HORTICULTURAL GARDEN, ALGONQUIN COLLEGE

Just metres from busy Woodroffe Avenue lies this 4.5-acre oasis designed and maintained by students in Algonquin’s horticultural industries program. From bottle rockets to spiderflowers, Russian arborvitae to salvia farinacea, the array of vegetation is dazzling: more than 6,000 plant types have grown here, says academic technologist Rachel Rhoades. Overall design is enhanced by Asianinfluenced arbours, ponds full of koi and shubunkin, and a show house. The students also harvest vegetables and cuttings they sell to the public on Tuesdays and Fridays from noon to 1 p.m. Hours: The garden is always accessible (except when weddings are booked). The show house, however, is open only on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Extra credit: Top up a weekday visit at Restaurant International, where students in Algonquin’s hospitality programs whip up elegant three-course meals as part of their classwork. Service resumes Sept. 14. Prices are reasonable; reservations are recommended (613- 727-7691). Getting there: Take OC Transpo to Baseline transitway station. From the south end of the bus station, cross Woodroffe Avenue to campus. The garden is behind Building M, the first building on your right along College Avenue.