We challenged our Members to plant 100 trees to celebrate 100 years of horticultural leadership in our community.
Below you will find their stories — the trees they chose and why they chose them.
The municipalities of Victoria, Colwood, Esquimalt and Saanich also participated in this initiative by dedicating trees planted in their areas. For details of these, see here.
Tree Number One Hundred!
Diane and Hector have been volunteering for the VHS for over 40 years. Diane says she can’t remember the exact date but says she starting helping out in 78 or 79 followed by Hector in 82.
Diane does an informative talk each meeting called “Plant of the Month”. In honour of the 100 Tree initiative in 2021 Diane changed her talk to “Tree of the Month”. You probably noticed a few people mention they were inspired by her talk and planted the tree she highlighted.
Diane and Hector have contributed in so many ways there are too many to mention. Hector’s time on the VHS board stands out as they recall it was a turbulent time for the VHS.
Now you will find this charming couple at the member plant sale table which they coordinate. They greet everyone with a smile and are very generous with their vast knowledge.
Diane and Hector chose to donate a Witch Hazel to the Mixed Borders at the Gardens at HCP. The cultivar ‘Diane’ was picked by the bed’s curators as a surprise for them. They and other Hardy members began designing and caring for these beds in 1996.
Hamamelis x intermedia is a cross between Chinese witch hazel (Hamamelis mollis) and Japanese witch hazel (Hamamelis japonica). A perfect focal point in a sunny bed for winter interest. It features sweetly scented red flowers that appear in late winter before the foliage. The leaves turn pleasing shades of red, orange and yellow in the fall.
Diane and Hector are long time members of the Hardy Plant group. The group began as a small study group of plantaholics. They were invited to join in 1984, a date Diane clearly recalls due to an accident that happened at work that year. The group meet for lively discussions on the merits of not-so hardy plants and to brag about their latest unusual acquisition. Hector joined the argument soon after.
Tree Number Ninety Nine!
Mariev chose to plant a beautiful purple Prunis ‘TOKA’ , a self-pollinating cross between the Prunus Americana and the Japanese Prunus salicina and having a profusion of heavenly fragrant white spring blossoms followed by a covering of shiny green leaves. Perfect for a Japanese, at least in principle.
“Because my garden, with very little digging, is basically one huge rock, I’ve learned to start most of my plantings in huge plastic pots which have had their bottoms cut out to give the plants an extra edge until they find a suitable fissure in the rock on which to “make a life”. Here’s hoping it works again!”
Municipal Tree Planting Initiatives:
Municipal tree planting initiatives are listed below. If you live in one of these areas check out the links, you may be eligible for a free tree!
The City of Victoria has a number of initiatives. General information can be found here at: City of Victoria Urban Forest Initiative. Get together with neighbours to plant a minimum of ten trees and apply for a $1000.00 grant. Details here at: My Great Neighbourhood and a fact sheet here at: Trees in Cities Challenge.
The City of Saanich provides trees for your boulevard. Details of the programs can be found here at: Saanich Partnership Tree Planting Program.
The City of Oak Bay has the perfect solution if there is no space for a tree in your garden. Details on donating a tree can be found here at: Tree Donation Program. The also have a program that supports planting our native Garry Oaks, details here at Grow the Oaks in Oak Bay.
No room for a tree? Check out our list of public gardens accepting tree donations, click 100 Trees Places to Donate a Tree
The municipalities also provide information on proven tree varieties for our area and how to successfully grow your tree to maturity. Check your area website or click on some of the links below for ideas and inspiration.
Saanich Preferred Boulevard Tree Selection List
City of Victoria Pesticide Reduction
Municipal Tree Plantings
Colwood Tree Planting Ceremony
Saanich Tree Planting Ceremony
Esquimalt Tree Planting Ceremony
Victoria Tree Planting Ceremony
Horticulture Centre of the Pacific (HCP) Tree Planting Ceremony.