How To Grow An Everblooming Flower Garden in Victoria

As someone who truly loves this city and gardening, I can tell you there’s something special about seeing flowers bloom in every season. Unlike most of Canada, we don’t just garden in spring or summer. Here, it’s totally possible to have flowers blooming in January, and a garden that never really takes a break. Keep reading to see good reasons why we've earned the title Garden City.

I’ll show you how to build your own everblooming flower garden in Victoria, based on what I’ve learned from years of local experience. We’ll cover what flowers work best, how to design your garden for year-round colour, and tips for keeping it looking great no matter the month. Whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned grower, you’ll find this guide helpful and easy to follow.

Why Victoria Is Perfect for Year-Round Gardening

If you’re new to Victoria, you might be surprised by how green and colourful things stay here, even in the middle of winter. That’s because our ocean-influenced climate gives us mild winters, early springs, and long growing seasons. Snow? Rare. Hard freezes? Unusual. What we do get is rain that keeps plants happy and cool nights that keep flowers blooming longer.

I’ve seen hellebores blooming in December and daffodils in February, it’s one of the little joys of living here. With a bit of planning, you can have a garden that never stops blooming.

Step 1: Know Your Garden Space

Every great garden starts with observation. Before you plant anything, take a look at your space and ask yourself:

• Does it get full sun, part sun, or shade?
• Is the soil well-drained or a bit soggy?
• Are you working with a flat area or a slope?
• Can you see it from your kitchen window or patio?

These questions help you pick the right plants and place them where they’ll thrive. I’ve made a few mistakes (more like hundreds but I'm not saying) over the years planting sun-lovers in shady spots and trust me, it’s worth taking a few days to watch the light and get to know your yard.

Step 2: Understand Bloom Times

To create a flower garden that blooms every season, you need to plan your blooms like a calendar. Here in Victoria, you can break it down into five basic seasons:

• Winter: December – February
• Early Spring: February – April
• Late Spring: April – June
• Summer: June – August
• Fall: September – November

If you have a few plants blooming in each of these timeframes, you’ll never have a dull moment in your garden.

Step 3: Choose the Right Flowers for Victoria, BC

Here’s a list I’ve pulled together from my own garden and other local favourites featuring plants that perform well in Victoria’s climate and keep the blooms coming year-round.

🌸 Winter (December to February)

• Hellebores – Also known as Christmas Rose. I’ve got a few under my trees that brighten up gloomy days.
• Camellias – Some varieties bloom right in the heart of winter.
• Snowdrops – Tiny but tough. You’ll spot these in neighbourhood boulevards in January.
• Winter Heather – Adds soft colour to borders and banks.

🌱 Early Spring (February to April)

• Crocuses – The first sign that spring is coming.
• Daffodils – You can’t drive through Oak Bay in March without seeing thousands.
• Tulips – Colourful and reliable — just plant them in fall.
• Primroses – Great for borders and shady spots.

🌷 Late Spring (April to June)

• Bleeding Heart – Delicate and beautiful. A favourite of mine under trees.
• Rhododendrons – Practically a symbol of Victoria. Their size and colour are unmatched.
• Azaleas – Smaller cousins to rhodies, great in part shade.
• Iris – Tall and dramatic. I love these in backyard corners.

🌞 Summer (June to August)

• Lavender – Hardy, fragrant, and easy to grow. I’ve got a few in my front yard that the bees go crazy for.
• Roses – The classic. Prune them well and they’ll reward you all summer.
• Geraniums – Perfect in baskets and window boxes.
• Daylilies – Practically bulletproof and bold in colour.

🍂 Fall (September to November)

• Japanese Anemones – Soft and graceful blooms into October.
• Asters – Great for late colour and pollinators.
• Chrysanthemums – The classic fall bloom.
• Hardy Fuchsia – Still hanging on into November most years.

Step 4: Design Your Garden for Year-Round Colour

Now for the fun part, the layout and design. Here’s how I plan my garden for visual interest in every season:

Layer Your Plantings

• Back row (tall plants): Roses, rhododendrons, iris, daylilies.
• Middle row (medium height): Lavender, camellias, bleeding hearts, chrysanthemums.
• Front row (low growers): Crocuses, primroses, snowdrops, winter heather.

Mix Evergreen and Seasonal Plants

Evergreens like camellias or boxwood add structure all year. Then rotate in colourful perennials and annuals as the seasons change.

Use Containers and Hanging Baskets

Swap out pots seasonally - I keep a few by my back deck and patio that change with the calendar. Geraniums in summer, pansies in winter. Simple and effective.

Step 5: A Month-by-Month Planting & Blooming Guide

To help you plan better, here’s a calendar I use as a rough guide through the year. It’s not strict, just a good starting point.

🌸 Blooming Calendar

🌱 Planting Calendar

Step 6: Maintain Your Garden Year-Round

Maintenance is where the magic really happens. Here’s what I do to keep my garden looking great without going overboard:

• Deadhead regularly: Keeps the blooms coming.
• Compost and feed: Especially in spring and midsummer.
• Water smart: Use rain barrels and avoid overwatering.
• Mulch in fall: Protects the roots and suppresses weeds.
• Prune when needed: Especially roses, shrubs, and lavender after they finish flowering.

If you’re lucky enough to live in Victoria, or soon plan to, then building a year-round flower garden is one of the best ways to enjoy everything this city has to offer. It’s good for the soul, good for the bees, and great for adding colour to our already beautiful neighbourhoods.

With a little planning, a mix of the right plants, and a few afternoons of digging and planting, your yard can be a source of pride (and joy) all year long. Don’t worry if you’re just getting started, gardening in Victoria is as rewarding as it is forgiving.

Want more tips about living and blooming in Victoria, BC? Check out the rest of this site Moving To Victoria BC, I’ve packed it with local advice, guides, and real-life insights from someone who’s been here forever. Let’s grow something beautiful together.