Outdoor Gardening in the Pacific Northwest Outdoor Gardening in the Pacific Northwest Mon, 18 May 2026 03:26:16 +0000 Mon, 18 May 2026 03:26:16 +0000 UBC Botanical Garden Forums https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/outdoor-gardening-in-the-pacific-northwest.120/ Is Cornus nuttallii making a comeback? Thu, 14 May 2026 06:12:04 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/is-cornus-nuttallii-making-a-comeback.105513/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/is-cornus-nuttallii-making-a-comeback.105513/ invalid@example.com (Garry Oak) Garry Oak Cornus nuttallii, began dying in huge numbers in SW BC due to anthracnose (Discula destructiva), a newly arrived fungus from south of the border.

I remember my sorrow at seeing the row of dogwoods my neighbour planted along our property line, sicken and die after only a few years. Likewise, they were dying in forests too until we seldom saw them anymore.

Maybe it's wishful thinking on my part but I believe I...

Is Cornus nuttallii making a comeback?]]> 5 2026 virtual garden tour... Tue, 12 May 2026 18:05:18 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/2026-virtual-garden-tour.105418/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/2026-virtual-garden-tour.105418/ invalid@example.com (Pieter) Pieter
There's not much to find in terms of colour in the yard this time of year but I did find some...

View attachment 261042 Like this Anenome coronaria, which I've seen unfolding very slowly over the past couple of weeks. There's a white one budding up not far away...
View attachment 261043 Here I thought I found a primula without slug damage but upon closer inspection of the picture I do see some, minor though it is..
View attachment 261044 ...

2026 virtual garden tour...]]> 40 Root flare can't be found at 8" Sun, 10 May 2026 21:26:59 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/root-flare-cant-be-found-at-8.105526/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/root-flare-cant-be-found-at-8.105526/ invalid@example.com (dirtyhands) dirtyhands Many thanks]]> Serviceberry problem (Amelanchier x grandiflora) Sun, 10 May 2026 02:06:30 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/serviceberry-problem-amelanchier-x-grandiflora.105522/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/serviceberry-problem-amelanchier-x-grandiflora.105522/ invalid@example.com (Rosita) Rosita Thanks]]> Best Shrub for Bees? Wed, 29 Apr 2026 13:43:45 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/best-shrub-for-bees.105466/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/best-shrub-for-bees.105466/ invalid@example.com (DavidB52) DavidB52
I don't want anything that gets too big, maybe 7 - 8 feet tall.
Long blooming time. Provides nectar and pollen. Suitable for the Lower Mainland. Perennial.

Given the choice to plant a single shrub for bees, what's the best recommendation?]]> 8 Help my plant is not doing so good Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:03:23 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/help-my-plant-is-not-doing-so-good.105505/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/help-my-plant-is-not-doing-so-good.105505/ invalid@example.com (PaulFishman) PaulFishman 2 Species rhododendrons Sat, 18 Apr 2026 18:57:02 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/species-rhododendrons.105486/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/species-rhododendrons.105486/ invalid@example.com (TeresaL) TeresaL 2 canna lilies Sun, 05 Apr 2026 20:46:43 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/canna-lilies.105489/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/canna-lilies.105489/ invalid@example.com (vicarious1) vicarious1 We are in North Burnaby with east west sun garden early to late after noon I usually grow them by a small pond
Thanks all]]> Strangely-growing tree Sun, 15 Mar 2026 14:39:19 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/strangely-growing-tree.105467/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/strangely-growing-tree.105467/ invalid@example.com (Garry Oak) Garry Oak 6 Should B.C. keep or drop daylight time? The province wants your input Thu, 05 Mar 2026 01:53:12 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/should-b-c-keep-or-drop-daylight-time-the-province-wants-your-input.95752/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/should-b-c-keep-or-drop-daylight-time-the-province-wants-your-input.95752/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper
]]> 58 Small Tree/Large Shrub Thu, 12 Feb 2026 20:28:01 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/small-tree-large-shrub.105451/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/small-tree-large-shrub.105451/ invalid@example.com (Pansy Power) Pansy Power I want to replace an old tired yew with a new tree or shrub.
It is located close by my front door so it needs to be either evergreen or three season show.
The aspect is east facing but it's between two houses so in shade most of the time.
Will be backed by house so need something columnar or upright not round.
Any suggestions?]]> What unusual fruit are you growing in the Vancouver area? Tue, 27 Jan 2026 04:56:10 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/what-unusual-fruit-are-you-growing-in-the-vancouver-area.96658/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/what-unusual-fruit-are-you-growing-in-the-vancouver-area.96658/ invalid@example.com (pmurphy) pmurphy
Here are a few weird and unusual fruits that will grow here in Vancouver:

Poncirus trifoliata aka bitter orange 'Flying Dragon'
* good for juicing or marmalades
View attachment 169526

Holboellia coriacea aka sausage vine or china blue vine
* tastes pretty bland and has an odd creamy...

What unusual fruit are you growing in the Vancouver area?]]> 20 2025 Virtual Garden Tour - welcome Sat, 17 Jan 2026 17:02:26 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/2025-virtual-garden-tour-welcome.104969/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/2025-virtual-garden-tour-welcome.104969/ invalid@example.com (Garry Oak) Garry Oak
These photos are from a neighbour's garden and mine.
1. Jasminum nudiflorum
2. Hamamelis x intermedia 'Arnold Promise'
3. Common snowdrops
4. Viola
5. Salvia rosmarinus
6. Helleborus hybridus
7. For contrast, this is a photo just sent to me by a friend from her friend in Vienna
- January 1st, 2025.

