Garden Dream: Spring is Here - Photo Impressions from Vancouver Island

Rhododendron Bush

Vancouver Island has the mildest climate in all of
Canada. Especially in the Southern Part of the Island,
colorful blooms are seen already in February
and early March.

Small botanical gardens (and nurseries) in woodland
settings invite visitors, some are even free, like this one:

I discovered these flowers and blooming shrubs in
a woodland garden in North Saanich at the southern
end of Derrick Rd. Take Hwy 17 north from Victoria,
Exit 31, turn left into Wain Rd, and drive approx.
4 kilometers, turn left into Derrick Rd

Rhododendron Bush
.

Between Victoria and Sidney are several small botanical gardens
and a butterfly garden which are charging only low admissions.
I prefer these intimate, natural settings to the
one, much hyped and overrun by tourist busses, and charging
almost a $40 entrance fee... Native and ecological -
compared to a Disneyland-like tourist garden.