Tzu Chi Volunteers at BRG: Roses, Waterfront, Rhododendrons

Volunteers from Tzu Chi West Toronto Office cultivated the Rose Garden, cleaned up the Lake Ontario waterfront, and tended rhododendron and azalea beds on Saturday August 28, 2011.

Here are some pictures of this much appreciated group of volunteers who make such a difference to the look and health of the BRG garden beds.

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Tzu Chi West Toronto at Brueckner Rhododendron Garden

Early yesterday morning, about 65 Tzu Chi West Toronto members (teens to seniors) gathered at Brueckner Rhododendron Garden, ready to begin a morning's work as volunteer gardeners. The sign in the left foreground marks their participation in the City of Mississauga's 'Litter Not' program, with the BRG as their special project.

What began a few years ago as a Garden and Lakeshore litter pick-up has grown into working in the rest of the Garden as well. Several times each year, members of Tzu Chi come out to the Garden, doing whatever tasks Para Kanp, BRG head gardener, asks of them. Their work in the Garden is just one of many philanthropic projects for this busy group.

Tzu Chi West Toronto in Rose Garden

The volunteers split into three groups. One group worked in the Rose Garden. Though the roses had been weeded a few weeks earlier, hot summer days encouraged weed growth as well as rose growth. Behind the fence, you will see another group who worked in the Heritage Rhododendron garden.

Tzu Chi Volunteers at Heritage Rhododendron Garden

Here's another look at the second Tzu Chi group working in the heritage rhododendron beds behind the split rail fence. The third group can be seen at the gazebo as they get ready to walk over the hill to clean up litter and debris on the Lake Ontario shore line.

Lake Ontario Shoreline Clean Up Tzu Chi Group

Here's a closer look at the Tzu Chi group busy cleaning up the western part of the BRG lake shore. Lake Ontario has high water levels due to summer rains, so to get around the large rock breakwater, this group had to walk back up the steep bank to continue with the clean up of the eastern area.

Rhododendron Azalea Bed Clean Up

Their cultivating and weeding in the Heritage Garden completed, this group of Tzu Chi volunteers moved across the garden trail to work in the hillside rhodo and azalea beds that overlook the Rose Garden. Morning mists lend an ethereal look to this shady hillside.

Rose Garden Tended by Tzu Chi West Toronto

Behind a large pile of weeds and pruned rose canes (lower right, photo), Tzu Chi volunteers work steadily in the Rose Garden. After the rose garden weeding, there were about a dozen of these large weed piles waiting to be removed by City staff.

Para Kanp (right), David Culham Thank Tzu Chi West Toronto

Para Kanp (far right), and David Culham, chair of BRG Stewardship Committee (BRGSC) (shown here standing near white pail) thanked the Tzu Chi group for their hard work, done cheerfully. He expressed appreciation for their contribution to the overall appearance and health of the Garden, and applauds their giving back to their communties.

Tzu Chi accomplished in a few hours what would take a few volunteers several days, he said, adding, "Many hands do indeed make light work." 

Tzu Chi West Toronto is a fine example of the volunteerism and community participation that are hallmarks of Canadian society, said Culham.

BRG Mixed Bed Rose Garden Before Weeding

Here''s a picture of the Mixed Bed in the Rose Garden before Saturday's weeding. Though weeded only a few weeks earlier, the soil is barely visible through the prolific weeds.

BRG Rose Bed After Weeding

Here's the same Mixed Rose Bed after Tzu Chi completed weeding and cultivating. This is great preparation for fall compost and in-fill rose planting in the Rose Garden. (The dark lines on top of the soil in the photo are drip irrigation lines.)

Tess of the D'Urbervilles Rose with Japanese Beetles

The volunteers noted the presence of Japanese beetles, shown here on Tess of the D'urbervilles red roses. Where possible, these beetles were hand picked. Persistent beetle control seems to be making a difference, as many healthy buds are evident.

Tess of the D'Urbervilles Red Rosebud Blooming

With the weed removal and cultivation, it's hoped the Rose Garden will continue to attract visitors over the coming months as Summer moves into Fall.

Thanks again to Tzu Chi West Toronto Office for another job well done!

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Read how to volunteer at BRG here.

Rhododendron, Coneflowers, Hostas, Phlox, Daylilies ~ What's In Bloom at the BRG

Coneflowers, phlox, hostas and daylilies join a late blooming rhododendron at the BRG to brighten the greenery with pinks, whites and yellows.

Torrential rains the past week have taken their toll on Mississauga gardens, and the flower beds at Brueckner Rhododendron Gardens are no exception. But a fast walk through the other night shows that most of the flowers survived the July storms fairly well.

Rhododendron in Bloom in late July

I stand to be corrected, but I think the end of July is latest in the spring-blooming rhodo season that I have ever seen rhodos blooming at the BRG. Well, with the exception of one valiant rhodo that sent forth a bloom late last fall.

