The garden maintains a database of over 50,000 accessioned plants to support scientific research.
The Greenheart TreeWalk uses an innovative non-invasive suspension system to protect the health of old-growth trees.
The Asian Garden contains a collection of rare, wild-collected plants specifically from Japan, China, and the Himalayas.
The garden is a living laboratory for the University of British Columbia’s Department of Botany.
It serves as a site for the conservation of rare and threatened native BC plant species.
UBC Botanical Garden is the oldest university botanical garden in Canada, established in 1916. The site spans 44 hectares of curated gardens featuring plants from temperate regions across the globe. A primary feature is the Greenheart TreeWalk, a canopy walkway suspended 17.5 meters above the forest floor. The garden houses the David C. Lam Asian Garden, which contains one of North America's most significant collections of rhododendrons. It functions as a research and conservation center focused on biodiversity and plant documentation. The Nitobe Memorial Garden is a distinct, separate attraction managed by the university, focusing on authentic Japanese garden design. Visitors can explore a mix of native British Columbia rainforest and exotic species from the Himalayas and the Southern Hemisphere. The facility includes a nursery, a seed program, and various educational plant collections.
The suspension bridges of the Greenheart TreeWalk offer unique high-angle forest perspectives.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe walking shoes to navigate the garden's varying terrain and forest paths.
Check the blooming calendar on the website before arrival to prioritize specific seasonal collections like rhododendrons or maples.
Bring a rain jacket, as Pacific Northwest weather can shift rapidly even in summer.
Do not mistake the nearby Nitobe Memorial Garden for the main Botanical Garden, as they require separate access.
Stay on marked trails to protect fragile soil and plant roots; harvesting plant material is strictly prohibited.
