If you ever want to feel peace within, visit the Japanese garden at Butchart Gardens. The shade and stillness automatically made me feel at home. I think it may be my love for shade gardening. Lets take a walk through the garden.
I knew we had arrived at the entrance to the Japanese garden when I saw the carefully manicured tree ahead of me.
Large rhododendrons and pines towered over a lower storey of ferns with tall fir and cedars towering over all in the distance. The garden was started in 1906 so it shows how well the original design was. I can only dream to have a garden like this.
I love how the moss has covered the trees in this garden. I found myself wanting to reach out and touch it was I walked by. Cotoneaster with its horizontal branching habit drapes to the ground to meet the moss below.
At the back of the garden we come to a lookout area where the Butchart family spent summers boating. Now you can hire a boat tour of this area for a nominal price. Its on my list of things to do next time we visit.
A zen garden bordered with low bamboo fencing welcomes us at the next corner. A single rock makes it look like a sea of sand is around it and the tree on an island of its own.
A dry stone river bed meanders through a shady corner. We take note of all the differnt ferns and plan to incorporate some of them in our large shade garden next year. We have many plants in our shade garden that are the same as in this garden. Could we create a Japanese garden? I think so.
Sculptural pines lean over a quiet pool of water. Late afternoon reflections and fall colour creating a show.
Hydrangeas in full bloom soften the edges of this pagoda. Large tree like Rhododendrons tower overhead. This garden is magical. It has all the Japanese principles of design within it. As you round each corner a new landscape appears to be enjoyed. A peaceful garden that makes you feel in tune with nature.
For more of the Butchart Gardens you can read Butchart Gardens-A World Class Garden.