Ornamental Gardens, Ottawa

Oranmental Gardens

Overview of the Ornamental Gardens

Address| 75 National Capital Commission Scenic Driveway, Ottawa, On K1a 0z2, Canada
Phone Number| (613) 230-3276
Hours| 7 am-9pm
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

The city of Ottawa is considered "a city of gardens" with over 75 public gardens.[1] The Ornamental Gardens are located at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The 3.2 hectares (8 acres) were once used as a test facility for the development of winter hardy roses, weigela and peonies.[2] But now acts as the steward to several large collections of ornamentals.

To provide a proper environment for the many plant collections the Ornamental Gardens has been subdivided into several features. These include the Macoun Memorial Garden, the Lilac Walk, the Rock Garden, the Perennial Border, Arthur Percy Saunders peonies, Isabella Preston lilac series, and the Explorer Rose Garden. wereas display garden for the AAS (All American Selection) the Ornamental Gardens also presents a yearly, dynamic display of the choicest annuals and perennials.

## History[edit]

The current site of the Central Experimental Farm was founded in 1886 from a site of near wilderness carved out by the First Farm director William Saunders.[3] Where at the time, was one of five experimental farms across Canada to help adjust to climates, soil and land that was new to them, and on June 2, 1886 the federal government was awarded authority in an act of partimant to proceed with the system of research farms.[4] At the age of 62, his passion for flowers along with newly appointed Horticulturalist William T. Macoun utilized his plans for the garden from 12-years prior to develop the forest to a modern example of the current ornamental gardens.[5]

There have been multiple phases to modern-day development of the property due to primary research, education and landscape.[6] These changes have undergone physical movements, redesigns, expansions, neglections, restorations, and rebuilds.[7] Recently federal employees and volunteers have restored the rose, peony, lilac and iris collections, in which were designed to honour the work of Ottawa's Isabella Preston and Felicitas Svejda.[8]

## Geography[edit]

Simplified map of the Central Experimental Farm attractions

Since the 1890s, the Ornamental Gardens have been displaying historical and new varieties of flowers and shrubs over approximately 3.2 hectares [9]. While, currently one of five public areas associated with the Central Experimental farm.[10] These include the Dominion Arboretum, Tropical Greenhouses, Merivale Shelterbelt, and the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum.

Across the Central Experimental Farm, including the Ornamental gardens, there is evidence of regions having their own microclimate. [11]

## Collections[edit]

Map outlining different sections of the Ornamental Gardens

The Ornamental Gardens is home to six primary collections. The lilacs, heritage roses, peonies, explorer roses, irises and daylilies, and perennials. Additionally, there is also the annual garden.

### Lilacs[edit]

Amongst the first plantings on the Central Experimental Farm grounds were 15 lilacs, despite having been first introduced in the dominion Arboretum.[12] By 1919, the lilacs were moved into the ornamental gardens to create the lilac walks currently open for viewing with over 340 lilacs encompassing 262 variations.[13] In 1982, under presentation and cultivation of the lilacs, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada was awarded from the International Lilac Society for its lilac cultivators and educating the public on the beauty and use of lilacs.[14]

### Heritage Roses[edit]

Under William Saunders, the first roses were established in 1886, and by 1895 there was published list of “desirable” roses.[15] Years were spend testing and cultivating for perfectly formed varieties. Cultivation was led by rose breeders for over 90 years from supervision under William Saunders to Isabella Preston.[16] The Heritage Rose Garden was considered a millennium project of rectangular beds containing once-only blooming roses and containt repeat bloomers.[17]

### Peonies[edit]

The Peony Garden was redesigned in 2001 and currently consists of 12 garden beds with more than 600 peonies.[18] William Saunders first introduced peonies in the 1890s, as his son A.P. Saunders was a influential peony breeder. [17] This collection has become the largest collection of Peonies in North America. [17]

