It has been almost a year since the first annual Yew Valley Garden Design Show can you even believe it?!
The dream of Yew Valley began back in 2020. I hoped to bring a modern garden show to the freshly built Yew Greenhouse. My vision was to bring two worlds together: inspiration and application. I wanted to have summer backyard garden party vibes blend with hands on horticulture knowledge. A weekend for wearing your garden gloves AND favourite summer dress.
I pulled from my conference organizing background – (fun fact I co chaired one of the largest student conferences at UBC in 2011 which brought students from over 100 countries to learn and network with each other) It was an amazing format that not only educated students but also created a fun social atmosphere where true connections were formed. I loved the format so I decided to try it in the garden workshop space 🙂
Enter my friendship with Sam Ulasy – Kelowna’s best landscaper 3 years running. I was introduced to Sam via Jillian Harris’s instagram. I adored Jillians gardens and one time when I was watching she tagged who her landscaper was. I started following Sam (Margaret Valley Landscaping) after that and from there we became friends. A year later when I brought the idea of Yew Valley to her she loved the idea so much and the rest is history!
We kicked off the weekend with a social event called the “Sip and Shop”. The greenhouse transformed into a little retail space showing off beautiful small shop items. Guests got to browse all the goodies while enjoying a glass of Sandhill wines.
Saturday and Sunday were packed full of gardening workshops with super fun and informative topics. Sam and myself led the majority of the workshops covering everything from garden planning 101, growing a cutting garden, hydrangea and rose care, and how to care for those finicky indoor plants. We were also SO lucky to have the amazing Donna Balzer come up from Qualicum beach to give us the low down on vegetable gardening. Donna was an absolute hit with her hilarious and super informative delivery. Donna we love you!
Angela from B.C Greenhouses also gave us a super inspirational talk showing that the options are only limited by your imagination when it comes to what a greenhouse can be and do!
We ended Saturday with a beautiful outdoor floral workshop with Persephone Bloom and sipped crisp Pinot Gris by Sandhill wines, an utterly perfect evening.
The weekend ended with an intimate long table dinner in the greenhouse. We were so fortunate to have and be completely spoiled by our sponsors, BC Greenhouses, Sandhill Wines, West Coast Seeds and The Mill Coffee Shop and Style at Home. Meeting new friends, seeing old ones and gathering around to celebrate the gift of gardening was really the heart of the weekend – whether you are new to gardening or a lifetime gardener there truly was something for everyone.
Here’s what a few people had to say about the event
“The dahlias session was so informative and I loved how Sam gave examples of many varieties. Plus the zones! I really enjoyed the hands on workshop making my own floral arrangements!”
“Super well organized, so much fun, I now want hydrangeas everywhere!”
“Please say you’re doing this every year!”
While Yew Valley 2021 will always hold a special place in my heart, I am SO EXCITED to announce that Yew Valley 2022 is happening again and tickets are now live!
Like last year tickets are super limited as we like to keep it small and intimate so if you know you want to join us please grab your tickets early to avoid disappointment. We hope that you will be able to join us!
