VanDusen Botanical Garden, Vancouver (must see)

In 1970, the Vancouver Foundation, BC government, and Vancouver city formed an agreement to fund a public garden on part of the old Shaughnessy Golf Course, dedicated to local luminary Whitford Julian VanDusen.

Encompassing an expansive area of 22 hectares (55 acres), the Garden not only showcases a diverse array of plants from across the globe but also boasts an extensive collection of indigenous British Columbia (Northwest Coast) plant species. A newly initiated "re-wilding" outreach program seeks to preserve and propagate native plants, with the ultimate goal of reintroducing them to Vancouver's regional parks.

While the garden sticks to its botanical mission, it chose not to do scientific research. This allowed focusing on garden construction, without needing research collections. Instead, the VBGA (Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association) partners with the community, schools, and citizen science projects for on-site research.

In November 2011, the garden opened a LEED Platinum-certified Visitor Centre. This modern facility includes a gift shop, botanical library, restaurant, and coffee shop. It's also seeking certification under the Living Building Challenge from the International Living Future Institute.

Amidst the undulating landscape, water features abound, complemented by distinctive elements such as intricately carved totem poles, imposing stone sculptures, and a serene Korean Pavilion. A highlight for younger visitors is the adjacent maze situated near VanDusen's heirloom vegetable garden.

Located at the garden's rear, the Education Centre serves as the hub for various activities. It houses a seed bank and provides a base for the Vancouver Festival of Lights volunteers, seed collectors, Sakura Festival staff, and dried flower arrangers.

In May, VanDusen welcomes Rhodo time, showcasing a colorful array of over 1,000 distinct rhododendron varieties. Some bloom year-round, especially in the Sino Himalayan garden in late winter. Notable too are Fagus sylvatica cultivars, along with Sorbus, Fraxinus, and Magnolia collections.

Distinct themed plantings further enhance the garden's appeal, including a Heather garden, a "black" garden, a seasonal "Laburnum Walk," a stately stand of Sequoiadendron giganteum, a tranquil cypress pond, a formal perennial garden, a heritage vegetable garden (seasonal), and a fragrance garden (seasonal). The sizable sino-Himalayan garden, spanning about eight acres, is a captivating feature on its own.