Among Hatley Park's most treasured attractions is the formal gardens and forested areas that surround Hatley Castle. The 565-acre grounds feature flowers, plants and trees from around the world. The trees planted during the Dunsmuir years have matured into some of the largest trees in Canada.
Preserving Hatley's botanical heritage
To ensure the protection and preservation of this National Historic Site, Royal Roads University ensures that the commemorative integrity of Hatley Park remains intact.
In accordance with the lease of the land from the Department of National Defence, the university has:
- prepared an inventory and heritage recording of plants, trees and flowers
- mapped the Italian garden, Neptune court, upper terrace and lower terrace as well as the pools, fountains, pathways and structures
- established a nursery to preserve the genetic stock of the site’s heritage trees for future generations
- ensured site research materials are inventoried, catalogued and managed to enable their use in ongoing research programs and in decision making at Hatley Park
What's planted in the gardens?
Completed in 2007, the Hatley Park inventory of plants and flowers is available online so researchers, students, horticulture enthusiasts and the public can benefit from this information.