Always Something New at Montreal Botanical Garden - Nature W/O for Ahlstromomy
Written: Mar 12 '03 (Updated Mar 13 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Beautiful plants & flowers, educational exhibits, inexpensive, always something going on, family activity
Cons: Less fun in inclement weather, tiring on the feet
The Bottom Line: Bring the entire family to Montreal Botanical Garden-lots to explore. View beautiful plants, flowers & exhibits. Don't miss the delightful Chinese Garden. Amateur Entomologists/kids will love the Insectarium.
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| glomarrone's Full Review: Montreal |
With the worst of winter mostly over, spring just around the corner & the promise of lazy summer days to come, why not consider a visit to Montreal? Although there is lots to do in Montreal, one of my favorite activities is visiting the Montreal Botanical Garden (Le Jardin Botanique De Montreal.) This past fall I spent an entire day exploring the outside gardens, greenhouses & Insectarium. Although I was going to wait a few weeks to post this review, I decided to do it during March in order to participate in Klueger's W/O for his wife Kathie (Ahlstromomy.) I hope all my words about nature, flowers & plants will help brighten Kathie's day–hopefully distracting her from her pain.
General Information – Reputation, Mission, Location, Access, Parking, Hours, Prices, Tours
With its collection of 22,000 plant species & varieties of plants from around the world, 10 exhibition greenhouses & 30 thematic gardens, the Montréal Botanical Garden ranks as one of the world's largest & most spectacular botanical garden - second only in size to Kew Gardens in Surrey, England. The sprawling grounds cover over 185 acres. Brother Marie-Victoria founded the Montreal Botanical Garden in 1931. The mayor at that time came up with the idea of employing Canadians on relief to build the garden. Its mission is threefold. It conserves, develops & presents living plants to the public. It pursues research activities. It educates the public in Botany and Horticulture.
4101, Sherbrooke East,
Montréal, Québec
Canada, H1X 2B2
(514) 872-1400
The Montréal Botanical Garden is located near the Olympic Stadium & Pie-IX metro station at the corner of Pie-IX & Sherbrooke Streets. We rode the easy-to-navigate Metro from our downtown hotel, Hilton Montreal Bonaventure (Bonaventure Stop on the Orange Line) changing trains once at Berri Uqam for the Green Line. Travel time took about 20 minutes. We exited at Viau, the stop after Pie-IX, since we were visiting Montreal Tower first. The Garden opens at 9 AM. Closing hours depend on the season - 4PM, 6PM or 9PM. The Botanical Garden is opened 365 days a year.
Rates vary by the season: Adults - $7,75 (Off-Season)/$10,50 (High Season;) 65 & students - $6,00/$8,00; 5 to 17 - $ 4,00 /$5,25 (Canadian currency.) Children under 5 are free. We purchased a combination ticket to the Biodome, the Botanical Gardens, Insectarium & Montreal Tower now $25,00 Canadian (around $14 US) - valid for 30 consecutive days, one visit per site. MasterCard & Visa are accepted. The price is quite reasonable. Montreal Botanical Garden has two parking lots - rates depend on the season - $8,00/$6,00 Canadian. Various free guided tours of the outdoor gardens (2-5 hours,) greenhouses (1 hour) & Insectarium (45 minutes) are offered to groups of 10 people every day except Wednesday-10 AM & 1:30PM. Tours are not offered in Oct. Horticultural workshops are offered on Saturdays by reservation.
Main Attractions
If you are visiting while the tram is running, I suggest you ride it completely around the garden in order to get oriented. Then exit at the stops that interest you most. The tram is also a great way to give your tired feet a rest while still enjoying the sights. A great place to start your visit is at the Reception Center with its entrance to the Exhibition Greenhouses & the Molson Hospitality Greenhouse. The Greenhouses are all interconnected. The East Wing contains a Tropical Rain Forest, tropical plants, the fragrant, delicate Orchids, Gesneriads, Aroids, & tropical and sub tropical Ferns. The West Wing houses Begonias, Arid Region plants, cacti, succulents, Garden of Wellness & the Main Exhibition Greenhouse. Beyond the centrally located Molson Hospitality Greenhouse is the Chlorophyll Room for Children. Expect to spend an hour admiring the beauty of plants inside the greenhouses. Restrooms are located beyond the Molson Hospitality Greenhouse
My favorite place is the delightful Chinese Garden - not to be missed on a visit here. It is the largest Chinese garden outside of Asia & extraordinarily beautiful. For a fascinating flavor of China, explore 7 charming, ornate pavilions set around a lake. This area is so harmonious that I spent over almost two hours admiring its sheer beauty. It’s also a popular spot for brides. There are beautifully landscaped lakes, a waterfall & a small hill to climb for a panoramic view - great spot for photographs. View beautifully sculptured ornamentals, floating boats, tiny bridges, colorful kites, hundreds of delicate handmade silk lanterns (summer - fall,) quaint fishermen figurines & fish, whimsical animals & so much more. I felt like I was in a marketplace in China. I guarantee that you will be as enthralled as I was. The elegant aquatic lotuses were in bloom (mid August-mid Sept) during my visit. The nearby serene Japanese Garden & Pavilion is equally exotic & delightful. View the collection of magnificent bonsais, the exquisite lotuses (summertime) & enjoy this peaceful oasis.
The Outdoor Gardens are lovely to explore. There are over 30 thematic garden to enjoy – too many to go into in any real detail. Different ones put on a show of blooms throughout the year. View large beautiful rhododendrons & azaleas, 10,000 stunning delicate roses, fragrant lilacs, serene ponds & a flowering brook. Visit the Woodland Garden Marsh & Bog Garden, Alpine Garden & Turkish Garden among others. The First Nations Garden contains vegetation of the 11 Amerindian & Intuit nations of Quebec. How long you spend here depends on your interest in plants & the weather. Allow at least 2 hours.
