Below you'll find a small sample from some of the gardens on our Spring / Summer Garden Tour. You'll also find a link to more information and lots of photos of the gardens featured here.

Because of the number of photos, those using dialup connections will need to wait a bit while pages load. We think the wait is worthwhile because you'll also find detailed commentary on many of the plants and plant combinations.

Hatley Castle & Gardens - Fall

Boston Ivy (Parthencocissus) reflected in lily pond.

Japanese pond surrounded by fall foliage.

As we tour Hatley in the fall we find the castle is draped in the scarlet of Boston Ivy. In front of the castle a giant arbutus (already a mature plant when the castle was built) is adorned with clusters of scarlet berries. The Japanese garden if filled with the magnificent fall colouring of the extensive collection of Japanese maples,including the scarlet foliage of a giant Japanese cutleaf maple (Acer palmatum var. dissectum)-one of the original plantings.. These are then combined with other trees, shrubs and perennials chosen for their fall interest and colour.

Please see Hatley Castle and Gardens for original garden art and structures.

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"Chosin" Garden

Japanese courtyard - Inner Japanese courtyard with a carpeting of the scarlet leaves of the Acer palmatum ‘Osakazuki’ over the curved tranditional bridge.

Acer palmatum ‘Osakazuki’

Join us for an interpretive tour through this artist’s garden that has been featured nationally as one of the country’s outstanding fall gardens. It is a fascinating garden that has borrowed from the gardening cultures of Japan, Korea and China. There is the wonderful fall colour in the enclosed sanctuary garden borrowing from the Japanese tea garden style. We then explore the woodland shade garden and the oriental woodland garden. Ever evolving it has features that have been introduced for xeriscaping including – ponds, a drought tolerant Mediterranean area, a wild flower meadow (which also features grasses), and a bog garden.

Throughout this garden you will find integrated into the plantings pieces of original art and unique architecture that defines the character of this garden by adding both beauty and whimsy.

Please see the "Chosin Pottery" page to view garden art and sculptures.

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Barton Leier Garden

Buddha figures combined with jewel toned glass lanterns and tall blue columns gives this garden room an exotic feel.

Barton Leier Gallery and Garden have created a signature garden through the integration of art and containers in this creative display.

As part of your customized fall garden tour join us for a visit to a unique artist garden that has been profiled in the book ‘Artists in their Gardens’ by Valerie Eason and David Laskin. The vibrant fall foliage combines with the creations of talented artists, including Nixie Barton and Grant Leier. Immerse yourself in the exuberance of the gardens and gallery that has been developed in this atmosphere of art and colour. (specialty tours of artist gardens can be arranged for all seasons)

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Butchart Gardens

Butchart Gardens climbing hydranga (Hydranga fanomala peti.

Butchart Gardens concrete faux bois feeder.

As part of your customized fall tour spend some time with us in the world famous Butchart Gardens. The year 2004 was the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Butchart Gardens. In one of the first gardens developed, the Japanese garden, we see in our temperate Northwest setting, the fusion between the Edwardian influences of Jenny Butchart with the traditional Japanese garden design of Isaburo Kishida. This gifted landscaper came from Yokahama Japan at the age of 65 to work on this and other Japanese style gardens in the Victoria area. (ask about our customized tour featuring his gardens). Fall provides us with a kaleidoscope of foliage colour for the Japanese art and architecture (some dating back to the time of Mr,Kishida) and Jenny Butchart’s rustic Edwardian structures. The origin of Butchart Gardens as the restoration of a limestone quarry is seen in the use of faux bois cement features here and throughout the other display gardens.

Click here for full information on this garden