Garden Photo of the Day

GPOD on the Road: Darts Hill Garden Park

Spring at a gorgeous public garden

fallen rhododendron flowers around stepping stone path covered in moss

Cherry Ong is taking us on another trip, today to a beautiful public garden in Surrey, British Columbia. She says, “Been itching to visit Darts Hill Garden Park to see the spring ephemerals and the alpine garden. Got my wish today!”

Darts Hill was the home and garden of Edwin and Francisca Darts, and they donated it to the city in 1994 so that now everyone is welcome to visit and enjoy the beautiful garden.

mossy stepping stones up a slopeThese are the steps to the main house, and it is absolutely beautiful!

fallen rhododendron flowers around stepping stone path covered in mossThe fallen rhododendron flowers and their curving stems make this a magical space.

fallen rhododendron flowers under bare trees and shrubsThe rhododendron flower confetti is lovely against the woodland floor.

mass planting of pink fawn lilies up a slopeI gasped at the sight of these pink fawn lilies (Erythronium revolutum, Zones 6–8). From what I understand, this is a large naturalized colony that covers the slope and a good part of bed 9. It was a sight so dear that Mrs. Darts had the path roped off every spring in order to allow them to bloom undisturbed.

close up of pink fawn liliesA closer look at the pink fawn lilies

mass planting of small white flowers next to stone stepsA carpet of Anemone nemorosa (Zones 5–8) is in full bloom alongside beautiful stone steps.

rock garden planted in a hypertufa troughThis tufa trough/crevice garden was designed and created by Pam Yokome.

rock garden with tiny plants growing in the crevicesThe rock garden has all kinds of tiny treasures growing in every nook and crevice.

small purple blue and white flowers growing in a gravel and rock gardenPasque flower (Pulsatilla sp., Zones 4–8) blooms in the alpine beds.

 

Have a garden you’d like to share?

Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!

To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.

Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening!

Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here.

View Comments

Comments

  1. User avater
    vanhatalosuomi 05/05/2023

    A really wonderful garden, and one I would very much like to travel to, in various seasons, to take it all in with my own eyes. Must surely be remarkable. Truly a spectacular garden.

  2. User avater
    simplesue 05/05/2023

    Oh my that garden is old and established I love the vibe.
    The moss covered stepping stones are magical!

  3. sheila_schultz 05/05/2023

    This garden is truly magical... thanks for the visit, Cherry! The moss covered stones and the delicate ephemerals are downright dreamy, and I must say that the tufa trough might be the coolest one I have ever seen! Thanks for the quick tour, Cherry! Have a fun, plant filled weekend my friend.

  4. btucker9675 05/05/2023

    What an absolutely stunning place - I wouldn't know where to look first! Those fawn lilies and the pasque flowers... Sigh!

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Related Articles

The Latest