Message from the President
Thank you to everyone who joined us at Diane’s for our Welcome Back meeting, and to Diane for hosting us in such a lovely setting. It was a beautiful fall afternoon and a pleasure to catch up with familiar faces and welcome new members. For those who couldn’t attend, we introduced the new executive, outlined the new fee structure, and shared our plans for the coming year. There is much to look forward to, including an engaging lineup of speakers and a proposed round-table discussion where we can learn from the experience of our own members.
Although spring may seem a long way off, preparations for our plant sale begin now. As you work in your gardens this fall, please consider potting-up divisions or taking cuttings to contribute. In November, Elisabeth Zoffman has generously offered to welcome volunteers into her garden to help divide some of her wonderful plants. Each volunteer will receive a plant to take home, with the remaining divisions destined for the sale. We’ll share the details closer to the time.
Species peony, Paeonia daurica subsp. mlokosewitschii, was dug up to move it from under a magnolia tree where it had become hidden over the last several years. It broke into two pieces for replanting, but could also be divided further into smaller sections to plant in pots for the CVRS sale.
Meanwhile, our long spell of warm, dry weather has been greeted with rather different feelings by gardeners and winemakers. At a recent event celebrating a local winery’s new release of Pinot Noir, I heard the winemaker enthuse about the long, hot summer and its promise for the valley’s wines. Those of us watching our rhododendrons struggle might be forgiven for wishing some of that sunshine had come with a little more rain!
Therefore, we are grateful for the days of steady rain last week. However, until the autumn rains arrive in earnest, our rhododendrons will appreciate a thorough soaking and a protective layer of mulch to help retain moisture. The September newsletter has more information on caring for them through this dry spell.
Fortunately, autumn brings its own supply of mulch. In my previous garden, I used leaf mould that had been composting over the summer. So, as the leaves begin to fall, think of them as something to gather rather than something to grumble about. They can be collected in wire cages or bags to break down or raked beneath the rhododendrons.
Across the street from my new little home stands a hundred-year-old copper beech. My neighbours may curse its falling leaves, but to me it’s a mulch machine! If your garden is short of leaves, you’re welcome to come and gather some here.
Autumn also offers opportunities to put down our tools and enjoy learning about gardens farther afield. I began watching the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden’s webinars during COVID and have enjoyed their wonderful presentations ever since. Steve Hootman’s account of plant hunting in Japan in 2025 is certainly one for the calendar. We will be purchasing some of the archived RSBG’s video presentations to show either at our meetings or by Zoom.
I look forward to a year of good company, shared ideas, and learning together. Whether you join a garden work party, contribute a plant to the sale, or come along to a meeting, you help make our society a welcoming place for everyone who enjoys growing things.
Tricia Guiguet
CVRS President