A WINTER WALK IN VAN DUSEN BOTANICAL GARDENS

I missed this year's Festival of Lights at the Van Dusen Botanical Gardens, but on an overcast, misty day in late January I decided to visit to see what the Gardens are like in winter without all the Christmas decorations and lights.

The weren't many people around on this late afternoon day so the paths were virtually deserted giving the Garden somewhat of an eerie feeling. It was so quiet as I walked the paths that I felt somewhat disconcerted, but enjoyed stopping now and then to take photos and meditate in the quietude of nature.

The Gardens were originally a large piece of property owned by the Canadian Pacific Railway and logged at the turn of the century. From 1912 to 1964 it was home of the Shaughnessy Golf Club. An association was formed in 1966 and the VanDusen Botanical Gardens Association was formed.  They ensured that the site would not be used for housing development. Work began on the Garden in 1971 and the Garden was finally opened to the public in August 1975.

The botanical garden, unlike a park, is like a living Muse with plant collections, and various species of trees and shrubbery that are carefully cataloged and labelled. The garden also displays sculptures and other art-work from various cultures.

I discovered this beautiful First Nations canoe tucked away across the pond.  And at various locations around the garden you'll find other works of art.

Although the flower beds were bare, I did find a flowering tree that brightened my walk along the path.

There are various themes in the Garden and this day I chose to wander through the Japanese Cherry orchard where, when it's blossom time, they hold a haiku contest.

Then I walked along the path leading to the Asian part of the Garden where there is a beautiful Korean pavilion and a Japanese gateway.

In spite of the lonely pathways and chilly weather, I enjoyed my afternoon stroll. I look forward to returning to the garden in Springtime when the flowers are budding.

The VanDusen Gardens are open January - March 10 am to 4 pm
and more extended hours once Spring has arrived.
Admission and other information is available on their website at www.vandusengarden.org

BLOSSOM TIME AT VAN DUSEN GARDENS

One Sunday recently I went to Van Dusen Gardens to see the cherry blossoms.  It was one of our first really mild days so I made it a day for my first picnic of the year too.  Not too many of the flower beds were blooming, but there were many blossoming trees and shrubs which made it a pleasant, picturesque walk.

These lovely gardens, located at 37th and Oak Street in the city and easily accessible by public transit, have been developed on property that once belonged to the Canadian Pacific Railway and later leased by the Shaughnessy Golf Club from 1911 - 1960 when the golf club moved to a new location.  The CPR wanted to subdivide but this was opposed and in 1966 Van Dusen Botanical Garden Association was formed to assist the Vancouver Park Board with developing the site. The development started in 1971 and was officially opened to the public August 30, l975.

The garden covers 22 hectares (55 acres) and is a spectacular collection of plants from around the world representing ecosystems from tropical South Africa to the Himalayas, South America, the Mediterranean and plants native to the Pacific Northwest and other parts of North America.  No matter what season you, there's always something beautiful to see.

At this time of year, cherry blossom time, I specifically wanted to visit because every year in Vancouver they hold a Japanese haiku poetry contest.  Van Dusen Gardens has many Japanese cherry trees and there is a stone engraved with some of the haiku that people have written about the trees.

One of the very first haiku I can remember reading was one by Basho, and it got me interested in the haiku verse form.  "This day on which the cherry blossom fell has drawn to its close."  The translated forms of haiku, written in English are usually three lines of 5 syllables, 7 syllables, 5 syllables, although the American version varies to sometimes shorter lines.  The haiku is usually about nature and the finally line will leave a lasting visual impression.

I enjoyed strolling around the pathways of the Gardens, discovering new shrubbery in bloom and even some sculptures.

Even though it was still early in the season, there were many flowers in bloom as well as the shrubbery and trees.

Rhododendron blossoms



The garden design has displays of plants in picturesque settings, to illustrate botanical relationships such as the Rhododendron Walk.  The gardens are set amidst rolling lawns, small lakes and rock work.

There are some areas that represent specific origins such as the Sino Himalayan Garden, and this beautiful pavilion honoring the Koreans.



