A Celebration of Flowers

This incredible bee was created using pine cones, grasses, carnations and roses.

Artfully arranged cut flowers are everywhere.

Orchids, carnations, roses and spruce cones are arranged into a huge pink butterfly.

Burnaby in Blooms is a much loved annual event held every May at the Shadbolt Centre of the Arts at Deer Lake Park. Shadbolt’s exquisite gardens and the natural beauty of the park are the perfect setting to celebrate the beauty of nature – with armloads of flowers. Whimsical exhibits and superb artistic displays of blossoms of all shapes, sizes and colours are one of the many highlights of the event. 

A creative caterpillar creation.

A floral enhanced bicycle accents the flower covered pillar.

Thank goodness bees aren't this big.

​I’ve participated in this fanciful romp into the world of flowers and nature for two years. It’s a joyous event that has something for everyone, young and old. The jaw-dropping floral displays stop people in their tracks as they try to figure out how in the world they are made and with some exhibits - engineered. In 2022, I was in awe of the fantastical giant insects made from cut flowers. They were spectacular. 

It's a flower fly.

Shadbolt's Art Centre's pillars never looked so good.

A detail close-up of the flower fly.

Hundreds, if not thousands of cut flowers were used to embellish the many pillars.

A huge pink butterfly made of flowers.

A painted bicycle is a colourful accent.

Each year a myriad of roses, lilies, orchids and other floral gems are skillfully and artfully wrapped around the centre’s many pillars. The Burnaby in Bloom displays are not only exquisite but are thought provoking. In 2024, the main exhibits included household furniture items including chairs, a four poster bed, an immense dining table, a tv set and a microwave were transformed into works of art with the addition of flowers, foliage and moss. 

A huge floral covered table was an attention getter.

A chandelier is nestled among the greenery.

These chairs are not for sitting.

The extensively decorated  dining table was a major attraction. It was a lesson in creativity and was meant more for flower fairies, pixies, goblins and creatures of the woods than for us regular folk. The colourful plates, fluted glasses, and a chandelier – yes, a chandelier - where surrounded by moss, ferns, logs, funky branches and even more flowers. The accompanying chairs created quite a buzz as the seats were generously planted planters.

Another popular attraction in 2024 was the ‘bedroom’. The garden bed display was literal in every sense. A four poster bed became an actual garden with flowers for pillows with and overhead canopy adorned with roses. Not to be outdone, the bureau drawers were used as flower boxes and a large mirror was framed with moss and roses. 

Roses galore.

There's gerbera daisies on the microwave.

More roses.

Roses, lilies & ferns.

What's on tv? A flower fest is literally on the tv tonight.

Fantastic flowers flow over the pillars.

​​Added attractions at this annual festival always include local garden clubs. They feature all kinds of plants for sale grown by their members.  Local potters and other vendors sell their lovingly crafted handmade wares and there’s face painting for the children, magical people walking on stilts, Morris Dancers, live music, food trucks and gardens to admire. There’s never a dull moment.
Not just a pretty face, Burnaby in Blooms offered educational talks, workshops  and demonstrations with emphasis on sustainability and eco-friendly activities for the whole family. Join in the fun next May. I hope to see you there. 

One of the entrances into the festival.