Gardens Through the Seasons

Fall

Oak Bay’s second season of garden colour. Japanese maples are a favorite in a variety of deep reds. This is the time to see exotic grasses at their peak. While some plants are flowering in early fall, the main attraction is succulents and the riot of colour from exotic plants and oriental gardens.

Spring

In spring Oak Bay gardens are at their showiest with rhododendrons and azaleas in full bloom. In early spring, daffodils bloom, followed by tulips, hyacinths and other fragrant flowers. Blue camas also carpets the ground in many of the parks and woodland gardens. Roses bloom through late spring, including many fragrant old varieties in the Windsor Park Rose Garden at the corner of Currie Road and Newport Avenue.

Early heritage Rhododendrons begin blooming at Finnerty and Abkhazi Gardens in March along with early magnolias, winter heather and early spring fragrant plants. Pasque flowers, hellebores and a carpet of native erythroniums create rainbows of jewel box colours.

Anderson Hill Park is a carpet of blue camas through the spring while the Native Plant Garden becomes a carpet of erythroniums, shooting stars and fawn lilies.

Summer

Throughout the summer perennials and annuals brighten gardenscapes. Later in the summer showy hydrangeas, begonias, asters, gladiolas and dahlias make an appearance. This is a favorite time to walk or cycle through Oak Bay’s residential neighborhoods enjoying picturesque boulevards, public gardens and hanging baskets in the shopping areas.

Winter

Mild weather makes winter gardening a rewarding pastime. Snow drops are a common sight as are Christmas roses and witch hazel. In late winter blooming shrubs start to appear.