Jardins de Métis, Historic gardens in Grand-Métis, Canada
Jardins de Métis is a historic garden site in Grand-Métis where distinct garden sections contain thousands of plant varieties arranged along the Métis River. The grounds include specialized collections of rhododendrons, lilies, and primulas, as well as Estevan Lodge, a residential building from the 19th century that hosts exhibitions.
The gardens began in 1926 when Elsie Reford transformed a former fishing lodge into cultivated spaces without hiring landscape architects. She developed the site over several decades, creating a major center for plant preservation in Canada.
The site reflects the Reford family's passion for plants and their influence on Canadian gardening traditions. Visitors see how private collectors helped preserve botanical knowledge and shaped horticultural practices across the country.
The grounds are easily walkable with winding paths connecting the various garden sections and clear signage for navigation. Comfortable shoes are recommended since paths cross the entire terrain, and visitors should allow time to explore each collection at a leisurely pace.
The gardens contain Himalayan blue poppies and other plants that thrive here but rarely grow elsewhere in Canada due to the river's cooling effect. This northern location provides unusual growing conditions that mirror more distant mountain environments.
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