Ah, spring. A season of brighter and slightly warmer days full of chirping birds and beautiful colours all around us. Spring brings green growth back to trees and plants, and after many months spent conserving energy, flowers have the chance to bloom. This article showcases the best places to see spring blooms on Vancouver Island and features public gardens and woodlands accessible (and beautiful) often year-round.
Several studies show that looking at flowers makes people happy. And according to some researchers, seeing flowers has immediate and long-term effects that result in elevated moods for days afterwards. Perhaps that’s why people get positively giddy at the first signs of spring!
Cherry blossom trees are my absolute favourite spring bloom, and thankfully, there are many to look at in most towns and cities across Vancouver Island. Sometimes, however, it’s nice to completely immerse yourself in a variety of bountiful blooms. This is where the manicured gardens come into play, and we have many fantastic ones to choose from.
Starting in Victoria and heading north, here are my absolute favourite places to see spring blooms on Vancouver Island. (All of the gardens mentioned below are equally beautiful in the summer and often early fall as well).
This list has been fully updated on April 30, 2023
Spring Blooms – Victoria
Victoria has been dubbed the ‘City of Gardens’, and from the number of locations to choose from, they take this role very seriously. With mild weather year-round, gardens in Victoria typically bloom several weeks before other areas on Vancouver Island and often show spring blooms as early as March. Here are a few not to miss places.
Beacon Hill Park
Location: official address is 100 Cook Street, but easily accessible from a variety of access points within the downtown core.
One of Victoria’s oldest parks, Beacon Hill, is a wonderful place to explore any time of year, but especially so in spring. At this time of year, expect to see blue camas, pink shooting stars, and yellow western buttercups on the grounds, while cherry trees, tulips, daffodils, and other beautiful blooms are featured in the more manicured sections of the park. Landscaped and ornamental areas of this park cover over 33 acres out of the total 154-acre property. The roaming peacocks and ducks add to the whimsy with all of their bright, beautiful colours.
Government House
Location: 1401 Rockland Avenue
Free to explore, the gardens of the Government House are at their full spring bloom by mid-May. It’s the perfect time to experience the many beautiful rhododendrons and azaleas. The full 36 acres include 22 acres of a rare Garry Oak ecosystem and 5.7 acres of formal gardens, which are wheelchair accessible.
The gardens at the Government House are open daily from dawn until dusk.
Abkhazi Garden
Location: 1964 Fairfield Road
Prince and Princess Abkhazi originally owned the small but enchanting one-acre property. These two star-crossed lovers were separated in World War II but reunited after the war ended. Creating a garden oasis on their property became a labour of love.
The rhododendron woodlands at this Victoria heritage home are especially beautiful in spring. The Rhodos begin flowering as early as February and last until early June. Book a 45-minute guided garden tour to learn more about this property’s historical and horticultural significance, available by contacting the Teahouse. The onsite teahouse offers guests exceptional food in a beautiful setting. Rates apply.
Abkhazi Garden and Teahouse are open:
- October through March: Wednesday-Sunday, from 11 am – 4 pm
- April through September: Tuesday-Sunday, from 11 am – 5 pm
- The last tea sitting and garden entry is at 3:00 pm
Finnerty Gardens
Location: University Drive
Found at the University of Victoria, Finnerty Gardens is a compact yet well-laid-out area that’s easy to explore. And with over 500 different species of rhododendrons, it’s especially spectacular mid to late spring when in full bloom. Here’s a detailed map of what you can expect to see while wandering these grounds: Self-Guided Walking Tour of Finnerty Gardens
Finnerty Gardens is free and open to the public year-round.
Hatley Park Gardens
Location: 2005 Sooke Road
Less popular but equally as picturesque as any of the gardens mentioned in this list is Hatley Park. During spring, the Japanese Gardens come alive with cherry blossoms, and in May, the nearby rhododendrons are full of beautiful blooms. My favourite is the wisteria-covered loggia which gives off an intoxicating scent. These blooms are all part of one of the finest surviving Edwardian gardens in Canada.
Self-guided tours of the garden are free of charge and open daily from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Gardens at HCP
Location: 505 Quayle Rd
The Pacific Horticulture College presents and maintains a year-round garden experience that all can enjoy. Included in this public garden is the largest outdoor Bonsai Garden in Canada, which is also the only outdoor bonsai garden in Western Canada. You’ll find beautiful spring and summer blooms in the many sections at HCP, including, but not limited to Fuchsia Garden; Cutting Garden; Birds, Bees and Butterflies Garden; Lilly Garden; Native Plant Garden; and the Rhododendron & Hosta Garden.
The Gardens at HCP is open:
- Winter Hours (September – March) Thursday – Sunday from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
- April – August: Thursday – Saturday from 10:00 am – 8:00 pm; and, on Sundays, from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- September – February: Thursday – Sunday from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Admission rates apply. Current rates are as follows:
- Adults (16+): $12.00
- Seniors (60+): $9.00
- Students: $9.00
- Children (under 16): Free
Butchart Gardens
Location: 800 Benvenuto Ave, Brentwood Bay
For over 100 years, this 55-acre garden oasis has been delighting guests with over one million bedding plants in 900 different varieties. Starting Mid-March, Butchart Gardens offers thousands of flowering bulbs, trees and shrubs that are bursting with colour and blooms. The dominant landscape of cherry blossoms and tulips is especially beautiful in spring; however, Butchart Gardens offers guests a feast for the eyes no matter which season you visit.
