Finnerty Gardens — Attraction in Oak Bay

A Botanical Haven on Vancouver Island! Finnerty Gardens, located at the University of Victoria, is a stunning showcase of over 1,500 species of plants and trees worldwide. You’ll find rhododendrons in abundance, providing vibrant blooms in the spring. The gardens also feature an impressive variety of Japanese maples, magnolias, and conifers, creating a peaceful and diverse landscape. Don’t miss the fern collection and the countless perennials that provide year-round beauty. The garden is also home to native plant species that attract local wildlife, like birds and butterflies, adding to its charm.

The University of Victoria meticulously maintains the gardens, with a dedicated team ensuring that the paths are clear, the plants are pruned, and the landscape is immaculate throughout the seasons. Their care is evident, especially in the curated walking paths, making it easy to stroll through and enjoy the beauty.

Hours of operation: The gardens are open daily from 8 a.m. to dusk, but visitors can visit anytime. Spring and early summer are the best times to catch the flowers in full bloom.

Parking: Free parking is available in the adjacent Parking Lot 6 (UVic) on weekends and holidays. During the week, paid parking is required, but it’s easily accessible and affordable.

Whether you’re a plant enthusiast or just looking for a peaceful escape, Finnerty Gardens is a beautiful retreat in Victoria that...

I've been coming to this garden for decades since my family moved to town. The garden is a mix of native plants, Asian elements, and an incredibly large collection of rhododendrons. The garden has various zones including stream, alpine, a native area, woodland, and others. It doesn't matter what time of year it is, there's always something to see in this beautiful garden. They have it fenced from the deer and during the pandemic they have only had one or two entrances open. I know for sure that the entrance by the interfaith chapel is open. The larger plants like the rhododendrons have labels so you can see what they are and look them up. There are lots of benches to sit on if you fancy a seat during your stroll. This is a...

Used to be lots of mushrooms in this area, Violet cortinarius (non-edible) was my favorite. Also Russula emetica (poisonous) and orange lactarius (caution). Also found Shaggy Mane (edible) on the campus lawn. Also Agaricus campestris and A. arvensis, but be very careful with these, they are edible but are similar to the Genus Amanita, which includes deadly poisonous mushrooms such as Death Cap, Destroying Angel, and the intoxicating Amanita muscaria. When in doubt, when you cannot make a POSITIVE identification,...