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| More than 600 types of bearded iris form the backbone of the RBG's substantial iris collection |
Our first stop on our optional day in Niagara will be the
Laking Garden at the
Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG). The star of this space is the RBG's collection of
over 1000 types of iris. This garden was redesigned in 2013, and these pictures were taken very close to Fling time the following year (after what I call the Polar Voldemortex winter of 2013/2014). That means we should be viewing it in the "leap" phase of the sleep-creep-leap adage, even if winter 2014/15 gives us a repeat performance.
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| If you love irises, this is a chance to get up-close and personal. Here's Iris 'Banish Misfortune.' Great name. |
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| Excellent plant labels and interpretive signs make the Laking Garden educational as well as inspiring. |
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| The Laking Garden is also home to other collections, including peonies, clematis and hostas. |
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| Framed by formal elements, it will be a picturesque way to begin our Niagara excursion. |
We're delighted to include this update from Nick Kondrat, Manager of Communications for the RBG:
June is the month for perennials at RBG and this is when the Laking Garden is at its best. Take a tour of the spectacular Iris and peony collections which showcase rare and unusual cultivars from the 20th and 21st centuries. In particular the iris collection is one of the most unique collections of its type in North America. Travel through time and look at breeding trends through the decades, marvel at a complete collection of Dykes Medal winning iris and take a look at the latest trends in Canadian Iris breeding. This experience is an unrivalled and intimate opportunity to experience these collections for plant connoisseurs up close. We hope to have the pleasure of your company in the Laking Garden on June 8th.
Thanks, Nick! We're looking forward to our visit.
