April 2019 in the Garden
There are some four hundred and fifty different kinds of rhododendrons in UBC Botanical Garden’s collections. Most of them flower in April, so I thought it appropriate to make this month’s offering include a few of them.
Jo Bridge Memorial Fund to support development of new Pacific Slope Garden
In the late fall of 2016 UBC Botanical Garden lost one of its longest-standing Friends of the Garden, Jo Bridge. Jo joined the FOGs in 1976 and served in various capacities as a volunteer for the Garden for 40 years.
March 2019 in the Garden
As this past February was the coldest on record for Vancouver, I am continuing with the theme of cautious weather forecasting by falling back on another group of broadleaved evergreens — bamboos.
B.C.’s invasive mushrooms
In 1987, Paul Kroeger — a mushroom enthusiast of over 35 years and founding member of Vancouver Mycological Society — discovered a previously unidentified mushroom at the UBC Botanical Garden.
February 2019 in the Garden
As floral forecasts for the month can be unreliable, it’s probably better to focus on a fascinating, but ultimately more dependable winter plant feature: overwintering buds.
January 2019 in the Garden
When rhododendrons are not in flower, people tend to look elsewhere, but rhododendrons are definitely worth a second glance.
Bird-friendly green spaces
The Friends of the Garden (FOGs) have been working closely with Nature Vancouver to complete monthly bird biodiversity assessments in the Garden.
December 2018 in the Garden
Viburnums, while a diverse lot, they can usually be recognized by their toothed leaves arranged in opposite pairs along the stems, flattened clusters of small white flowers and berry-like fruits.
Meet Ben Stormes
As the Curator and Horticulturist of North America Gardens at UBC Botanical Garden, you can find Ben Stormes working hard on all things collections, curation, and horticulture.
November 2018 in the Garden
Rhododendrons are generally known for their flowers, but recognizing and celebrating them for their foliage is sometimes a better bet.