Abkhazi Gardens, Victoria …

One of those extraordinary stories … of developing love … surviving World War II, despite both being captured – one in France and the other in Shanghai as an ‘enemy subject’ held captive by the Japanese  … somehow keeping in contact … eventually to marry and start a garden …

Abkhazia is orange, then Georgia is grey
c/o Wiki - to see the Ossetias

Romantic or what … an exiled Prince of Abkhazi … an orphan adopted by a rich couple… ‘the child’ eventually settling in Shanghai in 1938, the place of her birth.

Nicholas, the Prince in 1919 had fled the Bolshevik Revolution living in Paris with his mother … where he met Peggy during those years accompanying her domineering adoptive mother around Europe. 

The house peeping out

They enjoyed each other’s company and when in Paris did what cultured friends would do … walked, visited galleries, museums, listened to recitals and conversed in French, their common language.  When Peggy was travelling they corresponded through letters …

The summer house at the top of the property
from where they could survey, plan and design
their garden, prior to their home being built

War came … both survived … they found each other … married and came over to Vancouver Island, where Peggy had bought a small one acre plot … their love flourished, as too their home and garden – now preserved by The Land Conservancy.

It’s a tiny heritage property and I should have visited in the late Spring/early Summer, but next year I’ll go again … when the rhododendrons, azaleas and spring flowers are in bloom …

I did not have much time at all … but managed to fit in one of their special Silk Road teas … I enjoyed the tea … and must find out more about this brand.  

Looking across from the house

I was grateful for the tiny sandwich/ scone/ cake offerings on the cake stand … not because I ate them in situ … but from the box on the way home, as I was caught up in traffic on that dreaded Malahat road, curbing my rumbling tummy, as supper was distinctly late that night – eventually not needed.

I think these must be Garry Oaks leading
across to the summer house

I hope you can see the delight of the garden and its plantings … as too the layout of the land … a cascade of glaciated rocks – announcing its need for creative gardeners to foresee the opportunities for green fingers within this tiny space.

The terrace where tea can be served

There’s a hornbeam hedge at the front, the garden itself sits high above surrounding properties, native Garry oaks remain, Japanese maples and rhododendrons have matured … and there are now carpets of heather, irises and day lilies – all to be enjoyed next year …

Part two of this is a story about a plant … and more garden insights in another land …

The Land Conservancy – Abkhazi Garden ...

Abkhazi Teahouse …

Hilary Melton-Butcher

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