Garden Making’s coast-to-coast tour of the Canada Garden Route began in mid-May on British Columbia’s Vancouver Island and ended a month and a half later in St. John’s, Newfoundland. And what an exciting, whirlwind trip it was! People ask me, “What was the best part of the trip?” And honestly, there were so many “bests” I thought the only way to answer the question was to jot them down here. I hope you enjoy my reminiscences as much as I loved the experience.
Best display of art in the garden
Best display of peonies
Best display of rhododendrons
Best gardens along bicycling routes
- Domaine de Maizerets, Parc linear de la Rivère-Saint-Charles, Promenade Samuel de Champlain
- St. Albert Botanic Park and Art Walk
Best hands-on experience
Best media coverage
- The Butchart Gardens, CTV Victoria
- Charlie Dobbin’s Garden and Home Show, Zoomer Radio
- Niki Jabbour’s The Weekend Gardener, News 95.7 FM
Best online conversation
Best rainy day experiences
- Sampling food and honey, Toronto Botanical Gardens Farmers Market
- Reaching the most easterly point in Canada, Cape Spear
Best teaching gardens
Best gardening tips
- Taking flower photos, Devonian Botanical Garden
- Ladder planting, Halifax Public Gardens
- Trying my hand at calligraphy, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
Exhibition that most took my breath away
Garden most worthy of reaching by a midnight ferry ride
Moment of greatest zonal envy
- Banana trees that overwinter outdoors, The Hatley Gardens at Royal Roads University
Most breathtaking display of blue poppies
Are you serious? They all were!
Most breathtaking natural landscape
Most breathtaking native plantscape
- Prairie crocuses, Devonian Botanic Garden
Most breathtaking trees
- Handkerchief tree (Davidia involucrata), The Butchart Gardens
Most heartwarming welcome
- Junior garden campers, MUN Botanical Garden
Most impressive rock gardens
- Alpine Garden, Devonian Botanic Garden
- Bernard Jackson Rock Garden, MUN Botanical Garden
Most interesting garden design element
- Broderie, Halifax Public Gardens
Most interesting research project
- Indigena Skin Care native plant products, MUN Botanical Garden
Most childlike experience
- Walking barefoot in Philosopher’s Court, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
Most exciting new projects
- Rock Garden renovation, Royal Botanical Garden
- Islamic Garden, Devonian Botanic Garden
Most forward-thinking landscape
Most spiritual sites
- MacKenzie King Estate
- Chris Booth’s Earth Art exhibit, VanDusen Gardens
Most surprising experience
- Handling bees, Toronto Botanical Garden
Most unusual (and fun!) experience
- Grand Estate Gardener Workshop, Parkwood Estate
What I most regret not having a chance to do
- Climb to the treetops and walk above the Asian Garden, UBC Botanical Garden
What I want to learn more about
- Making compost tea, The Butchart Gardens
What I most wanted to bring home with me that wouldn’t fit into my suitcase
- Glassware sun catchers, MUN Botanical Garden
What I was most thrilled at receiving
- Sou’wester rain gear Halifax Public Garden
What I’ll never forget
The many wonderful people I met along Canada’s Garden Route.
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Hi Lorraine,
I love your list of “Bests”. What an outstanding series and wonderful collection of stories and images of Canadian gardens. Thank you for all your hard work. From Victoria to St.John’s, we have a magnificent country.
Hi Ruby,
Yes, we certainly have some wonderful public gardens in Canada. I hope the stories about my visits prompt many others to explore the innovative programs and events that these gardens have to offer.
Thank you for sharing your experiences at so many of Canada’s wonderful public gardens. We just loved meeting you at the University of Alberta Devonian Botanic Garden and have enjoyed following the stories of your trip.
Hi Kerry,
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the Devonian and hope to come back soon!
Hi Donna,
Yes, I’m disappointed too, but due to scheduling limitations, I wasn’t able to visit Reford Gardens on this trip. However, I’ve been several times and know how wonderful it is, especially the international garden festival.
Cheers,
Lorraine
I am so disappointed that you didn’t get a chance to visit/comment on the Reford Gardens in Quebec. I had a chance to visit last August and it is a very special garden. Having lived in the UK for 15 years, I have seen a lot of superb gardens and Reford Garden is right up there with the best.