Seedy Sunday is a sure sign that spring is just around the corner

Adding up signs of spring

Photo: Judie Steeves

Nodding their delicate heads, snowdrops have burst their way out of the soil in Okanagan gardens, a sure sign that Spring is on its way.

It may not officially begin until March 20, but I’m already delighting in the unofficial signs of spring, starting with the snowdrops that have sprung up in gardens and continuing with seeds and plants appearing at workshops and other events.

The Okanagan Xeriscape Association organized a day-long workshop to inform people, including those in the nursery industry, of the many ways to conserve water on our landscapes and the importance of water conservation in the Okanagan.

The Creating Climate-Resilient Landscapes workshop sold out and gathered an excited array of gardening enthusiasts, master gardeners, those from the landscape industry and Kelowna and West Kelowna city staff. Most judged it a huge success, which was exhilarating for those of us who worked hard to put it all together.

This past Sunday, the Okanagan Xeriscape Association was part of Seedy Sunday, an annual event put on by the Kelowna Master Gardeners at Parkinson Recreation Centre in Kelowna.

This event was originally a seed exchange, but morphed into much more. In Kelowna, the event was founded by local farmer Jon Alcock, who has been an important part of it for the 10 years I’ve volunteered on the day.

I said a quick ‘hi’ to him in the morning but was too busy to spend much time with him until later in the day, when I was able to learn the roots of what was originally “Seedy Saturday.”

Jon figures he and his wife Sher started the first Kelowna Seedy Saturday around 2000 at the Laurel Packinghouse—inspired by the very first Seedy Saturday organized by volunteers at the Vandusen Botanical Garden in Vancouver.

There followed various iterations of the Kelowna event at the Elks Lodge (no longer in existence), Centennial Hall and the former Okanagan University College, which was the first time I volunteered.

I saw a presentation that Jon gave at a master gardener event years ago about seed saving, which was unbelievably informative and I found his first-person account about the beginning of Seedy Saturday fascinating.

He painted a picture for me of a young Kelowna where only a handful of seed savers and swappers showed up, versus this past Sunday, where we had dozens of vendors and 800 people walk through the doors and enjoy dreaming of summer in the garden as they wandered around. What a wonderful progression.

When not selling seeds, Jon can be found on his south-east Kelowna property, Sunshine Farms, where he also provides vocational development for adults with diverse abilities. Jon is one of the founders of agriculture in our valley and I feel grateful to learn something new from him every time I run in to him.

Given what is going on with our neighbour to the south, there has never been a better time to consider growing your own food. It can be acres of garden or a patio planter, depending on your situation. All of it will feed you and your soul.

Thank you to everyone who made Seedy Sunday such a success.

Visit our website, okanaganxeriscape.org, for information about where representatives of the Okanagan Xeriscape Association will be next. As in years past, we will present the Make Water Work campaign at nurseries up and down the Okanagan Valley and will be on-site to answer any of your gardening and xeriscaping questions.

I look forward to a fantastic season, and to meeting you in a garden.

The Okanagan Xeriscape Association is grateful for the ongoing financial support of the Okanagan Basin Water Board and is proud to be collaborating with them on its Make Water Work campaign. Check out its Make Water Work plant list at makewaterwork.ca.

Sigrie Kendrick is a master gardener and executive-director of the Okanagan Xeriscape Association.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.

Plan your garden plantings to help pollinators survive

Helping the bees

Photo: Judie Steeves

A green metallic sweat bee helps pollinate a Gazania blossom in a local garden last summer.

The Okanagan Valley’s semi-arid climate presents unique opportunities and challenges for creating pollinator-friendly gardens.

More than 500 native bee species call British Columbia home and many of them are found in the Okanagan.

Thoughtful garden design can support these essential pollinators while conserving water through the application of xeriscaping principles.

The Okanagan’s diverse landscape supports numerous native bee species, each playing a crucial role in pollination throughout the growing season.

