Six on Saturday: VanDusen Botanic Gardens

Thistles and Kiwis,

Last week, I had the joy of going to the VanDusen Botanic Gardens as I have already mentioned. Here are some more pictures of just how lovely a space it is. Anyway, it is the time for Six on Saturday, when The Propagator encourages us to share what is going on in our gardens in all parts of the world.

Date of visit: 4 September 2022

First up, these gorgeous hibiscus, found near to the entrance by the pond. Amazing vibrant colours.

There were signs of autumn, berries and fruits and glorious rosehips.

And these Eryngo, native to Argentina, with their fabulous spiky seed heads.

We spotted these bright red honeysuckle fuschia – absolutely gorgeous.

And so to trees, of which there were many magnificent specimens such as this weeping giant sequoia which looks like…well, what do you think? Donkey or dragon or something else? As well as giant sequoias, there were a few spectacular monkey puzzle trees such as this one below.

So to what I am calling ‘miscellaneous’ – lobelia, an unusually shaped hydrangea, an expanse of heather, gazania, and what I think is a form of lantana? With beautiful shiny berries? Help in identifying appreciated! On a different note, there were black eyed Susan’s everywhere around the city.

Finally, the lily pond where I started. Stunning water lilies can be seen all over the pond.

That’s all from me folks for this week. Normal service from Wellington will resume next week. As usual, I am looking forward to seeing everyone’s beautiful gardens in other parts of the world. Hope you are all well and enjoying your gardens in whatever the season is with you.

You can find Thistles and Kiwis on Facebook, and also on Instagram @thistlesandkiwis.  As for Twitter….am totally inactive these days.  If you want to get in touch, email me on thistlesandkiwis@gmail.com

Published by Thistles and Kiwis

26 Comments

    2. Wonderful photos! I think you have an Oakleaf Hydrangea there. Hydrangea quercifolia, an American native to the woods of the Southeastern US, there are numerous cultivars.

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  7. It was certainly an extraordinary visit to this very pretty garden. Thank you for sharing it with us and for taking these lovely sunny photos. (and in my opinion it really looks like a dragon!)

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  9. This is such a lovely post about what seems to be a fantastic garden. I especially enjoyed seeing the hibiscus. I was gifted one earlier this year, and it was gorgeous all summer long. It’s too cold for it now, but I am amazed that it lasted for about four months, the flowers just kept coming. Have aw wonderful rest of your weekend!

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  12. A lovely tour around a beautiful garden, I last visited in September 2010 so saw pretty much the same kind of plants and lucky to find there was also a sculpture exhibition “Zimsculpt” in the gardens.

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  13. Pingback: If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea… – Thistles and Kiwis

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