A Legacy of Beauty and History Hidden in a Rainforest.
It is easy to describe my serene feelings of peace and tranquillity while exploring North Vancouver Island’s rainforest hide-a-ways. Today’s adventure is no exception and takes us to Ronning’s Garden situated on the old Wagon Road to San Josef’s Bay on northern Vancouver Island. The gardens are an amazing haven for the soul, a collection of European, Japanese, and North American ornate plant life immersed in the magnificence of natural rainforest surroundings of tall native evergreens, purifying lichen, and tapestries of green Moss interspersed with amazing fungi. Each visit off grid to the gardens is rejuvenating as one is serenaded only by the sights and sounds of the Wild Kingdom. It is a world within a world, a sanctuary for reflection where the spirit runs wild and free.
Ronning’s garden is about 75 minutes from Vancouver Island’s northern-most and welcoming town of Port Hardy,. One travels west on the well-maintained gravelled Holberg Road, then north onto the rough gravelled San Josef Logging Main (commonly called the Cape Scott Road)… and finally a short jaunt east to remnants of the old San Josef’s wagon road which alongside is our destination on this drizzly, cloudy April afternoon; Ronning’s Gardens … a 5-acre horticultural wonder born in 1910 and fathered by a pioneering homesteader Bernt Ronning.
The garden is a collection of imported exotic plants, shrubs, and tree life interspersed among indigenous coastal rainforest species such as leafy Salal, deciduous Maple and Alder trees, and evergreen conifers such Douglas Fir, Cedar, and Hemlock. Nurtured by nature herself, the garden has captivated visitors for over a century. Bernt Ronning accumulated many of his garden species from travellers of the wagon road willing to contribute to his horticulture passion.
Bernt, a Norwegian, lived on the acreage in a rustic home that has long since vanished. What remains are the fruits of his labours… the Rhododendron, Azalea, Sequoias, and Monkey Puzzle Trees and so many other ornate plants he meticulously cared for until his death in 1965. After his passing, the remote location together with the harsh coastal weather and nature’s tenacity for forest regrowth posed significant obstacles to gardening endeavours. However, the cultivated splendour has stood strong with gardening help; resilient against storms and the encroaching wilderness. The stewardship of subsequent owners Ron and Julie Moe, and volunteers have nurtured the gardens to remain naturally blended into the West Coast environment, becoming more beautiful with each passing season. Recently Rob and Joli Gagnon acquired ownership and have now dedicated their time as responsible stewards of this marvellous blend of thriving native and introduced flora.
The imported plant, shrubbery, snd trees thrive harmonizing with the environment to stand as a testament to the perseverance of botanical life… and to the vision of its founder who led a rugged pioneering existence taking up various occupations such as a fur trapper, camp cook, and fisherman. However, walking through this homestead it is easy to see horticulture was his true passion. Driven by a love for the natural beauty of Northern Vancouver Island’s rainforest flora, he spent his free time creating a garden of natural flora blended with imported species that would adapt to the challenging Pacific Coastal Rainforest environment. The dense natural forest, wild terrain, and wet climate of the Northwest challenged Ronning’s dedication to transforming rainforest into a flourishing garden, a successful accomplishment that exists to this day.
Ronning hand cleared vegetative and rotting debris, underbrush, fallen logs, and rocks to open planting area for new growth to flourish, crafting pathways and areas to cultivate a diverse array of wonder that continues to amaze visitors.
The Garden is renowned not only for its striking beauty but also as an adaptive habitat for many rainforest wildlife inhabitants. Its diverse ecosystem offers shelter and nourishment for an array of bird species, insects, and small and large mammals in a symbiotic relationship. This harmonious coexistence between flora and fauna provides an added layer of intrigue to the garden, presenting visitors with the opportunity to observe nature’s delicate balance firsthand.
Wildlife sightings enhance the garden’s tranquil appeal and happen unexpectedly, including Black-tailed Deer, Black Bear, Pine Martin, Stellar’s Jays, Robins, Hummingbirds, Bald Eagles, Barred Owls, Bats, among others.
A century of gradual development has resulted in remarkable sizes for the diverse range of European and North American plants that survived the Pacific Northwest’s harsh climate. Notable among these are the impressive large rhododendrons, azaleas, and magnolias,, situated in a carpet on mosses and dotted with daffodils in vibrant blooms each spring,. The eyes are greeted by a mosaic of colours that contrast beautifully with the lush greens of the surrounding evergreen, lichen, and moss-covered forest. The autumnal hues of deciduous leaves also add a captivating dimension. Of particular interest is a very large Monkey Puzzle Tree, reputed to be one of the oldest and largest specimens in Canada.
A Large Monkey Puzzle Tree Above
Today, Ronnings Gardens is a living legacy, cherished by locals and visitors alike. It serves not only as a botanical sanctuary of amazing beauty, but also as a historical landmark that celebrates the spirit of early settlers and their connection to the land. The garden’s serene paths invite exploration, offering a visual odyssey and a glimpse into the remarkable life of pioneer Bernt Ronning. For horticulture and outdoor enthusiasts, the surroundings continue to inspire highlighting the incredible diversity and adaptability of plants in a coastal rainforest environment.
The backroads journey to visit North Vancouver Island’s Ronning’s Gardens offers a peaceful retreat to nature lovers. The tall evergreens, magnificent rhododendrons, wildlife habitat, lichen, moss, Fawn Lilies, and Daffodils create a revitalizing experience disconnecting one for a moment from an urban lifestyle. The Garden’s fresh flower aroma and natural sounds connected Christine, Rosie, and I with each other as we admired nature’s landscaping: the awesomeness of visiting the serenity of Ronning’s Gardens. Imagine, an inspiring living wonder hidden in a Pacific Coastal rainforest, a place wildlife and ornate flora live in harmony. The unique Ronning’s Garden is the enduring vision of pioneer Bernt Ronning, and now carried on under the stewardship of the Gagnons.
Safe Travels
Gord
Photos © 2025 Christine Patterson