Vancouver Island University's Milner Gardens & Woodland received 5 Blooms and a special mention for Natural Heritage Preservation for The Rhododendron Species Garden from Communities in Bloom (CiB).
"We are incredibly proud to receive this level of recognition from the Communities in Bloom judges and especially the special mention of the Greig Rhododendron Species Garden," said Geoff Ball, Executive Director of Milner Gardens & Woodland. "This new collection has been a very successful collaboration with all of the Rhododendron Societies on Vancouver Island and highlights the diversity of Rhododendrons found worldwide."
The news was announced during the Communities in Bloom 2024 National International Symposium and Awards Ceremonies in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.
"The Rhododendron Species Garden at Milner Gardens & Woodland stands as the only one of its kind in Canada and among the rare few globally. Since the site was gifted to Vancouver Island University in 1996, it has served as an invaluable educational resource," wrote volunteer judges Tina Liu and Leslie Cornell after their evaluation. "The garden boasts approximately 230 species, many reaching over 30 feet in height. Some of these plants have been thriving there since 1960, showcasing the impressive longevity of rhododendrons in this unique environment."
Read the full Communities in Bloom release.
