This regular feature will highlight the activities of the Friends of UBC Botanical Garden (FOGs), a close-knit volunteer group at the Garden, as they continue their contributions and community during the pandemic and beyond.
Learn more and sign up to become a FOG
FOGs in the Cactus House
Date posted: June 29, 2021
Earlier this month, a Friend of UBC Botanical Garden admires the brilliant blossoms in the E. H. Lohbrunner Alpine Garden Cactus House. Many cacti bloom in red, yellow and orange and each flower can get larger than the cactus itself. The Alpine Garden houses many such treasures, which the FOGs encounter and share them with Garden visitors on tours.
📸: Gudrun Hancock
The Impact of the Magnolia Phenology Study
Date posted: June 22, 2021
- With the help of Garden staff, the Friends of UBC Botanical Garden manage an ongoing project of monitoring Magnolia phenology in the Garden’s collections. Here, the Friends of the Garden make their weekly check on the magnolias in the Garden. Gudrun Hancock, 2021.
With the help of Garden staff, the Friends of UBC Botanical Garden manage an ongoing project of monitoring Magnolia phenology in the Garden’s collections. Phenology, the study of cyclic and seasonal natural phenomena in relation to climate, can help us identify long-term changes in the climate and plants. Here, the Friends of the Garden make their weekly check on the magnolias in the Garden.
📸: Gudrun Hancock
Lunch with FOGs
Date posted: June 17, 2021
- A Friend of UBC Botanical Garden chooses her linens and tableware for a garden lunch. Photo by Karen Yurkovich, June 2021.
- Typically, the FOG term ends in June with an Annual Meeting and a FOG-made lunch buffet, providing time to socialize and recognize FOG achievements.
A Friend of UBC Botanical Garden chooses her linens and tableware for a garden lunch. Typically, the FOG term ends in June with an Annual Meeting and a FOG-made lunch buffet, providing time to socialize and recognize FOG achievements.
While this year’s meeting will look different, the need to recognize FOG contributions after this busy year is more important than ever.
📸: Karen Yurkovich
Guides and Signs at the Garden
Date posted: June 10, 2021
A Friend of the Garden (FOG) studies one of the many educational signs throughout the Garden. FOGs get to learn all about the Garden and its plants during their Orientation given every fall. FOGs are then able to answer visitor questions, some acting as guides and sharing their enthusiasm for and knowledge of plants.
📸: Karen Yurkovich
Drive-by Garden Sign
Date posted: June 3, 2021
- FOG changes the drive-by sign on Southwest Drive. Photo by Kathy Mullen, 2021.
If you’ve ever visited the Garden, you’re sure to have seen this sign! During the pandemic, Friends of the UBC Botanical Garden (FOGs) help promote the activities in the Garden and welcome visitors with our on-site sign.
Check our sign on your next drive or walk down Southwest Marine Drive to see what’s new at the Garden.
📸: Kathy Mullen
FOG Gardens
Date posted: May 27, 2021
- A Friend of UBC Botanical Garden (FOG) visits another FOG’s garden to share plants and garden stories. Photo by Gudrun Hancock, 2021.
A Friend of UBC Botanical Garden (FOG) visits another FOG’s garden to share plants and garden stories.
Finding some rare and unusual plants at the Shop in the Garden and Garden Centre, FOGs are able to nurture unique gardens at home as well. This visit shows an unusual collection of trillium, which are exceptional ground covers, and how well plants can survive in pots.
📸: Gudrun Hancock
New Tracking System at the Shop & Garden Centre
Date posted: May 20, 2021
- FOG working with the new Point of Sale system at the Shop in the Garden & Garden Centre. Photo by Gudrun Hancock, 2021.
When you visit the Shop in the Garden & Garden Centre, Friends of UBC Botanical Garden (FOGs) due their very best to answer your questions about the diverse items available for sale. This year, the FOGs have worked with the Garden staff to implement a handy new system for tracking inventory and sales at the FOG-run Shop in the Garden & Garden Centre. A giant task for the computer-savvy Shop team, completed in record time.
📸: Gudrun Hancock
Training Guides in the Garden
Date Posted: May 13, 2021
- Friends of the UBC Botanical Garden admire the trees in the David C. Lam Asian Garden during a guide training tour. Photo taken by Gudrun Hancock, 2021.
- Friends of the UBC Botanical Garden admire the trees in the David C. Lam Asian Garden during a guide training tour. Photo taken by Gudrun Hancock, 2021.
- Close-knit friends of the UBC Botanical Garden admire the trees in the David C. Lam Asian Garden during a guide training tour. Photo taken by Gudrun Hancock, 2021.
