Society promotes gardening for life

For gardeners of all ages and experience, the Calgary Horticultural Society is a vast resource for gardening in Calgary.

Established 105 years ago, the Society is a registered charity offering a wide range of benefits to members, including a subscription to Calgary Gardening; open garden visits throughout the growing season, intended to educate and inspire; and talks by guest experts on a variety of garden-related topics.

In spring and fall, the Society hosts two annual plant shares, which are an opportunity to pick up a variety of plant materials that flourish in Calgary.

Society members also receive a discount on their purchases at more than 50 garden retail- ers in the Calgary area. Another members-only benefit is a plant database being launched by the Society this spring.

A new membership benefit this year is a lower entry fee — $10 — to attend the garden show. Non-Society members, “will have the opportunity to purchase a membership and save $5 on admission right at the door,” says executive director Elizabeth Jolicoeur.

Members attending this year’s show will have the opportunity to win two fantastic prizes: the Butchart Garden Getaway which includes airfare, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Victoria, car rental, admission to the world famous Butchart Gardens and afternoon tea, a three-hour whale watching tour and admissions to the Royal BC Museum, IMAX Theatre and Victoria Butterfly Gardens.

This free draw is open to any Society member who attends the Garden Show and fills out a ballot; new members can also enter. If a current Society member encourages someone to join the Society, that existing member will receive a second ballot to enter the draw.

Become a member by May 25 for chance to win a garden-inspired Pandora bracelet, valued at $400.

“For 2013, we are really looking at engaging more people to garden and to join us in supporting our vision of Gardening for Life,” Jolicoeur says.