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Workshops and Classes at the Nursery in 2011

Come Learn With Us!

In 2011 we will offer more workshops than ever before - a total of 27! We are proud to offer one of the most extensive and exciting workshop series in our region. We will offer popular old favourites and many new and exciting subjects including two new workshops for kids.

Our workshops are grouped thematically into series to keep them organized and help you make your selections.

CONTAINER SERIES - This series of workshops explores the incredible versatility of perennial plants for creative use in a diverse range of containers, wreaths, and hanging baskets.
DOWN TO EARTH SERIES - This series focuses on growing your own edibles, earth-friendly gardening techniques, and encouraging nature in the garden.
POWER OF PERENNIALS SERIES - This series celebrates the power of perennials to transform our gardens and our lives. Some of these workshops may also involve planting up containers.
KIDS SERIES - Our new kids series is designed to introduce kids and their families to edible and ornamental plants and the joys of gardening.
SPECIAL EVENT SERIES - At our special events - The Hellebore Hurrah!, The Clematis Conundrum, May Maple Mania, and The Summer Sizzle - we will offer this series of free workshops that tie into the theme of each event.

We have special workshop offers for gardeners who wish to book multiple workshops. Remember: please book in advance since spaces are limited and many of our classes sell out.

Full Workshop Details and Descriptions
Instructor Biographies
Booking Workshops

Full Workshop Details and Descriptions

April

DOWN TO EARTH SERIES | Sowing the Seeds of Success: How to Grow Your Own Plants from Seed | Instructor: Belinda Cardoso | Sat April 9th, 10am-12pm | $16 | Belinda will use demonstrations to show you how to sow and germinate all kinds of different seeds. She will talk about seeds that are easily germinated as well as different treatments to unlock more difficult seeds from dormancy. She will then teach you how to care for the seedlings once they come up. Your newfound knowledge will help you succeed with veggies, herbs and perennials alike. Not only will you be envied by your gardening friends for your green-thumbed talents but you’ll be loved by them for all those extra plants you’ll have to give them as gifts.

CONTAINER SERIES | Gardens in Miniature: Plant Up a Stone Art Container with Alpines and Other Diminuitive Plants | Instructor: Shelley Brignall | Sat April 16th, 10am-12pm | $16* | Stone Art planters are amazing containers that look like a hollowed out rock only they’re lighter and more manageable (www.stoneartgardens.com). They are perfect for planting up gardens of small plants and look great on patios and as centerpieces on tables. After some general instruction and an introduction to a number of alpines and small plants, each participant will have the opportunity to design and plant up their own Stone Art container. We will have a wide variety of these containers for you to choose from ranging in price from $12 to $47. *The cost of the container and the plants you use are not included in the price of the workshop.

SPECIAL EVENT SERIES AT THE CLEMATIS CONUNDRUM

A Conversation with Famed Clematis Breeder Raymond Evison | Fri April 15th 2pm | Free but book ahead. Spaces are limited. | Raymond Evison is one of the most famous modern day clematis breeders. He has introduced over 100 different species and cultivars during his career from his famed Guernsey Clematis Nursery in the UK. Raymond will be at the nursery to discuss his many introductions and using clematis in the garden and in containers in combination with perennials and shrubs. He will take you through a full season in the garden from spring through fall and will also talk about pruning and care of clematis. He will also be available to answer your questions and chat about all things clematis.

Climbing to New Heights: Clematis and Other Vines for the Spring, Summer and Fall Garden | Instructor: Belinda Cardoso | Two Workshops: Sat April 16th 1-2pm and Sunday April 17th 11am-12pm | FREE but book ahead. Spaces are limted. | Belinda will introduce you to all kinds of great vines for colour and fragrance all season long. She’ll talk about the huge variety of different clematis and how to care for them as well as other vines like honeysuckle, jasmine, deciduous and evergreen climbing hydrangea, passionflowers, kiwis and more.

