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Metro Vancouver Gardening Society: Bonsai & Flower Show

Saturday, May 4 - Sunday, May 5

The Metro Vancouver gardening Society Bonsai & Flower Show takes place May 4th from 10.00am – 4.00pm and May 5th from 10.00am – 3.00pm.

For more information contact: xudongsitu@gmail.com

Admission: By donation

*Garden admission not included. Book online and save, or purchase at the Admission Desk upon arrival.

Taking Flight: Greater Vancouver Bird Celebration Opening Event

Friday, May 10 5:00pm - 8:00pm

Join us for the opening event of the Greater Vancouver Bird Celebration on the eve of World Migratory Bird Day.

This free event includes fun activities facilitated by local bird-related organizations, birding tours in the garden, engaging speakers and amazing prizes. Learn about all the exciting Greater Vancouver Bird Celebrations programs from May 10-May 26. This event is for all ages, novice and experienced birders alike.

Greater Vancouver Bird Celebration

Friday, May 10 - Sunday, May 26

May is Bird Celebration Month!

From bird nerd to bird curious, there is an event for everyone during Greater Vancouver Bird Celebration.

Check out the events at VanDusen Botanical Garden!

The Celebration runs from May 10-26, and we have many great events hosted at VanDusen Botanical Garden and Bloedel Conservatory for all ages.

 

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Vancouver African Violet & Gesneriad Society: Show & Sale

Saturday, May 11 12.00pm - 3.00pm

The Vancouver African Violet & Gesneriad Society Annual Show & Sale takes place in the Floral Hall & Cedar Room at VanDusen Botanical Garden on May 11th 12.00pm – 3.00pm.

Entrance: Free or by donation

For more information contact Garth McFadden; info@vavgc.ca or 604-512-3000.

*Garden admission not included. Book online and save, or purchase at the Admission Desk upon arrival.

Vancouver All British Field Meet Classic Car Show

Saturday, May 18 10.00am - 4.30pm

The Vancouver All British Field Meet (ABFM) returns to VanDusen Botanical Garden on May 18 for their annual British car show on the Great Lawn. Presented by Hagerty, expect to see nearly 500 cars in 62 different classes. The event will also feature live entertainment, food trucks, vendor booths, merchandise for sale, high tea options and more. event ticket is required to access the event area.

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VJGA Sumi Bonsai Club Show

Saturday, May 18 - Sunday, May 19

The VJGA Sumi Bonsai Club Show takes place May 18 & 19 in the Floral Hall at VanDusen Botanical Garden.

Saturday: 10.00am – 4.00pm
Sunday: 10.00am – 3.00pm

Entrance: By Donation

For more information contact Hugh Kamisato at: hughkamiyuki@shaw.ca or 604-980-8127.

*Garden admission not included. Book online and save, or purchase at the Admission Desk upon arrival.

Penjing Exhibition & Sale

Saturday, May 25 - Sunday, May 26

The Chinese Penjing Society of Canada Bonsai Show & Sale takes place May 25 & 26 in the Floral Hall at VanDusen Botanical Garden.

May 25: 10.00am – 4.00pm
May 26: 9:00am – 3:00pm

Entry: By Donation

For more information contact: Peter Lee at leephoto@shaw.ca or 604-351-3866.

*Garden admission not included. Book online and save, or purchase at the Admission Desk upon arrival.

Pollinator Days 2024

Wednesday, May 29 - Friday, May 31

A buzz-worthy field trip experience for students to learn about pollinators and the environments that support them.

As flowers bloom around VanDusen, bring your class to explore the special relationships between plants, pollinators, and people. Over three days in May, our facilitators will promote curiosity and stewardship through fun, hands-on activities at stations throughout the Garden.

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2024 VBGA AGM

Thursday, May 30 7.00pm

Notice of AGM
VBGA Annual General Meeting

Thursday, May 30th, 2024 7:00pm in the Floral Hall

Learn about our 2024 VBGA Board of Directors Nominations here.

