Upcoming MARS Events:
MARS April Meeting
Cracks & Crevices: The Art of Rock and Crevice Gardening
Local expert Paul Spriggs will discuss aspects of rock and crevice gardening including history, design, construction, and of course lots of pictures of his favourite plants!
Paul Spriggs has been rock gardening for roughly 23 years and building crevice gardens for about 16 years. He is an avid plant explorer, photographer, mountaineer, owner of Spriggs Gardens Landscaping company, and past President of the Vancouver Island Rock and Alpine Garden Society. He has a passion for all wild plants especially those of dwarf stature and collects and cultivates them at various gardens in his hometown of Victoria, BC, Canada. Paul has learned the craft of crevice garden building directly from one of it’s innovators, Zdenek Zvolanek, of the Czech republic, and in the past decade and a half, has built many gardens in public parks and private homes that range in size from small feature troughs, to large installations involving many tonnes of stone. Paul is passionate about spreading the word of this style, through speaking to garden clubs all over the west, and by giving workshops for those keen on learning the finer points of this developing art form. He has just finished his work on the first North American book on Crevice gardening With co-author Kenton Seth of Colorado, due out spring 2022.
Location: Qualicum Beach Civic Centre
747 Jones Street, Qualicum Beach, BC
Date: Wednesday April 12, 2023
Time: 7:30 PM
Visitors welcome – no admission charge!
2023 MARS Annual Rhododendron Show & Plant Sale
At the MARS Annual Rhododendron Show and Plant Sale, rhododendron enthusiasts exhibit their favourite flowers and foliage, and local vendors offer a wonderful range of garden goodies, accessories, and new and unusual plants.
Come for the blooms, coffee, snacks, and door prizes; shop for rhododendrons and perennials; and seize the opportunity to talk to rhododendron experts. Don’t miss it!
Would you like to show off your beautiful rhodos? Everyone is welcome to display their flowers, and there’s no entry fee! Click here for more information
Location: Qualicum Beach Curling Club
644 Memorial Avenue, Qualicum Beach, BC (next to the Farmers’ Market)
Date: Saturday, April 22, 2023
Time: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Open to the public – no admission charge!
MARS May Meeting
Dwarf Ferns for Small Garden Spaces
This is your chance to learn about the beauty and versatility of ferns! Along with a PowerPoint presentation, author and garden expert Margot Moser will bring 18 small fern species for display. Many of the ferns she will discuss in her talk are native to BC and are suitable for a variety of growing conditions from shady and damp to sunny and dry. Several are evergreen – none are deer-proof – all are beautiful.
Margot Moser says: I was born with a trowel in my hand and have no intention of ever putting it down. It wasn’t until I took Master Gardener courses 25 years ago that I realized I should have pursued a career in horticulture rather than teaching. Most of what I know about gardening comes from observing, reading and experience. I’ve been lucky to know many great gardeners.
The Master Gardener manual inspired me to design a perpetual garden journal called “My Growing Gardenbook” that sold over 8000 copies across Canada and the US in garden centres and gift shops. My particular interest in BC native plants began early as I explored the enchanting woods near my home in then rural Burnaby which contributed to my preference for natural-looking landscapes.
Location: Qualicum Beach Civic Centre
747 Jones Street, Qualicum Beach, BC
Date: Wednesday May 10, 2023
Time: 7:30 PM
Visitors welcome – no admission charge!
2023 MARS Garden Tour
The second weekend in May is the annual MARS Mother’s Day Garden Tour, where the public gets to peek into the finest gardens in the Qualicum Beach / Parksville area!
Each year, our intrepid team seeks out unique and outstanding gardens within easy driving distance of Parksville and Qualicum Beach. (If Mom’s a garden enthusiast, a MARS Garden Tour ticket makes the perfect Mother’s Day gift!)
In addition to their natural beauty, many gardens will also feature artists, floral art creations, charity fundraiser teas, and Master Gardeners to answer your questions.
This is a self-guided tour — with your ticket, you can visit the gardens in any order you choose, and tour them at your own pace.
Location: 12 private gardens
Date: May 13 & 14, 2023
Time: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM both days
Details and ticket info to be posted here in April 2023!
Want to see what we’ve been up to in the past? Click here to view video archives of some of our previous meetings.
