Upcoming Events
Thurs Feb 6, 2025, 7:00pm: “Woodland Treasures” with John Lonsdale
This is a Zoom-only talk.
John Lonsdale will discuss a wide variety of the many unusual and beautiful woodland plants which he grows in his USDA zone 6b garden in Exton, PA. 
The presentation will highlight genera such as Trillium, Galanthus, Cyclamen, Corydalis, Podophyllum, Hepatica, Erythronium, Cypripedium, Phlox, Epimedium and Arisaema, many of which are native to the eastern USA. These plants are suitable for a range of habitats in the garden, from dry shade to vernally moist sunlit woodland edges. Although often found in deep shade in the woods, many flourish and flower much better when given more sunny locations and plentiful moisture. Several trees and shrubs will also be included, particularly native deciduous azaleas. John is particularly interested in pushing the cultivation limits of these plants, and his talk will emphasize methods for their successful growth and propagation, especially from seed. John has constructed two bog gardens to allow cultivation of some of the woodland plants which typically struggle in the garden, and examples of these will be discussed.
John Lonsdale gardens at “Edgewood” which is situated 35 miles west of Philadelphia, in Exton, Pennsylvania. He has grown a wide variety of alpine and woodland plants and bulbs for more than 40 years and is a recipient of the Alpine Garden Society Gold Merit Medal. He has traveled extensively to study plants in habitat, especially Trillium in the SE USA. John regularly contributes articles to the publications of several horticultural societies, lectures widely and maintains a website (www.edgewoodgardens.net) featuring over 20,000 images of plants growing in his garden. He contributed a chapter discussing Cyclamen in North America to the book, “Genus Cyclamen in Science, Cultivation, Art and Culture”, published by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. John received his Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and spent more than 35 years working in biomedical research, before driving a school bus for 5 years.
Past Events
Complete Thursday Jan 9 2025, 7pm: Will Criner on “Meconopsis in Alaska”
The Alaska Botanical Garden in Anchorage, AK, is the home of a collection of Meconopsis, or Himalayan Poppies. Our speaker, Will Criner, studied Horticulture in Kentucky and has worked in the industry for 20 years. He moved to Alaska in 2012 and has been working at the Alaska Botanical Garden for 11 seasons. He is currently the Garden and Facilities Manager and oversees the garden’s APGA accredited Meconopsis Collection.
This will be a Zoom-only meeting and members will receive an email with the links the day before the meeting. Non-members can register for the talk via this Eventbrite Link
Complete Thursday November 14, 7pm Daniel Walker “Europe 2024. Four cities in fourteen days, many gardens discovered”
PLEASE NOTE: THE TALK WILL BE PRECEDED WITH THE CRAGS AGM
Presentation: Europe 2024. Four cities in fourteen days, many gardens discovered.
Location: This will be a hybrid talk on zoom and in person at the Lakeview Community Association Hall 6110 – 34th Street SW. Parking is free.
Speaker:
Daniel Walker from CRAGS
At an early age I was always drawn to nature and plant life. From helping my mom tend to her flower and vegetable beds to picking out a dahlia from that wall of bulbs at the garden centre. I always enjoyed watching plants grow.
During high school I got a job at the local greenhouse and the spark I had for horticulture flourish. I had amazing mentors at the greenhouse that nurtured my passion and steered me to Olds College, where I completed my Landscape Management diploma. After a few years I joined the City of Calgary Parks department where I worked in various locations in the city the highlight being the National Historic Reader Rock Garden where I was the head gardener. During my time at Reader Rock I cultivated relationships with plant societies, growers, volunteers etc.
I garden for work and I garden for pleasure in my small yard that utilizes every square inch. When I run out of room I simply, remove more grass. since that isn’t enough for me I have my collection of just under 100 orchids and dozens of houseplants to keep me busy in the winter months. I am that crazy plant person.
If not a member please buy tickets at: Daniel tickets
Complete Thursday October 17, 7pm Connor Smith “A look at the Utrecht Botanic Gardens-Netherlands (Holland)”
Presentation: A look into the collection, layout and propagation of the Utrecht Botanic Gardens located in the Netherlands.
Location: This will be a hybrid talk on zoom and in person at the Lakeview Community Association Hall 6110 – 34th Street SW. Parking is free.
Speaker:
Connor is a sponsored speaker, on tour through NARGS.speaker program
Connor is currently in charge of the Rock Garden at Utrecht Botanic Garden which is one of the largest in Europe.
