Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens in Comox Valley, Vancouver Island, Canada | Gardens

Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens in Courtenay, Comox Valley, British Columbia, has one of the largest rhododendron collections in Western Canada with over 3000 varieties. Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens is also home to a multitude of native plants, birds and wildflowers. Its 24 wooded acres are covered with bark mulch paths and many water feature. It is recognized as one of the world's finest informal show Gardens.We look forward to seeing you at the Gardens.
Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens are an act of love, developed by one man in an effort to fulfill a dream to share with all. Bryan Zimmerman's Xmas Tree Farm and Santa's Barn are well-known in the Comox Valley during the winter months. He always knew he lived in a beautiful spot but it wasn't until he began clearing out some of the thick brush on his 24 acres of forested land that he thought of a way to share it with others.
Studying the interesting topography and unique layout gave him the idea for creating the woodland Gardens. Over the next two years he began to build his wonderland dream clearing the underbrush by hand to reveal a forest floor more beautiful than he had imagined.
The beauty of the Gardens is that most of the forests natural finery has been left alone, embellished, but not overwhelmed by cultivation. The Gardens are especially designed to showcase the most beautiful of all shrubs, the rhododendron.
Bryan has planted over 3000 rhododendrons of different varieties and sizes as well as companion plants and cultivated trees, all blending into the breathtakingly beautiful natural surroundings.
To take a walk through Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens in Courtenay, Comox Valley, British Columbia, gives one a feeling of peace and well-being. In the upper area he's used the land contours to his advantage in the placing of several ponds. The serenity draws one to follow the soft cedar bark paths, and the enticing trails that disappear into the woodlands. Granite rocks from the valley mountains line the pathways.
Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens are an evolving vision. Future plans include a natural Japanese garden, and a rhodo test garden.