Founded in 1931, at the height of the Great Depression, by horticulturist, Frere Marie-Victorin and Montreal's mayor, Camillien Houde, this 190 acre park was a short 15 minute subway ride from our apartment. It is located across the street from the site of the 1976 Summer Olympic Games in Montreal. Organized to display plants and flowers from around the world, each section is designed around a specific theme (e.g. Annuals, perennials, Alpine, Chinese, Japanese, etc.). The stated goals of the gardens are to educate the public about its collections , as well as to conserve endangered plants. Undoubtably, this was one of the most beautiful and well organized parks we have visited.
The main entrance to the park leading to the administration building.
Across the street from the gardens is the 1976 Olympic Stadium complex.
This 495 foot tall Tower of Montreal (attached to the Olympic Stadium) is the tallest inclined tower in the world. Compared to the 5 degree lean of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the 45 degree tilt of The Tower of Montreal is unbelievable.
The vibrant colors of plants throughout the gardens are breathtaking.
We were truly impressed at the way everything was organized and displayed.
Everything seemed to be in bloom.
The Alpine section is devoted to high altitude landscapes.
The designers of the gardens did a wonderful job laying this all out.
Creating an alpine "mountain" as a backdrop to the display of high altitude plants was no mean feat.
Even the "simple" water ponds were impressive.
The Chinese Gardens were one of the highlights of this visit.
When time came to design the Chinese Gardens, horticultural architects were brought in from China to help.
As part of the Botanical Gardens, the Insectarium provides a glimpse into the world of insects around us. One of their programs is the study of butterfly habits by tagging them and following their flight paths.
One in every four living things on earth are beetles.
A large collection of stick insects is on display in the Insectarium.
A winged doorway leads into the Chinese Gardens.
Ponds, bridges, and pagodas are everywhere.
Throughout this part of the gardens are these fabric covered sculptures.
Even the rocks seem to make an impressive display...
...as are the cascading waters.
Russian sage in full bloom.
These Rosemallow flowers were huge! (Easily a foot across).
One of the most spectacular sections of the Gardens.
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