If you, or your family, are at all interested in insects, stop at the Insectarium (tram stop #2) where complementary shuttle buses depart. I spent a cursory visit here of perhaps 30 minutes since I have little interest in most insects except butterflies. Many of the other visitors were excited children who were keenly interested in all they saw. View thousands of specimens alive or mounted. Learn about the usefulness of insects & how they maintain the ecological balance of our world. In summer, you can enjoy a stroll through the Butterfly House located in the Insectarium Garden & admire the beautiful butterflies. In late summer - early fall, help tag monarchs before they start on their migration to Mexico.
Later, if time permits, you may enjoy a stop at The Tree House (tram stop #3.) This unique exhibit in the Arboretum contains fascinating displays on trees & forests. Explore the beauty, diversity & vulnerability of Canadian plants. When I visited there was an interesting exhibit on the Mediterranean olive tree, its mythology & how olive oil is made.
Seasonal Blooms
During each season there is something in bloom to captivate your attention with colorful flowers & fragrances. You can always view Begonias, Bromeliads, Gesneriads, Orchids & Penjings. If you visit in May, you may be lucky to catch blooming Cherries, Alpine Plants, Magnolias, Lindens, Narcissi & Crabapples. The Primroses, Hyacinths, Irises & Tulips will also in bloom then. During the summer months, beautiful beds of annuals are in bloom plus Asters, Bonsais, Clematis, Dahlias, Hydrangeas, Water Lilies & Daylilies. In the early fall, you may still catch blooming Roses, Sedums, Lotuses. The Annuals and Asters will bloom through late fall. Visit in winter for the showy display of Azaleas (Dec -Jan,) Christmas Cacti (Nov-Dec, ) Cyclamens (Dec-Jan) & Poinsettias (Dec-Jan.)
Special Exhibits, Events & Activities
Exhibits throughout the Botanical Garden vary seasonally. From Feb 14-Apr 27 '03, experience the Butterflies Go Free exhibit in the Main Exhibition Greenhouse. Since 1997, the Botanical Garden, in co-operation with the Insectarium, has presented this spectacular display of nearly 1,500 butterflies & moths. Informative panels & illustrated cards help visitors identify the butterflies. Look for the famous blue butterflies. Perhaps one will land on your shoulder.
On Wednesday - Sunday afternoons in July, experience the rhythms, colors & cultures of Asia through Oriental Music & Dance. Watch Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Iranian & Turkish singers, dancers, artists & musicians perform. At Christmastime see Poinsettias in the Main Exhibition Greenhouse. Halloween brings The Great Pumpkin Ball to the Main Exhibition Greenhouse. During September there is the Montreal Bonsai & Penjing Society Annual Show in the Japanese Pavilion. Other events are concerts, exhibits on entomology research, Mediterranean Fragrances & Japanese Green Tea. Picnic with a Japanese-style box lunch under the Crabapples. How about a Great Gardening Weekend for the whole family with a chance to pick up some rare and unusual plants and gardening items? A permanent exhibit: Travel Souvenirs houses the treasures & oddities of entomologist Georges Brossard, founder of the Insectarium who hosts his own TV show, Insectia.
Services
If you are traveling with a senior, young children or anyone who has difficult walking, visit during the summer months when the animated red tram is running. Commentary is presented in different languages including English & is quite informative. The Montreal Botanical Garden is wheelchair accessible with free admission for the person accompanying the handicapped person. A complementary shuttle links Olympic Park, the Biodome & Viau Metro Station to the Botanical Garden departing from the parking lot. I walked the pleasant short distance from Montreal Tower – not a strenuous walk, although it is uphill.
The large Reception Center has brochures & horticultural information plus a large model to help plan your visit. Find strollers (free,) wheelchairs (free,) coatroom ($2,) phones, lockers & clean restrooms here. The interesting L’Orchidee Gift Shop (opened year round) has an attractive display of gift items, toys, books plus other items to please any adult or child interested in nature. Other gift shops are located at the Insectarium (year round) & at the First Nations Garden and Chinese Garden during high season. Prices are reasonable. Guided tours leave from the Reception Center. The Garden snack bar near the Reception Center is open from mid-Feb to early November. During High Season, the Fuji Pavilion & the Perce-neige milk bar are also opened. Find picnic tables near the entrance to the Botanical Garden.
The Botanical Garden is a popular spot for wedding photos. In July, expect to see about 50 brides on any Saturday. When I visited in September, I saw about 20 brides & grooms being photographed plus one wedding ceremony & a reception.
Websites
Visit www.ville.montreal.qc.ca/jardin for more information about the Botanical Garden & its scientific, educational & horticultural activities. Research the wonderful online horticultural library. View a beautiful collection of horticultural photos. The English translation is often stilled & the site is very buggy (excuse the pun.) Visit www.ville.montreal.qc.ca/insectarium for information on the Insectarium.
Final Words
A visit to the Montreal Botanical Gardens - Le Jardin Botanique De Montreal is an outing the whole family will enjoy. It is not only entertaining & beautiful but also educational. Be sure to visit when the weather is nice to enjoy the outside gardens. Wear comfortable shoes & layered garments as greenhouses are humid & warm while outside temperatures may be cool. Pack a lunch to enjoy on the outside picnic tables. Use the tram when you tire of walking & enjoy the educational information provided enroute. Be sure to bring your camera. Hang on to the hand out map – you will need it. Enjoy your visit! Can’t you almost smell the fragrant flowers?
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Jun - Aug
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glomarrone
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Location: Cocoa Beach, FL
Reviews written: 167
Trusted by: 287 members
About Me:
It's been fun for 2-1/2yrs. Now it's time to say goodbye. I'll miss you all!
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