Garden Communications
Embark on a Winter Journey this month at the Garden
January 2025 in the Garden – Year of the Snake (Bark Maple) Maples are usually recognized by their distinctive leaves; thus, winter is generally not a time recommended for their study. But the snake bark maples (also known as stripe-bark maples) are another story. They are among the most beautiful and interesting of all maples, […]
Lunar New Year Market 2025 – A Cultural Celebration of Tradition and Community
Purchase Tickets here Volunteer Lunar New Year is a time of celebration, reflection, and renewal, and UBC Botanical Garden’s goal for this year’s Lunar New Year market is to create an experience that encourages communities to connect more deeply with the beauty and cultural significance of the Asian Garden. Through engaging educational activities and interactive […]
Welcoming Erin Despard, Writer-in-Residence
In 2024, former UBC Botanical Garden artist-in-residence Erin Despard re-joined the Garden as its writer-in-residence and science communicator. Erin holds a PhD in Communication Studies and previously served as a research associate and instructor in UBC’s School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. Her writing and research focus on gardens, landscapes, and visual media. Some readers […]
2024: A Year of Germination at UBC Botanical Garden and Nitobe Memorial Garden
Our Director, Dee Ann Benard, invites us to look back on the highlights of this year. Through our collective drive for growth and unwavering dedication, we have achieved significant progress, transformation, and success. Read on for our Director’s full reflection and vision for the future of the UBC Botanical Garden team and its broader impact […]
An Introduction to Research Conducted at UBC Botanical Garden
An Introduction to Research Conducted at UBC Botanical Garden Anyone who visits UBC Botanical Garden can see and feel that it is a place of beauty and biological diversity as well as human and ecological well-being. However, not everyone fully appreciates the fact that the Garden is also a space of investigation, experimentation, and learning—in […]
A brighter Lunar New Year celebration awaits us in 2025
Purchase Tickets here Volunteer Building on the success of the previous year, the 2025 event will be bigger and better than ever – doubling in size and bringing new experiences for visitors of all ages and backgrounds. In 2024, the Garden came alive and celebrated the Year of the Dragon, an occasion marked by cultural performances, […]
December in the Garden 2024
In temperate climates, all kinds of plants cease growth and lose their leaves as the light diminishes and temperatures fall. The ancients saw the loss of leaves and increasing darkness and cold with some trepidation. But evergreen plants—coniferous and broadleaf evergreens—are an antidote to the decay and gloominess of winter. Evergreen boughs were brought into […]
Recapping the Natural Dyes Workshop with Shaela Hill
On the 21st of September, a keen group of crafters and plant lovers alike joined together at UBC Botanical Garden’s Natural Dyes Workshop. The group was led by the talented textile artist Shaela Hill of The Dandelion Dyer. Natural dyes are one of the best ways to conserve plants. It may sound counter intuitive, but […]
November in the Garden 2024
November is usually considered one of our dreariest months, but in UBC Botanical Garden, the list of plants with colourful foliage, berries and flowers is substantial. In some cases, it may be fragrance, rather than a visual cue that indicates a floral presence. Take smooth oleaster, Elaeagnus glabra, for example. This evergreen climber from western […]
Apple Festival Recap – October 19&20, 2024
The 33rd Annual Apple Festival at UBC Botanical Garden welcomed thousands of enthusiastic visitors who embraced the harvest season with smiles, umbrellas, and an unwavering love for apples that remained strong despite the rain. The downpour might have been relentless, but the community spirit shone even brighter, transforming the weekend into a vibrant celebration of […]