Join us for the Garden Club’s annual Winter party!
Bring a sweet or savoury plate to share, preferably finger food in the interest of food safety.
Beverages will be supplied.
By Carla Skuce, BIM’s Manager of Environment and Park Planning
Discover how Bowen Island is tackling the growing challenge of invasive species. In this presentation, Carla will share insights into the municipality's management strategies on public lands, the unique challenges we face locally, and the successes and lessons learned along the way. You'll also learn practical tips for controlling invasive plants in your own garden, and how our collective efforts can help protect Bowen’s natural landscapes for the future.
Carla studied forest and natural areas management before getting her BSc in Environmental Science. She has been involved in invasive species management for almost 15 years, from donning Tyvek suits to grapple with hogweed to mapping yellow flag iris from her kayak. Currently, her work is focused on parks planning, environmental protection, and climate action.
Metro Vancouver Regional Parks Ecological Restoration Team
Kilarney Lagoon, Crippen Park
Come help plant native species along a sensitive riparian area at Crippen Regional Park! This conservation zone provides vital habitat for a variety of waterfowl, songbirds, and both adult & juvenile salmonids. Join us as we plant native tree and shrub species and install protective cages around them to support their successful establishment and increase the biodiversity along the slopes of this valuable riparian ecosystem! We will provide you with all the information and tools needed for the work we will be doing. This includes eye protection and gloves, although if people prefer to use their own gloves they are welcome to do so. Please arrive dressed for the weather (rain or shine), in clothing that can get dirty, with appropriate footwear. Please bring water bottles and a snack if you tend to get hungry while working. We will provide light snacks and water for refilling water bottles. A few things to note about the site: • The site is a 10-minute walk from the Snug Cove Ferry Terminal. • Those taking a ferry can board the 9:20AM sailing from Horseshoe Bay to Bowen Island and board the 12:35PM sailing off island (or stay and enjoy a Saturday on Bowen Island!). • The site is in a public area, be mindful or sharp or hazardous litter. • There is a washroom that's about a 10-15 minute walk from our worksite. For additional information and to register: Crippen Regional Park, Lagoon Enhancement
By Laura Doheny, Hunter’s Garden Vancouver Store Manager
Laura will be speaking on selecting plants for a changing environment.
I am pleased to inform everyone that our Fall visit to Linnaea Nurseries in Langley has been confirmed for Saturday, October 4th. This visit will take place rain or shine. In the past, we have found that even though it has been raining heavily on Bowen, the weather has been far nicer at Linnaea, and even if it isn’t, there are many greenhouses in which to take cover.
Please remember that in order to go to Linnaea, you must be a member in good standing for 2025. If you are unsure of your membership status, please contact Ysa Luz at: yltg1700@gmail.com. I would appreciate you did this prior to signing up, as it will save me a considerable amount of work.
If you are new to the Garden Club, this is a trip that you won’t want to miss. Linnaea is a wholesale nursery and does not sell to the general public. While we do not receive wholesale prices, we do receive a sizeable discount on all plants-----the larger the plants, the bigger the savings. If you are landscaping a new property or redoing an existing garden, Linnaea is the place to go. Even if you “don’t need” or “don’t have room for” any more plants, Linnaea is a fun place to visit, and you can always find room for one more “treasure”.
Linnaea specializes in indigenous trees, plants, ferns, shrubs, and grasses, but also carries a great variety of other plants. The inventory is always changing, so each visit presents new surprises.
Please note that the online Linnaea catalogue is not available for our use.
Additionally, John has requested that club members refrain from phoning the nursery with questions about plant availability. Linnaea is a wholesale nursery and is not staffed for this purpose. You will just have to wait until October 4th to see what plants are in stock. John Folkerts and other family members will be happy to assist you and answer any questions on the 4th.
If you wish to participate in this tour, please email me, Pam, at pe7miller@gmail.com, and I will add your name to my list. I would also appreciate knowing if you will be alone or accompanied by someone else.
Everyone is responsible for their own transportation to and from Linnaea. However, if you want to go and don’t know anyone who is going, please let me know, and I will see if I can help you out.
I will send out directions and other relevant information approximately one week before our visit.
As there have been a few issues during past visits, I ask that everyone please take the time to read and follow the instructions outlined in this upcoming document.
John and Wendy would like to know approximately how many people will be coming, so please let me know if your plans change and you are unable to attend.
