Vancouver Island, with the mildest climate in Canada and an extended growing season, is truly a garden lover's paradise.
Its naturally diverse ecosystem has accommodated thousands of foreign and native plant varieties. Look for Garry oak, a tree species primarily found only on southeastern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.
Many of Vancouver Island’s gardens have earned international praise: Milner Gardens & Woodlands in Qualicum Beach was named one of the “Ten Best Public Gardens in Canada” in 2008 by Canadian Geographic Travel magazine. The Tofino Botanical Gardens was selected as one of the best gardens in the world by the gardening editor for the UK’s Guardian newspaper.
The Butchart Gardens near Victoria is a dazzling display of formal gardens and picturesque lawns. Other gardens in Victoria provide a year-round feast for the senses and remind visitors why it's named The "City of Gardens."
Garden Trail
This free, self-guided tour of Vancouver Island’s gardens spans from Victoria to Port Hardy and includes the expansive Butchart Gardens, the small but magnificent west coast Abkhazi Garden, the world-famous Tofino Botanical Gardens and more.
Botanical and Woodland Gardens
The 4-ha/12-ac Tofino Botanical Gardens is a horticultural wonder. Hugging the Clayoquot Sound shoreline in the picturesque town of Tofino, the property includes informal gardens and old-growth forests. Explore smaller themed “pocket gardens” that include the Kitchen Garden, Children’s Garden and Tropical Garden. Don’t miss the funky art sculptures and the giant Himalayan lily which sprouts tall spikes up to 4m/13ft.
Interested in rhododendrons? Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens in Courtenay has over 3,000 rhododendrons. A bark pathway links a large woodland area to the well-manicured lawns, forest and pond. Ferns and flora such as bleeding hearts, vanilla leaf and sweet boxwood dot the forest floor. Driftwood benches invite visitors to sit and relax in the natural surroundings.
Remote Rainforest Gardens
Cougar Annie’s Garden is remotely located on the edge of Clayoquot Sound near Tofino. It was started nearly 100 years ago by “Cougar Annie,” who earned her moniker for defending her family and farm from cougars.
Walk along weathered boardwalks and see more than 100 varieties of wildly growing trees and shrubs, fruit from Cougar Annie’s original orchard and the crumbling remains of her pioneer homestead. Note: the gardens can only be reached by floatplane or boat from Tofino. Tours run during the spring and summer and must be prearranged (reservations recommended).
Formal Gardens
The Butchart Gardens in Brentwood Bay is renowned for its floral displays and sweeping lawns, which have been dazzling visitors since the 1920s. Explore themed gardens such as the Italian, Rose and Japanese gardens that bloom in every season.
Named one of the “Ten Best Public Gardens in Canada” by Canadian Geographic Travel magazine (2008), Milner Gardens & Woodlands in Qualicum Beach includes formal lawns, vegetable gardens, an orchard and a large woodland area all perched on an ocean-side bluff. Stroll among plants gathered from temperate zones of the world and enjoy traditional English tea in the heritage Milner House, where Queen Elizabeth was once a guest.
Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park in Comox is known for its stately trees: oaks, London planes, blue atlas, Camperdown elm, copper beeches, deodar cedars and many others are all found here. Within 3.5ha/9ac of landscaped grass, a stream runs through a natural ravine and rare and exotic trees, beds of annuals and perennials, and hundreds of rhododendrons dot the property.
Unique Gardens
Ronning’s Garden in Port Hardy is best known for its non-indigenous plant life and spiky monkey puzzle trees. Originally built in 1910 by a Norwegian settler, this 2-ha/5-ac site has a varied collection of exotic trees, shrubs and flowers.
In Port McNeill, take an easy walk through Shepards’ Garden, a lovely oasis of flowers, gardens and forest. A path lined with ferns and rhododendrons takes visitors down to the river where they can often see migrating salmon. Spring bulbs bloom in April and provide an early display of color.
Seaweed and Edible Garden
Walk through an edible garden and see a “seaweed garden” at Sooke Harbour House. More than 200 herbs, greens, vegetables and edible flowers are grown on site and used in the kitchen. Wander down to the beach on a seaweed tour to learn about the different varieties of seaweed, then indulge in a meal that features this fresh ocean ingredient.
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