A Japanese Garden for all Generations

A curved bridge gives access to an island with the original pavilion and a 100 year old rhododendron.

​As a regular visitor of Hatley Castle and the Italian Garden, I never fully explored the surrounding grounds. I ventured further afield one pleasant October day and stumbled upon Hatley’s Japanese Garden. The Japanese maples were at their peak of autumnal dress and were aglow with foliage in fiery reds, golds, yellows and oranges. I was awestruck.

Japanese maples dot the gardens around the pond.

Exquisite branch structure and brilliant fall foliage are attention getters.

​Paths and streams meander lazily throughout this expansive garden. It was built in two sections, years apart. The Upper Japanese Garden was built in 1909. It was designed by Isaburo Kishida, a Japanese landscape gardener. The bridges, gazebos, other structures and mature trees date back to that first garden.  Stone lanterns guide the way through rhododendrons, azaleas, Japanese cherry trees, irises, primroses in spring and Japanese maples.

Plantings are delicate with beautiful views of the garden throughout.

A bonsai styled yew.

​The Lower Japanese Gardens took three years to build. It was finished in 1919. It encircles the lake with plantings of flowering cherries and rhododendrons. An arching bridge crosses the water to a 100-year-old rhododendron with a pavilion that juts out over the water. Water lilies dot the pond as fish hide in their shadows.

A duckweed filled pond intentionally resembles precious jade.

A stone pagoda is surrounded by healther.

Whatever the season, this garden has such good bones that even in the dead of winter, it doesn’t disappoint. Foliage isn’t necessary when intricate and weeping trees and shrubs provide architectural interest.  Their forms combine beautifully with the artistic stonework, stone ornaments and the numerous Asian structures. It really is a garden for all seasons. For more information please click on Hatley's Japanese Garden. 

An undulating bridge curves over the pond to a small island where a pavilion awaits.

The pond is crystal clear and is the home to many fish and other wildlife.

Geese are one of the may birds that enjoy this healthy, well-balanced pond.

A shy pagoda hides behind the colourful fall leaves of a deciduous azalea.

The pond as seen through the branches of a red cedar.

Stone pagodas are strategically placed throughout the garden.

A huge weeping Japanese maple.

A Japanese maple.

Curving paths wrap around the pond.

A hummingbird is one of the many visitors to the Japanese garden.

Bridges are curved to ward off evil spirits.

Pruned azaleas are trained to resemble clouds.

These 'cloud' shaped azaleas look good know but they must look amazing in spring when they are in full flower. Must come back and visit.

A hidden pagoda under the canopy of a red autumn coloured Japanese maple.

A paperbark maple, Acer griseum.

The exotic branches of a Japanese maple.