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Mid May and it is really starting to feel like Spring!
With the long weekend upon us, and sunny weather in the forecast, there is no better time to get out and enjoy nature. In addition to all the beauty to behold in Annapolis Royal, there are some great events as well. We'll tell you more about that later in the email.
But first, to give you an idea of what you might see when you visit, below is a summary of our current highlights. Things are changing every day, so best to come often!
Currently in bloom:
• 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!
• Fruit trees - pear, ornamental cherry, apples (apple blossom season just starting)
• Other: may apples, hellebore, trillium, fritillaria, pasqueflower, haskap, lily-of-the-valley, spirea, barberry, Pieris japonica, quince, Japanese wood poppy
• Just starting: Eastern Redbud, lilacs, Carolina silverbells, flowering dogwood by the Café entrance
• Special: Pawpaw Tree in the Innovative Garden (brown/green flowers)
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 tulips!!!
This is the perfect weekend to catch them at their best!
And the magnolias!
'Cameo'
'Galaxy'
'Gold Crown'
'Black Tulip'
'Leonard Messel'
And the rhodos are coming!
Williams Rhododendron
One of the colourful PJMs
'Spellbinder'
And 'Azuray', one of our favourites!
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.
This robin has found the perfect spot for her nest!
We have many furry creatures in the Gardens as well...
News...
Thanks to Jason Malloy for the fantastic photographic spread this week in the Annapolis Valley Register! He captured the Gardens beautifully!
The faeries have started arriving!
We came to work today to find that an advance team of faeries has arrived in the Gardens and built their wee houses!!! Our longtime friends Drook Fae and Raendriel Aelfwyne are among them. They messaged us this morning from their f-phone to let us know that many more of their faerie friends are en route from all over the world, and planning to arrive in the Gardens in the next few weeks. Drook and Raendriel are great ambassadors for our teeny tiny town, and have been spreading the word that the Gardens is THE place to be in the summer months.
Our Garden Babies sale begins this weekend.
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 don't forget Sunday's Rare & Unusual Plant Sale at the Market Square!
This will be a big weekend in Annapolis Royal!
In addition to enjoying a visit to the Gardens, you have lots of other opportunities as well. The first outdoor "summer" Annapolis Royal Farmers and Traders Market is on Saturday morning, May 16, 9am-1pm. The annual Atlantic Canada Rare and Unusual Plant Sale will be held on Sunday May 17, 1-4pm, also at Market Square. Both Fort Anne and Port Royal National Historic Sites opened for the season today, open daily 9am-5pm. Add to that the opportunity to explore the studios and shops, cafes and some amazing scenery and you can see why Annapolis Royal is THE PLACE TO BE!
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.
The two shots below are a comparison of the path to the Lookoff, during construction and then more recently... 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
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...
More May highlights...
Forget-me-nots are a fave!
A conversation between friends...
The emergence of leaves continues!
Red Trillium...
...and white trillium.
More whites - fritillaria and lily-of-the-valley
Japanese Wood Poppy
The unique pawpaw blossoms!
And the lilacs are on their way!
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 happiest of flowers wish you the best of weekends!
All for now. Cheers!
Trish
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