CONTAINER SERIES | Living Sculptures: Year-Round Interest with Dwarf Conifers in the Garden and Containers | Instructor: Lisa O’Donnell | Sun April 17th, 1-3pm | $18 | Hold court with our Conifer Queen and learn about the incredible world of dwarf conifers. Lisa will chat about the aesthetic and design uses of dwarf conifers and, through examples from her own garden, talk about integrating them into the perennial border and containers. You will learn how to use conifers as incredible year-round living sculptures. She will also highlight the best dwarf conifers for our region and talk about their care and maintenance. After the instruction participants will have the opportunity to plant up a container with dwarf conifers and companion plants. 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 $7. Please order your pot when you book your workshop. The price of the workshop includes your potting mix but not the plants you use.

POWER OF PERENNIALS SERIES | Top Plant Performers for the West Coast Garden: Spring | Instructor: Shelley Brignall | Sat April 23rd, 10-12pm | $16 | Do you want to know what the best performing perennials are for spring? Shelley will introduce you to a selection of top plant performers for West Coast gardens that provide great seasonal interest. She will also provide seasonal maintenance tips. This course could be the most important step you take to transform your garden from ordinary to extraordinary! For a full year of top plants sign up for the two other sessions: Summer and Fall and Winter.

CONTAINER SERIES | Perennial Hanging Baskets: To Boldly Go Where No Perennial Has Gone Before!  | Instructor: Belinda Cardoso | Sat April 30th, 10am-12pm | $20* | In this workshop you’ll take perennials into the unknown and on to the world of the hanging basket. You’ll learn about perennials that are suitable for growing in hanging baskets in both sun and shade and then you’ll get a chance to plant up your own to take home with you! Cost includes potting mix and moss. It does not include the plants you use or the hanging basket. Hanging basket options will be provided leading up to the workshop.

DOWN TO EARTH SERIES | Phoenix Fresh Berries and Fruit: Develop your Urban Orchard and Berry Patch | Instructor: TBA | Sat April 30th, 2-4pm | $16 | One of the easiest ways to grow your own food at home is to plant berry bushes and fruit trees. These plants tend to be low maintenance, offer seasonal beauty and shade, and, of course, crops of tasty blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, currants, kiwis, grapes, figs, apples, persimmons, citrus and more! In this workshop you'll learn how to plant and care for your urban orchard and berry patch.

May

CONTAINER SERIES | One Good Fern Deserves Another: Ferns for Shade to Part Sun Gardens | Instructor: JoAnn Turner | Sun May 1st, 1-3pm | $18 | Ferns offer a delicate, subtle beauty of texture and form. They can be stately architectural plants or they can be used to weave together and unite the shadier perennial border. Jo will introduce you to the incredible diversity of garden ferns and talk about how you can use them in your shade to part sun gardens. After a discussion of great shady plant combinations involving ferns each participant will have the opportunity to plant up their own shade 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 $7. Please order your pot when you book your workshop. The price of the workshop includes your potting mix but not the plants you use.

CONTAINER SERIES | Living Wreaths: Plant Up a Wreath with Fantastic Succulents | Instructor: Belinda Cardoso | Sat May 7th, Two workshops at 10am and 2pm | $20 + $35 Wreath Frame = $55* | And you thought wreaths were only for Christmas time! Belinda will introduce you to an intriguing idea in succulent gardening – planting up a wreath with sempervivums, echeverias, sedums and other interesting succulents and companion plants. You can hang them on your sunny door or gate or lay them on a table as a centrepiece. No matter how you use them you’ll be sure to wow everyone with this unique garden feature. After some general instruction, each participant will have the opportunity to design and plant up their own wreath! *Includes a high quality wreath frame, moss and potting mix. The plants you select are not included.

SPECIAL EVENT SERIES AT MAY MAPLE MANIA | Maples for the Garden and Containers | Instructor: Doug Justice, Associate Director, UBC Botanical Garden | Sun May 8th, 1pm-2:30 | FREE but book ahead. Spaces are limited. | The Japanese maples commonly available to the gardening community, while lovely, poorly represent the astounding diversity and breathtaking beauty of this most useful group of small trees. Doug is an expert on maples. At this workshop he will wax poetic about the beauty and diversity of Japanese and related maples and then get practical and talk about growing them in the garden and containers.