There's always something interesting to see at Van Dusen, no matter what the season!  It's open seven days a week. There's a restaurant on the site if you want to stop for a meal.  Or why not take along a picnic lunch like I did?

For Admissions and other information:  www.vandusengarden.org

AN AUTUMN WALK IN STANLEY PARK

Stanley Park Yacht Club





On a sunny Autumn Sunday I took myself to Stanley Park,  my main intention being to enjoy and photograph the autumn season in the park.  Stanley Park is a beautiful green space in the city of Vancouver, larger than NYC Central Park (404.9 hectares - 1,000l acres).  It's a favorite place for people to go for a day of strolling , a picnic, a run, skateboarding or cycling.  Inside the park are gardens, an Aquarium, art displays, playgrounds and many interesting places to visit.  Surrounding the park are some excellent beaches,  English Bay, Burrard Inlet and Coal Harbour where there are marinas.

I got off the bus before it reached the park (the bus goes right into the park where you can walk easily to various locations).  I wanted to enjoy the lovely gardens and views along Coal Harbour. 

One of the interesting sculptures is this one of the woman sitting on the park bench checking the contents of her purse.  Today someone had given her a bouquet of flowers to hold.

As you enter the park, you will see another statues, a monument to Lord Stanley of Preston for whom the park is named.  At the official opening of the Park on September 27, 1888, Lord Stanley is said to have 'lifted his arms to the heavens as though embracing them', and dedicated to park 'to the use and enjoyment of people of all colours, creeds and customs, for all time'.  The statue captures this historical moment.

Lord Stanley



Stanley Park has been associated with many famous people, including the Mohawk poet, Pauline Johnson who is buried in the park near Third Beach,  the artist Emily Carr who often painted in the park, and others.  Every weekend there are artists in the park near the Aquarium area displaying their work.  And near the entrance to the Park is a memorial to the famous Scottish poet Robert Burns including plaques with quotes from his well known poems.

Robert Burns, poet

I was hoping to see a blaze of autumn colours the day I went to the Park. However, due to our late summer, the autumn frosts had not yet touched the trees and everything looked  lush and green.

I always enjoy strolling under the giant fir and cedar trees, some of them ancient trees.  Unfortunately several years ago a terrible wind storm wrecked havoc in the park and blew many of these old trees down leaving huge swaths of empty space. 

One of the main attractions in the park is the Aquarium.  There used to be a zoo area as well but this was removed during the '90's, so only this interesting sea world exists now.  It's a popular place for the children, especially the dolphin and beluga shows.  Outside the aquarium is this impressive sculpture of a killer whale by renown Haida artist Bill Reid.

The park is a great place for families with many different play areas for the children, picnic tables under the trees, a water park and other activities. 

A really fun way to see around the park is to take the horse-drawn carriage ride.  I can recommend this as I went with my friend one time and we had a thoroughly enjoyable time!  This day I happened to see the carriage going by loaded with tourists. 

At one time, Stanley Park was the home of several villages of indigenous people.  Here at Lumberman's Arch, there used to be a Squamish village.  Various places in the park where the Squamish people's hunting or gathering grounds.  It was up this part of the Burrard Inlet that Captain Vancouver sailed when he first came in search of that northwest passage.  The Squamish people went out in their canoes to greet the British ship.  Vancouver is named after Captain George Vancouver. The Lumberman's Arch is a memorial for the loggers of B.C.

I walked back through the park trails to where there is a small railway.  At this time of year it turns into a Hallowe'en Train and the woods encircled by the track are full of spooky things.  Great fun on a late October evening!  During the summer this area now becomes K'lahowya Village,  dedicated to the First Nations People, with displays telling the Park's history and connection with the indigenous people who once occupied the park.

Eagle on a rock, in K'lahowya Village

Stanley Park is one of my most favorite destinations when I want a quiet walk in the forest, or along the seawall, or just to browse through the many garden areas.  No matter how many times I've gone there (and I started going to the Park almost every Sunday since I was a young teenagers) there is always something new to see and enjoy. 

