Q1: How has your social and educational background translated to your work? What made you choose this career path – was there a ‘moment’, or was it gradual?
A: I got both my degrees at UVic; the first was an undergraduate degree in biology, and the second was a master of science in biology with a focus on botany and palynology, where I studied the ancient ecosystems of Vancouver Island through the lens of pollen. I was always inspired by taxonomy – classes and names of plants were a particular interest of mine. I have always been passionate to the point of obsession about the native plants of this island. I started a native plant nursery immediately after graduation; I’ve always been taken by the native species.
Q2: Do you find that there is a lot of promotional work and marketing involved in your business, or does the community come to you organically?
A: We do a lot of educational work, through classes and workshops, which is kind of an inadvertent or alternative form of advertising. We don’t approach it as such though – we do educational work because we feel compelled and mandated to do so, and because we’re motivated by community involvement in stewarding native plants and supporting local ecosystems. Social media has been a great tool for connecting; we run our social media pages as a journal or outlet for our daily musings, and it allows people to keep up to date with our work at the same time.
Q3: Do you find there are different priorities between individuals and community groups and, say, municipal governments that work with SNP?
A: When we’re working with the general public, it’s often on private land, or if it’s community based we’re usually planning for planting boulevards or community gardens. With municipalities, it’s often public lands in question, such as rain gardens in transit areas or places like the Stoneridge Wetlands. The main difference is usually the degree of expertise. Municipalities come to the table with strong planning frameworks in place, whereas with individuals and communities it’s more of a process of social learning.
Q4: Native plant propagation – how does it work?
A: We look to nature to help us determine the steps we should take – so the local setting is important. Life histories of plants themselves follow seasonal cycles, and are influenced by soil features and life cycles, so it’s always a place-specific process. Here we grow for Southern Vancouver Island, which was arid summers and wet winters. Seed comes to maturity in the late Spring, around June. Some plants germinate in the fall, and some in the Spring – but for the most part, I recommend sowing in the fall.
Q5: What would you point to as the most rewarding or fulfilling project experience(s) you’ve had at Saanich Native Plants?
A: The connections we make to Indigenous communities. When plants are brought into communities for some purpose, whether we are providing plants in garden spaces or as food plants is incredibly rewarding.
Q6: Which native plants have the most positive impacts here? Is there anything in particular you love to see or would like to see more of in gardens?
A: Definitely Camas. The Garry Oak ecosystems that Camas is found in are ecocultural ecosystems, which are symbolic of thousands of years of connection. Camas as a food plant represents an important relation of reciprocity and stewardship, and it’s also an incredible pollinator plant.
Q7: Tell us about Saanich Native Plants’ upcoming move from the incubator farm at Haliburton to the new Metchosin location.
A: Well, since we will no longer be in Saanich, our name is going to be changing. We’ll be called Satinflower Nurseries. The Satinflower is the logo on our current sign. It’s also relevant to our vision – as an early flowering plant, Satinflowers reflect the change of seasons. The choice is also a nod to the place-based nature of our work, since Satinflowers have a limited geographic range, being found only here on the South Island.
As we do now, we’ll be selling seeds, as well as propagated plants, and offering consulting services – but there are some big changes in the works! For one, we’ll be working with three times the space. We’re moving from a half-acre space to 1.7 acres, which creates room for opportunity. We’ll be stewarding a small wetland space, and using every square inch of the new property to create a paradise of sorts. There will be a Garry Oak ecosystem, a wetland, as well as native plant hedgerows and seed rows. We’ll also have a shop area housing our offices and displays, and we’ll sell a small selection of local botanical products and books. Customers will have the opportunity to come and spend time looking around, and to see propagation in action!
