Gardening at Upper Canada Village
Candy Pollard

With gardening fever in the air, Upper Canada Village is the place to visit, especially if heirloom plants are your specialty. On May 24 and 25, the historic site will be hosting an Heirloom Plant Sale and Garden Weekend, where you will not only find some unusual varieties for sale, but where you can also pick up some “expert” gardening tips and advice.

Each year, Upper Canada Village welcomes the season of spring with special attention to the planting of its many heritage-style gardens. On May 24 and 25, the site will be hosting its annual Heirloom Plant Sale. No admission is required to visit the plant sale located at the front entrance of the Village.

A most interesting assortment of heirloom annuals and perennials will be available including Achillea, Cockscomb, Cleome, English Lavender, Gomphrena, Hollyhocks, Love-in-a-Mist, Love Lies Bleeding, Lupines, Monarda, Rose Champion, Scabiosa, and many others. A selection of both popular and more unusual 19th century tomatoes of various tastes, colours, and sizes will also be available, including Brandywine, Giant Belgium, Jaune Flambée, Purple Ball, White Beauty, and Yellow Pear. Prices range from $1.00 to $2.95 for annuals and from $2.45 to $6.95 for perennials.

Upper Canada Village’s own horticultural staff will be at the Sale on both Saturday and Sunday mornings (9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) to answer questions and give advice concerning plant problems and gardening strategies.

Visiting gardeners who decide to spend some time inside the Village (regular admission fee applies) are invited to meet up with Village horticultural staff who will be working in the gardens at Loucks’ Farm, Cook’s Tavern, and the Pastor’s Home at various times each day. These staff will offer both historical and technical tips related to and Village gardens, hotbeds, spring seeding and transplanting.

Near the Village’s schoolhouse, visiting children will be invited to help plant the schoolhouse garden between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Horticultural staff will also have seeds available for children.

The Heirloom Plant Weekend is the first in a series of events and activities that celebrate the gardens at Upper Canada Village. On Saturday, June 14, “Spring Gardens” day plans include guided tours of the gardens, as well as workshops and garden planting for kids at Loucks’ Farm. “Summer Gardens” will take place on Saturday, July 26, and “Fall Gardens” on Saturday, September 13.

For more information or to order a free visitor’s guide and special events listing, or to order a “Passport to the Past”, call 1-800-437 2233 (613-543-4328 locally) or visit our web site at www.uppercanadavillage.com.

For information on other news and upcoming events in Cornwall and Seaway Valley, click on the following links:

• Other Candy Reports
• Calendar of Events