Thursday, September 5, 2013

Royal Botanical Gardens - RBG


The Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) is a phenomenal local resource that I don't visit often enough. In its brochure, it is described as "…an ecological jewel placed within the fastest growing urban area in all of Canada. A National Historic Site of Canada and the country's largest botanical garden, our focus is on horticulture, conservation, education, science and research". It is comprised of numerous gardens spread over 2,700 acres.
The RBG is literally 10 minutes from my house but I rarely get down there. But I finally went yesterday, at a time that was past the peak of many of the roses I went to photograph. But some were lovely nevertheless.


Inside the RBG Centre are many indoor gardens and waterfalls. The main attraction is the 12,000 sq. ft Mediterranean garden which features gorgeous exotic blooms year round.

I remembered having to enter Hendrie Park (which I always called the Rose Garden) through the main building and then under Plains Road through a tunnel. This is still the case:




Just past the tunnel are lovely displays featuring coleus, tuberous begonias and Elephant Ears.


The award winning Zimbabwean stone sculpture exhibit Zimsculpture is on display until the end of September. Many interesting statues were on display among the plantings.




The centre of the garden features 2 calming reflecting pools, a Tea House and the Centennial Rose Garden



Rosa 'Louis Jolliet'







Rosa 'Tropicana'


Rosa 'Hilgrome'





Rosa 'Royal William'





Climbing rose 'Dublin Bay'



Rosa 'Escapade'

Please check out my food blog where the latest recipe featured is Lemon Orzo with Asparagus Pasta Salad.





6 comments:

HELENE said...

It’s always so exciting seeing plants and flowers on such a grand scale, you are lucky having a botanical garden so close to you! I used to go to Kew Gardens here in London but I am no longer able to travel there and do the walking, I miss visiting and I also miss all the incredible photo opportunities there.
Your photos are lovely, I think I enjoyed the reflecting pools and the plants in and around them most.

Jennifer said...

I haven't made it out the RBG once this summer which is a shame. Your images are a great reminder of how beautiful it can be.

debsgarden said...

I can't imagine even a public garden so large. One could get lost in there! It is quite lovely, however. I would like to make multiple visits, enjoying it in small pieces.

Astrid said...

Hi Helene
Thanks! the reflecting pools were gorgeous design-wise and they had very interesting plants in them. Maybe a service could help you get to see Kew Gardens - wouldn't they be amazing!
Astrid

Hi Jennifer
One of your posts last year reminded me that I do not take advantage of that which is so close to me! I do wish I had made it earlier when the rose bushes are in full bloom but at least there were a few beauties still around.
Astrid

Hi Deb
Hop onto the RBG website (www.rbg.ca) You will see that the immense acreage is actually divided into smaller gardens, many with a theme: Laking Gardens feature hostas and iris; Rock gardens have all the spring bulbs, The Arboretum has hundreds of different lilac bushes.
Astrid

Anonymous said...

Wow. Someday I will see it in person.

Astrid said...

Hi Layanee
I think you would really enjoy Canada!
Astrid