Friends of the UBC Botanical Garden (FOGs) have started their new training tours for the close-knit FOGs interested in becoming guides. FOGs share their passion for all things botanical while leading tours through the Garden.
During the tour, they admire a spectacular Staphylia Holocarpa (bladdernut) tree in the David C. Lam Asian Garden. They stop by the oldest tree in the Garden: a hundred of years old Douglas Fir that has experienced a lightning strike and bears an eagle nest.
📸: Gudrun Hancock
Ikebana: Flower Arrangements at Nitobe Memorial Garden
Date posted: May 6, 2021
- Linda Wong with her ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement) for Nitobe Memorial Garden. Photo taken by Miki, April 2021.
- Ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement) for Nitobe Memorial Garden. Photo taken by Linda Wong, April 2021.
- Ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement) for Nitobe Memorial Garden. Photo taken by Linda Wong, April 2021.
- Ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement) for Nitobe Memorial Garden. Photo taken by Linda Wong, April 2021.
Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arranging. Historically, Nitobe Memorial Garden’s Teahouse arrangements were made by the urasenke (tea ceremony) group. This ikebana created by FOG Linda sits by the Admission House and was inspired by the plants found at UBC Botanical Garden.
Linda bought the hellebore plant and daffodil bulbs featured in the arrangement from the Shop in the Garden and Garden Centre. The ekianthus tree branch was identified by Douglas Justice, Associate Director of Horticulture and Collections. The blue ceramic container is from Lisa Vogt, the past-president of the FOGs.
📸: Miki (Nitobe Memorial Garden staff), Linda Wong
Roses in the Shop in the Garden
Date posted: April 29, 2021
- A Friend of UBC Garden (FOG) cares for plants in the greenhouse. Photo by Karen Yurkovich, 2021.
Who can resist roses? A Friend of UBC Garden (FOG) cares for plants in the greenhouse. Volunteer FOGs work in the Shop daily to greet customers and take care of plants and merchandise.
📸: Karen Yurkovich
National Volunteer Week: Thank you, FOGs!
Date posted: April 22, 2021
It’s National Volunteer Week! Thank you to all of our volunteers year-round for your dedication to the Garden. The Garden would not be the same without your support!
For 40 years, the Friends of UBC Botanical Garden (FOGs) — originally seven UBC alumni who volunteered at the Garden, and now an incredible community of around 160 active members — have contributed their enthusiasm, diverse talents, and a love for all things plants to Garden activities and operations.
Every year, the FOGs recognize their long-term members. This year, the FOGs recognize 13 members for their 25-year dedication to the FOG community! Congratulations, and thank you for all that you do at the Garden.
The Magnolia Phenology Study
Date posted: April 13, 2021
- FOGs inspecting M. sprengeri ‘Eric Savill’ on the walk way. Photo by Sue Hamilton, 2021.
- FOGs inspecting M. sprengeri ‘Eric Savill’ on the walk way. Photo by Sue Hamilton, 2021.
- Magnolia. Photo by Sue Hamilton, 2021.
- Magnolia Sargentiana ‘Blood Moon.’ Photo by Sue Hamilton, 2021.
The Magnolia Phenology Study is a Friends of UBC Botanical Garden (FOGs) project to track the growth of 31 magnolia trees in the Garden. Rain or shine, from February to midsummer, twice weekly observations are recorded of the magnolia’s first flower bud and leaf colour, first open bloom through to peak or full bloom, and the last flower seen on each tree.
Deciduous magnolias will be in bloom until late June, followed by the more restrained flowers of the evergreen Magnolias in June and July.
📸: Sue Hamilton
FOGs Preparing for Spring and Summer Gardening
Date posted: April 8, 2021
- Friend of UBC Botanical Garden (FOGs) choose bulbs and aprons for their spring planting and summer garden activities. Photo by Karen Yurkovich.
Friends of UBC Botanical Garden (FOGs) choose bulbs and aprons for their spring planting and summer garden activities. Flowers may be favourites, but potatoes are easy to grow and new varieties look and taste delicious.
Do you love gardening? Consider signing up to become a FOG at the link above and share your passion with a community.
📸: Karen Yurkovich
Easter Bunnies in the Shop in the Garden
Date posted: April 1, 2021
- The Easter bunnies landed in the Garden and a Friend of UBC Botanical Garden chooses a bunny for an Easter nest. Photo by Karen Yurkovich.
The Easter bunnies landed in the Garden and a Friend of UBC Botanical Garden chooses a bunny for an Easter nest in the Shop in the Garden.
Happy Easter!
📸: Karen Yurkovich