This traditional rose garden commemorates the one hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary of Confederation, its design inspired by the related themes of the migrations of people from around the world to Canada and the development of our governing institutions over more than three centuries.
Cette roseraie commémore le cent vingt-cinquième anniversaire de la Confédération, sa conception rappelle à venue au Canada de gens des quatre coins du monde et l'évolution de nos institutions gouvernementales depuis plus de trois siècles.
Addressing the Empire Club of Canada on June 23, 1999, the Right Honourable Raymon J. Hnatyshyn had this to say about the National Heritage Garden in development at the time:
"While we were at Rideau Hall, Gerda and I initiated "The Canadian Heritage Garden" to celebrate the first 125 years of Confederation. In working on the development of this wonderful heritage garden which evokes two themes-the evolution of Canadian nationhood and the contribution of peoples of diverse ancestry to our social fabric my wife and I were reminded of, and moved with renewed pride in, the enormous accomplishments of our country and its people. I should say that I am extremely proud of Gerda who single-handedly raised more than $2 million from private benefactors to provide this gift to the people of Canada. Gerda and I hope that you will all have the opportunity to visit the Canadian Heritage Garden at Rideau Hall — a testament to what we have done and what we can be."
Governor General Ramon John Hnatyshyn and Mrs. Gerda Hnatyshyn started developing the creation of the garden in 1992, the year of Canada's 125th anniversary. Mrs. Hnatyshyn founded The Canadian Heritage Garden Foundation, Fondation du jardin du patrimoine canadien to privately raise funds for the garden, incorporating the Foundation in 1995. Later on the board of directors of the Foundation requested its dissolution, which happened in 2006.
Prestige Design and Construction built the garden designed by Alvin David Regehr with landscaping designed and roses selected by Claire Laberge. The National Heritage Garden consists of eleven circular flowerbeds with more than two-hundred varieties of winter-hardy roses. Claire Laberge selected as many native Canadian varieties as possible as well as roses that illustrated the many immigrant contributions to Canadian society. Within the garden, roses and marble columns illustrate key milestones in Canadian History, while the roses also symbolize Canadian ancestral groups and historical events, and are a reflection of Canada's cultural diversity.
The National Garden of Canada officially opened on June 9, 2000. Former Governor General Ramon Hnatyshyn, his wife, Gerda, then Governor General Adrienne Clarkson attended along with landscape architect and project manager Alvin D. Regehr, horticulturalist Clair Laberge, members of the Board of Directors of The Canadian Heritage Garden Foundation and other dignitaries.
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| The Unity Pool |
The garden peaks around mid June, the best time to visit it. When in Ottawa you should visit the garden, whether at the peak time or not. The photographs here provide no substitute for experiencing this truly Canadian wonder for yourself.
