Doris Page Winter Garden at the Horticultural Center of the Pacific, Victoria, B.C.

A devoted cadre of VIRAGS-member volunteers chauffeured those of us without ground transport to visit some gardens. Special thanks to Walter Britton who was our driver and very gracious host.

Winter berries (Osmanthus sp?)

Hellebores, snowdrops, epimedium, ferns, cyclamen; and shrubs with interesting twigs or catkins: all are used to best advantage.

Helleborus argutifolius

Wide paths and gentle curves give easy access

Spectacular colors: hellebore hybrids

Bare twigs, bloom, and new growth of shrubs such as Cornus alba add color and texture

Heathers brighten the winter in a sunny well-drained slope. Mature tress cast shadows for a few hours of the day in ever-varying spots. The play of light and shadows is wonderful. Sun breaking through the clouds on a late winter day adds to the animated drama of color. Large trees provide summer cooling and offer protection from drying winds. They encourage spring to arrive a little early by providing protection from hard frost. A high canopy of trees prevents part of the terrestrial heat collected during the day from escaping completely at night.

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