Van Dusen Gardens

While noa’s mother was visiting us this summer after NYC, we decided one day to go visit the Van Dusen Garden’s here in vancouver. we practically live next door to them, but have never went in. anyways, it was a semi nice warm day, and off we went to go explore all the plants.

Recently they built a new visitors center, and walking in i really loved what they did with the walkway.
[flickr id=”7842813816″ thumbnail=”large” overlay=”false” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]

as soon as you walk inside, this is the first view that greets you
[flickr id=”7842814188″ thumbnail=”large” overlay=”false” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]

the first plant i saw walking in, are pitcher plants!! they were flowering just like mine are right now.
[flickr id=”7842814452″ thumbnail=”large” overlay=”false” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]

look how beautiful they are
[flickr id=”7842814818″ thumbnail=”large” overlay=”false” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”] [flickr id=”7842815328″ thumbnail=”large” overlay=”false” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]

there were so many amazing flowering plants and trees
[flickr id=”7842816564″ thumbnail=”large” overlay=”false” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]
[flickr id=”7842816992″ thumbnail=”large” overlay=”false” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]
[flickr id=”7842817338″ thumbnail=”large” overlay=”false” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]

i love gnarly bark
[flickr id=”7842817852″ thumbnail=”large” overlay=”false” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]

ohh yeah, standing next to a maple in my flip flops.
[flickr id=”7842818268″ thumbnail=”large” overlay=”false” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]
[flickr id=”7842818884″ thumbnail=”large” overlay=”false” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]

the park was huge. i think we wandered around for a good hour before noa got fed up with us saying, uhhh, look at that next tree. uhh, look at that one.
[flickr id=”7842819320″ thumbnail=”large” overlay=”false” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]

uhh, look at that cute brook!
[flickr id=”7842819734″ thumbnail=”large” overlay=”false” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]

i even tried some hand held hdr’s to try to capture the splendour all around us
[flickr id=”7842820098″ thumbnail=”large” overlay=”false” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]
[flickr id=”7842820386″ thumbnail=”large” overlay=”false” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]
[flickr id=”7842821042″ thumbnail=”large” overlay=”false” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]

here is by far one of my favorite plants from the west coast. look at the size of those leaves. i really started noticing them when we were in tofino last year, and now i see them all around. they are so prehistoric looking. i just expect a triceratops or something to come crashing thru them.
[flickr id=”7842821334″ thumbnail=”large” overlay=”false” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]

this is a great idea for succulents
[flickr id=”7842821916″ thumbnail=”large” overlay=”false” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]

and the water lilies!!!
[flickr id=”7842822584″ thumbnail=”large” overlay=”false” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]
[flickr id=”7842822210″ thumbnail=”large” overlay=”false” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]

and we finished off with a bang, my prehistoric plants!
[flickr id=”7842823020″ thumbnail=”large” overlay=”false” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]

what a park. anyone in vancouver who has never been, i highly recommend it. its serene, and beautiful when you get in. you would never think its in the heart of a major city.