CONTAINER SERIES | Containers to Die For: Discover the Easy Secrets to Success with Perennial Containers | Instructor: Shelley Brignall | Sat May 14th, Two workshops at 10am and 2pm | $18 | 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 fabulous 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 $7. Please order your pot when you book your workshop. The price of the workshop includes your potting mix but not the plants you use.

DOWN TO EARTH SERIES | Phoenix Fresh Herbs: Plant Up a Container with Great Culinary Herbs | Instructor: Shelley Brignall | Sun May 15th, 1-3pm | $18 | In this workshop you will be introduced to a full range of both common and unusual annual and perennial culinary herbs. You will learn how to grow them in containers and garden beds. After some practical and design instruction each participant will plant up and take home their own herb container perfect for a sunny spot near the kitchen door! This is an excellent companion workshop to Phoenix Fresh Veggies. 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 $7. Please order your pot when you book your workshop. The price of the workshop includes your potting mix but not the plants you use.

DOWN TO EARTH SERIES | Phoenix Fresh Veggies: Plant Up a Container with Unusual and Heirloom Varieties | Instructor: Shelley Brignall | Sat May 21st, 10am-12pm | $18 | You can’t eat much more locally than your own back yard! Shelley will introduce you to tons of cool, unusual and heirloom vegetables which could include purple or pink tomatoes, rainbow-coloured greens, squash and cucumbers that grow on bushes, spinach that grows on vines, blue squash and potatoes, white pumpkins, peas with blue pods, and white eggplants. After some practical and design instruction each participant will plant up and take home their own veggie container. This is an excellent companion workshop to Phoenix Fresh Herbs. 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 $7. Please order your pot when you book your workshop. The price of the workshop includes your potting mix but not the plants you use.

KIDS SERIES | Phoenix Fresh Veggies FOR KIDS!: Plant Up a Container with Fun and Funky Edibles | Instructor: Shelley | Sun May 22nd, 1-3pm | $18 for one parent and one child, $5 per additional child/parent | Parent participation required. | There is nothing like growing your own vegetables as a child to encourage healthy eating, to build a strong relationship with living things, and to experience the joys and flavours of eating locally. That line was for the parents. This is for the kids: How would you like to grow your own crazy and fun veggies in your own backyard? In this workshop we'll show you purple, pink and yellow tomatoes, rainbow-coloured greens, squash and cucumbers that grow on bushes, spinach that grows on vines, blue squash and blue potatoes, white pumpkins, peas with blue pods, white eggplants, and much more. Then you'll get to plant up your own veggie container to grow at home! 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 $7. Please order your pot when you book your workshop. The price of the workshop includes your potting mix but not the plants you use.

DOWN TO EARTH SERIES | The Buzz of Beneficials: Plant Up a Container to Attract Butterflies, Birds and Hummingbirds to your Garden | Instructor: JoAnn Turner | Sat May 28th, 10am | $18 | In this workshop you'll learn how to attract butterflies, birds, hummingbirds and beneficial insects to your garden beds and planters through the careful selection of beautiful plants loved by our favourite garden visitors. In the second half of the workshop participants will plant up a container to act as a bird and butterfly magnet for their gardens. This is a kid-friendly workshop for older children 10 and up if a parent would like to attend with their child. 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 $7. Please order your pot when you book your workshop. The price of the workshop includes your potting mix but not the plants you use.

POWER OF PERENNIALS SERIES | The Fragrant Garden: Planning for Year-Round Olfactory Bliss | Instructor: Belinda Cardoso | Sun May 29th, 1-3pm | $16 | It is possible to have fragrance in the garden almost all year round. Join Belinda, Phoenix Perennials’ fragrance expert, for a tour of myriad enchanting perennials, shrubs and vines that, while offering beautiful foliage, form, and flowers, will also contribute the enchanting dimension of scent to your garden.

