On our way, we stopped off at Mount Robson....very picturesque!
Being the ever tree lover that I am I can't help but wrap my arms around one of the many HUGE trees in Stanley Park at Vancouver.
This Mimosa Tree in Stanley Park caught my eye...very impressive blooms.
Below is a close up.
My first ferry boat ride ever. This trip was to Victoria to see a very good friend of mine and the incredible Butchart Gardens. This was the waiting line to get on the boat.
Above is what our boat looks like even though this is one of the sister ships to the one we were sailing (both called "Spirit of Vancouver"). This is one of the larger ones.
We're now at the Butchart Gardens and pictures above is one of their many impressive hanging baskets and planters. It appears to be Million Bells (Calibrachoa), Sweet Potato Vine and a Ti Plant (Cordyline) in this one.
A trip to the gardens isn't complete without a good game of life size chess.
The ever impressive Brugmansia pictured above are carefully taken in to their greenhouses every fall and winter only to be put out again next spring.
A lovely bed (one of many) of tuberous begonias.
Impressive hanging baskets of begonias and to the left of that is Wandering Jew (Tradescantia zebrina).
Above is the most photographed area in the gardens is the picturesque "Sunken Gardens" which were created out of the old limestone quarry back in the early 1900's when Mrs. Jennie Butchart decided (after they stopped mining the area) to extend what she had started.
This is the bosun's chair that Jennie Butchart used to hang over the edges of the quarry to stuff ivy in the many crevices she found along the walls.
All of the beds are changed several times per year. As plants and seasons change, new material is planted (grown in their greenhouses) to keep the displays interesting and in bloom.
I loved this bed of New Guinea Impatiens flanked by Creeping Cotoneaster along the wall. The Cotoneaster looks either like "Creeping" or "Rockspray" both of which are very similar.
The beautiful "Ross Fountain Lookout" was created by the Butchart's grandson back in 1964 from one of the smaller quarries. Below the water are a series of pumps and moving fountain heads that give this water display particular beauty and interest.
Being the avid photographer I am...I couldn't resist doing a bunch of closeups. This is one of many oriental lilies in the gardens. Interestingly enough, Jennie Butchart didn't believe in labeling the plants as this would detract from the beauty of the gardens. The family and staff carry on that belief to this day and this allows the public to enjoy the splendor of the gardens without the distraction of labels.
Begonias (red), Salvia (light purple) and Canna Lilies (yellow).
Below are closeups of dahlias from their dahlia bed. They were JUST starting to come in bloom and later on, when we were talking with one of the staff, she mentioned that the bed really comes into it's own in September.
The above two pictures are from their rose garden. There wasn't too much in bloom as the roses were just coming down from their peak of bloom. These two caught my eye though.
The Japanese Gardens were impressive and from pictures I've seen, the fall colour is fantastic.
Back to the Italian Gardens again, this topiary caught my eye. It is flanked by burgundy Canna Lilies and Zinnias.
The Italian Garden looking onto the Tea House. Very formal in appearance compared to the other areas.
After having coffee but before going to the gift shop, I spotted this beautiful hanging basket of petunias, million bells and sweet potato vine hanging out of the bottom. Very well done!
I had my partner Len pose in front of this bed of Canna Lilies and Banannas.
They have a small arid bed out front by the parking lot which as a few specimens. While not all that diverse of a bed, this agave caught my eye.
After going to the gardens, we headed to visit my very good friend Tim who lives in Victoria. He's got a great view of the ocean etc from his 12th floor apartment.
Len, Tim and I went out on to what was called the Breakwater which was created to help mitigate large waves crashing into the bay where the ships dock. It's a long walk way and so after walking out to the end, we stopped to enjoy the view and snap a few pictures.
We spotted several boats coming and going. Here the "Victoria Clipper" ferries people from the mainland i.e. Seattle to Victoria
At one point, we came to the renowned Empress Hotel.
Outside of the hotel was this beautiful topiary of whales
The exterior of the hotel was covered in Boston Ivy which makes an impressive display.
Out front were these beautiful weeping evergreens (didn't get up close to try to ID them) which resemble ancient woolly mammoths.
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