We've had a few wintery days to slow things down a bit,
but there are warmer days ahead
as we enter into one of our biggest bloom seasons of the year
and one of the more interesting birding seasons as well!
Below is a summary of our current highlights.
Things are changing every day, so best to come often!
Currently in bloom:
• Magnolias - Later pinks/yellows still blooming. Tripetala (Umbrella Tree) by ponds is starting.
• Rhodies/Azaleas - many in bloom, and more popping daily. A highlight for the next couple weeks, with more than 100 varieties.
• Eastern Redbud, lilacs, barberry, Carolina allspice, Carolina silverbells, horsechestnut, flowering dogwood by Café
• English bluebells, viburnum, fothergilla, primula, Solomon's Seal, early peonies, double kerria, Siberian iris, enkianthus, crimson clover, lupins, and a couple early roses
• Special:
○ Red Horsechestnut (Middle path, near Grass Collection)
○ Both the Laburnum Arbour & Wisteria Arbour are coming into bloom
Highlight times ahead:
• Rhodies/Azaleas - now through early June
• Laburnum & Wisteria - now through 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
Until May 31 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 opens for the season on Saturday May 30.
Open daily 11am-4pm
For detailed visitor information, hours and rates, please visit www.historicgardens.com
More rhodos!!!
We are really getting into the best season to see rhododendrons and azaleas...
some early ones have finished but many are in full bloom and others just starting.
'Mist Maiden'
Purple Spider Azalea
'Goldfort'
'Stewartstonian'
'Golden Dream' azalea
A lovely view!
Two by Two!
Peony season is starting.
We are very thankful to have a peony collection donated years ago by the Canadian Peony Society.
We are still enjoying some of the later magnolias, such as 'Yellow Lantern' and 'Black Tulip'
Among the funkiest of our plants, the Egyptian Onions in the Governor's Garden.
And we are always thrilled to see our first roses of the season,
such as the Wingthorn rose and 'Marie Bugnet'
A Tale of Two Arbours...
Our iconic Laburnum Arbour and the adjacent Wisteria Arbour are coming into bloom
and are absolutely loaded with blossoms.
They will be a highlight for the next week or so!
Showstoppers!
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.
Including some baby robins!
Birding in the Gardens
This is a great time for birding with so many species passing through as well as our summer long and year round residents. In the past several days, we have encountered some less common birds in the Gardens, such as Baltimore Oriole, Northern Parula, Eastern Warbling Vireo, Blackpoll Warbler,
Tennessee Warbler, Veery, Indigo Bunting, and more.
And we are very entertained by the American Redstarts, among our favourite wee birds!
For your reference, below is our latest checklist of birds that have been reported in the Gardens.
We are sure there are others, so we appreciate feedback and additions!
News...
We were happy to host our first weddings of the season in May!
Still more faeires have arrived!
It seems every few days we see signs of new faerie houses
as our faerie friends make their way to their favourite garden for the summer!
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.
On Thursday, June 4, be sure to plan a day in Annapolis Royal!
The horsechestnut trees are simply LOADED with blossoms this year,
so that means there will be LOTS of conkers in the fall!
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 take a look at the Lookoff during construction 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
Something for everyone, including birders!
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 in the Elm Tree Cafe...
(opening for the season Saturday May 30)
The Elm Tree Cafe will be open daily from 11am-4pm.
Our menu offering varies from day to day,
so be sure to pop in often to see what treats await you!
More May highlights...
New plantings in the Innovative Garden.
Blueberry blossoms
Double Kerria
Siberian Iris
Carolina Silverbells
Eastern Redbud
Allium
The cool bud of the Mountain Bluet
Enkianthus
Lupins
In fact, the roadside lupins around the Province will be a highlight in the next couple weeks.
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...
The Gardens make a great place to walk, to birdwatch, to learn about plants,
to eat, to shop, to find faerie houses...
and sometimes, to just sit on a bench and relax!
See you soon!
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