Plan a visit to Annapolis Royal soon!
The cooler wet weather has slowed the plants down a bit.
We are actually thankful for that!
That being said, beauty abounds throughout the Gardens.
First, a list of some of the current highlights:
• Magnolias - most are finished - still some pinks and yellows. Magnolia tripetala (Umbrella Tree) starting to bloom (one by the ponds, one in Victorian Garden)
• Rhodies/Azaleas - early ones in bloom, and more popping daily. A highlight for the next couple weeks.
• Fruit trees - ornamental cherry, apple blossoms
• Eastern Redbud, lilacs, spirea, barberry, Carolina silverbells, horsechestnut, flowering dogwood by the Café entrance
• Other: may apples, English bluebells, lily-of-the-valley, viburnum, fothergilla, primula, Solomon's seal.
• Special:
- Pawpaw Tree in the Innovative Garden (brown/burgundy flowers)
- Red horsechestnut on centre path
Soon to come…
• Mountain Laurel, peonies, fringetree, Kousa dogwoods. 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 for the season on May 31.
For detailed visitor information, hours and rates, please visit www.historicgardens.com
Tulips & Magnolias - what a show it has been!
'Yellow Lantern'
'Black Tulip'
'Betty'
Seasonal Selections - Part 1
The apple blossoms throughout the Valley continue to be a highlight.
These blossoms are from the Acadian 'Belliveau' apple.
The horsechestnuts in the Gardens and along the streets of Annapolis are putting on a great show.
A volunteer!
And pendulous white flowers abound...
Carolina Silverbells
Solomon's Seal
And the lilies-of-the-valley continue to delight!
Artwork is also emerging...
Some of your favourite critters have returned for another season.
'Birdwatching' (by Shauna MacLeod)
'Puffin Pier' (by Paul Bolland)
and our friendly porcupine duo (also by Paul Bolland)
We will share photos of some of the other artwork as the season progresses.
Seasonal Selections - Part 2
The peonies are coming, and the ants are loving them!
First peony of 2025... 'Nova'
Eastern Redbud
The various mayapples are soon flowering
Fothergilla
Lilacs
A stunning view adds so much to a beautiful garden!
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.
'Grand Pre'
'Barbara Hall'
'Windbeam'
Lavender Spider Azalea
'Stewartstonian'
Buy Your 2025 Membership now!
To purchase online: Buy Now
OR
Phone us at 902-532-7018
Plant sales continue...
If you still have room in your garden after Sunday's "Rare and Unusual Plant Sale"
then don't miss the Champlain Garden Club's "Common and Usual Plant Sale".
The club has been around since 1952 and is selling today's perennials at 1952 prices.
Garden Babies at the Historic Gardens
And here at the Historic Gardens, we are pleased to launch our seasonal selection of Garden Babies - divisions and seedlings that the gardeners have collected and potted up to allow you to have a piece of the Gardens for your very own property!
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 - Opening on Saturday May 31
The lilacs are blooming in the Knot Garden...
a true sign that the Cafe season is almost upon us.
Feathered Friends
The Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens is home to a variety of wildlife, and in particular, to a significant population of feathered friends. From year round residents, to seasonals, there are many birds we can expect to see much of the summer. Add to that the many passers-by we see in the spring and fall migration seasons, and the list gets much longer.
We are happy to share with you our most recently updated bird list. Please be sure to let us know if you identify other birds in the Gardens that we can add to our ever-growing list!
The Redstarts have returned...
We are super pleased to have the return of the American Redstarts,
among our favourite feathered friends!
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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