Take the Tour

Explore the 1000 Islands and Rideau Canal Garden Trail

What: The 1000 Islands and Rideau Canal Garden Trail, a garden tourism initiative run by The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, takes in more than a dozen public and private gardens in the two counties. The majority are located in a stretch along the St. Lawrence that extends from Gananoque in the west through Brockville, Maitland, Prescott, and Johnstown. More are being added each year. When: Most of the gardens are open from June through August, though some have seasons that begin in May or last through October. Consult the website to learn more about the gardens, plan your route, and pre-book visits. leedsgrenville.com/en/visit/thingstodo/Garden-Trail.asp. Stock Up: Located near Burritts Rapids, Rideau Woodland Ramble is a sevenacre display garden and plant nursery that forms part of the trail. Owners David Dunn and Rob Caron will likely stock all the bird-, bee-, and butterflyfriendly flowers and shrubs that you’ve discovered while touring. Their staff can also give advice on what will thrive where. rideauwoodlandramble.com.

Middle right: Commonly known as false sunflower, Heliopsis helianthoides ‘Summer Nights’ adds a dramatic dash of yellow to the garden

Bottom right: The cheerful zinnia bed attracts all manner of butterflies, as well as native bees and honeybees

Top left: Colleen and David have planted hundreds of colourful lilies, which are often visited by hummingbirds

Bottom left: The scented beebalm entices the unusual hummingbird moth as well as a host of dramatic butterflies including swallowtails and monarchs

Top right: An eastern tiger swallowtail perches on Crocosmia ‘Lucifer,’ a flowering plant that belongs to the iris family