As our poor Garden Gnomes can attest, this has been an old-fashioned winter for sure, with lots and lots of snow. Perhaps this is Mother Nature's way of trying to make amends for the 2025 summer drought!
Happily, the big meltdown has started and signs of spring are appearing!
We also have some news we want to share regarding the provincial budget cuts that are threatening heritage, culture and tourism in Nova Scotia.
So, we'll mix a bit of business with a lot of beauty so we can all pace ourselves.
First of all, a reminder about our winter hours.
The Gardens are open for walking every day 9am-5pm
through the winter 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
An Old Fashioned Winter
The Gardens enjoyed a cozy blanket of snow most of the winter.
In fact, it was truly a "marshmallow world" for much of February!
The only practical way to walk the grounds was with the use of snowshoes.
And the beauty made all the snowshoeing worthwhile.
Unique trees like the Dawn Redwood and the Cedar of Lebanon added winter interest.
Ice was another constant, but sometimes it made for interesting photos!
The herd of heffalumps in the Courtyard have had a very long hibernation period.
They will soon be emerging and heading off to their magical world...
As beautiful as it has been,
we're ready to turn the page to a new season.
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.
2026 Memberships
Spring is on the way - 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.
To purchase by mail
just print the following form and pop it into the mail with a cheque or credit card information and we'll send your memberships to you:
Donation & Membership Form
To purchase online: Buy Now OR Phone us at 902-532-7018
Heritage, Culture and Tourism - oh my!
Along with many other organizations and individuals, the Board and Staff of the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens are alarmed at the degree of cuts towards heritage, culture and tourism embedded in the proposed Nova Scotia 2026-27 budget and the potential for further cuts in the future. We appreciate the need for fiscal responsibility, and we understand that hard decisions have to be made, but we also feel that there is a lack of understanding of the true value of these sectors to the Nova Scotian economy, to the Nova Scotian community and to the physical and mental health of Nova Scotians.
We have chosen to address our concerns in the following letter which was emailed to the Premier and all the MLAs who represent Nova Scotians in government.
To: Premier Houston and all our elected representatives
Re: 2026-27 Provincial Budget and cuts to heritage, culture & tourism
We write to you today on behalf of the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens Society, owner and operator of the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens, a world renowned botanical garden and one of Nova Scotia’s most visited and beloved attractions.
We are so very proud to be part of the amazing community of Annapolis Royal. We were also very proud to witness the passion and love that overflowed at the March 4 local rally in support of art & culture, heritage & tourism, recreation & accessibility... all the things that make a vibrant and healthy community. The Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens has been an iconic attraction representing tourism, culture & heritage for 45 years. We are very concerned at the level of cuts to our sectors and the negative impact it will have for years to come.
While largely under-appreciated, the economic value of our heritage, culture & tourism industry is very real, and very far reaching. Heritage, culture & tourism make our communities tick and everyone benefits from the dollars spent in Nova Scotia by people travelling, attending events and visiting sites. It is one giant ecosystem! And it is a way of life.
The various supports being cut are crucial for the many community groups who are stewards of our heritage and cultural assets, and who create the places and experiences we all treasure. From operating grants for museums, theatres and arts organizations, to grants that allow community groups to improve public facilities & accessibility, present programming, and hire summer students. Add to that the cuts to our makers and creators, to youth programs, to recreation… the list goes on, and on.
Imagine a Nova Scotia without art & music, theatres, gardens & parks, museums & galleries. Without community events or the ability to experience our rich heritage & culture. We simply can’t imagine it. These things are an integral part of life in Nova Scotia, the reasons people relocate to our province and the very things upon which Nova Scotia’s huge tourism industry is built.
We all know hard decisions have to be made, but we also know that our voices can help inform government of the things we hold most dear. So we ask you to listen to all these passionate voices and show your support for heritage, culture and tourism in Nova Scotia.
Sincerely,
Stuart Jamieson, Chair
Trish Fry, Manager
Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens Society
What can YOU do?
We all know decisions have to be made, but we also know that our voices can help inform government of the things we hold most dear. So we really need to make some noise if we want to change the attitude towards the value of heritage, culture and tourism in Nova Scotia.
- Write, email or call your MLA and let them know how you feel. It is not too late – in fact, this type of advocacy is best as a year round conversation so that the things we value are constantly on the minds of the decision makers, now and for future budgets. You can download this handy list: Nova Scotia MLA Contact Information
- Publicly advocate for the things you hold dear – post on social media, have coffee conversations with friends, attend a rally near you.
- Are you someone who visits Nova Scotia? Your opinion is important. What is it that draws you here? Write to the Minister of Tourism and the Premier to give them that perspective.
- Did you relocate to Nova Scotia from elsewhere? What is it about Nova Scotia that helped you make that decision? This is also an important point of view.
And most of all, continue to show your love and support for the community groups who work so hard to keep the culture, heritage and tourism alive and well in Nova Scotia, and to all the artists, musicians, authors, storytellers and other creative individuals who make our communities so special. The culture, heritage and tourism sectors are still recovering from the multi-year impacts of the pandemic, and will need your support to weather this next storm.
Speaking of Heritage...
DID YOU KNOW... the Historic Gardens turns 45 this year?
WOW!
The Gardens officially opened to the public on August 15, 1981.
Save the Date:
Our official 45th birthday party will be on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
This is the original concept plan of the Gardens. While some things changed as the Gardens took shape, and other things havebeen modified or expanded over the years,
it is amazing how true to the initial plans the Gardens have remained.
We will be sharing archival images all year long, such as the above photos of a group of students and volunteers building a demonstration dyke the hard way!
And this photo, of the initial creation of our Rose Maze.
Keep an eye on our Facebook Page for frequent posts,
and we'll make them a regular feature in our Bloom Report as well.
We are pleased to announce that our new selection of Hope Seeds has arrived,
as well as some new titles in gardening books.
We have a growing selection of books for beginning birders and experienced ones as well. Add this to our selection of bird-themed gifts, and well...
you should stop by soon and take a peek.
So many Nova Scotian gift ideas!
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!
Event News...
We had a great gathering on Flag Day,
enjoying hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows!
Welcome Spring!
Saturday, March 21, 11am - 1pm
Join us as we celebrate the start of spring! Gather 'round the bonfire (if conditions permit), and walk the Gardens to see the early spring bulbs.
Be sure to pop into the Gardens Shop to pick up some seeds or a gardening book,
and to purchase your 2026 Garden Membership.
There we also be some Spring Specials available to our shoppers!
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!
Spring is coming!
We'd like to leave you today with the hope of spring
lingering in our photographs...
The witch hazels are much later this year, but we are happy because that means more people will be able to enjoy them. They are starting to be a highlight now and will be for most of March.
And other spring bloomers will soon be on their way.
This brave wee snowdrop decided to poke its head out yesterday in hopes of finding some sunshine. Others will soon follow!
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