The Dogwood Garden Club held its annual fundraiser plant sale today. The sale raises money for the club’s activities and visitors get to score cheap plants. At this sale everybody wins!
Since I was indisposed with work projects in the morning, I didn’t arrive until 2pm. By then there wasn’t much left. One gentleman latched on to me in the parking lot saying he was looking for a pink magnolia. It wasn’t that kind of plant sale.
Leftovers
I laughed when I saw the one table full of leftovers. Every single plant was marked down to $1. So I picked up one bearded iris and one daylily. This allowed me to clear some change from my wallet. The poor cashier was so fatigued she was ready to give me the plants for free when I fumbled with the change. No, I insisted, this was a fundraiser. I handed over the $2, grabbed my humble plants, took some pictures for this blog post and walked out into the sunshine.
Poirier complex
The sale happened at the Poirier complex in Coquitlam and I have great memories from the place. Back in 2014 I was fortunate enough to get a seasonal full-time position with the City of Coquitlam. I ended up maintaining the Poirier Dogwood Pavilion gardens under city gardener Tracey Mallinson.
There is lots to see on the grounds if you ignore the lacrosse bubble. It’s been planted with the usual landscape plants. Instead, walk in and enjoy the various planted beds. And don’t forget to visit the rose garden.
I didn’t know it at the time but it would turn out to be my best ever working year. Sadly, I fear it will never be equalled.
Gardener vs. landscaper
Up until 2014 I always aimed for landscape professional as my goal. Except my city gardener boss would never be called a landscaper. She was a gardener. Fair enough.
I had my own prejudices to deal with. I confess to laughing at the stereotypical gardeners. Usually 65+, they played around with their pots and struggled to bend over. They exchanged stories of their various ailments in intimate detail, popping pills with their biscuits.
I’ve changed. I consider gardening enjoyable. It’s also essential to master it if I am to become a total green professional. As a landscaper, I run into gardeners all the time at our strata complexes. It helps to understand their hobby.
I am interested in the total landscape, not just gardens. I like lawns and trees; irrigation and lighting are also important elements. I will always be a landscape professional first. Gardener second.
If you missed the plant sale this year, fear not. Just mark your calendar for next year. It will take place on the first Saturday in May 2018. You will most likely walk out smiling with your new plants.
You can also join the Dogwood Garden Club and enjoy its activities.
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Inspiring quest there. What happened after? Take care!
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