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travel / travel magazine / march 2008
TenBest
Tiptoe through the tulips:
One of Canada's top horticulturalists lists his favourite public gardens
AS THE MANAGER of grounds and
greenhouses for the National Capital
Commission, Mark Burleton is busier than
a bumblebee in the spring. He is responsible
for every bit of green both inside and outside
of Canada's six official residences in the
Capital Region, including those of the Prime
Minister and Governor General. Burleton
says there are many gardens he wants to visit
in Canada, but here are his current 10 best:
Les Jardins de Quatre-Vents, La Malbaie, Que.
Gardener and millionaire Francis Cabot
has spent 30 years carefully planning and
expanding the gardens his family started in
the early 1900s. Open to the public only by
reservation four times every summer, the
European-style gardens are multi-faceted,
with more than 1,000 species.
Rideau Hall, Ottawa
Containing ceremonial
trees planted by the likes of John F.
Kennedy and Queen Elizabeth II, the
grounds at the Governor General's residence
offer a link to our history. The landscaping
style is true to the estate's British
heritage, but the use of many Canadian
species, such as sugar maples and red oaks,
gives the property a Canuck twist.
Mackenzie King Estate, Gatineau, Que.
Canada's tenth Prime Minister, William Lyon
Mackenzie King built cottages and a residence
in what is now the heart of Gatineau
Park. An avid gardener and architecture buff,
he spent much of his free time landscaping
his 231-hectare property. King's collection of
stone ruins dots the area, adding a bit of
whimsy, and trails he set are great for hiking.
Maplelawn Historic Garden, Ottawa
Established in 1831, Maplelawn now houses
a restaurant and sits on a busy commercial
street, making it an unlikely choice. But the
estate was designated a National Historic
Site in 1989, mainly due to the extraordinary
preservation of its walled garden. A feature
of European gardens, the walls protect plants
and trap heat, prolonging the growing season.
Maintained by volunteers, the perennial
plantings alone are worth a visit.
Montréal Botanical Garden, Montréal
Ten stunning greenhouses, beautiful rose gardens
and more than 30 thematic gardens are
among the features of this urban oasis. The
mobile displays have a French flair and are
ideal for helping children and adults alike
easily learn about plants and their ecology.
Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, Niagara
Falls, Ont.
Maintained entirely by students
at the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture,
the 40-hectare gardens are worth a visit for
the phenomenal rose garden, featuring 54
rose beds, and the vegetable gardens, which
have been designed to maximize production
and aesthetics. The Butterfly Conservatory
is an incredible addition.
New Brunswick Botanical Garden, Saint-
Jacques, N.B.
Built under the auspices of
the Montréal Botanical Garden, this sevenhectare
property along the Madawaska
River is home to eight thematic gardens.
More than 80,000 plants carpet the
grounds, and the peaceful surroundings
are enhanced by classical music.
VanDusen Botanical Garden, Vancouver
It looks small from the outside, but it actually
covers 22 hectares in the heart of the
city and showcases more than 7,300 plant
taxa from six continents. The mild climate
allows the garden to be open year-round.
UBC Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant
Research, Vancouver
The David C. Lam
Asian Garden - a collection of Asiatic
species, including magnolia, growing in a
naturalistic setting - is refreshing. The
Nitobe Memorial Garden, a Japanese tea
and stroll garden, complete with ceremonial
tea house, is one of the best outside Japan.
Milner Gardens & Woodland, Qualicum
Beach, B.C.
Has some of the few remaining
tracts of old-growth Douglas fir, western
red cedar and grand fir, and species
rarely seen in Canada, such as the handkerchief
tree. It's not a show garden, but the
500 rhododendron varieties, along with
hostas and hydrangeas, add vibrancy.
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