Garden Photo of the Day

GPOD on the Road: Hatley Castle

Visiting a grand estate garden

By GPOD Contributor
Hatley Castle

Today Cherry Ong is taking us to visit Hatley Castle in Victoria, British Columbia.

This estate garden at the Royal Roads University in Victoria, British Columbia, is magnificent, regal, and majestic. You may recognize the castle from the movies or TV, and I will leave it up to you to figure out where you’ve seen it. The castle has an amazing view of the Esquimalt Lagoon and the Olympic Mountains, I think the view of the formal Italian garden from the terrace of the castle is the best of all.

View of the formal gardensThe formal gardens were designed in a very classic, traditional style: crisp, geometric lines with trimmed hedges.

entrance framesI love the way this entrance frames the view and guides the eye down the path to the next gate in the distance.

beautiful stonework of the castleThe beautiful stonework of the castle makes a great contrast to the softer textures of the plants.

hedgesThe neat hedges and formal lines contrast with the wilder, more informal growth of the plants around them.

potted plants near the arch ways Potted plants soften the lines of the architecture.

Cup and saucer vineCup and saucer vine (Cobaea scandens, Zones 9–11 or as an annual) is a fast-growing vine with beautiful, unusual flowers.

FoliageFoliage in the shades of burgundy makes a dramatic statement.

Fading peonyFading peony (Paeonia hybrid, Zones 3–9) foliage lines this walkway leading to an enticing shade nook.

dusty millerA frothy sea of dusty miller (Jacobaea maritima, Zones 7–10 or as an annual)

castleHere’s a look at the castle itself.

Click the link for more info on the Italian Gardens.

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Comments

  1. gardendevas 12/03/2021

    Wow! A feast of textures - thanks for sharing. I never thought to use Dusty Miller en masse, but now I am imagining where I can do that…

    1. perenniallycrazy 12/04/2021

      Glad you love it too!

  2. User avater
    simplesue 12/03/2021

    OMG such beauty! The plants the garden walls and paths etc.
    What a dream this house and garden is!

    1. perenniallycrazy 12/04/2021

      Yes it is. Been back in dreary November when most of the annuals have been removed and it is still beautiful.

  3. btucker9675 12/03/2021

    Wowza! This place is gorgeous... I thought the same thing about the dusty miller planting - wonderful. Thanks for sharing this great location.

  4. User avater
    vanhatalosuomi 12/05/2021

    Nice photos of a great garden. On the list should we ever travel again.

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