Garden Photo of the Day

GPOD on the Road: The Gardens at HCP

Canadian gardens in a traditional Japanese style

By GPOD Contributor
bridge to the garden

A good friend of the GPOD, Cherry Ong, is taking us along on a visit to another public garden.

It’s exciting to visit a new garden, and this one didn’t disappoint. The Gardens at HCP consists of 9 acres of demonstration gardens and 100 acres of a conservation park. The gardens were originally named the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific, then were renamed Glendale Gardens and Woodlands, and now are known as the Gardens at HCP.

The Takata Japanese Garden opened in 1998 and is the largest garden at HCP, with a Zen garden and a ceremonial tea house. The bonsai garden was established in 2013. The late George Heffelfinger was a long-time HCP supporter and a key player in creating this garden. Several bonsai from his collection are on display here. Some of the Vancouver Island Bonsai Society members volunteer their time maintaining this amazing garden.

garden in the fallCherry visited this garden in the fall, so the trees were coloring up, adding an extra layer of beauty to the garden.

Japanese garden with water feature
Water features are almost always included in Japanese gardens.

branch and leaf design on a wooden gate
I love the branch-and-leaf design on this wooden gate—such an interesting use of positive and negative space!

A walkway across the waterIn Japanese gardens, it is traditional to use staggered bridges like this or stepping stones rather than straight paths. The idea is to force you to slow down as you move through the garden so you take in all the details.

flowing water to the bridge and towering trees beyond
A beautiful view, looking upstream to the bridge and towering trees beyond.

bridge over to the garden
This bridge invites you to explore more of the garden.

Japanese rock garden
A traditional Japanese rock garden is designed to invite you to sit and meditate.

Japanese maple
A Japanese maple (Acer palmatum, Zones 5–9) bonsai colors up for fall.

boxwood
A boxwood (Buxus microphylla var. compacta, Zones 6–9) bonsai

crepe myrtle bonsai
This close-up of a crape myrtle (Lagerstromia species, Zones 7–10) bonsai shows the beautiful peeling bark seen in mature specimens of this species, but in a miniature form.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

The Nature of Oaks reveals what is going on in oak trees month by month, highlighting the seasonal cycles of life, death, and renewal. From woodpeckers who collect and store hundreds of acorns for sustenance to the beauty of jewel caterpillars, Doug Tallamy illuminates and celebrates the wonders that occur right in our own backyards. He also shares practical advice about how to plant and care for an oak, along with information about the best oak species for your area.
Buy at Amazon

Pruning Simplified: A Step-by-Step Guide to 50 Popular Trees and Shrubs

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Pruning Simplified shows you exactly how to do it. This must-have guide offers expert advice on the best tools for the job, specific details on when to prune, and clear instructions on how to prune. Profiles of the 50 most popular trees and shrubs—including azaleas, camellias, clematis, hydrangeas, and more—include illustrated, easy-to-follow instructions that will ensure you make the right cut the first time.
Buy at Amazon

ARS Telescoping Long Reach Pruner

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Telescopes from 4 to 7'. Cut and Hold (160) Blades. Drop forged blades for unsurpassed long lasting sharpness. Lightweight, 2.3 lbs., for continued use. Perfectly balanced for easy pruning.
Buy at Amazon
X
View 17 comments

Comments

  1. gardendevas 01/14/2022

    Thanks so much for sharing! Very serene and inspiring.

    1. perenniallycrazy 01/14/2022

      You’re welcome.

  2. User avater
    PKKing 01/14/2022

    Simply gorgeous! Thank you for sharing.

    1. perenniallycrazy 01/14/2022

      You’re welcome. Hope you can visit one day.

  3. User avater
    treasuresmom 01/14/2022

    Cherry, thanks so much for sharing. The pics are wonderful!

    1. perenniallycrazy 01/14/2022

      Thank you. Have you been? The bonsai display is out of this world. Those photos are a mere fraction of their display.

  4. User avater
    cynthia2020 01/14/2022

    Cherry - I loved seeing all the photos today. Plus the fullness of the maple and boxwood bonsai was incredible to see. The Gardens at HCP is now on my list of gardens to visit.

    1. perenniallycrazy 01/14/2022

      I’m glad it’s on your list. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

  5. User avater
    user-7007816 01/14/2022

    Beautiful Garden! Hope I have the opportunity to visit.

    1. perenniallycrazy 01/14/2022

      I hope so too. Definitely lots to see and enjoy. Maybe even shop for as they have plant sales and the work of local artisans.

  6. ajdirt 01/14/2022

    Stunning. Every single one.

    1. perenniallycrazy 01/14/2022

      Thank you.

  7. User avater
    simplesue 01/14/2022

    Such an amazing garden- perfection totally!

  8. user-7007672 01/14/2022

    Beautiful! I hope to visit with you and Marilou some day!
    Chris

  9. btucker9675 01/14/2022

    This is a stunning garden - how fortunate you are to be able to visit!

  10. fromvirginia 01/14/2022

    Simply stunning and great photos. Thanks for sharing Cherry. Yvonne

  11. janetgee 01/15/2022

    I googled HPC and found high performance computing. ???

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Related Articles

The Latest

How-To
4 Steps to Remove Invasive Plants in Your Yard

Invasive plants aren’t just unsightly weeds with bad manners. They can cause serious ecological damage, threaten biodiversity, and even put human health and safety at risk. These nonnative species are…
Design
Gardening: The Original Outdoor Living | Letter from the Editor

Let’s talk about a phrase that never fails to make me laugh: “outdoor design and living.” As if gardening isn’t, at its core, the ultimate act of designing an outdoor…
Design
Is No Mow May a Good Idea?

No mow may, a movement that started in 2019 in the U.K., has challenged how we think about lawns. For at least one month of the year, we are encouraged…

Video

View All Videos
Design

Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat

You must be careful when you enter the backyard of garden designer Jeff Epping—not because you’re likely to trip on something, but because you might be dive-bombed by a pair…
Design

4 Midsummer Favorites From a Plant Breeder's Garden
How-To

4 Steps to Remove Invasive Plants in Your Yard
Podcast: Let's Argue About Plants

Episode 179: Most Beautiful Flowers  
Podcast: Let's Argue About Plants

Episode 178: Best Interview Moments from Let's Argue About Plants