Garden Photo of the Day

GPOD on the Road: Government House Gardens

Lewisias and other spring beauties

pink white and purple lewisia growing up a stone retaining wall

Cherry Ong has visited the beautiful gardens at Government House in Victoria, British Columbia, which is the official residence of the lieutenant governor of British Columbia. More to our interests, however, it is set in 36 acres of beautiful gardens. Here are some incredible views that Cherry captured.

pink white and purple lewisia growing up a stone retaining wallCheck out this floriferous explosion of lewisia (Lewisia longipetala, Zones 5–8) on this retaining wall at Government House. I’ve been waiting to see how this vertical garden turned out since I first saw it newly built. It was worth the wait!

close up of light pink Lewisia flowersLewisias are succulent plants native to western North America.

close up of white Lewisia flowersLewisias make rosettes of succulent leaves and clouds of beautiful flowers.

close up of bright pink Lewisia flowersThe flowers are generally shades of pink, but they also come in soft yellows, oranges, and peaches.

close up of fuscia-colored Lewisia flowersLewisias are famous for their beautiful flowers and for being a bit fussy to grow outside of their native range.

close up of pink Lewisia flowers growing between stonesClearly these are completely happy.

more pink Lewisia growing between stonesThe flowers just GLOW.

view of garden through large garden archBut there is more to the garden than just the lewisias. It is a beautiful space all over.

close up of leaf detail on metal garden gateHere is a beautiful detail on a gate in the garden.

close up of small ornamental grasses with silver foliageI had to check out the mass of Astelia in the perennial garden bed. I always wonder if it made it through the harsh winter, and indeed it did—beautifully at that! I believe the key to its success is the protected location. The plants are in shade bordered by the fence, the gate, and a gigantic (maybe 60-feet-tall) conifer. So smart!

giant conifer beyond a garden bed with lots of green plantsHere is the HUGE conifer that is helping give protection to the Astelia.

close up of white Rhododendron flowersGorgeous white Rhododendron flowers

 

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Comments

  1. User avater
    simplesue 05/12/2023

    Wow that lewisia on the wall is amazing! I thought it was a photo on it's side at first- then realized it's vertical on a wall!
    Love that huge garden arch!

    1. perenniallycrazy 05/12/2023

      We love the same things! LOL. Thank you.

  2. User avater
    cynthia2020 05/12/2023

    Thanks for checking on the rock wall this year, Cherry.
    Gorgeous photos!
    If only I had a sunny rock wall...

    1. perenniallycrazy 05/12/2023

      You're welcome. I sure wish I had a sunny rock wall too.

  3. user-7392754 05/12/2023

    Beautiful!!! It’s such a treat to see all of these gardens that I would never be able to see in person. Thank you Cherry!

  4. btucker9675 05/12/2023

    Yes to that wall of lewsias and that arch! What a magnificent garden. Many thanks for sharing.

    1. perenniallycrazy 05/12/2023

      Birds of the same feather flock together. Same garden wishes eh! You're welcome.

  5. perenniallycrazy 05/12/2023

    You're welcome.

  6. sheila_schultz 05/13/2023

    Lewisia dreamland... ooh, I'm in awe and lust!!! Thanks, Cherry, for this delightful little tour! Have a lovely weekend my friend.

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