Kingsbrae Garden

Kingsbrae Garden in Saint Andrews, New Brunswick invites you in and immerses your senses. You connect with nature here and find yourself in a peaceful, zen, healing place. A not-for-profit organization offers this heritage garden to the public, grounded in tradition on graciously donated land. Kingsbrae Garden’s mission is to employ, educate, inspire and expand on its fine reputation. It is an ecological, conservational, horticultural oasis.

Kingsbrae Entry Garden, White Garden & Cottage Garden

The jaw-dropping pair of beautiful begonia umbrella trees in shades of red, pink, and orange backed by the intriguing rainbow coloured modern art sculpture in the Entry Garden gives a great first impression. The wow factor does not stop there, but instead woos you through the welcoming arbour into the White Garden, where you are enveloped in a pure ethereal monochromatic wonder. The Cottage Garden, reminiscent of a English country garden, is next as you discover the main entrance, which also hosts the Visitors Centre & Gift Shop.

Kingsbrae Knot Garden & Rose Garden

The Knot Garden is groomed to showcase four beds of contrasting foliage, highlighting four separate, and different Celtic knots. What a labour of love and treat to spend time in this intricately designed symmetrical formal garden all bordered by boxwood. Adjacent is the Rose Garden, a favourite spot for wedding photos, and no wonder! This elegant beauty is on the original estate rose garden site, but redesigned to incorporate more modern varieties. Twice a day during July & August, ladybugs are released to naturally aid pest control here. My friend Lucie and I were present for this event. We watched a 4-year old squeal with excitement throughout the process of gently holding the ticklish ladybugs in her hand as they awoke from their dominancy, and flew off to nearby water-sprayed roses for a drink of water, and to hunt for aphids.

Kingsbrae Perennial Garden

Take time to soak up the warmth in the magnificent Perennial Garden. It is a wonder of rainbow colour within two acres of cedar-hedged enclosed garden. Benches are scattered throughout all gardens onsite, and complimentary tours on golf carts are also available for those with mobility concern, making all areas of the garden accessible.

Kingsbrae Orchard & Edible Garden

Navigate the Labyrinth & Maze and Orchard, then literally ‘pick’ your way through the Edible Garden, to sample delectables from the bushes. I was amazed at all of the fruit-ladened bushes that allowed me to taste strawberries, blueberries and raspberries all ripe for the picking simultaneously. Boy, were they tasty!

Kingsbrae Windmill & Pond Area

The Bird & Butterfly Garden, Children's Fantasy Garden & Animals, Ornamental Grasses, Gravel Garden, Hydrangea Garden, and Rhododendrons frame the pond area. The Dutch windmill, a gift to Kingsbrae Garden from John & Lucinda Flemer, the original property owners, is a third scale functioning ecological feature in this area. Find a bench, relax and enjoy the abundant life as ducks swim and splash about, birds happily sing, butterflies flutter and bees buzz around to gather pollen. Check out the Bee Hotels that welcome them to stay. If you sit for awhile, the occasional resident garden cat might stop by, too.

Kingsbrae Scents & Sensitivity Garden, Therapy Garden, Peace Garden, Secret Garden, Heath & Heather Garden, and Container Garden

Tranquil, zen garden spaces have been designed for stress-free, peaceful reflection and/or meditation for the enjoyment of all, welcoming especially military veterans, and first responders. There is also an interactive accessible waist-high raised Scents & Sensitivity garden with Braille engraved plant labels (in English and Latin), as well as featured scent & texture plants for the visually-impaired in collaboration with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. I love the TLC that has been put into these special gardens.

Kingsbrae Sculpture Garden

The 'pieces de résistance' at Kingsbrae Garden is the Sculpture Garden. It is the 'icing on the cake' culminating your garden tour. Not just any sculptures adorn this splendid garden but 40+ award-winning finalists in a Canada-wide sculpture competition that has been held for over 15 years. These intriguing artworks are intricately and intelligently woven into the landscape of this garden to deepen the visitor experience.

Kingsbrae Garden Café

The garden café offers a lovely patio view or a pretty indoor dining room for lunch, afternoon tea, drinks or dinner. Lucie & I enjoyed lingering on the patio for a late afternoon cocktail after our garden tour, then enjoyed a scrumptious dinner. There is a sweet art gallery inside with items for sale with artworks by Maritimes artists. Don't forget to also stop into the charming gift shop in the Visitor's Centre before you leave as there are many lovely things there to savour the memory of your Kingsbrae Garden experience.

Canada's First Jurassic Wollemi Pine at Kingsbrae Garden

Notably dedicated to conservation, Kingsbrae has welcomed & cared for one of the oldest and rarest historic trees in the world - a Wollemi Pine, from the Blue Mountains of Australia. This species has outlived the dinosaurs that most likely munched on it. Kingsbrae Garden is proud to be part of this world-wide preservation effort.

Kingsbrae Garden

Kingsbrae Garden is good for your heart & soul. A stroll though the garden will immerse your senses. It does a heart good and a stroll through this garden, is a day well spent.

St. Andrews by-the-Sea

St. Andrews by-the-Sea casts its salty spell on you instantly. The pull of this seaside resort town has enticed wealthy summer visitors since the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. They knew this town was special, and you will, too. You can sense the history and grandeur here. Let it sweep you off your feet and hold you spellbound. I dare you to not to fall in love with St. Andrews. Learn more by clicking on photo link above.

Cory Cottage at Pansy Patch

Imagine vacationing in a 1830’s home that was once owned and decorated by Kate Reed, Canada’s first interior decorator. Then imagine that same historic house, recently redesigned by international designer Lee Wells, with luxurious style and comfort. Picture yourself staying in this beautiful 4 + 1 bedroom, 6 bathroom cottage set in the resort town of St. Andrews by-the-Sea on a garden property with an ocean view rooftop balcony. This is Cory Cottage at Pansy Patch. Click on the photo link above to learn more about my stay in this iconic home.

This post was sponsored by Kingsbrae Garden; however, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Follow Maritimes Maven on FaceBook, Instagram, Pinterest & Twitter. Be the first to receive my latest articles by clicking on the ‘subscribe’ link at the top of this page. PIease share articles you love with your social media community. There’s No Place Like Home!