If you're looking for a little Canada 150 inspiration, look no further than the Inspiration Garden in Coquitlam's Town Centre Park that is decked out this spring in red and white.
Although planting and blooms were late this year thanks to an unusually cold winter and late spring, the garden is now flourishing, with hints of Canada's colours throughout.
Zinnias with red and white petals have been planted just as a display of red and white tulips finished up for the season. A vertical sculpture of red and white begonias in the shape of a Canada flag is a show-stopper.
"It's subtly themed throughout," said Jennifer Urbaniak, as she pointed out the colourful zinnias and the beautiful Canada flag.
The city hopes the Canada Day displays at the Inspiration Garden and throughout city parks, as well as numerous initiatives such as educating people about pollinators, will win judges' favour during the Communities in Bloom competition, which takes place July 17 and 18.
While many plants are just getting started, Urbaniak said she expects a great show for the international competition that will assess the city in six categories: tidiness, environmental action, heritage conservation, urban forestry, landscape and floral displays (results will be announced Sept. 16).
ON TRACK
"By the time the judges visit, you won't even know we had a delayed spring," Urbaniak told The Tri-City News during a recent garden tour. "We're on track. The gardeners have been working hard across the city."
Indeed, the Inspiration Garden is a verdant space full of colour, interesting plants and species trees that show what can be grown in this climate.
Divided into sections, the garden demonstrates for home growers what can be planted to eat, replace lawns harmed by drought and chafer beetles, and to lure pollinators.
There is even a section devoted to growing hops, which might be donated to a local brewery.
"Everything is starting to pop," Urbaniak said, pointing out the herb towers of basil, stevia, parsley and other tasty greenery, espaliered fruit trees that will produce cherries, apples and pears, kiwis and even persimmons.
FEW LOST
Urbaniak said few plants were lost over the cold winter, so gardeners, including about 40 volunteers, expect to be able to harvest fruits as well as vegetables for the food bank run by Share Family and Community Services.
The garden that was started in 2009 has developed a bit of a following, with school tours, gardening programs and opportunities for teen and adult volunteers. Urbaniak said people can also drop by to get their gardening questions answered, with hours to be posted on the city's website later this summer.
"Every year we're seeing an increase in our school tours," Urbaniak confirmed. "Children like to get their hands dirty."
• For more information about programs, including a June 16 workshop on creating a Canada 150 planter, visit www.coquitlam.ca and look for Inspiration Garden under Recreation Parks and Culture and Parks and Trails.
