With the holiday season upon us, we have events to tell you about,
some interesting news, and of course,
some pretty pictures too.
First, a note about our hours...
In the "winter" months,
the Gardens are open every day as long as conditions permit.
Note that the Gardens and paths are not maintained
so you visit at your own risk.
Admission is currently by free will offering (suggested donation $5 per adult).
Operating hours: 9am-5pm
Visitor Washrooms – Closed for the winter.
(Public washrooms are available nearby at the Town’s Comfort Station on Drury Lane.)
The Gardens Shop is also open 7 days a week, 9am-5pm.
For detailed visitor information, hours and rates, please visit www.historicgardens.com
Seasonal Selections - November Scenery
Tis the Season...
Lots of fun ahead, starting this weekend
with our first Courtyard Bonfire of the season!
On December 6,
Annapolis Royal is THE place to be
for the annual Christmas Market Extravaganza
and a special day of bonfire, cider and shopping at the Gardens too!
And... save the date for the afternoon of New Year's Eve!
Seasonal Selections - Shades of Brown
Time to Renew your Garden Membership for 2026!
Did you know?
Everyone's memberships expire on December 31 annually,
no matter when they are purchased.
You can renew your memberships in person, online or by phone. We will hold them here in the Shop for pickup, or mail them to you if you wish. If you are doing it as a gift for someone, let us know and we can email you a special gift card to send to the person you are gifting them to.
To purchase online: Buy Now
OR
Phone us at 902-532-7018
A Touch of Frost
And even a touch of snow...
The Gardens Shop has become a favourite place to find local gifts for Christmas and other occasions.
To entice you, here is a selection of random items...
Beautiful punched tinwork candles.
Gifts for the fisherman in your family!
Delectables for everyone...
...including our unique Pawpaw Jam.
We are also selling pawpaw seeds from the Gardens' very own tree!
A brand new selection of glassware from Glass Roots Studio...
And a new selection of Chaba's incredible clay flowers!
The Gardens Shop is open 7 days a week ALL YEAR LONG,
from 9am-5pm. Drop by soon!
Remember, you can always explore our online shop for gift ideas from the comfort of your arm chair!
Explore now!
Funky Feature - IT'S A GIRL!
Most of us are familiar with the Ginkgo tree, with its unique fan-shaped leaves. Our large ginkgo here at the Gardens is a bit over 40 years old, and provides stunning fall colour as this photo from early November shows.
Ginkgos sold in nurseries are typically male, and do not bear seeds or "fruit". Decades ago, we bought a male for the Gardens... or so we thought. Imagine our surprise when some eagle-eyed visitors noticed orange, cherry-shaped "fruit" a couple weeks ago amongst the yellow carpet of leaves that had fallen.
Sure enough, we found a few still hanging from the tree. These flesh covered seeds are not generally considered edible (although technically, parts of them are edible in moderation) and they smell like a cross between dog poop and vomit... a big reason why the males are sold commercially instead.
Since it takes a Ginkgo up to 30-40 years to reach maturity, one can remain under the assumption that they have a male tree until... well... THIS happens!
So stayed tuned next fall, and perhaps you can catch a look at this unique fruiting Ginkgo in the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens.
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...
There is nothing quite as beautiful as a November sunset...
“The earth laughs in flowers”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
0 comments