Thank you, Pam Miller
Please show your order confirmation email at the time of pick-up
PICK-UP LOCATION:
Collins Hall, 1120 Miller Rd, Bowen Island, BC
Any uncollected bulbs will be donated
PICK-UP DATES:
Friday, September 26
3:00 - 6:00 PM
Saturday, September 27
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Please show your order confirmation email at the time of pick-up
PICK-UP LOCATION:
Collins Hall, 1120 Miller Rd, Bowen Island, BC
Any uncollected bulbs will be donated
PICK-UP DATES:
Friday, September 26
3:00 - 6:00 PM
Saturday, September 27
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
This property was part of a parcel homesteaded dating back to 1908 when Dave’s great-grandparents Sarah and Jacob Dorman purchased it. Jacquie and Dave’s new house was built in 2013/14.
The garden has been a work in progress since 2012 when clearing of many areas began. Most of the ‘newer’ trees, mature shrubs, and perennials were transplanted into the existing framework of older trees and shrubs from Jacquie’s garden in West Van in 2013. Many other specimens were added over the years as gifts, divisions, and salvaged cast-offs from various sources.
In other words, the plant material dictated the design of the garden, not the other way around.
Depending on late summer and fall weather there should be various things of interest at this time of year. Foliage colour of deciduous trees will be the main one. There will be a range of them on various varieties of Japanese, Paperbark and Vine maples, Dawn Redwood, and Antarctic Beech among others. There should be some shrubs such as Euonymus alatus and Hibiscus colouring up as well and also grasses and possibly a few roses and perennials still in flower.
Meet Steve Edwards, Bowen's new FireSmart Coordinator!
The FireSmart Coordinator plays a key role in reducing wildfire risk through education, property assessments, and mitigation efforts. Working under Bowen Island Fire Rescue and in line with provincial guidelines, Steve leads the development and delivery of FireSmart initiatives across the community.
Steve is a longtime resident of the Sea-to-Sky corridor, from North Vancouver to a decade in Squamish, and has proudly called Bowen Island home for the past seven years. With 16 years as a volunteer in the fire service, Steve brings a dedication to public safety and a love of Bowen’s natural landscapes, often explored alongside his two dogs. He’s excited to help bring the FireSmart BC Program to life on Bowen and support the community in staying wildfire-resilient.
Patty Root Smith’s Garden
This south facing one acre garden was started in 2002, two years before the house was finished. I have easy access to the beach with paths one on each side of the property. There is a 500 gallon tank that collects ground water.
I have many beautiful unusual plants in the garden. The first tree I planted is Magnolia officinalis var. biloba which I purchased at a plant auction at UBC. Because I am interested in evergreen plants to give texture and a framework to the garden, I have used Ceanothus Pt. Reyes as a groundcover under the cedars, and have planted shrubs like Rhaphiolepsis, Helwingia and Podocarpus to border the pathways.
I am an artist, and have had great fun creating things which I have picked up while beach combing over the years. I built my garden shed which has a green roof, and the table on the patio is still usable after 18 years.
I’m enjoying my garden as it matures.
Dee Elliot 1641 Whitesails Drive
In the mid 70’s, 1641 Whitesails was built as a typical seasonal panabode cottage. Like the rest of the homes in Tunstall Bay it was inhabited by the original owners only in the summer months and an occasional weekend. The Elliotts moved in and became full time residents 38 years ago. It was not until the early 2000’s that improvements started on the house and property. Andre Chollat was key in hardscaping and developing the initial garden as it presents today. Over the years I’ve depended on and am very grateful to many others who helped and guided me in plant choices (Su Rickett), other subtle changes, and the never ending maintenance . The front yard is hidden from the road but offers wonderful views of Tunstall Bay from the decks while the backyard is a private oasis of greenery with trails leading to quiet spaces.
Finally my home and garden has become my happy hermitage - a place I peacefully putter about wondering what I can change next...
Raf & Diana Izdebski 1637 Whitesails Drive
Our love of growing plants started well before we moved to Bowen. When we purchased our 1/4 acre lot in 2012 we knew we wanted to grow food, have a greenhouse and continue our passion for rare and unusual plants (including many tropicals). We like to test the limits of what can be grown in zone 8b such as citrus, guavas, pawpaws, avocados, nectarines and peaches.
Our garden is a mix of food producing plants and rare and exotic ornamental species resulting in a unique garden that has something for everyone to explore.
This year's AGM is generously being hosted by one of our board members Linda Carvajal and her husband John who live in the Cowan Point area. As many of you will know this is a newer area of development on the island so things are still maturing. Linda has created a welcoming and lovely garden in a relatively small space featuring a variety of trees, shrubs, ground cover, ferns, grasses as well as perennials, bulbs and tubers. Here's what she has to say:
Our front yard, where I initially put all of my focus, is approximately 40’ by 40’ and over planted for a cottage look. It will eventually be quite shady when all the trees mature which is what I want. The south side of the house is full-sun.
