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VanDusen
Botanical Garden1 |
As most of Canada
passes much of the year buried in snow, it's not surprising that Canadians and
visitors alike get excited about stepping out and smelling the roses with the
coming of spring. Exhibiting the flora of Canada's vast landscapes and often
exotic species from afar, the country's public gardens foster an appreciation
of the planet's diverse, precious and vital plant life, and offer brightly coloured,
sweet-scented and lovingly tended natural sanctuaries for anyone to enjoy. The
Great White North's publicly accessible gardens bloom among the world's best
and here are WorldWeb.com's Top
10 picks.
VANDUSEN BOTANICAL GARDEN
A true urban oasis, the VanDusen
Botanical Garden was opened to the public in 1975 and consists of 22
ha (55 acres) in downtown Vancouver,
British Columbia. This botanical
paradise thrives in Vancouver's mild climate and nurtures thousands of plant
species from around the world. Visitors can enjoy the garden year round, exploring
pathways that meander through diverse sprawling gardens, by peaceful lakes and
past compelling sculptures. An island of nature in a sea of traffic and skyscrapers,
the garden is dedicated to conservation and offers various educational programs
and summer camps.
The VanDusen Botanical Garden also hosts a potpourri of events throughout the
year, from festivals to concerts.
LES JARDINS DE QUATRE-VENTS
Located in La Malbaie,
Quebec, the gardens of Quatre-Vents
have overcome the area's cool northern climes to become a vision of astounding
botanical bounty. This 8-ha (20-acre) estate was developed during the 1930s
to '70s by the Cabot family, its cultivation inspired by gardens from England
to Japan. Cleverly designed to accentuate blooming colours, natural juxtapositions
and harmonies, les Jardins de Quatre-Vents is an artistic masterpiece as well
as a unique horticultural achievement.
The world-famous Jardins de Quatre-Vents is actually a private garden but opened
to the public four times during summer and by appointment. Don't miss it.
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| The
Rose Garden at Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens2 |
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KINGSBRAE GARDEN
St. Andrews, New
Brunswick boasts a botanical gem: the 11-ha (27-acre) Kingsbrae
Garden. Representative of both traditional and exciting new garden designs,
this Eden features numerous themed gardens with more than 50,000 flowers and
plants, an old-growth Acadian forest, a cedar maze, a Dutch windmill, sculptures
and ponds.
Open May to October, the Kingsbrae Garden is a favourite among families. Children
love the resident alpacas, goats, ducks and peacocks and are enchanted by the
Fantasy Garden, complete with a cute castle and teapot trees. In the Edible
Garden, tempting fruit and berries await picking and tasting.
NIAGARA PARKS BOTANICAL GARDENS
The Falls
are not the only spectacle of nature to admire in Niagara
Falls, Ontario.
The Niagara
Parks Botanical Gardens, a 10-minute drive north of the Falls, is a
picturesque 40-ha (99-acre) park also worthy of photographing.
Established in 1936 and open year round, the botanically-rich gardens are greatly
utilized by students of the Niagara
Parks School of Horticulture, while visitors come from miles to adore
and envy the renowned English estate-styled rose garden and its 2,400 roses.
The butterfly garden and conservatory, where various species of native butterflies
flutter, are another lure, and visitors are also able to enjoy horse and carriage
tours during summer.
BUTCHART GARDENS
With a yearly visitor count near one million, Butchart
Gardens in Brentwood
Bay, British Columbia
is definitely deserving of inclusion on a Top 10 list.
Jennie Butchart began planting the gardens during the first decade of the 20th
century to beautify her husband's exhausted limestone quarry. A National Historic
Site of Canada, the impressive property is now owned by Butchart family descendents.
The stunning grounds cover 22 ha (55 acres) and offer a colourful escape to
the public year round. Burgeoning with stunning flowers from March to October,
the gardens feature night illumination, fireworks and live entertainment during
summer, an outdoor skating rink during winter and enchanting Christmas displays
throughout January.
