This garden, opened in the middle of the Great Depression, in 1936, is different.
I can't recall any other garden that looks similar.
It was designed by architect Harold C. Beckett as a geological garden reflecting the evolution of rocks and plants in Canada's Rockies.
Canada's government financed the project with the condition that 'relief ' workers would be used on it. The financing lasted until the cost reached $50,000.
The project was never finished, but even what was done is pretty impressive.
As the sign in the next picture says, it's like a memorial to its designer, the laborers who built it, and that era.
I was lucky to visit the garden when there weren't many other guests.
But, I read that it almost never crowded and often gets overlooked by tourists.
But, I read that it almost never crowded and often gets overlooked by tourists.
The garden is framed by big mature trees, was built like a terrace and has extensive stonework.
They say it has about 50,000 plants.
These garden structures are made from tree trunks with burls.
Burl is a tree growth, in which the grain has grown in a deformed manner. It can be caused by stress connected to an injury, virus or fungus.
I saw burls in Alaska, too.Burl is a tree growth, in which the grain has grown in a deformed manner. It can be caused by stress connected to an injury, virus or fungus.
surrounding mountains.
The garden is maintained by the Banff National Park Service.
This is its administrative building:
If you visit Banff National Park, you might want to stop by
and have a relaxing break in this garden given its interesting history.
and have a relaxing break in this garden given its interesting history.
***Copyright 2013 TatyanaS
Thanks for sharing. what a beautiful place and gardens. Too bad it is filled with cheesy annuals. The perennials looks nice and the just the native beauty.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, ha-ha, never heard 'cheesy annuals'! I loved the perennial beds the most.
DeleteWhat a place! Pretty strange-looking those tree trunks with burls...
ReplyDeleteTiina, thanks! There should be a lot of stressed trees!
DeleteСпасибо за красоту!
ReplyDeleteТатьяна, спасибо, что нашли время написать! Я рада, что понравилось!
DeleteBeautiful garden in a stunning environment. Lovely little squirrel on one of the pictures. I am really impressed how it is surrounded by these high mountains. You were lucky there were no visitors on your way, but may be a pity that it's overlooked by tourists.
ReplyDeleteJanneke, thank you! The garden looks like a small bright gem framed by mountains and trees.
DeleteWhat a beautiful, serene place! It's good that it's not packed to the rim with tourists, but too bad more people don't see it. Thanks for taking us along--I never would have known about it!
ReplyDeletePlantPostings, thank you! This garden was a pleasant surprise during our trip!
DeleteThis is one of the most beautiful gardens I have ever seen with the rustic backdrop of the mountains and trees....I love the first shot!!
ReplyDeleteDonna, thank you! I am wondering how it looks in spring.
DeleteThis is so beautiful Tanya! The background of the majestic mountains make these gardens really extraordinary. Beautiful gardens set in gorgeous nature.
ReplyDeleteMarian
Marian, thank you! They compliment each other, don't they?
DeleteIt is really beautiful. Other gardens were made the same way. Rockway Garden in Kitchener, Ontario, was also a make work project of the Great Depression. You can see the garden is in the mountains from the freshness of the blooms. In much of North America, our summers are too hot for blooms to stay fresh-looking very long.
ReplyDeleteAlain, thank you! The flowers, for sure, enjoy that fresh clean mountain air! I looked at the Rockway Garden's pictures online - it's a lovely place!
DeleteFantastic setting. The garden looks as if it is quite atmospheric - maybe reflecting its history. We have just finished a mini road trip of the great English gardens - Great Dixter, Hidcote, Sissinghurst etc - and it has such a different feel. More 'masculine' and muscular if you know what I mean !
ReplyDeletehoehoegrow, thanks! Well, now when you said that, yes, it does have such feel! Interesting!!!
DeleteLovely photos and an interesting story. Were those delphiniums everywhere? And what were those tall blue flowers that looked a bit like giant blue snapdragons?
ReplyDeleteSarah, that's a very good question! The flowers are shaped almost like beans and yeas, remind snapdragons. I don't know. I'll post a question on Facebook. Maybe, someone knows.
DeleteSarah, Heidi Kaster, the owner of Dragonfly Farms Nursery, believes it's aconitium or monks hood.
Deletetaking my breath away in an entirely different way complimenting the mountains
ReplyDeleteI beati, Thank you so much!
DeleteI want that bridge, I am not sure what I would do with it, but I want it.
ReplyDeleteLes, isn't it something?! Unique!
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