Lilacs Donated to the Dr. Peter Centre

On Mother's Day in 1990, Shirley Young received two beautiful lilac bushes from her son, Dr. Peter Jepson-Young, host of the CBC television series, Dr. Peter's Diaries. The doctor pioneered public education efforts about HIV-AIDS through the TV series until his death in 1992. The Dr. Peter Centre, named in honour of Dr. Jepson-Young, was founded shortly after his death. For the official opening of the centre in 2003, Mrs. Young had the idea to donate the lilac bushes she had received from her son.

Unfortunately, the lilacs had grown too large to transplant. Collette Parsons, the landscape architect for the centre, consulted David Tarrant at the UBC Botanical Garden to see what could be done. Mr. Tarrant spoke with Ron Rollo, nursery manager at the garden, who took cuttings from the large bushes.

On the morning of October 4, 2005 ten new starts from the original Mother's Day lilacs were delivered to the Dr. Peter Centre. Three of them were planted at the site, fulfilling Mrs. Young's wish. The remaining cuttings were given as gifts to people who have worked hard to make the Dr. Peter Centre a reality.

Image: People from the story, from left to right: Ron Rollo, Shirley Young, Collette Parsons and David Tarrant.

Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 3:52 PM on October 19, 2005