info: nirsrhodos.ca
Chilliwack Garden Club Plant Sale
When: May 6, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Cooke’s Presbyterian Church, 45825 Wellington Ave., Chilliwack
More info: chilliwackgardenclub.com
Kelowna Garden Club Annual Plant Sale
When: May 6, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: Guisachan Heritage Park, 1060 Cameron Ave., Kelowna
More info: kelownagardenclub.ca
Maple Ridge Garden Club Plant Sale
When: May 6, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Golden Ears Cheesecrafters, 22270 128 Ave., Maple Ridge
More info: mrgardenclub.wixsite.com/mapleridgegardenclub
Nanaimo Horticultural Society Plant Sale
When: May 6, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
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Where: Nanaimo North Town Centre, 4750 Rutherford Rd., Nanaimo
More info: nanaimohort.org
North Surrey Horticultural Society Plant Sale
When: May 6, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Grace Community Church, 14618-110 Ave., Surrey
More info: Facebook: North Surrey Horticultural Society
Peninsula Garden Club Spring Plant Sale
When: May 6, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Where: Mary Winspear Center, 2243 Beacon Ave., Sidney
More info: peninsulagardenclub.ca
PoCo Garden Club Annual Plant Sale
When: May 6, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: Trinity United Church, 2211 Prairie Ave., Port Coquitlam
More info: pocogardenclub.wordpress.com
South Burnaby Garden Club Annual Plant Sale
When: May 6, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: All Saints Anglican Church, 7405 Royal Oak Ave., Burnaby
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More info: southburnabygardenclub.ca
The Vancouver Ikebana Association Spring Show
When: May 6, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., May 7, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre,6688 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby
More info: [email protected]
West Vancouver Garden Club Plant Sale
When: May 6, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Gleneagles Community Center, 6262 Marine Dr, West Vancouver
More info: westvangardenclub.com
Friends of Summerland Ornamental Gardens Spring Plant Sale
When: May 6 & 7, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Summerland Ornamental Gardens, 4200 Highway 97 S., Summerland
More Info: summerlandgardens.org
Dogwood Garden Club Annual Plant Sale
When: May 7, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Hillcrest Middle School, 2161 Regan St., Coquitlam
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More info: dogwoodgardenclub.weebly.com
Powell River Garden Club Plant Sale Tour
When: May 7, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Multiple locations
More info: Facebook: Powell River Garden Club
Armstrong & District Garden Club Plant Sale
When: May 13, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: Armstrong Farmer’s Market at the Armstrong Fairgrounds, 3315 Pleasant Valley Rd. Armstrong
More info: armstronggardenclub.com
Campbell River Garden Club Plant Sale
When: May 13, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: Sportsplex Gymnasium, 1800 Alder St., Campbell River
More info: campbellrivergardenclub.com
Cowichan Valley Annual Plant Sale
When: May 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: 3440 Gibbins Road, Duncan
More info: cowichanrhodos.ca
New Westminster Horticultural Society Spring Plant Sale
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When: May 13, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: St. Thomas More Collegiate, 7450 12th Avenue, Burnaby
More info: newwesthortsociety.org
Sooke Garden Club Mother’s Day Plant Sale
When: May 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Evergreen Centre, 6660 Sooke Rd., Sooke
More info: sookegardenclub.ca
South Surrey Garden Club Plant Sale
When: May 13, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: St. Mark’s Anglican Church, 12953 20th Ave. Surrey
More info: southsurreygardenclub.ca
Vernon & District Garden Club Annual Sale
When: May 13, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Where: 4601 27th St., Home Hardware-Home Building Centre Parking Lot
More info: vernongardenclub.ca
White Rock & District Garden Club Plant & Bake Sale
When: May 13, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Ocean Park Hall, 1577 128 St., Surrey
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More info: whiterockgardenclub.ca
David Douglas Botanical Garden Society Spring Plant Sale
When: May 21 & May 22, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: UNBC Parking Lot A and DDBGS Compound
More info: ddbotgarden.bc.ca
Gwynne Vaughan Park Annual Plant Sale & Garden Party
When: June 3, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: 46181 Hope River Rd. (at Williams Rd.), Chilliwack
More info: gwynnevaughanpark.ca
The Desert Plant Society of Vancouver Cactus & Succulent Show & Sale
When: June 10 & June 11, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: VanDusen Botanical Gardens, 37th & Oak St., Vancouver
More info: Facebook: Desert Plant Society of Vancouver
Vancouver Rose Society 66th Rose Show
When: June 18, 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: The Floral Hall, outside VanDusen Botanical Garden, 37th & Oak St., Vancouver
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More info: vancouverrosesociety.org
The Fraser Pacific Rose Society: ‘Carnival of Roses’ Rose Show
When: June 24, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and June 25, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Dogwood Pavilion 1655 Winslow Street, Coquitlam
More info: fprosesociety.org
Cranbrook Garden Club 25th Open Garden Day
When: July 9
Where: Multiple locations (individual gardens)
More info: Facebook: Cranbrook Garden Club
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