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Home » Recent posts » For the flower fans: What are the must-visit gardens in Vancouver?

For the flower fans: What are the must-visit gardens in Vancouver?

For the flower fans What are the must-visit gardens in Vancouver

Forget the notion that gardens are just fancy lawns for picnics or places where your allergies go to party. Vancouver’s gardens are the stuff of legend, where every leaf tells a story and every flower is a burst of colour with a Ph.D. in photogenic. 

So, lace up your most comfortable shoes, charge your cameras, and pop an antihistamine (just in case). We’re diving into Vancouver’s leafy and flowery soul that showcases the must-visit gardens that offer more than just a breath of fresh air. 

UBC Botanical Garden

– Media credit to ubcgarden

Location: 6804 SW Marine Dr, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada

Contact: +1 604-822-4208

Opening hours:

  • Tuesday to Sunday – 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Website

Established in 1916, the UBC Botanical Garden holds the prestigious title of Canada’s oldest university botanical garden. With its roots deeply entwined in the academic and conservation effort, this place is a living laboratory where plants from every corner of the globe are studied.

Spread over 44 hectares (that’s a whopping 110 acres!), this green oasis showcases a mind-boggling variety of plant life. From the delicate whispers of BC’s native flowers to the exotic whispers of aline and rainforest, it’s a botanic tour without the need for a passport.

But wait, there’s more! Ever wanted to walk among the treetops? The Greenheart TreeWalk invites you on a journey through the forest canopy. Suspended walkways and platforms offer a unique perspective of the landscape, akin to that of our feathered friends. 

Stanley Park Rose Garden

– Media credit to jennwibowo

Location: 610 Pipeline Rd, Vancouver, BC V6G 3E2, Canada

Contact: +1 604-873-7000

Opening hours:

  • Monday to Sunday – 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Website

First established in 1920 by the Kiwanis Club, this blooming marvel has been delighting visitors for over a century with its collection of over 3,500 rose bushes.

But why stop and smell the roses here, you ask? Well, beyond the sheer beauty of these floral celebrities, the Rose Garden offers a tranquil reprieve from the urban hustle that provides a perfect setting for a romantic stroll or a peaceful moment of solitude. 

The best time to visit? Aim for May to September. It’s when the roses are in their full glory, painting the garden with vibrant hues and enchanting visitors with their delicate beauty.

VanDusen Botanical Garden

– Media from vandusengarden

Location: 5251 Oak St, Vancouver, BC V6M 4H1, Canada

Contact: +1 604-257-8463

Opening hours:

  • Monday to Sunday – 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Website

With over 7,500 plant species and varieties from around the globe, VanDusen offers a world tour of flora in a single location. From the delicate beauty of cherry blooms in spring to the fiery colours of maples in autumn, this garden provides an ever-changing palette of textures.

The garden’s design and features are thoughtfully crafted to engage and inspire. Highlights here include the Elizabeth maze, which is made of 3,000 pyramidal cedars and offers a playful challenge to visitors. 

Another one we recommend seeing is the Stone Garden. It presents an oriental landscape stylized with “islands” of rock that symbolize a dry lake.

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

– Media from vancouverchinesegarden

Location: 578 Carrall St, Vancouver, BC V6B 5K2, Canada

Contact: +1 604-662-3207

Opening hours:

  • Wednesday to Thursday – 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM
  • Friday – 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
  • Saturday to Sunday – 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM

Website

This garden pays homage to Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, often referred to as the “father of modern China”. This is to recognize his significant ties to Vancouver and his role in the Xinhai Revolution that led to the founding of the Republic of China.

Beyond its cultural significance, the garden offers a stunning example of traditional Chinese architecture and garden designs. It provides a tranquil space where you can wander through winding paths, admire rock forms, and relax by the water-lily-covered ponds.

Aside from its quiet beauty, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is also a lively venue for cultural programming and events. It offers guided tours, concerts, festivals and even educational programs.

Queen Elizabeth Park

– Media from lee.elan

Location: 4600 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 2Z1, Canada

Contact: +1 604-873-7000

Opening hours:

  • Monday to Sunday – 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Website

Imagine if Mother Nature herself had a social media profile. Her most liked and shared post would be Queen Elizabeth Park. Why? Because it’s where she showcases some of her best work!