Connor Smith has worked in America for Iseli nursery, one of the world’s leading conifer nurseries. Work for Zu Jeddeloh nursery in Germany, a short spell with Kevock Garden followed, where he participated in one of their Gold Medal-winning displays at the Chelsea Flower Show. Then, it was on to Vannucci Piante in Pistoia, Italy – the largest growing area in Europe. Connor gained an interested in alpine plants from alpine expert Elspeth MacKintosh at RBGE. Elspeth’s passion and knowledge inspired Connor to further pursue a world in alpine plants. In 2019, he worked for the Schachen Alpine Garden high in the German mountains on a Merlin Trust placement. Plants trips to Chile, Kyrgyzstan, Japan and co-leading a AGS trip to Kazakhstan.
If not a member please buy tickets at: Eventbrite Connor Smith
Complete Sept.12 6-6:45pm Last Chance Plant Sale
Before the Sept.12 meeting some vendors will be selling a small selection of alpines. Come and check out what plants are available.
Cash only and bring your own container. Held at the side of meeting hall.
Complete Thursday Sept.12 7pm Lorne Kaban of the Alberta Regional Lily Society “Lets talk about Lilies”
Presentation: Lorne Kaban from the Alberta Regional Lily Society talks about how be became interested in Lilies and what he has learnt about them.
Location: This will be a hybrid talk on zoom and at the Lakeview Community Association Hall 6110 – 34th Street SW. Parking is free.
Speaker:
Lorne, has been a lifelong gardener that started out under the tutelage of his Baba and Mother in a vegetable garden on the family farm. Through out his life he has always had a few lilies in his garden.
About 15 years ago, while living in NE Alberta he heard about a farmer north of Vermilion that grew and sold lilies. When he visited Fred Fellner’s farm, Lorne was absolutely infected with “lilyitis”. The four acre plot of seedling lilies that ranged in height from 2-7’ and covered the full spectrum of colors in the white, yellow, pink, red, and multicolor range, as well as were spotted, no spots, frosted, and striped, totally enamoured him. He never looked back and has been on a journey of learning, growing, a little hybridizing, and promoting lilies ever since.
He became involved with the Alberta Regional Lily Society, shortly after he met Fred, and then joined the North American Lily Society a couple years later. Through both groups he has met and been mentored by folks, many of who are now lifelong friends, from across the globe. Lorne is the current President of both Societies and is a champion of growing lilies. He grows over 200 hundred varieties of lilies in his home garden in St Albert and is excited to share some of his knowledge with you and maybe even a couple of tips on how to manage the dread red Lily beetle!
If not a member please buy tickets at: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/lets-talk-about-lilies-tickets-1002621496887
Alberta Cultivar “Alberta Rose”
Alberta Cultivar “Amilita”
Talk Complete Thursday June 20th 7 pm Laura Caddy “The Alpine Garden at the University of British Columbia”
Presentation: Laura Cuddy shares the Alpine Garden at the University of British Columbia. Some familiar plants and other around the world plants located in this unique West Coast growing environment.
Location: This will be a hybrid talk on zoom and at the Lakeview Community Association Hall 6110 – 34th Street SW. Parking is free.
Laura Caddy from Vancouver will talk about the wonderful Alpine Garden at the University of British Colombia.
Speaker:
Laura works as Curator-Horticulturist of the EH Lohbrunner Alpine Garden for the University of British Columbia. The alpine garden is known for its diversity as it holds over 40% of the plant species grown at the UBC Botanical Gardens in Vancouver. In her role, Laura also manages the institutional seed exchange Index Seminum, overseeing the collection, packaging and distribution of seeds collected in the garden and in the wild. Laura is the former Bulletin Editor and current President of the Alpine Garden Club of British Columbia.
Free to Members of CRAGS. Non-members can purchase tickets for $8 from eventbrite. Tickets can be purchased at the following link: Eventbrite link
Complete Saturday June 1, 2024 Noon – 4pm CRAGS ANNUAL PLANT SALE
Wait for the announcement of next years date!
CRAGS’ 33rd Annual Plant Sale: Saturday June 1, 2024
CRAGS’ spring plant sale is always a much-anticipated event for alpine garden enthusiasts. If you would like to receive an email with the latest news about our plant sale plans, please send an email to plantsale@crags.ca.
The Plant Sale will be open outdoors from 12 noon till 4 pm at the Lakeview Community Association grounds, 6110 – 34th St SW, Calgary.
This event will be held outdoors with an option to move indoors in case of inclement weather.
The public is invited to shop from 12 noon till 4 pm. No need to come early as there will be lots of plants to choose from.
Come prepared for a cash-only sale, though some vendors are able to accept other forms of payment. Each vendor will handle his or her own payments, so please bring some small denominations of cash. Please bring your own tray or box as our supply is limited.
