Finnerty Gardens at the University of Victoria
In March you walk under a canopy of firs and cedars through a wonderland of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, Pieres japonica (including the unusual Pieris japonica ‘crispa' with its wavy leaves) and magnolias (Magnolia soulangiana-the tulip or saucer magnolia and Magnolia stellata-the star magnolia).
Reflected in one of the two naturalistic ponds is a graceful clump of timber bamboo, the bright yellow of the Marsh marigolds (Caltha palustris), the ochre bark of the paper bark maples (Acer griseum) and the white bark of the Himalayan birch (Betula utilis var.jacquemontii).
Yet another paper bark maple with its chestnut bark peeling to expose the new orange red smooth new bark is under planted with the contrasting chartreuse blooms of Hellebore autrobenus and a mauve dwarf rhododendron in early spring followed later with a purple accent of Allium “Purple Sensation” with its large globes of small purple-red flowers.
There are the large glossy dark green leaves with brown felt like underside of Magnolia grandiflora and the leaves of Rhododendron Sir Charles Lemon with their bright cinnamon indumentum, which glow with backlighting.
The woodland floor is carpeted with an ever-changing tapestry of exotic and native plants including the pink, white, mauve and blue blossoms of Anemone nemerosa. There is an array of hellebores (including Hellebore autrobenus echoing the timber bamboo and a mass planting of Hellebore hybridus under the white birch). There is a vast array of ferns, which combine with the lungworts (pulmonaria), fringed bleeding heart (Dicentra eximia), hardy Cyclamin coum and hederfolium, and primroses. A collection of ornamental grasses further extends the season of interest.
In March the collection of more than 200 rhododendron species and azaleas (including Rhododendron Calophytum with its white blooms with hits of orchid pink) together with their hybrids are coming into bloom. Many of these magnificent specimens are now over 70 years old have been started from seed obtained either directly or indirectly from the plant explorers who had discovered them.
Pass by the boggy area which will soon have a pre-historic look with the large leafed plants including rodgersias, butterbur (petasites), ligularias, and damara under a towering sambucus niger. You will arrive at yet another naturalistic pond surrounded by the giant leafed Himalayan rhododendrons, native firs, and the lush foliage including the dainty leaves of the hardy maidenhair fern (Adiantum venustum), the glossy foliage of European ginger (Asarum europium), the native Vancouveria hexandra echoing the foliage of the Barrenwort (Epimediums). Your eye is drawn to the bright yellow Marsh marigolds (Caltha palustris) and the dramatic bright yellow swath of lysichiton americanum (skunk cabbage!).
Your mind turns back to January/February when there were the cascading chartreuse catkins on the Silk Tassel bush (Garrya elliptica) ‘James Roof', the fragrant yellow blooms of Mahonia charity and colour and fragrance of the witch hazels. Thinking ahead to May the rare giant loderi rhododendron ‘Mrs. Josephine Firth' will have large exotic white/shell pink fragrant blooms at the same time that dainty creamy bells tinged with pink will adorn the neighbouring graceful tree like shrub enkianthus companulatus from Northern Japan.
The carpeting of the lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) will add its scent and be echoed by the leaf shape of the groundcover planting of the native false lily of the valley (Meianthelemon dilatatum).
You reflect upon the generosity of those who donated these magnicent rhodendrons and the 1600 other trees and shrubs that with their bloom, foliage and bark make this a truly magical place throughout the year.