6 flowers that grow in Vancouver and when to see them bloom into a floral dream this year
Brighter days are here, and with them come blooming flowers — bringing life back into what's been a dreary landscape these past months. Nothing says spring like heading to a flower farm around Vancouver, where you can wander through rows of stunning blooms, all with the backdrop of the mountains.
From tulips to sunflowers, you can see all different types of flowers around the Lower Mainland during the warmer months. The season is just starting up, and some of the most beautiful flowers are only around for a short window. You've got to know when and where to look if you want to catch them at their peak, so we made it easier for you.
Here are six flowers that bloom in and around Vancouver, and when to see them at their peak. There's loads of beautiful flowers around, but these are some of the most picturesque varieties that you don't want to miss out on.
Cherry Blossoms
When: End of March to April
Where to see them bloom: Cherry Blossom season is legendary, for good reason. It's a sign that winter is behind us and brighter days are ahead. Streets go from drab to being washed with pink, and often swarming with people trying to snap a photo of the blossoms.
The season is all-to-short, so you've got to go out and take in the cherry blossoms while you can. Luckily, it's not all that hard in Vancouver. You don't need to drive out to a farm to see the trees, and there's even a map to show you the best spots in the city and when they are set to bloom.
The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival runs from March 26th to April 28th this year, and there's a bunch of events to celebrate the blooms, including a cool "Blossoms After Dark" experience.
Tulips
When: April to May
Where to see them bloom: While we'll be sad to say goodbye to the streets full of pink, with it comes tulip season. While you can see them in little gardens around the city, the stunning tulip farms around the Lower Mainland call for a day trip. You can roam around rows and rows of flowers (some with over a million blooms!), and take in the unbelievable views.
There are a few options for seeing these gorgeous flowers in full bloom, including the Harrison Tulip Festival. It's known as "Canada's Largest Tulip Festival" and has pathways that take you through 12 million tulips. They also have events like bouquet-making workshops and food trucks, and tickets are $25. It's about an hour and a half drive from the city, but worth it to experience the iconic festival.
Abbotsford Tulip Festival is another options that offers a stunning tulip experience, at Lakeland Flowers. It's tentative dates are April 5 to May 11.
Peonies
When: May to June
Where to see them bloom: Lakefeild Flowers is the perfect spot to see these flowers in bloom as well! When the tulips end here, peonies steal the show — and it's a beautiful sight. Typically peonies and lupins bloom at the same time here, which makes for a colourful visit. Make sure to take a bouquet home with you too!
Roses
When: June
Where to see them bloom: There are a few rose gardens in and around the city, but you can't go wrong with a stroll through the UBC one. It has stunning ocean and mountain views alongside the pretty flowers, and over a dozen types of roses bloom here from June to September. It's free admission and right in Vancouver — so if you need an easy flower fix, go here.
Queen Elizabeth Park also has a beautiful rose garden you can check out. Peak bloom is typically in June, but roses should continue to bloom through the summer.
Lavender
When: June to July
Where to see them bloom: Take a deep breathe and soak up the relaxing aroma of lavender in the summer. There are farms where you can meander through purple fields in Langley, Abbotsford and Richmond — so you can really take your pick.
Full Bloom Lavender Farm is a family-run farm in Langley, about an hour outside of Vancouver. There's also Lavenderland in Richmond, which has a field set to reopen in June.
Sunflowers
When: August to early September
Where to see them bloom: Towards the end of the summer the sunflowers bloom, and there's nothing like walking through the tall fields.
Richmond Sunflower Fest usually starts in early August and you'll find 20 types of beautiful sunflowers there, sprawling across 20 acres. Other farms throughout the area also grow the yellow blooms, so keep an eye out as the summer goes on!
As always, peak blooms vary depending on the weather so make sure to look on the farm websites before visiting!