I pick plants by structure, texture, colour and blooming time so that something is always happening. I am not good at remembering plant names, I try to but always forget in the end when people ask and I am not a knowledgeable gardener. My only goal is to create a beautiful space to relax in. It makes me Happy.
Mary and Warren’s home by the sea was designed in 1969 in the West Coast Modernist style. This design style features the integration of landscape and structure, with an abundance of wood, stone, an open plan, and windows with expansive views of the Queen Charlotte Channel and the Coast Range. The property, with its wonderful southeast exposure, encompasses an acre of gently sloping gardens.
When Mary and Warren chanced upon the property, for sale for the first time in 1995, it had fallen into deep disrepair due to the owner’s advancing age. Despite all the blackberry, bindweed, and horsetails, they knew this was the garden…After years of clearing and uncovering some of the structure, planting finally began and today, 30 years later, the park-like grounds have been reshaped to create garden rooms for entertainment, boat-watching, and bocce games. Mature specimens abound, with roses, rhododendrons, perennials, bulbs, hydrangeas, espaliered apple trees, and boxwood hedges surrounding the home and drive.
Get Ready to Grow—Our Fabulous Plant Sale is Back!
Join us rain or shine in the Legion parking lot for a vibrant selection of beautiful plants, all donated with care by our dedicated club members.
Every purchase helps our club bloom, with 100% of the proceeds supporting our club activities and community projects.
Come for the plants, stay for the fun—don’t miss it!
Helpful Info for Our Plant Sellers
If you’re selling plants, please arrive a little early to set up your display. Bringing your own table is ideal, but feel free to get creative—plants can also be arranged on the ground or on a tarp.
Can’t stay to sell your own plants? No problem! Just reach out to us, and we’ll happily include them at another seller’s table.
To Keep Things Simple:
Label each plant clearly with its name and price.
We’ll handle all payments at a central table, so you can focus on chatting with fellow plant lovers.
The sale is rain or shine! Umbrellas or canopies are great to have on hand if the weather doesn’t cooperate.
At the end of the sale, please remember to take home any unsold plants.
Thanks so much for being part of our plant sale—we couldn’t do it without you!
By Sandy Logan
This presentation is a primer on how our anatomy changes over time including basic strategies for maintaining strength, flexibility and balance. As time allows, some "problem solving" for challenging gardening tasks will be done. A long time resident of Bowen (more than 50 years), Sandy has been providing physiotherapy care on island for more than 20 years. She is an avid outdoors lover and enthusiastic weedwacker!
Linnaea Nurseries in Langley (3666 224 street) has been confirmed for Saturday, April 5th. This visit will take place rain or shine. In the past, we have found that even though it has been raining heavily on Bowen, the weather has been far nicer at Linnaea and even if it isn’t, there are many greenhouses in which to take cover.
If you are new to the Garden Club, this is a trip that you won’t want to miss. Linnaea is a wholesale nursery and does not sell to the general public. While we do not receive wholesale prices, we do receive a sizeable discount on all plants-----the larger the plants, the bigger the savings. If you are landscaping a new property or redoing an existing garden, Linnaea is the place to go. Even if you “don’t need” or “don’t have room for” any more plants, Linnaea is a fun place to visit and, you can always find room for one more “treasure”.
***Please remember that in order to go to Linnaea, you must be a member in good standing for 2025. If you are unsure of your membership status, please contact Betty Morton at mortonstudio1600@gmail.com.
It is in Giverny where Monet was most fully able to express himself as a gardener, over the nearly 43 years that he lived there, from 1883 to his death in 1926. The presentation provides an overview of what shaped the gardens he created there and how those gardens were restored in the late 1970s. It also offers an exclusive, behind-the-greens look at the gardens through the seasons as they are today, and hopefully a little inspiration!
About Dante Baies…
After studying French at UBC, I spent four summers at Monet's garden in Giverny- weeding, watering, digging, deadheading, and taking way too many photos! Locally, many of you may know me from my time at the much missed Free Spirit Nursery, where I helped find good homes for choice, hardy perennials and photographed them for the Free Spirit Illustrated Manual. I was also an enthusiastic landscape painter ( dantesbaies.com ) until storing- or some might say hoarding - all of the accumulated paintings became problematic. Who knows, maybe my presentation on Monet will inspire me to get the brushes back out this spring…
Dana Cromie - Biography
Dana is a lifelong artist and gardener living in Vancouver, British Columbia. Dana studied Visual Art at Capilano College, Institute Allende de San Miguel, and Vancouver School of Art. He then worked in clothing manufacturing as a production manager and as a planner.
