Michael Prescott wants Oak Bay to be recognized as the tropical sub-Mediterranean paradise that it is, following its recent self-appointment as the Palm Tree Capital of Canada.

The palm enthusiast and Oak Bay resident moved from Toronto to Victoria after being enticed here by the warm weather, which is ideal for growing the tropical plants.

“I noticed the palms and I said, ‘When I buy a home here and retire, I want to plant palm trees,’ ” Prescott recalls. “So I bought a home with a big enough garden to put them in. I like the Mediterranean atmosphere and ambience.”

Since he moved to Victoria three years ago, his garden has flourished with palms, ranging from 90 cm to almost two metres in height.

But Prescott’s green thumb isn’t the only thing that has blossomed since he started his tropical garden.

He wants to share his enthusiasm with the entire municipality of Oak Bay, which claims to have the most palm trees per capita in all of Canada.
Prescott, who also volunteers his time as a gardener in the lieutenant-governor’s garden, would like the municipality to follow the lead of other Canadian cities that decorate their streets with potted palms in the summer.

Windsor, Ontario, calls itself the Banana Belt of Canada and lines its streets with palms in the summer months. Prescott sees this as a logical idea and would like to see a similar set-up in Oak Bay, with potted palms placed along the Avenue and on Cattle Point.

The idea is to promote Oak Bay as the Palm Capital of Canada, he explains, adding that he’s planning to propose the idea to council.

Although palm trees are often associated with warmer locales such as Los Angeles and Hawaii, Prescott is quick to point out that common plants such as rhododendrons were imported from the Himalayas at the turn of the century.

British Columbia’s tepid temperatures result in hardy palms that can also withstand low temperatures.
For now, palm trees may remain in the gardens of private residences throughout Oak Bay. But Prescott warns that growing the tropical plants can easily turn into a lifestyle.

"It becomes a passion," he laughs. "I want a Mediterranean climate year-round, because I can't go to Mexico all the time."

Michael Prescott is a Palm Tree Consultant (including other Sub-Mediterranean plants) in Oak Bay and Victoria. Tel: (250) 598-2626