Butchart Gardens is open daily, with current hours (April – May) from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.
For a detailed historical overview of several above-mentioned gardens, check out our e-book:
Cowichan Valley
The Cowichan Valley doesn’t have any ‘manicured’ gardens (that I know of), but it does have a couple of spots that burst with spring blooms.
Mount Tzuhalem Ecological Reserve
This 18-hectare parcel of land protects a beautiful Gary Oak ecosystem that also comes alive with wildflowers during the spring. The meadow is full of a beautiful array of vibrant purples, yellows, blues, pinks and whites. It is accessible from Mount Tzouhalem Parking Lot on Kaspa Road. While there is no direct signage to reach the meadow, a rudimentary map at the parking lot will help guide you.
Rhododendron Memorial Park
Location: 371 Point Ideal Drive, Lake Cowichan
Each mid-late spring, the brilliant bursts of a variety of rhododendron and azalea flowers greet visitors at this little park in Lake Cowichan.
Nanaimo Spring Blooms
Bowen Park
Location: 500 Bowen Road
The Hailey Rhododendron Grove in Bowen Park is quite an impressive sight showcasing over 350 hybrid variations. Experts say these unknown rhododendron variations may just be one of a kind. The grove is typically in bloom from late February until early July, with the highest concentration of colour and blooms from mid-April to mid-May. You’ll find the grove in the Millstone Valley section of Bowen Park.
Maffeo Sutton Park
Location: 100 Comox Road
With cherry blossom trees lining the path and many spring flowers in bloom, a walk through this park is a must during this time of year. As the path follows the ocean, you also likely see birds such as eagles and herons and possibly sea life.
Spring Blooms in Oceanside
Oceanside has only one ‘manicured’ garden, located in Qualicum Beach; however, Nanoose Bay has its own hidden gem that is a must-see during the spring.
Rhododendron Lake
Each spring, this little lake hidden in the backroads of Nanoose Bay is bursting with colour. This hidden gem is hard to find and not well-known, which is why it’s part of our member-only articles. If you are a hidden gem member, click on this link (and log in) to read about it: Rhododendron Lake. (Or sign up to do so!).
Parksville Community Park
Location: 193 Beachside Drive
The Community Park in Parksville has a small but beautiful garden that is in full bloom during the spring and summer. Cherry blossom trees also line the entrance, making for a stunning backdrop while driving in during this time of year.
Milner Gardens
Location: 2179 Island Hwy
This seaside garden in Qualicum Beach comes alive with colour each Spring. Milner Gardens and Woodland offers visitors 28 hectares of unspoiled natural beauty overlooking the Strait of Georgia.
Milner Gardens is currently open:
- Spring/Summer: Thursday – Sunday from 11:00 am – 4:30 pm, with viewing until 5:00 pm
- Admission rates apply
Spring Blooms in the Comox Valley
Tulip Festival
Location: Coastal Black Estate Winery (2186 Endall Rd, Black Creek)
Head to Coastal Black Estate Winery for a whimsical time at their Tulip Festival. Coastal Black is an award-winning estate fruit winery and cidery located on the outskirts of the beautiful Comox Valley. And this year, they have a special treat for all of us with their Tulip Festival! Over 14 varieties (totalling over 200,000 bulbs) of spring flowers, including tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, have been planted in their 2-acre field for you to enjoy and take memorable photos.
Filberg Park
Location: 61 Filberg Road, Comox
A beautiful setting of nine landscaped waterfront acres includes rare and exotic trees from around the world. During spring, enjoy the hundreds of rhododendrons, heathers, spring bulbs and flowering shrubs. While there, it’s worth taking the self-guided tour inside the Heritage Lodge. Constructed in 1929, this five-bedroom, four-bathroom home was built as a summer lodge for the Filberg family.
Gardens of Anderton
Location: 2012 Anderton Road, Comox (behind the Anderton Nursery)
Walk the paved labyrinth and enjoy the peacefulness of wandering through a variety of garden sections, including the meditation, butterfly, rose, dahlia, and children’s interactive gardens. Bring a lunch and set up a picnic on the lawn or at one of the many benches or tables scattered about. The grounds are wheelchair accessible.
Garden of Anderton is open daily 10:00 am – 4:00 pm starting on Mother’s Day through to September. Entry to the garden is by donation.
Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens
Location: 6183 Whitaker Road, Courtenay
Recognized as one of the world’s finest informal show gardens, Woodland Gardens has one of the largest rhododendron collections in Western Canada, with over 3000 plantings. It’s also home to a multitude of native plants and wildflowers, which attract a variety of birds and butterflies. It’s a delight to walk along the bark mulch trails through the 24 wooded acres to view the many beautiful water features.
Open daily from 9:00 am – dusk. Admission rates apply. Current rates are as follows:
- Adults: $8.00
- 5-12 years old: $3.00
- Under five years old: free
Have I missed any of your favourite gardens to explore? Let us know in the comment section below. To save this article for future use, please pin this image on Pinterest:
4 Comments
Parksville’s Community Park is also very pretty in the spring with cherry blossom trees and other perennial beds.
Yes, you are right! Thank you for the reminder.
The Rhododendron Grove at Bowen Park in Nanaimo has over 350 different species .
https://www.nanaimo.ca/parks-search/Parks/56-Bowen-Park
Oh my gosh, thank you! I completely forgot about that section of Bowen Park. I will add it in.