To attend the AGM RSVP is required by Members holding a current VBGA membership. To RSVP email btinsley@vandusen.org by May 23rd

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Bloom Calendar

Spring

Monday, March 20 2023 - Wednesday, June 21 2023

In spring the Garden is bursting with cheerful rhododendrons, stunning magnolias, delicate cherry blossoms and bloom-full camellias –  to mention a few…

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Summer

Wednesday, June 21 2023 - Friday, September 22 2023

Summer in the Garden features vibrant colours and fragrant smells for our visitors to enjoy.

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Fall

Saturday, September 23 2023 - Thursday, December 21 2023

Autumn colours are absolutely stunning at the Garden, and there are plenty of blooms still showing.

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Winter

Thursday, December 21 2023 - Sunday, March 24

The winter Garden features muted colour palettes, stunning silhouettes and a scattering of colour with winter berries and blooms.

 

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Courses

Botanical Drawing and Painting Flowers (Online & In Person)

Wednesday, May 8 - Wednesday, May 29 10:00am - 1:00pm

Improve your drawing skills to capture more realistic depictions of flowers in this four-session series. Instructed by artist and educator Katharine Dickinson, her demonstrations will guide you through various exercises on capturing a flower’s identifying features through line, shape, structure and form and observing critical angles and accurate proportions.

Explore watercolour techniques for botanicals, mixing and matching a flower’s natural colours, and applying washes and dry brush details.

FREE: Birding Session with the Feminist Bird Club

Saturday, May 18 10:00am - 12:00pm

Join the Vancouver Chapter of the Feminist Bird Club for a FREE birding meetup at VanDusen Botanical Garden! Julia (she/her) and Daniella (she/her) will lead a bird walk/sit in the Garden as part of the annual Vancouver Bird Celebration. The Feminist Bird Club (FBC) was founded in 2016 with the goal of making birding and the outdoors inclusive and accessible for everyone.

This event offers a mobile birding tour along the Garden pathways, with a seated birding option available for those who prefer to observe from a stationary position within the Garden.

Designing Gardens for Small Spaces (Online)

Tuesday, May 21 6.30pm - 8.30pm

Let’s have some fun in our small gardening spaces!

Join Janis Matson to discuss and understand the design elements and principles, limitations, and potential when designing and gardening in smaller spaces. This session will focus on best practices and creative ideas that make a small space POP—from plants to hard features to garden accents.

A Visit with O.W.L. (Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society)

Thursday, May 23 3:00pm - 4:00pm

This is your chance for a meet and greet with some of nature’s most beautiful birds, offered through the Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society (O.W.L).

O.W.L specializes in the rescue and rehabilitation of injured and orphaned raptors from all over B.C. Learn about how the birds find their way to O.W.L., how they are cared for, and eventually released back into nature. Participants will also meet the teaching birds up close.  Photo ops are available (no flash please).

Discover Birds at Bloedel

Saturday, May 25 1:00pm - 2:00pm

Join a member of the VBGA Education team for this all-ages program to celebrate our feathered friends. Meet the birds of Blodel and discover the biodiversity hidden under the Conservatory dome through a mini-tour and activity!

Gardening in a Changing Climate

Tuesday, June 11 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Discover how to develop your garden’s resilience to the evolving seasonal realities of our changing climate: hot, dry summers, intense storms, and unpredictable cold snaps.

Learn gardening techniques to help you and your food garden adapt to extreme weather and varying conditions. Instructor Rhiannon Johnson will teach you how to make your garden more resilient to temperature and precipitation changes.

Peak Perennials in June

Saturday, June 15 1:30pm - 3:00pm

Perennials occupy a unique niche in our gardens: some are tireless workhorses, providing long-season interest, while others offer a short but spectacular show.

During this workshop, we’ll spend our time outdoors exploring the garden—from the Eastern North American to Ornamental Grasses collections—and identifying standout perennials for the summer season. Using the criteria mentioned above for plant selection, you’re sure to discover a few new additions that you’ll be eager to introduce to your own garden.