June

POWER OF PERENNIALS SERIES | Architectural Plants: Add Drama, Structure and Presence in the Garden | Instructor: JoAnn Turner | Sat June 4th, 10am-12pm | $16 | Jo will introduce you to a plethora of plants with great foliage, form and stature that you can use to rise out your amorphous plantings to give structure, strength and intrigue to your borders. She will also chat about plants that “die well” providing great structure and interest to the winter garden.

POWER OF PERENNIALS SERIES | Grasses that Captivate: The Transformative Powers of Ornamental Grasses | Instructor: Shelley Brignall | Sun June 5th, 1-3pm | $18 | The popularity of ornamental grasses continues to grow as gardeners discover their many virtues. Come to this informative talk and learn what grasses can do for you and your garden. You'll get tips on using them for best effect in your garden design and in containers. As well, you'll be introduced to several cultivars you might not have seen before. Participants will then have the opportunity to plant up their own container featuring grasses and other companion plants. P lease 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 $7. Please order your pot when you book your workshop. The price of the workshop includes your potting mix but not the plants you use.

KIDS SERIES | Kool Plants for Kids | Instructor: Gary Lewis | Sat June 11th, 10-11am | $10 | Phoenix Perennials owner Gary Lewis has been fascinated by the world of plants since he was a little boy. In this workshop participants will be introduced to all kinds of cool plants like carnivorous plants that eat bugs, plants that smell like chocolate or peanut butter, plants that are fun to touch and feel, and plants with cool names and fun stories. Each participant will go home with a free present from Gary to start their plant collections. Parents may listen in to the workshop or browse the nursery while their kids are having all the fun!

CONTAINER SERIES | Colour Without Flowers?: Create a Technicolour Container with Fantastic Foliage | Instructor: Belinda | Sun June 12th, 10am-12pm | $18 | Never before have there been so many options for amazing foliage plants. Belinda will introduce you to a wide range of plants with great foliage that add invaluable colour to the garden. She will also talk about artfully combining foliage for maximum impact in both the garden and containers. Participants will then have the opportunity to plant up their own container with fantastic foliage plants. 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 $7. Please order your pot when you book your workshop. The price of the workshop includes your potting mix but not the plants you use.

POWER OF PERENNIALS SERIES | Top Plant Performers for the West Coast Garden: Summer | Instructor: Shelley | Sat June 18th, 10am-12pm | $16 | Do you want to know what the best performing perennials are for summer? Shelley will introduce you to a selection of top plant performers for West Coast gardens that provide great seasonal interest. She will also provide seasonal maintenance tips. This course could be the most important step you take to transform your garden from ordinary to extraordinary! For a full year of top plants sign up for the two other sessions: Spring and Fall and Winter.

POWER OF PERENNIALS SERIES | Sizzling Succulents: Drama, Structure and Intrigue with Succulent Foliage | Instructor: Gary Lewis | Sun June 19th, 1-3pm | $16 | Sit down with Gary for an introduction to the fascinating world of succulents for the garden. Gary will focus on a variety of hardy and non-hardy plants including Agave, Echeveria, Aeonium, Yucca, Dasylirion, Sempervivum and Sedum. Few plants can offer such structure, drama and intrigue as succulents in the garden.

September

POWER OF PERENNIALS SERIES | Top Plant Performers for the West Coast Garden: Fall and Winter | Instructor: Shelley | Sat Sept 3rd, 10am-12pm | $16 | Do you want to know what the best performing perennials are for fall and winter? Shelley will introduce you to a selection of top plant performers for West Coast gardens that provide great seasonal interest. She will also provide seasonal maintenance tips. This course could be the most important step you take to transform your garden from ordinary to extraordinary! For a full year of top plants sign up for the two other sessions: Spring and Summer.

