The Gardens At HCP Victoria

The beautiful gardens at the Horticultural Centre of the Pacific in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Twelve kilometres (7.5 miles) north of downtown Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, you’ll find The Gardens at HCP (Horticultural Centre of the Pacific). It is a lovely public garden as well as a horticultural education centre.

The Gardens opened in 1979 as a non-profit celebrating the importance of plants in a sustainable world. They call themselves a gardener’s garden. The 103 acres contain demonstration gardens, a conservation area, a horticultural college, and a café.

Garden with several beds, path running through, grassy area with bench, trees and pond in background

The garden offers something to see year-round. The photos in this post were taken in April so they feature spring blooms and the start of summer growth.

Slightly terraced garden area with stone edging and a mixture of shrubs and spring blooms

A border of blue blossoming plants along a pathway

There are many gardens contained within the space. Upon first entering you’ll see the Mixed Border Garden, the Children’s Garden, and the Drought Tolerant Garden. Other garden areas include the Lily Garden, the Mediterranean Garden, Cutting Gardens, Fruit Trees, and a Bird and Butterfly Garden among others.

The scent when I entered the Herb Garden was delightful. I caught whiffs of various blooms in other parts of the garden. Because spring garden work was underway, there were a few spots in the garden where the smell was not as pleasant because fresh compost had just been laid. However, even that could not detract from the beauty of the garden.

Tree with white blossoms in a garden area backed by taller evergreens

The Bridal Garden edges The Gathering Place and features shrubs, perennials, and annuals chosen for an extended summer season of white blooms and mixed neutral tones of foliage.

Wood-chip covered path winding into wooded area — *The WSÁNEĆ Ethnobotany Trail showcases native ecosystems.*

Hillside in a garden covered with white purple heather with trees in background — *Collection of heathers*

Rocky garden area features moss and various coloured foliage in a winter garden

The woodland Doris Page Winter Garden features a myriad of Hellebores, coloured berries, branch structures, and coloured foliage, flowers, and fragrances—things one might not expect to find in winter. Doris Page was known for her horticultural achievements and interest in retaining natural landscapes. Hellebores were her special passion.

The Takata Japanese and Zen Garden is named for the Takata family who owned and operated a Japanese garden in Esquimalt from 1907 to 1942. In April 1942, when the Canadian government removed Japanese Canadian families from the coast and sent them inland to confinement sites, the Takata family gave many of their plants to their Gorge neighbours.

Stands inside a clearing surrounded by trees hold a collection of bonsai plants

The garden is home to the largest outdoor bonsai garden in Canada and the only outdoor bonsai garden in Western Canada.

Upward sloping garden area with a stone border and tall trees behind it features various coloured shrub, blooms of yellow, white, blue, and pink, and a pergola

Other garden areas include a rhododendron and hosta garden, a cottage style garden, a farm garden, an urban garden, native plant areas, and a vegetable garden. A sign posted during my April 2025 visit said that a patio and balcony container garden was coming soon.

Crushed stone pathway through trees and shrubs

Paths are relatively easy to walk, but be aware there are inclines and steps in places. There are markers in the ground identifying most of the plants.

*There are areas to sit and just enjoy the surroundings*

The public garden is cared for by volunteers, staff, and students. On my visit, I met one of the volunteers, someone my sister knew. The volunteer showed us which area of the garden bed she was responsible for.

The centre offers a variety of classes and workshops throughout the year on various horticultural, creative arts, and wellness topics. It also has a master gardener training program. Check out the various offerings on their website.

The restaurant, Charlotte and the Quail, is open for breakfast, lunch, and coffee. It features an ever-changing menu with local, seasonal ingredients, including fresh produce grown in the garden. You can visit the restaurant separately from the Gardens without paying the Gardens admission. Note that the restaurant can get busy at times. Reservations may be needed. I have not eaten at the restaurant myself, but my sister, who lives in Victoria, has been there more than once and says the food is quite good.

See The Gardens website for information on open hours and events.

I think it is fitting to end this post with a collection of flower photos from The Gardens.