Garden Photo of the Day

Where’s Cherry? Tofino Botanical Gardens

A garden that mixes the landscape with art

It is Friday, so time for another garden tour with friend of the GPOD Cherry Ong! Today she’s taking us to Tofino Botanical Gardens, on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada.

The 12-acre garden has different garden rooms, many with unique themes and beautiful pieces of garden art. According to the garden’s guide, many of the garden spaces celebrate the various cultural groups that have lived in the area now and in the past, particularly the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations, early Japanese fishing families, and, more recently, hippies!

At the edge of the gardens are the Tofino Mudflats, which are exposed at low tide and always filled with life.

The garden allows well-behaved, leashed dogs, so Cherry was able to tour the garden with her beloved dog Broccoli.

not sure if this is a bench, a sculpture, or both, but it is beautiful.I’m not sure if this is a bench, a sculpture, or both, but it is beautiful.

wooden figures in the lush green of the temperate rainforestHauntingly beautiful wooden figures keep watch in the lush green of the temperate rainforest.

beautiful views of the water and mountains beyond.The garden ends with stunningly beautiful views of the water and mountains beyond.

Raccoon IslandRaccoon Island, visible here, is only an island at high tide; at low tide it is connected to the mainland by mudflats.

A whimsical sculpture honoring the hippiesA whimsical sculpture honoring the hippies who have been part of the local community.

water garden filled with the leaves of countless waterliliesA water garden is filled with the leaves of countless waterlilies (Nymphaea sp.).

tree artI love the simplicity of this piece of art.

whimsical gazeboOK, this may be my favorite! This gazebo looks like it is about to get up and walk around, or like it is out of a Dr. Seuss book.

beautiful woody areaAll around, the garden highlights the natural beauty of this unique part of the world.

a piece called “Swept Away” by Peter Clarkson, which is a memorial to the Tohoku Tsunami“Swept Away” by Peter Clarkson is a memorial to the Tohoku Tsunami and was made using many pieces of debris that were swept away by the tsunami.

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Comments

  1. User avater
    treasuresmom 10/15/2021

    Cherry, how tall were the wooden figures?

    1. perenniallycrazy 10/15/2021

      To the best of memory, about 5 feet.

  2. User avater
    simplesue 10/15/2021

    I'd never would have known this garden existed if not for Cherry Ong sharing her travels!
    I really like the down to earth qualities of this garden, and odd unexpected sculptures, ruins (the old hippie bus", etc.
    And such a good description of the gazebo looking like "it is out of a Dr. Seuss book" and "about to walk away!"
    If I'm ever out that way I would make sure to visit this public garden!

    1. perenniallycrazy 10/15/2021

      Please do. Admission was CAD $12 and good for 3 days.

  3. sheila_schultz 10/15/2021

    The 'hippie' van or the awesome gazebo? Hmmm... hard to choose my fave. The mudflat area looks pretty curious as well! Good find, our intrepid public garden seeker!

    1. perenniallycrazy 10/16/2021

      Thank you. Thought you would love the hippie van!

  4. User avater
    LindaonWhidbey 10/15/2021

    Great job capturing the feel of Tofino, Cherry. It’s quite a unique place. Love the gazebo and the sculptures.

    1. perenniallycrazy 10/16/2021

      Thank you. Hope you can visit one day.

  5. btucker9675 10/15/2021

    Glorious garden!!

    1. perenniallycrazy 10/30/2021

      Agree 110%!

  6. Meelianthus 10/17/2021

    Hi Cherry ~ Thank you for your beautiful postings. I am enjoying your journeys to places I may never get to unfortunately.
    Hope your lovely gardens are thriving. :)
    Linda

    1. perenniallycrazy 10/30/2021

      Glad you're enjoying the virtual garden visits. Hope you and your garden are keeping well Linda.

  7. arkant214 10/19/2021

    concretepatioslancaster.com/
    This place is so beautiful. Thanks for sharing this. keep on sharing.

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