Plan a visit to Annapolis Royal this Victoria Day Weekend!
We have lots of photos to share with you, to give you just a taste
of the stunning beauty Mother Nature has been providing to us.
First, a list of some of the current highlights:
• Magnolias - some varieties finishing, others coming - some pinks and some yellows. Also note Galaxy in front of house and Spectrum in overflow parking lot.
• Rhodies/Azaleas - early ones in bloom, and more popping daily. Spellbinder is open just above ponds.
• Bulbs - tulips, daffodils, etc. The tulip show is amazing, soon finishing up.
• Fruit trees - pear, ornamental cherry, apples (apple blossom season just starting)
• Eastern Redbud, lilacs, spirea, barberry, Pieris japonica, quince, Carolina silverbells, flowering dogwood by the Café entrance
• Other: may apples, hellebore, trillium, fritillaria, pasqueflower, haskap, lily-of-the-valley
• Special: Pawpaw Tree in the Innovative Garden (brown/green flowers)
Soon to come…
• Horsechestnut trees, Crabapple, and more rhodos every day now.. The Wisteria & Laburnum arbours are not too far off...
Highlight times ahead:
• Rhodies/Azaleas - mostly mid May through early June
• Laburnum & Wisteria - late May or early June
• 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
We are offering an Early Bird rate of $12.50 including tax, until May 31.
(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.
The Elm Tree Cafe will open in early June.
For detailed visitor information, hours and rates, please visit www.historicgardens.com
The Tulip Show
The tulips have been putting on an amazing show this spring.
They are still a highlight, but will soon finish... so drop in soon!
Magnolia Moments
The magnolias have also been pretty darn incredible this spring. While the early varieties are done, the later ones are gorgeous.
Below are 'Betty' and 'Elizabeth'... almost the same name, but very different magnolias!
Mother's Day Weekend was a busy one!
Thanks to Reporter/PhotographerJason Malloy for capturing some special moments in the tulips (pick up your copy of the Annapolis Valley Register for more!),
and to a visiting family for allowing me to
take a picture of someone taking a picture of someone...
Next, let's try our ABCs...
A is for apple...
The apple blossoms in the Gardens and in the region have popped in the past few summery days. Be sure to plan a drive or two through the Valley in the next week or so!
Russet
Maiden's Blush
Rhode Island Greening
B is for barberry...
Below are 'Rose Glow' and Wintergreen Barberry - you guess which is which!
C is for cherry...
Japanese Flowering Cherry 'Kanzan', 'Cupid' Dwarf Cherry and Purple-leaf Sand Cherry
Our Spring Garden!
The scent of the spirea is incredible!
Oregon Grape-holly
Pasqueflower
So many shades of green!
Lily-of-the-valley
The Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) near the Cafe entrance is having a great bloom.
An interesting tidbit about this plant:
In Christian lore, the dogwood flower holds a religious meaning rooted in the legend that its wood was used to create the cross of Jesus Christ. This legend has led to the flower being associated with sacrifice, rebirth, and resurrection, especially during Easter celebrations.
The four petals of the flower appear blood-stained and are said to represent the cross, and the central cluster can be seen as symbolizing the crown of thorns.
Rhapsody of Rhododendrons...
We have set aside the next couple weeks in our calendar to celebrate our incredible rhodo & azalea collection. Every day we see more blossoms. The earliest are finishing, and the later ones have yet to emerge, so it is best to visit often in order to appreciate them all.
Rhod. 'Aglo'
Rhod. 'Gartendirektor Rieger'
Rhod. 'Spellbinder'
Rhod. orbiculare
Rhod. 'Boulderwood Blue'
Buy Your 2025 Membership now!
To purchase online: Buy Now
OR
Phone us at 902-532-7018
Unusual Plants
Our mayapple collection has been expanding...
We now have five different mayapples!
Podophyllum pleianthum / Chinese Mayapple has enormous leaves.
Podophyllum 'Spotty Dotty' is a recent addition so still small.
And another unusual plant is the Pawpaw in the Innovative Garden,
which captures the attention of so many visitors!
And speaking of Unusual Plants...
Sunday's Rare & Unusual Plant Sale is a great opportunity to buy some new additions for your garden. Do some nursery hopping on your way to and from Annapolis Royal, and be sure to leave lots of time to visit the Historic Gardens while you are here!
For more information,check out their Facebook Page.
The Gardens Shop
The Gardens Shop is open 7 days a week for your convenience,
from 9am-5pm. Drop by soon!
And if you can't get here in person,
you can explore our online shop for gift ideas, and have items shipped.
Explore now!
Elm Tree Cafe
The lilacs are blooming in the Knot Garden... a true sign that the Cafe season is almost upon us.
Watch for an announcement about our opening date, in early June.
This Interlude is brought to you by the Colour Red
Thanks to Papa Cardinal for putting on a show for me Wednesday afternoon!
Soon to come...
Happily, the laburnum and wisteria are both budding up nicely
and are on track to provide quite a show in late May / early June.
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 with that, I'll sign off. Hope to see you in the Gardens soon!
Trish
“The earth laughs in flowers”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
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