When asked how Brian Minter manages to accomplish so much, his wife Faye responds that he’s the only person she knows who can squeeze 25 hours out of a day, 8 days out of a week, and have a lot of fun doing it. And Faye should know. She and Brian have shared the building of their spectacular Minter Gardens, and the running of their garden centre, from the companies’ inceptions. Daily operations at both Gardens and garden centre are, in fact, family affairs. Daughter Lisa is usually found studying the vintages of BC wines, or sourcing giftware and home decor pieces for the gift shops. Her husband Glen manages the Gardens’ operations. The Minter‘s daughter Erin works intermitently in the administrative offices, between travels for schooling and working in her career field, international business.

The family’s dedication gives Brian just enough lee-way in his day to write gardening columns for a variety of local newspapers and magazines, host two open-line radio shows, speak at garden and tourism shows in Canada, the US and abroad, give seminars to local garden clubs, and serve on a number of associations’ boards, while managing the garden centre. Brian‘s work has been widely recognized, and he is the recipient of the Small Business Excellence Award (1989, BC Government), the Order of Canada (1990), the Canadian Horticulture Science Award (1998), an Honorary Doctorate of Technology from the University College of the Fraser Valley (2001), and the BC Landscape & Nursery Association’s Outstanding Member Award (2005), among others. To learn more about what is on Brian’s desk, visit Brian Minter's page here.

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Country Garden Store

Brian Minter began sharing his passion for plants with Fraser Valley gardners when he and his wife Faye purchased Country Garden, a garden shop that had been part of Chilliwack’s community since 1957. After 35 years on the original Hope River Road property, in 1994, the Minters moved the business to a much more accomodating 18 acres on Young Road North, where it was expanded and the facilities improved to include Dutch glass greenhouses, equipped with the latest temperature, irrigation, and fertilization technologies.

The new Country Garden store quickly became a destination for expert and novice gardeners alike, and it quickly grew to include new departments to provide both novice and expert gardeners intrigue, comfort and convenience. Today, guests at Country Garden can enjoy light meals and snacks at the Callicarpa Garden Cafe, order flowers at the full-service florist shop, or bring the kids by to wander through the Nature Park, across its suspension bridge to visit the Emus. A miniature train tours visitors through the property during special events like the annual Christmas Light Show. Shoppers can also drop in Antiques By Design, Aromatica, and My Little Gift Box, three boutiques that share the space.

Despite its expansion, Country Garden Store remains true to Brian’s first love: great plants for great gardens. Brian sources an astonishing selection of new plants from all over the world, along with the best quality garden ‘staples’, and a complete offering of garden dry-goods to stock any potting shed. And, along with the selection of garden necessities, comes tried-and-true advice. Brian trials new plant material tirelessly in his own home garden, and of course in Minter Gardens, the Minter’s world-class show garden. When you hear him exclaim “Purple Cow!” you’ll know he is recommending an extraordinary treasure for your garden space. For more, visit Country Garden Store online.

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Minter Gardens

Centuries ago, a massive mountain slide wept over the fertile lands of the eastern Fraser Valley. The rock fall pushed north across the Fraser River and ended its westerly flow at the area which is now Minter Gardens. The unique land formations left the area unsuitable for crop farming, but early settlers found it ideal for raising cattle and other animals. Tall native specimen trees added to the charm of the location, and thousands of wild geraniums, columbine, roses and bleeding hearts added a finishing touch. It was this site that Brian and Faye Minter first saw on Christmas Day, 1977. The landscape was so unique, and the setting against 7,000 foot Mt. Cheam so picturesque, that a once-in-a-lifetime dream was born: to create one of the most beautiful gardens in the world! Their dream became reality in May of 1980.

Minter Gardens is ever evolving, and each season offers a dramatic view. Close to 100,000 tulips, imported from Holland, welcome visitors each spring. More than 1000 rhododendrons provide riotous colour amid huge cedar trees and rock wall terraces. Summer brings masses of annual colour adorning topiary features and beds, along with the traditional blooms of the Rose Garden, and the cool, quiet woodlands that surround gurgling brooks and water falls. The Gardens are at once a kaleidescope of colour, a place of serene beauty, and a gardener’s source of inspiration. To learn about everything it has to offer, visit Minter Gardens’ virtual home.

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Locations

Minter Gardens and Country Garden Store are located at two different addresses. Click here to view the map.

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