Winter is long gone, but Vancouverites now have the chance to peep some natural snow-covered trees inside the Bloedel Conservatory in Queen Elizabeth Park.

By snow, we actually mean tiny white flowers that give off the illusion of a fresh dusting.

These “snow tower” plants, known scientifically as tree echium (echium pininana), are native to the Mediterranean and rare to Canada. They are an endangered species to La Palma in the Canary Islands, and considered giants of the herbaceous plant world.

The Vancouver Park Board acquired tree echium seeds two years ago, which have finally reached its flowering season. The biennial plants produces white flowers on its flower spike, and can reach up to fifteen-feet high.

Judging from the photos provided to media, these towering beauties look like they’ve been plucked straight from a winter movie set. We suggest heading there as soon as possible to catch a glimpse of these rare plants, because they will only be available for a few weeks.

“We expect this exotically beautiful tall plant will cause a lot of excitement among plant lovers,” said Vancouver Park Board chair Stuart Mackinnon, in a press statement. “Flower buds will continue to unfurl and expand over the bloom phase, making the flower stalk wider and more impressive over time. It should flower into June before completing its life cycle and dying.”

The park board has also been able to obtain other varieties of tree echium seeds, which originate from places like northern Iran and Eastern Europe.

Last summer, the Bloedel Conservatory caused a stir with another rare plant known as the corpse flower, or titan arum. This species is notorious for its rotten smell during its 48-hour blooming period, which can take seven to 10 years for an inaugural bloom.

Even with such an uninviting characteristic, it didn’t stop city-dwellers from visiting.