Liz and Al Murray have graciously agreed to open their garden situated on their beautiful and picturesque 7 acre farm where some GARDEN TOUR of the most delicious lamb in the world is raised! The ‘bones’ of the garden are an awesome collection of both Magnolia trees May 28th 2016 and rhododendrons, but there are Iris here, there, and everywhere. They have a rock garden setting that is second to none in a large area of the garden. Overall, a fantastic garden that has often been featured at national and international conferences held on . Another confirmed garden on the tour is very I am beyond delighted to confirm that the own, Bill Dumont’s garden. We will be offering spectacular garden of Louise Neveau and a delicious lunch in Bill garden. Bill is the Don Loewen will be included on our tour! Treasurer of the Iris Society We are very grateful to have this gardening and a renowned creator of fabulous food. You dynamic duo open their absolutely glorious can enjoy lunch on Bill’s acre property while garden to the BC Iris Society group. Don inspecting his new garden complete with Iris and Louise have over 5 acres of property already blooming! Bill purchased the cedar in beautiful Maple Bay and the garden is tree dominated, relatively flat 1 1/2 acre a real gardeners garden with awesome property with a small creek on Hutchinson collections of Iris, hostas, feature trees, Road in Cobble Hill two years ago. Logged rhododendrons, Japanese Maples, etc. etc. off 3 loads of fir, hemlock, cedar and alder. Then brought in 1200 yards of fill to raise about 1/2 of the property about 18 inches and installed 700 feet of drain pipe to deal with the high water on most of the lot. Two 10’ x 20’x2’ ponds and large landscape rocks were installed on the front and back of the property. He erected 9 feet tall fencing surrounding the whole property. Then a new 200’ deep well was drilled with 10gpm capacity, installed 500 feet of irrigation lines on 24 stations, stereo music wiring, power and automatic controls and began planting rhodos, hostas, fruit trees, irises, hydrangeas and other plants and trees many of which are now drip irrigated. He built 3 super raised veggie beds to reduce the “weeding bend”. This year, the major trail network through the garden are being surfaced over the underground services and another 150 rhodos, 25 blueberries and other plants will be dug in. It is definitely a work in progress. Bill will show his drip irrigation system to visitors. Also confirmed is Ian Efford’s garden. Ian was Another garden to be featured is another our guest Speaker at our AGM on March 5, Director, Malcolm Ho-You,. Malcolm is a 2016. Ian’s knowledge of all Iris species is highly accomplished grower of both Iris and advanced – particularly species Iris. Ian and Peonies and a visit to his garden in Saltair his wife, Shirley, have developed a wonderful (in between and Ladysmith) garden with all sorts of plants and shrubs, but would show some outstanding varieties in the real show are the Iris! Ian and Shirley had, both species. There is a great deal to see in at one time, one of the largest species Iris Malcolm’s garden. collection in the world while living in Eastern . Since moving to BC, they are well on their way to re-establishing that reputation! We are hoping to have enough participants that we can hire a bus rather than Self guided tour...here’s a link to our Google Map: do a self-directed tour, and Chef Bill (Bill Dumont, the British Columbia Iris https://goo.gl/I4peui Society’s Secretary/Treasurer) will lay on a wonderful lunch at his house. For BCIS members, this bus/lunch/and tour to remember is $30.00 and for non- members it’s $40.00. Many more details and pictures of the gardens will be 9:30 a.m. - All bus riders to meet outside Country Grocer at published shortly. In the meantime, to try and determine early if we will have Valleyview Shopping Centre on Hwy 1 at the intersection of numbers that will allow us to all stay together, travel safely, and more quickly with a bus. Hwy 1 and Cobble Hill Road south of Duncan.

Please email Brenda Burch at [email protected]. It’s less than a month 9:45 a.m. - First garden visit at Al and Liz Murray’s away! We are working on some treats and learning opportunities at each garden. Please mark your calendars for May 28th. Cowichan is, after all, the 1951 Doran Road, Cobble Hill, BC V9L 1L5 warmland and considered one of the best growing climates in Canada. 11:15 a.m. A visit and lunch at Bill Dumont’s garden Lastly, if you are traveling to attend the Garden Tour, with a little notice I can surely provide you with the ‘best’ places for accommodation – both 995 Hutchison Road, Cobble Hill, BC V0R 1L4 economical and convenience minded. If anyone is further interested, I could certainly provide a little tour of some of the many wineries in the Cowichan 1:00 p.m. Don Loewen and Louise Neveu’s garden region and can make solid recommendations on all types and economic levels of restaurants. There are some of us in the who are happy to 6324 Genoa Bay Road, Maple Bay, BC V9L 5Y4 billet visitors as well. That would be a first come, first served basis! 2:15 p.m. Ian and Shirley Efford’s garden 2307 Lochsyde Drive, Duncan, BC V9L 5E7

3:30 p.m. - Malcolm Ho-You’s garden 3816 Seaview Crescent, Saltair-Ladysmith, BC V9G 2A1

4:45 p.m. Return to Valleyview Shopping Centre