We’ll have alpine and rock garden plants for sale, and some other larger perennials. Plants suitable for various environments will be available — rock garden, alpine bed, native plant garden, container, or perennial bed. Most plants are from member growers, and are not available at local garden centres.
In addition to our member growers, some local specialty vendors participate in the sale.
- Garden Slippers
- Limited Tufa Rock will be also availble for sale
TALK COMPLETE Thursday May 9 at 7 PM Patti O’Keefe and Carol Huggler “Highlights of the 4th Czech Conference”
Presentation: Patti O’Keefe and Carol Huggler “Highlights of the 4th Czech Conference”
Location: This will be a hybrid talk on zoom and in the field house behind the Lakeview Community Association Hall 6110 – 34th Street SW. Parking is free.
A conference well worth going to!
Located in Pruhonice, the conference itself was attached to the Pruhonice park. A treasure! Garden tours of the master Czech gardeners themselves: Jirí Papousek, Zdenek Zvolanek and Vojtech Holubec. Each one was unique and beautiful. There were many other events during the day and evenings filled with great speakers.
A quick trip into Prague to visit the cultural attractions and a visit to an Alpine Garden in the center of the city.
Speakers:
Patti O’Keefe: Patti started gardening at an early age. Both sets of Grandparents had either a greenhouse or a lily pond which drew me in for sure. After a visit to Sheila Paulsons Garden, she put me in touch with Willie and Zolton. I was hooked! Now, many troughs later, a pond and an Alpine Rock Garden I want to add more after seeing the gardens at the conference.
Carol Huggler: Carol is an artist, a photographer, and a plant enthusiast with an inexhaustible fascination for all things botanical. Her specialties include concrete sculpture and succulent displays, when she isn’t too busy weeding in other people’s gardens. Visiting the Epicenter of Crevice Gardening was truly inspiring.
Free to Members of CRAGS. Non-members can purchase tickets for $8 from eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/highlights-of-the-4th-czech-international-rock-garden-conference-tickets-876234339497
Talk Complete Thursday April 11 at 7pm Barbara Cooper and Bella Seiden “Flora of the Turkish Silk Road”
Presentation: Flora of the Turkish Silk Road
Location (Hybrid): On Zoom and in the fieldhouse behind the normal hall at Lakeview Community Association Hall, 6110 – 34th Street SW. Parking is free.
Turkey is a country of rich physical and ancient cultural diversity straddling Europe and Asia. Bella and Barbara’s trip to Turkey in the spring of 2019 was an adventure with many surprises and much beauty. As they travelled along parts of the ancient Silk Road they saw mountains, volcanoes, steppe, beautiful rich valleys, rivers and lakes. Each of these areas is home to incredible flora, much of it endemic and fascinating cultural sites. Their presentation will offer some of the highlights of this trip.
Speakers’ Bio
Barbara Cooper and Bella Seiden have been gardening together in Toronto for more than 25 years.They have a plant collector’s garden in an urban setting, where they have constructed a tufa garden, crevice and rock garden as well as perennial beds Over the years they have developed an interest in seeing plants in their natural habitat and have traveled several times to South America, South Africa, and Turkey. They are members of the Ontario Rock Garden and Hardy Plant Society where they are responsible for the Speaker’s Programme.
Members: talk free
Non-members: Purchase tickets at eventbrite with the link below
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/barbara-cooper-and-bella-seiden-flora-of-the-turkish-silk-road-tickets-865944472227
Thursday March 14 7:00pm: Alexandria Farmer on “Plan Bee: Creating habitat for native bees “
This will be a Zoom-only meeting.. Non-members may register on Eventbrite to attend this meeting. A recording of the talk will be available for a limited time.
Alexandria Farmer is a Biology Instructor at MRU where she’s taught for 25 years. Alex has an MSc in Pollination Ecology with research focused on how bumble bee species respond in abundance, distribution, and fitness, to clearcut logging in the landscape. She’s also been studying bumble bee usage of nesting boxes and other domiciles, for the last 14 years and is a cofounder of the Alberta Native bee Council. For more information on Alberta’s plentiful native bees and ways that you can help them, visit https://www.albertanativebeecouncil.ca/.
Alberta Native Bee Council
Sunday Feb 11, 2:00pm MST: Jiri Papousek on “Small Daphnes and their Cultivation”
Daphne sp
Jiri Papousek
Our February meeting will be Zoom-only. Note the date and time which will accommodate our speaker who is in Czech Republic. Non-members may register on Eventbrite to attend this meeting. A recording of the talk will be available for a limited time.
