There are many reasons why tourists flock to Victoria, the capital city of Canada’s westernmost province, British Columbia. But it is best known for being the City of Gardens. Sounds like an absolutely delightful place to live, for me at least. I can imagine adjusting to Victoria life would be quite easy for me!
Victoria received this nickname thanks to its abundance of lush parks, flower-painted landscapes, and breathtaking natural sceneries. Its year-round mild coastal climate is ideal for plants. Flowers alone were counted at 15.93 billion in 2024. (Fun fact: The city has been counting flowers annually since the 1970s.)
Flowers start blooming in the city as early as February and can be seen everywhere, from school gardens to popular tourist attractions that can be visited anytime during the year. Here are some of the most famous gardens you can start with.
Butchart Gardens
The Butchart Gardens is renowned for its stunning floral displays and meticulously landscaped grounds, which spans 55 acres (22 hectares). It is located in Brentwood Bay.
With 900 bedding plant varieties and 26 greenhouses, there’s plenty for you to see no matter when you visit. In spring, view over 300,000 blooms, including hydrangeas, tulips, peonies, magnolias, and daffodils. In summer, visit the rose garden for delphiniums. In autumn, visit for Japanese maples, chrysanthemums, and dahlias. In winter, come for the poinsettias and their Christmas display.
Don’t miss the Sunken Garden, which was the original quarry. Other highlights include a Rose Carousel, night-time entertainment and illuminations, tons of water features, restaurants and shops.
Victoria’s Hanging Flower Baskets
For 75 years, Victorians have been hanging colorful flower baskets on lamp posts in downtown to welcome summer. Known as sun baskets, each holding nine varieties and a total 25 plants. Beginning in June, thousands of these flower baskets adorn the city, which enjoys their bloom until early September. Tourists also see these sun baskets as signposts to shops, restaurants and other interesting establishments.
Beacon Hill Park
Nestled in the heart of Victoria, Beacon Hill Park is close to the downtown and the inner harbor areas. It is an urban oasis renowned for its natural beauty and recreational opportunities.
This expansive park (200 acres or about 80 hectares) features lush gardens, tranquil ponds, winding paths, and towering trees, providing a peaceful escape from the bustle of the city. Those with a green thumb come here to see the Garry oaks and the rose garden. Families bring their kids to enjoy the water parks and kids farm, where they can watch a goat stampede at the end of the day.
Beacon Hill Park overlooks the Juan de Fuca Strait, and people often take leisurely stroll here to soak in the scenic landscapes. Visitors also come here for some wildlife watching and picnics.
Abkhazi Garden
Abkhazi Garden is a tranquil oasis nestled discretely within the bustling city of Victoria, offering a serene escape from the urban hustle and bustle. It’s really a hidden gem that’s tucked away on a residential street.
Named after its former owners, Georgian Prince Nicholas Abkhazi and his wife, the garden showcases a diverse collection of rare and exotic plants amid a backdrop of dramatic glacial rocky outcrops. Within its 1 acre (0.40 hectares) you’ll find majestic trees, including Garry oaks, Japanese maples, alpines, and conifers. There are also 50-year-old rhododendrons and carpets of naturalized bulbs.
Visitors can meander through winding pathways, admire vibrant blooms, and relax in peaceful seclusion while soaking in the beauty of this enchanting garden. Have lunch or tea time at the secluded teahouse and enjoy traditional home-cooked meals featuring ingredients fresh from the garden.
Hatley Park National Historic Site Garden
Less than 30 minutes from downtown Victoria, you’ll find Hatley Park, famous for its castle and as being a location of the X-Men movie. But, this more than 100-year-old Edwardian estate holds more within its 565 acres. There’s an old growth forest with 9 miles (15 km) of walking and hiking trails, a First Nation site, a protected sanctuary for migratory birds, scenic views of the Juan de Fuca Strait and the Olympic Mountains, and three gardens.
Traditional Rose Garden
Visit in June and see this garden in full bloom. Some of the roses you’ll find here include the small mauve-purple Veilchenblau rose and climbing roses like Étoile de Hollande. A Musk rose called Narrow Water drapes the pergola and David Austin roses can be found in the central beds. The deep pink American Pillar rose is the only one remaining from the original garden plan.
Japanese Garden
Lakes, streams, and flora combine to create a peaceful and tranquil ambiance in this garden. The older upper garden features Japanese maples, Yokohama cherries, azaleas and primroses. There’s a wooden water wheel that provides a steady beat to a quiet stroll.
The lower garden, on the other hand, surrounds a small lake. You’ll find rhododendrons here and Shirotae cherries. Walk across the wooden bridge to the pavilion and watch leaping trouts and kingfishers looking for prey.
Italian Garden
Considered to be the most formal of the three, the Italian garden is bordered by century-old yuccas and boxwood hedges. Blooms here, such as wisterias, are seasonal. More than the flora, you’ll enjoy this space for the garden decorations like marble urns, statues and ornate balustrades. There’s a pergola and a loggia too for shade during summer time.
Horticulture Centre of the Pacific Gardens
The Horticulture Centre of the Pacific is a huge green space which includes 9 acres (3.6 hectares) of demonstration gardens, around 100 acres (about 40.5 hectares) for a Conservation Park, and is the site of the Pacific Horticulture College.
A demonstration garden is a landscape that aspiring gardeners can visit to learn about gardening concepts and techniques as well as for some inspiration. There are various themed gardens, such as a mediterranean garden, a bridal garden, and a children’s garden. To appreciate and learn about Japanese gardening, visit the Takata Japanese and Zen Garden as well as the bonsai garden.
If you want to expand your gardening knowledge, there are several gardens for that too. Ann’s Garden will teach you about cottage-style gardening and a Native Plant Demonstration Garden will familiarize you with the indigenous plants of the Pacific Northwest. There’s also a permaculture garden, a veggie garden, a farm garden, an urban garden, and an herb garden. Another garden features drought-tolerant plants and another one for woodland plants.
If you’re more into ornamental plants, specifically flowers, you should head to the Iris Display Garden, the Heather Garden, the Lily Garden, the Hardy Fuchsia Garden, and the Rhododendron and Hosta Garden. If you want to learn how to create and maintain a garden that will provide you with fresh cut flowers that can be used for decor or bouquets, then the Cutting Garden is where you should go.
The conservation park is free to the public. Here, you’ll find endangered plant species along with native birds.