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Stratford & District Horticultural Society |
Iris is Stratford's civic flower.
The Society invites you to take a tour of the parks and flower beds, planted
and maintained by the Society. A tour map is available through Tourism Stratford.
The tour passes through, or by;
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the Arthur Meighen gardens at the Festival Theatre,
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Confederation Park,
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Millennium Park,
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Meadowrue Corner Nature Gardens,
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Birnham Wood Arboretum and
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the Shakespearean Gardens.
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The route shown on the map is three and half miles (6.5
km) long, but may be shortened by half as shown. There are many resting places
en route to sit and enjoy the surrounding beauty. Also close by and worth a
visit: T.J. Dolan Natural Area - opposite the #5 bed on John Street, maintained
by the Community Services Department.
The Stratford and District Horticultural Society was founded in 1878 after the
Agriculture Society had created interest by holding a flower show in 1877. From
this came the decision by a group of prominent citizens to form a Horticultural
Society. It was organized and had its first meeting on February 9, 1878. Today,
all societies operate under the umbrella of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture
and Food and are affiliated with the Ontario Horticultural Association.
The Board of Directors of interested citizens guides the operation of the local
group.
The Society holds a two day Flower and Rose Show in June; a Mixed Flower Show
at the May open meeting; and a Flower and Vegetable Show at the September meeting.
The Society plants and maintains 4 primarily perennial beds in the Churchill
Circle, one near the Train Station, one on John Street at Centre Street and
two in front of the Library. As well, there are 5 beds planted with annuals
scattered throughout the City.
Members of the craft group are responsible each year for the planting of the
115 City Centre hanging baskets. The latest project is the Catharine East Memorial
Garden on John Street, a planting of 5 each of 30 species of native flowering
shrubs around a large plaqued rock and having 2 benches where the public may
sit and enjoy the area's beauty. There are also some trees planted in memory
of past members of the Society in this area.
Iris is Stratford's civic flower. A Memorial Iris Garden on McLagen Drive, bequested
by the Rt. Rev. W. T. Corcoran, was planted by members circa 1970. The Lilac
Dell, opposite, was originally planted by the Society in 1974.
The Society holds floral design courses and sponsors tours both within Canada,
U.S.A. and overseas. A craft group makes and sells cards with pressed flowers
and natural materials.
Meetings are held on the last Monday of the month, January through May and September,
October and November at the Kiwanis Centre on Lakeside Drive at 8:00 p.m. There
are talks and slide shows by knowledgeable people on a variety of horticultural
topics, to which everyone is welcome. The annual membership fee covers 4 informative
newsletters a year, plus the speakers' remuneration and refreshments at our
meetings.
Please support the Society's endeavours to beautify the City by becoming a member
and/or making a tax deductible donation to Stratford and District Horticultural
Society, Box 21032, Stratford, ON N5A 7V4.
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Other Gardens and Natural Areas |
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Burnham Wood Arboretum
Martin Street at William Street
Stratford, ON
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All nestled together is a number of different variety of trees. Opposite the Meadow Rue Gardens.
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Confederation Park
Romeo Street at Confederation Drive
Stratford, ON
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Visit Confederation Gardens with its soothing waterfall, birch, evergreen trees and flowers next to the Gallery Stratford. This small Japanese garden was designed in 1967 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Confederation.
The fir trees were planted by the Boy Scouts in 1937 to mark the coronation of King George VI.
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Meadow Rue Corner
Lakeside Drive at Martin Street
Stratford, ON
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A collection of small, naturalized gardens linked by a fully accessible path where visitors can enjoy a variety of mainly native plant communities and an abundance of birds, butterflies and other wildlife.
Herbs and edibles, prairie-meadow, Carolinian-woodland and pond (under development).
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Millennium Park
Romeo Street (Beside Gallery Stratford)
Stratford, ON
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Water plantings, lit fountains, native tree selections and ornamental planting beds will be the highlights of this park.
Wander around the ponds and admire the sculpture
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T.J. Dolan Natural Area
John Street
Stratford, ON
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Follow the river to this rustic wilderness park, perfect for a casual stroll.
A well marked trail along the river becoming part of The Avon Trail.
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The Avon Trail
Box 21148
Stratford, ON
N5A 7V4
Tel: (519)-284-4969
Click Here To View Website
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The Avon Trail links the Thames Valley and the Grand Valley trails; it is a non-profit organization and a member of Hike Ontario. The Avon Trail also leads guided hikes on most Tuesdays and on most weekends year round. The trail and the guided hikes are free, but people are encouraged to join for a nominal fee to receive the quarterly newsletters which outline the guided hikes' dates, times and duration.
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The Shakespearean Gardens
Huron Street (north of Perth County Court House)
Stratford, ON
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Located at the Huron Street Bridge, the garden is designed after the English gardens by Thomas Orr, a prominent businessman in Stratford. The garden contains herbs, roses and English flowers, many from Shakespeare's plays. The tower in the garden marks the first saw and gristmill in Stratford.
Free tours July and August, Monday at 2:00 pm and Thursday at 9:30 am.
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Accessibility