Without pollinators, the human race and all of earth’s terrestrial ecosystems would not survive.

Mining bees (Andrenidae species) emerge early in spring, while leafcutter bees (Megachilidae species) become active during summer months. Bumble bees (Bombus species) work tirelessly from early spring through late fall, and metallic green sweat bees (Halictidae family) visit flowers throughout the growing season.

Early spring marks the emergence of overwintered queen bumble bees and mining bees, making early-blooming plants crucial for these pollinators’ survival.

Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium) provides essential early spring nectar when few other plants are blooming. This drought-tolerant evergreen shrub supports early-emerging bumble bee queens and mining bees while offering year-round structure to the garden.

Wild Saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia) produces early white blooms that attract various native bees. This hardy shrub requires minimal water once established and provides additional wildlife value through its edible berries. Penstemon species, particularly the native Penstemon fruticosus, begin blooming in late spring. Their tubular flowers are especially attractive to bumble bees and provide a reliable source of nectar as temperatures warm.

Summer brings peak pollinator activity, requiring abundant nectar sources. Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata) offers continuous blooms throughout summer. This hardy perennial attracts diverse pollinators, especially bumble bees and leafcutter bees, while requiring minimal water once established.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) performs exceptionally well in the Okanagan’s climate. Different varieties can be planted to create successive blooming periods, providing consistent nectar sources throughout summer. Rocky Mountain Bee Plant (Cleome serrulata) attracts numerous bee species while thriving in full sun and dry conditions. Its unique flowers add architectural interest to the garden.

Late-season blooms are crucial for pollinators preparing for winter with Rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa) provides essential late-season nectar. Its deep root system makes it extremely drought-tolerant, and it supports numerous native bee species, particularly small sweat bees and mining bees. Smooth Aster (Symphyotrichum laeve) offers crucial late-season forage. Its purple blooms are particularly attractive to smaller native bees and provide essential nutrition during autumn months. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) produces long-lasting lavender-coloured spikes that attract numerous bee species through the end of the growing season. Its silver foliage adds visual interest while indicating its drought tolerance.

Successful pollinator gardens incorporate plants from each blooming period to provide consistent forage throughout the growing season. Create plantings in layers, with taller species at the back and shorter ones in front, ensuring all flowers are accessible to pollinators. Include bare soil patches for ground-nesting bees as approximately 70% of native bee species are included in this group. Plant groupings or “drifts” that make nectar sources easily visible to pollinators.

Beyond seasonal blooms, pollinators need year-round habitat. Leave plant stems standing through winter to provide nesting sites for cavity-nesting bees. Maintain brush piles and undisturbed areas for overwintering insects. Consider installing bee hotels to support tunnel-nesting species like mason bees and leafcutter bees.

Creating a xeriscape pollinator garden in the Okanagan requires thoughtful planning but offers tremendous rewards. By selecting appropriate plants for each season and implementing water-wise practices, gardeners can support native bee populations while maintaining beautiful, drought-resistant landscapes that thrive in our unique climate.

Visit the Okanagan Xeriscape Association’s plant database on our website at okanaganxeriscape.org for information on hundreds of drought-tolerant plants, many of which are also valuable pollinator plants. Your next opportunity to interact with OXA and have your xeriscape questions answered will be March 9th at the Master Gardener’s Seedy Sunday event taking place at Parkinson Recreation Centre in Kelowna from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $2 per adult and children are free.

The Okanagan Xeriscape Association is grateful for the ongoing financial support of the Okanagan Basin Water Board and is proud to be collaborating with them on its Make Water Work campaign. Check out the Make Water Work plant list at makewaterwork.ca.

Sigrie Kendrick is a master gardener and executive-director of the Okanagan Xeriscape Association.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.

