Bloom Report - March 20, 2026

March 20, 2026

Happy First Day of Spring!

I think we are all looking forward to warmer weather and the gardening season ahead.

And so are the plants!

Our witch hazels are strutting their stuff, the snowdrops are plentiful, and we are seeing many colours of crocus appearing every day.

First of all, a reminder about our current off-season hours.

The Gardens are open for walking every day 9am-5pm

through the off season as long as conditions permit. The Gardens and paths are not maintained from November to April, so you visit at your own risk.

Entry is gained through the Gardens Shop

and admission is by free will offering - suggested donation $5 per adult.

(If you have a Garden Membership, there is no expectation of an entry offering,

although donations are always gratefully accepted.)

Visitor Washrooms – Closed for the winter.

(Public washrooms are available nearby at the Town's Comfort Station on Drury Lane.)

The Gardens Shop is also open 7 days a week, 9am-5pm.

For detailed visitor information, hours and rates, please visit www.historicgardens.com

We're Hiring!

Is working in a world class garden your DREAM JOB?

Do you know someone who would LOVE it?

Here's the opportunity!

Employment at the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens provides a wonderful opportunity to work in a beautiful environment and it is rewarding to be part of the team that presents a world class facility to visitors from around the world.

We have a number of positions available for the 2026 season, ranging from 8 week student positions to full season adult positions.

Details: Join Our Team

Snowdrops

As the snow recedes at the Historic Gardens, among the first flowers to appear are snowdrops. Delicate, yet able to push their way through frozen soil, these flowers often grow in clumps and create a white carpet in areas recently covered by snow.

The genus Galanthus includes around 20 recognized species (such as Galanthus nivalis – common snowdrop), and within those species there are thousands of cultivars. Rare varieties of snowdrops are highly sought after by collectors and can cost hundreds of dollars.

Fun Fact:

Snowdrops (Galanthus) are a member of the Amaryllis plant family (Amaryllidaceae), which also includes daffodils (Narcissus), Agapanthus, onions and chives (Allium).

Raindrops on snowdrops and whiskers on kittens!

(with apologies to Rodgers & Hammerstein)

What a difference a day makes (taken last week)!

Among the amazing properties of snowdrops is their ability to bloom in the late winter. Under the snow, specially hardened leaf tips allow the snowdrop to push its way through the frost layer. Once it appears, a snowdrop is subject to temperatures that rise and fall below freezing. Snowdrops have developed antifreeze proteins (glycoproteins) that prevent the formation of ice crystals in the plant tissue. This allows snowdrops to thrive in conditions that would be fatal to many plants. (These proteins are so effective that the British army harvested snowdrops to produce antifreeze for tanks during WW1.) When temperatures rise above 10°C, the tepals of the snowdrop move upwards and outwards to take advantage of pollinating insects that are likely to be active in warmer weather. When the temperature is cooler, tepals will stay closed to protect the pollen.

What great plants!

Bird Watching

As the days get nicer, our feathered friends are becoming more present and certainly more vocal - they are excited for spring! The Historic Gardens makes a great place for birdwatching in any season.

This Downy Woodpecker has been happily hanging out in the Gardens.

2026 Memberships

Spring is HERE - have you picked up your annual membership yet?

In addition to our popular options for Adult/Senior/Student Memberships and our elevated Gold Membership, in 2025 we introduced a new option of special interest for those who may live alone and would love to have a friend or family member to walk with or join them for lunch at the Elm Tree Cafe. Our PLUS ONE Membership allows you to bring along a friend, family member or support worker to accompany you when you visit the Gardens. It is very flexible so you can bring a different person each time you visit if you wish.