Welcome to our not-so-secret gardens! Located on the sun-facing slope of mountainsides, surrounded by coastal temperate rainforest, and with heavy rainfall throughout the cooler months, it’s no wonder Vancouver’s North Shore is filled with so many lush gardens to discover!
One of BC’s most visited garden destinations, the conditions are just right for sprouting all manner of colourful and fragrant flowers, whether planted by the community or growing wild. It makes for an unparalleled setting for walks, catching up with friends, or just some alone time unwinding in a green space. Strolling through each delicate petal and stem, you can marvel at the incredibly complex networks of foliage and the microscopic ecosystems that make their homes there.
It’s a welcome reminder that when the world feels too big, you can always depend on the little things to keep doing their job, growing and renewing and feeding, no matter what passes. And while they continue to do their thing, it’s always a good opportunity to remember our responsibility to preserve these incredibly fragile life forms. If you’re curious about how to do your part while exploring, we always invite you to North Shore Like a Local.
Now let’s head out into the sweetest air around, and take a tour through a few of our favourite local flower beds.
An oasis of calm and serenity planted in an urban environment, this botanical garden offers an ambient escape from the city’s noise. Almost like an art gallery, the garden’s design has been meticulously curated, with each flower bed bursting with a rich bouquet of pastels. Separated into a diverse variety of areas, you’re encouraged to explore and be surprised by what lies around the next bend in the path. A rose garden, an herb garden, even a traditional Japanese area, we won’t spoil all of them for you. You need to have a wander for yourself!
As the last remaining old-growth Douglas fir forest in Vancouver, this park represents a centuries-old ecosystem untouched by logging or development. Within that living history, there’s a calming sense of security in knowing that each tree trunk and fern bed has seen countless wanderers marvelling at the lush beauty contained in each step. The park is 75-hectare large, with just about every inch filled with the area’s native vegetation and wildlife. It’s an excellent place to spend an afternoon, whether you’re out with the kids spotting bugs scurrying on their way or packing a sunset picnic with the endless ocean laid ahead of you.
Ambleside Butterfly Gardens
Created by a passionate community of local green thumbs, this beachside garden is a thriving pollen HQ for butterflies and bees. Each bed is absolutely packed with plants, flowers, and berries, giving it a wild feel despite being carefully crafted to maximize its space. On-site, you can learn all about the importance of having adequate pollination sites like this one, not only for our food supply but for maintaining a healthy ecosystem of bees and insects. With so many workers buzzing about, you can get an up-close look at the pollination process as each one goes about their daily routine.
Chiba Gardens
Tucked away behind a layer of foliage and Japanese Maple branches, this little garden is easy to miss. But if you spot its wooden gates in the shade, it’s well worth venturing inside. A place for daydreaming and quiet contemplation, this green space symbolizes the North Shore’s connection to Japan, specifically its sister city, Chiba, located just east of Tokyo. The city of Chiba gifted Vancouver’s North Shore two large stone lanterns, which are held here among the pristine pathways and immaculately kept grounds. Its beauty is subtle and unassuming, creating a zen atmosphere ideal for a much-needed break from your obligations. When you exit the garden feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, consider stopping by nearby florists Margitta’s Flowers and Leafelle Flowers and Gifts to pick up a fragrant reminder of your visit to keep you grounded through the rest of the week.
Have you explored these spots, and you’re ready for even more garden adventures? Keep our garden page on hand, and you can easily plan your next fragrant and colourful outing!
