Vancouver Island Gardens

From small oases in the wilderness to expansive gardens of international renown, demonstration gardens to heritage properties, and native plant gardens to formal English-style gardens — Vancouver Island is truly a gardener’s paradise!

Guided garden tours are available in the Vancouver Island region. Some tours include several gardens and can be customized to include private and public gardens, as well as garden attractions.

While many of the Island’s gardens are open year-round, garden-touring season is generally in full bloom by April and continues into the fall months. The gardens featured in this website range in size from perfect gems of less than an acre to grand estates. Garden themes range from traditional to funky, tropical to woodland, edible to educational. Each garden is distinctive and offers visitors a unique experience.

Workshops and seminars are offered in some locations, and annual horticultural events take place in several communities.

Photo of Finnerty Gardens

Finnerty Gardens


One of Canada’s best collections of rhododendrons is on display in the Finnerty Gardens. This 6.5-acre garden contains over 4,000 different trees and shrubs with more than 1,500 rhododendron and azalea plants, including 200-plus collected rhododendron species and a spectacular range of companion plants. Three ponds provide habitat for birds and plants such as the towering timber bamboo. Finnerty Gardens provides a rich and changing array of colour, scent, form, and texture all year round. In April and May, you will see the rhododendrons at their best.

Website: http://www.external.uvic.ca/gardens
Photo of St. Ann's Academy

St. Ann's Academy


A former girls’ school and convent, St. Ann’s Academy National Historic Site’s 6.25 acres of heritage gardens is an oasis just one block from Victoria’s Inner Harbour. With blossoms from the heritage orchard and rhododendrons in the spring, lush perennial beds and rose gardens in the summer, and brilliant foliage of the arboretum in fall and winter, St. Ann’s has something for every season. Have a picnic lunch in our park-like garden and orchard, or reflect in the peaceful Novitiate Garden. A selfguided tour of the grounds, including new outdoor interpretive signs, is available.

Website: http://www.stannsacademy.com
Photo of Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park

Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park


Nine acres of breathtakingly landscaped waterfront green space, gardens, and heritage buildings, in the heart of Comox. Filberg Park features 130 varieties of trees, seasonal gardens, and hundreds of rhododendrons. At the heart of the site is the 1930’s heritage lodge, the former home of local pioneers Robert and Florence Filberg. Entry to the Lodge is by donation and the park is free of charge except during special events. It has become a popular venue for picnics, weddings, art shows, and special events, including the popular Filberg Festival held on BC Day long weekend.

Website: http://www.filberg.com
Photo of Milner Gardens & Woodland

Milner Gardens & Woodland


An experience worth sharing! Stroll the winding pathways and magical surroundings of an ancient coastal Douglas Fir forest. Experience the wonder of 70 acres of unspoiled natural beauty perched high on an Oceanside bluff overlooking the Strait of Georgia. Find peace in tranquility as you meander the 10 acres of woodland gardens lined with rhododendrons, cyclamen, and trilliums. Enjoy a traditional English tea service while you contemplate the history of the house where the queen once stayed.

Website: http://www.milnergardens.org
Photo of Mayo Creek Gardens

Mayo Creek Gardens


Mayo Creek Gardens is a three-season display garden and nursery. The unique, five-acre garden features a harmony of Cowichan Valley plants, gardening techniques, and a design compatible with nature and wildlife. Events include Blossom Viewing Tea (April), Mother’s Day Strawberry Tea (May), Art in Motion in the Garden (June), and Heritage Fashion Show/Contest (July). Workshops include Menu from the Woods (April & August), Mushrooms for Beginners (Spring & Fall), and Creating Useful Garden Art (Spring & Fall).

Website: http://www.mayocreekgardens.ca
Photo of Hazelwood Herb Farm

Hazelwood Herb Farm


Nestled in five acres of rustic woodland and meadow, Hazelwood Herb Farm has been home to a large variety of herb plants in both formal display and working gardens for more than 20 years. The farm also features a nursery and gift shop selling goods made on the farm. Sure to please the gourmet as well as those seeking natural skin care products. Hazelwood Farm is located just a few minutes off the Island Highway, just behind the Nanaimo airport. Drop by and see us. We have a garden bench waiting just for you.

Website: http://www.hazelwoodherbfarm.com
Photo of Rollin Art Centre

Rollin Art Centre


The Rollin Art Centre houses a Fine Arts Gallery, a gift shop that showcases work from over 85 local artists, and amazing gardens. The gardens are a show piece for the community where weddings and special events are held. Of note are three gardens, a traditional Japanese garden which was a gift from Abashiri, Japan (Port Alberni’s sister city), a Native garden showcasing indigenous plants, and a children’s garden complete with a bridge and sundial. There is also a replica of Port Alberni’s first bandstand and the elegant concrete balustrade and classical fountain, both designed by Port Alberni resident, Peter Szachiv.

Website: http://www.portalberniarts.com
Photo of Abkhazi Garden

Abkhazi Garden


Abkhazi Garden offers an escape from the rush of modern life. Created in 1946 by Prince and Princess Abkhazi, it is a heritage garden famous for its majestic trees and dramatic site. New plantings pay respect to the Abkhazis’ original vision but welcome interesting new treasures that change with the seasons. Stay for lunch or afternoon tea in the original home, a simple but elegant space. The restaurant showcases traditional home cooking using fresh local ingredients. Our shop in the garden offers unique and interesting gifts for all occasions.

