By Susie Cosack, Master Gardener In-Training, SCMG
Continuing with our Series… Let’s visit some Gardens out West. Here’s Edwardian Gardens, Saskatchewan!
Located in Regina, Saskatchewan, framed by lawns, hedges, rock walls and meandering pathways, this Edwardian style garden covers 8.5 acres and boasts thousands of annuals and perennials.
Originally created to beautify the surroundings of a large building known as the Government House, the Edwardian gardens are now a ‘must-see’ place to visit when touring the region. Built in 1882 when the Government of the Northwest Territories moved to Regina, this House was the residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, the official Representative of the Queen. But Saskatchewan’s treeless prairie landscape proved unsuitable for Royal representatives and visitors from the Empire. At the turn of the century a landscaper from Scotland by the name of George Watt was hired to design and formalize the grounds.
Elm trees and Caragana bushes (pea shrub) were planted extensively. Gardens were shaped, annuals and perennials were planted. Today, the Government House is kept as a historical museum and the gardens are enjoyed free of charge, totally accessible and visited daily.
Tour the Edwardian Gardens and discover:
The Hedge Maze
A maze planted only with Caragana bushes in 2010 to honour George Watt who originally brought Caragana to Saskatchewan. The use of these bushes for windbreaks and shelter structures spread widely over the Prairies after being planted and surviving at the Government House at the turn of the century.
Consular Grove
Enjoy a row of trees planted in honour of each of Saskatchewans’s Honorary Consuls home country. All the trees are labelled with information of species and origins.
The Netherlands Liberation Garden
A beautiful garden in the spring, 5,706 tulip bulbs gifted from the Dutch Government bloom to represent every soldier who died and was buried in the Netherlands during WW II. Many annuals are planted in the bed for the duration of the season.
The Collection Gardens
These are the most colourful areas of the garden where native and hybrid Lilies are planted.
The Rose Garden
Very aromatic gardens claiming 55 rose varieties bordered by dwarf Dahlias.
Visitors at the Edwardian Gardens enjoy winding pathways through sun and shade, wide open lawns, benches to rest on and beautiful annual and perennial displays all season long.
An arboretum is located on the SW side of the Government House and is only accessible when the Government House is open. It is a lovely area to sit and is home to tropical indoor plants such as Hibiscus, Bromelaids and Archontophenix varieties.
The Government House is looked after by the Province and a large Historical Society that tries to recreate what life was like at the turn of the Century. The gardens are kept similar to the original ideas for the property and are regularly tended to and updated.
The Edwardian Gardens Government House are recommended to stop at and learn more about the history of the prairies and Saskatchewan.
Edwardian Gardens Government House
4607 Dewdney Avenue
Regina, Saskatchewan Canada
S4T 1B7
www.governmenthouse.gov.sk.ca
References
Tours and programs, https://governmenthousesk.ca
EdwardianGardens – Government House Saskatchewan, https://governmenthousesk.ca
‘Government House/Tourism Canada, https://tourismsaskatchewan.com>provincialpark
Government House Saskatchewan-A Branch of the Provincial Capital Commission, https//governmenthousesaskatchewan.ca
