This week I visited the Horticultural Centre of the Pacific with friends and found a quiet gem of a display garden just waiting to be discovered. While waiting for everyone to arrive, we wandered through the tiny Gift Shop, filled with all sorts of goodies for the nature lover. The shop features a number of unique items for sale by local artists and crafters. We found the Lily Garden to be a riot of colour at this time of year, and the roses to be as happy to see the sunshine as I am. There is a special garden for every season, including winter, as well as a Japanese Garden and a Native Plant Garden. There are quite a number of interesting sculptures dotting the garden, which reminds me that their annual Arts & Music in the Gardens is set for the weekend of August 11th and 12th this year. I attended this a few years back, and enjoyed the variety of artists and musicians who share their passion with those of us less talented. Following our stroll through the gardens, we enjoyed refreshments at the Nourish Cafe and Bistro on site. The beautiful warm weather allowed us to enjoy the patio for the occasion, and the menu served up some unique takes on traditional fare. I believe a return to try out their lunch menu is in order. The Gardens were quiet on our midweek visit, I hope you enjoy my photos enough to visit yourself. Dogs on leashes are allowed, and the entry fee of $11 is very reasonable, considering it would be easy to spend half a day there. The Gardens are staffed and maintained by volunteers, quite an undertaking considering the size of the gardens at 505 Quale Road. You can see their website at http://www.hcp.ca/. Enjoy!

For more pictures of this amazing gardens, see our Facebook Page.