Watch for transformation of OXA demonstration theme gardens

Adding colour to gardens

Photo: Judie Steeves

Renovations are underway in the Mediterranean theme Garden at the Okanagan Xeriscape Association's demonstration garden in Kelowna. However, some plants such as this Nepeta racemosa (Catmint) will remain edging that bed. In the background is the Pollinator Garden, in this 2021 photo.

Winter is a time of planning for gardeners and that is exactly what the Okanagan Xeriscape Association board has been doing.

Board members and I have been tasked with renovating all of the theme gardens within the UnH2O Xeriscape Demonstration Garden, located in front of the H2O Aquatic Centre in Kelowna.

After enlarging the Native Garden last fall, we moved on to the Mediterranean Garden and after many tweaks we finally have a working plan.

It was decided early on that we wanted to achieve individual theme gardens which looked quite different from each other to highlight the many aesthetics you can achieve by following the seven principles of xeriscape. The newly-designed Mediterranean Garden will feature a specific colour palate of blues, purples, whites and silver with pops of yellow.

One of the focal points of the new garden will be a Rhamnus frangula “Ron Williams”. Known by the common name Fine Line Buckhorn, this deciduous shrub features feathery foliage on an upright columnar plant ideal for use as a vertical accent in small spaces. Reaching an ultimate size of five to seven feet tall by two to three feet wide, Rhamnus frangula will add texture and architectural interest while taking up little real estate in the garden.

The foliage of this shrub turns yellow in the fall, adding to its interest, with initial trials indicating that it does not seem to be a favourite of deer. Frost-hardy in Zones 2 to 7, this new cultivar is non-invasive so it should not be confused with older, weedy varieties.

We will keep the Nepeta “Walker’s Low” (Catmint) and echoing its purple-blue flowers with plantings of Scutellaria resinosa “Smoky Hills” (Skullcap), Lavandula x intermedia “Grosso” (Lavender), Salvia nemorosa “Lyrical Blues” (Sage), Penstemon schmidel “Delfts Blue Riding Hood” (Beardtongue) and Agastache “Little adder” (Hyssop).

We already have Scutellaria alpina planted in the raised bed but the Scutellaria resinosa is an improved selection, originally sourced from Kansas and is an exceptionally long-blooming, low-maintenance perennial.

Artemisia schmidtiana “Nana” (Wormwood), Salvia nemorosa “Sensation white” (Sage), Santolina chamaecyparissus (Lavender cotton), Silene uniflora “Druitt’s variegated” (Catchfly) and Gaura lindheimerii “Ballerina White” (Gaura) will provide silver and white accents.

I am especially excited to see the Gaura planted, as this ethereal plant’s dainty appearance belies a tough personality.

Punctuations of yellow through the garden will be achieved by planting Alyssum wulfenianum (Madwort), Phlomis russeliana (Turkish Sage), Delosperma nubigenum (Ice plant), Baptisia Decadence “Lemonade” (False indigo), and Anthemis “Susanna Mitchell” (Marguerite daisy). The Baptisia is one of those perennials where the long-lasting seed heads are almost more interesting than the blooms themselves.

The Mediterranean Garden was designed to ensure there will be a succession of colour throughout the growing season with the evergreen Pinus mugo “Slowmound” (Pine), Buxus sempervirens “Graham Brandy” (Boxwood) and Berberis thunbergii “Monlers” (Barberry) offering winter interest.

The plants chosen are all zonally appropriate for the Okanagan and will be drought-tolerant once established. We will add approximately 100 new plants to the Mediterranean Garden this spring, so drop by any Friday to watch us transform this garden at our weekly “Dig with Sig” event where volunteers help with garden tasks, ask questions, and make friends.

Check out our website at okanaganxeriscape.org to register for the upcoming “Creating Climate-Resilient Landscapes” workshop that will take place Feb. 28.

Thanks to financial support from our sponsors, tickets are only $55 including lunch. All the details are online. After the workshop, your next opportunity to interact with the OXA and have your xeriscape questions answered will be March 9 at the “Master Gardener’s Seedy Sunday” event taking place at Parkinson Recreation Centre.

