Habitat Garden

The Habitat Garden

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The Habitat garden is the third in a series of demonstration gardens at the Paine Centre. The site currently houses the Adeline Hawken Memorial Garden, and is a test site for the Nanaimo Glad and Dahlia Society. Three themes have been incorporated into the project design: water conservation strategies, indigenous flora for the home garden setting, and a study of the interaction between the site profile and its macro-environment.

The CVIBGS has provided $11,000 toward the construction, development and acquisition of plant material and signage for the project. The garden was designed in the fall of 2002 by the students in the landscape design class, and hardscaping was carried out in 2003.

Site planting was done over the spring and summer 2004 by that year's class. The design incorporates a water conservation concept whereby both roof and greenhouse runoff water will be collected and diverted into a series of artificial wetlands that will biologically filter them for use in the garden.

The garden showcases West Coast indigenous plants, trees and shrubs, as they could be used in an environmentally friendly home garden setting; one that minimizes the maintenance, water, artificial fertilizers, and is (believe it or not) largely deer resistant. As well the design has incorporated facilities for observing the site as a self contained eco-system.

CVIBGS members are very enthusastic about this cooperative venture and look forward to further projects that meet the common objectives of both the Society and the Malaspina Horticultural program's sustainable horticulture program.