Van Dusen Garden is fabulous any time of year, but it is really glorious in the spring. Quite the palette as you wander along Rhododendron Walk. They have over 600 species and a bunch of hybrids.
There are a number of really fragrant ones!
Himalayan blue poppies (Meconopsis betonicifolia) are stunning! This species of the Papaveraceae is native to Tibet and parts of China. The genus is more widespread. It is not a true poppy as that distinction is given to species of Papaver.
The brightly colours pollen is obvious and the anthers become dark specks as it is released.
There are lots of other cool plants in the garden. In case you are curious about the picture on the front page of my e-portfolio…and you are wondering what the students are finding so amusing, I include a picture of a leaf of which has been torn. The latex within the laticifers of the leaf hold all the pieces together. This plant, Eucommia ulmoides or Hardy Rubber Tree (Family Eucommiaceae) was examined as a possible source of rubber during the second world war as tropical regions of the whorl. The bark of this tree has been used for over 2000 in Chinese herbal medicines. More Info.
Note: the picture on the front of the website was taken at the Old UBC Arboretum.