Media Release | Jan. 25, 2001
UBC experts share the joys of winter gardening
Lower Mainland gardeners searching for an excuse to dust off their
favourite trowel or pruning shears need look no further than three
Saturday morning courses being offered at the University of British
Columbia's Botanical Garden in February.
"It's a great time for gardening," say university gardening gurus
who will be sharing some seasonal secrets.
"Winter is the preferred time for pruning," says Tony Maniezzo,
manager of the UBC's Food Garden.
Maniezzo is responsible for the espalier trees which encircle
the demonstration garden. He will share different pruning techniques
as they apply to a wide range of trees and shrubs, including fruit
trees, Feb. 3 from 9 a.m. to noon. The fee is $30.
Douglas Justice, curator of collections at the Botanical Garden,
says, too often, gardeners overlook small trees when planting containers.
Pines are a personal favorite.
"They are tough, versatile and beautiful," he says. The Japanese
white pine is one example of an overlooked tree."
Justice will share many other tips on conifers Feb. 10 from 9
a.m. to noon. The fee is $30.
Judy Newton, a popular garden writer and busy education assistant
in the Botanical Garden, has a long list of plants which are currently
in bloom and deserve a place in any garden.
"Hellebores, mahonias, witch hazel, wintersweet, camellias (especially
sasanqua right now), snowdrops and Viburnum x bodnantense," she
says off the top of her head. "Two of the plants I will also point
out are Salix gilgiana, a lovely Australian pussy willow with grey
and red catkins and the winter flowering Iris unguicularis."
Plants for Winter Interest is Feb. 24 from 10 a.m. to noon. The
cost is $20.
Another event for gardeners to mark on their calendars is the
third annual Native Plant Sale in the Botanical Garden, Sunday,
April 8, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information and to register for the courses call 604.822.3928.
Participants shoul meet at the Botanical Garden Reception and
Education Centre at 6804 Southwest Marine Dr. They are advised to
dress warmly and be prepared to spend time outdoors. Adjacent free
parking is available and the Botanical Garden is on bus routes 41
and 42.
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