An important learning component of the VHS is our Tours and Field Trips Program, which is very much enjoyed by the members. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer field trips at this time due to a lack of volunteers to organize the trips.
Long distant trips by bus are organized to visit gardens and meet with other gardeners and of course learn about different plants and horticultural methods. The objectives of these field trips are to impart and exchange information, gain ideas that may be used in our own gardens here in Victoria and to experience pleasant social interactions with “like” souls. These tours are all at a reasonable cost. Naturally we try to stop at the best nurseries and garden retail outlets along the way!
A recent field trip was to the Nanaimo area where we were warmly welcomed by the Nanaimo Horticultural Society. This trip was an exchange after arranging a tour for the members of the Nanaimo Club to some of our beautiful gardens here the year before.
We also tour public gardens within the Greater Victoria area and while on our tours ranging further afield. In the past we have visited the historical 11 acre Dominion Brook Park where we learned more of our local horticultural history: sixty different rhododendrons and seeds collected by renowned plant hunter, Ernest “Chinese” Wilson over one hundred years ago were brought to this site. Recently we have enjoyed guided tours of the various demonstration gardens at the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific, three privately-arranged tours to the green houses of the world renowned Butchart Gardens and a fascinating exploration of the University of Victoria’s Beverly Glover Research Facility, followed by a guided tour of the lovely Finnerty Gardens.