MARS Meeting Archives
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November 8, 2023: Small Ferns for Gardens and Rockeries
Presented by Master Gardener Margot Moser
Master Gardener Margot Moser presents an overview of ferns suitable for even the smallest garden. Click here for the plant list handout. Click here for the BC Native Dwarf Ferns handout. Further resources are contained in the final three slides, beginning at 7:42 in the video. (Note: There is no audio narration with this slide show.)
February 23, 2023: Far Reaches Farm and Botanical Conservancy
Kelly Dodson and Sue Milliken of Far Reaches Botanical Conservancy offer us a look at uncommon to very rare introductions in the FRBC collection which are suitable to accompany Rhododendrons in the woodland garden.
April 13, 2022: Monet’s Garden
Presented by Dr. Glen Jamieson
Dr. Glen Jamieson presents photos of Monet’s Garden. (Note: There is no audio narration with this slide show.)
April 13, 2022: Favourite Plants of the Pacific Northwest
Presented by Dr. Glen Jamieson
As a species plant collector, Dr. Glen Jamieson will showcase many of the trees and shrubs that are growing in his Vancouver Island garden. Each plant is illustrated and described, with its unique and or special garden features pointed out.
Glen says, “The plants in our garden are not necessarily as handsome as some of the specimen plant images , as our garden is still relatively young, small and, somewhat crowded! Nevertheless, it shows what plants can do well in our climate and will hopefully provide some ideas on how one can make our gardens more interesting!”
(Note: There is no audio narration with this slide show.)
March 17, 2022: Mushrooms of British Columbia
Presented by Andy MacKinnon
More than 3400 mushroom species have been recorded for our province, and likely many more remain to be discovered. This talk is an introduction to mushrooms, their life cycles, their myriad dazzling forms, and their ecological roles in BC’s forests and fields (and rhododendron gardens!).
January 15, 2022: In the Shadow of Mighty Kangchenjunga — A Botanical Expedition to the Bhutan and Sikkim Himalaya
Presented by Seamus O’Brien
In 2014 Seamus O’Brien led an expedition of Irish horticulturalists and tree enthusiasts to the mountains of Bhutan and Sikkim, following the routes of early botanical explorers such as William Griffith, Joseph Hooker, Frank Ludlow and George Sheriff. His travels took him from tropical valleys to icy glaciers, to woodlands and mountain tops. Seamus will entertain us with his recollections of these adventures at this talk.
November 17, 2021: Mount Kinabalu: Southeast Asia’s Kilimanjaro
Presented by Dr. Glen Jamieson
In this presentation, Dr. Glen Jamieson describes his trip to Borneo, featuring Mount Kinabalu.
October 23 and 24, 2021: Fall Into Gardening – A Two-Day Conference
Presented by MARS, NRS, and VIMGA
| This presentation has been archived and is unavailable to be viewed. |
Offering distinguished experts from all over the world, this two-day conference encompasses a wide array of topics.
From plant-hunting in Sichuan, the science of soil, rock gardening, and rare rhododendron species of the eastern United States; to conservation of heritage rhododendrons, the scientific facts and best practices of mulch, growing rhododendrons in harsh climates, and the art and science of breeding fragrant rhododendrons; this conference includes hours of fascinating and informative speakers and Q&A sessions.
May 6, 2021: The New Zealand Ex Situ Rhododendron Conservation Project
Presented by Dr. Marion MacKay
| This presentation has been archived and is unavailable to be viewed. |
All the way from Massey University in New Zealand, senior lecturer Dr. Marion MacKay presents a talk on the New Zealand ex situ Rhododendron Conservation Project. The talk addresses what the private collection holder can do or how they can participate (with also a bit on how the NZ work fits with the Global Conservation Consortium).
April 29, 2021: Treasures of the Cloud Forest
Presented by Dr. Brian White
| This presentation has been archived and is unavailable to be viewed. |
Dr. Brian White describes his expeditions and plant discoveries around Phan Si Pan mountain in Vietnam’s Huang Lien National Park.
April 24, 2021: Rhododendrons: Beauty, Diversity, and Culture
Presented by Chris Southwick
Master gardener Chris Southwick discusses the amazing diversity of rhododendron species along with tips and tricks on growing these beauties.
This video is available thanks to the generosity of VIMGA (Vancouver Island Master Gardeners Association) and VIRL (Vancouver Island Regional Library). If you enjoyed this video, click here to check VIRL’s event calendar for more great offerings!
BONUS! Chris gives us a “One-Minute Tour” of her home garden:
March 20, 2021: What’s New in Edible Gardening
Presented by Brian Minter
| This presentation has been archived and is unavailable to be viewed. |
Master gardener, author, and media celebrity Brian Minter presents a talk on ‘What’s New in Edible Gardening’.
March 6, 2021: Raised Bed Gardening
Presented by Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott
| This presentation has been archived and is unavailable to be viewed. |
Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott has a Ph.D. in Horticulture from Oregon State University and is an ISA certified and ASCA consulting arborist. She is WSU’s Extension Urban Horticulturist and an Associate Professor in the Department of Horticulture, and holds two affiliate associate professor positions at University of Washington. She conducts research in applied plant and soil sciences, publishing the results in scientific articles and university Extension fact sheets.
February 5, 2021: Water Management in the Landscape
Presented by Ken Nentwig
| This presentation has been archived and is unavailable to be viewed. |
Retired landscape architect and educator Ken Nentwig presents a talk on water efficiency in the landscape, touching on:
- Collecting rainwater and managing precipitation
- Collection and storage of rainwater and using it in the landscape
- Handling runoff from impervious surfaces
- Natural vs Built Environments
- Rainwater vs Stormwater
- Uses for rainwater
January 15, 2021: Year-Round Organic Gardening
Presented by Dr. Linda Gilkeson
| This presentation has been archived and is unavailable to be viewed. |
Local gardening expert Linda Gilkeson will cover the basics of growing vegetables year round, from fertilizing the soil to planting schedules for winter harvests; she will also include tips on how to make the best use of your space to grow the most food. Gardeners in our mild West Coast climate can harvest fresh food from the garden all year round. To do that you need to choose the right varieties and plant them at the right time.
December 9, 2020: Highlights of 2020 ‘What’s Blooming’
Presented by Dr. Glen Jamieson, MARS President
(Note: There is no audio narration with this slide show.)
November 18, 2020: Expedition to Northern Vietnam
Presented by Steve Hootman, Executive Director & Curator of the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden in Federal Way, Washington
| This presentation has been archived and is unavailable to be viewed. |
Rhododendron expert Steve Hootman shows images and discusses the amazing plants and sights seen on a two-week expedition to the mountains of north Vietnam. Included are a few species of Rhododendron completely new to science!
October 14, 2020: Botanizing in Yunnan, China
Presented by Dr. Glen Jamieson, MARS President
| This presentation has been archived and is unavailable to be viewed. |
Our President, Dr. Glen Jamieson, presents a talk on his three week exploration for rhododendrons led by Steve Hootman in western Yunnan, China, from Kumming to Lijiang, and then up the length of the Salween River (the Chinese river closest to Myanmar). This area has the most Chinese ethnic minorities and is extremely rich in plant life.
The presentation showcases the regions scenery, plants and peoples living there, and provides a snapshot of what this part of China used to be like, before the recent surge of Han tourists impacted the region.