Housing over 500 exotic plants and more than 100 free-flying tropical birds, this place is a slice of the equatorial wonders perched atop Vancouver. It’s a living, breathing lesson in biodiversity that dazzles with colours and sounds. 

The park also caters to active souls with its tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts, not to mention the Vancouver Lawn Bowling Club for those inclined towards a more genteel form of exertion.

Bloedel Conservatory

– Media from bloedel_conservatory

Location: 4600 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V5Y 2M4, Canada

Contact: +1 604-257-8584

Opening hours:

  • Monday to Sunday – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Website

Nestled atop Vancouver’s highest point, the Bloedel Conservatory is a veritable Eden under glass that offers a slice of tropical paradise, no matter the weather outside. Picture macaws in shades of red, blue and even the tiniest dwarfs, along with African parrots and exotic finches.

But it’s not just about the birds. The Bloedel Conservatory takes you on a climactic journey through three distinct zones: a lush tropical forest, a subtropical rainforest with its orchid-adorned bayan trees, and a desert landscape brimming with cacti and succulents.

Now if you’re a coffee aficionado, this is your haven. This palace boasts coffee berries transitioning from green to a ripe deep red on the arabica plant. It’s a reminder of the origins of our beloved brew!

Devonian Harbour Park Garden

– Media credit to ca_roulotte_et_vous

Location: 1929 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6G 2W9, Canada

Contact: +1 604-873-7000

Opening hours:

  • Monday to Sunday – 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Website

Devonian Harbour Park Garden occupies land that was once a buzzing arena for Vancouver’s early sports scene, and a home for the Hawaiian Kanakas. Fast forward to modern times, the park became a canvas for activism in the 1970s when it was developed by locals.

But this park isn’t just about looking back. It offers tranquil spaces where you can throw a ball around, witness stunning views of the harbour for those Instagram-worthy snaps, and have peaceful seating areas that are perfect for contemplation. 

Vanier Park

– Media from willtherelentless

Location: 1000 Chestnut St, Vancouver, BC V6J 3J9, Canada

Contact: +1 604-873-7000

Opening hours:

  • Monday to Sunday – 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Website

Vanier Park offers breathtaking views of downtown Vancouver and Stanley Park. It serves as a backdrop for tranquil ponds, open fields and a wide pathway that complements an outstanding waterfront experience. It’s like nature decided to show off, and frankly, we’re here for it

But Vanier Park isn’t just about the views. Oh no, it’s a cultural hub that boasts three of the city’s main attractions: the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, the Museum of Vancouver, and the Vancouver Maritime Museum​.

For those who love to mix education with entertainment, this park hosts some of the city’s most well-known summer festivals, including the Shakespearean extravaganza and Bard on the Beach. 

Pacific Spirit Regional Park

– Media from kshik5

Location: 5495 Chancellor Blvd, Vancouver, BC V6T 1E4, Canada

Contact: +1 604-224-5739

Opening hours:

  • Monday to Sunday – 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Website

Pacific Spirit Regional Park’s flora is a spectacle in itself. It features a lush collection of evergreen trees like Cedar, Hemlock, Douglas Fir, and Sitka Spruce, alongside deciduous ones such as Vine Maple and Red Alder.

The park isn’t just a natural wonder, though. It’s steeped in history. It was once the ancestral fishing grounds of the Squamish Nation. During WWII, it played a crucial role as home to the Point Grey Battery. Today, you can explore former gun replacements and searchlight towers!

CRAB Park at Portside

– Media from arenataluppi

Location: 101 E Waterfront Rd, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Contact: [email protected]

Opening hours:

  • Monday to Sunday – 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Website

Originally named Portside Park, CRAB Park – which stands for Create a Real Available Beach – is a testament to the power of community advocacy led by Downtown Eastside activist Don Larson in the 1980s. 

The park is a slice of tranquillity amidst the city’s industrious waterfront. It offers unparalleled views of the North Shore mountains and a front-row seat to the comings and goings of Vancouver’s working port. 

Beyond its scenic vistas, CRAB Park’s attractions are many and varied. It boasts a quiet beach, and playful driftwood sculptures along its shores, and is one of Vancouver’s rare off-leash parks, which makes it a haven for dogs and humans alike.