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Maple Garden Tour: Your 11 Prettiest Canadian Gardens EVER!
- Butchart Gardens
- Montreal Botanical Garden
- Halifax Public Gardens
- Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens
- Reford Gardens (Les Jardins de Métis)
- Kingsbrae Garden
- VanDusen Botanical Garden
- Queen Elizabeth Park and Bloedel Conservatory
- Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
- Stanley Park Rose Garden
- UBC Botanical Garden
Did you know that Canadians are avid garden lovers? It must be the lure of vibrant tulips and lush greens that pulls us away from our cozy homes, regardless of the nippy weather.
Well, I once spent an entire day in a Canadian garden, foolishly wearing shorts in the middle of spring—let’s just say I learned the hard way that beauty often comes with a chilly breeze!
If that sounded great to you, though, then let’s take a stroll through some of Canada’s finest gardens that promise more than just a good snapshot, but a refreshing dip into nature’s most artful displays!
Butchart Gardens
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Address: 800 Benvenuto Ave, Brentwood Bay, BC V8M 1J8, Canada
Website: https://www.butchartgardens.com/
Contact Details: +12506524422
Opening Hours: Per booking basis
Entrance Fee: $38.85
Butchart Gardens is a prime example of transforming a disused limestone quarry into a vibrant botanical garden. It’s accessible year-round, featuring seasonal floral displays that range from spring tulips to festive winter lights.
Plan to visit during the Spring Prelude for the best floral displays or in December for the Christmas lights. Each path offers different plant themes and settings, ensuring something new with each visit.
Pro Tip:
Visit on a weekday morning for fewer crowds and a more relaxed experience. Buying tickets online might also offer discounts.
Montreal Botanical Garden
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Address: 4101 Sherbrooke St E, Montreal, Quebec H1X 2B2, Canada
Website: https://espacepourlavie.ca/jardin-botanique
Contact Details: +15148683000
Opening Hours: Daily 9 AM–5 PM
Entrance Fee: $20.50
Montreal Botanical Garden is a vast landscape home to 22,000 plant species spread across 10 greenhouses and multiple thematic gardens.
Each garden, including the First Nations garden and the Courtyard of Senses, offers a unique exploration of flora from around the world.
With areas dedicated to different global ecosystems, visitors can wander from the tropical rainforests to the arid deserts and alpine meadows without leaving the city.
The First Nations garden is particularly insightful, showcasing plants used by indigenous peoples for medicine and food.
Pro Tip:
Check out the garden’s calendar of events before your visit. They often host special exhibitions and flower shows that are well worth timing your visit for. Early autumn is ideal for fewer crowds and pleasant weather.
Halifax Public Gardens
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Address: Spring Garden Rd. &, Summer St, Halifax, NS B3J 3S9, Canada
Website: http://www.halifaxpublicgardens.ca/
Contact Details: +19024564552
Opening Hours: Daily 8 AM–4 PM
Entrance Fee: Free
Halifax Public Gardens is a celebrated Victorian-era garden enclosed by a wrought-iron fence, sprawled across 17 lush acres.
As a National Historic Site, it features well-kept flower beds and ornamental fountains that give a glimpse into the 19th century garden culture. It’s an ideal spot for a peaceful walk or a quick escape from the city hustle.
You can enjoy the diverse plant varieties and historical statues dotted throughout the gardens. The mix of native and imported plants alongside Victorian design elements such as gazebos and intricate flower arrangements make every corner picturesque.
Strolling through the gardens, you’ll find it a quiet place perfect for relaxation or a leisurely afternoon. It’s free to enter, making it a must-visit for anyone touring Halifax.
Pro Tip:
Try to visit during the late spring or early summer when the flower beds are in full bloom for the best experience. The garden’s central location makes it easy to combine your visit with other nearby Halifax attractions.
Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens
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Address: 2565 Niagara River Pkwy, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 2S7, Canada
Website: https://www.niagaraparks.com/visit/nature-garden/botanical-gardens-2/
Contact Details: +19053568119
Opening Hours: Daily 6 AM–12 AM
Entrance Fee: Free ($15 for Butterfly Conservatory)
Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens offers a 99-acre area dedicated to horticultural learning and enjoyment. This floral paradise is not only a treat for the eyes but also houses the popular Butterfly Conservatory. Its thematic sections range from ornamental to utility-based, such as the vegetable garden.
The Butterfly Conservatory, a highlight, does have an admission fee but is worth every penny for the immersive experience with hundreds of butterflies.
Pro Tip:
The gardens are expansive, so consider renting a bike or joining a carriage tour to cover more ground efficiently. Also, spring and fall are spectacular times to visit due to the vibrant seasonal changes.
Reford Gardens (Les Jardins de Métis)
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Address: 200 QC-132, Grand-Métis, QC G0J 1Z0, Canada
Website: http://www.jardinsdemetis.com/
Contact Details: +14187752222
Opening Hours: Weekdays 8:30 AM–4 PM
Entrance Fee: $20
Located in Gaspé, Reford Gardens (Les Jardins de Métis) are renowned for their creative landscape designs that merge native and exotic plant species. These gardens began as Elsie Reford’s vision and have evolved into a horticultural masterpiece accessible to the public.
The gardens are famous for the International Garden Festival, which features innovative garden designs from around the world. Another thing that makes it so famous is its small labyrinth which makes for great Instagram photos!
The blend of traditional and contemporary elements makes it a dynamic place to explore different gardening styles and techniques.
