Every summer has a colour palette.
Some years it’s backyard hydrangeas and overwatered lawns. Other years it’s hanging baskets so ambitious they seem to be competing with the sunset. At District 1881, summer arrives with a little more intention.
If you’ve wandered through the neighbourhood recently and noticed the planters bursting with fresh colour, you’re seeing the latest seasonal transformation from one of Chilliwack’s most recognizable gardening experts: Brian Minter.
The longtime horticulturist and founder of Minter Country Garden has once again refreshed the planters throughout District 1881, replacing the winter and spring displays with a carefully designed collection of summer flowers chosen to thrive through the season ahead.
What many visitors don’t see is that a seasonal planting isn’t simply a matter of pulling one plant out and dropping another in.
The perennials and evergreens that carried the planters through the cooler months aren’t discarded. Their root systems are cared for and the plants are repurposed elsewhere, allowing them to continue growing long after their time at District. At the centre of many of the larger planters, a golden cedar remains year-round, providing structure and continuity as the surrounding displays evolve with the seasons.
Around that golden focal point, the summer show begins.
Purple fountain grass introduces movement, swaying gently in the breeze. Purple salvia adds vertical accents and attracts pollinators. Geraniums bring bright pops of colour, while silver angel wing begonias soften the arrangement with silvery foliage that catches the light. Tiara Blue petunias spill over planter edges, creating the kind of abundant display that feels effortlessly cheerful, even though a great deal of planning went into achieving it.
The result is something Brian has spent decades mastering: balance.
Follow us on social for updates on events at District 1881!
Large plants anchor the design. Smaller varieties fill spaces and create rhythm. Colours are repeated thoughtfully throughout the arrangement so that each planter feels connected to the next. Nothing is random, though the finished effect feels wonderfully natural.
And the flowers aren’t the only ones enjoying the display.
The nectar-rich blooms help attract hummingbirds throughout the summer months, adding another layer of movement and life to District’s already vibrant streets.
For Brian, whose work through Minter Country Garden has inspired gardeners across British Columbia for generations, these installations are about more than flowers. They’re about creating a sense of place. A planter isn’t simply decoration. It helps shape how a street feels.
And right now, District 1881 feels unmistakably like summer.
Whether you’re visiting for lunch, shopping with friends or simply taking an evening stroll, take a moment to stop beside the planters. They’re filled with colour, texture and plenty of photo-worthy moments — proof that sometimes the smallest details make the biggest impression.
Follow Us On Social