Harbringers of Spring: A Victoria Visit, March 1 to 4, 2001

NARGS study weekends and annual meetings provide me with a "mini-vacation" in the midst of a busy schedule. Even though I enjoy driving, I did not want to spend nearly two days out of the precious time off on the road. Wanting a reliable and hassle-free mode of travel and being a small plane enthusiast, I chose to fly from Seattle to Victoria by Seaplane (if you enjoy this sort of thing, visit my seaplane pages here, but be warned, it is not garden-oriented.). Even in rainy weather the views are spectacular because the small planes fly so low. The flight was pretty clear returning to Seattle and I was able to see both the Cascades and the Olympic mountains.

I also spent three of the rainiest hours in a highly recommended museum. if you go to Victoria, be sure to visit the Royal Museum of British Columbia

In spite of a steady rain the VIRAGS Garden in the Park at Beacon Hill park was restfully beautiful. Located right near a lovely pond, this garden is built on a natural rock outcrop exposed by Pleistocene glaciation. Even in early March there is plenty of color, texture, and bloom.

The Vancouver Island Rock Garden Society Garden in the Park, Beacon Hill Park, Victoria

This public rock garden takes fine advantage of a naturally scroured rock outcrop with mature trees. Primula, Anemone blanda, snowdrops, eranthis, narcissus, omphalodes, and crocus were in bloom to brighten a blustery late winter day.

Rock stairs allow access and many select spots for enjoying a close look at the rocks, moss, and plants.

Galanthus nivalis growing in a soil pocket among the mossy basalt and diabase (?) outcrop at the top of the garden.

Moss is common in this climate with its lush winters. It can sometimes to be a nuisance, but I am far too fond of it to begrudge it the space. It acts as a splendid mulch and gives a rock garden a mellow look.

The narcissus above is less than 10 cm tall. Species is unknown to me, but what wonderful cheer on such a windy rainy day. Cyclamen hederifolium and C. coum have self-sown generously among the mossy carpets.

Polypodium glycyrrhiza (licorice fern) is a widespread native tolerant of summer drought when cool shade is provided. Intergrowth of mature plants is a lovely sight, when the plants are competing for space on fair terms. As with the mosses, intergrowths gives a garden a more natural look. I have never understood gardeners who are so obsessively bent on tidiness that they continually contain and restrain things.

The lower leaves on this Cyclamen hederifolium were more than 10cm long! I even measured them. It is growing in a large crevice right at the edge of the path and steps.

Licorice fern and cotoneaster intergrowth. It is so wonderful when two plants begin to knit together! No "control freak" chopped fern or cotoneaster out. In a public garden especially, it is nice to have easy-going plants with plenty of reliable year-round character and interest.

Signs of spring on the first of March: early rhododendron and exquisite new buds on the weeping willows by the pond. Even though it was raining, I enjoyed sitting by the pond and watching tame Eurasian and American Wigeons feeding among the ducks and geese. The bench was cleverly located beneath a dense cedar canopy and was nice and dry!

Join me in a Visit to the Doris Page Winter Garden at the Horticultural Center of the Pacific