Today we share with you some of the beauty
that the Historic Gardens has provided in early November.
We also have some news to share with you about a number of things, so fasten your seatbelts for a busy Bloom Report full of information and photos!
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 Colour
The Paperbark Maple by the Boardwalk is still showing colour.
And the small one by the Ornamental Grasses is vibrant.
The Heather Collection just looks good all year long!
We still have roses!
And beautiful berries, like the aptly-named snowberry.
The Japanese Maples are still providing pops of red.
A New North American Conker Champion was Crowned!
And the winner is... Richard Huebner of Cottage Cove.
Congratulations Richard, and thanks to all who participated!
Garden Skelebration was Fun!
We've Been Training...
And we welcomed Eastlink Community Television back...
Seasonal Selections - Shades of Autumn
This view of the ponds is lovely in every season!
Shades of Red...
On the left, a Smokebush in the Courtyard.
On the right, the Oxydendrum (Sourwood) down by the ponds (look up!).
Shades of Gold...
On the left, seeds of a Blue Beech.
On the right, needles of the Dawn Redwood.
Ornamental grasses...
The giant leaf of our Magnolia tripetala.
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.
In addition to our popular options for Adult/Senior/Student Memberships and our elevated Gold Membership, in 2025 we introduced a new option of special interest for those who may live alone and would love to have a friend or family member to walk with or join them for lunch at the Elm Tree Cafe. Our PLUS ONE Membership allows you to bring along a friend, family member or support worker to accompany you when you visit the Gardens. It is very flexible so you can bring a different person each time you visit if you wish.
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
Critters in Trees
Words are not needed...
A rainy day is a great time to learn more about our feathered friends. We've got some great books for birders in the Gardens Shop, and even a Birder's Trivia game. Drop in soon to explore!
HOT OFF THE PRESS!
With 12 of our favourite seasonal images, the calendar is a good representation of what makes the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens such an inspiring site all year round.
The calendars are $20 + tax and are a fundraiser for the Gardens.
These lovely maple leaf ornaments, designed and crafted by Round Hill Pewter, are a wonderful way to express your love for Canada! Our annual pewter ornament typically features the various flora and fauna in the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens. Be sure to collect them all!
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 - Our Bald Cypress
Our bald cypress is now… well… almost bald!
As a deciduous conifer, its needles drop in the autumn and become a beautiful rust-coloured carpet. Also note that the tree is developing its trademark "knees" – small knees compared to cypress swamps in the south, but evident nonetheless.
If you're up for a little bonus reading, here's an article from Arnold Arboretum
about bald cypress knees:
https://arboretum.harvard.edu/stories/cypress-knees-an-enduring-enigma/
The article states that "In cypress plantations, knees are found on trees as young as twelve years old", so our tree (planted in 2011) is definitely among the early ones.
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...
Autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons in nature.
Thank you to photographer Andrew Tolson for capturing this special moment
with Katie, William and Vera in the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens.
Hope to see you in the Gardens soon. Don't forget your camera!
Trish
"The earth laughs in flowers"
Ralph Waldo Emerson
0 comments