A casual forum to keep in touch and share photos and stories of your gardens. Thu, 12 Mar 2026 22:37:53 +0000 Thu, 12 Mar 2026 22:37:53 +0000 UBC Botanical Garden Forums https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/hows-it-growing.392/ Mon, 26 Jan 2026 05:07:28 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/weather-whether-good-or-bad.100193/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/weather-whether-good-or-bad.100193/ invalid@example.com (Margot) Margot
So, for anyone who's interested, here is an opportunity to brag or complain or comment on the weather in your area and how it's affecting your garden and gardening practices. This is one of the most pressing issues in our world today - not just gardening.]]> 103 Thu, 25 Dec 2025 23:01:39 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/farfugium-japonicum-curly-leaf-leopard-plant.99833/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/farfugium-japonicum-curly-leaf-leopard-plant.99833/ invalid@example.com (wcutler) wcutler Farfugium japonicum 'Crispatum' (Curly-leaf leopard plant). It's a Park's Board planting, just two small plants around this size in Alexandra Park along the sidewalk across from English Bay. I read that this is an evergreen perennial (a confusing description for me) and that it should get pale daisy-like flowers in late summer. I don't see any sign of this going to have flowers or any indication that I missed them. I was...

Farfugium japonicum - curly leaf leopard plant]]> 8 Mon, 22 Sep 2025 00:26:00 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/out-and-about.97971/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/out-and-about.97971/ invalid@example.com (wcutler) wcutler
This is Viburnum plicatum 'Summer Snowflake'. It has no label, so I might not be right about the cultivar, but it fits the...

Out and About]]> 510 Thu, 17 Jul 2025 16:41:44 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/a-sea-of-canada-buffaloberry.105241/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/a-sea-of-canada-buffaloberry.105241/ invalid@example.com (DavidB52) DavidB52
During many of my walks, I am struck by how widespread Canada Buffaloberry is, and how it seems to grow in some of the worst soils. Walking on a dike along a river, made of crushed course rock, it grows readily. Walking on an old logging road, where the Spruce and Pine Trees block most of the sunlight and the soil is mossy, it covers the ground. The attached photo is from the side of one of these old logging roads. Looking...

A Sea of Canada Buffaloberry]]> 1 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 03:00:03 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/seeking-one-or-two-batts-of-rockwool-insulation.104777/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/seeking-one-or-two-batts-of-rockwool-insulation.104777/ invalid@example.com (DavidB52) DavidB52
Seeking: One or Two Batts of Rockwool Insulation]]> 8 Mon, 03 Mar 2025 03:41:07 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/critters-in-my-garden.99453/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/critters-in-my-garden.99453/ invalid@example.com (Margot) Margot
Here are just a few of the co-habitants in my garden . . . some I've only ever seen once. There are so many others I've not been able to photograph or identify.]]> 169 Thu, 07 Nov 2024 06:12:10 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/tatlow-and-volunteer-park-stream-restoration.104872/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/tatlow-and-volunteer-park-stream-restoration.104872/ invalid@example.com (wcutler) wcutler Tatlow and Volunteer Park stream restoration | City of Vancouver. I took these photos on the Tatlow Park side October 29.
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Tatlow and Volunteer Park stream restoration]]> Tue, 15 Oct 2024 04:12:44 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/heres-where-to-find-18-of-the-best-vancouver-streets-for-colourful-fall-leaves.104840/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/heres-where-to-find-18-of-the-best-vancouver-streets-for-colourful-fall-leaves.104840/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper Here's where to find 18 of the best Vancouver streets for colourful fall leaves​]]> Tue, 03 Sep 2024 00:31:04 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/fallen-chestnut-tree.104706/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/fallen-chestnut-tree.104706/ invalid@example.com (dsr) dsr
What would cause this to happen? Is this what caused the tree to fall? Is there a way of identifying this issue in the other trees?]]> 2 Sat, 01 Jun 2024 20:48:02 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/introducing-myself-lewis-lake-nature-park-steward-in-auburn-lifelong-enthnobotanist.104492/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/introducing-myself-lewis-lake-nature-park-steward-in-auburn-lifelong-enthnobotanist.104492/ invalid@example.com (BPSabelhaus) BPSabelhaus
As mentioned I am pretty sure I'm still the steward of Lewis Lake. I never have done any more paperwork but still keep doing my thing and stay in contact lol...

Introducing myself. Lewis Lake nature park steward in Auburn, lifelong enthnobotanist.]]> Wed, 03 Apr 2024 22:51:08 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/another-one-bites-the-dust-rosemary.104240/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/another-one-bites-the-dust-rosemary.104240/ invalid@example.com (DavidB52) DavidB52
This one was the Blue Spires variety.
According to the label, it is supposed to be cold-hardy to Zone 6.
Since Coquitlam is Zone 8, I assumed it would be okay. I think Blue Spires is one of the most cold-hardy varieties available. Only the ARP variety might be more cold-hardy.

After losing a Rosemary previously, I put this one close to a creek, hoping the water would moderate temperature a little. And in the Autumn a lot of...

