Sooke Garden Club highlights a world full of rhododendrons

Published 5:45 am Thursday, April 9, 2026

Spring is here, with lush green landscapes, plants blooming with colours out of a crayon box, and the sheer size of some of the shrubs and magnolia trees. Nothing can compare, as it feels like living in a tropical area.

Yes, we get cool temperatures, yes, we get endless days and weeks of rain, and yes, the wind can blow, but overall, living on Vancouver Island brings out the best in blooms, and spring is always a welcome sight.

What is an acid-loving, woody shrub that likes damp climates with cool mild temperatures? Rhododendrons. Long blooming flowers that cover the shrub and are evergreen.

Welcome back Todd Major, who is a journeyman horticulturist and certified landscape inspector. Todd will give a brief overview of rhododendrons in the wild and in our gardens. He will speak on the rhododendron culture, care, and some of their most common pests and diseases.

Mark your calendars for the Sooke Garden Club annual plant sale on Saturday, May 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Evergreen shopping centre by the roundabout. Lots of selection, perennials, veggie starts and much more.

Note members and guests, we have a new location for our monthly meetings. Join us for the next meeting on Wednesday, April 22, at 7 p.m. at the Juan de Fuca Local Area Services Building (CRD Building), #3 – 7450 Butler Rd., off Otter Point Road. If you would like to become a member, check out the SGC Facebook page, website sookegardenclub.ca or email at Sookegc@gmail.com.