Grant,
I love the VanDuesen Garden for a great walk around. Favorite is the Nitobe Garden at UBC, but you might need to check the hours--they're not open every day, I think. Queen Elizabeth Garden is fun, especially the Bloedel Conservatory. As for stores, I like Chintz for cool stuff, though I like the Victoria store better. Buses are an easy way to get around.

Have fun--I love Vancouver--have been a visitor there many times over the years.

Leigh

I'm surprised no one from Vancouver has responded yet -- the city is full of gardeners that love to share their expertise and gardens. When are you going? Of course, if it is now in the middle of our rainy season it is a bit challenging to find much to amuse a gardener! I love downtown Vcr -- there is a new seawall/garden walk along the waterfront at Coal Harbour and there is an interesting brew pub in the middle of it. It leads from the Pan Pacific Hotel past the construction of the new Convention Centre to Stanley Park. What I love in Vcr at this time of year are the "pocket gardens" that the commercial buildings put in. I still marvel at how flowers will grow in the dead of winter with the low light in our great climate. If you really feel like a good walk, head south on Thurlow -- I think you go past Mole Hill community park and find the passenger ferry terminal to go over to Granville Island. It's about a half hour walk.

I second the conservatory at Queen Elizabeth Park. I was there a couple of springs ago. The gardens are beautiful and the view of the mountains spectacular but if it's pouring down rain, the conservatory will be your best bet. Tropical plants, flowers, birds and koi.

Grant, you might like to visit Thomas Hobbs' nursery, Southlands, if you get a chance. You may be familiar with Hobbs as the author of 'Shocking Beauty' and 'The Jewel Box Garden', two wonderfully inspiring garden books.

And I love visiting Granville Island, although not necessarily a garden-related destination. It is kind of the Vancouver equivalent of the Pike Place Market, with wonderful farmer's market-like stalls, public entertainment and a host of great little shops, galleries and restauarants. 'Bridges' is a great and delicious place to while away a leisurely lunch time :-)

Here is a link that might be useful: Southlands Nursery

The two premier collections are VanDusen and UBC Botanical. Be sure to allow hours for each.

Bloedel is extra fun at this time of the year because of the little trip to the tropics it provides after all the cold and gloom outside. If they still have a feeding station near the main perimeter walk, be sure to sit on the bench opposite it and watch for the amazing diversity of birds that come and go (if as many kinds are all still there).

You have other visitors constantly walking between you and the birds, but otherwise it can be quite fun. Both perching and ground birds pop in and out in quick succession.

Thanks for the replies--I appreciate them! I knew I could count on gardeners for such great help. All of your ideas are terrific, and many seem very personal, so thank you for that!

Van Deusen and Queen Elizabeth Park/Bloedel Conservatory are definitely on my list (thanks for the tips on the bird watching) as is Granville island (thanks for the restaurant suggestion) and Chintz. I'm familiar with Hobbs and his books, so if I head out west a bit I will plan on visiting Southlands. Dotty, the seawall and the walk on Thurlow sound terrific too, so I plan on doing those rain or shine (last weekend during the downpour I walked from the Hammering Man downtown Seattle up one side and down the other of Queen Ann hill then through Fremont and up to the Zoo, without an umbrella (but with tired feet by the end)).

Anyway, your ideas are great and I think I'm set to get them all in. I'm headed out Saturday first thing and returning late Tuesday evening. I'm excited.

Thanks again for helping make this trip really meaningful and fun (and full of garden activities).

Happy gardening,
Grant

Be sure you have required documentation for the Men in Black at the border.

Take a drive along Beach Avenue at English Bay. You'll be amazed at what you see. It is Canada's Riviera you know, and the dozens of palms and other lush exotic flora will prove it. Have fun, Banana Joe

Greetings from Vancouver. I'm having a terrific time, with special thanks to you all and your great tips. I've been walking all over this town, plus taking the bus too. It's wonderful. I visited VanDuesen, Chintz, Granville Island (and South Granville), plus Chinatown and most of the downtown-area neighborhoods. It's great. Tomorrow is the Art Museum and Queen Elizabeth park, oh, and Beach Drive too (thanks for that tip!).

I haven't done my homework, so if anyone can help me cheat that would be great. Can I bring any plants/cuttings/seeds back to Seattle with me?? What about fruit? I'll go do some research online but if you know the answer feel free to chime in. :)

Thanks again for the tips--they've really helped me have a better time. It's really lovely.

Take care,
Grant

Not without an import permit. The border crossing was a good place to ask about that. Some plants are allowed under certain protocols, others are not. You really shouldn't try to bring back anything you are not certain is absolutely unavailable stateside. There are some good reasons for restricting the flow of plants and plant parts into the country.

So glad to hear you are having a good time -- despite the rotten weather.

I love Vancouver too, glad you are having fun.

They did ask me at the border last August if I had any plants, fruit, etc. They did not ask previous years.....

Okay, I'm back in Seattle after a great trip. I really enjoyed myself and am already looking forward to going back.

I did so some online research and decided against trying to sneak any seeds/cuttings/fruit across the border. Thanks for the warnings.

And thanks again for everyone's trip tips--they really helped me have the best time possible. I can see why so many people love Vancouver. I count myself among them now.

Happy gardening,
Grant

Sneaking would be a really bad idea, in view of the new concern about "biological materials". And there really is not that much in the way of exciting garden plants that they have that we don't have already down here, somewhere.

I agree. More often it's the plants in the U.S. that I want to bring to Canada.

Glad you enjoyed your trip.
Next time you might want to go to Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver. There are huge native conifers, seems from the original forest. Like 700 or 800 years old! Fine examples of Arbutus trees too.

Most of my seed customers are in the U.S. I ship thousands of them to the U.S. every year, no permit. I also ship live bare root Trachycarpus fortunei seedlings, no permit. All my seeds and plants make it to their destinations. Never had a problem. I also recieve seeds from the U.S., no permit. Cheers, Banana Joe

My DH loves the Capilano Suspension Bridge in North Vancouver. The forest around it is wonderful.
I love the Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park. And Van Dusen Garden and Queen Elizabeth Park... Have been to all several times, need to see something new next time we go. Have made some great friends in Vancouver through the online ponding group I belong to.

>Most of my seed customers are in the U.S. I ship thousands of them to the U.S. every year, no permit. I also ship live bare root Trachycarpus fortunei seedlings, no permit. All my seeds and plants make it to their destinations. Never had a problem. I also recieve seeds from the U.S., no permit. Cheers, Banana JoeMaybe you should review the regulations.

"For Canadian seed, a seed analysis certificate (PPQ form 925 or CFIA form 5289) may be used in lieu of a phytosanitary certificate. One certificate per lot is required."

Here is a link that might be useful: ENTRY STATUS OF SEEDS FOR PLANTING - SUMMARY