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| Butchart
Gardens3 |
MONTREAL BOTANICAL GARDENS
Founded in Montreal,
Quebec in 1931, the Montreal
Botanical Gardens then provided a bright speck of hope for Quebecers
during the otherwise gloomy Great Depression. The vast 75-ha (185-acre) attraction
is home to flora from around the world—from the Sonoran Desert to China—in
30 thematic gardens, 10 exhibition greenhouses and an expansive arboretum.
Open all year, the Montreal Botanical Gardens are covered in snow during winter,
but the greenhouses are always a lush, tropical escape from the weather. Springtime
sees the annual Butterflies Go Free event from February through April and tea
ceremonies are performed in the Japanese Garden during summer.
JARDINS DE MÉTIS (REFORD GARDENS)
The Reford
Gardens—or les Jardins de Métis—National Historic Site
in Grand-Métis, Quebec
was established by determined Elsie Reford back in 1926 as she endeavoured to
transform her inherited fishing camp into a garden. Situated on the Métis
River, this impressive floral feat was opened to the public in 1962.
Among the garden's 3,000-odd species of native and foreign plants and flowers,
the rare Himalayan blue poppy (blooming here from the end of June through July)
demonstrates Elsie's admirable green thumb. Located on the grounds, the historic
Esteven Lodge was Elsie's summer home and features summer exhibitions and a
dining area. The gardens are open from June to October.
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Jardins
de Métis (Reford Gardens) Poppy Walk4 |
MILNER GARDENS &
WOODLAND
In the charming east coast town of Qualicum
Beach on Vancouver
Island, British Columbia,
is an expansive and handsome seaside garden stretching along the Strait
of Georgia. Its glorious sea views, achingly pretty woodland gardens,
tranquil forest and abundant bird life have even attracted visitors from England's
Royal Family.
The stunning 28-ha (70-acre) estate was originally purchased by successful businessman,
Ray Milner, and the garden developed and tended by his second wife, Veronica
Milner—an avid and talented gardener and artist, and related to royalty
herself!
Over and above its exceptional beauty, Milner
Gardens and Woodland protects one of the last old growth forests in
the area. Visitors are welcome between April and October.
HALIFAX PUBLIC GARDENS
From May to November, people love to stroll the rambling pathways, settle under
a shady tree to read, and set their worries free on the fragrant breezes of
the Halifax
Public Gardens in Halifax,
Nova Scotia. The Garden
was opened in 1867 and remains virtually unchanged since then, offering a haven
of authentic Victorian charm in the middle of the city. It was designated a
National Historic Site in 1984.
In true Victorian fashion, the gardens are adorned with mythic statues, fountains
and a great variety of flora typical of grand 18th-century estates. During summer,
visitors can soak up festive concerts at the pretty bandstand.
RIDEAU HALL GARDENS
Ottawa's Rideau
Hall is the official residence of the governor general and its stately
grounds one of the city's most-loved green spaces. The 32-ha (79-acre) estate
has been continuously evolving since 1838 to incorporate a pleasing composition
of classic English and modern garden styles. Thousands of majestic trees stand
tall within the estate's boundaries, some of which were planted by various occupants
of Rideau Hall and visiting Heads of State.
The gardens of Rideau Hall are open all year. Visitors can opt to explore the
gardens independently or via a tour.
If you enjoyed this feature, take a look at these great WorldWeb.com articles:
• Victoria's
Tearooms & Teahouses
• Canada's
Top 10 Romantic Destinations
PHOTOS COURTESY OF:
- N. Wong; c/o VanDusen
Botanical Garden; VanDusen Botanical Garden; Vancouver, BC, Canada
- The Niagara Parks Commission; The Rose Garden at Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens; Niagara Falls,
ON, Canada
- Butchart Gardens;
Brentwood Bay, BC, Canada
- Louise Tanguay; c/o
Jardins de Métis (Reford Gardens); Along the Blue Poppy Walk at the
Jardins de Métis; Grand-Métis, QC, Canada
Canada
