Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens
Sign at Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens
The Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens has been pleasing visitors for many years now, and has received praise from garden enthusiast around the world. They have won many awards including the Attractions Canada Provincial Award and the Crystal Tourism Award of Excellence for the Tourism Industry of Nova Scotia. The Gardens have been featured on many television shows including Good Morning Canada, Live at Five, Breakfast Television and Sketches of our Town. It was also awarded a spot on the High Definition Television Show Rhythm’s & Blooms, which aired in the United States. It is considered by many as "Nova Scotia's Hidden Treasure", but it has taken awhile to achieve this position. Let me give you a little bit of the back ground information which lead to the formation of the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens. In the mid 1970's Annapolis Royal was like a dying town. The town had been on a nearly steady growth since it was first incorporated, reaching it's hey day in the later 1800's to early 1900's during the "Age of Sail." At this time wharfs lined the shoreline, schooners were continuously arriving to load or unload cargo and ship building was one of the major industries. However as the sailing ships dwindled down, and the demand for wooden sailing vessels died out, Annapolis Royal's prosperity started to dwindle down also. The new giant freighters were stopping in places like Halifax, and the smaller ports were not needed as much any more. People started leaving, industry closed up and the town started to slowly die down.
Laburnum Arbour in Bloom at The Gardens It was during this period of time many heritage projects were started, and a major clean up of the town took place. Old buildings were renovated and restored; and new projects were looked at. Consulting firms were hired for a lot of this work and to look at new projects. One of the new projects looked at was the possibility of a display garden. After much discussion a site was chosen and a committee was formed to plan out the gardens. It was decided to stay with the new out look in the town and make this a heritage or historic garden. There was a lot of research done and with the help of many horticultural experts a plan was devised and work began. Success was realized in the summer of 1981 when the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens opened to the public. The Historic Gardens are owned and operated by the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens Society; which is a non-profit charitable organization. The fees charged to enter the gardens all go to the continuing maintenance and development of the gardens. The society is also involved in various projects to help raise money for the gardens. Some of these include their Annual Benefit Dinner and Auction and their Annual Garden Tour. In the spring of the year you can witness the support and dedication of the local citizens for the Historic Gardens during their Annual Spring Cleanup. During this weekend many of the local people come out with their rakes and hoes to aid the garden crew with the clean up after the winter winds and storms.
The Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens are situated on 17 acres of land located along Upper St. George Street. Ten of these acres are full with several displays depicting various stages of horticultural history over the last four centuries. The other seven acres consist of reclaimed marshlands enclosed by a dyke walk.
Main Courtyard at the Historic Gardens Many of my friends have used the gardens as backgrounds for their wedding photos, graduation pictures and for almost any other special event. Even in winter, when the gardens are closed and nothing is in bloom, the scenery is still breath taking. It is truly a great place to take a leisurely stroll while taking in all the beauty. For this occasion I wanted to visit the Historic Gardens while the rhododendrons and azaleas were in bloom. They have such a large collection of these beautiful bushes and the colors are really spectacular.
Immediately on your left is the Gardens One of the Rhododendrons in the Shop offering you souvenirs of your visit, beautiful photos taken in the gardens and many books on horticultural. There are many paths throughout which offer several ways to walk around the gardens. Every one offers you different scenery to behold, and they all attach to each other at some point. I will take you along the paths I followed this day. The first garden I visited was the Innovative Garden. This is where many new plant varieties and planting techniques are closely watched and studied. They demonstrate several currant methods of planting and cultivating techniques of fruits and vegetables.
Next you come to one of the main features of the gardens, the Rose Collection and the One of the Many Ponds in the Rose Maze. In the Rose Collection there are 230 different varieties, including early to late bloomers to provide color almost all season. The Rose Maze contains close to 2000 varieties all laid out to form a beautiful maze to tickle your senses. Unfortunately on this trip I was a little early for the roses to be out. However I have seen them many times and the variety of colors and the sweet perfume is really something to behold. Next we pass by the winter garden and come to a fork in the path. On the right is the path which leads to the board walk through the Norfolk Reed, commonly known as Elephant Grass. This reed was used by the Acadians to thatch the roofs of their dwellings. This path also leads to the dyke walk which covers seven acres of reclaimed salt marsh along the Allain's River. Do not worry about the gate at the start of the marsh walk; you are welcome to pass through. This fence was put up to keep the many deer out who found the gardens to be a good source for supper.
This path lead me to the La Maison Acadienne which is a replica of an early 17th century French Acadian dwelling. La Maison Acadienne This is one of only a few replicas like this found in the province. The roof on this dwelling was thatched using Norfolk Reed right from the Historic Garden's own stand. Beside the dwelling is a medicinal herb and vegetable garden made up of four beds in traditional French style, all surrounded by a fence. There is also a small orchard containing different varieties of apple and pear trees. Before you leave the Acadian dwelling make sure you take a minute to look out over the salt marsh and take in the beauty from this vantage point. Imagine the Acadian women of the house working in the garden and keeping watch for their men to be coming up from the marsh and dykes for their evening meal.
