Summer Bloom Guide: Where to See Roses, Lavender, Sunflowers, and More
Get outside to enjoy vibrant colours and floral scents at gardens in the city or nearby farms this summer. You can spot gorgeous roses, fragrant lavender, lofty sunflowers and more.
Stanley Park Rose Garden
You don't have to leave downtown Vancouver to walk through rows of sweet-smelling roses. First planted in 1920, the Stanley Park Rose Garden is near the park entrance. It boasts over 3,500 rose bushes as well as other annual and perennial flowers. With dozens of different species, you can expect blooms between June and early September. Don't miss the arbour covered in clematis and climbing roses.
VanDusen Botanical Garden
Fifty-five-acre VanDusen Botanical Garden is a tranquil sanctuary in the centre of Vancouver. The sprawling garden features plants from around the world. In June and July don't miss the rose gardens near the entrance as well as the nearby Lavender Walk. Later in the summer, be sure to head to the Alma VanDusen Garden Meadow near the hedge maze to walk amongst the giant sunflowers. The peak bloom for the sunflowers is in August.
Queen Elizabeth Park
Sitting atop Little Mountain on Vancouver's highest point, Queen Elizabeth Park has several options for enjoying summer flowers. The rose garden in the southwest part of the park blooms between June and August. You can admire dozens of rose varieties including a few hybrid species developed in Canada.
The Quarry Gardens, located in a sunken former stone quarry, have flowers throughout the spring and summer. The manicured paths and trickling water features make for great photo ops.
If the weather doesn't cooperate, you can still enjoy blooms inside the covered dome of the Bloedel Conservatory. It is home to hundreds of species of tropical plants as well as exotic birds and fish.
UBC Botanical Garden
With plants organized according to ecosystems from around the world, there is always something blooming at the UBC Botanical Garden. In June you can see the rhododendrons and azaleas. Hydrangeas are the stars of the show in July. In August, visit the Gary Oak Meadow Garden to spot native local wildflowers like yarrow and hairy gumweed. Or head to the Food Garden to enjoy the blooms of edible plants like sunflowers and marigolds.
While you are on UBC's Point Grey campus, don't miss a visit to the UBC Rose Garden. The garden at the north end of campus is in bloom between June and September and has gorgeous views of the ocean, the North Shore Mountains, and Bowen Island.
Lavender Farms
You can enjoy the sights and scents of gorgeous purple lavender blooms at lavender farms around Vancouver each year in late June, July, and early August.
Lavenderland in Richmond has seven acres of lavender flowers and grows four different varieties. They have dedicated photo op spots and their shop sells a huge variety of lavender products.
Family-run Full Bloom Lavender Farm in South Langley has over 2,500 lavender plants of 15 different varieties. If you want the dreamiest photos, book one of their private photo sessions.
While they have lots of lavender, Tuscan Farm Gardens in Abbotsford also has fields of wildflowers and a tranquil patio where you can relax amidst the blooms.
Sunflower Festivals and Farms
Each August and early September, farms and gardens near Vancouver hold festivals to celebrate towering sunflowers.
The Richmond Sunflower Festival features over 20 acres of flowers including sunflowers, dahlias, and other blooms. They also have a sunflower maze.
Taves Family Farms is best known for its Apple Barn and farm animals, but they also have a sunflower patch each fall.
Campbell's Gold Honey in Abbotsford plants sunflowers and other flowers each year to feed their hungry bees. Their farm shop sells honey, mead, and other beehive products.