By UBC Botanical Garden | Parks and Walking , Vancouver Coast and Mountains , Vancouver Island
As the warm summer evenings of Vancouver Island and the BC mainland inevitably give way to the cool and often downright frosty nights of autumn in British Columbia,Continue reading
By UBC Botanical Garden | Arboretums , Botanical Garden , GardensBC-Member , Parks and Walking , Vancouver Coast and Mountains
Immerse yourself in the world of wild-collected plants with over 8000 taxa to explore!
Garden highlights include internationally recognized collections of magnolias and maples. Stroll through our impressive Asian garden with over 400 kinds of rhododendrons, travel the continents in our alpine garden, explore our native rainforest garden, head back in time in our traditional physic garden overflowing with herbs, discover food growing techniques in the food garden and discover your adventurous spirit as you navigate suspended walkways and tree platforms high above the forest floor on the Greenheart TreeWalk eco-adventure. A unique and fun experience on swaying bridges amongst the treetops, the walkway is a delight for kids and adults alike. No visit is complete without a visit to our well-stocked Shop in the Garden and Garden Centre.
David C. Lam Asian Garden pathway at UBC Botanical Garden.
The natural location for your next event. UBC Botanical Garden’s beautiful grounds will be an unforgettable location for your wedding, special event or meeting. The garden has two indoor facilities (large and small) and several outdoor options including a large outdoor amphitheatre.More information about Facility Rentals can be found on their website.
Interested in learning something new? UBC Botanical Garden offers a diverse selection of workshops, lectures and tours on topics such as pruning, organic gardening, arts, sustainability and more.More information about their Education programs can be found on their website.
Nestled at the entrance to the UBC Botanical Garden, the Shop in the Garden features unique treasures for gardeners and black thumbs alike. The Shop in the Garden showcases a diverse selection of gardening and botanical books, handy garden tools and accessories, distinctive gifts, dried flower arrangements. The Garden Centre offers seasonal choice selections of perennials, shrubs and vines for the garden and patio.Of special note to gardeners seeking hard-to-find or unusual plants, the shop stocks seeds hand-picked by the Friends of the Garden, from plants in the UBC Botanical Garden.The Shop in the Garden and Garden Centre is operated by the garden’s volunteers, the Friends of the UBC Botanical Garden. All proceeds from the Shop in the Garden and 100% of the purchase price of the seeds fund research, education, and garden improvements at the UBC Botanical Garden.More information and an overview of products at the Shop and Garden Centre can be viewed at their website.
Hours
Re-opens July 3rd, 2020. Wednesday to Sunday 10 am – 3:00 pm for pre-purchased entry times only See website for daily/seasonal hours of operation.
Features and Highlights
Plant Collections, Garden Highlights, Events, Workshops, Tours & Walks, Facility Rentals, Plant and Garden Advice, Shop in the Garden, Garden Library, UBC Apple Festival
Getting Here
6804 SW Marine Drive, Vancouver, BCV6T 1Z4
Region: Vancouver Coast and Mountains
Plan your trip – Explore British Columbia’s Gardens
Let us help you plan your perfect British Columbia visit—we’ll show you the most beautiful Gardens to visit and other points of interest along the way.
By UBC Botanical Garden |
Enjoy an unforgettable Easter experience with your kids (0 to 5 years) at the VanDusen Gardens Eggciting Easter Hop! Kids can collect eggs near the maze area and receive a chocolate prize, and hop along to fun music on the great lawn.
Take a photo with the Easter bunny, and enjoy other eggciting activities at the garden. Please bring your own basket. Bunny ears and costumes are encouraged with prizes awarded for best costume during each session.
We will have food trucks on-site so you can enjoy tasty treats after the hunt. Tickets include entry to the entire 55-acre garden so make sure to enjoy a picturesque walk after the Easter activities.
Times: 10am, 11am, 12pm, and 1pm
Dates: Friday, April 19, Saturday, April 20, and Sunday, April 21, .2019
Protip: After you finish hunting Ester Eggs at VanDusen, drop by the Bloedel Conservatory to see the stunning and rare, 3 meter tall, subtropical ‘Snow Tower’ plants blooming
By UBC Botanical Garden |
Join us for an energizing, relaxing yoga at VanDusen Botanical Garden. The first portion of class moves you through a gentle flow of active, dynamic postures that wake up your muscles and get blood flowing. We will then wind down to a slower pace, holding posture to help nourish your joints, relax your mind and release tension. Appropriate for beginners or experienced students looking for a new approach to their practice. Bring a yoga mat and a towel or light blanket. Some props are available to borrow but you are welcome to bring your own. Class takes place in the beautiful VanDusen Guides Classroom with garden views.
