The Gardens at HCP

10/22/2026

What a beautiful day celebrating the season at Harvest Fest this past weekend. From the rich colours of the changing gardens to the laughter and wonderful energy of our community, it was a lovely reminder of what makes this time of year so special.

If you haven't had a chance to read it yet, VanIsland.life shared a beautiful reflection on the day in their recent article, "The Quiet Magic of Autumn", capturing those quieter moments and the beauty of the gardens as the season grows colder.

Read the article: https://vanisland.life/1168-the-quiet-magic-of-autumn.html

Photography by Vira Mylyan-Monastyrska, MonaVira Photography
Article by Dajan Jarosław Monastyrski

Thank you for sharing in the magic of autumn with us.
Until next year!

10/19/2026

Beautiful autumn reflections

Captured by MonaVira Photography for VanIsland.life’s latest article 🍂

Words by Dajan Jarosław Monastyrski (link in our story)

So grateful for these beautiful photographs and for everyone who helped make the day so special! We can't wait to share more from the event.

10/17/2026

Here’s what to expect for tomorrow’s Harvest Fest at The Gardens at HCP! 🍂

On Saturday, October 17, from 10 AM - 2 PM we'll have been taken over by autumn festivities, garden fun, and plenty of door prizes to be won!

Our first-ever Squash Race is rolling into Harvest Fest, and there’s still time to register online or in-person tomorrow.

Prizes will be awarded for:

* Fastest Racer
* Smallest but Mightiest Car
* Most Creative Design

A few rules of the road:

* Your racer must be made using a squash that does not exceed 25 cm.
* Every racer must have an axle and wheels.
* Racers cannot have a motor.
* Races will take place in elimination heats until one speedy squash is crowned the winner!
* After the race, take your squash home to enjoy or add it to the compost.

Beautiful autumn bouquets will be available, lovingly made by our volunteers, led by the amazing Tice sisters. 🌸

Free talks throughout the event in the Couvelier Pavilion

Admission: $10 per person, with FREE admission for members and children under 16

Don't forget to bring your gardening questions!

We hope to see you there!

10/15/2026

10/15/2026

Earlier this fall, we welcomed this beautiful hand-forged steel lily obelisk by local artist Queen B Welding

With sculptural lilies climbing a rustic steel framework, this piece brings another layer of interest to the Lily Garden. One that we can't wait to see surrounded by this ever-changing garden throughout the seasons!

A big thank you to Queen B Welding for sharing beautiful craftsmanship with us. Be sure to take a closer look on your next visit!

10/11/2026

Ready, set, squash!! 🏁

Something new is rolling into Harvest Fest at The Gardens at HCP on October 17th.

Introducing our first-ever Squash Race!

Think zucchini racing, but with a seasonal twist. Build your own winter squash racer, give it some wheels, and see how it holds up against the competition. All ages are welcome!

Prizes will be awarded for:
• Fastest Racer
• Smallest but Mightiest Car
• Most Creative Design

A few rules of the road:
• Every racer must have an axle and wheels.
• Squash can be any size, but the total width of your racer (including wheels) cannot exceed 25 cm.
• No motors allowed! Gravity does the work.
• Once your racer is on the track, no interfering! Repairs can only be made between rounds at the repair station.
• Races will take place in elimination heats until one speedy squash is crowned the winner.
• Most importantly, have fun! Smiles and giggles encouraged.

Once the races are over, collect your squash to take home and enjoy or return it to the compost.

📅 Saturday, October 17, 2026
📍 The Gardens at HCP | Harvest Fest, 10 AM - 2 PM

Registration is required, so sign up early to secure your spot! Visit hcp.ca for more information and registration.

10/06/2026

October is full of reasons to visit The Gardens at HCP! 🍂

From seasonal garden colour to workshops, yoga, Harvest Fest and more, there’s plenty happening throughout the month.

A few highlights include:

• The Fall Plant Sale, continuing until October 31
• Harvest Fest on October 17
• Introduction to Landscape Design, a new three-class in-person course with Garden Alchemist
• Botanical Contact Printing with Christi York
• Plant Identification and Culture with Jane Tice
• Watercolour with Richard Wong Watercolors
• Willow chair making with Andrew Kent
• Tuesday evening yoga in the Pavilion, including a session tonight

Swipe through to see what’s coming up, and visit hcp.ca for full details and registration. You can also follow HCP Kids! for upcoming family and children’s programming!

09/29/2026

More Harvest Fest news! 🍂

Join us at the Gardens on Saturday, October 17th between 10:00am - 2:00pm for family activities, plant sales, gardener information booths, baked treats, Aerobic Geisha coffee, live portraits, a squash race and more.

We’ll also have three free talks in the Pavilion throughout the day:

10:30am - "A Year in the Life of a Fruit Tree" with Tim Fryatt, BC Fruit Testers Association

11:45am - "How to Grow Food Crops Indoors Under Lights" with Jennifer Kolot, Victoria Master Gardener Association

1:00pm - "Four Fabulous Mushrooms for Beginning Foragers" with Richard Winder, South Vancouver Island Mycological Society

Bring your garden questions ~ Local gardening, food-growing and conservation groups will be joining us with information tables throughout the event.

Admission will be $10. Come for the gardens & leave feeling inspired by the season! 🌿🍎🍄

09/28/2026

Contemporary botanical artist Christi York led “It’s a String Thing” yesterday, an interactive, materials-focused workshop exploring plant fibres and process.

She had recently returned from the Painters Palette art festival at Painter’s Lodge on northern Vancouver Island, where she was one of five resident artists.

We’re lucky to have Christi’s expertise as part of our Community Ed programs, and now a small selection of her botanical artwork has made its way into the HCP Gift Shop!

Christi’s work is deeply rooted in nature. She hand-harvests and works with plant materials, exploring traditional techniques through a contemporary lens.

These original botanical prints feel especially fitting now, as the Gardens begin shifting into gold, ochre and rust. Make sure to take a look the next time you're visiting! 🍂

09/28/2026

A brand new class is being offered at The Gardens at HCP about how to design your garden.

These will be engaging and interactive classes covering design theory, observation tools, the elements and principles of design then how to go through the design process like a pro! 🌼