Fall 2024
 
What a summer we have had! A combination of beautiful weather, virtually no fires or smoke, and a few welcome rainfalls have made the summer of 2024 a glorious one. But we now turn to the beauty of fall and have started to prepare for cooler weather. You, too, can get ready for fall - check out our upcoming plant sale and tips below.
 
Fall Plant Sale This Weekend!
 
Fall is a great time to introduce new plants to your garden. The soil is warm, there's still lovely weather ahead without it being too hot, and plants will have time to establish before frost.(See more tips in the article below.)
 
Be sure to come by our plant sale for a selection of perennials and ornamental grasses - as well as some house plants (just add a cute pot and you have a wonderful housewarming gift). A master gardener will be on hand to answer any questions.
 
Saturday, September 14
Summerland Ornamental Gardens
9:00am - 12:00pm
Debit, credit, card, cheque or cash accepted
Bring your own trays, boxes or other carrier.
Fall Gardening Tips
Did you miss our last workshops? Here are a few tips from Kathryn McCourt on the benefits of planting perennials in the fall:
  • The air is cooler while the soil is still warm, stimulating root growth
  • Plants have more time to prepare for next summer’s heat
  • Plants are on sale!
And from Linda McIntosh on storing tender plants over winter:
  • Store in an environment that doesn't get below freezing - preferably dark and dry
  • Check monthly - don't let them get too wet or they rot, or too dry or they will wither (especially dahlias)
  • If potted, water sparingly during their dormant season (geraniums, cannas)
Beware our Latest Invasive Species!
You may have heard of Puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris), a weed whose thorny seedheads have punctured the tires of many cyclists in the Osoyoos area.
 
It has now been found in several places to the north, including the Ornamental Gardens, and is included in the Okanagan Invasive Species list. If you find it, pull it and place it in the nearest garbage container.
 
Identifying features include:
  • Stems that trail from a taproot and form a mat-like ground cover 
  • The leaves form leaflets containing 5-8 hairy and opposite oval leaves 
  • Small yellow flowers produce a bur or "goat head" that break into 5 seed capsules - these become the sharp, destructive thorns
Art & Music in the Gardens
 
Friends of the Gardens played host to two Art and Music events this summer. Painters and ceramic artists, rug hookers and bonsai creators displayed their talents in the shade of the Gardens' majestic trees. On the Lakeview Lawn, the relaxed audience enjoyed an afternoon of music. July's visitors tapped their toes to the guitar and vocals of Evan Symons, and to Barry Valgardson, who made his accordion sing in a variety of voices. In August, the Wind Jammers Wind Quintet filled the Gardens with a variety of classical melodies and old favorites. 
 
At the August event, Summerland's Ken Gray took a variety of photos which he has kindly shared with FOG. Ken is a former rector of St. Stephen’s Anglican Church and is presently retired clergy in the parish. He writes a blog entitled "Take Note" and his latest episode shares his experience that August afternoon and much more. Read Ken's blog.
Special Volunteer Opportunity
The Friends of the Gardens is looking for a volunteer willing to handle requests FOG receives regarding gazebo bookings and garden tours. This requires clear communication, calendar bookings and tour arrangements as needed. This would be a mentored position in the 2025 season. If you are interested or know of someone looking for experience in event planning, please contact Connie at volunteers4.summerlandgardens@gmail.com.
 
What’s in Bloom at the Gardens
The Gardens is currently showcasing a wide variety of plants in bloom that are putting on quite a show! Here are a few highlights. (And check out Scott Austin's article noted below!)
 
All the varieties of Stonecrop are in full bloom. This one is Hylotelephium telephium "Matrona" or Autumn Stonecrop.
The hydrangeas have been stunning, both here at the Gardens and all around town. This one is Hydrangea paniculata or Little Quickfire.
 
 
 
Upcoming Events
Fall Plant Sale
Saturday, September 14
Summerland Ornamental Gardens
9:00am - 12:00pm
 
Debit, credit, card, cheque or cash accepted
Bring your own trays, boxes or other carrier.
.
 
 
Volunteer Appreciation Event
Thursday, September 19
Thornhaven Winery
6816 Andrew Ave, Summerland
3:00-5:00 pm
 
Please RSVP for this special event by emailing volunteers4summerlandgardens@gmail.com.
Resources
 
News & Articles 
Scott Austin, long-time nursery manager at Gardenworks (formerly Art Knapp) in Penticton writes a column for Castanet at the beginning of each month on happenings as the Ornamental Gardens. Read September’s article, "Colours of fall on full display at Summerland Ornamental Gardens",
 
John Waddington has provided FOG with more than 40 additions to our Plant Database. You’ll find cacti, herbs, and new perennials all included in the plant list.  
Workshops
The Friends of the Gardens offered eight workshops during the 2024 gardening season, on topics as varied as how to grow roses and irises to the origins of our local soils and soil ecology. Other garden-related topics included mitigating the effects of climate change, adjusting to gardening in this unique climate, overwintering tender perennnials, and the benefits of planting perennials in the fall.
 
We look forward to offering another series of workshops in the new year. They will take place in the Ryga Centre or at the Gardens and attendance is by donation. If you have an idea for a workshop that would benefit local gardeners, please email it to workshops.summerlandgardens@gmail.com
 
 
Thank you for your continued support.
Donate Today
PO Box 1363, 4200 Hwy 97 South
Summerland BC. V0H 1Z0
friends.summerlandgardens@gmail.com