A SPRING WALK IN THE SUN YAT SEN GARDENS

On one of our rare sunny days this Spring, a friend and I went for a walk in the Sun Yat Sen Gardens.

This beautiful garden and park in the midst of Vancouver’ Chinatown is an authentic reproduction of an age-old Chinese tradition.  Classical gardens such as these were popular during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644).  Ming scholars had private gardens where they could live and work.  The gardens followed certain traditional designs to provide the scholar with tranquillity and spiritual energy.

This garden is dedicated to Sun Yat-Sen, the ‘father of modern China”. Like all Chinese gardens of that era, is based on the harmony of four main elements: rock, water, plants and architecture.  Blended together they create a perfect balance -- the yin and yang.

The rocks used in the garden and park were imported from Lake Tai near the Chinese city of Suzhou.  These limestone rocks, known for their rough beauty, are placed in various locations throughout the Garden, around a jade-green pond meant to inspire tranquillity.  (The softness of the water balances the hardness of the rock).

The Garden and Park are is planted with a variety of symbolic plants, mixing native Chinese and local plants including bamboo, cypress, pine, flowering plum and miniature rhododendron.

The traditional architecture, found in all classical Chinese gardens, blends with the natural elements.

Adjacent to the Garden is the Dr. SunYat- Sen park which compliments the Garden.  The entrance to the Park is free. There is a bust of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen , who visited Vancouver frequently, at the entrance gate.  Next to the Park and Garden is the Chinese Cultural Centre, on Chinatown’s main street.

There is an admission fee for entry into the Garden, but the Park is free, and it’s well worth a visit at any time of year, a place to get away from the busy city streets where you can meditate on the beauties of nature in a serene setting.

VICTORIA'S HISTORIC BUTCHART GARDENS

As part of our Royal Wedding weekend, my friend and I went to historic Victoria B.C. to celebrate. One of the special things we did on our last day there was to visit the famous Butchart Gardens.

Victoria B.C.'s historic Butchart Gardens is one of the most popular floral show gardens on the West Coast. This magnificent landscaped area which covers 22 ha(55 acres) was conceived in 1904 and designed by Jennie Butchart after the limestone quarry that her husband Robert Pim Butchart had acquired for his burgeoning cement business was exhausted.  Under Jennie's supervision and artist eye, the abandoned quarry blossomed into a spectacular Sunken Garden.

The gardens grew into a beautiful early 20th century showpiece in the style of the grand estates of the period.  Besides grassy lawns, flower beds, ornamental trees and a unique collection of memorabilia brought by the Butcharts from their travels,  there are nurseries for plants, trees and shrubs.
Among the objects collected from their travels is the Fountain of the Three Sturgeons and the life-like bronze casting of a wild boar, both from Florence, Italy.

Fountain of the Three Sturgeons

The Butcharts also created a beautiful Italian garden beside their house.



The Italian garden

 By the 1920's more than fifty thousand people were coming each year to visit the Butchart's Gardens and today they are one of the most popular tourist destination for visitors to Vancouver Island and Victoria.

The Butchart's luxurious house which included a bowling alley, indoor salt-water swimming pool, billiard room and a self-playing Aeolianpipe organ, is now the Dining Room Restaurant and offices with some rooms still used for family entertaining.  The Garden is still operated by the family.  The Rose Carousel, the only carousel on Vancouver Island, is a fun diversion for youngsters and adults alike. The carousel is a menagerie of animals, birds and decorative mirrors. The designs were hand picked by the great grand daughter of Jennie Butchart and the carvings were done by some of the few remaining carvers of carousel art.  It's housed in the Children's Pavilion under a clear dome and a roof planted with native plant species.

A popular part of Butchart's is the Japanese garden area where you can walk quietly under the trees over small ornate bridges and cross the creeks on stepping stones. 

Everywhere you look,  the gardens are full of glorious blooms.  On this visit it was a brilliant array of tulips and blossoming trees.  It's easy to see how Butchart's Gardens has an international reputation for it's year round displays of flowering plants. 

This visit to Butchart's Gardens was a perfect way for my friend and I to end our special visit to Victoria to celebrate the Royal Wedding weekend.