There are two places along the way that go down to the bottom trail and I went down Along the Bottom Trail to take a look at the first one and then back up on the second one. The bottom one follows along the marsh and you will see many different marsh grasses and plants. There were a patch of beautiful irises out next to a large piece of driftwood that caught my eye; it had a very nice effect. Back up on the higher trail I found myself walking through a beautiful stand of softwoods followed by a stand of pine trees and shrubs. It was a very hot afternoon and this little walk in the shade was very nice. There is a special peaceful feeling that comes over you while walking through the Historic Gardens and you just cannot help walking along with a smile on your face and saying hello to everyone you meet. I know this must happen to everyone who is in there because everyone I met smiled back and said hello.
Pretty Azaleas in the Historic Gardens From here I walked toward the next pond and crossed over the little bridge. The sound from the little babbling brook just added to the beauty of this area with it's wonderful display of day lilies. There are many varieties bringing you a wide display of different colors to behold. Along the path on the other side is a beautiful rock garden built on the side of the hill. Then up at the top of the garden ponds, there are benches set up for anyone who wishes to sit and enjoy the scenery for awhile. There are more day lilies and water lilies mixed in with several other beautiful plants. If you watch closely you may see some of the wildlife who has been known to visit the pond for a refreshing drink.
From here it is only a short distance to the Governor's Garden. This garden represents Fountain in the Historic Gardens the period between 1710 to 1749 when Annapolis Royal was capital of Nova Scotia. The next heritage themed garden is the Victorian Garden consisting of curved beds that fit together into a pattern. Victorian gardens were popular in the late 1800's in Annapolis Royal. Next we find the Knot Garden which is based on an English design published in 1638. These gardens are very interesting as they form geometrical patterns out of small hedge-like plants. This garden is shaded by a very large weeping elm. Beside the Knot Garden is located the German Bakery & Garden Cafe, which is a great place to stop for a light lunch or special treat with a cool drink. Make sure you visit the Gardens Interpretive Centre which is also located in this area by the restaurant. It has photo displays, information on Salt Marshes, an old Acadian log aboiteau, and other information on early Acadian life.
These gardens provide a splendor of beauty no matter when you decide to visit them. All throughout the season they are ever Vibrant colors Found Throughout the changing as different plants blossom and add their array of color and fragrance. I strongly recommend a visit to these wonderful Historic Gardens and see if you agree, they are among the best in Canada. The Historic Gardens are open from mid May until mid October. Their hours are from 9am to 5pm in May, June, September and October and from 8am until dusk in July and August. Admission fees support the ongoing maintenance and operation of the Gardens – special family, senior and group rates are available. Season passes are also available and are very popular with the local population, for obvious reasons! During the off season and after hours the Gardens are accessible on an "admission by donation" basis. To see more on the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens and verify their hours of operation and fees please visit their official web site: Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens, or you can give them a call at 902 532 7018 for more information.
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Then in the mid 1970's the citizens of Annapolis Royal started pulling together to save their town. Several meetings were held within the town to decide what route they wanted the town to take in the future. It was strongly agreed by the town and it's citizens they wanted to revitalize but preserve the heritage of the area. 
I have visited the Annapolis Royal gardens several times over the years, but I always welcome an excuse to visit them again. It seems no matter when you visit, you always see new sights. There is such a wide variety of plants all peaking at different times throughout the season. The gardens have been set up so that there is always something in bloom when you go. 
Right from the start you are met with beautiful grounds, but it still takes a minute to take in the splendid scenery around you when you walk through the gate and into the main courtyard. This is only a start so be prepared to be astounded all the way trough. 
Across from here is the first of several ponds located in the gardens. While I was there the irises and water lilies were out in bloom adding a spray of vibrant color against the green of the ferns and other vegetation surrounding the pond. 
I have been down the dyke walk several times and even though it is a very nice walk, this was not my reason for visiting the Historic Gardens today, so I took the path going to the left. 
From here I walked along the middle path and enjoyed the different gardens and trees along the way. Some of the gardens include a grass collection which displays many ornamental grasses from all over with many different colors and shapes. 
All the way along my walk I had seen samples of Rhododendrons and Azaleas, but I was now approaching the section I had come to see. This is located just up from the Marsh Lookout and is a hillside just loaded with these beautiful plants. The array of colors is just fantastic as each bush is out in full bloom. I spent a little extra time here to snap some very colorful pictures. 
I continue on my way through two long curved beds of perennials, adding their splendid display of color. Soon I arrive at the garden's fountain. What a beautiful sight this is, set into large slate rocks and surrounded by impressive trees and shrubs. 
This is only a small part of all that you will see at the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens. I only touched on the gardens found along the outside path; there are many other paths to follow, each with new sights. 
