My parents are visiting and this afternoon we strolled around the grounds of Government House, home to our province's Lieutenant-Governor - the representative of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II in British Columbia. You can read more about the role of the office here. This is the third house to serve as Government House, the first two were destroyed by fire. This house was built in 1959 and although the exterior was contemporary, the interior was designed around the plan of the second building.
Today, early rhododendrons bloomed pink, red and white. The grounds are open to the public from sunrise to sundown.
Native plants such as this Camas Lily (camassia quamash) grace the gardens. For the First Nations peoples who lived here, the plant's bulbs were an important source of food. Harvested after the plant flowered, the bulbs were roasted and apparently taste similar to a sweet potato. The bulbs were also dried and pounded into flour.
The magnolia trees open into achingly beautiful drifts of pink and white blooms. Lily of the Valley nods on its stem, and Hellebores add their subtle tints to a garden that fits well into the landscape.
In the distance, sailboats danced to and fro on the water and so it was fitting to end our little excursion with a stop at the Oak Bay Marina for hot chocolate. Spring is fully here in all her glory!
Joining in with Mosaic Monday, hosted by Mary at the Little Red House, and with Sunlit Sunday, hosted by Karen at My Little Home and Garden.
A perfectly scrumptious day. We are so far behind... I'm glad to see that you are catching up nicely in your corner. Do they have tours of the home, too?
ReplyDeleteLove the flowers. Beautiful photographs.
ReplyDeleteThat would be a fabulous place for an afternoon stroll. It's hard to imagine that you still have snowdrops in bloom. Mine have been finished for some time and the magnolia is yet to bloom. We certainly have a variety of growing seasons in this country of ours. Thank you for linking your beautiful post to Sunlit Sunday, Lorrie.
ReplyDeleteYou have such a nice way with words and your photography is really wonderful. I haven't traveled in some time but thanks to you I know I want to visit your part of the world.
ReplyDeleteOh what beautiful images you captured! Looks like Spring in your world...
ReplyDeleteSuch beauty has caught your camera's eye. Sounds like a lovely place to visit.
ReplyDeleteA lovely day. I love seeing the native flowers of an area. The rhododendrons are gorgeous. Thank you, Lorrie!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous place. Loved the rocks and the rockery plants. Great photos. V
ReplyDeleteBeautiful place and well captured images.
ReplyDeleteShantana
Well, that was beautiful! Gorgeous grounds. Enjoy your visit with your parents... I know you will!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful gardens...I love the lily of the valley particularly because we had them in our garden when I was a child.
ReplyDeleteThe second picture is perfect.
ReplyDeleteGreetings,
Filip
Comme c'est beau ! Et le magnolia... tous ceux de la région ici ont pris un grand coup de froid pendant le gel de janvier et n'ont que quelques fleurs par ci par là - alors que d'habitude en cette saison, on les compte et on les admire sur la route pour aller à l'école.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous and beyond!
ReplyDeleteHow is it possible that you are so far ahead? Canada is cold, damn it! My camassias are nowhere near flowering
ReplyDeleteOne of the prettiest spots in Victoria!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place! Lovely images.
ReplyDeleteThose blossoms are so, so pretty, and your images allow them to linger just a little longer~
ReplyDeleteAren't we lucky to live near such a beautiful place? I try to walk there once a month. When Iona Campagnola was LG I'd often see her working with the volunteers in the garden on Thursday mornings.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful place for an outing. The gardens look so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHello Lorrie,
ReplyDeleteThis is such a beautiful place!
Gabriela
All such exquisite flowers. Lorrie! My duaghter wanted Lily of the Valley flowers in her bridal bouquet, as it is her favorite flower, but it will be out of season by then.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos and interesting post.
ReplyDelete