Toronto Gardens to Visit
Photo Credit: Cyndi Kaczmarek
By Ilona Biro, Volunteer
We’re kicking off a three-part series on Canada’s most spectacular gardens with a roundup of local gardens in Toronto. We will follow up next month with some Ontario and Quebec gardens worthy of a weekend away, with the final article focusing on unique gardens from coast to coast. In the meantime, if you’re already planning summer escapes, have a look at Gardens Canada’s 10 garden road trips with itineraries for multi-day trips.
ALLAN GARDENS AND CONSERVATORY
The one and only Allan Gardens & Conservatory is our favourite Toronto garden, where many of us spend hours soaking up the atmosphere of a tropical forest, an arid desert, or a Mediterranean garden – always a lovely respite from chilly weather outside. In addition to its extensive plant collection, the Allan Conservatory features elaborate and colourful seasonal shows, which generations of Torontonians have grown to cherish. The conservatory’s historic Palm House, built in 1910, is the place to start a visit, but it is currently closed for renovations. Instead, you can wander through the adjacent greenhouses, each devoted to a climatic zone with signature plants that thrive there. The joy of the Allan is that it’s open every day of the year and is free, (though donations are welcome!).
Overlooking the Scarborough Bluffs, this garden features beautifully designed display gardens with views onto Lake Ontario. A rock fountain and the stunning pergola that wraps around it have made it a favourite of wedding parties and Instagrammers. A visit here can be combined with a wander around the GUILD INN AND GARDENS, a unique property endowed by its owners who were dedicated to creating an artistic community where artists and writers would find a welcome place to work. The Clarks also created a home for architectural remnants of Toronto’s historic downtown, in a period when many 19th and early 20th century buildings were torn down to make way for modern structures. The Greek theatre is worth the trip alone!
One of the city’s finest gardens is tucked into Toronto’s bustling waterfront. If you’re looking for an inspired, tranquil garden where you can also take in a live acoustic concert, this is the place! Toronto Music Gardens was designed by cellist Yo-Yo Ma and famed landscape designer Julie Moir Messervy, and were inspired by Bach’s Suite No. 1 in G Major for unaccompanied cello, BWV 1007. The concert series runs throughout the summer on most Thursday and Saturday evenings and is the best excuse ever for a summer picnic.
The most high-profile of the city’s many gardens, the TBG offers 17 award-winning themed gardens spanning nearly four acres, designed to educate and inspire. There is a range of activities and events catering to all ages, with garden tours, kids day camps, and field trips. The main LEEDS Silver Certified Building boasts an energy-efficient sloping green roof and award-winning ecologically conscious design. In case of rain, you can spend some time in its extensive horticultural library, garden shop, and café.
Head to the Islands for another great garden experience. The view of the skyline is worth a ferry ride, and your kids – or grandkids – will adore the FRANKLIN CHILDREN’S GARDEN, an interactive garden filled with fun for the whole family.
In the next newsletter we’ll throw the spotlight on exceptional gardens to visit in Ontario and Quebec.
