VHS and its sub-groups, the Hardy Plant Group and The Fruit & Vegetable group, are constantly working to develop the most topical educational sessions for our monthly meetings.
Meeting Location: Our meetings take place at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre located at 3277 Douglas St. (meeting hall entrance is on Roderick St.).
Check this page for updates throughout our busy year.
VHS members have exclusive access to Speaker Notes and Workshop follow-up information.
July VHS Celebration 2026
6:30pm arrive and set out food; plant stall available
6:45pm business meeting
7:00pm pot luck; plant stall available, lucky draw tickets
7:45pm Q&A
…and more
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Doors open at 6:30pm, meeting starts at 7:15pm with our speaker on at 8:00pm.
Speaker: Katherine Olmstead
Topic: A Florist’s Lens on the Garden: Vegetative Floral Design
European vegetative floral design celebrates the natural growth habits of botanicals and the expressive use of line and space. Join International Master Florist Katherine Olmstead for an exploration of sustainable floral mechanics and a florist’s perspective on the local treasures found in the garden. Learn how arranging with an emphasis on seasonality, design principles, and natural plant relationships can visually communicate the character and story of the landscape.
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Doors open at 6:30pm, meeting starts at 7:15pm with our speaker on at 8:00pm.
Speaker: Tasha Medve
Topic: Planning a Veggie Garden and Growing Vertically
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Doors open at 6:30pm, meeting starts at 7:15pm with our speaker on at 8:00pm.
Speaker: Paul Spriggs
Topic: GREAT SCOT!… Some cool stuff about Plant Explorer David Douglas’ travels in the Pacific Northwest
Tuesday, December 1, 2026
Doors open at 6:30pm, meeting starts at 7:15pm.
VHS Annual Christmas party!
Tuesday, March 2, 2027
Doors open at 6:30pm, meeting starts at 7:15pm with our speaker on at 8:00pm.
Speaker: Mary Keleva
Topic: The Language of Flowers – A Revival!
In The Language of Flowers – A Revival! I share the fascinating subject of communicating through flowers. I begin with the origins of floriography (its more formal name) exploring how it has been woven through cultures and generations. I then cover why it fell out of favour and why relatively little is known about it today. The history lays the foundation so attention can then turn to contemporary times.
Focus now shifts to how and why the language of flowers can be used in a relevant way today. I’ll share why flowers evoke such strong emotional responses, an updated version of a floriography dictionary, examples of the symbolism of specific blooms, and practical and inspiring ways to incorporate this meaningful form of self-expression into home gardens and gift-giving.