Pro Tip:
Visiting in early to mid-summer allows you to enjoy the full bloom period and the vibrancy of the garden festival. Don’t miss the chance to dine at their seasonal restaurant, which offers dishes made from the garden’s own produce.
Kingsbrae Garden
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Address: 220 King St, St. Andrews, NB E5B 1Y8, Canada
Website: https://www.kingsbraegarden.com/
Contact Details: +15065293335
Opening Hours: Daily 5–9 PM
Entrance Fee: $15
Kingsbrae Garden in St. Andrews offers 27 acres of horticultural beauty, featuring over 50,000 perennials in various themed displays.
This garden not only entertains with its vast array of flora but also educates through its sculptural installations and the use of native plant species in landscape artistry—perfect if you’re into learning more about the different flower species in our hometown!
The garden includes a variety of themed areas, such as the Dutch windmill and the labyrinth, which are especially popular among families.
Interactive elements like the petting zoo and the children’s garden make Kingsbrae a hit with kids, providing a fun and educational outdoor experience.
Pro Tip:
Your experience can be even richer during one of their festival days, which feature special exhibits and activities. Arriving early in the morning might help you avoid the crowds and enjoy a peaceful start to your day.
VanDusen Botanical Garden
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Address: 5251 Oak St, Vancouver, BC V6M 4H1, Canada
Website: https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/vandusen-botanical-garden.aspx
Contact Details: +16042578463
Opening Hours: Daily 24/7
Entrance Fee: $11.70
VanDusen Botanical Garden is your urban escape in Vancouver, featuring 55 acres of diverse plants from around the world.
As you wander through the garden, you’ll traverse different landscapes—from a meticulously kept rose garden to a serene marshland. The Korean Pavilion and the hedge maze are just a couple of the highlights that await you.
The paths are designed for leisurely walks, allowing you to enjoy nature’s intricacies up close. You’ll find yourself slowing down to admire the detailed plant arrangements and the artful sculptures that populate the landscape.
Pro Tip:
Plan your visit for late afternoon when the garden is less crowded and the lighting is ideal for photography. The garden’s “golden hour” tours are perfect for capturing stunning photos of the landscapes bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun.
Queen Elizabeth Park and Bloedel Conservatory
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Address: 4600 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V5Y 2M4, Canada
Website: http://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/bloedel-conservatory.aspx
Contact Details: +16042578584
Opening Hours: +16042578584
Entrance Fee: Free ($7 for Bloedel Conservatory)
Head up to Queen Elizabeth Park, the highest point in Vancouver, and you can catch some breathtaking views that are sure to impress.
The park is the perfect place for plant lovers and bird watchers alike, with its diverse flora and a conservatory full of exotic birds. It’s also the best spot for a lazy afternoon or even a vibrant morning jog.
Inside, the Bloedel Conservatory is a treat. You’ll wander among tropical plants that are as exotic as the birds fluttering above your head.
Pro Tip:
The Arboreal section is a great spot within the garden to admire rare Canadian orchids—we say check them out if you love to see more unconventional plants that don’t typically grow in the country.
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
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Address: 578 Carrall St, Vancouver, BC V6B 5K2, Canada
Website: https://vancouverchinesegarden.com/
Contact Details: +16046623207
Opening Hours: Weekdays 9:30 AM–4 PM
Entrance Fee: $16
Ever wanted to step into a scene from ancient China? Visit Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden in the heart of Vancouver’s Chinatown.
This serene spot mirrors a Ming Dynasty garden, combining architecture, landscaping, and a peaceful ethos that’s both educational and visually stunning.
Take a slow walk around; you’ll notice the garden’s harmony with nature, with every pavilion, path, and pond meticulously designed to reflect traditional Chinese principles.
Pro Tip:
The garden hosts several cultural events throughout the year, including the Chinese New Year and Mid-Autumn Moon Festival. Timing your visit to coincide with these events can make for an even more memorable experience.
Stanley Park Rose Garden
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Address: 610 Pipeline Rd, Vancouver, BC V6G 3E2, Canada
Website: http://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/stanley-park.aspx
Contact Details: +16048737000
Opening Hours: Daily 6 AM–10 PM
Entrance Fee: Free
Take a walk through Stanley Park Rose Garden, nestled in one of Vancouver’s most iconic parks, and find yourself surrounded by over 3,500 rose bushes.
You’ll be treated to a variety of roses, from climbing varieties weaving up trellises to meticulously maintained shrub beds. Each visit brings something different as the garden cycles through its seasonal rhythms of color and scent.
And best of all? It’s free to explore. Just grab a coffee, wander the paths, and maybe snap a few photos—rose gardens like this are made for sharing, after all.
Pro Tip:
June and early July are the best times to visit when the roses are in peak bloom. Early mornings offer soft light for photos and fewer crowds, making it an ideal time for a quiet walk.
UBC Botanical Garden
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Address: 6804 SW Marine Dr, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
Website: http://botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/
Contact Details: +16048224208
Opening Hours: Daily 10 AM–4:30 PM
Entrance Fee: $10
Out at the University of British Columbia lies a garden that’s a living lab not just for students but for anyone keen on botanical sciences.
The UBC Botanical Garden showcases an impressive collection of plants from Asia and the Alps, arranged in a way that feels both wild and carefully curated.
Grab a map and hit the trails as they’ll lead you through temperate forests and Alpine gardens that are a rarity in urban settings. It’s a hands-on way to see conservation in action and maybe bump into some plant science enthusiasts.
Pro Tip:
Don’t miss the canopy walkway for a squirrel’s eye view of the forest—it’s a unique experience that adds a whole new layer to your garden exploration.
