Greig Rhododendron Species Garden Advisory Committee Update
Greig Rhododendron Species Garden Advisory Meeting
Held October 21, 2026, at Milner Gardens
Attended by Alan Campbell (in person) and Verna Buhler (via Video call)
The Toona sinensis at GRSB only three years ago
The young, majestic, and towering Toona sinensis in the Greig Rhododendron Species Garden must be removed by an arborist. In just a few years, it has outgrown its allotted space.
Progress Reports by various committees indicated that the progress at the garden remains healthy in terms of maintenance of the Phase 1 section, whereas progress is still stalled on Phase 2, awaiting the Archeologist’s Permit. Most everything that can be done in advance of the permit, such as tree removal, milling, and grinding of mulch has been done. Planting areas and pathways have been marked out in accordance with the landscape design.
Due to the delay of the Archeologist’s Permit, purchase of additional large-leaf rhododendron plants has been halted. Those that had been purchased and cared for in the Longmeadow Nursery have grown significantly, and, because of the size of their leaves, are impossible to water using automated sprinkler systems as the leaves act as umbrellas to the pots. These rhododendrons will now be heeled-in in mounds of mulch in the new garden area to enable healthier growth.
Improved fencing has been installed in crucial areas to discourage deer from grazing on trees and companion plants.
In the Phase 1 section, interpretive signage and benches are in place; approximately 12 require re-staining. Some rhododendrons will be moved as they are situated in the wrong geographical beds, while others need to be replaced as they have died. A number of these can be readily replaced using plants that have been grown in the Longmeadow Nursery on site.
Installing the greenhouse at Longmeadow Nursery several years ago. It now houses hundreds of rhododendrons in pots.
Interpretive signage
New quality labels for the plants in the rhododendron garden have been ordered. These labels were purchased using a $5000 grant from the American Rhododendron Society.
Guests from five rhododendron chapters on Vancouver Island gather around the raised platform near the entrance to the garden
The platform at the entrance of the species garden has proven to be inadequate for the educational purposes for which it had been designed. Another classroom area will be build to house the ever-increasing educational programs popular to guests. The platform area is being redesigned into an attractive garden, featuring a special tree such as a magnolia and attractive companion plants.
The Cowichan Valley Rhododendron Society has supported the development of the Greig Rhododendron Species Garden since its conception with a number of financial donations.
Annual visits to this garden at Milner Gardens are well worth the one and one-half hour drive to Qualicum Beach. We encourage you to do so.