What’s in Bloom at the Garden

Our outdoor gardens have something to see in every season. Here’s a guide to What’s in Bloom each month. When planning your visit for peak season blooms, check our social media as we post seasonal points of interest weekly.

Green pine leaves and brown pine cones

What’s Beautiful in Winter

Our gardens are open throughout the winter for you to enjoy. Please note that some paths may not be maintained.

What’s in Bloom in March

Spring is ushered in by the sounds of birds and a new burst of life poking through the earth (and sometimes the ice and snow). It’s a wonderful time to stroll through our gardens and look for signs of spring after our long cold Canadian winter.

What’s in Bloom in April

In April, the spring garden emerges with hellebores, iris, crocus, daffodils, tulips, and magnolias. April and May are when the forest floor starts to come alive with native spring ephemeral wildflowers! Spring ephemerals emerge early in spring and complete their life cycle over a short period, hence the name ephemeral, meaning short-lived. 

What’s in Bloom in May

In May thousands of bulbs put on a show all around the gardens including tulips, and daffodils. You’ll also see blooming viburnum, bleeding hearts, pasque flowers, and fern leaf peonies.

What’s in Bloom in June

June is a wonderful time to visit the gardens with so many plants in bloom including peonies, Carolina allspice, iris, shrub roses, and clematis to name just a few.

What’s in Bloom July

In July the garden transforms daily with a continual series of blooms including coneflowers, daylilies, liatris, globe thistle, phlox, and so much more!

What’s in Bloom in August

In August the summer flowering annuals will be at their peak as well as native perennials such as native Black-eyed Susan, Common Ironweed, and 2021 Perennial Plant of the Year, Calamintha nepeta which is beloved by native bees.

What’s in Bloom in September

In September the temperature is perfect for a stroll through the garden to enjoy late summer bloomers like coreopsis which reach up to 5′ in the perennial border.

What’s in Bloom in October

The garden is a riot of autumn colours especially in the Wilken Creek ravine, with vibrant reds and oranges from the iconic native sugar maple and red maple. While summer wanes, few plants are as vibrant as asters, colouring the landscape with purples, blues, and whites.

What’s in Bloom in November

In November you’ll appreciate the fall colours in our gardens and the adjacent ravine, along with late bloomers like asters, Peegee hydrangea, Chinese Witch Hazel, Monkshood and more.