Friend of the GPOD Cherry Ong is taking us on the road again today, with a nod to the Victorian era and formal gardens. She’s sharing some scenes from the Topiary Garden at the Pendray Inn and Teahouse in Victoria, British Columbia.
The Pendray Inn and Teahouse was once a private home.
A topiary orca leaps out of the garden bed.
Another topiary is made from carefully trimmed Cotoneaster (Zones 5–7), which, unlike most topiary plants, provides the added detail of beautiful red berries.
A bridge spans the water feature, surrounded by the colors of fall foliage.
There was no sun to show on this sundial what time it was.
I think this is a topiary eagle, with a topiary fish in its beak.
I’m not sure what this one was supposed to be—perhaps an abstract design.
The next three photos are from a new addition called the Bonnie Henry Commemorative Garden, a place of hope, kindness, and unity. Established in 2020, these garden plots are provided for local community members through the James Bay Neighborhood Association and the Huntingdon Manor Hotel. (Huntingdon Manor and Pendray operate collectively; the manor is right behind Pendray.)
This impressive array of foliage includes a banana (Musa basjoo, Zones 6–10) in the background, the silvery spears of cardoon (Cynara cardunculus, Zones 7–9 or as an annual), and the yellow blooms of Mahonia (Zones 7–10) beginning to open.
Closer view of the mahonia blooms
A sweet little container of hens and chicks (Sempervivum, Zones 4–9)
Of course, Afternoon Tea at Pendray is highly recommended!