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What's up - April

In and around British Columbia

Image: Laura Gilbert | 31 Mar 2008

April 11 to 20 – Portland
Ceramic Art of the North: An Exhibition by the Hokkaido Pottery Society. 10 a.m to 4 p.m. Tues to Sun. 12 noon to 4 p.m. Mon. Portland Japanese Garden, 611 S.W. Kingston Dr. Portland, Oregon. Free with Garden admission. 503-328-0050 (Kerry) www.japanesegarden.com

April 12 to 27 – Agassiz
Tiptoe through 40 acres of tulips in over 20 varieties and colours during the second annual Tulip Festival at Tulips of the Valley. While in the fields you can purchase greenhouse-cut tulips, postcards and dahlia tubers or place orders for tulip bulbs to be delivered in October. Several local vendors will be selling food, such as First Nations bannock and other baked goods, as well as art. Tulips of the Valley is part of the Agassiz Circle Farm Tour so you can also visit an artisan cheese-maker, a pottery studio, a herd of organic bison and a bistro featuring gourmet herbal chocolate and pestos. Tulip Festival hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday; 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday/Sunday. Circle Farm hours vary. Check website for details. Tulips of the Valley is at Seabird Island, Chowat Rd., off Lougheed Hwy., east of Agassiz. Admission is by donation with partial proceeds going to the Fraser Valley Child Development Centre. 604-796-3496 www.tulipsofthevalley.com www.circlefarmtour.com

April 12 – Vancouver
24th Annual Vancouver Mokuyokai Society Ohanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing) at Nitobe Memorial Garden. Beautiful paper lanterns hang throughout the trees and offer a delicate light as the sun settles. Enjoy traditional music along with the soft fragrance of cherry trees in full bloom. Visit the website for more details of events throughout the afternoon. 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Nitobe Garden and Asian Studies Centre, UBC. Admission by donation. www.mokuyokai.bc.ca.

*April 17– Delta
Diggers Garden Club meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month until October. 7:30 p.m. Royal Heights United Church Hall, 9316 116 St., Delta. 604-590-4335 (Jane, after 4:30 p.m.)

*April 19 – South Surrey
White Rock District Garden Club Annual Plant and Bake Sale. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Semiahmoo House Society, 15306 24 Ave., S. Surrey.

April 19 – Nanoose Bay
Landscape and Water Conservation Fair. Learn the fundamentals of lawn and garden irrigation displays. Exhibits of drought-tolerant plants, deer-proof vegetation and other unique garden accessories. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fairwinds Recreation Centre. Free admission. 604-468-1579 (Pam) www.fairwindscommunityassociation.org

April 19 – Abbotsford
Chemical-Free Pest Control seminar. Sarah from The Bug Factory (a commercial insect-grower) explains how to use beneficial insects, traps and lures to control pests. 10 a.m. Cannor Nursery, 34261 Marshall Rd. Free, pre-registration required. 604-854-1616 www.cannor.com

April 19 – Vancouver
Bike the Blossoms. Starting at VanDusen Botanical Gardens, bike route maps will highlight boulevards for peak cherry blossom viewing and SlowFood rest stops. At your own pace, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. *VBG www.vancouvercherryblossomfestival.com

April 19, 20 – Qualicum Beach
Milner Gardens & Woodland Spring Plant Sale. Add a piece of this heritage garden to your own. 10 a.m to 4 p.m. 2179 West Island Highway. Admission by donation. www.milnergardens.org

April 23 – Richmond
Richmond Garden Club welcomes Donna Balzer, co-host of “Bugs & Blooms.” 7:45 p.m. Minoru Pavillion, 7191 Granville Avenue. Members free, non-members by donation. 604-241-7009 (Moreah)

*April 26 – Powell River
Powell River Garden Club presents “Garden Artistry” a slideshow and lecture by Des Kennedy, as well as “The Seven Deadly Sins of Gardening,” a satire. 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Patricia Theatre, Ash St. Tickets $12. prgardenclub [at] shaw [dot] ca

April 26, 27 - Coombs
Oceanside Garden Fair. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Coombs Fairgrounds, Ford Road. Admission $2. 250-758-0851 (Debbie) www.coombsfair.com/garden

April 26 – Victoria
Victoria Rhododendron Society Annual Show and Sale / Glendale Gardens Perennial Sale. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Glendale Gardens, 505 Quayle Rd. 250-478-3515 (Bill)

April 26 – Sidney
Peninsula Garden Club Spring Plant Sale. An opportunity to buy great plants grown locally by club members. 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Ave.

April 26 – Surrey
Darts Hill Garden Park Spring Open House. View the largest selection of tree species in the Pacific Northwest, plus many more unusual flowers and shrubs. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 1660 168 St. Free admission. www.dartshill.ca

*April 27 – Burnaby
South Burnaby Garden Club Plant Sale. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Buy-Low parking lot, Royal Oak St. and Rumble Ave. www.southburnabygardenclub.com

*April 27– Vancouver
“Garden Pearls” are the theme for the 30th Annual VanDusen Plant Sale. More than 40,000 plants for sale, many either with “pearl” in the name, or with a white, pink or luminescent colour in their blooms. The shrub, Exocorda macrantha ‘The Bride,’ also known as Pearl Bush, is the chosen symbol for the anniversary sale. Designer Donna Guillemin will create a miniature garden featuring ‘The Bride’ which will be available for sale later in the day. Dal Richards (“Canada’s king of swing”) and his band will entertain on site from 1 to 3 p.m. Catalogues available in advance. 10 a.m, to 4 p.m. *VBG. Admission to the Garden is free this day.