### Explorer Roses[edit]

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada began a rose breeding program in the 1960s under Felicitas Svejda. This program would develop the Explorer series, that is a set of hardy roses variations developed to withstand the harsh Canadian climates, particularly with the ability to survive in -35 °C when snow-covered.[19] Svejda was successfully involved in the first thirteen cultivations, in which would be named after Canadian explorers in hopes of proving they were as 'tough and versatile as their namesakes'.[20] This would develop the Explorer Rose garden, as a Canadian-made collection and one of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's most impressive horticultural success stories.[21] The collection was officially opened in July 2005, and currently AAFC employees and a dedicated team of volunteers have combined the original collection from the original bushes with more recent varieties for improved displays.[22]

### Irises and Daylilies[edit]

There are 14 separate garden beds that form concentric circles, with four corners squaring the pattern. In the inner circle and four corners there is presence of Siberian Irises, the middle circle contains Bearded Irises, while the outer circle contains Daylilies.[23] This area was designed in 2003, by former AAFC Lead Hand Sharon Saunders to form a Victorian-style garden that represents the varied forms of colours of daylilies. [17]

### Perennials[edit]

Perennials are hardy, herbaceous plants that can survive year around because of there underground organs that enter a state of dormancy during autumn months.[24] These plants are a value to sustainable agriculture, as the field of horticulture provides technologies to improve the yields of plant growth.[25] The ability for annual growth promotes weed control and improved soil health and biodiversity with the reduction in fertilizer usage.[26]

### Annuals[edit]

Aerial view of the Gardens

The annual garden is a series of rectangular gardens designed and planted by AAFC employees. Varieties are carefully selected and grown from seeds in the Central Experimental Farm Greenhouses, where there are approximately 20,000 annual seedlings that are to showcase form, colour and texture. [27]

## Mineral Composition[edit]

The horticulture industry is seeminglessly more than continuous growth and development of plants. Every chosen species in an environment has its own chemical composition. The ornamental gardens show presence of agrominerals, in which demonstrate mineral substance mixtures of mineral and organic substances. the dominant chemical composition facilitated in the garden is concentrations of nitrogen, carbon, potassium, and phosphorus.

### Nitrogen[edit]

Nitrogen is an essential macronutrient for plants, that determines development and productivity through variations of abiotic stress responses.[28] Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada follows a continuous process, that begins with preparation in the Tropical Greenhouses at the Central Experimental Farm during the spring months. A series of annual plants undergo the pricking of seedlings and individually placed in garden pots containing Pro-Mix Potting Soil.

#### Pro-Mix Potting Soil[edit]

White appearance gives evidence of Nitrogen

Pro-Mix Potting Soil is a starter fertilizer that contains 7% total nitrogen to help plants acclimate to a new rooting system.[29] Nitrogen is fundamental mineral in soil for plant health, and is critical to its growth and reproduction.[30] Usage provides an increase in nutrient and water uptake because of the symbiotic relationship and stimulation of fungi that colonizes the root tissue.[31] This leads to a better integration of moisture management with an larger root system that causes an increased plant growth capacity.[32]

#### Nitrogen-Fixing Plants[edit]

This is a natural way to increase nitrogen content in soil. The roots of the plants colonize to extract nitrogen from the air and turn into nitrogen for bacterial growth, and once the bacteria no longer require the nitrogen it becomes available to all plants. [33] Some of the present nitrogen-fixing plants are clover and alfalfa.

