By John Lund

Veronica Milner was a gifted artist and horticulturist, but it was unlikely that even she could foresee the day that her extraordinary garden, built on an evergreen-covered bluff near Qualicum Beach on British Columbia's Vancouver Island, would one day be fit for a Queen.

But a visit from Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip proved it was royalty-ready when the couple spent three days there in October 1987. Charles, the Prince of Wales, and the late Lady Diana previously visited in 1986 while at EXPO 86 in Vancouver. Like all of us who visit the gardens, the Royal Family expressed gratitude for the peaceful moments spent in Veronica's garden.

Today, even those of us of lesser lineage are welcomed at Milner Gardens & Woodland. Comprising 60 acres of old-growth forest and 10 acres of garden surrounding a heritage house, this stunning property has been operated by Malaspina University-College since its acquisition in 1996, two years before Veronica passed away on November 5, 1998.

The gardens feature plants from the world's temperate zones including an amazing collection of 400 artistically placed rhododendrons that color the garden with a rainbow of orange, red, yellow, pink, and purple from spring into summer.

Veronica was a skilled painter and her creative vision is reflected in the way leaves, branches, and petals interplay to form patterns of color and light throughout the seasons. Each tree, be it a giant Himalayan rhododendron, a dove tree, a camellia, a Chinese dogwood, beech, or birch combines to put on a continuous show of color. My favorites are the Japanese maples thatwarm up autumn by matching scarlet against local maple yellow.

The property's beauty doesn't stop at the garden boundaries. Mulch paths and boardwalks lead through the evergreen forest, where enormous Douglas firs look down from above. The oldest giant fir was a seedling when Christopher Columbus discovered America. Interpretive signs along the trails provide insight into forest ecology,

biology, and natural science. One platform gives an excellent view of an active bald eagle's nest.

Afternoon tea is served in the Camellia Room overlooking the garden and Georgia Strait. Tea includes pastries and freshly-baked scones with jam. The Pool House Gift Shop has creative garden-related ornaments, books, cards, stationery, and souvenirs. Refreshments and light snacks are available by the pool or under shady bowers. The plant sales area has a selection of perennials, trees and shrubs, and native plants.

Special events include Rhododendron Days (May), Arts & Photography in the Garden (July), and Jazz in the Garden (August).

The gardens are open March through early October (October 8 is Canadian Thanksgiving) at 2179 West Island Highway (1.2 miles south of Qualicum Beach). Admission is $10 adults, $6 students. For more information, contact Milner Gardens & Woodland (250-752-6153; www.milnergardens.org).

Northwest Travel March/April 2007