Seven Scenic Gardens for your Summer Agenda
Spring and summer isn’t just vacation season, it’s also growing season. With longer daylight and warmer temperatures, many plants and flowers thrive. There’s no better time to visit and explore botanical gardens. Many cities and towns have scenic gardens that offer a beautiful, safe way to get outdoors and enjoy the summer. Touring gardens can be educational, provide great inspiration for your own garden, or even offer inspiration for artwork, photography and decor.
To help you take full advantage of the summer garden season, here's a list of seven must-see botanical gardens throughout Canada and the Pacific Northwest. Some are internationally known and others are local hidden gems, but they all offer a chance to enjoy the spectacular weather in idyllic, peaceful settings.
Butchart Gardens, Victoria, BC
Another historic summer garden, Vancouver Island's Butchart Gardens began well over 100 years ago in what was once a limestone quarry. Spread out across 55 acres, Butchart Gardens comprises several smaller gardens, including the Sunken Garden, Japanese Garden, and Rose Garden, which is a summer flowering garden open from June through August. There are also ponds, fountains, and archways to admire, as well as several special events throughout the year, such as concerts and fireworks on summer weekends. Please note: due to the pandemic, most special events at Butchart Gardens have been canceled for 2021.
Where to stay in Victoria
The pet-friendly Coast Victoria Hotel & Marina by APA is on the waterfront and has the only indoor-outdoor pool in Victoria.
Smaller local scenic gardens
VanDusen Botanical Garden, Vancouver, BC
A true urban oasis, the VanDusen Botanical Garden is situated on 55 pristine acres in the heart of the Crescent area in bustling Vancouver. The sustainability-focused gardens feature more than 7,500 plant species, a hedge maze, waterfalls, an elaborate orchid-shaped visitor centre, plus a restaurant and a café. Visitors can take guided walking tours (offered daily from April through October and on weekends in the winter months) or go on a self-guided tour.
Where to stay in Vancouver
Location is everything, and the pet-friendly Coast Coal Harbour Vancouver Hotel by APA puts you right downtown in the heart of everything Vancouver has to offer.
Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden, Lethbridge, AB
Symbolizing the very definition of international friendship, the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden was established to reflect southern Alberta's unique scenery, as well as the multi-cultural heritage of Lethbridge. Its name means Japan-Canada friendship, derived from Japanese words including "Ni," (Japan), "ka" (Canada), and "Yuko" (friendship). A highly respected Japanese garden architect was commissioned to design it, and every single plant and element in the garden is intentional. For example, water, represented in a reflecting pond and waterfalls, is an important symbol of life, while the blooming flower gardens in summer signify that life is brief and fleeting.
Where to stay in Lethbridge
Aside from visiting botanical gardens in summer, there's a lot to do in Alberta. Coast Lethbridge Hotel and Conference Centre has an ideal location within easy driving or walking distance of the best attractions.
University of Alberta Botanic Garden, Edmonton
Although only open from May through September, the University of Alberta Botanic Garden is much more than a beautiful summer flowering garden. The sprawling property includes 80 acres of pristine gardens and an additional 110 acres of nature preserves and other natural areas. Stroll through the Kurimoto Japanese Garden, the Tropical Plant and Butterfly Greenhouse, and the Native People’s Garden, a small garden featuring herbs used by Indigenous peoples of Alberta. The newest addition is the Aga Khan Garden, a custom-designed architectural garden.
Where to stay in Edmonton
The redesigned Coast Edmonton Plaza Hotel by APA is right downtown and features an onsite restaurant, Preston's, as well as a complimentary downtown shuttle.
Bellevue Botanical Garden, Bellevue
The Bellevue Botanical Garden is open from dawn to dusk year-round and features 53 acres of pristine and diverse biomes. The scenic gardens include natural, restored wetlands and forestland, artfully cultivated flower gardens, a Japanese garden, and nature conservation areas. There's also a gift shop and botanical library, which keeps hundreds of books about plants and wildlife in stock. Bellevue Botanical Garden hosts several special events throughout the year and offers free docent-led tours on weekends in the summer and fall.
Where to stay in Bellevue
The beautiful Hotel 116, a Coast Hotel Bellevue, enjoys a central downtown location and overlooks the city. There's an onsite cafe to fuel your days, and a complimentary downtown shuttle takes you anywhere you need to go within a five-mile radius.
Kasugai Gardens, Kelowna, BC
Established to symbolize the strength of the friendship between Kelowna and its sister city in Japan, Kasugai, these scenic gardens located downtown are truly special. Kasugai is designed as a traditional Japanese garden with thick pine tree vegetation, waterfalls, bridges, koi ponds, and lots of intricate stone work. With its walled entrance acting as camouflage, it's easy to walk right by the gardens, despite being located in the center of downtown Kelowna! The park is open seasonally, typically opening in May and closing for the winter by early November.
Where to stay in Kelowna
The pet-friendly Coast Capri Hotel is within walking distance of picturesque Okanagan Lake, as well as dozens of shops and restaurants. It also has a heated outdoor pool and a fitness centre, making it the perfect basecamp for visiting Kasugai Gardens.