Van Dusen Botanical Garden Photos in Vancouver, Canada - Natural Beauty
Sightseeing in Vancouver, Canada
Visiting the beautiful Van Dusen Botanical Gardens was our third sightseeing stop for one day while vacationing in Vancouver, Canada. It may have been last on our list but not least by way of pleasure.
We started this same day by visiting the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park. We revisited the Queen Elizabeth Gardens and as you can probably tell this last planned event would complete a day of spending our time enjoying outdoor natural beauty.
My mother, niece and I had planned five days in Vancouver (out of a 15 day vacation in 1989) to explore the region and after strolling the grounds of the Van Dusen gardens, we pretty well filled this one day to the brim with memorable pictures in our minds and souls.
I also had my camera in hand to capture some photos of what we were seeing.
Van Dusen Botanical Gardens
The Van Dusen Gardens sits on a 55 acre (22.5 hectare) site of what used to be the Shaughnessy Golf Course. When the golf course was abandoned thought was given to turn the area into a development of condos.
Citizens of Vancouver spearheaded the idea of preserving this land for the public and with the help of the City of Vancouver, the Vancouver Foundation and even the Government of British Columbia the idea for this botanical garden became a reality.
The garden was officially named after Mr. W.J. Van Dusen who happened to be the president of the Vancouver Foundation and who also donated money for the development of this botanical garden.
The Van Dusen Botanical Gardens are now under the oversight of the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation. The Botanical Gardens Association of Vancouver helps with the direction the garden has taken.
The site contains all the elements needed for a gorgeous garden. The weather is mild. There are wonderful water features. The variety of plants that can grow in that climate are diverse.
The Rose Garden in Van Dusen Botanical Garden
In laying out the design for the gardens it was decided to use the numerous plants from around the world and group them as to geographic origin. This provides many different areas of the garden to enjoy and experience as one part of the acreage may look entirely different from another part.
- As an example, there is a medieval garden maze!
- A rose garden takes up some space.
- The rhododendron garden was in full bloom when we passed by that area.
- The Oriental features of the garden add to its distinctive beauty.
- Sculptures dot the grounds and add interest.
Sculptures abound at Van Dusen Botanical Garden
Sculptures in Van Dusen Botanical Gardens
As my mother, niece and I walked the grounds of this very peaceful setting there were many sculptures that were placed in various locations gracing the gardens with their expressions of individual artistry.
Monkey Puzzle Tree
What an unusual looking tree this was to our eyes!
Supposedly this monkey puzzle tree is the only tree in the world that a monkey cannot climb due to its very sharp needle-like leaves.
One can learn so many interesting things by visiting Botanical Gardens like this Van Dusen one in Vancouver!
Monkey Puzzle tree at Van Dusen Botanical Garden
Korean Pavilion
Vancouver hosted a World Exposition in 1986 and this Korean Pavilion was a gift from the Korean people to the people of Vancouver. It now graces a spot in the Van Dusen Botanical Gardens for people from every part of the world who visit the gardens to enjoy.
Festival of Lights
Each year towards the end of the year a Festival of Lights is held in Van Dusen Botanical Gardens.
Of course since we were there in the summertime we did not get to see that extravaganza, but this video below lends an idea of what there is to see if one is there during the time of the year conducive to this type of display.
It must be an amazing site to see these gorgeous grounds transformed and lit with thousands of twinkling multicolored lights.
Botanical Gardens
The three of us absolutely loved strolling through the Van Dusen Botanical Gardens.
The winding paths took one over wooden bridges where one could look down upon lily pads in bloom.
It also led one to vast expanses of lawn with borders of the majestic trees and blooming shrubs punctuating the scenery with color.
The sculptures strategically placed throughout the park are each labeled with the sculptor's name and country.
Many of these huge pieces of art were carved on site during the International Stone Sculpture Symposium that occurred in 1975.
It would have been fun to see them being carved but also very enjoyable to see the end result of the different artist's interpretations of their medium whether stone, wood or other raw material.
You can find these gardens at 5251 Oak Street (at the corner of Oak and West 37th Avenue) in the heart of Vancouver.
They do charge fees to enter the gardens but the charge is nominal and helps to maintain and further develop these gardens. Parking for those arriving in their own vehicles is free.
If you enjoy nature in a more natural setting, consider visiting the Van Dusen Botanical Gardens if you are ever in Vancouver, Canada with a little extra time to spare.
Would you consider strolling through the Van Dusen Botanical Gardens if in Vancouver?
Mentioned at the top of this post were the other places we visited this same day while in Vancouver. You can learn more about them by clicking on the links bel
- Vancouver's famous Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park in Canada
Thirteen tons of concrete at each end keep the 450 foot Capilano Suspension Bridge firmly anchored for those people who like to view the river and magnificent trees from a several hundred feet up in the air perspective. Be advised...it does sway for - Queen Elizabeth Park & Bloedel Conservatory in Vancouver, Canada - Fabulous Photo Wedding Site
This gorgeous Queen Elizabeth Park and Bloedel Conservatory is situated high up on a hill overlooking the City of Vancouver. This may be the 2nd most visited garden park in that beautiful city but it is surely one of the most popular of settings for
© 2009 Peggy Woods
Comments are welcomed.
I loved the pictures. They are so beautiful.
Peggy, you come up with the best places I've never visited in cities that I have visited. The stone sculpture looks fantastic. I'll add this to my checklist when I get to Vancouver next. Voting this Up and Useful.
This place is gorgeous The dancing lights were so awesome and I never heard of a monkey puzzle tree. I would love to grow roses like that Voted all the up buttons and thanks for sharing
Beautiful botanical gardens. Vancouver itself as beautiful the island and water there so I guess I shouldn't think that the gardens wouldn't be. Would be a great part of a Summer vacation.
Fabulous photos - I love the frog! Thanks so much for sharing!
Hi! Beautiful video, beautiful pictures... very nice hub! -- Thanks
Fantastic hub and a great collection of videos, what more can I say, awesome?
More beauty from Vancouver in western Canada. Have you ever explored the eastern provinces?
WOW those are beautiful... I live in the okanagan valley only a couple hours drive from there... I will definitely check it out next time in Van... very nice Hub
I love the gardens and would love to go there. Now my bucket list is getting longer...now if I had a million dollars, this would be one of the things I'd like to do. Hehe Hey Dottie, can I come with you? :-) Thanks for sharing these wonderful photos Peggy! You take such good pictures.
Would love to visit Canada
Wow Peggy, what beautiful gardens and great pics of them. Thanks for sharing. -Journey*
Nice gardens indeed! And thanks for taking us for a stroll :D
Beautiful gardens, Peggy, the pics look like old poastcards, some like paintings, what a beautiful place.
This sounds like a garden haven and worth a trip with nothing else in mind except a peaceful stroll in the gardens. Lovely. Thank you!
Oh my! It seems you always have fun together? It's fantastic to visit all these places :)
Another hub that adds a site to my list of what to see and where to travel.
Another great hub, makes me want to visit all the places you show us here...thanks a lot :)
Hi, Peggy - A great review of one of my favorite BC gardens. I've strolled through it several times, and enjoyed its diversity, beauty and peacefulness in a busy city. By the way, the restaurant serves a great lunch!
Those gardens are very nice; we were there a few years ago.
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