Another One Bites the Dust (Rosemary)]]> 2 Tue, 23 Jan 2024 23:59:17 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/isabella-preston-lilac-search.103990/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/isabella-preston-lilac-search.103990/ invalid@example.com (Bob Dunn) Bob Dunn I have recently learned of Isabella Preston’s remarkable work developing lilacs better suited to Canadian climates.
I’m looking for a (Western) Canadian source for two of her varieties: Isabella and James MacFarlane.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Bob]]> 5 Tue, 26 Dec 2023 23:12:08 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/virtual-garden-tour-2023-better-late-than-never-edition.103490/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/virtual-garden-tour-2023-better-late-than-never-edition.103490/ invalid@example.com (Georgia Strait) Georgia Strait @Margot and @Acerholic and @wcutler (photo tours of cherry blossoms and recent roses) AND other lovely contributors way back 3 leafing out human years ago — that era of March 2020

I am post a few pix of July 2023

please join in if you have a moment

it’s fun to see your garden photos and news

coast nr Vanc BC and Okanagan (cherries!)]]> 39 Tue, 12 Dec 2023 22:51:55 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/trifoliate-orange-poncirus-trifoliata.103572/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/trifoliate-orange-poncirus-trifoliata.103572/ invalid@example.com (darb) darb How well does Trifoliate Orange (Poncirus trifoliata) do here in Vancouver, I don't think that I have ever noticed it.

Considering it for a security barrier.]]> 4 Thu, 13 Jul 2023 22:49:49 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/cephalanthus-occidentalis.103348/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/cephalanthus-occidentalis.103348/ invalid@example.com (wcutler) wcutler Cephalanthus occidentalis at Houston Botanic Garden in Texas. I first posted this at https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc....2014-where-are-the-flowers.84259/#post-365361 - @Nadia White Rock had posted what she thought were buds, was interested to see the flowers. Now I've caught the flowers looking their best.
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View attachment 243377
My day was brightened by this pair of enthusiastic red horse chestnuts: hope that yours will be too.
Photos taken today.

https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/trees-and-plants/red-horse-chestnut/

https://www.gardenia.net/plant/aesculus-carnea]]> Thu, 18 May 2023 13:53:31 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/neither-here-nor-there.103336/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/neither-here-nor-there.103336/ invalid@example.com (Pieter) Pieter View attachment 243219 View attachment 243220 View attachment 243221 View attachment 243222
Summer's not far off!]]> 1 Tue, 16 May 2023 01:15:19 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/beautiful-lilacs-this-year.103326/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/beautiful-lilacs-this-year.103326/ invalid@example.com (Barnie1201) Barnie1201
.

Look at the beautiful white outline.]]> Tue, 03 Jan 2023 20:09:27 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/my-holly-only-has-one-berry.103092/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/my-holly-only-has-one-berry.103092/ invalid@example.com (Deborah Masters) Deborah Masters Bit of a mystery on my property.
Located zone 5b Ontario
Holly shrub was on property already when we moved here so I am not sure which variety it is?
Why would it only have one single berry?
As far as I can tell there is just the one Holly shrub on property and my understanding is that you need male and female Holly to produce berry
Any help identifying which variety and how to get it to produce more than one berry would be appreciated
Thanks Deb]]> 2 Sun, 01 Jan 2023 21:07:03 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/been-a-long-time.103088/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/been-a-long-time.103088/ invalid@example.com (mitchnast) mitchnast Unsure of where to come in with content, allow me to post my YouTube channel vids of me doing Plant ID hikes in the interior with my partner for 2022.
Theres nearly 2 hours of content here and I think you'll find it more than relevant to your interests.
Please enjoy.

...

Been a long time]]> Thu, 20 Oct 2022 20:07:17 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/virtual-garden-tour-2022.101961/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/virtual-garden-tour-2022.101961/ invalid@example.com (pmurphy) pmurphy Introductory notes from wcutler:
Margot wrote: I propose starting a new virtual garden tour for 2022 if other contributors like @pmurphy are in agreement. Perhaps the few posts that she has made so far this year could be moved over. The reason I think this is a good idea is that the original thread is getting to be a bit unwieldy.

The earlier postings come first, so I have copied Margot's introduction into @pmurphy's posting....

Virtual Garden Tour 2022]]> 47 Fri, 14 Oct 2022 16:35:47 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/impressive-squash-plant.102907/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/impressive-squash-plant.102907/ invalid@example.com (wcutler) wcutler
Impressive squash plant]]> 2 Sun, 14 Aug 2022 06:09:06 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/mahonia-gracilipes.102678/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/mahonia-gracilipes.102678/ invalid@example.com (wcutler) wcutler Mahonia gracilipes, Chinese mahonia, at VanDusen Botanical Garden in April 2019, was taken with the new leaves and the white leaf backs. There isn't a label, but a guide showed me the name from the database. This is at a path corner under the Davidia at the beginning of the rhododendron walk. Here are photos from then.
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I noticed it again in February, 2021, and made...

Mahonia gracilipes]]> Wed, 27 Jul 2022 01:26:37 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/how-small-can-a-flower-get.102613/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/how-small-can-a-flower-get.102613/ invalid@example.com (Pieter) Pieter View attachment 234792
We all revel in the glory of the multitude of colours and size of flowers of the various plants we grow, and then you stop and marvel at the size of the flowers of Corsican mint, as you can see, it's around 1 mm...yes, it's in a container....]]> 4 Tue, 12 Jul 2022 18:54:25 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/eucalyptus-gunnii.102554/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/eucalyptus-gunnii.102554/ invalid@example.com (wcutler) wcutler Eucalyptus in the E.H. Lohbrunner Alpine Garden had a difficult time this winter, but most of them are on a path to recovery? I was thinking of that when I saw the Eucalyptus gunnii at the Sunset Beach seawall at English Bay. There are mostly dead leaves on the branches, except for just a few bits, but there is a lot of new growth along the trunk, showing off the juvenile opposite arrangement of round sessile leaves, so different...

Eucalyptus gunnii]]> 2