Restoring a Pollinator Boulevard at Terra Vita Design & Garden, Fernwood, Victoria, BC

Abstract

Urban pollinator populations are declining due to habitat loss, and boulevard gardens offer a practical opportunity to restore ecological function in small, high-visibility public spaces. This project restored the eastern boulevard of Terra Vita Design & Garden at 1240 Princess Avenue, Fernwood, Victoria, BC, transforming 52.5 m² of invasive grasses, weedy volunteers, and incoherent ornamental plantings into a drought-resilient pollinator garden. Working in collaboration with Terra Vita owner Jenelle Quitsberg, we assessed site conditions, designed and installed a garden of 31 species with continuous bloom succession from February through October, built a flagstone pathway, installed interpretive signage, developed webpage content for public education, and developed a seasonal monitoring and maintenance protocol. Species selection involved evaluating plants by ecological function and context rather than origin alone, resulting in a mix of 16 native and 15 non-native species chosen for drought resilience, pollinator value, and structural diversity. The garden survived its first winter and is showing early spring growth, though couchgrass regrowth confirms that invasive species management will remain an ongoing challenge. Consistent watering through the summer drought season and persistent weeding of couchgrass are the two most critical factors in the garden's establishment. A first-year assessment following the 2026 growing season will determine survival rates, bloom performance, and any species requiring replacement. The project demonstrates that restoration principles can translate to small urban sites through collaboration between restoration practitioners and commercial landscapers, using publicly available tools and regionally specific guidance.