The long driveway to Greg and Beth Polovick’s gated 1.8-acre property on 128th Crescent is shaped like a tear drop, encircling a bed of not-yet-flowering rhododendrons.
The property, along the South Alouette River, overlooking Davidson’s Pool and Hot Rocks – where locals like to cool off in summer – has more than 350 rhododendrons, from Uniques to Janet Blairs to Virgina Richards.
The Polovicks have 100 or so azaleas, too, and hydrangeas. Throughout the mulched beds around their yard are multiple hellebores, such as Lenton rose, and hostas. The latter, when they flower, attract humming birds and bumble bees.
Bears and deer and coyotes are among other visitors.
Greg used to see a lot of frogs, which he said talked throughout the night. And he still sees eagles around when the salmon spawn in the river.
The flowers and shrubs, the Polovicks planted and maintain, a daily passion that led them to join the Maple Ridge Garden Club.
But the towering cedar, spruce and fir trees were there when they arrived, more than 40 years ago.
Greg and Beth originally lived in an old spec house in west Maple Ridge. But when Greg, an electrical engineer who likes to keep busy, was done renovating it, he sought acreage.
His realtor said he could show him a “handy-man special,” a house in foreclosure.
The property was then littered with broken-down vehicles, tucked amongst the trees, and fishing nets. The house itself was nothing more than a summer cottage.
Greg and Beth made a low bid to the bank, and several days later it was accepted.
Greg had the vehicles towed and got rid of the nets. He had dead trees removed and expanded the house from 1,500 sq. feet to more than 5,000. He repaved the driveway, built a patio out back and retaining walls at the back of the property. He fixed another patio right on the river. The property actually extends to a small island in the middle of the river.
Greg and Beth’s three daughters – Tamara, Cindy and Erika – spent their youth tubing on the river, even into the fall.
But Greg didn’t do much to the yard until 1983, when a couple from Burlington, Ont. came to visit. They all went to Butchart Gardens in Victoria.
“You could turn this into Butchart Gardens,” one of their friends said of the Maple Ridge property.
“‘Ya, I could,’” said Greg.
Beth first tried planting roses, but deer ate them.
So she tried rhododendrons. She then joined a rhododendron club, which led her to the garden club. After she joined, Greg did, as well.
“Once one of you joins, the other might as well.”
Now he’s the club president.
The seeds of the Maple Ridge Garden Club were planted at a high school, by a dozen amateurs who wanted to educate and beautify the community, 70 years ago.
Jill Borrow is one of the club’s more than 160 current members. She and the others are tying an anniversary celebration to the club’s annual pot luck in July.
First, the club is hosting its annual spring plant, bake and craft sale.
“This is the club’s main source of income. All of the plants are donated from members gardens. This event is open to the public,” Borrow said. “Come out and meet our members who will be happy to answer questions, share 70 years of gardening knowledge, as well as assist you with what you need for your own particular garden.”
At the sale will be iron works made by Fraser Regional Correctional Centre inmates.
“If you are looking for a new planter, bird house or wishing well, come and check out our vendors. Hungry for great baked goods, this is the place for you. There will be a fabulous raffle full of great gardening gifts. Something for everyone,” Borrow added.
The plant and bake sale takes place April 28 at St. Patrick’s School, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The club’s original meeting, in October 1948, took place on a Wednesday night at Maple Ridge High School.
A dozen amateur gardeners met to discuss the plausibility of organizing an amateur garden club in the district, so reads a front-page story in the old Gazette newspaper.
Guy Marshall, the club’s founder, served as president from founding until 1977. He then served as honorary president until he passed away in 1980.
Over the years, the club’s goal has been to participate in the education and beautification of the community.
“We strive to promote ‘healthy’ gardening,” Borrow said.
Every three years, the club organizes a tour of some of the most beautiful gardens in Maple Ridge, with all proceeds going to Sunshine Dreams for Kids, a charity that makes dreams come true for children with severe physical disabilities or life-threatening illnesses.
The garden club also takes part in Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Country Fest, and contributes to the Intergenerational Garden.
“We are a member of the B.C. Council of Gardeners,” Borrow added.
“Whether you have a tiny herb garden on your balcony, a huge garden estate, or you have no garden at all but love everything gardening, the Maple Ridge Garden Club is for you.”
The club meets on the third Wednesday of every month, except November and December. A members banquet is held in November.
Every year in July, the club hosts pot luck at a member’s gardens. All previous members are welcome to attend. For information on this year’s celebration, attend a club meeting.
“This is a special year as we are celebrating our 70th anniversary.”
The club’s experience level is anywhere from novice gardener to a handful of masters, all with three things in common: fun, fulfillment and information through gardening.
“At each of our monthly meetings, we have a guest speaker who generally gives a 45-minute presentation,” Borrow said.
“Many speakers bring new and wonderful plants to sell to the membership. Coffee and delicious snacks are served after the presentation, which is followed by local garden tidbits, general club updates and our meeting are concluded with a raffle and door prizes.”
The club meets at the Fraserview Village Hall, at the corner of 116th Avenue and 227th Street. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Meetings start at 7 p.m.
As well as monthly meetings, the club offers monthly newsletters, workshops, plant sales, parlour shows, bus and garden tours, members open gardens, photo contests and plant displays.
Membership offer discounts from corporate sponsors: Amsterdam Greenhouses, Triple Tree Nurseryland, Otter Co-op, Grow and Gather Nursery, Art’s Nursery (just across the Golden Ears Bridge) and Top Gun Lawn and Garden Maintenance.
Membership is free to anyone 80 or older.
For Greg and Beth, membership is about friendship and shared interests.
Their daughter, Cindy Motyka, is also part of the club, and she said it is trying to attract younger members. Her sons, Jake and Daniel, like to help out with groundskeeping at their grandparents’ property.
Cindy has he own garden, and won the municipal front-yard garden contest one year.
But gardening can be an expensive pursuit, she said, adding the club’s annual sale offers plants that are affordable and proven to work in the local environment.
“It’s tried and true.”
They are the product of much care.
Greg approves, adding that gardening is not a job.
“It’s a full-time passion.”