The son of a green thumb and ardent volunteer, Dana has a renowned garden full of unusual plants. Dana has a deep engagement with the local garden community, and his garden has been toured multiple times by the Alpine Garden Club of BC, the Vancouver Rhododendron Society and the Vancouver Hardy Plant Group.
Dana wrote and photographed 'In My Garden' for Vancouver Lifestyle Magazine from 1999-2001 and has contributed to the Annual of the Rhododendron Species Foundation and the Bulletin of the Alpine Garden Club of BC.
After retiring, he became a Friend of the UBC Botanical Garden where he was head of the FOGs’ guides, coordinator of the various propagation units, and is chair of the Treasured Bulb Sale. Dana coordinated the acquisition and catalog descriptions of the plants for the UBCBG Collectors' Plant Auctions from 2004 - 2011.
He has studied botanical illustration at UBC Botanical Garden with Alison Watt, at Emily Carr University with Elizabeth Mancini, and privately with Mary Comber Miles. From 2012-2014, Dana was an Artist in Residence at UBC Botanical Garden. Dana is currently co-chair of the Vancouver Hardy Plant Group, and CoChaired their recent Hardy Plant Study Weekend, which is a conference that rotates between Vancouver, Victoria, Seattle, Portland, and central Oregon.
Dana is a regular judge at the Vancouver Island Rock and Garden Society spring show. He has travelled widely to visit plants in situ. He lives in East Vancouver with his husband, Greg Brown.
Welcome back to UBC Botanical Garden’s Annual Lunar New Year Market, celebrating the Year of the Snake!
All are invited to experience the cultural traditions and connect with the Asian Garden, with something for everyone of all backgrounds to enjoy.
Our market will feature over 40 local makers and food trucks.
UBC Botanical Garden will also offer fresh auspicious flowers, dried floral arrangements, and potted plants for sale.
Cost: $8.88 after tax and fees – limited tickets available. Free for children aged 5 and under.
Dates: Saturday, January 25 & Sunday, January 26 (10 AM - 4 PM both days)
For more information and tickets, click here: Botanical Garden UBC
(Please note: there is no parking available on-site. There is paid parking around campus and the closest parkade is Thunderbird Stadium).
January’s speaker event will differ slightly from most of our winter events. Instead of having someone at the front of a room speaking on a topic, we will have a presentation on Winter in a Conifer Garden IN a conifer garden. The event is scheduled for January 20 at 1:00 PM. Due to the nature of the event, attendance will be limited to 20 people, and attendees will need to contact the event organizer to get on the attendee list. Slots on the list will be given out on a “first come” basis. (Details below.)
Winter in a conifer garden is not so different from the other seasons. There is less colour, and no ‘froth’ of the deciduous plants like maples, but the stalwarts and bones are there.
Come and walk around our garden to see how much can be present in the winter. Chat about how to grow conifers and combine them with other plants such as rhododendrons, maples, and clematis. Bring your questions! We’ll look at how to protect the plants from bucks rubbing their antlers, winter cold, or heavy snow… we can talk about pruning or any care hints you’d like to know about. It’s up to you!
This will be an ‘interactive’ afternoon rather than a traditional talk. Rain or shine but maybe not if it’s snowing!
To get onto the attendee list please email Lisa O'Donnell ( lisaod@shaw.ca ). Include the number of people who will be attending in your party. The address and event details will be sent to the first 20 people.
A presentation by Adrian Avendaño, Executive Director, Invasive Species Council of Metro Vancouver.
Adrian is an environmental technician and interdisciplinary artist. He holds a Diploma of Technology from BCIT’s Forest and Natural Areas Management program, which has enabled him to work in many public institutions around the Lower Mainland. From 2020 to 2023, Adrian served as the Stewardship Program Manager at Still Moon Arts Society. In this position, he did significant work with engaging community stewardship in Renfrew Ravine Park, Renfrew Community Park, and Still Creek. In addition, Adrian created an invasive plant management plan for the Government of Chile’s – Ministry of Agriculture: National Forest Corporation in Torres del Paine National Park in 2016 as a volunteer park ranger.
To receive the Zoom link, email Nature Vancouver at enews@naturevancouver.ca a few days ahead to register for the link.
Join us for the Garden Club’s annual Winter party!
Bring a sweet or savoury plate to share, preferably finger food in the interest of food safety.
Beverages will be supplied.
Gardening in a changing climate: adapting to droughts, heat waves, cold snaps, and other extremes.
Join renowned gardening expert Linda Gilkeson for this special webinar discussing how to plan and plant drought-tolerant gardens in the Pacific Northwest.
