One of the world’s best and unique small gardens. Known affectionately as “the garden that love built,” this one acre jewel was created by Prince Nicolas and Princess Peggy Abkhazi in the middle of the last century. The garden’s future was at risk in early 2000 when a strong community campaign resulted in The Land Conservancy of British Columbia (TLC) purchasing the property in February 2000. TLC has opened the Garden to the public year-round. This magical garden takes full advantage of its dramatic site that contains quiet woodland, rocky slopes and gorgeous vistas. Abkhazi Garden is famous for its over 100 year old Rhododendrons, amongst other beautiful plantings, and for it’s year-round appeal. The former Abkhazi home, designed by famed architect John Wade, is now a tea room and gift shop.
The story of the creators of this gem-like small garden is as fascinating as the garden itself. Peggy Pemberton-Carter and exiled Prince Nicholas Abkhazi of what is now Georgia met in Paris in the 1920s. Separated by conflict and geography—including stints in Second World War prison camps on opposite sides of the globe—they found each other again and married in 1946. For the next four decades, the couple developed a rich garden in their 0.4-hectare (one acre) backyard. In 2000, after their deaths, The Land Conservatory of British Columbia saved the garden from developers. Today, you can enjoy sweeping views of the Olympic Mountains and the Strait of Juan de Fuca as you meander among Japanese maples, heritage rhododendrons and moss-covered rocky outcrops. The Abkhazi home is now a gift shop and tea room.
