I love gardening. You might not guess that if you were to walk by while I’m cursing the weeds or momentarily blacking out as I stand up from the garden beds (low blood pressure), but despite the back-breaking spring cleanups and landscaping projects, it brings me joy and balance. Except on days when I find a new patch of creeping buttercup: this causes me significant distress, as it takes over everything.
When gardening became a part of my life, so did the benefits of being outside on a regular basis. Before gardening, not normally one to participate in the endless outdoor recreational activities of Vancouver Island, I wasn’t getting much time in nature. I’m so driven to complete projects that I will garden on miserable days when I would normally not leave the house. I once read the quote, “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” So, when I’m feeling overwhelmed, I remind myself that I’m doing this for future me and whoever comes after.
I understand I am privileged to have my own outdoor space to cultivate and not everyone does. Fortunately, spring is finally here and so are the beautiful flowers that fill Victoria’s many enchanting public gardens. If you’re looking for inspiration, a quiet retreat to reset your nervous system, or a romantic outing, now is the time to explore Victoria’s sometimes hidden treasures.
Summit Hill Park is one of few remaining Garry oak groves in Victoria. The winding grassy paths and rocky perches with views of the city, Mt. Baker, and the Sooke hills make this park a whimsical place to take a stroll, have a picnic, and catch a breathtaking sunset. Perhaps most beautiful are the blue camas fields cultivated by the Coast Salish peoples. The camas bulb is a traditional staple food and trade item, blooming in late April.
The “garden that love built” is also one of Victoria’s many treasures worth exploring. The Abkhazi Garden, located at 1964 Fairfield Road, is a unique and romantic garden hidden behind a hornbeam hedge. The character house, open for tea and overlooking the garden, belonged to Prince and Princess Abkhazi.
The couple met in Paris in 1922 and stayed in touch until World War II broke out. After the war, they reunited in New York and were married in 1946. They settled in Victoria, built their house, and established their garden. They continued to refine it for the following 40 years of their life together. The property was eventually purchased by The Land Conservancy of British Columbia to ensure preservation of the spectacular garden.
The property, with its glaciated rocky slopes, boasts enormous rhododendrons, Garry oaks, and much more. The garden and tea house are open April 1 to September 2, seven days a week from 11 am to 5 pm, with the final tea seating at 3:30 pm. Viewing the garden is by donation. For the Abkhazis, their garden was their baby and their sanctuary. They believed in a beautiful tomorrow, and thanks to them we now have the privilege of experiencing what only love can build.