Victoria launches flower count to remind everyone the weather’s nicer there
Published 9:30 am Thursday, February 26, 2026
Flower power is on full display as Greater Victoria heralds in spring, both counting blooms and pennies to keep hanging baskets in downtown.
Destination Greater Victoria, the City of Victoria and community partners kicked off the 51st annual Greater Victoria Flower Count on Wednesday (Feb. 25) with a side quest to launch the city’s new hanging basket donation program.
“For generations, Victoria’s reputation as the Garden City has been rooted in the care shown by our community. Since the hanging basket program began in 1937, flowers have helped define the welcoming character of our downtown. The Greater Victoria Flower Count continues this tradition, inviting residents to celebrate our city’s natural beauty. I am grateful to everyone supporting the Hanging Basket Donation Program and helping keep these cherished symbols of our city thriving,” Mayor Marianne Alto said.
During the lighthearted competition, residents are encouraged to report flower counts across the region from March 4 to 11.
Winners are then proclaimed “bloomingest community” and “bloomingest classroom”. Victoria claimed the title in 2025 with more than 30 billion blooms counted and registered by residents. Saanich was runner-up at nearly 8 billion and the 2025 Winning School and Bloomingest Classroom went to Ms. Moll’s class at Margaret Jenkins Elementary in Victoria.
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In 1976, over 130 million blooms were counted. By 1996, with a growing population and more community participation, that figure rose to over 4 billion blooms. In 2010, new highs were set with 21 billion flowers counted; and then another high was reached in 2024 when we tallied just over 38 billion blooms. In 2025, the total count reached 44 billion.
While pruning its budget, the City of Victoria cut the hanging basket program in half for 2026, focusing on high tourism areas. Subsequently, DGV offered to both donate and co-develop a program to gather contributions to keep the full contingent of more than 1,200 baskets blooming in the city’s core.
The Hanging Basket Donation Program provides a voluntary way for residents, businesses, and organizations to help sustain this longstanding tradition. The fundraising target is $130,000, which would restore the program to its previous scale. Destination Greater Victoria and the City of Victoria are working together to administer the Hanging Basket Donation Program. The program is already in healthy order, with Butchart Gardens contributing $25,000, the Downtown Victoria Business Association and Destination Greater Victoria each providing $10,000.
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“From the annual flower count to our downtown hanging baskets, gardens and blooms are woven into the identity of Victoria and the Saanich Peninsula. To create a vibrant welcome for residents and visitors alike, The Butchart Gardens is proud to sponsor the 2026 flower count and help lead the return of our downtown hanging baskets,” said Dave Cowen, CEO of The Butchart Gardens.
Donations can be made in person at the Visitor Centre on Wharf Street, city hall or by e-transfer to hangingbaskets@victoria.ca. Learn more at victoria.ca/parks-recreation/our-parks/hanging-baskets.
In a region blooming with growth while much of the country is under ice and snow, it may seem daunting to count the flowers. But DGV has a guide to hook a person up in such a situation.
The guide suggests a small tree full of blossoms is an estimated 250,000, medium 500,0000 and large 750,000. A small heather bush would be 500, medium 1,000 and large 2,000.
There’s also a handy downloadable flower count tally sheet available online at flowercount.com.
Hidden Blooms:
Every day of Flower Count 2026, running from March 4 to 11, residents can also participate in Used.ca’s Find The Hidden Bloom Contest to win a giftbag of local goodies. Visit Used.ca’s social media channels, check out the Hint of the Day, and use it to find the hidden bloom tucked away on the website.
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