Bloom Report - January 31, 2026

"Dance of the Blue Heron"
The heron sculpture on the Gardens' front lawn (created by the late Gerald Jank)

is a showstopper in every season.

 

 

January has been an interesting month, with a huge January thaw followed by a lengthy deep freeze and never-ending snowfalls this past week.

We've got lots of news, some fun photos,

and of course lots of winter beauty to share.

 

 

 

First of all, a reminder about our winter hours.

through the winter as long as conditions permit. The Gardens and paths are not maintained from November to April, so you visit at your own risk.

 

Entry is gained through the Gardens Shop

and admission is by free will offering - suggested donation $5 per adult.

(If you have a Garden Membership, there is no expectation of an entry offering,

although donations are always gratefully accepted.)

 

 

Visitor Washrooms – Closed for the winter.

(Public washrooms are available nearby at the Town’s Comfort Station on Drury Lane.)

 

The Gardens Shop is also open 7 days a week, 9am-5pm.

 

 

For detailed visitor information, hours and rates, please visit www.historicgardens.com

Some great news...

 

 

During December, Gardens visitors and shoppers entered our Holiday Draw, and recently Board Chair Stu Jamieson did the honours and drew the winning ballots. Congratulations to our Grand Prize winner, Cynthia Swinimer of Branch LaHave, who was thrilled to win a PLUS ONE Membership so she and a guest can visit the Gardens all year long. Congrats also to runners-up Fiona, Carolyn and Jeannine, who each won two day passes to the Gardens.

It's always nice to add some fun to the winter season, and our Holiday Draw did just that. Thanks to everyone who chose to make the Gardens Shop part of their holiday shopping experience. Your purchases not only support the artists who create the lovely gifts, but also support the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens.

 

 

 

And some not-so-great news...

 

 

While the January 19 snowfall provided amazing beauty, it was also very hard on trees across the province, and the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens was not spared. The next time you visit, you may notice that the weeping willow that has spent the last 40+ years standing sentry by our Courtyard Pond is no longer standing, but is instead laying across the Courtyard Pond. It completely uprooted, but fortunately, it did not damage other trees as it fell.

We are sad - there have been many weddings and other occasions under the weeping willow, and it has been part of the landscape around the pond for most of the Gardens' life. But change is inevitable in a garden, and we look forward to seeing how this area evolves with new plantings.

Eagle Watching

 

We've had a growing population of bald eagles this winter around Annapolis Royal, often seen over the Annapolis River and along the Allain's River behind the Gardens.

 

 

 

In fact, hardly a day goes by that we don't see or hear eagles in the Gardens,

mostly in trees overlooking the marsh.

 

On this day, I think the eagle was doing the watching!

2026 Memberships

 

   

 

Did you know?  

Everyone's memberships expire on December 31 annually,

no matter when they are purchased. 

 

 

In addition to our popular options for Adult/Senior/Student Memberships and our elevated Gold Membership, in 2025 we introduced a new option of special interest for those who may live alone and would love to have a friend or family member to walk with or join them for lunch at the Elm Tree Cafe. Our PLUS ONE Membership allows you to bring along a friend, family member or support worker to accompany you when you visit the Gardens. It is very flexible so you can bring a different person each time you visit if you wish. 

 

 

To purchase by mail

just print the following form and pop it into the mail with a cheque or credit card information and we'll send your memberships to you:

Donation & Membership Form

 

 

To purchase online: Buy Now

OR

Phone us at 902-532-7018

Funky Features

 

We are fortunate to have a herd of rare heffalumps wintering in our Courtyard.

We can't see them, but we know they are there!

(Our Facebook community had some fun with this post!)

 

 

 

We shared a photo on Facebook the other day of a snow covered feature in our Knot Garden. This "knot" is made from boxwood and is designed to represent the Gardens' logo. We thought it might be fun to show you the snowy photo, with a summer image from the same vantage point and the actual logo itself. Next time you visit the Gardens, have a closer look at the boxwood knot "logo" as well as the nearby lavender knot. Both are great features in the garden that surrounds the Elm Tree Cafe.

 

 

 I was amused by the polkadot pond that appeared one day...

 

 

 

 

 

Nothing is much funkier than a witch hazel blossom!

Shown here is 'Jelena", adjacent to the rose garden. She is just starting to bloom on the nicer days. 'Jelena' and her other Witch Hazel friends will soon be a highlight, usually at their best mid February to mid March. They are easy to miss, so please ask for directions in the Gardens Shop if you want to be sure to see them!

The Beauty of a Fresh Snowfall

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Gardens Shop

  

Thanks to local photographer Andrew Tolson

for capturing this great shot of the Gardens Shop.

Thanks also to Garden members Jane, Brian, Lillian and John for agreeing to be models!

 

 

So many Nova Scotian gift ideas!

The Shop is open daily, year round, from 9am-5pm. Drop in to browse.

 

And if you can't get here in person,

you can explore our online shop for gift ideas, and have items shipped.

 

Explore now!

Speaking of Andrew Tolson's images...

 

We thought it would be fun to share a couple more with you! 

It's nice to highlight all the seasons in our garden...

 

Lillian & John snowshoeing recently.

 

And a bird's eye view taken one day with a lot less snow!

Donations to the Gardens

 

 

The Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens Society is a registered charity whose purpose is stewardship of these Seventeen Acres of Paradise. Without the charitable donations we receive every year, the Gardens could simply not exist. We encourage you to support the Society in this important work to help to ensure the Gardens continue to blossom for future generations. 

 

Please consider a donation today!

 

What a difference a couple of days makes!

 

Same views - different days...

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

And our Facebook fans have been following The Case of the Disappearing Gnomes in recent days...

 

      

Snowshoeing on a Sunny Day

 

 

I took an afternoon trek around the Gardens, camera in hand.

Enjoy this virtual tour!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And last, but certainly not least...

we want to invite you to join us on February 15

to celebrate Flag Day!