The Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens are located 9 km (5 miles) north of the Falls on the scenic Niagara Parkway. Adjacent to the Sir Adam Beck Power Generating Station, the original gardens were established in 1936 when The Niagara Parks Commission created the “Training School for Apprentice Gardeners”. The school training program was based on the long standing gardener apprenticeship offered at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, England.
Later renamed the “School of Horticulture”, the Botanical Gardens site is the outdoor classroom for the students attending a unique 3-year ornamental horticulture diploma program. Originally carved out of poor farm land, the present 100 acres (40 hectares) has become a thriving site to study gardening. The training program is designed to enable all students to obtain practical experience through daily participation in horticultural activities. The students participate in the development of the Botanical Gardens and are responsible for its maintenance under staff direction. An intensive classroom lecture schedule during the academic season, from September to March, provides students with a solid knowledge of horticultural theory. With an increase in the magnitude and quality of the plant collections and gardens created, the school campus was officially declared a Botanical Garden in 1990.
The Botanical Gardens are open to the public free of charge from dawn until dusk every day of the year. The Gardens are also home to the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory, established in 1997.
The Botanical Gardens are part of the Niagara Garden Trail, a collection of Niagara Parks' owned and maintained gardens that includes other beautiful attractions such as the Floral Clock, Queen Victoria Park, Oakes Garden Theatre and the Floral Showhouse. All of these attractions are fully accessible and include displays that are changed for the seasons. The Gardens are laid out for the collection and study of plants, most of which are labeled for the education of our students and visitors, and an inventory is documented by staff taxonomists.
Click on this link to explore the wide range of specimens in the Botanical Gardens LIVING PLANT COLLECTION. You will be able to search on either the common or scientific name of any plant to discover their location on our grounds.
Download a copy of our full colour BROCHURE, that includes a comprehensive map of the grounds. (Adobe Reader required - click
to download.)
ALLÉES, VISTAS AND HEDGES
Our popular Carpinus betulus ‘Fastigiata’ (Upright European Hornbeam) allee, as well as the Picea (Spruce) Vista and driveway planting of Aesculus hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) were originally established to create garden structure with the added benefit of providing windbreaks to protect ornamental plantings. Hedges of Platycladus (Cedar) and Fagus (Beech) help to create microclimates, especially in the Herb Garden.
ARBORETUM
The Arboretum covers the largest area of the Botanical Gardens and contains collections of hardy woody plants (mainly trees). It is laid out in taxonomic collections by plant family with the following families being only a few of the many to be seen: Pinus (Pine), Abies (Fir), Ulmus (Elm), Betula (Birch) and Acer (Maple). There is a meandering paved walking pathway, numerous grass trails and a nature trail. The turf is left to grow taller than elsewhere on the grounds to favour the culture of trees and to encourage native herbaceous plants to grow. Narcissus (Daffodils) planted en masse and long grass areas create a pastoral feel throughout the arboretum. Beyond the landscaped water feature, is a growing collection of vividly colored Rhododendrons. Most trees are labeled and grown as specimens. The arboretum embraces one of Canada’s finest collections of ornamental trees and shrubs.
AVIARY
Adjacent to the Shade Garden, peacocks, turkeys, chickens, pheasants and geese entertain visitors year-round. Continuing the school’s long history of animal husbandry, students raise, care for, and have shown the birds at Agricultural Fairs. In the early years of the School, horses, dogs, pigs and deer were also kept.
BUTTERFLY GARDEN
Embellishing the entrance to the Butterfly Conservatory is a beautifully designed garden where native butterflies, such as the Monarch, Tiger Swallowtail, Painted Lady and Mourning Cloak, are lured to the various butterfly attracting plants. Plants grown include Buddleia (Butterfly Bush), Syringa (Lilac), Viburnum, Eupatorium (Joe Pye Weed), Asclepias (Milkweed) and ornamental grasses (which are hosts to larvae). The garden was designed by well-respected Toronto-based landscape architect, Janet Rosenberg. A large cortan steel butterfly sculpture provides an excellent back-drop for group photos.
DWARF CONIFER COLLECTION
The Dwarf Conifer Collection features many selections of unique and unusual dwarf conifers and is being developed with the support of the School of Horticulture Alumni Association. The garden is scheduled for major expansion as outlined in the Botanical Gardens’ Master Plan. The new design will cover the entire area that presently consists of the Annual Showcase Gardens.
GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES
Location: 43N, 79W
Elevation: 175 m (574’) above sea level
Hardiness Zone: 6b (U.S.D.A); 6b (Natural Resources Canada)
Average annual minimum temperature: -20.5°C (-5°F)
Average annual precipitation: 95.3 cm (37.5”)
Soil type/depth: Clay loam soil, depth ranges from 0.5–1.5 m (1.6’–4.9’) with a limestone bedrock base
GREENHOUSES
The greenhouses at the Botanical Gardens and Butterfly Conservatory consist of 1,800 sq. meters (19,386 sq. feet) of combined production space. There is 1,022 sq. meters (11,000 sq. feet) of actual display space within the Butterfly Conservatory for public viewing of Butterflies, Moths and Tropical Plant Collections. There are facilities for the production of butterflies and butterfly plants for the Butterfly Conservatory. The Botanical Gardens’ greenhouses are used to propagate plants for the gardens. The greenhouses are state of the art facilities, with high pressure sodium lighting, double glazed curved glass, and a rolling bench system both inside and out. The benches are on a track system to enable them to be moved outside to harden-off plants. The houses also have automatic watering of several different types, automatic misting for temperature and humidity control, auto shading and thermal curtains are also present with a three stage computerized cooling system. The greenhouses produce 70,000 to 80,000 plants per year for all areas of the Botanical Gardens. The major crops which are produced in the greenhouses are herbs, vegetables, annuals, sub-tropicals, violas, chrysanthemums, poinsettias, as well as trees and shrubs. The facilities also include a seed germination chamber, a cooler room, a nursery and an over-wintering storage area for the many tropical plants used in summer display beds. The greenhouses allow students to gain an understanding of greenhouse management and serve as a classroom for interior plantscaping and other courses.
HERB GARDEN
Renovated and re-planted in 1999, this formal-style garden features a carefully designed display of herbs in over 560 sq. meters (6,000 sq. feet) of display beds. The beds are categorized according to use and include, world culinary, medicinal, economic, perfume, dye, beverage, homeopathic and aromatic plants. Flagstone pathways, brick bed-edging, unique obelisks, and Haddonstone urns add to the beauty of the garden. Enclosed by the original Platycladus orientalis (Oriental Cedar) hedge, which was planted in the early 1940s for a “walled” effect, the Herb Garden benefits from a warmer microclimate than the rest of the Gardens. This allows some delicate species, such as, Cynara cardunculus (Cardoon) to winter over. Especially tender plant material is dug up each fall, stored for the winter in the greenhouse and replanted in the spring. The central axis of the garden features an “inner room” of hedge walls, where a knot garden and sundial can be found. In the heat of summer, the air is filled with the perfume of Heliotropium (Heliotrope). Some very unusual and interesting plants can be found in the Herb Garden.
HERBARIUM
Approximately 13,000 dried plant specimens are maintained in the Herbarium. Many of the specimens have been collected and identified by students as part of their plant collections course in their first year. Some of the specimens date back to 1894 and were collected by the first Chief Gardener for The Niagara Parks Commission, Roderick Cameron. These early specimens provide information on plants which were growing naturally in the parks system at that time and is a resource for local restoration projects. For research purposes, specimens can be viewed by appointment with the Botanical Gardens’ Curator of Collections.
HORSE AND CARRIAGE RIDES
During the summer season, leisurely Horse and Carriage tours of the Botanical Gardens are available. Tickets can be purchased at the Butterfly Gift Shop in the Butterfly Conservatory.
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM)
Cultural, biological and chemical controls of insects are employed after careful and informed monitoring reveals the severity of the infestation. Cultural and biological controls are preferred, but if the use of pesticides is necessary, the product with the least environmental impact is used first. Warning signs must be posted 24 hours in advance of application, and remain posted for 48 hours after application.
MISSION - WHO WE ARE TODAY
The Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens and School of Horticulture is a family of students, staff and alumni whose passion for the art, science and mystery of horticulture is evident in superior education, research, leadership and stewardship of their gift to the world - the Botanical Gardens.
NURSERY
The nursery area consists of two sections. One is a gravel area for growing containerized material, while the other is a field for growing in the ground. The in-ground area was created during the construction of the Butterfly Conservatory in 1996.
