Mother’s Day Musical Garden Tour
Mother’s Day Musical Garden Tour
May 8-9, 2027
About
The Mother’s Day Musical Garden Tour is the perfect way to celebrate Mother’s Day weekend with the ones you love.
Explore stunning, hand-picked gardens throughout Greater Victoria, each full of vibrant spring colours. Your two-day pass gives you exclusive access to these backyard escapes while enjoying the musical talents of Victoria Conservatory of Music students and faculty.
All proceeds support music education and wellness in our community.
Could your garden join Victoria’s finest?
Become part of a cherished tradition that showcases some of the region’s most exceptional private gardens. By opening your gates, you will help create a memorable experience for visitors while supporting the work of the Victoria Conservatory of Music.
If you are curious about having your garden featured, we would love to hear from you! There is no commitment in reaching out, and our Garden Tour Coordinator would be happy to answer your questions and tell you more about what is involved.
Interested in learning more? Contact Julie Ryning at developmentevents[at]vcm.bc.ca or 250-386-5311
Thank You Volunteers
Our volunteers are the heart of the Garden Tour.
If you would like to become a Garden Sitter and receive a FREE ticket, fill out our Volunteer Application Form.
History of the Garden Tour
The Garden Tour has been a treasured annual event in the community since 1982, bringing music lovers together to enjoy beautiful private gardens and delightful music from students of the Victoria Conservatory of Music.
About Ann and George Nation
Ann and George Nation created the Mother’s Day Musical Garden tour as a way to raise funds for the Victoria Conservatory of Music. The couple, along with a dedicated group of their friends and volunteers, organized every aspect of the tour – coordinating the gardens, publicity, sponsorship, plant sale, and offering tea and music to the hundreds and thousands of visitors who have attended the Garden Tour over these many years. George, an avid gardener, grew every single plant and cutting that he submitted every year to the Plant Sale; there are many people today who can look at their own magnificent gardens to see what is now a beautiful tree or plant that was created by the hands of George Nation!
The Nations nurtured the tour to become one of the most loved and successful annual charitable fundraising events in Victoria. They also continued the work started by Ann’s mother by providing very generous, loyal financial support that helped sustain the Conservatory over all of those many years. Their enormous contribution was recognized by naming the “Ann and George Nation Conservatory School of Classical Music” as a lasting legacy when the organization celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2014.
George passed away on March 12th 2017 at the age of 97, and Ann passed away on June 1, 2019. We honour them for their energy, spirit, and unfailing support of and dedication to music education.
Times Colonist House Beautiful Features
Many of the Mother’s Day Musical Garden Tour homes and gardens have been featured in the Times Colonist House Beautiful feature. Look back at a few of our favourites:
May 2, 2015 | Sounds of Music in the Gardens
July 23, 2016 | Kid-friendly character in the Uplands
May 6, 2017 | Modern vintage in Fairfield
May 5, 2018 | A heavenly abode of heritage in Gordon Head
April 27, 2019 | A ship-shape seaside garden
May 10, 2019 | Mid-century Rockland gem
May 9, 2020 | Son of Victoria gardening legends has passion for landscapes
April 24, 2021 | From debris to delight, Sunnymead garden takes shape over 3 decades
April 30, 2022 | Spectacular water feature the beating heart of verdant landscape at Ten Mile Point home
May 4, 2024 | A lifelong love affair with stones home
May 3, 2025 | Painting ‘rivers of colour’ in the garden
Thank you to our 2026 Sponsors
Presenting Sponsors
Garden Sponsors
Notable Sponsors
In Kind Sponsors
Media Sponsor
