Happy Friday GPODers!
It’s been a minute since I did a post on my trip across North America last year (if you missed it, catch up on that series here: Gardens Around Niagara, Canadian Wildflowers, and Assiniboine Park Gardens Part 1 and Part 2), so I’m picking it back up a little further down the road, on Vancouver Island, BC.
After hustling across the Canadian Prairie during the peak of summer, escaping to the Canadian Rockies for a few weeks of hiking and cool dips into alpine lakes, I made my way across British Columbia. One ferry ride later and I made it to my west coast destination: Vancouver Island. One of the largest and most populous islands along the coast of North America, Vancouver Island has a mild temperature that, mixed with rugged coastline, creates for an incredible landscape filled with diverse plant life. However, my first destination wasn’t one filled with wild nature, it was the colorful and artsy capital of BC, Victoria.
Entering the city, I was anticipating a day filled appreciating architecture, sampling fresh seafood and browsing the racks of funky boutiques. But, like I am one to do, I found myself wandering the streets of Victoria and admiring all of the plant and flower touches along the way. Here is a sampling of the summer plantings I found:
Walking into downtown from the public parking lot I began my journey from, I was immediately drawn to these over-the-top hanging baskets perched on every light post. On a grey, rainy day the rainbow color scheme was a cheerful addition to the many trees and green patches.
If only I had a ladder handy to get a better look! From all angles these baskets were sensational. So full of flowers and trailing down for all around, the only way to see the pots containing these creations was to stand directly below them.
Entering Victoria via ferry, there is no question that this is a city that prioritizes plants. I landed on the island a couple hours north in Nanaimo, but seeing this bright red “Welcome to Victoria” sign made of bright red wax begonias (Begonia × semperflorens-cultorum cvs., Zones 10–11 or as an annual) from foot was still impressive and inviting. And this is no new, modern addition either. This sign as been an Inner Harbour staple since 1954!
And a closer look at those red wax begonias, absolutely covered in vibrant blooms.
The highlight of my plant spotting was, of course, this absolutely incredible whale topiary called “The Surfacing”. Surrounded by beds of daisy bush (Brachyglottis greyi syn. Senecio greyi, Zones 8–10 or as an annual), white coneflower, black-eyed susan (Rudbeckia hirta, Zones 3–11), and ferns, this creation draws the eye despite being smack dap in the middle of the harbor and surrounded by lots of sights, sounds, and people.
This is an annual display that can be found outside the Fairmont Empress Hotel and actually features a mother and smaller baby orca (which is hidden on the other side) cresting a wave. Massing of a sea green grass—maybe blue fescue (Festuca glauca, Zones 4–8)—creates the wave that the ‘Purple Knight’ alternanthera (Alternanthera dentata ‘Purple Knight’, Zones 9–11) and cotton lavender (Santolina chamaecyparissus, Zones 6–9) wales perch on. After a little research I also learned that this living sculpture is about six meters long, just a couple meters short of an actual female orca’s length!
The hanging baskets are back! While slightly different, the restaurant I ate dinner at had very similar hanging baskets to the incredible globes of color I saw heading into downtown. It was too rainy to sit outside and enjoy these rows of beautiful arrangements, but I did spend some time after my meal taking photos and enjoying the flower-filled space.
This included a beautiful border of annuals poking over the patio railing and a gorgeous sunset on a flower-filled city. Victoria is high on my list of cities to visit again for this very reason. I will always appreciate when a city and its inhabitants give attention and care to adding plants to their concrete jungle.
At home or abroad, what city has blown you away with its plantings and nature? Let me know in the comments, or send pictures you have to [email protected]. And have a fabulous weekend!!
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