Website: http://www.conservancy.bc.ca/Abkhazi
Photo of Butterfly World

Butterfly World


Come enjoy our three separate gardens! Be surrounded by flowers, hundreds of butterflies, and many rare tropical birds in our indoor tropical garden. Carry on through and enter our indoor orchid garden, which is an exhibit of hundreds of exotic orchids from around the world. Outside, our water gardens feature a frog pond, a fish pond, and many rare plants and trees. Come see turtle town and the many turtles and rare African tortoises that live here. And don’t miss Big Bug Jungle, which features many rare creatures from planet Earth.

Website: http://www.nature-world.com
Photo of Beacon Hill Park

Beacon Hill Park


Wildflowers blanket the slopes in spring. Oceanside bluffs are veiled in autumn mist. Spectacular waves crash on stormy days. Beacon Hill Park’s natural and historical features, together with its Victorian-era landscape design, open vista across the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and unique recreation features, make it a destination for residents and visitors alike. Amenities for all include ornamental gardens, an historical interpretive display, playgrounds, bridges, lakes, a petting zoo, the Cameron Bandshell, wildflower walks, a cricket pitch, lawn bowling, and more.

Website: http://www.victoria.ca/parks
Photo of The Butchart Gardens

The Butchart Gardens


Spectacular beauty in all seasons at this National Historic Site still owned by the Butchart family. Enjoy spring’s countless tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths; summer’s glorious Rose Garden; late summer and autumn’s perennial borders and Japanese maples; the Magic of Christmas light displays and outdoor skating rink. Music under the stars, Night Illuminations, Saturday Fireworks, and eco-friendly boat tours all happen in the summer. Enjoy the Rose Carousel with 30 animals and two chariots. Superb seed and gift store on site.

Website: http://www.butchartgardens.com
Photo of Tofino Botanical Gardens

Tofino Botanical Gardens


Make the most of your visit to Vancouver Island by experiencing some of the region’s other offerings. Winery and culinary tours are an especially good complement to a garden-focused vacation and you’ll find a delicious menu of guided and self-guided options. From castles, military forts, and museums of all sorts to logging trains and lighthouses, Vancouver Island has some amazing attractions for history buffs, and art galleries and studios always fit nicely into a garden itinerary. If you want something a little more invigorating, sign up for a wildlife viewing tour, kayaking lessons, fishing charter, or zip-lining adventure.

Website: http://www.tbgf.org
Photo of Hatley Park

Hatley Park


Experience, discover, and enjoy the majesty of Hatley Castle, gardens, and estate; located 25 minutes west of British Columbia’s capital city of Victoria. Escape into a tranquil paradise as you immerse yourself in the beauty of our many heritage gardens, walk our spectacular trails, or enjoy a visit to the castle museum and gift shop.

Website: http://www.hatleypark.ca
Photo of The Gardens at HCP

The Gardens at HCP


Just 12 km from downtown Victoria and just down the road from Butchart Gardens are the year-round Gardens at HCP. Named one of the 10 best gardens in Canada by the Ottawa Citizen, this 43-hectare site includes a nature conservancy and demonstration gardens. Highlights include magnificent rhododendrons, an outstanding winter garden,hardy plant borders, and a collection of bonsai in the serene Takata Japanese Garden. New in 2012 is a sculpture garden.

Website: http://www.hcp.ca
Photo of Sooke Harbour House

Sooke Harbour House


Come and lose yourself amid more than 230 herbs, edible flowers, vegetables, and a mosaic of wild and cultivated salad greens buffeted by mellifluous ocean breezes. Taste native nodding onions, savour lemony tuberous begonias, or touch scented geraniums that will perfume your hands. Our 28-guest-room hotel offers year-round, daily seaside organic garden tours at 10:30 a.m., open to everyone. Edible flower salads, grand fir and salal berry sorbet, and other fragrant garden surprises will delight your taste buds. Stay in our Herb Garden or Edible Blossom guest rooms for a delectable garden experience.

Website: http://www.sookeharbourhouse.com
Photo of Victoria Butterfly Gardens

Victoria Butterfly Gardens


Victoria Butterfly Gardens offers a rare opportunity to experience a true tropical jungle in the best part of Canada. Home to over 6,000 exotic butterflies, tropical ducks, stunning flamingos, rare tropical birds, chameleons, geckos, poison dart frogs, tree frogs, Sulcata and red-footed tortoises, and giant koi swimming in the stream and pond. Located just 5 minutes from The Butchart Gardens, Victoria Butterfly Gardens is warm and aromatic. The Gardens features stunning blooms and thousands of tropical plants, including foods of the world and carnivorous plant displays.

Website: http://www.butterflygardens.com
Photo of Crystal Cove

Crystal Cove


Scattered throughout our site are log cabins on the beach and RV sites nestled in the trees. Our gardens, an infusion of classical English Cottage Garden and Pacific North West Coast Naturals, weave through all and meander down to the beach. Learn about our compost tea on the website and see how abundant bloom and foliage can be pesticide free. Our parking is limited, but you are welcome to come and take a stroll... just don’t forget your camera!

Website: http://www.crystalcove.ca
Photo of Merridale Ciderworks

Merridale Ciderworks


A unique garden experience in the Cowichan Valley on one of the largest cider apple orchards in Canada. An experience both young and old can enjoy — adults can stroll through the orchard and working cidery to learn about the noble beginnings of artisan cider and distilling, while kids can search for the cider apple fairies that are rumoured to live here. When the fresh air has piqued your appetite, cider tastings and authentic brick oven and BBQ lunches are available daily in the bistro or covered decks. Pamper yourself with an orchard spa treatment, or visit the farmhouse store for local art, fresh baked goods, house made deli items, and culinary treats.

Website: http://www.merridalecider.com