As the temperatures rise, you might be considering a summer road trip or some leisurely day excursions. But have you thought about adding a public garden to your summer plans? Across Canada, unique green spaces are opening up, offering visitors a chance to relax and unwind while exploring native plants, sustainable horticulture, and the essential role of pollinators.
Here are some of Canada’s most stunning and captivating gardens to visit this season. Make sure to check their websites for opening dates, tour information, special events, and the blooming schedule during your visit.
**British Columbia**
**The Butchart Gardens** in Brentwood Bay, B.C., attract over a million visitors annually. This 120-year-old garden spans 22 hectares and is famous for its vibrant blooms, including the picturesque Sunken Garden with its 151 flower beds and winding paths.
**The Gardens at Horticulture Centre of the Pacific** in Victoria offer themed spaces like the largest outdoor bonsai garden in Canada, a bridal-themed garden, and a children’s garden with educational experiences.
**UBC Botanical Garden** in Vancouver, established in 1916, is the oldest university botanical garden in Canada. It features various gardens, including a meadow, woodland garden, and the Greenheart TreeWalk, which takes you 20 meters above the forest floor.
**Alberta**
**Muttart Conservatory** in Edmonton houses over 700 plant species in its four glass pyramids, each representing a different biome — temperate, arid, tropical, and rotating exhibitions.
**University of Alberta Botanic Garden** in Parkland County is the largest public garden in Alberta, offering unique spaces like the Indigenous Peoples Garden and the Kurimoto Japanese Garden.
**Saskatchewan**
**Patterson Garden Arboretum** in Saskatoon, part of the University of Saskatchewan, serves as a conservation area for native plants and endangered tree species, thriving in the challenging climate conditions of zone 3b.
**Manitoba**
**Assiniboine Park Conservancy** in Winnipeg boasts six main gardens and The Leaf, an indoor experience featuring four biomes and Canada’s tallest indoor waterfall.
**Ontario**
**Royal Botanical Gardens** in Hamilton and Burlington cover 850 hectares and showcase ornamental spaces like Hendrie Park’s rose garden and the David Braley and Nancy Gordon Rock Garden.
**Toronto Botanical Garden** offers 18 themed spaces, including the entry garden walk and the demonstration courtyard, with a range of programming throughout the year.
**Whistling Gardens** in Wilsonville, Ont., transformed from a cornfield, features diverse plant collections and a grand water theatre inspired by Versailles.
**Quebec**
**Reford Gardens (Jardins de Métis)** in Grand-Métis spans 18 hectares along the St. Lawrence River, showcasing Elsie Reford’s gardens and thought-provoking installations from the International Garden Festival.
**New Brunswick**
**Kingsbrae Garden** in St. Andrews features over 50,000 perennials, themed spaces like the children’s fantasy garden, and a sculpture garden.
**New Brunswick Botanical Garden** in Edmundston offers themed gardens, herbalist shops, and unique mosaïculture structures like a 12-foot-tall horse.
**Newfoundland**
**Memorial University Botanical Garden** in St. John’s is a hub for research and education, featuring themed gardens and diverse ecosystems accessible through hiking trails or kayaking.
**Nova Scotia**
**Halifax Public Gardens** in Halifax, a national historic site, showcases Victorian-era designs and hosts summer concerts at the bandstand.
**Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens** in Annapolis Royal merge history and nature with a recreated Acadian house, a knot garden, a rose maze, and an extensive rose collection.
These gardens offer a perfect opportunity to unwind, connect with nature, and learn about diverse plant species while enjoying the beauty of Canada’s natural landscapes.