April 27 – Qualicum Beach
Eaglecrest Garden Club’s Annual Plant, Herb and Shrub Sale. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 1093 Eaglecrest Drive. 250-752-7576 (Donna)

April 28 – Vancouver
“Phytoremediation – Green Technology Put to the Test” Learn how plants have been used to decontaminate toxic soil with Dr Barbara Zeeb from Queen’s University. 12 noon to 1 p.m. Botanical Garden Reception Centre, UBC. Free, pre-registration required. 604-822-3928

May 1 – Vancouver
Cedar Series Lecture: “Spirit in the Grass: the Cariboo Chilcotin’s Forgotten Landscape” with photographer and author Chris Harris. 7:30 p.m. Floral Hall, Members $10, non-members $15 *VBG

*May 3 – Delta
Delta Diggers Annual Plant Sale. Good buys on perennials, shrubs, bulbs and water plants. Bring a box for your treasures. 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Royal Heights United Church Hall, 9316 St. 604-594-7994 (Janet)

May 4 – New Westminster
New Westminster Horticultural Society Plant Sale. Bring a wagon! 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ecole Glenbrook Middle School. Seventh Ave. and Park Cr. 604-515-1927

*May 3 – Chilliwack
Chilliwack Garden Club Annual Plant Sale. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Chilliwack Mall. www.icangarden.com

May 3 – Ladner
Evergreen Garden Club Plant Sale. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 4734 51 St. 604-943-3285 (Cecile)

*May 3 – Vancouver
Vancouver African Violet & Gesneriad Society Annual Show & Sale: Violet Reflections. Floral Hall and Cedar Room, *VBG. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission $2. 604-254-8975 (Arleen)

May 3 – Surrey
Darts Hill Garden Park Spring Open House. View the largest selection of tree species in the Pacific Northwest, plus many more unusual flowers and shrubs. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 1660 168 St. Free admission. www.dartshill.ca

May 3 – Vancouver
“Growing a Herb Garden” class.1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cost $52, pre-registration required. * VBG.

May 3 – Coquitlam
Dogwood Garden Club Plant Sale. Annuals, perennials, heritage tomatoes, hanging baskets. Master gardeners on site. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Boy Scout Hall, Blue Mountain Park, Winslow Ave. and Porter St. 604-936-0874 (Shelley)

May 3 – Nanaimo
Morrell Nature Sanctuary 14th Annual Plant Sale. 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 787 Nanaimo Lakes Rd. 250-753-5811

May 3, 4 – North Vancouver
Vancouver Rhododendron Society Annual Show and Sale. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Park and Tilford Garden, Brooksbank Ave. www.rhodocitymax.com

May 3, 4 – Burnaby
Scandinavian Centre Plant Sale. Perennials, annuals, shrubs, Mother’s Day roses plus hotdogs, coffee, waffles.10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 6540 Thomas Street. 604-294-2777

*May 4 – Portland
Children's Day is a tribute to the happiness and future success of all children. This family event features a variety of entertainment, including taiko drumming, raising of the koi nobori, and Japanese storytelling.12 noon to 4 p.m. Portland Japanese Garden, 611 Southwest Kingston Avenue. www.japanesegarden.com

May 11 – Vancouver
UBC Botanical Garden 18th Annual Perennial Plant Sale. Treat Mom on her day to a chance to check out hundreds of native plants, a wide selection of rare and unusual plants propagated by Friends of the Garden. A Children’s Corner will host fun and games for the kids. Dogs are not permitted. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 6804 S.W. Marine Dr. UBC * Free shuttle to the Garden from West Parkade. Admission to the Garden is free on this day. 604-822-4529 www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org

May 17 - Agassiz
10th Annual Buds N Bloom Plant and Garden Show hosted by the Harrison Festival Society and Kent Harrison Foundation. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Agassiz Agricultural Pavilion, 6800 Pioneer Ave. Free. 604-796-3664 info [at] harrisonfestival [dot] com

May 17 to 18 – Richmond
Pacific Northwest Palm and Exotic Plant Society Annual Plant Sale. Rare and special plants with emphasis on hardy exotics. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Phoenix Perennials, 3380 No. 6 Rd., (near Cambie Rd.), Richmond. www.hardypalm.com

May 18 – Powell River
Powell River Annual Spring Garden Tour. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets $10, available at local garden centres.

May 26 – Vancouver
Pacific Northwest Palm and Exotic Plant Society will feature a hands-on demonstration on planting exotics in order to achieve a tropical explosion by summer. Bring your questions and ask the experts how to increase the wow factor in your garden. 7:30 p.m. Floral Hall, * VBG. Free admission. www.hardypalm.com

* VanDusen Botanical Garden
5251 Oak Street (37th & Oak St.)
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6M 4H1
24-Hour Information Line: 604-878-9274

Parrot tulips (article thumbnail image) by Kate Onos-Gilbert