Best Places for Spring Blooms on Vancouver Island

Spring is here! The days are getting longer, the air feels a little warmer, and nature is waking up with bursts of colour everywhere. It’s the perfect time to get outside and enjoy the beauty of spring blooms on Vancouver Island.

There’s something about flowers that just makes people happy. Studies show that simply looking at them can boost your mood for days! Maybe that’s why the first blossoms of the season feel so exciting.

While cherry blossoms are my favourite (and, luckily, easy to find in many towns and cities across the island), it's also wonderful to explore the many Vancouver Island gardens filled with colourful blooms.

If you love flowers as much as I do, this guide will take you to some of the best spots to see spring blooms across the island. From wildflower-filled woodlands to beautifully maintained Vancouver Island gardens, these places will brighten your day.

The best part is that these gardens are also beautiful during the summer and into fall. So you can utilize this list whenever you need a flower fix!

Starting in Victoria and heading north, here are my top picks for where to enjoy the season’s most stunning floral displays.

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Spring Blooms in Victoria

Victoria is 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 starting in early March. Here are a few places that are not to be missed.

Cherry Trees in Victoria

View Street is one of Victoria's most iconic places to view a line of magnificent cherry trees. This street is usually the first to explode in a sea of pink flowers each spring (with blooming typically starting in early March).

A few other great neighbourhoods around Victoria to view an abundance of cherry trees up to mid-April include:

• James Bay, particularly Menzies Street and Clarence Street (where the famous teacup tree is located)
• Moss Street in Fairfield
• Rockland neighbourhood around Government House
• Pembroke Street in Fernwood
• Fisgard Street in Chinatown
• Bellville Street at the Inner Harbour (the best one is outside the Hotel Grand Pacific)
• Cook Street
• St. Michael's University (3400 Richmond Road)
• Oak Bay

If you need even more places to view these stunning trees, check out this interactive map created by the city of Victoria.

Beacon Hill Park

Location: The official address is 100 Cook Street, but it is easily accessible from various 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 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.

The landscaped and ornamental areas of this park cover over 33 acres of the total 154-acre property. The roaming peacocks and ducks, with their bright, beautiful colours, add to the whimsy.

This park is free to explore.

Government House

Location: 1401 Rockland Avenue

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 and are free to explore.

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.

Admission is by a suggested donation of $10 per person, which is designated for TLC’s operation and maintenance of the garden.

While you are there, why not stay for tea? The Teahouse at Abkhazi Garden provides top-notch service and delicious food in a stunning setting, making every visit a memorable one. Their seasonal menus highlight fresh, local ingredients—including produce grown right in the garden—perfectly complementing the beauty of the blooms throughout the year.

Spring/Summer Hours (April 1 – September 8): The garden and teahouse are open 7 days a week from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, with the last tea sitting at 3:30 pm.

Fall/Winter Hours (September 9 – March 31): Abkhazi Garden and Teahouse is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.  The last entrance and tea sitting are at 3 pm.

Summit Park

Location: The stairs to Summit Park are located at the end of Blackwood Street

Summit Park in Victoria is a hidden gem, especially in the spring when its rocky meadows burst into colour.

Each year, the park transforms with a stunning display of native wildflowers, including vibrant camas and crocuses, which blanket the grassy slopes in shades of purple. These spring blooms create a breathtaking contrast against the park’s Garry oak trees, making it a fantastic spot for nature lovers and photographers.

As one of the city’s remaining Garry oak ecosystems, Summit Park offers a peaceful escape with scenic views and a chance to see some of Vancouver Island’s most beautiful seasonal flowers in a natural setting.

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. You will have to pay for parking.

Gardens at HCP

Location: 505 Quayle Rd

The Pacific Horticulture College presents and maintains a year-round garden experience that all can enjoy. This public garden includes 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, the Fuchsia Garden, the Cutting Garden, the Birds, Bees, and Butterflies Garden, the Lilly Garden, the Native Plant Garden, and the Rhododendron & Hosta Garden.

