Sooke Garden Club April 22: A world full of rhododendrons

By Cory McInnis

Spring is here with the lush green landscapes, plants blooming with colours out of a crayon box and flowering shrubs and magnolia trees.

Nothing can compare as it feels like living in a tropical area. Yes, we get cool temperatures, yes, we get endless days and weeks of rain, and yes, the wind can blow, but overall, living on Vancouver Island brings out the best in blooms and spring is always a welcome sight.

What’s an acid-loving, woody shrub that likes damp climates with cool mild temperatures? Rhododendrons, with long-blooming flowers that cover the evergreen shrub.

This month, the Sooke Garden Club welcomes back Todd Major, a journeyman horticulturist and certified landscape inspector. Todd will give a brief overview of rhododendrons in the wild and in our gardens, speaking on the rhododendron culture, care and some of their most common pests and diseases.

A note members and guests: we have a new location for our monthly meetings. Join us Wednesday, April 22, at 7 p.m. at the Juan de Fuca Local Area Services Building (CRD Building) address #3 – 7450 Butler Rd. off Otter Point Road.

Also coming up: Mark your calendars for the SGC annual plant sale on Saturday, May 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Evergreen Shopping Centre by the roundabout. Find lots of selection, including annuals, perennials, veggie starts and much more.

If you would like to become a member, check out sookegardenclub.ca and or email at Sookegc@gmail.com and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.