January is a time to dream about travels, but also to get out and start pruning shrubs and trees. This month, Sunshine Coast Botanical Garden in West Sechelt offers a night of armchair travel to England, and two demonstrations of good pruning techniques.
On Tuesday, Jan. 12 at 7 p.m., join three intrepid garden travellers who made a winter garden trip last January to six exceptional gardens. Liz MacPhail, Beverley Merryfield and Paddy Wales offer a program of photos, anecdotes, advice, and garden tips they brought back from such places as Great Dixter and Ashwood Nurseries.
On the weekend of Jan. 23 and 24, certified arbourist Cheryl Topping explains the whys and hows of pruning. Saturday at the Botanical Garden she will show how to support plant health and beauty in trees and shrubs, with plenty of chance for questions. This session is by donation at the door, $15 suggested.
On Sunday at 2 p.m. she will lead a hands-on demonstration of pruning, including fruit trees, at a private garden in Roberts Creek. You must pre-register to receive the address, and space is very limited. The cost of this session is $15 for Botanical members, $20 for non-members.
Sunshine Coast Botanical Garden is at 5941 Mason Road in West Sechelt, with winter hours 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Monday. Membership is very inexpensive, and includes unlimited number of visits each year, early notice of events such as these ones, plus lectures, plant sales and much more. See www.coastbotanicalgarden.org for details.