CONTAINER SERIES | Jewels of the Spring Garden: Bulbs for Spring Containers | Instructor: Shelley Brignall | Sat Sept 17th, 10am-12pm | $18 | Meet the spring blooming wonders that you can include in your garden and in pots including a number of uncommon but exciting possibilities. You will also receive instruction on designing with bulbs and planting them in layers for knock out displays. Each participant will then 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 $7. Please order your pot when you book your workshop. The price of the workshop includes your potting mix but not the plants you use.

CONTAINER SERIES | Winter Containers to Die For: Plant Up a Container to Create Winter Interest | Instructor: Shelley Brignall | Sat Sept 24th, Two workshops at 10am and 2pm | $18 | 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 $7. Please order your pot when you book your workshop. The price of the workshop includes your potting mix but not the plants you use.

Instructor Biographies

Shelley Brignall is an inspiring gardener who loves plants. She is intirigued with the art of garden design particularly the emphasis of the soft landscape and the design of container gardens. Shelley is a graduate of the UBC Certificate in Garden Design program. She has her own garden design and consulting business and also works part time for Phoenix Perennials where she is involved in garden design as well as various educational workshops.

Belinda Cardoso is an experienced and eclectic gardener who grows plants from the “normal to the sublime.” She has an encyclopedic gardening knowledge and has worked at Phoenix Perennials for the past four years where she has proven herself to be an expert on fragrant plants, vines and among many other things. Belinda works with our seed propagation program at the nursery and as a retail associate.

Raymond J. Evison is a world renowned nurseryman, lecturer, author and photographer. He is one of the most famous clematis breeders in the world. In his lifetime he has introduced over 100 clematis species and cultivars. His Guernsey Clematis Nursery remains one of the largest specialist producers of young clematis plants and supplies plants worldwide. Evison’s most recent clematis introductions have focussed on compact cultivars more suitable for small gardens.

He has written four books on Clematis including  “Clematis for Small Spaces” (2007) which earned him the Garden Media Guild award for Reference Book Of The Year.

He is a council member of the Royal Horticultural Society. In 1995 he was awarded RHS Victoria Medal of Honour for his outstanding service to British Horticulture. This was followed by an OBE (2000) for services to Horticulture. His displays at the RHS Chelsea Garden Show have earned 8 consecutive gold medals.  For more information, refer to his website at www.raymondevisonclematis.com.

Doug Justice is the Associate Director and Curator of Collections at the UBC Botanical Garden and a well-respected expert on gardening and plants, especially shrubs and trees. He is co-author of The Jade Garden: New and Notable Plants from Asia.

Lisa O’Donnell has been a passionate gardener and plant collector for 25 years. Her outstanding personal garden amazes gardeners and gardening professionals alike with her unique sense of design and integration of woody and herbaceous plants. Her garden has been featured on numerous garden tours, it has won awards, and it has graced the pages of House and Home Magazine. Among her many collections are dwarf conifers of which she grows over 100 different species and cultivars in containers and in her garden. Lisa is Phoenix Perennials’ official conifer consultant. She serves on the board of the Alpine Garden Club of BC.

Gary Lewis is the owner of Phoenix Perennials and a passionate plantsman. He began botanizing his local fields and forests at the age of four, began collecting houseplants at the age of 10 and began gardening at the age of 15. He holds a Masters of Science degree in Botany (Plant Ecolgoy). On his 28th birthday he took over the reigns at Phoenix Perennials and is having a great time!

JoAnn Turner (Dip. Hort. Cap. College) is a Vancouver gardener beginning her third 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.

Booking Workshops

Spaces are limited. Please call (604-270-4133) or visit the nursery to book your space. Payment is required when booking. If you would like to take advantage of one of our special offers please let us know at the start of your booking.

Each workshop requires a minimum of 10 people and a maximum of 15-25 depending on the workshop. If the minimum is not met we may not be able to run the workshop in which case we will contact you a few days before the scheduled date of the workshop and give you a credit towards another class, a credit at the nursery, or a refund.

If you are unable to attend a workshop you have already signed up for please give us 3 days notice. We would be happy to give you a credit towards another class or a credit at the nursery. We cannot offer credits, however, unless you let us know 3 days in advance of your workshop that you cannot attend.

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