Garden Photo of the Day

GPOD on the Road: Library Gardens at HCP

Looking back at spring

wider view of the garden full of spring plants

Friend of the GPOD Cherry Ong is taking us along for another visit to the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific (HCP) in Victoria, British Columbia. This time we’re taking a look at the gardens around the HCP Library. Cherry visited in the spring, as the gardens were just waking up and coming into growth.

woody vine with bright green leaves and small purple and white flowersThis usual form of Akebia quinata ‘Cream Form’ (Zones 4–8) has dark chocolately purple flowers, but the cream form is a beautiful variation on that theme. In summer, the flowers are followed by large, unusual-looking lavender fruits that split open to reveal the edible flesh around the seeds.

close up of akebia flowersClose-up of the beautiful flowers of this akebia

garden bed with plants just starting to bud in springThis spring garden is just coming to life. The shrubs in the foreground look like yellow-twig dogwood (Cornus sericea, Zones 2–8), and the bright gold stems look fantastic against the dark wood siding on the building behind them.

stone path winding through the spring gardenA flagstone path leads through the garden. The curve of the path behind the fence draws you forward to explore what lies beyond, and it is clear that beautiful gardens await you as you do.

cat laying int the sunThe resident garden cat enjoys the warm spring sun and hopes for some pets from garden visitors.

path made out of wood chips through garden bedsWood chips give a softer, more informal feel to the path in a shaded part of the garden.

rebar sculptures in the middle of a garden bed These twisted rebar sculptures give fantastic structure to the garden even before most of the plants are in full growth. The light color of the plantings behind them ensure that they stand out beautifully.

wider view of the garden full of spring plantsIt’s wonderful to look back at the fresh, spring growth this time of year!

 

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Comments

  1. User avater
    treasuresmom 09/09/2022

    Beautiful pics as always, Cherry.

  2. User avater
    simplesue 09/09/2022

    I love Cherry Ong's garden tours!
    Those Akebia quinata ‘Cream Form’ are so pretty!
    I love the lay of the land in the last photo...the grass path with the level changes on the side of the hill with stones and plants...so pretty.

  3. btucker9675 09/09/2022

    Thanks for taking us to yet another wonderful garden, Cherry! I love the curly cue rebar sculptures and the garden kitty!

  4. sufra 09/09/2022

    Beautiful garden! I love the rebar sculpture and the close-up of the Akebia quinata ‘Cream Form’ . I want one!

    1. sufra 09/09/2022

      Where can I find one of them?

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