Author: Victoria
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Lilacs
by Heidi Reiter With the right care and selection, Lilacs (Syringa vulgaris) can thrive in the Pacific Northwest and reward gardeners with decades of fragrant blooms. Whether planted as hedge, a focal point, or part of mixed border, these classic shrubs bring timeless beauty and a sense of springtime nostalgia to any garden. To cultivate and…
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Japanese Beetles
by Julie Cohen Background To date, Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica) have not been found on Vancouver Island, largely thanks to a concerted effort to contain their 2017 arrival in Vancouver. First detected in the False Creek area of Vancouver by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) during routine annual surveillance. Exactly how the beetles arrived…
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You Asked Us – October 2025
Q. How do I keep the pink colour on my Hydrangea? The Hydrangea species is native to Japan and now grown in many parts of the world.Hydrangea macrophylla, commonly known as bigleaf Hydrangea, is the very popular type seenin many colours throughout gardens large and small. The term macrophylla means ‘large or longleaved’. H. macrophylla…
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You Asked Us – September 2025
Hazelnuts are monoecious, meaning the tree has separate male and female flowers. The flowers maybloom at different times. Time of bloom for male and female flowers is important for receptivity of thefemale flowers’ pollen set. This makes them self incompatible and a tree cannot set nuts with its ownpollination. At least one other tree is…
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Lesser Celandine
Invasive Species in Southwestern BC by Laura Black Name: Ficaria verna (formerly Ranunculas ficaria) Common Names: lesser celandine, pilewort, figwort, fig buttercup Family: Ranunculaceae Genus: Ficaria Status in BC: Weed Class B Reported invasions are in limited areas of Southwestern B.C. Native to: Europe, Asia & North Africa Toxic: Humans, livestock Ecology: Pollinated by bees,…
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Becoming a Master Gardener in Victoria
Would you like to join an exciting, dynamic group of Master Gardeners who strive to bothcontinue their education, but also do good work in the community? Then consider joining theVictoria Master Gardeners! Our mission is to promote evidence-based sustainable horticulture through the education of ourmembers and the public, as well as community service initiatives. We…
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You Asked Us – August 2025
Q. What type of rose best tolerates some shade? While most roses require sun there are many varieties that will tolerate partial shade. This meansthey will still need to receive at least 4 – 5 hours of sun per day to thrive. There are both shruband climbing varieties that will grow in semi-shaded areas. The…
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You Asked Us – July 2025
Q. When is a plant considered invasive? A plant is considered “invasive” when it’s introduced to a new place (where it doesn’t naturally belong), and then it basically takes over! It grows really aggressively, out-competes the local plants, and starts messing with the natural balance of the ecosystem. So, it’s not just about being non-native; it’s…
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You Asked Us – June 2025
Q. My Fatsia Japonica looks sick. Could it be a fungal disease? It gets full sun in the afternoon. Fatsia japonica is also known as glossy leaved paper plant, castor oil plant, fig-leaf palm or Japanese aralia. It is a species of flowering plants in the family Ariliaceae, native to southern Japan and southern Korea, although it…