June is busting out all over,
and the Gardens are having a wonderful spring!
The wisteria and laburnum arbours are at peak bloom,
and the rhodo collection is also a major highlight.
This is another "don't miss" time in the Gardens!
Below is a summary of our current highlights.
Things are changing every day, so best to come often!
Currently in bloom:
• Rhodies /Azaleas - Very colourful. A highlight for another week or so. Check out the pendulous blossoms of the enkianthus as well.
• Lilacs (just finishing), barberry, viburnum, weigela, horsechestnut, mountain ash, Eastern Redbud, Carolina silverbells, Carolina allspice
• Chinese mayapples, English bluebells, Siberian irises, fothergilla, Solomon's Seal, early peonies, crimson clover, lupins and some early roses
• Special:
○ Red Horsechestnut (Middle path, near Grass Collection)
○ Both the Laburnum Arbour & Wisteria Arbour are in full bloom
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
The Arbours are Showstoppers!
Both the wisteria and the laburnum are at their peak,
and what a bloom they are having!
And the Rhodo Collection is a huge highlight!
Here is just a taste...
The Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens has an extensive collection of rhododendrons and azaleas and many of them have a Nova Scotia connection. Just coming into bloom are some of those bred by Halifax’s own John Weagle. John has been breeding rhododendrons and azaleas for decades, among them a series of “Scotian” evergreen azaleas, such as these.
The Rhododendron Collection will continue to be a highlight for the next week or so!
Visit soon!
Other June blossoms
Siberian Iris
Weigela 'Samba'
Father Hugo rose
Russian Olive
Carolina Allspice
'Black Tulip' magnolia
Enkianthus
2026 Memberships
Drop in soon to renew, or to get your first-ever Gardens Membership!
To purchase online: Buy Now
OR
Phone us at 902-532-7018
Critter Corner
We are very fortunate to have so many feathered friends around the Gardens.
We are always thankful for our wonderful gardeners,
and extra thankful when they capture photos for us!
Thanks to Jenn for this baby robin pic.
Birding in the Gardens
The Gardens is a great place for birding with so many species passing through
as well as our summer long and year round residents.
Through their song, Mother Nature provides us with a symphony of music to enjoy every day!
News...
Still more faeries have arrived!
It must have been good travel weather, because this past week we discovered that MORE faeries have arrived at the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens. This wee one has clearly settled in and has hung out her laundry to take advantage of this beautiful day.
Kids are fascinated with the many faerie houses here!
Our Garden Babies sale continues...
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.
The gardeners are now turning their attention to planting annuals,
including our massive Victorian Garden.
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 to 1981 and the FIRST EVER planting of the Victorian Garden!
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
NEW - stickers and pins featuring birding messages,
and some with Historic Gardens images too!
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.
Explore now!
And in the Elm Tree Cafe...
Among my favourite lunches from the Cafe is the Curried Chicken sandwich,
served with a side of kettle chips.
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!
More early June highlights...
Globeflower
Mountain Bluet
Allium
Lilacs
In the greenhouse, hot peppers are growing.
Cafe staff look forward to the harvest, so they can create more of their popular bottled hot sauces
available for purchase in the Gardens Shop.
Red Horsechestnut 'Briotii'
Tree peony 'Houki'
A lovely resting spot beside the Laburnum Arbour.
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...
Sometimes, you just need to pause and absorb the beauty around you.
See you soon!
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