Co-ordinator: Nancy Chu
The four central rectangular beds of the sunken rose garden are planted with a wider variety of roses than in a typical Victorian garden. There are currently 30 different varieties, from Brier to modern roses, which offer blooms from spring to fall. These include Gallica, Bourbon, China, moss, hybrid perpetual, hybrid musk, hybrid tea, and floribunda. Their scent and colour are best in late June and July.
The south and west side beds provide early spring interest, and late fall colour, with a variety of perennials, bulbs, and shade-tolerant shrubs. The griffin statue, under the arch of roses, is said to have come from London after WWII.
Nairn (a Friends member for 30 years), and her tireless team take a break from the weeding necessary to keep this area looking as wonderful as it smells. From left: Kate, Cindy, Nairn, Emma, Nancy (back row, in hat and sunglasses), Kit, Sandra, and Barb.
Victorian Rose Garden
Co-ordinator: Vaughn Edwards
Queen Elizabeth II opened this garden in 1994 during her visit to Victoria. It is based on the plan for Warwick Castle in England created by renowned 19th century gardener Robert Marnock. Boxwood edges the beds planted with pink and white roses. Mauve, yellow, and blue-grey ‘Poseidon’ roses were added in later years.
The roses were chosen to have as many different colours, varieties, sizes, flower shapes, and scents as possible. The garden is in bloom from May until late October, with peak bloom times in late June – July and again in late August – September. Tulips, hyacinths, snowdrops, and primula provide early sping colour. The Lotbiniere wall showcases a collection of vintage rhododendrons.
Four garden benches at its entrance honour the founding financial support of former Lieutenant Governor David Lam and Mrs. Dorothy Lam, the province of British Columbia, and the British Columbia Buildings Corporation.
To protect the roses from deer who live on the Government House grounds, fencing, gates, and a central cupola were built with subsequent donations. It is a popular location for wedding photos.
A Banner Rose Bloom
A combination of ideal weather conditions, and deer fencing around both the Sunken and Victorian Rose Gardens (and a great deal of gardening crews’ hard work) ,resulted in a display of roses that had not been seen for many years.
In Memoriam: Crenagh Elliott
The Friends are saddened by the death of Crenagh Elliott who began as a Friend on July 1, 1991, before the Friends had even been officially established. Crenagh was a master user of CAD software which she used to map all plants growing on Government House grounds and later expanded to include buildings, washrooms, parking areas, etc.
She identified herself as a rose historian specializing in old garden and species roses. Crenagh and her husband David began as the co-ordinators of the sunken rose garden when it was developed. She was the Canadian representative at the World Federation of Rose Societies (until 2023), and a keen rose record keeper. Crenagh was also a rose author; she is profiled in Help Me Find.com.
Crenagh visited the sunken rose garden volunteers weekly until one week before her passing. She had had trouble with a swelling foot since 2023, yet she usually declined the opportunity to sit down. Nancy Chu recalls, “Facing stairs or a difficult pathway, she always refused my arm to assist her,” saying, “I am steady on my feet!”
Nancy will remember Crenagh as a brave, elegant, and amazing lady. “Her passing is a huge loss for the rose world, and Government House, where she volunteered for decades.” Says Patty Grant, President, “She was a treasure trove of information about the Friends and the gardens, and she will be terribly missed.”