Nature and Art
Contributors: Kelley Crawford, VanDusen Volunteer Guide
Download a printable PDF Version here: April SGT 2024
Welcome to VanDusen Botanical Garden. Head towards the Jennifer Eyton Rain Garden, the low marshy area at the end of the deck beside Livingstone Lake. Behind it please note the taller tree 1. ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba). This is a female ginkgo. The ginkgo genus dates back nearly 200 million years. It is a living fossil, and each tree could live over 1,000 years. The female ginkgo produces smelly fruit from late summer to early autumn. Look to the left side of the wooden deck to see a donated bronze sculpture called Departure, by George Lundeen. It is one of many donated sculptures you should see as you follow this tour.
From the Plaza you will turn right down the ramp, leading to the sculpture Confidence, by Michael Dennis. Turn left and continue along the path beside the lake. On your right is a 2. saucer magnolia (Magnolia × soulangeana), which is part of an ancient genus that evolved before bees existed. Magnolias are pollinated by beetles and flies. The genus has over 200 species. Saucer magnolias have large (10-20 cm) flowers that bloom in spring before the leaves emerge. Continue along the path and turn left, over the bridge until you come to another fork in the path.
Turn right, following the arrow. As you walk down the path look to your left. You will see a sculpture made of travertine called Three Forms by David Marshall. This sculpture is one of 32 which were sculpted from donated travertine and marble during a Symposium in 1975. The Canadian Armed forces then positioned them around the garden, although most are located on the Great Lawn.
Looking back across the path to the right you can see a 3. London plane tree (Platanus × acerifolia). This tree is a hybrid created in the 1640s between an 4. oriental plane (Platanus orientalis) and the American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis). The leaves and flowers of the London plane display some of the characteristics of both parents. As it is tolerant of pollution, the streets of London are extensively planted with this tree, as are streets in large cities around the world.
Continue along the path and turn left at the intersection, following the arrow. You will come to the Maple Collection. In Japan, during The Edo Period (1603 – 1867), at least 250 cultivars of Japanese maples were developed. Unfortunately, during the two world wars many of the cultivars vanished due to the need for farmland and firewood. However, they have made a resurgence and currently about 500 named cultivars are grown in Japan.
There is a lot of variety in maple leaf shapes. For example, the leaves of 5. trident maple (Acer buergerianum) have three pointed lobes, similar to a trident. To the south, beside the lake, is 6. cutleaf Japanese maple (Acer palmatum). Look carefully at the leaves to see if you can tell which one of the four types of Japanese maple leaf (illustrated below) this tree has. Peek under the leaves to see the complex structure of branches that add interest to the trees in the winter months with their graceful branch formations.
There are many maple trees in VanDusen’s collection with a variety of leaf shapes and colors. We have both dwarfed trees and upright maple trees that have grown to about six metres tall.
Continuing along the paved path towards the Owl sculpture you will come to a fork in the path. Follow the arrow up the left path where you will pass the BC Habitat Garden which includes native species of trees and shrubs. You will notice the shrubs with dark green, glossy leathery oval leaves. These are 7. salal (Gaultheria shallon), which are native to the coast from Alaska to California. The common name is derived from a Chinook word. Indigenous peoples gather and eat the berries and use the leaves and branches to line cooking pits and make medicines to treat burns, cuts, coughs, and flu. They are also popular in floral arrangements.
Continue along the path, over the bridge and, following the arrow at the intersection, turn left to the Mountain Ash Collection. Here you will notice an ash tree that has been surrounded by a decorative fence depicting the work of Swedish pioneers. This fence originally surrounded a fountain and was donated by the Swedish Folk Society and has now been placed around 8. golden European ash (Fraxinus excelsior ‘Jaspidea’). This tree has light yellow leaves in spring, changing to pale green in summer and bright golden yellow in fall. The wood can be used for tool handles and sporting equipment as it is resilient to shock and bending.
Return to the path and follow the arrows leading to the Perennial Garden. Following the arrow turn right at the intersection and head up the hill to the cherry blossom trees. This grove of ornamental cherry trees was dedicated to the Hon. David Lam as he was instrumental in beautifying Vancouver with 100 donated Akebono cherry trees, among many other philanthropic deeds. Please note 9. pink weeping spring cherry (Prunus subhirtella var. pendula ‘Beni-shidare’) has rosy-pink buds that emerge in late winter to early spring. The grove itself is gorgeous to witness in early spring and serves as a reminder that spring is coming.
Before continuing up the path to the Sino-Himalayan Garden pause to look across the Great Lawn at the sculptures that have been placed on the lawn, tucked into trees and under trees. These travertine and marble sculptures were part of the same symposium as the earlier seen sculpture ‘Three forms’.
Stroll up the path and turn left at the intersection, following the arrow. On your left you’ll see 10. Rhododendron auriculatum. It blooms in mid to late summer. The flowers can be made into medicinal teas to help many different ailments.
Follow this path until you come to the two giant red Adirondack chairs. The arrows will direct you down a path that goes through the Japanese Collection. There, on your right is 11. Chinese scholar Tree (Styphnolobium japonicum). In July or August creamy white pea like flowers appear and can be made into patties, desserts or wrapped in the stuffing of dumplings. The seed pods are toxic and should never be consumed. At the end of the path turn left towards the red sculpture. Behind the sculpture you will find 12. tea plant (Camellia sinensis). White tea, yellow tea, green tea, oolong, dark tea and black tea are all harvested from this plant. They are processed differently during early spring to late fall to attain varying levels of oxidation with black tea being the most oxidized and green the least.
The Throne of Nezahualcoyotl by Mexican sculptor Sebastián was donated by the Mexican government. It’s a good example of the different varieties of sculptures around the garden.
Return to the end of the Japanese Collection path and follow the arrows through the middle of one of the rhododendron gardens. Although we are early for the full flowering of the Rhododendron Walk there are some early blooming ones we can enjoy. You will also come across 13. Japanese maple (Acer palmatum ‘Shindeshôjô’). The leaves emerge in spring bright and showy salmon pink. As the summer progresses the leaves change to green speckled with white.
Follow the arrow pointing back to the paved path. You are on the Rhododendron Walk now and can enjoy the early blooming species. Walk to the end of the path where you come to a fork in the path. Here you will see 14. handkerchief or dove tree (Davidia involucrata). This tree is about fifty years old. It is best known for its large, papery bracts, which resemble fluttering handkerchiefs. The flower heads become framed by two large bracts that are pure white. They appear during the month of May. Discovered in China at the beginning of the 19th century it has become highly popular worldwide.
We have come to the end of our tour. If you would like to go to the Visitor Centre, head straight down the path heading east. If you would like to explore further, turn down the path that goes towards the Lathhouse which will soon be covered with flowering wisteria, and you will come upon the Perennial Garden. Enjoy.