Royal Botanical Gardens

The Royal Botanical Gardens is Canada’s largest botanical garden, a sprawling complex of gardens, woodlands, trails and wetlands that spreads across Hamilton and Burlington at the western end of Lake Ontario. It covers about 1,100 hectares, much of it protected natural land, and it combines formal collections with large areas of wild nature. The headquarters, the RBG Centre, is in Burlington, while the gardens and nature sanctuaries reach into Hamilton and the surrounding area. The land lies within the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe and Huron-Wendat nations, and the gardens acknowledge that long history.

The gardens began in the 1930s on the initiative of Hamilton civic leaders, notably Thomas McQuesten, who wanted to create a green space that would also protect the marshes and ravines at the head of the lake. The Royal title was granted, and the gardens were formally set up by provincial law in 1941. Since then, they have grown into a major centre for horticulture, conservation and education, and they run research and restoration programs alongside the public gardens.

The formal gardens are easy to enjoy on foot. Hendrie Park has a large rose garden and a series of themed beds, and the Laking Garden is famous for its irises and peonies, which put on a show in early summer. The Rock Garden, set in a former quarry, is a landscape of paths, ponds, flowering shrubs and plants chosen for their colour in each season, and it is one of the best-loved parts of the site. The arboretum covers a large area with collections of trees and shrubs, including lilacs, magnolias and many other species, and the Mediterranean Garden, housed in a glass conservatory, allows visitors to enjoy tropical and subtropical plants even in winter.

The natural areas are just as important. A large coastal marsh at the head of the lake has been the focus of a major restoration effort, with a fish barrier and replanting that helped bring back wetland plants and birds, and it is a haven for herons, ducks, turtles and many other animals. Hendrie Valley and other nature sanctuaries have walking trails through forest and along streams, and birdwatchers come in great numbers during migration. Canoe and kayak outings are available on the marsh in season, and the trails can be used for walking and cycling.

The gardens are spread across several sites, so it is worth planning a route and checking which parts are open, as hours and admission vary by site and season. Allow a half day or more to see the main gardens. The gardens suit gardeners, families, birdwatchers and walkers, and every season offers something, from spring bulbs and lilacs to autumn colour.