After the Storms July 2009 - Hostas in Bloom

Hostas across Mississauga are sending up their flower spikes to add a subtle shade of mauve to the gardens. This hosta bed next to the BRG office is looking particularly fine this year -- its first full summer -- thanks largely to volunteer Don who spent many of his springtime hours weeding this new bed.

Mixed Blooms Annual, Perennial

As usual, the mixed bed of annual geraniums, marigolds, canna lilies, etc. south of the parking lot on Lakeshore Road is filling in nicely. Perennial coneflowers are now in bloom, having joined the stunning lilies and hydrangeas already in full bloom.

Any day now, one of my personal favourites, annual but self-seeding cleome, will burst forth and continue send forth pink and white spiky flower balls till frost and beyond.

Phlox in Bloom Edge of Peony Bed ~ Waterfront Trail

I recall volunteer David planting these phlox late last fall to provide not only a splash of summer color after the peonies were finished, but also to act as a buffer between the delicate peonies and the traffic on the Waterfront Trail. I for one am glad he did. Once the early summer blooming is done, the colorful phlox are most welcome!

Daylilies Frame Lake Ontario Scene

Another David Initiative is the row of daylilies now in bloom that so prettily frame the Lake views. This spot, where BRG meets Lake Ontario, is hugely popular with visitors, staff and volunteers; there are a few new and comfy benches where you can stop and sit a while.

David did a lot of work last summer and fall to clean out a profusion of overgrown vines, scrub brush and weeds that were encroaching on the nearby rhodo and azalea beds. The weeds and scrub, clearly annoyed at their removal, have mounted a counterattack. Volunteers, come defend our gardens!

Misty Views After Heavy Rains ~ Lake and Sky Blend

This is the view from the Waterfront Trail south bridge where the creek meets Lake Ontario. Following heavy summer rains, and the resulting rise in humidity, mist blurs the horizon; The less than perfect evening weather did not deter visitors.

Also in bloom are the gorgeous hydrangeas, and in the rose garden, the irrepressible Chuckles still blooming strong.

Rhododendrons, Azaleas Starting to Bloom in Port Credit

Stopped into the BRG on a clear, sunny day and saw that the rhodos are starting to bloom! Azaleas, magnolias and more (see earlier posts sidebar) are now getting support from the fabulous rhodos.

White Rhododendron Blooms

These rhodos are just at the memorial sign for the Garden Walk on the west side of the Garden, just south from the parking lot.

Deep Pink Rhododendron Buds

In the photo above, you can see the buds starting to open. Below is another pic with more buds.

Pastel Pink Rhododendron Blooms

These pastel pink rhodos are so pretty, they hardly look real.

Pale Pink and Deep Pink Rhododendron Buds, Blooms

The sunlight almost washed out the pale pink blooms, and the deeper shadow made the deep pink blossoms glow.

Pink Rhododendron Blooms, Deep Pink (red?) Buds

Right now, the rhodos are just starting their spectacular show. They are so gorgeous, I forget that for every single blossom we admire now, each one will need to be hand picked when it has finished flowering.

Mauve Lilac Rhododendron Blooms

This rhodo bush is one of my favourites, and this is the third year in a row I have taken almost the exact same picture. But it is such a gorgeous shade of mauve-lilac, and, backdropped by the expanse of meadow below the new rose garden, it's hard to resist.

When you visit, and I know you will if you can, do pause for a moment or longer to say Thank Yuu to Dr. Brueckner, and to his family, for this fabulous legacy.

Brueckner Rhododendron Gardens

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Over the course of the past few years, I have taken many photos of the Rhododendron Gardens in the Port Credit area of Mississauga, and most often have posted them on my travel blog (Snapshot-travel-blog.blogspot.com). But now, I've taken so many photos that I decided that they deserve a blog all their own.

Rhododendron Gardens has been undergoing a rejuvenation over the past two years, including a name change to Brueckner Rhododendron Garden, to mark the legacy of Dr. Joseph Brueckner.

Godfrey's Lane Entrance Waterfront Trail at BRG

Summer 2009 saw the creation of a new garden for the new sign at the Godfrey's Lane entrance to the BRG. This entrance is one end of the Waterfront Trail that runs through the Gardens. See the googlemaps link in sidebar for map and directions.

For earlier pictures of Rhododendron Gardens, go to Snapshot TravelBlog and check 'labels' and archives. For newer pictures taken in the BRG, including the new lily, peony and rose beds, check the archives in right menu.

Cheers!

Update January 2010:

Welcome, Visitors, from all around the world!

Brueckner Rhododendron Gardens Visitors January 2010

It's winter in Canada, and the gardens are quiet. But come back in  a few months, as the new year unfolds!

Happy Gardening!