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The lush, late winter gardens of
ROYAL ROADS
LANGUISHING IN THE MISTS
of the Pacific Northwest, the formal gardens of the Dunsmuir estate provide an exquisite glimpse into turn-of-the-century garden design and exotic gardening interests.

Even in late February or early March when these photographs were taken, this garden has something special to offer the plant and gardening enthusiast.
The circular drive leading to the entry at
Hatley Castle on the grounds of Royal Roads University.
Grey clouds full of raw weather roll in and around the tall cedar forest, almost close enough to touch. I'm walking the grounds of Hatley Castle, which now provide a spectacular setting for Royal Roads University.

James Dunsmuir, a 19th century coal baron and prominent politician, built the castle for his family on Vancouver Island, near Victoria, BC. Even in damp, dark February, the well-restored estate nurtures the gardener's soul with color and form, sometimes subtle, sometimes sumptuous.


Mt. Fuji flowering cherry (above and below left)
Acres of lawn sweep down to the salt water shoreline, providing views of the Olympic Mountains in Washington State 40 miles across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. In this majestic setting, the Dunsmuir family established extensive formal gardens, filled with exotic species, and framed by the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest rainforest.
The statue of Ceres, representing harvest or autumn, in the formal Italian Garden (near right).

Fragrant showers of Clematis armandii cascade down from a terrace overlooking the Italian Garden (far right).
Pockets of bloom thrive tucked into well-worn stone nooks and crannies, or strewn about the natural landscape between formal gardens.
Helleborous x orientalis

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