Chapter 5 Blooming the Gardens

I’m Analyzing the Garden

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Before planting vegetation, it’s essential to understand your garden and the specific characteristics of its soil.

  • Garden A
    This drawing depicts the sunken garden at the Butchart Gardens. In the foreground, red, purple, and white flowers form a flowerbed. In the background, several deciduous and coniferous trees are present; green dominates this section of the garden. In front of these trees, there is a flowerbed full of sunflowers.
    Alkaline
    Moist
    Sand
    Garden A

    Garden A is an area where the old cement plant used to operate. This has affected the soil, which is now free of limestone. Here, the soil has a sandy texture; it is alkaline (basic pH). The soil is moist because the area is in a low-lying spot.

    Garden A is an area where the old cement plant used to operate. This has affected the soil, which is now free of limestone. Here, the soil has a sandy texture; it is alkaline (basic pH). The soil is moist because the area is in a low-lying spot.

  • Garden B
    This drawing shows a rose garden in full bloom. Pink, white, yellow, and purple flowers are present. These rose bushes line a hedge that borders a stone path. Three lamps are positioned to illuminate the path. In the background, coniferous and deciduous trees mark the edge of the garden.
    Neutral
    Moist
    Clay
    Garden B

    Garden B is a section where you can take a break and enjoy the sunshine. The soil is neutral and the area receives good light. A few trees surround this garden. The soil here is clayey, moist, and well-drained.

    Garden B is a section where you can take a break and enjoy the sunshine. The soil is neutral and the area receives good light. A few trees surround this garden. The soil here is clayey, moist, and well-drained.

  • Garden C
    This drawing of the Japanese garden illustrates a waterfall gently flowing beneath a bridge. The red bridge is surrounded by green bushes and flowering shrubs. The pink and red flowers stand out against the shades of green in the bushes. The lush green vegetation is rich, and deciduous trees mark the boundary of the garden in the background.
    Acidic
    Drained
    Soil
    Garden C

    Garden C is a place where shade and sunlight coexist. There are trees, and the soil is acidic. The vegetation is dense and diverse. A pond is nearby, which makes the soil rich and well-drained. The soil texture resembles black earth. The soil here is humus-rich.

    Garden C is a place where shade and sunlight coexist. There are trees, and the soil is acidic. The vegetation is dense and diverse. A pond is nearby, which makes the soil rich and well-drained. The soil texture resembles black earth. The soil here is humus-rich.

  • Alkaline
  • Neutral Soil
  • Acidic Soil
  • Dry Soil
  • Well-Drained Soil
  • Moist Soil
  • Sandy Soil
  • Clay Soil
  • Humus-Rich Soil

I Choose the Right Plant

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Now that you know my gardens, help me identify the ideal plants.
Take a close look at the garden features and match them with the perfect plant.
The azalea is perfect for Garden C, where the soil is acidic and the humidity is moderate. Dahlias, on the other hand, prefer gardens with neutral soil and a texture similar to black soil. That makes Garden A ideal for them. Tulips grow best in Garden B. They need alkaline soil with a sandy texture.

  • Garden A
    This drawing depicts the sunken garden at the Butchart Gardens. In the foreground, red, purple, and white flowers form a flowerbed. In the background, several deciduous and coniferous trees are present; green dominates this section of the garden. In front of these trees, there is a flowerbed full of sunflowers.
    Illustration of a tulip
    Garden A
  • Garden B
    This drawing shows a rose garden in full bloom. Pink, white, yellow, and purple flowers are present. These rose bushes line a hedge that borders a stone path. Three lamps are positioned to illuminate the path. In the background, coniferous and deciduous trees mark the edge of the garden.
    Illustration of a dahlia
    Garden B
  • Garden C
    This drawing of the Japanese garden illustrates a waterfall gently flowing beneath a bridge. The red bridge is surrounded by green bushes and flowering shrubs. The pink and red flowers stand out against the shades of green in the bushes. The lush green vegetation is rich, and deciduous trees mark the boundary of the garden in the background.
    Illustration of an azalea
    Garden C
  • Illustration of an azalea
    Acidic
    Drained
    Soil
    Azalea
  • Illustration of a peony
    Neutral
    Drained
    Soil
    Peony
  • Illustration of a tulip
    Alkaline
    Moist
    Sand
    Tulip
  • Illustration of a dahlia
    Neutral
    Moist
    Clay
    Dahlia
  • Illustration of a lilac
    Alkaline
    Dry
    Soil
    Lilac

The Art of Gardening

My gardens are quite unique. The cement plant operations changed both the landscape and the soil composition. I had to put in extra effort to ensure that plants could grow here.

Sunken Garden
In this colour photograph, the Sunken Garden stands out with its elevation change and a gravel path running through it. Several bushes and shrubs are scattered throughout the garden, where shades of orange and green are prominent. The flowers add beautiful tones of red, orange, and purple.

For a plant to stay healthy and thrive, it needs suitable soil and the right environment. Soil, much like us, has its own characteristics — its texture, moisture, and acidity can vary, which affects the types of plants that can grow in it.

View of the Rose Garden
In this colour photograph, a stone path winds through the Rose Garden. A silver spherical sculpture sits at the centre. A stone bench faces the installation, and a green hedge borders the path. The rose bushes, in a variety of colours, are lush and full. In the background, leafy trees complete the scene.

Before planting anything in a specific spot, I also need to consider sunlight, water availability, and the plants already present. Each plant has its own specific needs! By learning to understand each plant and its environment, we can create a harmonious garden where everything flourishes. Gardening really is an art!

Jennie Butchart posing in her Rose Garden
Jennie Butchart is at the centre of this black-and-white photograph. She is looking down at a gardening basket at her feet. To her right, there are flowers. A row of conifer trees decorates the background.

Hello!

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