Drop in Member $18 / Non-member $20
8 Dates · January 14 – March 11, 2019
Monday January 14, 21, and 28: 10:15 AM – 11:30 AM
Monday February 4, 11, and 25: 10:15 AM – 11:30 AM
Monday March 4 and 11: 10:15 AM – 11:30 AM
Multi-passes start at $90 for 6 classes. Learn more at https://www.amilia.com/store/en/vanduseneducation/shop/multipass
About the instructor: Timothy Martin leads his classes from a place for both the light and dark aspects of yoga. He holds space for students to reconnect with their bodies on a deeper level than just only the mechanical with a focus on looking inward for answers. A colourful, vibrant personality you will find that Tim redefines what students think a yoga class, a yoga student and a yoga teacher should be. He meets students where they are and encourages acceptance and love through each and every breath.
You may also be interested in Tai Chi at the Vancouver Chinese Garden.
By UBC Botanical Garden |
The Dr. Sun Yai-Sen Classical Chinese Garden’s annual Temple Fair celebration returns in 2019 to usher in the Year of the Pig! The twelfth animal in the Chinese zodiac, the pig is a symbol of prosperity, its rotund cheeks full of good fortune.
Everyone is invited to this joyful community event, where they can enjoy a full lineup of activities, including:
More details to come around Year of the Pig celebrations!
By UBC Botanical Garden | Garden News
The Mid-Autumn Moon Festival presents a wonderful opportunity for family fun. Gardens BC has put together a list of ‘things to do’ to assist in making your choice. The actual festival date is September 24; most of the events take place on the previous week-end, September 21 and September 22. If you are lucky, you may be able to fit two events into your fun schedule.
If you are in Vancouver/Lower Mainland, there are several choices.
Friday
The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden celebrates Music Under the Moon on Friday evening, September 21 from 5:30 — 9:30pm. In addition to musical performances,enjoy a Music Under the Moon contest where you will vote for the winner, tea tasting, mooncake making and more. Be sure to visit the Chinese Musical Instrument Petting Zoo from 6:30–7:00 pm. Ticketed.
There are numerous restaurants and shops in and near Chinatown for a bite to eat before the event.
Join the Vancouver Learning City at Oakridge for a Chinese Harp Music concert Friday Sept 21 from 6:00 to 7:00pm. Free
Saturday
Moon Cake Demonstration: Coquitlam Heritage Centre, Ages 12+
Learn about the history and traditions of Mid-Autumn Moon festival, how to make ice mooncakes and the how to make baked mooncakes. Sampling included! Spaces is limited. 10:30am to 12:00pm. Reservations and ticketed
If you are on Vancouver Island:
Saturday
Saanich Moon Lantern Festival 5:00pm -8:00pm.
A family friendly event that welcomes people of all ages and cultures. Enjoy traditional Asian dance and musical performances by community groups; lantern making for children and a sampling of mooncakes and traditional green teas. The event culminates with outdoor lantern installations, an illuminated community lantern procession through the park followed by an outdoor musical performance. Free.
Light Up the Hills Lantern Festival 7:30 – 9:30pm, Westhills community in Langford.
The festival features illuminated artworks that create an intriguing glowing effect. Participants will stroll along a path passing performances and artworks. Get ready for the evening by attending one of several lantern-making workshops on different dates.
Event: free. Lantern-making workshops: registration fee.
Portland Oregon
A major Mid-Autumn Moon Festival is held at the LanSu Chinese Garden in Portland Oregon. If you will be in Portland on Sept 22, be sure to visit; their impressive list of events includes performances, games, tea, crafts, story-telling and more.
Where to buy mooncakes:
Vancouver /Lower Mainland:
Buy mooncakes in Vancouver. Most Chinese bakeries features mooncakes in the lead up to the festival. Other mooncake bakeries of note are Saint Germain Bakery with stores through Lower Mainland. If you’re looking for mooncakes with an exciting fusion flair, visit Soirette Bakery for flavours such as Pineapple Marmalade & Kaffir Lime Leaf and Black Sesame & Yuzu
Victoria area
You’ll find mooncakes at Fairway Markets. It’s also worth a peek in other Chinese bakeries and where Chinese food is sold..
Prince George
If you are wondering if you can buy mooncakes in Prince George. You’re in luck.
If you are unable to visit any of the celebrations, you don’t have to miss out on the stories, legends and traditions of Mid-Autumn Moon Festival. The British Council’s Schools Online offers a Mid-Autumn Moon educational kit to do with the family.
Whatever you choose to do for the event, keep your friends and family in your thoughts. Pass this Moon Festival Itinerary to friends and look for updates to it next year. Looking for a different itinerary, try our Single Day Cultural Garden Experience Trip in Vancouver.
Download a pdf of the Moon Festival Itinerary