Vancouver's Public Gardens
at the Height of Perfection

August 23, 2004 - It was Henry James who said, that the two most beautiful words in the English language are "summer afternoon." And who among us would not agree when we are collectively experiencing what seems an endless summer, where garden outings and al fresco dining can be planned on most days without need of prayer or potion to ease the way.

The gardens in Vancouver's venerable parks have never looked better, lush with form and foliage and heavy with colourful bloom. Tended by the Park Board's dedicated horticultural staff, this year's combination of tropical temperatures and showy specimens have delivered island beds and borders at the top of their game and just waiting to be appreciated.

The Vancouver Park Board grows all its own bedding plants at Sunset Nursery starting in the early winter months when they are sown from seed and lovingly cultivated until planting out in late spring. It's at the nursery where staff are always a season ahead in planning, trying new, old and interesting varieties to enchant the public smitten with the gardening bug.

Other highlights in the park flower beds are mature, standard trees like lantana and fuchsia plants whose trunks can measure up to 4 inches in diameter, belying their age, which can reach decades due to winter coddling under the hovering eye of greenhouse staff. As well, vibrant cannas stand statuesque among shorter specimens and give focal point for the discerning photographer while well placed trees and shrubs give back drop to the flowery stage.

Don't wait too long to take an early morning or evening stroll by these luscious flower beds because you never know when the rain will come, for come it will.

Great Flower beds not to miss this summer include:

Morton Triangles and English Bay Planters
Stanley Park Rose and Perennial Gardens
Queen Elizabeth Park Quarry Gardens
Charleson Park Perennial Border
McCleery and Fraserview Golf Courses

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