The Okanagan Xeriscape Association is grateful for the ongoing financial support of the Okanagan Basin Water Board and is proud to be collaborating on the Make Water Work campaign. Check out the Make Water Work plant list at makewaterwork.ca.

Sigrie Kendrick is a master gardener and executive-director of the Okanagan Xeriscape Association.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.

Learn how to create climate-resilient landscapes

Xeriscape workshop

Photo: Judie Steeves

A cluster of colourful climate-resilient xeriscape annuals and perennials in a drought-tolerant flower border.

Following several years of erratic weather, on Feb. 28th you can learn how to create climate-resilient landscapes at a workshop organized by the Okanagan Xeriscape Association.

The day-long educational event will bring together a variety of experts to address various aspects of combatting the challenges brought on by climate change. Join us for the Creating Climate-Resilient Landscapes workshop, designed to educate, inspire and connect landscape professionals and enthusiastic gardeners with like-minded organizations in the Okanagan.

It will be held at the Capri Hotel and Conference Centre in Kelowna. Visit our website at www.okanaganxeriscape.org for all the details and to purchase your tickets for the event.

This is not limited to industry professionals. Anyone with a keen interest in creating climate-resilient landscapes is welcome.

Based on feedback received after the last OXA workshop for professionals, we decided to offer an early breakfast session on the principles of xeriscape for those new to the concept or looking to refresh and reinforce their knowledge.

The day will start at 7 a.m. with my session, the Seven Principles of Xeriscape. The main program will start at 8 a.m. with registration and then an introduction from Anna Warwick Sears. In her role as the executive director of the Okanagan Basin Water Board, she will focus on water management and sustainability, and why we should care about water conservation.

The question of how we conserve water used on the landscape will be addressed by a variety of speakers following her address:

• Mario Lanthier, with Crop Health Advising and Research, will speak about tree root management, which is so vital to the establishment of healthy, drought-tolerant trees.

• Ed Hoppe, with the City of Kelowna, will discuss the Water Smart program which is focused on understanding water use and reducing unnecessary water use.

• Ashley Hignell, from Foxglove Nursery, will discuss the newest xeriscape plants and other nursery updates.

• Robert Hogue, with Pegasus Horticulture, will focus on how to select drought-tolerant trees.

• Gordon Hiebert, with Cabin Operations, will talk about regenerative landscaping, restoring the environment and improving sustainability.

• Stephanie Aiken, with Urban Systems, will discuss inviting pollinators to your garden and creating meadow landscapes.

The last speaker of the day will loop around again to why we should care about water conservation and about fire prevention.

Dennis Craig is the assistant fire chief for the City of Kelowna, where he has been involved with the FireSmart initiative for more than eight years. After being deployed to multiple large wildfires with the B.C. Wildlfire Service, Craig is passionate about FireSmart and the importance of conserving water and creating landscapes which help fight fires.

We could not make this workshop a reality without the support of our sponsors—British Columbia FireSmart, the City of Kelowna, the Okanagan Basin Water Board, Sawchuk Developments, the Make Water Work campaign, Rotary Kelowna and Foxglove Nursery. We Thank them all.

Join us for this workshop. Our sponsor support allows us to offer tickets for just $55 per person ($50 for members) and each ticket includes lunch and two coffee breaks.

If you are unable to make this workshop, your next opportunity to meet us in person and have your xeriscape questions answered will be March 9 at the Master Gardener’s Seedy Sunday event taking place at the Parkinson Recreation Centre.

The Okanagan Xeriscape Association is grateful for the ongoing financial support of the Okanagan Basin Water Board and is proud to be collaborating with them on the Make Water Work campaign. Check out the Make Water Work plant list at makewaterwork.ca.

Sigrie Kendrick is a master gardener and executive-director of the Okanagan Xeriscape Association.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.