A Brief History
A Garden for Gardeners for 27 Years
The Idea
When the idea for what became the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific (HCP) was proposed in 1978 by a group of citizens from Victoria, it was a multi-million dollar project. The concept envisaged a Pacific Demonstration Garden, a Pacific Horticultural Training Centre, and a Pacific Cultural Centre with the nations of the Pacific Rim each providing a pavilion as a national showcase. The provincial government provided $75,000 to develop the concept and do a feasibility study which concluded that the project was feasible and recommended a parcel of Crown Lands in Saanich as a suitable site.
The Name
As the time approached to apply for a charter, it was necessary to select a name. There was animated discussion whether the name should reflect the province, the city of Victoria, or its actual location in Saanich.
The initial grant had been provided to the Saanich Horticulture Centre, and an organization chart, developed at the time, was labeled International Horticulture School. Hal Herbert, an early proponent of the project suggested the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific as a name that reflected the international scope of the study of horticulture around the Pacific. It also solved the problem of Saanich versus Victoria versus British Columbia.
Hard Times
The Province issued the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific a charter in 1979. But, by 1982, it was clear that the provincial government was unwilling to provide both land and money, offering instead a long-term lease at a nominal charge. This along with a recession made fundraising difficult. The whole project foundered and would have been abandoned completely if a few believers had not persisted and begun to create a small demonstration garden on Quayle Road.
Making Gardens
Over the next few years, gardens were developed using donated services and labour from supporters in the community. During this period, the Doris Page Winter Garden was created with the active support of the Victoria Horticultural Society. The garden is now a featured attraction at the HCP with more than 500 examples of plant material suitable for a winter garden in this climatic zone (8).
Later developments included the Takata Japanese Garden and an internationally recognized trial garden for dahlias. Currently, there are many specialty gardens (heather and rhododendron for example), and with the help of HCP's gardening staff, local garden community and clubs, and volunteers, the HCP gardens are continuing to expand.