Royal Botanical Gardens OntarioRoyal Botanical Gardens Ontario: A Green Gem. On the border of rock-hard Hamilton lies a startling green paradise. Learn about the history, features and special events here.
It’s hard to pinpoint the most impressive aspect of this garden. Is it the dizzying perfume of the world’s largest lilac dell? The thrilling sight of Great Blue Herons flipping fish into their beaks in the marshes of Cootes’ Paradise? The brief, breath-taking explosion of 100,000 tulips in the Rock Garden every spring? Or just the surprising fact that such a natural sanctuary and beauty spot survives here, in the industrial heartland of Ontario, on the soft green border of that rock-hard town, Hamilton?
The Historical Roots The Royal Botanical Gardens Ontario, the largest of its kind in Canada, grew out of rather humble roots: a Lake Ontario marsh lined with boathouses, tin shacks and the odd illicit gambling den, plus another smaller, equally unpromising parcel of land—an abandoned gravel pit. Back in the 1920s, these two plots fell under the watchful and creative eye of Hamilton bureaucrat and local leader Thomas B. McQuesten, who through clever political maneuvers cobbled together these and other nearby chunks of land to form what is today a rambling collection of 2,700 acres of green space—300 cultivated and 2,400 acres of untamed wilderness made up of wetland, woods and fallow fields.
Cootes ParadiseIt’s this diversity – the unique mélange of wild and tame nature – that makes the Royal Ontario Botanical Gardens Ontario stand out from traditional botanical gardens, which usually feature highly cultivated plants in more-or-the-less formal settings. Cootes Paradise, which is haunted, some say, by the memory of squatters evicted during the dark days of the Depression, is today one of the most significant marshland restorations in North America. Here you can watch Scarlet Tanangers, cuckoos, swallows, heron, geese, ducks, and cormorants at play. These conservation lands contain nearly 1,000 wild species of plants, making this area one of the most biologically diverse in the province—surprising news when you consider it’s located in a region so long settled (and trampled upon) by humans. If you’re lucky you might even spot roving deer, muskrats and other wildlife on your trek along the trails, which extend for more than 30 kilometres. The Flower Gardens In the cultivated region of the gardens, expect to enjoy massive collections of irises and more than 2,500 rose bushes. Examine the most promising new annuals in the trial beds and the recent All American Selection winners. Have a spot of tea in the tea house in the Rock Garden (built with relief labour in the early dirty 30s). Those with an interest in the practical side of plants will enjoy the herb and medicinal gardens, each with their own fascinating stories. The Greenhouse The greenhouse at the RBG Centre boasts a fragrant year-round bulb room and a collection of weird-shaped cactus plants and succulents. If you have a bent for the bizarre, check out the extraterrestrial appearance of the plants at the orchid show hosted here every winter.
Facilities There are a few restaurants, including ones in the outside garden and at the greenhouse, but call ahead for exact dates and hours of operation. The book/giftshop has a good selection of books dealing with nature and local history. Special Events The garden hosts concerts, art shows and public lectures. There are annual festivals celebrating different types of plants such as The Lilac Festival. Location Located mid-way between Toronto and Niagara Falls, the Royal Botanical Garden is more than a detour; it’s a destination. For more information: Close by: The Royal Botanical Gardens Hamilton is a five-minute drive from downtown Hamilton. Check out my page on Top 10 Reasons to Visit Hamilton. return to from Royal Botanical Gardens Ontario to Ontario Travel Secrets home page
|