OLD SPECIMEN AREA
Most of the trees found in the Old Specimen Area were planted in the 1930s and 1940s. A Holland nursery, F. J. Grootendorst & Sons, supplied the majority of the plants found here and many were also used throughout the grounds. A shipment to the School in 1937, was the largest single shipment of nursery stock shipped from Holland at the time. Among the beautiful specimens to be found here are Magnolia acuminata (Cucumber Magnolia), Metasequoia glyptostroboides (Dawn Redwood) and Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgo). The 150 -200 year old Quercus macrocarpa (Bur Oak) found here is a reminder that this land was once part of an Oak Savannah.
ORNAMENTAL GRASS GARDEN
A collection of ornamental grasses are planted in a design to emphasize their form, colour, texture, size and shape. Plants range in height from a few centimeters to several meters high. Green, yellow, blue, purple and red can be seen throughout the growing season. Their most glorious display is late summer through the fall and winter, as the grasses are left in their natural state to add to the winter landscape. The ornamental grass garden is an invaluable resource for learning about these beautiful plants and observing their various growth patterns and flowering habits.
PARTERRE GARDEN
Framed by Platycladus orientalis (Oriental Cedar) hedges, this formal garden displays two raised beds which feature display bedding throughout the seasons, including a spring tulip display, summer annual display and fall Chrysanthemum display. Parterres are traditionally geometrical, with one side mirroring the other. A central axis of pristinely clipped boxwood hedges punctuated by Acer platanoides ‘Globosum’ (Globe Norway Maples) makes a stunning contrast to this colourful garden. The Globe Maples have been grafted and are pruned to shape each year. “Parterre” means “on” or “along” the ground. It is a garden meant to be viewed from a higher position, often the house.
PERENNIAL BORDER
The Perennial Border is always a spectacular sight. Sheltered beside a backdrop of mature Picea glauca (White Spruce) trees you can find something in flower from spring until frost. The garden contains both shade and sun loving plants, with numerous colours, shapes, textures and sizes. The garden displays a diverse range of new and standard perennials for study by students and for public education. You can find dwarf plants that hug the ground to plants that are several feet high. The garden is arranged into seven sections. Efforts are made to renovate one section per year. This allows students to practice design skills using various colour schemes, but primarily texture, to fulfill design objectives. The variety of light exposures and soil types (woodland organic soil and limestone base clay soil) plays a part in determining the perennial plants selected.
RESIDENCE AREA
The residence is home to our students during the first two years in the 3-year program. The east part of the building is the original farmhouse. Gardens surround this building with the south face featuring seasonal display plants. Formal lawn areas, well maintained vines, and large window boxes complement the restful appearance of this building. To the north is a perfect location for growing broadleaf evergreens against the building. This area also has a formal pond, surrounded by turf and a Buxus hedge. To the east of Residence is the Old Lecture Hall which was originally a railroad station located at Queenston Heights Park and was moved to the School in 1938 when the railway was discontinued. It was the original Lecture Hall for students at the School of Horticulture. Today this building is home to staff offices.
RHODODENDRON & AZALEA COLLECTION
Culture of rhododendrons at the Botanical Gardens is a struggle due to their requirements of a low pH soil, good drainage and plenty of water. Considerable effort has been made to get rhododendrons to thrive in the Arboretum. This is accomplished through raised beds with amended soil and regular irrigation.
ROCK GARDEN
The Rock Garden consists of plants native to alpine areas of the world, as well as ornamental hardy shrubs, herbaceous perennials, and bulbs suitable for growing in this type of setting. The various soil mixes allow for culture of plants adapted to scree, woodland, alpine meadows and bog conditions. The garden is arranged with the taller more robust plants at the bottom of the rock garden and cushion forming plants toward the top. This is to simulate the harsher conditions at higher elevations. From 1993 to 1998, a renovation program was initiated to improve the soil conditions so that more alpine and woodland plants could be grown. Various pockets of soil were removed and replaced with one of five different soil mixes. Many rocks were repositioned to create a more interesting, naturalistic backdrop for the plants.
ROSE GARDEN 
The Rose Garden, established in the 1940s, was designed by Knut Mattias Broman, a Swedish landscape architect and first superintendent of the School. The Rose Garden reflects the Broman style of a grand landscape vista, similar to the classical landscape design of the 18th century and reminiscent of English estate gardens. It encompasses over 2 acres (.85 hectares) and includes 54 rose beds and 31 annual display beds. It boasts 2,400 colourful and fragrant hybrid tea, floribunda, grandiflora and climbing roses. There are over 62 different rose cultivars. New additions to the Rose Garden are selected for their disease resistance and adaptability to changing weather patterns. Shrub roses and groundcover roses can be found on display in the exterior borders (mainly on the east exterior border). The blooming period is weather dependent, but usually from about June 10-15 until frost.
