As we prepare to launch our Fleurs de Villes: Downton Abbey show at VanDusen Botanical Garden (May 23- June 1, 2025) let’s take a look into the history and significance of this verdant jewel in the heart of Vancouver where visitors can experience a curated landscape spanning 55 acres with over 7,500 plant species and varieties from around the world. This botanical wonder is recognized as one of Vancouver’s top destinations and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The garden features distinctive highlights including an Elizabethan hedge maze constructed from 3,000 pyramidal cedars, an award-winning visitor centre, and a diverse collection of plants that change with the seasons, making it a dynamic destination and gorgeous backdrop for our upcoming show, Fleurs de Villes Downton Abbey.

INDIGENOUS ROOTS

The land where VanDusen Botanical Garden now flourishes has a rich history that begins long before its establishment as a garden. Since time immemorial, this land has been stewarded by the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

EARLY DEVELOPMENT

In 1886, the site of today’s VanDusen Botanical Garden became part of a substantial 6,000-acre land grant given by the Province of British Columbia to the Canadian Pacific Railway for extending the transcontinental railway line. In 1912, the 109-acre Shaughnessy Heights Golf Course was inaugurated on the site. This recreational use would continue for nearly half a century until 1960 when the golf club relocated.

TRANSITION TO BOTANICAL GARDEN

The transformation from golf course to botanical garden wasn't immediate or guaranteed. In 1966, the Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association was formed by a group of passionate gardening enthusiasts who lobbied for the creation of a landmark urban garden, reaching out to prominent citizens and horticultural societies for funding. Philanthropist W.J. VanDusen anonymously donated $1 million through the Vancouver Foundation, and later agreed to let his name be known and used for the official title of the new garden.

This pivotal donation catalyzed a partnership that would create the garden. In 1970, the Vancouver Foundation, the British Columbia provincial government, and the City of Vancouver signed a formal agreement to provide funding to develop a public garden on part of the old Shaughnessy Golf Course. Following four years of careful development, VanDusen Botanical Garden officially opened to the public on August 30, 1975. The garden was named in honour of VanDusen, recognizing his crucial contribution to preserving this green space for future generations.

THE GARDEN TODAY

Since its opening, VanDusen Botanical Garden has been jointly managed by the Vancouver Park Board and the Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association (VBGA), a collaborative approach that also applies to the operation of the nearby Bloedel Conservatory. This partnership has allowed the garden to thrive and expand its offerings over the decades.

A significant modern addition came in November 2011 with the opening of the Garden's Visitor Centre, an architectural marvel designed and built to a LEED Platinum standard. This innovative structure houses a gift shop, a specialized botanical library, and the popular Shaughnessy Restaurant and Garden Café that both offer stunning garden views. The building represents a commitment to sustainability, as it's registered with the International Living Future Institute and has achieved a Living Building Challenge Petal certification. The project brought together the talents of Cornelia Oberlander (landscape architect) and Perkins and Will Canada (architects).

DIVERSE PLANT COLLECTIONS AND LANDSCAPES

VanDusen Botanical Garden is renowned for its extraordinary plant diversity, featuring plant species and varieties from around the world. Featuring over 7,500 plant taxa (species, subspecies, varieties, and cultivars), the Garden emphasizes biodiversity, education, and conservation alongside horticultural beauty.

Unlike display gardens that focus heavily on seasonal annuals for aesthetic impact, VanDusen is a botanical garden—a living museum of plants. Collections here are arranged to reflect ecological relationships, geographical regions, cultural uses, and taxonomic groupings. Visitors can explore 70 distinct plant collections, including the Sino-Himalayan Garden, Canadian Heritage Garden, and BC Habitat Garden.

The garden's 55 acres offer numerous distinctive areas and features that attract visitors year-round. One of the most photographed attractions is the walkway under glowing yellow laburnum blooms, which has become especially popular among Instagrammers. The garden also features a picturesque lake that serves as both a habitat for local wildlife and a serene focal point for contemplation.

WHAT'S BLOOMING IN LATE MAY

Visitors to VanDusen in late May will be treated to a spectacular display of late spring blooms transitioning into early summer flourishes. May is particularly notable for showy magnolias and vibrant rhododendrons, along with a variety of spring-flowering bulbs. Other highlights include the appearance of the first Himalayan blue poppies, the bright yellow Laburnum Walk, and the colourful Azalea Trail and Rhododendron Walk.

This transitional period between spring and summer offers a unique opportunity to witness the garden in a state of vibrant transformation, with new blooms appearing regularly and creating a dynamic, ever-changing experience. The longer opening hours in May (9a.m. - 6p.m.) and June (9a.m. – 7p.m.) also allow visitors to take advantage of extended evening light to enjoy the garden and Fleurs de Villes: Downton Abbey this year.

Regular admission tickets to VanDusen Botanical Garden include access to the Fleurs de Villes Downton Abbey show between May 23-June 1. Click here to purchase

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