##### Clover[edit]

The clover plant supplies carbohydrates to the root nodules and used to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form utilized by a plant to benefit grasses through transfer in soil. [34]

### Phorsphorus[edit]

Substances work to correlate and interwine to intiate greater outcomes. Phorsphorus promotes nitrogen uptake by enchancing nitrogen retention in ecosystems.[35] While essential for cell division and development of growing plants. This allows plants to capture, store and convert sunlight energy to biochemicals like Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP).[36]

### Potassium[edit]

Potassium is relatively abudant in the earth's crust making up approximately 2.1% of the weight and is mined in the form of potash, sylvite, Carnallite, and Langbeinite.[37] This is a necessity for the function of all living cells as Potassium becomes a vital macronutrient that increases root function and improves drought resistance.[38] Plant survival with potassium usage as a responsibility of vital enzymes activating and regulating the water balance and uptake while protecting and mitigating abiotic induced stresses to maintain homeostasis.[39]

These measures are crucial as it demonstrates the importance of photosynthesis. There are responses to light, as the use of pottasium regulates the opening of the stomata that in such regulates the uptake of CO2.[40] Potassium uptake is dependent on Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) as it provides energy for chemical and physiological prcesses while facilitating protein and starch synthesis in plants.[40]

In the Ornamental Garden, one practice of potassium is the filtration through constant grass clippings in which provide the soil with nutrients that contribute to preventing weed growth while preserving moisture.[41]

## See also[edit]

* horticulture
* Central Experimental Farm
* gardening
* List of botanical gardens in Canada
* Dominion Arboretum
* Canada Agriculture and Food Museum

