One of our four native plant gardens, this area has trees, shrubs, and perennials usually found in the sub-alpine regions of our coast. While these plants will thrive closer to sea level, care must be taken to provide the fast-draining growing conditions found on mountain slopes. The Pacific Rhododendrons (Rhododendron macrophyllum) in this collection were grown from seed collected in an area of Roberts Creek that was spared from logging activities. This is believed to be the most northern, naturally occurring population of Rhododendron macrophyllum.

One of our four native plant gardens, this area has trees, shrubs, and perennials usually found in the sub-alpine regions of our coast. While these plants will thrive closer to sea level, care must be taken to provide the fast-draining growing conditions found on mountain slopes. The Pacific Rhododendrons (Rhododendron macrophyllum) in this collection were grown from seed collected in an area of Roberts Creek that was spared from logging activities. This is believed to be the most northern, naturally occurring population of Rhododendron macrophyllum.

The Garry Oak ecosystems found along the southern BC coast are disappearing due to rapid urbanization. Thus, the Garry Oak is considered an endangered species. The Garry Oaks in this collection are relatively young and won’t reach maturity for another 40 to 50 years. An open,
sunny location, lean soil, and sharp drainage are needed for these plants to thrive. Many of the spring and summer blooming annuals such as Sea Blush and Farewell to Spring will freely self-sow and provide years of colour.

This pond is home to many species of amphibians, including the Northwestern Salamander, Pacific Tree Frog, Long-toed Salamander, and Northern Red-legged Frog, the latter a blue-listed species in BC. In spring, egg masses from these different species can be spotted along the edges of the pond. Hummingbirds will collect the fluff from bull rushes for nest-building and in the summer months, many species of Dragonflies can be found skimming the pond looking for a meal. 

This collection features trees, shrubs, perennials and ferns found in the Pacific Northwest, from northern California to Washington state.

It’s speculated that with climate change, these Cascadia species will become more common here, as some of our existing native plants continue their migration north.

‘Allée’ is a term used in gardening to describe a walkway between rows of trees or shrubs. The two rows of Himalayan Birch trees in this allée are remnants of the tree nursery that used to occupy this site. The smaller trees were planted in 2020 to create the allée.

This naturalized pond provides habitat for at least four different amphibian species (Northwest Salamander, Long-toed Salamander, Northern Red-legged Frog, and Pacific Tree Frog) as well as a seasonal home for Mallards, Mergansers, and occasionally, Wood Ducks and the Great Blue Heron.
This pond is used extensively to host class visits for our school program. Paddy’s Path takes you around the pond and is named to honour one of our Garden Founders.

This stand of Quaking Aspens is particularly well suited to our wet coastal conditions. All the trees in this grove (or clonal colony) are growing from a single root system, which comes from the largest tree in the grove. The Botanical name ‘Populus tremuloides‘ refers to the trembling of the leaves in the slightest breeze. This is due to an unusually shaped leaf petiole or stem. 
This beautiful assembly of aspens is a rarity. Once common in the Fraser Valley, the species has almost disappeared due to land development.

Believed to be a stump of a Western Hemlock, it nurtures several kinds of native berries including Huckleberry, Black Currant, Salal, Salmonberry and native Blackberry, all nourished by the microbial activity that is breaking down the stump.

Pin Oaks and Himalayan Maples are thr predominant species found here and offer some spectacular foliage colour in the fall.

The plant nursery and potting shed are used by volunteers to grow and tend plants for our plant sales. The large vegetable garden is run by volunteers who plant, tend, and harvest produce for the local Food Bank, donating more than 1000 lbs per year.