It feels like July out there today!
There's still time to catch the Laburnum and Wisteria Arbours, and the later rhodos and azaleas. But don't dilly dally, or you'll miss them altogether!
Lots of other colour too, and much more just starting to open.
Below is a summary of our current highlights.
Things are changing every day, so best to come often!
Currently in bloom:
• Rhodos - the later rhodos and azaleas are still providing colour. Also the various Kalmias (Mountain Laurels) in the rhodie area are budding up nicely for their time to shine.
• Arbours: The Laburnum and Wisteria have been showstoppers. They will soon be over.
• Peonies - Coming into bloom and will be a highlight for the next week or two
• Perennial Borders are lovely - lots in bloom
• Shrubs & Trees: the fragrant Fringe Tree near grass collection is starting to bloom. Nearby the Tulip Trees are also starting to bloom. The Satomi Dogwood (pink) on the way to the Acadian Cottage, and the white Kousa Dogwoods near the Cottage, and one down between the ponds, are coming in bloom and will be highlights for the next couple weeks. Magnolia siebodii in the parking lot is starting, and Magnolia tripetala by the pond has huge flowers.
• In the Courtyard area, irises are a highlight, and other irises around the Gardens. And in the ponds, water lilies.
• Roses: More roses are blooming every day now. The "best" bloom period for the Rose Collection is likely the end of June or early July.
• The Victorian Garden is planted now and will starting filling in - a highlight all season.
Highlight times ahead:
• Roses - last week of June or early July will be biggest highlight, but they bloom all summer
• Daylilies & Hydrangeas - usually later July
• Heather Collection - early August
The Gardens are open every day 9am-5pm
Check our website for daily admission fees.
And remember - no charge for kids under 18.
Visitor Washrooms are open daily 9am-5pm
The Gardens Shop is also open 7 days a week, 9am-5pm
Visitor Information services are available daily 9am-5pm
(with self serve information available 24/7)
The Elm Tree Cafe is open daily 11am-4pm
(Note the Cafe is available exclusively for members and Garden visitors)
For detailed visitor information, hours and rates, please visit www.historicgardens.com
Rhodos, Peonies & Irises... so many colours!
And lilies & roses too!
Other June highlights
The giant flowers of Magnolia tripetala
The poppies are vibrant!
Knapweed
The Innovative Garden is growing!
The unique flower of the Chinese Tulip Tree
Cactus
Calycanthus 'Venus' - aka Sweetshrub
The very fragrant Fringe Tree
2026 Memberships
Drop in soon to renew,
or to get your first-ever Gardens Membership!
To purchase online: Buy Now
Critter Corner
Sometimes birds of a feather flock together...
but other times, they hang out with frogs!
Odds & Sods...
The tradition of Prom Photos in the Gardens goes back several decades. On June 6 we hosted just over 400 people in the Gardens on Prom night - grads, siblings, parents, grandparents, friends...
what a night!
Thanks to the AWEC Class of 2026
for making the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens part of their graduation celebrations.
The faeries continue to arrive... this one is an artist!
We still have some Garden Babies who would love a new home!
With our "pot luck" offering of divisions and seedlings from our very own Historic Gardens plants,
you can have a wee part of the Gardens in your very own yard.
Memory Lane
The Gardens officially opened to the public on August 15, 1981.
Save the Date: for our 45th birthday party on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
Today we look back at the Laburnum Arbour through the years...
First, a comparison shot of the original log arbour beside our current arbour.
Quite a difference!
And below, we show a different take on the arbour - the "window view" through the seasons starting with the spring tulip display, then the June laburnum blossoms, and finally the summer begonias.
Do you have photos or memories from the "early days" as we call them?
If so, we'd love to hear from you!
Keep an eye on our Facebook Page for frequent posts,
and we'll make them a regular feature in our Bloom Report as well.
In the Gardens Shop
Be sure to drop by and check out our gardening titles...
we've just gotten some new ones in!
The Shop is open daily, year round, from 9am-5pm. Drop in to browse.
And if you can't get here in person,
you can explore our online shop for gift ideas, and have items shipped.
And in the Elm Tree Cafe...
Even if you aren't needing lunch,
it is mighty hard to resist all the sweets and treats the Cafe creates each day!
The Elm Tree Cafe is open daily from 11am-4pm.
Our menu offering varies from day to day,
so be sure to pop in often to see what treats await you!
Road Trip!
I took what I call a "follow my nose" day on Tuesday and drove across to the South Shore to explore a bit. I ended up in the Liverpool area, and enjoyed two stunning properties as well as a stroll on nearby Carter's Beach.
My first stop was at Cosby's Garden Centre. If you have not visited before, you simply MUST!
Behind the Garden Centre itself is an incredible woodland garden walk featuring Concrete Creations by artist Ivan Higgins. You can tell the whole property is a labour of love. The woodland gardens are amazing in their own right, and the integration of Ivan's sculptures takes it to a whole new level.
Every time I visit, there are more creations to see. Here's just a taste...
My next stop was Pine Grove Park, another woodland setting but this one featuring a collection of rhododendrons. This 54 acre park was created by Bowater Mersey Paper Company in 1987 and was later dedicated to the memory of Captain Richard "Dick" Steele. It is a wonderful hike any time of the season, but I was fortunate enough to hit it during rhodo season making it all the more special!
Donations to the Gardens
The Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens Society is a registered charity whose purpose is stewardship of these Seventeen Acres of Paradise. Without the charitable donations we receive every year, the Gardens could simply not exist. We encourage you to support the Society in this important work to help to ensure the Gardens continue to blossom for future generations.
Please consider a donation today!
And to close...
As you take your mid June road trips around Nova Scotia, and to Annapolis Royal,
be sure to enjoy the roadside lupins!
And this is what happens if you shoot them from above...
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