TIMES COLONIST | timescolonist.com
ADVERTISING FEATURE
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020
Our location of choice
D5
DENNY WARNER, Executive Director Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
ast month I talked about how amazing this part of the world is, where we live and do business. Adding to our quite diversified, protected economy, we have relatively low crime rates, beautiful scenery, stable government, etc. and it is clear why this is a location of choice for many. Following on the heels of another successful Tour of Industry, our 11th, we once again heard loudly and clearly from the businesses who operate here, of the significant challenges to operating on an island — challenges that their competition elsewhere do not share. In spite of these unique challenges, the number one reason each of them states as to why they stay here is the exceptional “quality of life”. Putting aside concerns about higher taxes,
L
much higher shipping and transportation costs, and a high cost of living, they stay for the lifestyle. Our diversified economy and this “quality of life” will stand us in good stead as we move into the future. Young companies, aged five years or less, are creating the majority of net new jobs. The new entrepreneurs are highly mobile, many of them are freelancers.They can and do choose to live where they are personally connected and there is a high quality of life. If we provide entrepreneurs what they need such as access to capital, talent, and technical infrastructure and assistance, we will continue to be a home for future business moguls. We must focus on attracting these entrepreneurs to our community (or grow our own) to maintain our economic diversity.
Irresistible Hellebores I BY SUSAN TICE, Russell Nursery t’s hard to resist the siren call of hellebores. Winter blooming and in a wide range of colour and form, they are long lived and never need dividing. All that and they are both drought tolerant and deer resistant. No wonder we love them! Helleborus niger, aka Christmas Rose and H. orientalis, aka Lenten Rose, are the species we are most familiar with. Hellebores seed themselves freely and are notoriously variable. That variability has long fascinated plant breeders, but has made it necessary to grow different coloured plants miles apart from each other so they can have some control over pollination. Growing hellebores has always been a bit like hosting a pot-luck dinner — they never knew what they were going to get. In recent years, thanks to new techniques like tissue culture, there has been an explosion of new hellebores readily available commercially. The popular ‘Winter Jewels Collection’ features doubles and singles, rich colours and intricate patterns. Even the names are irresistible — ‘Berry Swirl’, ‘Onyx Odyssey’, ‘Golden Lotus’, ‘Apricot Blush’ to name just a few. There is still a lot of variation with the colour and form of each plant, similar to
others of the same name but rarely identical. How to Grow Hellebores We think of hellebores as woodland plants and they grow readily in light shade, but in their native Eastern Europe, they grow in alkaline soil, in open sunny meadows. However, the plants are adaptable and will thrive our somewhat acidic soil. Although they are drought tolerant, hellebores are at their best in moist, rich, well-drained soils. At planting time, dig in plenty of leaf mould, garden compost or mushroom manure. Additional feeding is not usually needed, but an occasional application of a balanced slow release fertilizer after they bloom won’t hurt. It’s a good idea to cut off all the old foliage just as the flowers are starting to emerge. For one thing, the flowers will show better when the foliage is cut away, but the main reason is to keep the plants healthy. By spring the old foliage is ratty looking and buggy. Removing it will allow the new foliage to stay clean. Put the old foliage in the garbage, not the compost. Visit Russell Nursey for more info. 1370 Wain Road, N. Saanich. Ph: 250-656-0384. russellnursery.com
In recent years, thanks to new techniques like tissue culture, there has been an explosion of new hellebores readily available commercially.
0011795797 Quality Plants RASSENTI, TICE & CO Knowledgeable Staff LTD • At Russell Nursery we know our plants and we are always ready to help. • Bring us yourFeb questions Promotion and we will make sure you leave with the perfect plants for 4 x 56 your space. • Come to us for pots, gardening supplies, quality tools and gardenCMYK, art. , • It’s well worth the drive to North Saanich! 1370 Wain Road, N. Saanich, BC 250-656-0384
The perfect year-round getaway or homeowners wanting to fully enjoy the indooroutdoor possibilities, Skyview has some great ideas. From awnings and canopies to skylights and sunrooms to self-cleaning hot tubs and swimspas, the possibilities are impressive. With hot tubs, energy-efficiency, longevity and ease of maintenance are key. The Canadiam-made Hydropool self-cleaning hot tub is quiet, and is literally the world’s easiest hot tub to maintain. The advanced self-cleaning system simultaneously removes surface debris and cleans the bottom of the tub with a built-in floor vacuum, fully cleaning the water every 15 minutes. Where foam-insulated hot tubs can prove challenging, Hydropool hot tubs and swim spas (the pool you didn’t think you could afford) are among the most energy-efficient on the market. Because of their unique design, Hydropool products allow for easy maintenance. Self-cleaning hot tubs Self-cleaning Hydropool hot tubs and swim spas cleanse 100 per cent of the water every 15 minutes. That’s an incredible eight times in two hours. Skyview has an impressive selection of Hydropool self cleaning hot tubs for sale at near wholesale prices. Visit their showroom off Keating Cross Road in Saanichton, just outside of Victoria. Self-cleaning swim spas Hydropool Swim spas are the perfect way to swim everyday. No need to vacuum the swim spa — they self-clean 100 per cent of the water every 40 minutes.
F
Made in Ontario, Swim Spas by Hydropool are the perfect way to swim, exercise or play every day. The patented self-cleaning feature minimizes maintenance thus leaving you more time to get into the swim spa with family and friends. If you are going to make an investment in a swim spa, it is important that you do your homework. Not all swim spas are built the same. Talk to the folks at Skyview and see why they think their swim spas are the best quality and value. Sunrooms Skyview has been building custom sunrooms and awnings for over 31 years. Enjoy your hot tub or swim spa in any weather with a low-maintenance awning, canopy or sunroom. You will enjoy greater use of your home and garden. Available in a variety of sizes and styles, the awnings and canopies can be converted to a sun and garden room and be partially or fully enclosed in the future. Skyview’s products block the sun’s damaging UV rays and will not fade, fray, tear or dent; the solar bronze tinting allows up to a 45 per cent reduction in heat gain and glare. Skyview Industries has been serving Vancouver Island for over 31 years. Their philosophy is to provide homeowners with the best products, price and service. Skyview Industries, 1-6721 Butler Crescent, just off Keating Cross Road in Saanichton. sunspaces.com
W W W. R U S S E L L N U R S E R Y. C O M
Get the Best for Less! 0011795796 SKYVIEW INDUSTRIES Hot Tubs 4 x 75 Save up to $CMYK, ,
5000
on Hot Tubs See our Almost Wholesale pricing! Sunspaces.com/awp #1 – 6721 Butler Crescent (off Keating Cross Road), Saanichton
250.652.0888 www.sunspaces.com