Spring is in the air, and what better way to celebrate than to stop and smell the flowers? The Pacific Northwest’s mild climate makes for some of the most beautiful flora on the continent, and the view this time of year is truly spectacular. Take in what the region has to offer at any or all of these tributes to Mother Nature’s blooming season.
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
Found in the heart of Vancouver’s Chinatown, this classical Chinese garden built in 1985 as a monument to the country’s ancient culture, was the first Chinese garden built outside of mainland China. Its stated mission is to maintain and enhance understanding between Chinese and Western civilizations. A mixture of carefully selected plants and stunning architecture, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen’s Classical Chinese Garden includes natural elements like mystical plants, jade-green water and weathered rocks imported from Lake Tai near Suzhou, 62 miles northwest of Shanghai.
- Admission: $12 for adults / $10 for seniors / free for kids under 5
- Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the spring / 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the summer
The Butchart Gardens
One of the most popular attractions in Victoria, The Butchart Gardens are home to beautiful cherry blossoms and 200,000 tulips in full bloom. You can easily spend an entire day wandering through The Butchart Gardens’ Sunken, Rose, Japanese, Italian and Mediterranean Gardens. Or take a tour of The Gardens along with other city highlights in the comfort of motorcoach to make your day complete.
- Admission: $29.90 for adults / $14.95 for youths
- Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the spring
VanDusen Botanical Garden
Vancouver’s VanDusen Botanical Garden, located at the corner of Oak Street and West 37th offers an opportunity to explore the diversity and uniqueness of Pacific Northwest maritime gardens. With a mission to inspire understanding of the importance of plant life to all life on earth, both the garden and Bloedel Conservatory in Queen Elizabeth Park are international leaders in plant conservation, biodiversity and sustainability. If you visit in the spring, you’ll see bright rhododendrons, lush magnolias, delicate cherry blossoms and camellias in full bloom.
- Admission: $11.25 for adults / $8.50 for youths / $5.75 for kids (under 12)
- Hours: Varies by month
Seattle Japanese Garden
Located within the University of Washington Arboretum, is the stunning Seattle Japanese Garden. It is recognized as the earliest, postwar, public construction of a Japanese-style garden in the Pacific Northwest, influencing the design of other Japanese gardens in the area. Wander the sprawling three-and-a-half acre gardens, sit for a while to admire the artistic beauty of perfectly pruned azaleas, then head to the Shoseian teahouse to round out your Japanese cultural experience.
- Admission: $6 for adults / $4 for seniors and youths / free for kids under 5
- Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the spring and summer
Portland Rose Garden
End your Pacific Northwest flora tour in the Portland Rose Garden (formally known as the International Rose Test Garden), where the roses awaken after their long winter sleep. Located just south of Arlington Heights in Washington Park, the Portland Rose Garden serves as a testing ground for new rose varieties and a showcase of Portland’s rose growing heritage. The grounds include a miniature rose garden and a unique Shakespeare Garden that features only herbs, trees and flowers mentioned in the Bard’s plays. As Shakespeare once said, “of all flowers, methinks a rose is best.”
- Admission: free
- Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Springtime in the Pacific Northwest is an explosion of gorgeous color and heavenly scents. Spend your days in these floral oases before they say goodbye for another year. After all, there’s a reason we’re told to stop and smell the roses.
Photos: Veri Ivanova, threesleepingfish, swxxii, Dirk Ott / Shutterstock, Seattle Japanese Garden, Ted Drake