Topic: Gardens for Health

Speaker: Jackie Morra, Design Consultant - Home Decor Solutions

Jackie explained that a healing garden is your happy place which serves the following function:

• Relief from symptom
• Stress reduction
• Improvement in your overall sense of well being and hopefulness.

Nature is a distraction and is engrossing.  It takes you away from your busy life and offers physiological comfort.  It helps you slow down and observe.

Watching your plants progress everyday in your garden engages the mind, body, spirit, senses, emotions and memory.

She ended by showing a sign that said:  “I know you have enough plants but maybe your plants need plants.”

Topic: Exciting Plants for a Changing Climate and What the Future Holds.

Brian Minter began sharing his passion for plants with British Columbia's gardeners when, in 1970, he and his wife Faye purchased Country Garden Store, a garden shop that had been part of Chilliwack's community since 1957. In 1977, the Minters discovered a piece of land nestled beneath Mt. Cheam and by 1980, that passion for plants was transformed into 32-acre, world-famous Minter Gardens, which closed in 2013.

Brian, a University of British Columbia graduate (BA) and Master Gardener, quickly became BC's go-to garden expert through his experience at both the garden centre and the display gardens. As such, he has hosted countless radio and television shows, is a frequent gardening columnist and is the author of Canadian Best Seller, 'Brian Minter's New Gardening Guide - Fresh Approaches for Canadian Gardeners'.

During his presentation Brian spoke about the latest Garden Trends.  His source was the 2024 Garden Trends Report from The Garden Media Group which can be found here.

Below is a list of plants that Brian mentioned during his presentation:

Download (PDF, 1.26MB)

Topic: Flower Arranging
Speaker: Gerri Willmer, Program Coordinator - BC Floral Art Society.

Gerri Willmer is the current Past President and now Program Coordinator of the BC Floral Art Society. She has traveled to watch floral demonstrations in many other countries, entered many flower shows and has become a Floral Design judge. Gerri recently won Best in Show at the Canadian Western Association of Floral Art Clubs: This was the design entered into a class which was to be presented on the black plinth provided by show. The title to be interpreted was “Crazily over the Edge”. There were 12 classes in total with a winner in each class; then Best in Show is chosen from those 12. Judging is based on all the Principles and Elements of Design, creativity/originality/interpretation.

Speaker: Tamara Litke
Topic: Ecological Gardening

Tamara Litke has a Master of Education in Sustainability and a PhD Candidate for Ecology and Consciousness. She has worked on community gardens, school greenways and commercial projects.  She is a board member of the Native Bee Society of BC, a Butterfly Ranger and a Master Gardener, focusing on sustainable plants that benefit biodiversity and support a healthy climate.
Learn about easy gardening practices that work with our own temperate rainforest habitat, and about plants that have adapted to our coastal climate.  Beneficial groupings of local plants provide a waterwise, low maintenance garden that can create years of enjoyment. Trees, shrubs, ferns and flowers will be considered for their tolerance for sun, shade or wet garden areas. She will review the top ten plants, review location choices, and help you plan out the easiest garden possible.  She will look at healthy habitats, best practices and the reasons why reintroducing indigenous species to your garden in our current climate is a smart choice.  There will be something for all levels of gardener, and time for questions.

The March 21 meeting was a fun member interactive in-person meeting . Knowledgeable  members shared their gardening expertise on the following topics: Starting from seeds; Plant ID; Pruning; and Soil.

Speaker: Owen Ballance
Topic: Monet's Garden Working with Light and Colour in the Artists Garden
Owen Ballance is a horticulturalist, an experienced gardener, who has worked within both the public and private gardening sectors in Canada, France and England. He began professionally gardening with the City of New Westminster in 2016; however, was brought up by a pair of keen vegetable gardeners and began gardening at a young age.
His educational background originates from the University of Victoria, studying physical geography, as well as the University of British Columbia attending the Horticultural Training Program. He approaches gardening with a holistic view and an understanding of the importance of gardens, with the roles they play in the greater ecosystem.
Spending time in both France and England, working at Maison & Jardin de Claude Monet in France and Sissinghurst Castle Gardens, respectively, Owen has a keen interest in and deep appreciation for classical and informal gardens. He is currently a horticulturist at the University of British Columbia Botanical Garden, where he is building upon his base of knowledge dealing with rare and sensitive plantings.