Okanagan Xeriscape Association hopes to raise $75,000 to cover cost to refresh demonstration garden outside the H2O Aquatic Centre
The xeriscape demonstration garden outside the H2O Aquatic Centre is in need of a little rehabilitation.
And the group behind its creation, the Okanagan Xeriscape Association (OXA), is looking for support to assist with the demonstration garden refresh, which will include planting of fresh perennials and an updated alpine theme garden proposal.
“The garden is an organic entity, so over time plants die or become too large, so there is all of that along with the irrigation,” said Sigrie Kendrick, executive director of the OXA and a xeriscape gardening columnist for the Capital News.
“We are living and learning as we go. One aspect of the garden that has not worked out well is the lawn alternative section, so we are moving that to another piece of land provided to us by the city, to the right of the entrance to the H2O.
“That space that was set aside for the lawn alternative section will be used to establish an alpine garden.”
However, as OXA is a volunteer-run, non-profit organization, it will need funding and other resource support to upgrade the demonstration garden.
Kendrick said the OXA has set a target of $75,000 to complete the garden facelift over the next three years.
Sharon Spring, OXA president, added that each of the demonstration garden’s seven theme gardens is in need of a refresh, such as adding some of the latest varieties of xeriscape plants, new cultivars and new plants to replace the 15-year-old perennials.
“Our only option is to appeal to the public to help us raise the funds needed to bring the garden back to its full potential,” Spring said.
“We are calling our fundraising campaign Refresh the UnH2O: Help us grow Xeriscape.”
For the past 15 years, this colourful garden has acted as a model to demonstrate to people what they can do in their own landscapes, using the seven principles of xeriscape to conserve water yet create a lush and attractive outdoor area.
These principles – planning and design; improving the soil; selecting appropriate plants; limiting turf areas, using mulch, watering efficiently and maintaining the landscape – can be applied to commercial, industrial, civic and residential properties to create easy-to-maintain landscapes that are not excessively reliant on water.
OXA has already initiated the project with the support of a local plant nursery, an irrigation consulting firm, Kelowna Fire Department and the Okanagan Basin Water Board.
For the Native Plant Theme Garden upgrade done earlier this year, XEN Nursery of West Kelowna, under the guidance of manager Josh Smith, provided both plants and the labour.
The Kelowna FireSmart program has agreed to sponsor interpretive signage for the Woodland Grove Theme Garden, which includes a number of hedging alternatives to the thirsty and flammable cedar hedge option.
And Waterkind Consulting’s Brad and Shauna Burnell have agreed to sponsor updated drip irrigation in the UnH2O Garden.
As a thank-you for donor support, OXA will include the name and logo on new garden signage and acknowledge that support as well on its www.okanaganxeriscape.org website.
***
The OXA will hold its annual fall plant sale at the H2O Aquatic Centre demonstration garden on Saturday, Sept. 20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Xeriscape perennials will be for sale, along with master gardeners and xeriscape specialists on hand to answer your questions and offer gardening advice.
For more information or to seek out the extensive xeriscape plant database, go to www.okanaganxeriscape.org.
Comments are closed.