This is a PAY WHAT YOU CAN event. Your contribution to this workshop will honour all the work that made it possible and support our ongoing climate action work in meaningful ways.
To register, use this link:
Join us for a talk on Epimedium!
Epimedium are hardy evergreen or deciduous perennials, mostly from China. The majority of species have heart-shaped leaves and delicate spring flowers. They make useful, low-growing groundcovers for shaded areas.
Philip MacDougall studied plant biology before his lengthy nursing career. He now owns and operates a not-for-profit nursery specializing in rhododendrons and deer-resistant woodland plants. He has travelled extensively throughout the temperate world and plans a third botanical excursion to Chile this winter. The author of several articles in the Rhododendron Species Yearbook, he reports that he is now "fixating on Epimediums, Paris, and Ferns”
Bring your garden gloves, secateurs, and trowel and come join us for the Gateway Garden clean up on Sunday October 27th, starting at 10:30 am. Email Susan at susansenkler@gmail.com if you are able to join us
Plant Propagation by Kaihley Goode
Kaihley Goode studied horticulture at UBC and now lives on Bowen, where for the past five years she has been head gardener with the van Berckels. She will discuss and demonstrate the five main ways of propagating plants: seeds, layering, rhizomes and runners, cuttings, and dividing. She plans on doing both a powerpoint presentation and hands-on demos with plants (time permitting).
Please show your order confirmation email at the time of pick-up
PICK-UP LOCATION:
Collins Hall, 1120 Miller Rd, Bowen Island, BC
Any uncollected bulbs will be donated
Please show your order confirmation email at the time of pick-up
PICK-UP LOCATION:
Collins Hall, 1120 Miller Rd, Bowen Island, BC
Any uncollected bulbs will be donated
We’ve all chosen to call Bowen Island home. For many, a key reason is the rich natural world that surrounds us, with all the gifts that offers. But the island’s Nature faces challenges: climate change, invasive species, habitat loss through development. As a community, how do we address these issues? Will we be bystanders to the unfolding story? Or Nature’s guardians and voice?
This is where the Caring for Nature: The Nex̱wlélex̱wm/Bowen Biodiversity Conservation Initiative sees opportunity. Spearheaded by the Bowen Island Conservancy, this initiative is a long-term commitment to biodiversity conservation. Biodiversity, short for biological diversity, is a measure of Nature’s health and resilience.
Our initiative is unique - it intends to combine the local knowledge and passion of Bowen Islanders with scientific assessment to identify key conservation risks, opportunities and solutions that can enable residents, community organizations, businesses, developers, and the municipality to make better decisions that prioritize our natural heritage.
This fall and winter, the initiative will host an open house and workshops where you can share your insights, learn about our scientific findings, and impact conservation ideas that can shape the future of Bowen Island. Hope to see you there!
Will Husby likes to describe himself as a “recovering entomologist” (insect scientist).
After a brief ten-year career as a research biologist, he moved on to a career as a science educator with Alberta Parks and Edmonton’s John Jansen Nature Centre. This work evolved into his starting a science communication consulting company working on education projects and exhibits for national and provincial parks, museums, and nature centres across Canada.
Will uses his nature photography in many of his projects.
He has lived on Bowen Island for over 30 years. Most of the photos you will see in his presentation were taken on Bowen Island.
Diana and Michael have been toiling away in this lovely garden since 2006 when they moved to Bowen where they inherited a sadly neglected yard. They have worked to create a space that is at once both calm and serene and at the same time in keeping with the wild rocky beauty that we all identify with Bowen. Many of the plants and cuttings have come from friends new and old and are a reminder of how our gardens are a special place that we enjoy sharing with the people we love. This is a garden to rest your soul, to take a moment and breathe in the sea air, enjoy the view, and admire the flowers and listen to the song of birds.
After the success of last year's Art In The Garden we have decided to repeat the event once again. This year's event will take place on Saturday, July 13th from 7:00 - 9:00 pm once again at the home of Doug Elliott and Owen Plowman. This year, profits from the event will benefit Snug Cove House Senior’s Residence.
Last year’s event was a big success - we sold $12,000 worth of art and tickets sold out well in advance so mark your calendars and purchase your tickets soon.
Don’t miss this great evening to enjoy a glass of wine, walk through Doug and Owen’s great gardens, see the work of some of Bowen’s best artists, and maybe even buy one (or more) to take home.
Location @ 680 Minnows Lane, Bowen Island (end of Cates Hill Road)
Purchase admission by clicking this link. Limited space available so don’t wait!
After your purchase is completed you’ll receive a confirmation email message that you should bring to the event (either printed, or on your phone).
