With its diverse collection of cherry trees and moss-covered grounds, Nitobe Memorial Garden transforms into a dewy, blossoming wonderland as winter melts away. This year’s Spring Photo Contest invited visitors to capture the essence of the season through their own unique lens.
Winner: Living Bridge
Beneath the cherry blossoms, the main bridge seems to burst with life and colours as it reflects onto the mirror-like water below. As a staff member at UBC’s Faculty of Education, Derek brought together his passions for education and photography to time the photo just right.
“This photo is the result of one of Nitobe’s dedicated horticulturalists educating me on the lifecycle of the various plants in the Garden, when their peak blooms occur and the best times to photograph them. This knowledge was important for fulfilling my vision of capturing Nitobe at its liveliest point in the spring. I found myself visiting regularly just to wait for these particular trees to fully bloom! This spot is truly special, and to me, exhibits peace, vitality and beauty.”
Runner-ups
Spring Water
Nitobe Memorial Garden is always in motion. From water trickling down the rocks, forming ripples, to the branches and leaves swaying in the wind, Jiaqi’s photograph freezes the breath of lively movement in time. When looked at closely, one can almost hear the fresh water falling in tune to the song of spring.
Tranquility
Capturing the play of light, foliage, stone and running water, Sara Gunderson’s photo is a love letter to all things green. Sara writes,
“Nitobe Garden is one of my favourite places on campus. When I visited it this spring, the garden was so green and lush. Listening to the sound of the streams and watching the sunlight dance on the foliage made for a very peaceful experience. I think my photo captures these feelings and showcases the stunning greens that define the spring season.”
Spring in the Pond
At first glance, Dingwangzi’s photo looks like an ordinary landscape, but as your eyes scan closely, everything changes. Flipping the garden’s reflection in the pond upside down, this composition showcases just how crystal-clear Nitobe Garden’s waterscape is. Dingwangzi notes,
“Walking through the gate of the garden in Spring, the wide pond and the greenness are always the first things that come into view. The fresh green of the new buds on the trees in spring and the small wooden bridge, which is a symbol of Eastern aesthetics, are reflected in the pond, creating a unique scene at the Nitobe Garden that can only be seen in spring. I captured the reflections in the pond to add a sense of peacefulness and mystery to the scene, aspiring to make the view appear as if it were a painting.”
Under the Evergreens
Framed by towering evergreens sprinkled with cherry blossoms, Wendy offers a fresh story from the perspective of guests visiting the garden:
“I snapped this photo at the end of my visit to the gardens. After spending the afternoon photographing the park and seeing many different groups of visitors, each with their own reasons for being there, this quiet moment stood out to me. A group of new visitors stood still underneath the tall pine tree and chatted quietly. It felt like such a peaceful slice of life amid the busyness of the park that afternoon.”
Verdant Afternoon
Early spring mornings at Nitobe Memorial Garden promise a cool breeze with the soft glint of morning dew. Mykhailo captured just that with his composition, informed by his love of preserving fleeting moments.
“A few days before taking this photo, I read a book titled Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life. It inspired me to learn more about Japanese culture and life philosophy. Spring is always a symbol of awakening, the beginning of a new life. In my photo, I tried to capture the harmony of morning freshness and purity.”
Wrapping up this season’s photo contest, each entry offered a unique perspective while capturing the tranquil beauty of Nitobe Memorial Garden. Thank you to everyone who shared their creativity with us, and congratulations once again to the winner and runner-ups. We look forward to welcoming you back to the Garden to discover new stories through every season.
Written by:
Maryum Chaudhry
Marketing and Communications Assistant (Worklearn)
The post Announcing 2026 Spring Photo Contest Winners: Nitobe Memorial Garden Category appeared first on UBC Botanical Garden.
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