Phoenix Perennials - E-Newsletter

I'm sending out this special edition of the e-newsletter to announce that the downloadable Deluxe Version of the New and Notable Catalogue 2007 is now ready! I'm sorry I couldn't include it in the March e-newsletter which would have minimized the use of your inbox space but it has taken some time to get this new format developed and finished. At any rate, I hope you enjoy it. See below for details.

Also, our first workshop of the season is approaching quickly on April 7th. This is a great workshop for all levels of gardeners but especially for beginners and intermediates who would like to gain a thorough understanding of the basic care and maintenance of healthy garden beds.

Workshop at the Nursery
Down to Earth
Earth-friendly gardening techniques
With Instructor Diane Brown
Saturday April 7th, 10am-12pm
$15

As the miracle of Spring begins and delicate green tendrils emerge from the dark soil it is an important time of year for us to think about the health of our plants, gardens and environment for the upcoming year. This workshop will introduce the concept of right plant-right place, highlight the benefits and techniques of natural lawn care, and cover the basics of soil preparation and care of your beds including composting and mulching. This is a great workshop to get the season started off right.

Spaces are limited. Please call (604-270-4133) or visit the nursery to book your space. Payment is required when booking. Each workshop requires a minimum of 10 people and a maximum of 15-25 depending on the workshop. Workshop participants will receive a 15% discount on any purchases they wish to make the day of their workshop.

Principles of Garden Design: Learn the "RRVBESSS" principles to any landscape design project | Instructor: Cliff Thorbes | Saturday April 28th, 10am | $15 | This is a great workshop for gardeners of all levels who are interested in taking their design skills to the next level. Cliff will enlighten you with his mantra of "RRVBESSS", an acronym that sums up the major considerations in any garden design. These principles of design will give you new and exciting insight into working with your garden space.

Ephemeral Beauty of the Woodland Garden: Designing for shadey places | Instructor: Diane Brown | Saturday May 5th, 10am | $25 | We will explore principles of woodland garden design and introduce you to a palette of woodland plants from around the world including some BC natives. Each participant will have the opportunity to design a woodland garden bed with the help of Diane. Come to the workshop with a reasonable-sized area of your garden in mind including measurements and pictures. Maximum: 15 participants.

Structure in the Garden: Shrubs and small trees for urban spaces | Instructor: Jo Turner | Saturday May 12th, 10am | $15 | Well chosen and positioned shrubs provide an important structural framework for your garden. This workshop will discuss some of the best shrubs for multi-seasonal interest in the urban garden (including flowers, evergreen foliage, berries, and fall colour); selecting the right shrub for your situation; using shrubs in the mixed border; and general care including basic pruning.

Containers to Die For: Discover the easy secrets to success with perennial containers | Instructor: Cliff Thorbes | Saturday May 19th, two workshops starting at 10am and 2pm | $20 | This is a fun hands-on workshop for gardeners of all levels who are interested in learning how to successfully create gorgeous perennial containers. After some practical and design instruction each participant will plant up and take home their own container. Please bring your own large pot (minimum 12-14 inches in diametre) with enough space for at least 3 to 5 one gallon perennials. A large, black, seven gallon plastic pot can be provided at an additional cost of $6. Please order your pot when you book your workshop.

Climbers and You: Taking your garden up to the next level | Instructor: Jo Turner | Saturday May 26th, 10am | $15 | Climbing plants add a vertical element that extends and enhances the appeal of a garden, especially in small spaces. Learn how to select, display and care for vines that will lift your garden to new heights. This workshop will also include a segment on everything you wanted to know about pruning clematis but were afraid to ask.

The Buzz of Beneficials: Natural pest and disease control in the garden | Instructor: Diane Brown | Saturday June 2nd, 10am | $15 | In this workshop you'll learn how to attract and encourage beneficial insects and birds and how to repel slugs, deer and other unwanted critters all through your selection of plants and other tricks.

