We are proud to work with many certified professional partners to offer a variety of unique garden experiences!

Treat yourselves to a truly unique experience! Whistling Gardens, one of Ontario’s premier horticultural gardens has partnered with Homegrown Hideaway for the Glamp and Garden Getaway.

Included in your reservation is one night at Homegrown Hideaway where you can relax in comfort in nature in one of their Glamping tents, and 2 passes to Whistling Gardens!

Make sure to select GLAMP & GARDEN when you reserve your tent here.
www.homegrownhideaway.com/packages

Group Garden Tea Parties with Teas & Toasts

Our tea service is top notch, from delectable treats, to exquisite teas, reconnect over light refreshments, and soak up the fine surroundings of our most preferred outdoor venue Whistling Gardens.

Book your tea party and stay to enjoy 22-acres of gorgeous botanical gardens with 4,000 different plants including the world’s largest public conifer collection and North Americas’ largest public peony collection. Visit the Musical Fountain Show, Bird Aviary and numerous serene water features while strolling on the wide easy to walk paths.

Contact us now for package pricing for groups of 10+ people for your next celebration. Ask us about Guided Group Tours, Workshops and Other Activity Options. Visit https://teasandtoasts.ca/

Spring, Summer & Fall Family & Engagement Photo Sessions

Photo Days at the Gardens are here! Join us for 30 minutes mini sessions with Y&K Photography at beautiful Whistling Gardens. Admission rates apply.

Your Photo Session includes:
*30 minute session
*10 photos (choose your favourites from your online gallery)
*All photos delivered as high resolution jpgs
*Print release included $99 +HST
Reserve your session Contact: Y&K Photography www.YKphotography.com
Includes same day pass to the gardens – stay and enjoy the day!

Fables & Flora Photo Sessions – Let Your Fantasy Come True!

Package A.
The Full Fable
up to 2 hours of photography
Wide variety of settings
Up to 50 images
$600.00 + admission fee
Solo, couples, groups up to 5
Additional characters welcome with extra fee

Package B.
Short story sessions
Up to 30 minutes of photography
Two settings
Up to 15 images
$250.00 + admission fee
Solo or couples

Botanical Gardens Admission Rates Apply https://whistlinggardens.ca/plan-your-visit/admission/

Contact: Stefanie Ponting
Email: midjuly@hotmail.com Phone: 5198781983
Instagram: @midjulyphotography
Website: midjulyphotography30.mypixieset.com
https://www.instagram.com/midjulyphotography?igsh=MXQzNGppbTRzZDBjeg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Intimate Deluxe Picnics
Memories in the Making, Classy Events and Picnics, a local, unique, luxury picnic company has collaborated with Whistling Gardens to provide you with a one of a kind picnic experience! This picnic package allows you access to our beautiful, serene picnic in a gorgeous 22 acres of botanical gardens, water show (scheduled times), and shop in their garden gift boutique! Visit www.classyeventsbymemoriesinthemaking.com/

Contact: Jennifer Lynn VanHeighten Phone 226-567-1099

Social Media Platforms: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094682838640&mibextid=ZbWKwL

https://www.instagram.com/memoriesinthemakingwithjen?igsh=MXRianlvMnhuZjNmcw==

Kathy’s Tree of Light Dedication

“Find the people and places that always light up your life as you set down your roots, grow your strengths, and change comfortably with time”

Whistling Gardens gratefully acknowledges the donation from Kathy Coomber that enabled the creation of this unique Tree of Light. As an enthusiastic supporter and founding member of our 2012 opening, Kathy always unearthed inspiration from our gardens. She continually transformed her own garden in Simcoe, which includes several of our trees – particularly two Japanese Weeping Cherries that we (Darren) helped plant in 2010. Through the changing seasons, including a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s dementia in 2016. Kathy always found her light in the comfort and pleasure of visits to her “favourite place”.

Kathy was the beloved wife of Ross for 50 years, cherished mother of Susan (Brad) and Martin (Lizzie) and doting grandmother of Noah, Addie, Hope, Nate and Matty. Her fun loving, adventurous approach to life earned her many friends while her intelligence and strong work ethic ensured success in a wide variety of career roles. Kathy’s beautiful life story and dedication is featured in the Vision TV documentary series Healing Gardens, episode S1E4: Whistling Gardens – Healing Trauma: Cultivating Serenity https://www.visiontv.ca/videos/healing-gardens-s1e4-whistling-gardens-healing-trauma-cultivating-serenity/ which is Free To Watch and broadcast until May 22, 2028. Healing Gardens is a 10-part documentary series which explores the transformative capabilities and restorative powers of gardens, gardening, and green spaces – which provide a variety of benefits to a diverse population with different needs. In every episode, the beauty is undeniable – but we go beyond the splendour of the gardens to hear soulful stories of healing from the people who experienced them. READ THE RELEASE Kathy’s Tree of Light

Joyce Carey Big Piano Dedication “Take Your First Step To Start Your Musical Journey…”

Joyce Carey’s life legacy gift shares her love of music which fueled her happiness as a life-long student of all keyboard instruments. A special collaboration between Whistling Gardens, Ron Beckett, Founder/Composer of the Arcady Ensemble with the Joyce and Ken Carey Foundation introduces the BIG PIANO dedication for all music lovers to enjoy during their botanical garden visit. Joyce’s passion for music truly aligns her values as an admirer of Arcady Ensemble to encourage each guest to start their own musical journey on the BIG PIANO. Arcady performs throughout South Western Ontario presenting concerts that range from vocal and instrumental recitals to full-scale stage productions with orchestra. The company combines established professionals, recent university performance graduates, Emerging Artists, and youth, thus providing performance opportunities for young performers who are at the early stages of their professional careers. The organization is dedicated to the mentorship of youth and Emerging Artists and the performance of new Canadian music, specializing in the works of Ronald Beckett, Canadian composer, conductor, choir director, and the founder/ artistic director of the Arcady Ensemble. “As director of an ensemble that provides creative opportunities and innovative concepts for youth, I am intrigued by the interactive potential of the Big Piano Installation at Whistling Gardens. We perform an annual concert at Whistling Gardens and we intend to incorporate this imaginative instrument into our performances at some point.” READ THE RELEASE Carey Foundation Press Release 2025

 Let the beauty of Whistling Gardens in collaboration with Arcady inspire both young and old to start with just one note. Enjoy!

Dr. Jim Cruise Dedication

Through the generosity of Darren and Wanda Heimbecker and a number of donors, a dedication site will be installed in Whistling Gardens for Dr Jim Cruise, a gifted horticulturist of Norfolk County. Dr Cruise, who liked to be referred to as simply ‘Jim’, had numerous achievements in many different fields of study and equally diverse awards and honours including the Silver Fir Award, the highest honour of the Ontario Horticultural Association and an Honorary Master Gardeners Award. 

Through this dedication installation, Jim will be remembered for his remarkable contribution to the study of Biology and Ecology and for being to all, a fine mentor. 

*Notes from the Canadian Field Naturalist

For more information contact Tribute Coordinator, Marguerite Larmand Email: mlarmand28@gmail.com Call or Text. 519 770 5087

Whistling Gardens wishes to sincerely thank all donors who continue to contribute their Legacy Gifts in memory and to honour your loved ones. Benches, plants and garden dedications tell “your stories” as our peaceful garden sanctuary unite us.

 

Check our Events Calendar to see what we will have in store for this season including:

• Festival of Fountains – The Night Garden series
• Horticulture/Gardening/Nature & Wellness Workshops
  
• Family and Children’s Theatrical Character Adventures
• Concerts
• Garden Art Exhibitions