Jiri Papousek is an expert rock gardener who visited CRAGS in June 2017. His garden is situated at altitude 200m, 10 km from Prague, capital of the Czech Republic. There are crevice rock gardens, various planted troughs, a woodland area with peat blocks, and an alpine tunnel with tufa wall. He has 35 years of experience of growing and exhibiting alpines at Prague Rock Gardens shows, and was part of the International Czech Rock Garden Conference committee in 2007, 2013, 2017 and 2023. His background is Chemical engineering and he works in the worldwide express shipping industry.
Jiri’s main interests include the cultivation of alpines, cushion plants, dionysias, small daphnes, and dwarf conifers and the design of crevice rock gardens, troughs, tufa wall, and peat blocks.
Daphnes are small shrubs with showy flowers, often evergreen, that are ideal for the rock garden. Many are hardy in Calgary’s Zone 3-4 climate. Usually the flowers are fragrant and they generally require well-drained soil. This genus is in the family Thymelaeaceae, native to Asia, Europe and north Africa.
Saturday Jan 13 10:00am: Tom Freeth on “The Rock Gardens of Kew”
This will be a ZOOM-only meeting and the date and time will be different to accommodate our guest speaker, Tom Freeth, who is located in the UK.
Tom Freeth
Our speaker Tom Freeth is a professional horticulturist and botanist with a life-long love of wild plants and high places. He works at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, England, looking after the curation of the Living Collections. Tom was formerly the curator and supervisor of the Alpine and Rock Garden Living Collection at Kew. When not at work, he is usually found somewhere wild taking pictures.
“The Rock Gardens of Kew”: drawing on images and documents from Kew’s archives, this presentation looks at the evolution of the Rock Garden at Kew from its conception in the 1870’s through to the present day. Four gardens have come and gone before the current layout. This talk shows the endeavour that goes into such a landscaping feat over nearly a century and a half, and some of the plants that have lived there.
This talk will be recorded and put on YouTube for one week after it is posted. Non-members may also register for the event via Eventbrite.
Thursday Nov 9 7:00pm: Oron Peri on “Alpine Bulbs”
This meeting will start off with our AGM which will be kept short so we can listen to the presentation.
This hybrid in-person and Zoom meeting will feature Oron Peri, a distinguished plantsman, botanist, author, as well as a leader of botanical tours in different parts of the world. He is a world expert on Bulbous plants of the Mediterranean and his book ‘Bulbs of the Eastern Mediterranean’ was published by the AGS in 2015. Oron was born in Jerusalem where his family has been living for many generations. Oron is also the owner of ‘Seeds of Peace’ a nursery specializing in bulbs, mainly from the Mediterranean.
Our thanks to NARGS (North American Rock Garden Society) for contributing to the travel expenses of this speaker so that we can enjoy an in-person visit from an internationally known rock garden expert.
Everyone is welcome to this meeting held at the Lakeview Community Hall in Calgary. See our Contact page for a map. Members will be sent a Zoom link if they can’t attend in person. It’s time to renew or buy your annual membership in CRAGS. so you can renew in person on on our website’s Members page.
Thursday Oct 12 7:00pm: Anne Spiegel on “Rock Gardening During Covid”
Silene acaulis ‘Anne Spiegel’
Rock Gardening During Covid: Maintaining Sanity in a Pandemic. Anne will talk about 2.5 years of gardening intensively with lots of time spent on projects and plants with no distractions.
This hybrid in-person and Zoom meeting features Anne Spiegel, a distinguished rock gardener from northeastern USA. Anne, who will be visiting Calgary and other cities in Canada, was the winner of the 2011 NARGS Millstream Award for creating a superior garden.
Our thanks to NARGS (North American Rock Garden Society) for contributing to the travel expenses of this speaker so that we can enjoy an in-person visit from an internationally known rock garden expert.
Thursday Sept 14 6:00pm: “Last Chance Plant Sale” and talk on Medicinal Native Plants
Our first meeting of the fall season will start with a small plant sale featuring member growers outdoors at Lakeview Community Hall. Then at 7:00pm we will enjoy Latifa Pelletier-Ahmed of ALCLA Native Plants speaking on Medicinal Native Plants. We will also use Zoom for those who wish to watch the talk at home.
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Latifa holds a BSc in Botany from the University of Calgary and a MSc in Herbal Medicine from Middlesex University, London, UK. She has been working with native plants for over a decade including herbarium collections, field plant identification (Southern Alberta), forestry data collection, and specimen identification (Northern Alberta). In 2016 she founded Latifa’s Herbs, which primarily serves to educate the public on the edible and medicinal uses of wild plant species in both Alberta and British Columbia. She is a former faculty member at Pacific Rim College in Victoria, BC where she taught Botany and Horticulture in addition to Wild Plant Nutrition.