The Low Down on Groundcovers: Groundcovers that grow on you | Instructor: Jo Turner | Saturday June 9th, 10am | $15 | Groundcovers fill a wide range of roles. We will "cover" several ways of utilizing them including: groundcovers for naturescaping, scent, flowers, evergreen interest, and edibility. We will also explore the practical and environmentally friendly use of groundcovers as a lawn alternative.

The Essence of Place: Exploring coastal native plants | Instructor: Diane Brown | Saturday June 16th, 10am | $15 | British Columbia has a wealth of beautiful and useful native plants including shrubs, perennials, and groundcovers. In this workshop you'll be introduced to our friendly natives and the reasons why native plant gardening is vital.

Writers in the Garden: A purely personal perusal of some favourite garden scribes | Instructor: Jo Turner | Saturday June 23rd, 10am | $15 | Garden writing is especially enjoyable as a way of vicariously visiting gardens, plants or designs through someone else's perspective. The best garden writing is more than this however, encompassing all the qualities of good literature in any genre; facility with language, a particular voice, and the ability to bring whatever is being expressed alive. Through readings and discussion, Jo will share some of her favourite garden writers from around the world and our own backyard. You'll leave this workshop with a list of writers guaranteed to pique the interest of the plant obsessed.

The Dry Garden: Designing a xeriscape garden that goes easy on the drink | Instructor: Diane Brown | Saturday July 7th, 10am | $25 | A workshop on the principles of designing and planting a bed for a hot, dry, sunny spot. Each participant will have the opportunity to design a xeriscape garden with the help of Diane. Come to the workshop with a reasonable-sized area of your garden in mind including measurements and pictures. Maximum: 15 participants.

Grasses that Captivate: The transformative powers of ornamental grasses | Instructor: Jo Turner | Saturday September 15th, 10am | $15 | The popularity of ornamental grasses continues to grow as gardeners discover their many virtues. Don't get it yet? Come to this informative talk and learn what grasses can do for you and your garden. Already enamoured with ornamental grasses? You'll love this workshop too. You'll get tips on using them for best effect in your garden design. As well, you'll be introduced to several cultivars you might not have seen before.

Winter Containers: Plant up a container to create winter interest | Instructor: Cliff Thorbes | Saturday October 6th, two workshops starting at 10am and 2pm | $20 | This is a fun hands-on workshop for gardeners of all levels who are interested in learning how to successfully create gorgeous perennial containers that will provide months of winter interest and an antidote against the dark, cold days of the year. After some practical and design instruction each participant will plant up and take home their own container. Please bring your own large pot (minimum 12-14 inches in diametre) with enough space for at least 3 to 5 one gallon perennials. A large, black, seven gallon plastic pot can be provided at an additional cost of $6. Please order your pot when you book your workshop.

Diane Brown is a graduate of Kwantlen's Landscape Design program and was the coordinator of the Earthwise Garden for many years. She has designed gardens with garden ecosystems in mind and specialized in presenting earth-friendly workshops. She works part time for Phoenix Perennials and does landscape design, garden consultations, and workshops in her spare time.

Cliff Thorbes is a certified horticulturalist, artist and designer. He is passionate about container garden design and integrating original art into the garden to create a unique and personal statement. Cliff returns this year to reprise his popular seminars on design and on the secrets to creating containers that will captivate the senses.

Jo Turner (Dip. Hort. Cap. College) is a Vancouver gardener beginning her second season at Phoenix. She has a passion for gardens, plants, books, and the people who tend them. Her interests have led to several years experience in a variety of horticultural pursuits, usually involving mud.

So many of our new visitors come to us through word of mouth. If you like what we're doing at Phoenix Perennials, please consider telling your gardening friends about us.

Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.
One of the largest and most exciting selections of perennials in the Lower Mainland
Specializing in distinct perennials, fragrant shrubs, hardy subtropicals and the botanically intriguing

3380 No. 6 Road, Richmond (Between Bridgeport and Cambie)
604-270-4133
www.phoenixperennials.com

Please visit our web page for information on the nursery, driving directions and a map.
We are near the south end of the Knight Street Bridge and very easy to get to from all of the surrounding municipalities and beyond.