by

All the World’s a Stage – Coming in June!

We are pleased to welcome the Annapolis District Drama Group for two great evenings of Shakespeare in the Gardens. You will tour the beautiful Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens in the evening light and encounter tastes of Shakespeare along the way.  (Much Ado About Nothing – The Tempest – Macbeth – King Lear – Hamlet – & much more)

Rehearsals have been occurring throughout the Gardens and the cast and organizers are very excited to be working on this unique presentation in the most beautiful of settings. Thanks to the Drama Group for the following rehearsal photos…

Some important details:

  • This is a rain or shine event.
  • Duration approximately 2 hours.
  • Staggered start times – book your time slot during purchase.
  • We can not take reservations without payment for these performances – advance purchase is the only way to secure your spot!
  • The performance start times (time slots) are:
    • Fri June 23 – 5pm / 5:20pm / 6:00pm / 6:20pm / 7:00pm / 7:20pm
    • Sat June 24 – 5pm / 5:20pm / 6:00pm / 6:20pm / 7:00pm / 7:20pm

Tickets: 

  • Regular Non-Member Price $25 
  • 2023 Garden Members are entitled to a $5 discount. (If purchasing online, the discount be applied during the checkout process – type Member when asked for discount code.)

Tickets can be purchased online or in person at the Gardens Shop.

You can also purchase by phone at 902-532-7018 with Visa or Mastercard.

We know that you will want to be part of this unique event. 

Tickets are already going fast – so don’t delay!

by

Opening Day!

The time is here – the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens is officially open for the 2023 season as of Saturday, May 6! The spring bulbs are putting on a show, along with the magnolias, and a beautiful weekend lies ahead.


For the rest of May we are offering our early season rates – only $10 per person including tax and your kids are free if under 18. Garden Memberships (Season Passes) start at $45 per year and allow you to enjoy the Gardens as often as you like.


See you soon!

by

Retail Seed Selection 2023

We have recently received our retail seed orders from both Hope Seeds and Halifax Seed Co.

Hope Seeds is a local company from nearby Clementsport. They pride themselves on packaging sustainably grown, untreated, open-pollinated and non-GMO heirloom seeds. Among these seeds are such names as Goose Gullet Beans, Bloomsdale Longstanding Spinach and Amish Rainbow Broomcorn.

Halifax Seed Company, established in 1866, is Canada’s oldest continuously operating family owned seed company. Their retail outlets offer a wide selection of gardening and agricultural products. We carry a selection of seeds that have proven popular among Gardens visitors, such as Russell Hybrid Lupins and Dill’s Atlantic Giant Pumpkin.

We all love to study seed lists at home, and do a little research before we decide what to plant. To that end, we have included a downloadable PDF list of all the seeds we have on hand: Retail Seed Selection – Spring 2023

We do not offer seeds through our online store at this point, as you can order them directly from the suppliers. There is one exception – by popular request – we are offering Swamp Milkweed Seeds through our online store so you can have them shipped to you. Here is the link: Order Swamp Milkweed Seeds Online.

And last, but not least, don’t forget about books and publications to help you along the way. We offer a large selection of gardening books in the Gardens Shop and most titles can be ordered online as well: Gardening Books Online.

Have fun planning for your gardening capers! And be sure to come browse the Gardens Shop (and the Gardens too) for ideas!

by

A Fascination with Trees

Otto Braun was a Mennonite craftsman from southern Saskatchewan. He grew up loving the outdoors, and was intrigued by the shapes, patterns, and colours he saw in nature. Fascinated with the textures and grains of different types of wood, and how events in a tree’s life would affect its appearance, he spent a lifetime honing his skills as a craftsman and creating many pieces of fine furniture.

When he passed away in 2022, he left behind a large collection of handcrafted items including shoe horns, walking sticks, and bookmarks. These were donated to the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens – a place he and his wife loved to visit – to be sold to others in support of the Gardens, and as a way of celebrating the natural beauty that he so much enjoyed.

Thanks to Otto for this magnificent work, and to his family for this generous donation in his name!

Additional Note of Interest: Otto was careful to label most of his pieces with the type of wood he used. As you browse, you will see the different trees incorporated in his work, as seen on the shoe horns below.

Shoe horns?

Yes, you heard me right!

When is the last time you could shop for shoe horns?

