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What a beautiful week this has been!
With two very warm days and loads of sunshine, the plants are super happy!
Below is a summary of our current highlights.
Things are changing every day, so best to come often!
Currently in bloom:
• Magnolias - Still some pinks/yellows. Tripetala (Umbrella Tree) starting by ponds.
• Rhodies/Azaleas - many in bloom, and more popping daily. A highlight for the next few weeks.
• Fruit trees - apple blossoms are in full bloom in various parts of the Gardens. Cherry, crabapple and others around the Gardens.
• Eastern Redbud, lilacs, spirea, barberry, Carolina silverbells, horsechestnut, flowering dogwood by the Café
• Other: English bluebells, lily-of-the-valley, viburnum, fothergilla, primula, Solomon's Seal
• Special:
○ Pawpaw Tree in the Innovative Garden (funky brown flowers)
○ Red horsechestnut on centre path - just opening
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
In May we are offering an Early Bird day pass of $15 including tax.
(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 will open on Saturday May 30.
For detailed visitor information, hours and rates, please visit www.historicgardens.com
Oh, the rhodos!!!
'Windbeam'
'Evangeline', one of our many Nova Scotian rhodos
'Evangeline' again...
'Grand Pre'
And 'Aglo', which is aptly named!
Odds & sods of May highlights
The tulip show has been amazing!
The Driftwood Sculpture...
And nearby, a beautiful Japanese Flowering Cherry
In the Innovative Garden, the ever so funky Pawpaw flowers...
The bright yellow Oregon Grapeholly in the Winter Collection
And nearby fothergilla
Near the Cafe, the lilacs are stunning
Also near the Cafe, check out the flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), just opening. 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.
Coming very soon!
There is much more beauty just around the corner, including many more rhododendrons and azaleas. We are also very excited at the number of soon-to-be blossoms on the wisteria and the laburnum arbours. And believe it or not, our first rose is starting to think about opening soon!
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 love the chickadees all year round.
And thanks to one of our frequent visitors, Brenda Barry,
for this great shot of a newly returned yellow warbler!
News...
Thanks to the crew from Nova Scotia Power who changed out our transformer earlier this week. They accommodated our needs very well, and got the job done with as little disruption as possible. We appreciate their extra care on this delicate job - the transformer is located in a tricky spot!
More faeries have arrived!
Asleif is back! And he brought friends!
Asleif Aelfdane is Raendriel Aelfwyne's cousin, and was most anxious to fly up from the south to join Raendriel and Drook Fae at the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens. There are now seven faerie houses here (that we know of), and we understand there are more faeries coming our way in the next few weeks. This is soooo exciting - we love knowing our faerie friends are close by.
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.
And on Saturday, Champlain Garden Club is holding their annual plant sale.
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 have a shot of the construction of the hillside Rock Garden in July 1981 followed by a photo taken yesterday... quite a difference!
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 in the Shop...
Swedish dishcloths featuring images of the Gardens.
(If you haven't used this type of cloth before, trust me - they are GREAT!)
And in addition to a great selection of veggie and flower seeds from Hope Seeds, we now have an additional line of seeds from Maritime Arboretum, featuring native shrubs and trees.
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!
And opening soon...
In the Spring Collection...
The Eastern Redbud is in full bloom
The red horsechestnut is opening
Magnolia 'Elizabeth' is stunning
Beside 'Elizabeth', the Carolina Silverbells
Sporting some of the funkiest leaves ever... the Tulip Tree.
And nearby...
Sometimes the magic happens AFTER the blossoming...
such is the case with these pasqueflowers.
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...
It's apple blossom time in the Gardens, and in the Annapolis Valley.
That makes this next week a wonderful time for a road trip!
So many good reasons to come to Annapolis Royal.
All for now. Cheers!
Trish
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