Botanical gardens to visit in Metro Vancouver for a picture-perfect spring

Vancouver might be famous for its unparalleled summers, but we think Vancouver springs are just as magical, if not a teensy bit more. It’s the time of year that sunny days start to get into the rotation again, bringing forth a variety of eye-catching blooms of all kinds. And there’s no place better to take it all in than a botanical garden.

So with that in mind, here are some stunning botanical gardens to visit in and around Vancouver this season.

It’s hard to believe that VanDusen started out as the site of the former Shaughnessy Golf Course. Today, its stunning acres feature a variety of blooms each season, and house special memories for families across the Lower Mainland that visit during seasonal celebrations like Harvest Days and the Festival of Lights. That said, the botanical garden makes for an excellent nature stroll any day of the week, and this time of year, you can find vibrant rhododendron, daffodils, Japanese magnolias, “weeping” cherry blossoms, and more.

You can even adopt a tree to commemorate a special occasion or loved one!

Where: 5251 Oak St.

Considered one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan, Nitobe Memorial Garden at UBC is well worth the visit if you’re in search of some peace, quiet, and reflection. The garden was created to honour the memory of Dr. Inazō Nitobe (1862-1933), whose goal was to “become a bridge across the Pacific” and promote a better understanding of Japanese culture in the West.

The garden now sits as an emblem of Japanese-Canadian history. It transforms for each season; cherry blossoms line its tranquil paths in the spring, and irises bloom in the summer months. There are also native and Japanese trees, mossy patches, a koi pond, and multiple waterfalls to appreciate during your visit.

Where: 1895 Lower Mall

While you’re on campus, you might as well explore the UBC Botanical Garden! There are plants from every corner of the world growing here, some of which are endangered and help protect the area’s biodiversity. This includes a mini B.C. rainforest garden, a Garry Oak Meadow, a food garden, and an area dedicated to growing eastern North American deciduous hardwood forest.

Where:  6804 SW Marine Dr.

Admittedly, this one’s more of a greenhouse than a botanical garden, but it’s certainly worth visiting if you’re missing the tropical vibe. The Bloedel Conservatory is situated at the centre of Queen Elizabeth Park and is home to tropical birds, koi fish, and over 500 exotic plants, all of which thrive in a temperature-controlled dome.

Where: 4600 Cambie St.

Vancouver’s classical Chinese Garden is celebrating 40 years this month, and it’s considered one of the top local attractions in the city for a reason. It’s a garden-home built in the style of the ancient Ming Dynasty, among the first of its kind to be built outside of China. In addition to perusing the garden at your leisure, you can check out one of the garden’s guided tours, attend a concert or festival, or host a reception here.

Where: 578 Carrall St.

The word “Momiji” translates to Japanese maple, and the Momiji Garden is literally a breath of fresh air at Hastings Park, right next to the PNE. Here, you’ll find over 30 Japanese maples, which were originally donated by local Japanese Canadian families. It’s considered a “stroll-style” Japanese garden that allows visitors to take in the surrounding rocks, Momiji trees, flowers, and waterfalls.

Where: 2901 East Hastings St.

Home to some of Burnaby’s best blooms, the Millennium Garden was established at City Hall at, you guessed it, the dawn of the new millennium. It’s a great spot to visit if you’re in the area and just want a quiet break from the day-to-day.

Check out the nearby Century Gardens to admire Burnaby’s official flower, the rhododendron, and the Centennial Rose Garden on Burnaby Mountain to enjoy over 900 rose bushes.

Where: 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby

Considered one of the Lower Mainland’s finest public gardens, Bear Creek is a beauty year-round. It’s tucked away within Bear Creek Park, surrounded by a lush, second-growth forest. A pond, watercourse, and series of three bridges and footpaths add to its whimsical vibe, as does its Native Walk, which features local plants of the Pacific Northwest.

Where: 13750 88th Ave., Surrey

Did you know there are eight themed gardens at North Vancouver’s Park & Tilford Shops? It all started when the Park and Tilford distilleries first opened in 1957. Flash forward 10 years, and the construction of a three-acre park began as a gift to the community. Today, the gardens offer visitors and shoppers alike the chance to take a breather in nature. You can check out the oriental garden, the rock pool, the native garden, an herb garden, and more.

Where: 333 Brooksbank Ave., North Vancouver

Happy spring, Vancouver!

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