Well, the good news is – you can now!

by

Botanical Impressions

We were very excited this week to receive some special work for the Gardens Shop from Shauna MacLeod of Black Crow Pottery.

In June 2022, we were pleased to welcome Shauna to the Historic Gardens as an artist-in-residence.

As well as getting inspiration and creative energy in the Gardens, Shauna spent time working with our gardeners and using various plants around the Gardens to create botanical impressions. We have just seen the results in the form of raku plaques. They are incredible!

In Shauna’s words: “Finding beauty in simple moments was my goal for my week-long artist residency at the Historic Gardens. It did not disappoint. Seed-pods, flowers, leaves, and buds were all used to capture a moment in time that reflects the beauty and peace of the environment.”

Drop by the Gardens Shop to check these out, as well as her leaf dishes, Dreambirds and other creations. Open daily year round, 9am-5pm.

by

Join our Team!

Employment at the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens provides a wonderful opportunity to work in a beautiful environment and it is rewarding to be part of the team that presents a world class facility to visitors from around the world.

We have openings in 2023 for full time seasonal staff as well as several student summer positions. Each position listed has a link to further details on the position and information on how to apply.

Positions will be open only until filled, so apply soon!

Gardeners – seasonal, full time. Benefits package offered.

Working under the overall supervision of the Horticultural Manager, gardeners are responsible for all aspects of garden maintenance. As a member of the team, you will work with the gardens crew, or independently on occasion, to perform a wide range of gardening tasks meant to uphold the gardens to its expected standard of ornamental excellence.

Further details: Position Overview – Gardener

Visitor Services Supervisor – seasonal, full time with part time work in the winter months. Benefits package offered.

The Visitor Services Supervisor will work in various aspects of the Gardens operations, with a primary focus on admissions, gift shop and related services. Full time May through October, with potential part time work in the winter months.

Further details: Join our Team – Adult Positions

Visitor Services & Cafe Assistant – part time, with potential for casual winter work

If you are looking for a part time job working with the public, this position may be for you. The Visitor Services Assistant will help in admissions, gift shop, cafe, events and related operational duties. Part time hours on a year round basis.

Further details: Join our Team – Adult Positions

Visitor Services Students/Youth – various 9-14 week summer positions

We are looking for students and youth with great people skills who would like to join our team, working in the many aspects of visitor services. Various positions available, ranging from 9-14 weeks. The earliest positions will start in mid May. Age requirement 15-30 years old.

Further details: Join our Team – Student/Youth Positions

Student/Youth Gardener – 8 week summer position

If you an an energetic youth who likes to work outside, we have a position for a youth gardener/mower. This is an 8 week position. Age requirement 15-30 years old.

Further details: Join our Team – Student/Youth Positions

by

50/50 Winner

Congratulations to David & Lynne Woolnough, winners of our December 50/50 Draw. This is their second win since we began our monthly 50/50 draws – clearly they are dedicated supporters of our 50/50 efforts!

David & Lynne can often be found enjoying the Gardens, camera in hand. We appreciate their love and support.

Our January 50/50 Draw is now underway. If you’d like to join the fun, you can buy tickets online at https://www.rafflebox.ca/raffle/arhg or in person at the Gardens Shop.

by

Call for Sculptures 2023

Here’s a great opportunity to have your work displayed in the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens for the 2023 season!

“Silas” by Alvah d’Entremont

More than a decade ago, in partnership with the Annapolis Region Community Arts Council, the Historic Gardens started incorporating sculpture into the Gardens on a seasonal basis. As with everything in the Historic Gardens, the Sculpture Project is growing and blossoming each season. Past seasonal installations have included creations by Nova Scotian artists: Alexis Doiron, Brad Hall, Alexa Jaffurs, Shauna MacLeod and Jan Hull to name a few. In addition to these installations, the Gardens has several semi-permanent pieces including the magnificent “Dance of the Blue Heron” sculpture by Gerald Jank that now graces our front lawn!

“Fish Plant” by Nancy Roberts

Each piece has been sited perfectly within the gardens, allowing the artwork to both enhance its surroundings and to be enhanced by the gardens around it. The resulting marriage of gardens and sculpture has been met with great enthusiasm from Historic Gardens visitors.

We are now pleased to call for Expressions of Interest from artists for garden sculpture for the 2023 season. Deadline for submissions: March 5, 2023. Download a PDF below!

Download: INVITATION FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

IMG_7612
“Bird Watching” by Shauna MacLeod