Connecting people with plants, nature, and sustainable gardening practices – Introducing the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific – A very special place

Sometimes you have to go back to find what was always there. Such is the case with the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific, a magical place Kathie and I discovered a few days ago as our June vacation in Victoria continues.

For years Kathie and I lived a ten-minute drive from the Quale Road location but never visited this amazing place of beauty, teaching and sustainable practice. From their website we learn:

The Gardens at Horticulture Centre of the Pacific (HCP), home to the Pacific Horticulture College, presents a year-round garden experience nestled in over a hundred hectares of conservation lands. We started growing in 1979 and are proud to be a “gardeners’ garden” that connects people with plants. Located just twelve kilometers north of Downtown Victoria, British Columbia,

The Gardens at HCP are a public garden lovingly cared for by volunteers, staff, and students. Ranging from the Children’s Garden to the Ethnobotany Trail to the largest outdoor Bonsai Garden in Canada (and only in Western Canada), The Gardens are a botanical and historical place that invites everyone of all interests.

There are many gardens throughout what many call Canada’s “garden city” including the large international tourist destination Butchart Gardens. During our time in Colwood we spent many hours in Hatley Forest and castle gardens; both were literally a front yard for our Tipton Avenue home. I also photographed extensively at Finnerty Gardens at the University of Victoria. We never found our way however to the HCP, until now.

The HCP is recognized in our community as a welcoming place that inspires a love of gardens and nature, shares horticultural knowledge and experiences with everyone, produces certified horticultural professionals, and demonstrates environmental stewardship for future generations.

The mission of HCP is simple. They worktoconnect people with plants, nature, and sustainable gardening practices.

Admittedly, I am not that enthusiastic about gardening per se, though I love to photograph gardens. I follow in the footsteps of my maternal grandfather who also spent many hours photographing his own garden at Robertson Street in Victoria’s Fairfield neighbourhood.

My HCP images included in this are found with may others in a gallery here. Enjoy, and use the SLIDEHHOW function. To visit the gardens yourself here is some contact information

505 Quayle Rd. Victoria, BC V9E 2J7
Phone: 250-479-6162
Email: info@hcp.ca
Web: https://hcp.ca/  

Please consider visiting and supporting the world of the centre. Also before or after your visit check out Charlotte and the Quail, a special little place. Charlotte and the Quail features an ever-changing menu with local, seasonal ingredients, including fresh produce grown by HCP volunteers in our Veggie Garden! There are delicious options for vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free guests and meat-eaters too.

Being a non-profit, the centre continues growing through people’s kindness and generosity. We are grateful to the many hands invested in The Gardens who have devoted their time, effort, and resources. Come explore the many gardens, meet our lovely and knowledgeable staff and volunteers, and experience conservation and cultivation in one special place.