Spotlight: Milner Gardens & Woodland

If you’re looking for a place where you can escape it all, without having to go too far, Milner Gardens & Woodland should be your first stop.

Why You Should Go

The Gardens have been named One Of The 10 Best Public Gardens In Canada by Canadian Geographic Canada. You’ll have 70 acres of pristine and stunning scenery to walk through, which ends on a bluff overlooking the Strait of Georgia. Those 70 acres are broken down into 10 acres of woodland gardens, filled with rhododendron, cyclamen and trilliums, and winding pathways that lead you through a coastal Douglas fir forest. Your nose and eyes will never get tired of these surroundings.

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After you’ve filled your senses, be sure to stop by the Milner House for tea, and browse through the gift shop. If you want to take some of the garden’s beauty home with you, you can also stop by the nursery and shop for some new plants for your home.

From June 22 to 25, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., you can visit the Gardens and search for fairy houses that may have magically appeared. Fairies don’t like people just stumbling across their homes, so you’ll have to look hard!

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History

This pristine getaway is the dream-turned-reality of Veronica Milner. Milner gathered plants from across the temperate zones of the world and made them right at home in her garden sanctuary.

In 1996, about 42 acres was gifted to Vancouver Island University, followed by another 29 acres in 1999. The Milner Gardens & Woodland is supported by the Milner Gardens & Woodland Society, as well as the Vancouver Island University.

Address

The Gardens are located at 2179 Island Highway West, Qualicum Beach.

Hours & Admission

Sundays, Feb. 5 to March 26: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
$5.25 for adults, $3.25 for youth and admission is free for children under 12.

Thursday through Sunday, March 30 to April 23: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
$5.25 for adults, $3.25 for youth and admission is free for children under 12.

Daily from April 27 to Sept. 4: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
$11 for adults, $6.50 for youth and children under 12 are free.

Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 7 to Oct. 8: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
$5.25 for adults, $3.25 for youth and admission is free for children under 12.

Fall Plant Sale, Sept. 23 and 24: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
$5.25 for adults, $3.25 for youth and admission is free for children under 12.

Sundays, Oct. 15, 22 and 29: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
$5.25 for adults, $3.25 for youth and admission is free for children under 12.

Website

Visit viu.ca/milnergardens for more information, and to find out what’s in bloom during the time you want to visit. The wbesite also has gardening advice and information about weddings and rentals.

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