Co-ordinator: Sharon Vermaning
Pearkes’ Peak is three rocky outcroppings separated by grass and gravel paths. It has grown to include the duck pond to the north and a waterfall and stone lantern at the southwest edge of the garden presented to Government House by the International Rotary Club of Morioka, Japan, a sister city of Victoria.
The garden was named in honour of former Lieutenant Governor George Pearkes (1960 -1968) who enjoyed donning his Wellington boots to clear and plant the area.directly in front of the House, where the flag, and totem, poles are located..
Garry Oaks, a wide variety of ornamental shrubs, native plants, and bulbs thrive here. Two monuments sit on the south side: A statue of Sir James Douglas, the second governor of the Colony of Vancouver Island and the first governor of the Colony of British Columbia, and Hosaqami, a Kwagiulth totem pole carved by Chief Tony Hunt to replace the original totem pole carved by his adoptive grandfather, Mungo Martin.It was commissioned to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee.
The totem pole was carved on site throughout the summer of 2012. When his schedule permitted, the Honourable Steven Point, Lieutenant Governor (2007 – 2012), worked with Chief Hunt on the project. Members of the public were welcome to watch the carving. It was dedicated and raised on September 8, 2012.
A waterfall and stone lantern presented to Government House by the International Rotary Club of Morioka, Japan, a sister city of Victoria, are at the southwestern edge of the garden.
Gnome on the Range
Volunteers Bring Good Luck to Their Favourite Garden
Pearkes Peak volunteers decided there’s no place like gnome when volunteer John Westover suggested a costume for Halloween.
Says John, “We did it several years ago and Judy Hambleton, another of our volunteers made all the hats and beards.” This year, the crew copied John’s hat and held a work bee in the Cottage to make hats for everyone.
Pearkes Peak is the large garden directly across from the main Government House entrance that includes the Bruce Pavilion, and west to the duck pond. The garden has 15 volunteers (including Valerie Murray, horticultural advisor) and a new volunteer who had just joined that morning.
As Pearkes Peak volunteer Elspeth Westby says, “Valerie, and Sharon (Vermaning, Pearkes Peak co-ordinator), guide us as to what area needs special attention every week. We work Tuesday and Thursday mornings year-round except in really inclement weather.
“We work to keep the beds weed-free and looking their best for visitors. Both Valerie and Sharon advise us as to whether plants need to be moved to a better site.
“Volunteers work in groups and this allows for great friendships to occur as we socialize over coffee during our breaks,” says Elspeth..
Vegetable garden volunteer Penny Tennenhouse takes a break from leading her Fairfield Halloween tour to pose with Pearkes Peak volunteers (left) Yvonka Jager, and (right) Marion Frey.
“John reminded us that it will be another seven years before Halloween lands on a Tuesday. But could this be an annual event? We’ve heard other gardeners say we should have a competition next year,” says Elspeth.
“While we knew we were dressed as gnomes, I did get a comment from a neighbour about ‘some people dressed as father Christmas.”
Finished for the day, ready to head for gnome.