The Gardens at HCP is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Admission rates apply. Current rates are as follows:

• Adults (16+): $16.00
• Seniors (60+) and Students: $12.00
• Children (under 16): Free

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 rhododendrons are full of beautiful blooms.

My favourite is the wisteria-covered loggia, which gives off an intoxicating scent.  These blooms are part of one of Canada's finest surviving Edwardian gardens.

Self-guided garden tours are free of charge and open daily from 10:00 am to dusk.

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 bursting with colour and blooms. The dominant landscape of cherry blossoms and tulips is especially beautiful in spring, but the gardens offer onlookers a feast for the eyes no matter which season you visit.

Butchart Gardens is open daily, with current hours as follows:

• March: Monday to Sunday from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
• April and May: Monday to Sunday from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
• June 1 to September 15
  • Monday & Tuesday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday to Sunday from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm
• September 16 – 30: Monday to Sunday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Best Vancouver Island Gardens: 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 has a beautiful array of vibrant purples, yellows, blues, pinks and whites. It is accessible from the 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 impressive, 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 March 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 the 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.

Cherry Trees in Nanaimo – Parkway Trail

This 19km paved multi-use path runs alongside the Island Highway. It provides access to Colliery Dam, Morrell Sanctuary, Westwood Lake, Vancouver Island University, Buttertubs Marsh, Bowen Park, Millstone River, and Harbourside Walkway (to name a few).

In spring, the blooming plum and cherry blossom trees lining this trail create a beautiful backdrop. The best section to view an abundance of spring blooms is between the Northfield exit and Mostar.

Harewood Plains

This area offers scenic trails, perfect for hiking and wildlife exploration. It's a haven for nature lovers, providing an immersive experience amid lush landscapes and diverse ecosystems.

Spring unveils a breathtaking display of wildflowers. While meandering the 3.4km loop, explore the vibrant colours and unique flora contributing to the area's ecological richness.

Spring Blooms in the Parksville Qualicum Beach Area

Oceanside has only one ‘manicured' garden, located in Qualicum Beach; however, there are several other great places to take in the spring blooms in the area.

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, so 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:

• March: Friday and Saturday from 11:00 am – 3:30 pm (last entry at 3:00)
• April to September: Thursday – Sunday from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm (last entry at 4:30)
• Admission rates apply

Qualicum Beach

For an immersion in blooming cherry trees in this area, head to Qualicum Beach. Drive down Highway 4 into Qualicum Beach for a beautiful cherry tree-lined street. Memorial Avenue and Ravensong Aquatic Centre also have many beautiful trees to view.

Comox Valley Gardens

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.

Each spring (April/May), 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, are 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, enjoy the self-guided tour inside the Heritage Lodge. It's worth taking the time to do so. Constructed in 1929, this five-bedroom, four-bathroom home was built as a summer lodge for the Filberg family.

Filberg Park is free to explore.

Gardens of Anderton

Location: 2012 Anderton Road, Comox (behind the Anderton Nursery)

Walk the paved labyrinth and enjoy the peacefulness of wandering through various 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.

The Garden of Anderton is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. from Mother's Day through September. Entry is by donation.

Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens

Location: 6183 Whitaker Road, Courtenay

Recognized as one of the world's finest informal show gardens, Kitty Coleman has one of the largest rhododendron collections in Western Canada, with over 3,000 plantings. It's also home to a multitude of native plants and wildflowers, which attract a variety of birds and butterflies.

It is a delight to walk along the bark mulch trails through the 24 wooded acres and view the 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

Experience the Best Spring Blooms on Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island truly comes alive in the spring, with bursts of colour transforming gardens, parks, and wild spaces from Victoria to Comox.

Whether you’re wandering through manicured gardens, strolling beneath cherry blossom-lined streets, or hiking in wildflower-filled meadows, there’s no shortage of beautiful places to enjoy the season’s blooms.

No matter where you are on the island, take some time to soak in the sights and scents of spring. With so many incredible spots to explore, you’re sure to find a favourite place to return to year after year.

Happy flower-spotting!

Have I missed any of your favourite gardens or areas to explore to view spring blooms? Let us know in the comment section below.

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