February 16, 2005 - "Whonnock Lake Log"

I took a little visit today to see what was happening in the Whonnock Lake Rhododendron Garden and found a few things of interest. R. 'Olive' was showing bud color. This very early blooming rhododendron is a moupinense x dauricum hybrid which is hardy to -15°F  (-26°C). It is plant hardy but the flowers come out so early (late January to early February) that they can be damaged by night frosts.

R.Olive - click for full size photo

The plant in the Whonnock Lake Garden seems to have been protected from frost since the buds look so good. A few warm days and this plant should be in full bloom. It is in the new planting area at the very far west end and is about three feet high with a fair number of flower buds. Drop by in a week or so and she how she is doing.

Rhododendron moupinense will be flowering soon and the buds are starting to expand.

The new garden area has been planted with bulbs and these bright and cheery snow drops (galanthus species) were well sited in among some rocks.

Snowdrops - click for full size photo

Finally, by the entrance to the Garden just to the left as you enter, a wonderfully dark coloured hellebore orientalis was in full bloom. This picture was backlit and I had to lie down to get a good angle on which to take the picture.

Hellebore Orientalis - click for full size photo

What a wonderful garden that our club has helped to create and maintain. Do visit and take a pleasant stroll along the pathways.

Garth Wedemire
Whonnock Lake Rhododendron Garden Diary

Whonnock Lake Rhododendron Garden Diary July 2,2004

Thanks to Rod Marquette, a local resident we obtained a truck and trailer load of top soil to make up low areas of the new garden. Rod came out one evening with his backhoe tractor and spread most of the soil as needed.

Final leveling of the soil and general tidying up can only be done by hand and this has been ongoing for several working parties. We shall soon have a suitable area where donated plants can be temporarily placed. Permanent planting will start in the fall, but we don't want to miss plants which are only available in the short term.

On July 21st, representatives of the "Communities in Bloom" project will be visiting Whonnock Lake Community Centre and we will have Club members available to conduct a tour of our garden if that is desired.

To prepare for the visit on July 21st, we are having a special working party on Saturday July 12th and we are asking for volunteers to come out with hand tools, bringing a lunch, with the aim of showing our garden in its best possible state.

At present there is too much heavy shade in places in the garden, and this has not allowed for good development and flowering of many of the rhododendrons. We plan to have some tree trimming done under professional direction to improve conditions.

Good plants are needed by donation because we have very little money to buy new plants. Let us know what you have and we will assess their suitability in keeping with our objectives. In some cases we may have to decline the gift but if this should be the case, we trust that you will understand the reasons which relate to achieving a garden with many aspects of beauty and education.

Scot Henney

Garden Committee Tel: 604-464-7979