Dan Armit was cradling pots of 鈥淗eartstrings鈥� and 鈥淭iny Comfort鈥� flowers in his arms as he waved another prospective purchaser ahead of him in the line-up for the cashier at Erikson鈥檚 Daylily garden in 91原创鈥檚 North Otter neighbourhood.
Armit was waiting for his partner, Arendina Hulstra, to return with another purchase.
鈥淲e just moved,鈥� Armit explained.
They were there because their new home in Brookswood needed a gardening upgrade.
鈥淥ur backyard is overgrown.鈥�
They were among hundreds of people who walked through the lush gardens in the front and back yard of the Erikson鈥檚 one-acre property in 91原创 Township Saturday and Sunday.
It was the 18th annual open house event and charitable fundraiser by Erikson鈥檚 Daylily Gardens and Perennials at 24642 51 Ave.
This year, donations reached an all-time high, just over $3,200, Pam Erikson estimated, a few hundred dollars more than the previous record.
鈥淚t was a fabulous weekend,鈥� Erikson enthused.
鈥淲e could not have asked for better weather. It was warm and cloudy, which is perfect. If I could order warm and cloudy every year, I would.鈥�
Last year, it was so hot, it kept people away, Erikson believed.
There were many new visitors who told Erikson they would be coming back, she related.
And there were regulars, like rural South 91原创 residents Darlene Poitras and Margaret Creech, who have have been coming to the open house for years, drawn by the wide variety of plants.
鈥淔or me, it鈥檚 the selection,鈥� Poitras told the 91原创 Advance Times.
鈥淥ne day I鈥檒l have one of everything,鈥� Creech laughed.
Charities that benefited this year were BC Children鈥檚 Hospital, Surrey Cat Coalition and the Aldergrove Starfish BackPack program, which helps feed underprivileged kids in local schools.
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Pam and Tom Erikson started their garden in 1987 on a site with less-than-ideal growing conditions.
The garden now features more than 3,000 varieties of daylilies and more than 650 varieties of hosta flowers, and has been certified by both the American Hemerocallis Society and the Canadian Hemerocallis Society as a national display garden.
Entertainment was be provided by harpist Judy Henry, who will play from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.
A temporary caf茅 offered coffee, homemade treats, and jams.
Admission was by donation.
This year, there were signs announcing changes will be coming to the garden.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a secret,鈥� Erikson laughed, when asked for details.
鈥淵ou鈥檒l have to come to the open house next year to see.鈥�
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Email: dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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