Volunteers Tzu Chi West Toronto Office Cultivating Brueckner Rhododendron Garden

If you saw a hundred or so people hard at work at Brueckner Rhododendron Garden in the middle of a holiday long weekend, the last long weekend of the summer at that, then you were witness to some of the volunteer work of Tzu Chi West Toronto Office, a non-profit charity that tends the Garden about three times each year.

Their generous contribution of time and effort makes a huge impact on the overall appearance of the Garden beds, and is testament yet again that 'many hands make light work'.

Here are some photos of the Tzu Chi volunteers at the Garden in September.

Volunteers from Tzu Chi West Toronto Office

For several years now, the Tzu Chi West Toronto Office volunteers have come to tend the Brueckner Rhododendron Garden as part of the City of Mississauga’s Litternot Program. Usually some 50-70 volunteers, many of them families, show their love for the earth by weeding and cleaning the Garden, while enjoying the beautiful scenery and peaceful surroundings.

Tzu Chi Volunteer Gardeners Cultivating Rhododendron Beds at BRG

At present, the West Toronto Office has over 160 active volunteers, and about 600 supporters. Tzu Chi volunteers serve their community in many ways, including helping at senior homes, food banks, and with the City of Mississauga’s LitterNot program.

Tzu Chi Volunteers Clean Lake Ontario Beach Brueckner Rhododendron Garden

Brueckner Rhododendron Garden is sited on the north shore of Lake Ontario. Storms, winds and waves, as well as thoughtless visitors, can toss lots of litter onto the shoreline of the Garden. Several times a year, garden staff and volunteers such as Tzu Chi West Toronto Office make a concerted effort to clean up this beach.

Tzu Chi Volunteers at BRG Mississauga Ontario  

On the Labour Day weekend alone, 120 Tzu Chi volunteers weeded 9 flower beds and cleaned up the lake shore in two hours. Because this larger than usual number of volunteers were able to attend, much was accomplished. Over the next week or so, other visitors to the Garden commented on how lovely and well-tended the garden beds were.

Tzu Chi West Toronto Office Group Photo at Brueckner Rhododendron Garden

After a few hours' work, it was time for lunch, a bit of socializing and a group photo.

"We had a very good time [at the BRG], said Adrienne, Tzu Chi Volunteer Coordinator. "Work and play is the greatest combination of life, isn't it?"

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Update August 28 2011 Tzu Chi Day at the Garden.

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Tzu Chi’s 'Four Missions, Eight Footprints' are Charity, Medicine, Education, Humanities, International Relief, Bone-Marrow Donation, Community Volunteerism, and Environmental Protection. Through volunteer activities, Tzu Chi members blend Buddhist teachings into their daily lives.

To learn more about Tzu Chi Foundation Canada, see http://en.tzuchi.ca/canada/home.nsf/home/index

For Tzu Chi West Toronto, see http://academy.tzuchi.ca/canada/academy/mississauga/home.nsf/

For Tzu Chi Global, see http://www.tzuchi.org.tw

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Thank you, Tzu Chi volunteers!

On behalf of Gardens staff, volunteers and visitors, a great big THANK YOU! to Tzu Chi. Your work is much appreciated !


If your group would like to help cultivate Brueckner Rhododendron Gardens, call 311 from anywhere in the cities of Brampton and Mississauga and let us know. Or post a comment and we will get back to you. Students looking to fulfill community service hours should also call for information.

Much work (compost, mulch, weeding, planting, etc) is scheduled to be done this fall to get the Garden ready for winter.

Rhododendron Gardens Tour Date May 23 ~ Rhodos, Azaleas, Japanese Cherry

[BRG Tour Date 2012: Sunday May 17, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Free!]

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The Gardens Tour date has been changed! The new Rhododendron Gardens tour date is Sunday, May 23, 2010.

Magnolia, Japanese Cherry, Rhododendrons

The magnolias (white, photo) are almost finished blooming. The rhodos, azaleas and the Japanese cherry trees are coming into bloom earlier than usual so the garden tour has been advanced one week from the original date May 30.

Mauve Rhododendrons in Bloom - Port Credit Mississauga Ontario

Even the apple trees, legacy of the original Cranberry Cove farmland where the Brueckner Rhododendron Gardens now flourish, are popping buds open as fast as they can. The forecast weather over the coming weeks is for more sunshine and seasonably warm temperatures, which will encourage many of the flowering shrubs to bloom earlier than usual.

