I feel blessed to have lived in both Canada and the United States. Not only do both countries have a friendly relationship and an easily traversed border, they also share unbelievable natural beauty. Many readers may be surprised to know that Canada is not simply a land of ice and snow. In fact, the hardiness growing zones in Canada encompass zone 0 (coldest – near the far north and arctic latitudes) to zone 9 (warmest – in the Vancouver, Victoria, and Vancouver Island regions), and everything in between. Take a look:
There is a slight difference in hardiness zone rankings between the US and Canada, but not by much. The US system only considers the minimum temperature to rank a given region, whereas the Canadian hardiness zone map also considers the duration of minimum temperature and other factors such as snow cover and wind chill. Here is a chart that compares the two systems:
Comparing the USDA and Agriculture Canada Hardiness Zones
| USDA Zone | Canadian Zone |
|---|---|
| 0 | 1 |
| 1 | 2 |
| 2 | 3 |
| 3 | 4 |
| 4 | 5 |
| 5 | 6 |
| 6 | 7 |
As you can see, many areas of Canada have very favorable climate regions for gardening. What’s more, because of the heavenly 7-9 ranked hardiness zones on Vancouver Island and southwest British Columbia, their climates (and even a few of the region’s gardens) are similar to those found in London, England where the world-famous Kew Garden is located.
For Canadian readers, you may already be familiar with many of the following beautiful parks and gardens. But for those of you who have not yet visited Canada and its many wonders, I wholeheartedly encourage you to do so. I promise you will not be disappointed. You might even bump into Marty and me when we take our next trip to Alberta and British Columbia later this year.
Enjoy!
- Butchart Gardens (Victoria, British Columbia): Perhaps one of the most famous gardens in Canada, Butchart Gardens features stunning floral displays, including a rose garden, Japanese garden, and sunken garden. The meticulous landscaping and seasonal displays make it a must-visit destination.
- The Halifax Public Gardens (Halifax, Nova Scotia): Established in the mid-19th century, the Halifax Public Gardens is a Victorian-era garden that boasts a serene atmosphere with winding paths, vibrant flower beds, ornate fountains, and a picturesque bandstand.
- Royal Botanical Gardens (Burlington/Hamilton, Ontario): With over 2,700 acres of gardens and nature sanctuaries, the Royal Botanical Gardens is one of the largest botanical gardens in Canada. It features themed gardens, including a rose garden, Mediterranean garden, and rock garden, as well as nature trails and wetlands.
- Montreal Botanical Garden (Montreal, Quebec): This expansive garden features a diverse collection of over 22,000 plants, including a Chinese garden, Japanese garden, and an alpine garden. The Montreal Botanical Garden also hosts themed exhibitions, such as the annual Mosaïcultures Internationales competition.
- Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens (Niagara Falls, Ontario): Situated just north of Niagara Falls, these gardens offer a tranquil escape with manicured landscapes, floral displays, and themed gardens, including a rose garden and herb garden. The Butterfly Conservatory is also a popular attraction within the botanical gardens.
- The University of Alberta Botanic Garden (Edmonton, Alberta): Located on the University of Alberta campus, the university’s award-winning botanic garden is situated on a picturesque site covering 240 acres and features a beautiful and diverse collection of plants from Alberta and around the world.
- Tofino Botanical Gardens (Tofino, British Columbia): Located on Vancouver Island’s west coast, Tofino Botanical Gardens offer a unique coastal rainforest experience. Visitors can explore native plantings, art installations, and interpretive trails that showcase the region’s biodiversity.
- VanDusen Botanical Garden (Vancouver, British Columbia): Spanning 55 acres, VanDusen Botanical Garden showcases an extensive collection of plants from around the world. Visitors can explore themed gardens, including a Korean garden, Japanese garden, and rock garden, as well as ponds, streams, and woodland areas.
- Queen Elizabeth Park and Gardens (Vancouver, British Columbia). This park is a highlight for both visitors and locals and is situated on the city’s highest point, offering panoramic views of the downtown skyline, the North Shore Mountains, and beyond. The park features a breathtaking sunken garden, a rose garden, an arboretum, waterfalls, and the famous Bloedel Conservatory which houses a tropical garden with exotic plants, birds, and butterflies.
- Calgary Zoo Botanical Garden (Calgary, Alberta): Part of the Calgary Zoo, the Botanical Garden showcases a variety of plant collections, including a tropical garden, butterfly garden, and native plant garden. Visitors can explore themed exhibits and learn about conservation efforts.
