Celebrate flower power
Head for Ripon, Que., to take in gorgeous gardens in bloom,
Where did you go?
Off to get some very tasty sheepmilk cheese and admire the spectacular day lilies at Les Jardins d’Emmarocalles.
Never heard of it. Where is it?
Near Ripon, Que., less than an hour’s drive from downtown Ottawa in the rolling hills of Petite-Nation. The gardens cover about five acres with more than 1,000 different varieties of perennials and 1,500 cultivars of day lilies.
That sounds interesting. Tell me more.
There are 12 gardens, with a winding path connecting them, and benches inviting you to sit for a while. Each garden has a different theme and most feature blooms of a certain colour. For example, the Sun Garden, is laid out in the shape of the sun, with rays stretching out from its centre. It features 72 different yellow or orange day lilies, along with other yellow perennials. There’s also a moon garden, with white flowers, a pond area with hundreds of flowers arranged in a rainbow of colours. There is always something in bloom from spring to fall, but day lilies are at their peak this time of year, so it’s a wonderful time to visit.
Sounds nice. But where does the sheep-milk cheese fit into all this?
On the way to the gardens, we stopped to pick up some goat and sheep-milk cheeses at Fromagerie Les Folies Bergères, an artisan cheese producer and sheep farm. It is one of several neat places in the area, which has a surprising number of local food and crafts producers.
You could make a nice day trip touring around to visit several of these. But if you are free Sunday, July 28, you are in luck. Many of them will be at Les Jardins.
Why’s that?
Les Jardins is holding its fifth annual Daylily Day on Sunday. It is a festival that features about a dozen locals offering crafts, music and produce, including cheese, honey, maple syrup, bakery products, creams and even jelly made from day lilies, as well as access to gardens exploding with colour.
Anything else?
Yes, alpine botanist Majella Larochelle will be giving talks and answering questions about alpine plants during the day.
Are Les Jardins’ plants for sale?
Most are, but there are some just for show. Les Jardins is one of only a few places in Quebec which has been designated an official display garden by the American Hemerocallis Society. Because of that it has certain historic cultivars on display, which aren’t for sale. Plus, the owners are always trying out new plants, which may be added to their inventory in the future.
What are the details?
Entrance costs $7 for adults. Children 12 and under are free. The gardens are open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Sept. 2 when hours change. (Note, the gardens close at 5 p.m. on Daylily Day.) Paths are accessible by wheelchairs and baby strollers.
There are picnic grounds at Les Jardins but it does not sell food, except for items producers may sell at Daylily Day. Les Jardins is located at 1068 QC-317, near Ripon, Q.C. For further information visit www.jardinsdemmarocalles.com or phone 1-819-983-6476. I can’t make it that day. Can you suggest another touring time?
Sure. Tourism Outaouais has designed a wonderful guide to all sorts of gourmet shops, specialty farms and locavore restaurants and markets, that could round out a lovely day trip to the area. Visit www.outaouaisgourmetway.com to check out more information and see an interactive map.
You can also pick up a brochure at Les Jardins and some other participants.