VIU Milner Gardens and Woodland

Special Events

Notice:  With the safety and well-being of our community at the top of our mind,
VIU has decided to close Milner Gardens & Woodland and the Camellia Tea Room
to the public and volunteers until further notice, effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020.

Ongoing Events & Activities:

Guided Tours - Cancelled until further notice

Guided tours are available to groups of 10 or more with prior arrangements.
To arrange a guide, please contact the main office at milnergardens@shaw.ca.

Tea Service - Cancelled until further notice

Tea is served, ... in the Camellia Tea Room of Milner House.
See our Tea Room menus.

2020 Events:

Spring Sunday Openings - Cancelled

February 2 - March 29  11:00am - 3:30pm

Enjoy the early spring blooms in the Gardens.
The Camellia Tea Room opens 11:00am - 3:00pm with drop-in seating for their regular menu.
Winter season admission rates apply.

Spring Thursday - Sunday Openings - Cancelled

April 2 - 19  10:00am - 5:00pm

Including Easter Monday.
The Camellia Tea Room opens 1:00 - 4:00pm with drop-in seating for their regular menu.
Shoulder season admission rates apply.

Bunny Trail - Cancelled

April 10 - 13  10:00am - 5:00pm

Celebrate Easter in the Gardens at the annual Bunny Trail.

Pick up a map at the Welcome & Interpretive Centre with clues for the children to spot the bunnies.
Return the completed map to the Pool House Gift Shop for an Easter treat!
The Camellia Tea Room opens 12:00 - 4:00pm with drop-in seating for their regular menu.
Full Afternoon High Tea service reservations are not available when the bunnies are in the Gardens.
Shoulder season admission rates apply.

MABR BioBlitz - Cancelled

April 18, 2020  9:30am - 12:30pm

As part of the Brant Wildlife Festival, the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region (MABR) BioBlitz at Milner Gardens & Woodland is a citizen science based event that connects community members with local experts to conduct a rapid biological survey of plant and animal species.
Participants are grouped together with Vancouver Island University student volunteers and local experts to identify as many plant and animal species as possible during the event.
No prior experience is necessary for this event, as it is designed to introduce those with some or no experience to species identification.  

Shoots with Roots Raffle - Cancelled

The Spring Raffle fundraiser supporting our Shoots with Roots children's education program at Milner Gardens. 

Rhododendron Bloom - Cancelled

April 23 - May 18 (may vary season to season) 

The Rhododendrons at Milner Gardens are one of the Gardens' most significant collections. 
The Rhododendrons start blooming in early spring and typically reach their peak in mid-April to mid-May which may vary season to season.  Enjoy your walk through the woodland Gardens along with the Greig Rhododendron Species Garden while the Rhododendrons put on their best display! 

Daily Openings - Cancelled until further notice

April 23 - September 7  10:00am - 5:00pm

The Camellia Tea Room in historic Milner House opens 1:00 - 4:00pm daily.
Summer season admission rates apply.

Spring Plant Sale - Cancelled

April 25 - 26  10:00am - 4:00pm

The annual Spring Plant Sale in the Nursery offers heritage plants propagated by Milner Gardens volunteers at great prices.  Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer your gardening questions.
Members Only early access Friday April 24 from 5:00 - 6:30pm. 
The Camellia Tea Room extended hours for Spring Plant Sale weekend are 11:00am - 4:00pm.
Full Afternoon High Tea service reservations are not available during Fall Plant Sale weekend.
Special winter season admission rates apply to Spring Plant Sale weekend.
Milner Gardens plants are available in the Nursery every day the Gardens are open - show your Milner Gardens membership card for a 10% discount on regularly priced items.

Fairy Houses - Cancelled

June 25 - 28 10:00am - 5:00pm

Meander the sun-dappled meadows of Milner Gardens on your self-guided search for areas Fairy Houses may have magically appeared, in honour of International Fairy Day and Veronica Milner’s belief in fairies.
Fairy Tea in the Queen's Room and on the Milner House patio.  No reservations required for Fairy Tea - times TBA.

The Camellia Tea Room opens 12:00 - 4:00pm.  Full Afternoon High Tea service reservations are not available while the Fairy Houses are in the Gardens.
Summer season admission rates apply.

See Tips to Enjoy Fairy Houses for event details.

Fall Thursday - Sunday Openings

September 10 - October 11  10:00am - 5:00pm

The Camellia Tea Room opens 1:00 - 4:00pm.
Shoulder season admission rates apply.

Fall Plant Sale

September 26 -27 10:00am - 4:00pm

The annual Fall Plant Sale in the Nursery offers heritage plants propagated by Milner Gardens volunteers at great prices.  Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer your gardening questions.

Members Only early access Friday September 25 from 5:00 - 6:30pm. 
The Camellia Tea Room extended hours for Fall Plant Sale weekend from 11:30am - 4:00pm.
Full Afternoon High Tea service reservations are not available during Fall Plant Sale weekend.
Special winter season admission rates apply to Spring Plant Sale weekend.
Milner Gardens plants are available in the Nursery every day the Gardens are open - show your Milner Gardens membership card for a 10% discount on regularly priced items.
 

Fall Sunday Openings

October 18 & 25  11:00am - 3:30pm

Enjoy the colours of autumn in the Gardens.
The Camellia Tea Room opens 11:00am - 3:00pm.
Winter season admission rates apply.

Milner Christmas Magic 2020

December 4-6, 11-13 & 18-22  5:00pm - 8:30pm

Our annual festival of lights and music in the Gardens.
Entry by donation.

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