Making the Most of a Dry Situation - UVic Plant Sale Focuses on Drought-Tolerant Varieties

The annual UVic Plant Sale will be on May 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the McKinnon Gym, with sale organizers placing special emphasis on plants that are adaptable to this year's severe watering restrictions in the Capital Region.

The UVic Plant Sale always offers a huge selection for gardeners to choose from, but with this year's diminished water supply in the Capital Region a special effort is being made to provide shoppers with a selection of drought resistant plants including: Arbutus unedo, Buddleia, Ceanothus, Cistus, Rosemary, Lavender, Santolina, and Thyme. All drought resistant plants require hand watering for the first year until established.

Net proceeds from the sale -- organized by 150 volunteer members of the UVic Finnerty Garden Friends -- support acquisitions for, and maintenance of, the 1.2 hectare gardens, located on the southwest corner of campus.

With funds from past sales, a new irrigation system has been installed this spring that uses far less water and allows a dramatic decrease in the amount of daytime watering of the gardens.

The UVic Finnerty Gardens were established in 1974 with the donation of rare rhododendrons and companion plants from the Lake Cowichan estate of the late Jeanne Buchanan Simpson. The UVic collection now includes more than 200 rhododendron species and azaleas; an extensive planting of hybrids, most of them of early origin; and 1,600 trees and shrubs. Extensive and spectacular perennials flower from July onwards.

Admission to the gardens is always free and free parking is available after 6 p.m. weekdays and all day on weekends. The main entrance to the gardens is near the Interfaith Chapel (parking lot 6).

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