The Centennial Rose Garden, opened in 1967, represents a famous collection at Royal Botanical Gardens and a highlight of Hendrie Park. Situated on land donated by the Hendrie family, visitors will see the original cast iron gates that were at the entry to the estate and were required to remain as part of the donation.
The rose collection blooms throughout the summer featuring 2,000 modern hybrid roses and 650 shrub roses. “We have many historic roses as well as collections and displays of newer more modern cultivars of roses,” notes Belinda Gallagher, head of horticulture at Royal Botanical Gardens.
Popular destinations in Hendrie Park are the Scented Garden for the enticing smells and the Medicinal Garden. “Visitors with an interest in the history of mans use of plants flock to the Medicinal Garden,” observes Gallagher. The garden beds are arranged according to the parts of the human body and contain plants organized by the diseases they treat.
“Hendrie Park also houses two of our newest features,” notes Gallagher. “First are the beautiful, infinity- edged reflec ting pools containing a display of water lilies that are jewel-toned against the dark water.” The pools also magnify the impact of the rose collections and the surrounding landscape.
The second new addition is the Helen M. Kippax Wild Flower and Native Plant Garden. According to Gallagher, “It’s an opportunity for the visitor to see the actual beauty of native plants in a cultivated situation.” During the International Year of Biodiversity this garden demonstrates both the sustainability and biodiversity of native plants.
Hendrie Park’s season is one of the longest at the RBG from early spring into the late fall.
“There is always something to see and delight,” says the horticultural expert.
New for Summer 2010
Following last year’s successful display about sustainable gardening practices - No Mow! No Blow! No H₂O! , RBG will shortly open Veggie Village: 100 Mile Produce Gardens. This display area will focus on the many advantages of home grown or locally grown vegetables.
Diverse styles of vegetable plots with such titles as “My Grandmother’s Garden”, “Herbal Delight” and “On the Balcony” demonstrate how fun and easy it is to grow food for the table and reduce carbon emissions in the process. Opening August 2010 in Hendrie Park.
To find out more about the collections and programs at the Royal Botanical Gardens, visit the website at
www.rbg.ca.
