The Royal Botanical Gardens - Southwestern Ontario
The RBG, as it is called by those who know its luxuriant gardens, vital wetlands shallow lake and rich agricultural land, is one of the world’s largest botanical gardens. It began with the laying of the stones for the Rock Garden in November 1929 and the following year His Majesty King George V granted the ambitious but fledgling garden his Royal Charter and thus it became The Royal Botanical Gardens. Since that far off event, it has increased not only in size but also in the glory of its colorful magnificence.
There are now five major garden areas covering about three hundred acres, planted with a spectacular array of flowers and bushes. All are worth a visit whether you are a complete beginner or an expert gardener. Indeed even if you are not a gardener at all you cannot but enjoy the colors and fragrances of this place.
RBG Centre
This is an interesting area to explore all year round. You will be amazed at the display of orchids, forced bulbs and interior plants. Desert cacti, Mediterranean trees and plants grow not far from each other. For those who are inclined to eat, the Garden Cafe is a place of rest and refreshment. The Gardens’ Shop is also well worth a visit to look at and purchase some of the many garden related items on display.
Rock Garden
This is the oldest of the gardens and it is at present the most popular garden of all. It is at its best from April until the end of September. In addition to spring bulbs such as tulips and daffodils, one’s eyes can feast on a host of annuals, azaleas and flowering cherries. It is small wonder that the area is so popular.
Arboretum
Here you will find most of the Garden’s collection of woody plants, including the largest collection in the world of lilacs. There are also many other varieties of plants such as weeping trees, shrubs, daylilies, rhododendrons, and magnolias. Here you will be able to see an abundance of native trees including dogwoods, redbuds, hawthorns, and forsythia. The Arboretum is at its best in May and June.
Laking Garden
If you want to experience a host of herbaceous plants, including irises, peonies, monocots and ornamental grasses this is a pleasant place to spend a few hours any time between the beginning of April and the end of October.
Rose Garden/Hendrie Park
Personally this is my favorite area of the park. Here are two gorgeous acres of roses surrounded by beds of clematis, scented plants, woodland plants and medicinal plants. It is most exciting yet peaceful at the same time. June until late September or even early October is the time to visit this fragrant area.
Sanctuaries
In addition to the splendor of the gardens there are four nature sanctuaries. Cootes Paradise Marsh is the largest, covering an area of 2,000 acres. At the present time it is the subject of North America’s most extensive wetland rehabilitation program. The other three sanctuaries are The Berry Tract, Rock Chapel, and Hendrie Valley. All have unique features including some almost extinct fauna and flora. Each of the areas has one or more hiking trails for which trail maps may be obtained at the RBG Centre.
The RBG also hosts a number of events throughout the year. Included are the Tulip Festival, the Lilac Festival, and the Hamilton & Burlington Rose Society Show as well as many other presentations.
Membership
After you have visited this wonderful place for the first time, there is a strong possibility that you may wish to become more involved. Several different levels of membership are available to suit various stages of interest and commitment as well as different wallet sizes. In addition some of the work is executed by devoted volunteers, so roll up your sleeves and become involved with a great work in progress.