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Home Page". Gardens Ottawa. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
2. ^ "Must-visit gardens, nurseries, greenhouses and flower festivals in and around Ottawa - Ottawa Road Trips". 2021-05-27. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
3. ^ "Blooms - An illustrated History of the Ornamental Gardens at Ottawa's Central Experimental Farm by Alison Hall - Issuu". issuu.com. 2016-11-08. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
4. ^ "Blooms - An illustrated History of the Ornamental Gardens at Ottawa's Central Experimental Farm by Alison Hall - Issuu". issuu.com. 2016-11-08. Retrieved 2024-04-05.
5. ^ "Blooms - An illustrated History of the Ornamental Gardens at Ottawa's Central Experimental Farm by Alison Hall - Issuu". issuu.com. 2016-11-08. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
6. ^ "Blooms - An illustrated History of the Ornamental Gardens at Ottawa's Central Experimental Farm by Alison Hall - Issuu". issuu.com. 2016-11-08. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
7. ^ "Blooms - An illustrated History of the Ornamental Gardens at Ottawa's Central Experimental Farm by Alison Hall - Issuu". issuu.com. 2016-11-08. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
8. ^ "Blooms - An illustrated History of the Ornamental Gardens at Ottawa's Central Experimental Farm by Alison Hall - Issuu". issuu.com. 2016-11-08. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
9. ^ "FOTF Brochure" (PDF).
10. ^ Bldg. 72, Friends of the Farm; Arboretum. "Attractions – Friends of the Central Experimental Farm". Retrieved 2024-03-01.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
11. ^ Bldg. 72, Friends of the Farm; Arboretum. "Friends of the Central Experimental Farm – Volunteer Gardeners at the Ornamental Gardens and Dominion Arboretum". Retrieved 2024-04-05.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
12. ^ "Lilacs at the Gardens & Arboretum". friendsofthefarm.ca. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
13. ^ Anstey, T. H. (1986). One hundred harvests : Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, 1886-1986. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada – Agriculture et Agroalimentaire Canada. Ottawa : The Branch. ISBN 978-0-660-12036-2.
14. ^ "Lilacs at the Gardens & Arboretum". friendsofthefarm.ca. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
15. ^ Bldg. 72, Friends of the Farm; Arboretum. "Heritage Rose Garden – Friends of the Central Experimental Farm". Retrieved 2024-03-15.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
16. ^ Bldg. 72, Friends of the Farm; Arboretum. "Heritage Rose Garden – Friends of the Central Experimental Farm". Retrieved 2024-03-15.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
17. ^ a b c d "FOTF Brochure" (PDF).
18. ^ "Introduction to the Peonies at the Central Experimental Farm". peonies.friendsofthefarm.ca. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
19. ^ "The Explorers' Garden - Canada's History". www.canadashistory.ca. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
20. ^ "The Explorers' Garden - Canada's History". www.canadashistory.ca. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
21. ^ "Gardens & Arboretum, Explorer Roses". explorer-roses.friendsofthefarm.ca. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
22. ^ "Gardens & Arboretum, Explorer Roses". explorer-roses.friendsofthefarm.ca. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
23. ^ "Iris & Daylily Garden at the Ornamental Gardens". irises-and-daylilies.friendsofthefarm.ca. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
24. ^ Bldg. 72, Friends of the Farm; Arboretum. "Perennials – Expanded! – Friends of the Central Experimental Farm". Retrieved 2024-03-15.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
25. ^ "Horticulture vs. Agriculture". Unity Environmental University. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
26. ^ Chapman, Elizabeth A.; Thomsen, Hanne Cecilie; Tulloch, Sophia; Correia, Pedro M. P.; Luo, Guangbin; Najafi, Javad; DeHaan, Lee R.; Crews, Timothy E.; Olsson, Lennart; Lundquist, Per-Olof; Westerbergh, Anna; Pedas, Pai Rosager; Knudsen, Søren; Palmgren, Michael (2022). "Perennials as Future Grain Crops: Opportunities and Challenges". Frontiers in Plant Science. 13. doi:10.3389/fpls.2022.898769. ISSN 1664-462X. PMC 9372509. PMID 35968139.
27. ^ "FOTF Brochure" (PDF).
28. ^ Ye, Jia Yuan; Tian, Wen Hao; Jin, Chong Wei (December 2022). "Nitrogen in plants: from nutrition to the modulation of abiotic stress adaptation". Stress Biology. 2 (1): 4. Bibcode:2022StBio...2....4Y. doi:10.1007/s44154-021-00030-1. ISSN 2731-0450. PMC 10441927. PMID 37676383.
29. ^ "Discover the Benefits of PRO-MIX Soil for Perfect Gardening! - Green Packs". greenpacks.org. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
30. ^ "PRO-MIX Gardening | BRING YOUR GARDEN TO LIFE". www.promixgardening.com. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
31. ^ "ProMix soil review for optimal gardening 🌱 🔍 Find out if it's the right choice for you". 2017-11-05. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
32. ^ "PRO-MIX Gardening | BRING YOUR GARDEN TO LIFE". www.promixgardening.com. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
33. ^ "8 Ways to Add Nitrogen to Your Soil". The Spruce. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
34. ^ "Nitrogen Fixing Clovers: A Sustainable Fertiliser Alternative". Germinal NZ. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
35. ^ Shiting, Xia (August 2023). "Science Direct". Science direct. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
36. ^ McFly, Team. "Benefits of Phosphorus For Your Garden Plants". lawnfly.com. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
37. ^ "What's the Function of Potassium (K) in Plants?". Greenway Biotech, Inc. Retrieved 2024-04-05.
38. ^ "The Role Of Potassium In The Garden". MIgardener. 2015-01-01. Retrieved 2024-03-22.
39. ^ Johnson, Riya; Vishwakarma, Kanchan; Hossen, Md. Shahadat; Kumar, Vinod; Shackira, A. M.; Puthur, Jos T.; Abdi, Gholamreza; Sarraf, Mohammad; Hasanuzzaman, Mirza (2022-02-01). "Potassium in plants: Growth regulation, signaling, and environmental stress tolerance". Plant Physiology and Biochemistry. 172: 56–69. doi:10.1016/j.plaphy.2022.01.001. ISSN 0981-9428.
40. ^ a b "What's the Function of Potassium (K) in Plants?". Greenway Biotech, Inc. Retrieved 2024-04-05.
41. ^ Nielsen, Lorin (2020-01-28). "How to Use Grass Clippings In the Garden". Epic Gardening. Retrieved 2024-03-22.

## External links[edit]

* Information from the Central Experimental Farm

45°23′21″N 75°42′28″W﻿ / ﻿45.38917°N 75.70778°W﻿ / 45.38917; -75.70778