UBC Botanical Gardens August Newsletter

The Carolinian Forest Garden, though less than ten years old, is beginning to show some structure and provide considerable shade, as well.  Liriodendrons, planted in the hundreds as a nurse crop, will eventually be removed when the oaks, ashes, buckeyes and other sun-lovers are large enough to themselves shelter the more shade-loving trees and shrubs. Look for the chalky-white striped stems of the moosewood (Acer pensylvanicum) and the gigantic white-backed, paddle-like leaves of  bigleaf magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla), two classic eastern understorey trees. Like the Asian Garden, the BC Rainforest Garden (a.k.a. the BC Native Garden) has its share of lofty conifers and understorey plantings, but here, all of the plants are native to our local region. The Rainforest Garden also has a sizeable pond, around which are benches tucked into leafy bowers. These are perfect for whiling away the time listening to birds and watching dragonflies.

Finally, the Main Lawn area and adjacent Winter Garden are both well endowed with a variety of trees, large and small. Many are strategically located close to the E.H. Lohbrunner Alpine Garden, where sunshine is the needed tonic for that garden’s amazing non-stop floral diversity. Within the Alpine Garden itself are several interesting small trees, including a Mt. Wellington peppermint (Eucalyptus coccifera), Antarctic beech (Nothofagus antarctica) and canyon maple (Acer grandidentatum). Near the western end of the Main Lawn is a small grove of young oriental plane (Platanus orientalis) trees. It is said that Hippocrates, the “father” of western medicine, lectured to his students under the broad crown of an ancient oriental plane on the Greek island of Kos. Take a moment to relax under these still young trees and consider their history and the inspiration that nature brings us, and enjoy the shade.

The Garden Centre continues to offer a diverse selection of seasonal perennials, flowering shrubs, uncommon trees and native plants; many are propagated on site at UBC Botanical Garden.

We also have a great selection of pots in various shapes and sizes that fit your every need. Check out some statuary that will add a spark of interest to any garden: “Professor Toad”, birdbaths, the “Three Graces”, and even a stylish “Mother Nature” face to adorn a lovely fence or patio wall!

This summer, block out the sun in style with a colourful sunhat from our Shop in the Garden. Our wide selection also includes cute children’s hats that are reversible and have UPF 50+.

All proceeds from the Shop in the Garden and Garden Centre support the research, conservation, education, and community outreach of UBC Botanical Garden. Thank you for your support!

While enjoying our refreshing, cool summers, the garden literature section of the Shop can transport you to the steamy heat of many exotic places.

Scent of Scandal moves from a hillside in Northern Peru where a little slipper orchid of exquisite beauty is discovered, to Sarasota, Florida, where the orchid illegally ends up, at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. This is a real case of orchid smuggling that took place in 2003, and the book’s subject is the maniacal obsession to possess and name this orchid.

In Oaxaca Journal Oliver Sacks, in his inimitable relaxed but informative style, takes us on a tour with the New York Botanical Garden to southern Mexico in search of ferns. We learn that he has been fascinated with these primitive plants since childhood and he takes part in the tour as a member of the American Fern Society. The account is packed with interesting tidbits not only on ferns but also on the history, anthropology and cuisine of this area and on his travel companions as well.

Waking up in Eden is a journalist’s account of her move to the Hawaiian island of Kauai  to work at the National Tropical Botanical Garden, and her discovery that all is not well in this paradise. Invasive species (plants, animals and humans) are causing the rapid disappearance of native plants.

As humans, we are drawn to the extreme – the gigantic, exciting, adorable, implausible and incredible. Though peaceful and tranquil on the surface, gardens are a place of mystery, intrigue, exploitation, and tremendous extremes. Discover how plants around the world have adapted to climb, defend themselves, attract animals for pollination, and survive extreme weather conditions.

From extreme climbers to extremely strange flowers, our new drop-in guided tour is a great way to discover the different gardens while learning about the extremely interesting plants growing at UBC Botanical Garden.

Join a tour for a thrilling journey through the world of extreme plants! Click here to see the latest updates on our tour schedule, or call our Gatehouse at 604.822.4208 to confirm tour availability.