Our writing is a labour of love, a way to share the fascinating world of horticulture with others through blogs, articles and ebooks.

The Virens blog is all about the best in modern gardening culture. Presented free of charge, as a way to build and foster gardening magic both in Vancouver, Canada, and further afield.

If you are interested in having your work published on the site, hiring us to write for other publications or re-print our articles, please get in touch. We love a good collaboration.

Sara-Jane & Alica at Virens Studio

ps You can also find us on Substack at virensstudio.substack.com

Urban Greening & Planting Design

I got Sucker Punched by Workplace PTSD, How About You?

Working with plants has so many innately therapeutic benefits that a lot of other careers lack. But, one thing that I’ve learned over the last…

river maps

Maps: Beautiful Tools at the Root of Water-Friendly Landscape Design

I may not be a certified cartophile, but I do use maps often in my practice as a landscape designer. Where and how water flows…

Don't Wait to Buy Good Gardening Tools

Don’t Wait to Buy the Best Gardening Tools

Ok, I’ll be honest with you. For years I (a one-time municipal hort tech) took a really long time to buy good tools. I was…