Montreal Botanical Gardens
Founded in 1931, helped along by years of campaigning by local Friar Marie-Victorin, it drew in Henry Teuscher - a fairly well known Quebec landscape artist - and the first buildings were designed by an architect I can't find any info on, so I'll leave his name out. Yeah, I am gonna be that way.Here to educate the public and students of horticulture, it also contains a botanical research institution, the Montreal Astronomy Society, and the Montreal Insectarium, which I dunno why it hasn't been bug bombed yet.
The Arrival - Taking the subway and walking a lot
So I took the subway to the Pie-IX station, and instead of just walking northwest to the rather close entrance, I took a jaunt through the Olympic areas, which put me way off and I had to wander northwestish to the north entrance. Look, French don't follow the grid pattern, ok?Roses
There's a rather very long area of roses on the east corner of the gardens, which were still blooming in October. Climbing and bush based, and all thriving farther north than Minneapolis MN, where they all die every winter.Chinese Gardens
There is a full Chinese estate with gardens and extra buildings on the grounds, which is isolated from the rest of the grounds by walls and geographic features (a hill).The Desert
As I left the Chinese Garden, I came across the alpine section, looking very much like their natural habitatsUseful Plants
Finally making my way to the south side of the gardens, I am in the useful plants area, mainly cultivated for food or products. Large working gardens are here full of things you want to just pick and take home.Brookside and Marsh
Now, progressing north west into a more naturalistic/managed setting, marshlands and brooksides.Japanese Garden
After passing through the central woods and through the marsh, I come across the Japanese Gardens, another estate setting, but this is much more in the Japanese style, with rolling ways, and paths that draw you into different areas for more visual delights.Dining
They have a food truck looking area, and these seem to be all the rage lately. Buffet line style at the Restaurant du Jardin, and it's all rabbit food, and way off northeast at the end of the Arboreteum section which is half the space here, is Maison de l'arbre Frederic-Back (Restaurant of the arboreteum Fredic-Back). I did not walk that extra mile to that one, but ate at the plant based.Other Places
Now, there are a couple buildings, and some other places that didn't really categorize into the above sections I have
Purty flowers, actually amazing yellow roses
Ahh, the reds
Perfection in nature
Contemplation garden on the main entrance to China
The entrance gate
The main feature, the pond, surrounded by pagodas and such
Bugs! Ewwww
And a specialized shop of Chinese things
Lots of European plants
No yodeling was heard
Strong enough to thrive in colder, higher environments
Useful for shade I guess
Crops! Edibles
Flowers and plants used to make stuff you don't eat
wild plants, in a controlled setting. Yes, ironic
The marsh, it is very wet
This is where Neo and Morpheus spar
Hill leading towards the pond
Off the path lantern
The important pond in the middle
Not sure I am hip enough for all the food truck style things these days
The main Restaurant
Here is where you get your food, both lines serve the same thing
And here is the grown, not raised, food
You'll need this map
The original main building
Inside the Center for biodiversity
Cool display that went between various things like storms and plant growth
So much landfill waste
The complete shop for plants
All the things obsessive gardeners need
Need a plant? Buy a plant
Summary
A massive space to wander about. It will take many hours. I would totally pass on an inclement day as it would just be miserable.Food available, for much longer visits, or bring your own.