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
