Garry oak meadows are common on southern Vancouver Island. Often these unique ecosystems are fairly large areas that contain well established Garry oaks surrounded by open parklands. One of the surprising features of the trail to the Chemainus River was the occasional Garry oak pocket meadows along the way. Small groups of Garry oaks and related plants occur in several places close to the Chemainus River. These are good places to slow down and look for rare plants associated with this type of ecosystem.
Even though much of the estuary is modified by past agricultural practices or is tidal-influenced salt marsh, there are several places with Garry oaks and associated plants. Usually these areas have thin, gravelly soil or exposed conglomerate rock. As a result, invasive plants like Himalayan blackberry have more difficulty establishing a roothold. Typically, the pocket meadows are on higher ground, above the floodplain of the Chemainus River estuary. Steep, exposed, west and south facing slopes, provide good habitat for Garry oaks.
Garry Oak Pocket Meadows at the Chemainus River Estuary
One of the first places that you notice Garry oaks is near the end of the Chemainus River trail. The farm access road follows the high point of land between a tidal salt marsh and a side channel of the Chemainus River. It terminates at the Chemainus River at the top of a low, steep, exposed rocky ridge. Some Garry oak ecosystem flowers like harvest brodiaea and Hooker’s onion grow here. This part of the estuary sees heavy visitation and the area is small. As a result, the number of people using the trail impacts the health of this pocket meadow.
In order to find a pocket meadow that is a little less visited, you need to move further out into the estuary. Running parallel to the ridge of the farm access road is a “tidal island” that rises up out of the salt marsh of the estuary. At low tide, this rise of land is easily accessible by following a trail through the salt marsh. Notably, it is large enough to support a mixed forest of Douglas-fir, arbutus, and, in the exposed places, Garry oak. The open, west facing slope at the northern end of this rise of land is a Garry oak pocket meadow.
Small Pockets of Garry Oaks and Wildflowers
On the western edge of the Chemainus River estuary is a low rise of land that runs parallel to the shore. The southern part of this pseudo-island is a dry, mostly Douglas-fir and arbutus, forest. Garry oaks dominate the small open pocket at the northwest end of the rise.
There is a noticeable change in the vegetation once you gain elevation. Even though you climb a little over 10 meters, the soil is thinner and drier. As a result, the flat top of the rise is a peaceful, Garry oak pocket meadow. Several gnarly Garry oak stand on top of this rocky ridge overlooking the estuary. Compared to other places in the Chemainus River estuary, this location is particularly scenic and provides a good example of a small Garry oak ecosystem.
Once you take in the view of the Chemainus River estuary, it’s worth looking for some of the plants associated with Garry oak ecosystems. However, unlike the expansive meadows that you’d find at Mount Tzouhalem, this is a “pocket meadow.” It is relatively small in size and easy to explore. Similarly, some of the wildflowers you find in larger Garry oak parklands also grow here. Because of the size of the meadow, there may be fewer species and numbers of individual flowers found here.
Wildflowers Found in the Garry Oak Meadows of the Chemainus River Estuary
One of the plants blooming in early June was harvest brodiaea (Brodiaea coronaria). Though small in size, it is distinctive and easy to identify. Nestled in the dry grasses on the top of this rise in the Chemainus River estuary, these beautiful magenta flowers do well in gravelly sites. Harvest brodiaea is Yellow-listed in British Columbia. It is a member of the Lily family.
A second flower blooming here in early June was Hooker’s Onion (Allium acuminatum). Like harvest brodiaea, Hooker’s onion is also in the Lily family. The rose-pink flowers form a distinctive cluster characteristic of native onions found in British Columbia. It also prefers rocky soils in areas that are dry and open. Hooker’s onion is Yellow-listed in British Columbia.
Planning Your Visit to Explore Garry Oak Pocket Meadows
Plan to walk around 3 to 4 km, if you’re just looking to walk to the Chemainus River and back. While there is shade in the first part of the trail, much of it is exposed. Water, a hat and long sleeve shirt for sun protection is a good idea. Mosquitos, which breed in the marsh, can be persistent when there is no wind. The first small meadow is at the point where the main trail ends at the Chemainus River. The second one is a little further out. There are other locations in the estuary where Garry oak ecosystems grow.
Once you’ve explored the Chemainus River estuary, consider the nearby Chemainus Lake Loop as an easy walk through second growth forest. On a hot summer day, a walk to the Lower Banon Falls is a good alternative with opportunities for cooling off in the Chemainus River. If botany interests you, consider visiting other parts of the Chemainus River estuary to find salt marsh plants.
Getting There
From Chemainus, follow Chemainus Road towards Crofton. After crossing the Chemainus River look for Swallowfield Road. Turn left on Swallowfield Road and drive to the parking area at the end of the road. The Chemainus River Estuary Trail begins by following the farm access road on the other side of the gate in the parking area.
From Duncan, follow Highway 1 towards Chemainus/Ladysmith. Watch for the Chemainus Road/Crofton exit and turn right to leave Highway 1. Follow Chemainus Road until you see Swallowfield Road. Turn right onto Swallowfield Road and drive to the parking area at the end of the road.
