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City of Gardens
Flower Count
Every February, while most Canadians are still shovelling snow and relying on heaters to keep warm, Victorians are counting flowers. The first Victoria Flower Count was held in 1976 and was designed to promote tourism. The annual tradition that resulted encourages residents and visitors to report the number of blossoms in their gardens and throughout their neighbourhoods. All reports are registered with the Chamber of Commerce by calling 360-BUDS and the final count is published nationwide and abroad. The grand total is celebrated as a farewell to winter and to welcome an early spring. During the Flower Count, donation forms are available at the Flower Count headquarters, in the Victoria Eaton Center. Donations are augmented by a substantial donation from local grocer, Thrifty Foods. All proceeds go to support the fundraising efforts of the Greater Victoria Elder Care Foundation (formerly the Juan de Fuca Hospital Foundation).
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Hanging Flower Baskets
The placement of flower baskets on lampposts every June has signalled the start of summer in Victoria for more than 60 years. First introduced to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Victoria's incorporation in 1937, they are now a trademark of the City of Victoria, recognized around the world.
When Victoria's baskets were first introduced, the practice of hanging flower baskets in public areas was limited to a few European cities. Many of the plants used in those baskets would not have performed well in Victoria's climate. Therefore, in the early years, many different plants and plant colours were tried in the baskets. They were selected based on their vigour, resistance to disease and insects, period of bloom and other required maintenance needs. The present selection has varied only slightly since the 1960's and trials continue today to improve plant selection. Plants for the baskets are grown in the City of Victoria's Beacon Hill Nursery, located in the southeast corner of Beacon Hill Park.
During the first week of May, a crew of six gardeners begins construction of over 1,000 hanging baskets. The process takes approximately four weeks. After the baskets are made, they remain in greenhouses for one week before being moved outside to acclimatize to the conditions they will encounter on the streets. During the second week of June, the baskets are placed on the city's signature lampposts. Basket waterers work from 11 pm to 7:30 am every day. Each waterer drives a dual-steer truck that carries a 2,250 litre tank of water. Using a wand attached to a hose from a hydraulic pump, parks staff give each basket 15 litres of water. The water contains a trace amount of fertilizer. Baskets which are in exposed areas are watered five to six times per week. Baskets in sheltered locations are watered four to five times per week, depending on the weather. In addition, baskets are sampled weekly for moisture content, pH and soluble salt levels and appropriate corrective measures are taken if required. The City of Victoria hanging baskets remain on lampposts until mid-September. After removal, the hardware is dismantled and the plant material is composted.
Shade baskets are a recent addition to the City's hanging basket program. As the City's boulevard trees grew larger and cast more shade, it became apparent that an alternative to the traditional basket was needed. Nursery staff decided to try impatiens baskets with rhodochition as a trailing plant. Trials continue today as new impatiens varieties become available. Shade baskets now hang where sun baskets would never reach their full potential.
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