The New Brunswick Botanical Garden

A Garden to Love

The New Brunswick Botanical Garden aka Jardin botanique du Nouveau-Brunswick boasts over 80,000 plants on eight acres of scenic land making it the largest arboretum east of Montreal. Enjoy twelve themed gardens, serene waterscapes, Artists in Residence, a Herbalist’s Pavillon with educational and interactive workshops, and the sweetest cafe perched perfectly to enjoy the marvel of it all. Plan a trip to this pretty provincial park next to the Madawaska River, located in suburban Saint-Jacques neighbourhood in Edmundston. This is a garden to love.

The Welcoming Garden

Now this is how to make a grand entrance! The welcoming garden will have you lingering and in awe before you even step inside the main building to purchase a pass for the day in the additional eleven gardens. Striking sculptures, water fountains, architectural features and of course beautiful blooms whet your appetite giving you a taste of what is yet to come.

Artists in Residence

I was struck by the creativity and artistic touches throughout the many gardens. It is truly exquisite from the welcoming garden to the shade garden to the flowery brook to the alpine rocky summit. Sculptures, gazebos, natural arbors, stone walkways, and a floating driftwood flower garden will catch your eye. Guylaine Dufour, one of the amazing Artists in Residence, also has her sweet stained glass work in the gardens and there are several whimsical birdhouses, beautiful benches and pretty painted Adirondack chairs to enjoy. Take time to smell the roses, and enjoy all the little surprises. For it is all the little things that make this garden extraordinary.

Celestial Garden

The NB Botanical Garden has its own Khronos, a.k.a. Stonehenge. These stone circles, like the famous ones in England, are astronomical measuring instruments. Discover this serene, sacred place. Be captivated by its ability to identify the important times in humanity with the stars and moon as its guide. Learn more about time & space, solstices & equinoxes and how the monolith's shadow marks special dates. After the sun goes down, stand atop one of the much smaller granite blocks by the huge water circle to glimpse at the magical reflection of the stars & sky above. Mediate or just sit a spell to enjoy the mystical experience in this special celestial garden.

Luc Cyr

I spent some time with Luc Cyr, one of the talented Artists in Residence. Luc is a fine wood craftsman. His workshop houses many of his character sculptures and if you are lucky, he might even make you a 'bon homme’. A wealth of local historical knowledge and a lover of nature, Luc is in his element here. He is a kind soul. If you enter his workshop quietly, you might even meet the chipmunk, Luc has recently befriended. Several times a day, this little guy stops by for a tasty morsel that Luc has squirrelled away for his wee furry friend. To hear Luc speak of his grandfather will melt your heart as you understand why Luc is who he is and how he discovered his talent. Make sure you stop by Luc's workshop, but do tiptoe so you can see 'Chip'.

Herbalist Pavilion

The Herbalist Pavilion offers hands-on activities and interactive workshops with a professional herbalist on-site. Learn all about the various health and medicinal benefits of different herbs, flowers and plants, as well as culinary flavouring tips. Enjoy herbal teas, aromatherapy, make natural creams, and discover more about edible flowers.

Café Flora

Plan to enjoy lunch at Café Flora, before you leave the gardens. Eat inside or out on the terrace that overlooks the gardens and waterfalls. Find delicious locally-sourced offerings on their healthy menu.

La Grande Grouille

In October, the NB Botanical Garden bursts into full fall foliage and glows orange for La Grande Grouille Fall Festival. The NB Botanical Garden welcomes autumn in a big way here transforming their already incredible gardens into a spectacular pumpkin extravaganza. During the day, thousands of carved, painted and decorated pumpkins will be on display throughout the gardens along with mystical sculptures and joyful garden creatures joining in on the fun too. At night, the gardens begin to dance bathed in a shimmering, flickering orange glow from all the lit pumpkins, making this a magical evening you don't want to miss! Click on the painted pumpkin photo below to learn more.

This post was sponsored by Tourism Edmundston-Madawaska; 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!