Because plants have long been jealous of our ability to live indoors, they attempt to infiltrate our finest mansions and universities by slowly climbing stony facades. Visit a place built specifically to contain these floral strivers with today's Groupon: for $36, you get a one-year family membership at VanDusen Botanical Garden (a $73 value).

Since 1975, the 22-hectare garden has been a favourite of locals looking to experience nature's splendour or seek solace from evil step-parents in the garden's phantasmagoric escapes. A family membership grants two adults and their brood entrance to the park year-round, except during some special events. A collection of approximately 255,000 individual plants from around the world flourish on the green grounds, gathered in pastoral landscape settings for ample ambling enjoyment. Torture a colour-blind ex-boyfriend by bringing him to the vibrantly rainbowesque rhododendron walk, or indulge in a flashback from your recent Turkey travels by venturing to the Mediterranean Garden, a fragrant spot festooned with sun-loving rock roses, lavender, and rosemary. A children’s garden, filled with whimsical and silly-shaped shrubberies, will delight tots and the easily amused, and the hedge maze offers an opportunity to ditch a date whose manners are more ephemeral than Dutchman's Breeches. The mild climate at VanDusen allows plants of many species to flourish year-round; consult the bloom calendar for more-detailed information.

In addition to free entrance, your membership privileges include discounted admission on special events, a quarterly newsletter, and a photo membership card to show off to friends and interested officers of the law. So take this opportunity to get closer to nature over time, or gift a membership to a flower-obsessed friend.

This deal is valid for new members only. It is not valid for renewals or memberships that have lapsed within the last six months.

Reviews

VanDusen Botanical Garden was featured on 10Best and is a Tourism Vancouver Top 10 Fall Activity. Yelpers and five TripAdvisors give it a 4.5-star average rating:

• Heathers, Autumn crocus, hydrangeas and more bloom during the fall at VanDusen Botanical Garden, giving visitors the simple pleasure of soaking up picture-perfect fall landscapes. – Tourism Vancouver
• The hexagon-shaped Korean Pavilion is the highlight of the Asian Gardens, and a wishing fountain is the centerpiece of the Children's Garden. – 10Best