SEASONAL DISPLAY BEDS
All spring, summer and fall bedding displays are designed by students attending the School of Horticulture under the direction of several Curator/Instructors. Each year students, under the supervision of the Greenhouse Instructor, grow approximately 80,000 annual plants in the Botanical Gardens’ greenhouses. These plants are used in the bedding displays within the Rose Garden, Parterre Garden, Front Entrance Gardens, Vegetable and Herb Gardens, to name a few. In the fall, 800 hardy mums are on display. Each year 1,200 violas are grown for baskets and plantings, and 35,600 tulip bulbs are planted. Approximately 7,350 minor bulbs are also naturalized each year. One hundred and fifty baskets are displayed throughout the growing season including, 50 annual, 50 viola, and 50 chrysanthemum.
SHADE GARDEN
An on-going creation, this collection of shade to part-shade loving perennials and understory trees meanders along flagstone paths beneath towering Pinus strobus (White Pine) and Picea (Spruce) before emerging onto a small, sun-drenched grassy clearing. An addition built in 2001 by students in the landscape construction course, is the stone pond with connected bog-plant pockets. In spring, Cornus (Dogwood) and Pulmonaria (Lungwort) blossom, while in the fall, Acer palmatum (Japanese Maples) are ablaze with autumn colour. In summer, Scabiosa columbaria ‘Butterfly Blue’ (Pincushion Flower) and Aster x frikartii ‘Monch” (Monch Frikart Aster) provide constant blooms.
SHRUB, IRIS & DAYLILY BORDER
This garden is an interplanting of shrubs, irises, and daylilies. Unusual cultivars of each plant type can be found in this border. In late May to early June, the Iris Border is a rainbow of colour accented by Tamarix (Tamrisk), Wisteria and towering Aesculus (Horsechestnut).
STUDENT VEGETABLE TRIAL GARDENS
Second year students have an opportunity to trial different vegetables from seed companies and use their creativity to design individual plots. This project is part of the Vegetable Culture course. Originality, attention to maintenance techniques and crop performance is the focus of the students’ learning experience. Students are encouraged to be imaginative and have created some unique scenes, ranging from a ship at sea to a country porch.
VEGETABLE DISPLAY GARDEN
The goal of the Vegetable Display Garden is to maximize production in an efficient way and make it esthetically pleasing through the use of unique design characteristics. Sponsoring seed companies contribute to this exhibition of new introductions and reliable favourites. The beds are also used to educate students and visitors on different techniques used in culture, maintenance, trellising, block planting, as well as companion and succession cropping. All produce is prepared by our chefs and served to the students living in residence. Four triangular beds north of the vegetable garden display new and heritage vegetables, edible flowers and herbs. In 1981, students created the sculpture on display in this garden of tools previously used on the grounds.
VEGETABLE GARDEN BORDER
Flanking the west side of the Vegetable Display Garden is a border featuring ground cover perennials, shrubs, trees and conifers. A beautiful specimen of Wisteria floribunda ‘Longissima Alba’ blooms profusely in early summer.
WEDDINGS
The Wedding Arbor and an area by the Willow Pond are available by permit only to use for wedding ceremonies. The wedding arbor is white with vines growing on it and has four planters which frame it. These planters are filled with a neutral colour scheme in an effort to please most brides. There is no overhead protection so inclement weather contingency plans should be made. Permits are available for a fee by writing to weddings@niagaraparks.com. All wedding parties are expected to adhere to the rules and regulations of The Niagara Parks Commission.
WOODLAND GARDEN
Native and non-native woodland bulbs and perennials create this naturalistic low-maintenance landscape. In the spring, this garden takes centre stage, with the display of thousands of ephemeral bulbs such as Chionodoxa (Glory of Snow), Scilla (Squill), Galanthus (Snowdrop) and Eranthis (Winter Aconite). In addition, spring and summer flowering perennials emerge as the permanent long lasting garden feature. By summer, this garden is a sea of texture of varying greens and grays. Nature works magic in the natural garden with some human editing along the way. Located here is a root cellar built by the students in 1944 to store root crops and apples. Currently it is used to store irrigation equipment and spring bulbs when they arrive in the fall, before they are planted out.
