Feb. 19, 2010, Vancouver – The world now knows the Vancouver region has an impressive climate. A spectacular planting of ‘Vancouver Medallion’ helleborus was unveiled in Stanley Park in early February. The idea of showcasing a perennial in bloom in time for the 2010 Winter Olympics belongs to The Garden Club of Vancouver. The intention was to showcase the region’s diverse climate; very few cities can host the Winter Games while at the same time enjoying early garden flowers.

The garden club’s Terri Clark suggested a hellebore variety would be suitable, and John Schroeder of Heritage Perennials selected and named it ‘Vancouver Medallion.’ This is a robust and floriferous variety bred in Belgium at the nursery of Het Wilgenbroek, and introduced as ‘Candy Love.’

The high profile planting at Stanley Park (photo) consists of 750 plants, arranged in stylized curves to match ski runs and snow on the nearby North Shore mountains.