Pink Rhododendron Flowers - BRG Mississauga Ontario

The Rhododendron 'Heritage Bed' is marked with split rail fencing, and signed with information about Dr. Brueckner and his legacy rhodos. These pink rhododendrons can be seen in the Heritage Bed, and in one of the beds closer to Lake Ontario.

Split Rail Fencing Marks the Brueckner Heritage Garden

The gate in the split rail fence that separates the paved trail (path) from the parking lot and the heritage rhodos is now open so that photographers, wedding parties and rhodo fanciers can get close to the beautiful rhododendrons. However, do leave your dogs on leash outside the fenced area. Cyclists: Park your bikes outside the heritage bed.

Pink - Mauve Rhododendrons - Brueckner Heritage Gardens

These early blooming rhododendrons provide a good show for visitors now, and over the coming weeks. There is some concern that even with the Gardens tour date being advanced one week that warm weather in the interim will force all the rhodos into unusually early bloom, and that they may well be in the final stages of blooming by May 23.

White Rhododendron with Pink Tinge - Port Credit Ontario

This rhododendron blooms white, with a pale pink tinge to the flowers. Look for this tiny shrub amidst the larger rhodo plants; it's easy to overlook. This rhodo can be found in the heritage bed, and at the top of the hill heading towards the lake, and in the beds in the south garden area overlooking Lake Ontario.

Mauve Charmer! Azalea in Bloom Mississauga Ontario

Look for azaleas in bloom, too. I took these pictures at the BRG on Tuesday, April 27. Here are pictures and two post dates from previous years (posted on my own blog that predates the BRG blog by 2 years) and pictures of blooming rhododendrons from last May.

• Snapshot rhodos May 17 2007
• Snapshot rhodos May 17, 2008
• BRG blog Rhodos  May 12  2009

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Update: May 10, 2010: Japanese Cherry Trees BRG

Japanese Cherry Trees In Bloom ~ BRG Mississauga Port Credit

High winds and rain over the weekend in Port Credit ON did not to any favours to the blooming Japanese Cherries at the Gardens. Luckily, Para Kanp, head gardener, had a few days earlier taken this photo of the trees in full bloom (Click on any photo to enlarge; click Back button to return to this page).

Great Walks Mississauga Port Credit in Fall: Lake Ontario, Godfrey's Lane, Waterfront

The Gardens, the Waterfront Trail and Godfrey's Lane along Lake Ontario are great places to go for walks in the Port Credit area of Mississauga this Fall. Take advantage of the sunny days, and enjoy this lovely spot of our city.

Walker on the Waterfront Trail at BRG

From Godfrey's Lane, the Waterfront Trail winds its way through the Gardens, following Tecumseh Creek to Lakeshore Road.

 

Godfrey's Lane Entrance to BRG

Fall colours are emerging at the Gardens, as seen here along Godfrey's Lane and the Waterfront Trail.

 

Kentucky Coffee Tree BRG

This area of Mississauga Port Credit is near the northern boundary of the Carolinian Forest, and the gardens are lucky to have wonderful examples of Carolinian trees, like this Kentucky Coffee Tree (yellow leaves, center). Also see an update on this tree Feb 2012.

 

Mystery Rock Stack at BRG - Inukshuk or Art Form?

From time to time, park staff and visitors will catch sight of one of these balanced rock stacks near Lake Ontario, and sometimes along Tecumseh Creek. To the artist: Thanks! You brighten the park!

 

Grey Squirrel in Residence Oak Tree at Lake Ontario

Regular visitors and staff know this grey squirrel; he's been the unofficial BRG Squirrel in Residence for several years now, holding court from near his oak tree at the corner of Waterfront Trail and Lake Ontario.

 

BRG Visitors on Bench - Lake Ontario Port Credit

The BRG's wonderful location on the shores of Lake Ontario makes it a favourite viewing spot for visitors. There are three benches near this viewpoint, and lovely rhodo and azalea beds close by.

 

Snow Fencing Rhododendrons at BRG

BRG staff erected the snow fencing around rhododendron beds and the peony garden this week, to give them some winter protection. See earlier post about winterizing the gardens.

 

Wire Mesh Tulip Bulbs

To keep squirrels from munching on tulip bulbs (apparently their favourite snack), garden staff placed wire mesh over the areas where the tulip bulbs were planted. The mesh will be removed once the ground freezes.

See earlier post for planting bulbs and shrubs. And if you'd like to come help get the gardens ready for winter, or sign up for next spring and summer, see Volunteering at BRG for information.

But volunteer or visitor, make time for a walk through the gardens, along Lake Ontario, and Godfrey's Lane, a very special part of Mississauga Port Credit!

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!