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.
Check 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!
Lewisias are succulent plants native to western North America.
Lewisias make rosettes of succulent leaves and clouds of beautiful flowers.
The flowers are generally shades of pink, but they also come in soft yellows, oranges, and peaches.
Lewisias are famous for their beautiful flowers and for being a bit fussy to grow outside of their native range.
Clearly these are completely happy.
The flowers just GLOW.
But there is more to the garden than just the lewisias. It is a beautiful space all over.
Here is a beautiful detail on a gate in the garden.
I 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!
Here is the HUGE conifer that is helping give protection to the Astelia.
Gorgeous white Rhododendron flowers
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