Darts Hill Garden Park, 2023 VHPG Study Weekend

From our event brochure: "Darts Hill Garden Park consists of 7.5 acres of horticultural richness without equal in North America, for it contains a variety of rare and precious plants. The garden is the result of the pioneering spirit, interest, and dedication of Francisca and Edwin Darts."

Meconopsis species, Himalayan blue poppy.
While I appreciate how excited they were about what they had to offer, "horticultural richness without equal in North America" might be a bit of an over statement—to put it mildly. 

Upon entering the garden we were told there was an art exhibit staged throughout. I wasn't particularly interested, assuming these were the usual flashy pieces that detracted from the plants themselves (based on other art I've had to endure in public gardens), but I was wrong. There were a few really interesting displays.
Sadly I cannot tell you who is responsible for this work, as the website address I recorded for that info appears to have been altered since last summer.

My apologies to the artist(s).
Moving into the rock garden area...
The sign reads: These alpine Beds were designed, built and planted by the Alpine Garden Club of BC. Mrs. Francisca Darts was an Honorary Life Member of the AGC-BC.Saxifraga longifolia

They had a great collection of tough plantings.



Saxifraga petrophila
Maybe a acantholimon?

Seeds!
From this petite plant...

I wish I knew what this cutie is...

So many great saxifraga!
Moving on... sensitive fern, Onoclea sensibilis.

Vaccinium parvifolium, red huckleberry.

I do have the name of this final artist, Marcus Macdonald.
Of course I loved his ceramic fungus shapes, well done!