Hardy Plant Group

Troy Scott Smith
A Tale of Three Gardens
Sissinghurst; The Courts Garden; and Bodnant
Thursday, September 18
time/place TBD

Join us for a very special meeting in September! Troy Scott Smith, the head gardener at Sissinghurst will be joining us.

Troy has worked in leading positions in the UK’s’ best gardens, including Curator for the RHS and Head Gardener at both Bodnant and Sissinghurst. Troy currently combines his role of Head Gardener at the world renowned Sissinghurst, with consulting on a number of other significant gardens.

Troy lectures, writes for various publications and is an occasional presenter on BBC Gardeners’ World. He sits on the Royal Horticultural Floral Committee and teaches at The English Gardening School.

Note that at present we have booked the HCP Pavilion for the evening of Sept 18 but Troy’s schedule may require us to move the event to the afternoon at the Gorge Pavilion. We will let you know as soon as it is confirmed.

All are welcome! A $5 drop-in fee for visitors includes all of the above. We look forward to seeing you there!

Upcoming events:

  • Thursday, September 18, 2025, time TBA, Troy Scott Smith, Head Gardener, Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Kent, UK
  • Sunday Oct. 19 1 -3
  • Sunday Nov. 16, Zoom, 1 -3

Activities

The Hardys’ objectives are to Educate, Share, Support and Demonstrate Best Practices in ornamental horticulture focusing on perennials.

We are a group of knowledgeable, keen to learn, approachable, fun-loving plantaholics, and we’d love to have you join us.

Meetings feature interesting speakers, workshops or other activities, plant auctions and door prizes, Q&A and a plant “show and tell,” plus socializing and “getting to know you” at in-person meetings.

We developed and curate three herbaceous Hardy Borders at the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific (HCP or the Gardens at HCP). We also organize bus trips, “pop-up” open gardens, conferences and other special events, including the annual Elizabeth England Memorial Lecture.

Hardy Plant Volunteers

 

Membership

We are a sub-group of the Victoria Horticultural Society (VHS). You must be a paid-up member of the VHS to join and remain a Hardy member.

  • To register or renew your membership, see Membership Registration below.
  • Guests are always welcome at our meetings. Your $5 drop-in fee will be applied to your membership if you join at that occasion.
  • For more info on joining, drop us a line at hardyplantgroupvictoria@gmail.com.

Your Hardys membership renewal date is aligned with your renewal date for the Victoria Horticultural Society, at which time both fees are payable in full.

Meetings and Annual Picnic and Plant Auction

The Victoria Hardy Plant Group meets seven times per year, usually at the Couvelier Pavilion at HCP on either a Wednesday evening or a Sunday afternoon, according to the season. (In November and February, we may instead meet via Zoom.)

In addition, in June we gather for our lively and entertaining Annual BYO Picnic and Plant Auction, typically held the first Sunday of the month. Proceeds from the live and silent auctions support the beautiful Hardy Mixed Borders at the HCP.

See Meeting Dates below for the complete schedule, and watch for reminders at the top of this page. Meeting announcements can also be found in the Hardy Seedling and VHS Gardenry Express.

Everyone is welcome to join in the fun as we share and learn from each other and from our knowledgeable guest presenters!

2025 Meeting Dates

  • Sunday, February, 16, 2025, 1:00 pm, Hardy Members] Picture Show, via Zoom (all members and registered guests will receive a link)
  • Sunday, March 6, 2025, 1:30 pm, Elizabeth England Memorial Lecture, at Esquimalt Gorge Park Pavilion
  • Wednesday, April 16, 2025, 7:00 pm, at the Couvelier Pavilion, HCP
  • Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 7:00 pm, at the Couvelier Pavilion, HCP
  • Sunday, June 1, 2025, (time TBA), Annual Picnic and Plant Auction, at the courtyard, HCP
  • Friday, September 19, 2025, (time TBA), at the Couvelier Pavilion, HCP
  • Sunday, October 19, 2025, 1:30 pm, at the Couvelier Pavilion, HCP
  • Sunday, November 16, 2025, 1:00 pm, via Zoom

Group Contacts

  • Chair – Kerry Seifried: thehardys@vichortsociety.org
  • Membership – Gail Willson: hardysmembership@vichortsociety.org
  • Treasurer – Louise Potvin
  • Seedling Editor – Kerry Seifried
  • Programs – Sandra Allin
  • Hardy Borders – Rotating contact: thehardys@vichortsociety.org
  • Plant Auction & Door Prizes – Kerry Seifried
  • Member at Large – Jean Lawrence
  • General Inquiries – thehardys@vichortsociety.org

Mission Statement

1. To provide for the education of our members in ornamental horticulture by focusing on perennials, including those that are rare and challenging to cultivate in our climate; providing speakers with specialized knowledge and experience; and providing opportunities where our membership can gather, garden and share information and plant material.

2. To support novice gardeners in the field of horticulture.

3. To support public gardens that demonstrate best practices in the use and care of ornamental plants.

Connecting with people as passionate about plants as you are!

Payment By eTransfer

Send an eTransfer for $15 to hardyplantgroupvictoria@gmail.com.

Payment By Cheque

Send a cheque for $15 to: Hardy Plant Group, 3930 St. Peters Rd., Victoria, BC V8P 2J8.

In Person Registration

Paper forms are available and payment is by cash, cheque or eTransfer.

Pay By eTransfer

1. Complete our online form and submit.

2. Send an eTransfer for $15 to hardyplantgroupvictoria@gmail.com

Online Form