View attachment 256427 View attachment 256428 View attachment 256429 View attachment 256430 View attachment 256431 ...

2025 Virtual Garden Tour - welcome]]> 76 Growing Albizia julibrissin 'Summer Chocolate' in a container Tue, 16 Dec 2025 05:00:42 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/growing-albizia-julibrissin-summer-chocolate-in-a-container.62390/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/growing-albizia-julibrissin-summer-chocolate-in-a-container.62390/ invalid@example.com (Justine M) Justine M
My backyard, dominated by a 75 year old Norway spruce is small and it's to the north of my house. I just don't think the Albizia will get enough sun to achieve what I had hoped. I envisioned it growing quickly and...

Growing Albizia julibrissin 'Summer Chocolate' in a container]]> 11 Tree with pink flowers in bloom now Thu, 04 Dec 2025 01:33:15 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/tree-with-pink-flowers-in-bloom-now.105399/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/tree-with-pink-flowers-in-bloom-now.105399/ invalid@example.com (Garry Oak) Garry Oak 4 Best Garlic Planting Method for PacNW Wed, 03 Dec 2025 15:33:20 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/best-garlic-planting-method-for-pacnw.105350/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/best-garlic-planting-method-for-pacnw.105350/ invalid@example.com (WesternWilson) WesternWilson
Is it better to plant single cloves of garlic, or just plant a whole head of garlic?

Hoping to hear from folks who have tried both methods in our locale!]]> 6 Advice on alternatives to grass Mon, 01 Dec 2025 22:18:06 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/advice-on-alternatives-to-grass.105143/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/advice-on-alternatives-to-grass.105143/ invalid@example.com (Jaegen Milley) Jaegen Milley Sagina subulata 'Verna'), scotch moss (Sagina subulata 'Aurea'), and micro-clover (Trifolium repens var. Pipolina). The micro-clover was a mistake - it needed to be mowed and was always trying to infiltrate into the moss - but it all looked great:
View attachment 259207 ...

Advice on alternatives to grass]]> 2 problem sucklings Sun, 30 Nov 2025 23:43:41 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/problem-sucklings.105255/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/problem-sucklings.105255/ invalid@example.com (anon125) anon125 if we spray it with round up will that kill the main tree, it is a root of?

will severing and removing the root stopp it permanenetly?
it grows fast without water!

any ideas?

thanks]]> 3 Peach tree planting advice Sun, 05 Oct 2025 05:55:00 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/peach-tree-planting-advice.105345/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/peach-tree-planting-advice.105345/ invalid@example.com (CarrieZ) CarrieZ 1 Growing and Kiwi fruit harvest in Vancouver? Sat, 27 Sep 2025 17:06:11 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/growing-and-kiwi-fruit-harvest-in-vancouver.105333/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/growing-and-kiwi-fruit-harvest-in-vancouver.105333/ invalid@example.com (vicarious1) vicarious1 What's the best way to keep them? We have a rec room 18C at night 21C daytime for work from home.
The little dots that fell from the top of the fruit are they seeds also? Or only the black dots inside?
This is the fifth year they grow. We had to move them two years ago because the shade was bad for all our Kale underneath and only 6hrs sun per day.
So our...

Growing and Kiwi fruit harvest in Vancouver?]]> 2 bulk soil orders Wed, 03 Sep 2025 16:28:48 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/bulk-soil-orders.8783/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/bulk-soil-orders.8783/ invalid@example.com (HortLine) HortLine
1. Gardenworks - locations throughout the lower mainland, including:

3147 Woodbine Drive, North Vancouver tel: 604-980-6340
3rd St North Vancouver tel: 604-988-8082
Granville St, Vancouver tel: 604-266-9313
(also Burnaby and Surrey)

2. Hong's Nursery & Florist - Surrey tel: 604-588-3734 web: www.hongs.ca

3. Pacific Bark Blowers Inc...

bulk soil orders]]> 3 The tyranny of front gardens: we cut and trim them out of social pressure, not pleasure Tue, 02 Sep 2025 06:52:18 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/the-tyranny-of-front-gardens-we-cut-and-trim-them-out-of-social-pressure-not-pleasure.105291/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/the-tyranny-of-front-gardens-we-cut-and-trim-them-out-of-social-pressure-not-pleasure.105291/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper The tyranny of front gardens: we cut and trim them out of social pressure, not pleasure​
]]> Can the plant be save? Thu, 28 Aug 2025 23:27:54 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/can-the-plant-be-save.105277/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/can-the-plant-be-save.105277/ invalid@example.com (Tomlee99) Tomlee99 The gardener trim the border tree too deep and now they are dying. Is there a way to save the tree?
tree — Postimages]]> 7 Failing Star Jasmine Fri, 01 Aug 2025 18:24:22 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/failing-star-jasmine.105266/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/failing-star-jasmine.105266/ invalid@example.com (mamaconnie) mamaconnie
Failing Star Jasmine]]> What's this marvelous plant? Wed, 02 Jul 2025 16:27:58 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/whats-this-marvelous-plant.105150/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/whats-this-marvelous-plant.105150/ invalid@example.com (vicarious1) vicarious1
What's this marvelous plant?]]> 3