Beacon Hill Park with its 178 acres includes remnants of the fragile, native Garry Oak ecosystem, which provides spectacular spring shows of blue flowering camas and native wildflowers. The wildflowers Include bulbous-rooted plants, such as the Tall Camass (Camassia leichtlinii), Easter Lily (Erythronium oreganum), Hyacinth Brodiaea (Triteleia hyacinthine), and formerly, Menzies' Larkspur (Delphinium menziesii). There are also naturalized narcisses and blue bells joining these wildflowers.
Near the giant arbutus trees and under the canopy of Garry Oaks the Vancouver Island Rock and Alpine Society has designed and maintains a rockery that has been established around natural rock outcroppings. Planted for year-round interest with a succession of blooms from rock plants and small bulbs it comes into colour in late January with primulas, cyclamin (the bloom of the cyclamin coum and the foliage of hederafolium), hellebores, minor spring bulbs starting with aconoitum and crocus and snowdrops dwarf iris, winter heathers. By mid-February the rhododendron is in bloom and soon the other early spring rock plants such as aubretia and iberis take centre stage. Later in the summer there is the bloom of the lower growing hebes such as hebe pageii to add interest
William Blair designed the formal landscaping in 1889. This landscape included 5 man-made lakes. Today when you cross over Goodacre Lake on the 1889 medieval stone bridge you can look down on birds nesting in the naturalistic planting of some of the original trees and shrubs which had been donated to the park. After you cross over a shady stream and falls on a stone bridge donated in the name of Canadian artist and writer Emily Carr.
follow the stream overhung with rhododendrons and azaleas and lined with ferns and begonias you will arrive at Fountain Lake. This one features a stately fountain surrounded by waterlillies and water hyacinths.
Near the deep herbaceous borders in the style of Gertrude Jekyll one can relax under a giant weeping willow beside another of the manmade lakes with the block planting of pedesites (coldfoot) on its island and admire the glistening arching jets of water against the sculptural large dark green leaves. This is a timeless water feature that could be installed today within the minimalist style.
When you walk under the nests of the giant blue herons, in the native firs and cedars, or when you are walking past the of meticulously manicured beds, in the Victorian style, featuring over 30,000 annuals. You will truly know that you are in the City of Gardens.