What's In Bloom?
Spring (May thru mid-June)
Trees: Magnolia, Redbud, Crab Apples, Serviceberry, Dogwood, Fringe Tree
Shrubs: Viburnum, Ninebark, Rhododendron, Azalea, Pearl Bush, Lilac, Fothergilla, Daphne, Berberis
Flowers: Creeping Phlox, Trillium, Mayapple, Peonies, Amsonia, False Indigo, Daffodils, Hyacinth
Early Summer (Mid-June – Mid July)
Trees: Tulip Tree, Catalpa
Shrubs: Hydrangea, Spirea, False Spirea, Weigela, Enkianthus, Lavender, Smoke Bush
Flowers: Roses, Daylilies, Iris, Red Hot Poker, Catmint, Salvia, Yarrow, Blanket Flower, Penstamon, Rudbeckia, Daisies, Hosta, Cactus, Yucca, Filapendula, Globe Thistle, Bears Breeches, Fleece Flower, Stachys, Crocosmia, Lychnis, Sage
Late Summer (Mid-July – August)
Shrubs: Roses, Hydrangea, Rose of Sharon, Potentilla, Lavender, Butterfly Bush
Flowers: Blanket Flower, Echinacea, Goat’s Beard, Lilies, Daylilies, Phlox, Rudbeckia, Yarrow, Liatris, Helenium, Agastache, Balloon Flower, Daisies, Hosta, Perennial Hibiscus, Sage
Fall
Tree Foliage: Dogwood, Redbud, Japanese Maples, Oaks, Birch, Linden, Maples
Shrubs: Oakleaf Hydrangea, Sumac, Burning Bush, Beauty Berry
Flowers: Rudbeckia, Echinacea, Aster, Blanket Flower, Ornamental Grasses
Bush Honeysuckle, Bush Honeysuckle, Turtleheads, Joe Pye Weed
Floral Collections
Some 8,000 perennials have been planted and represent hundreds of varieties and species at Whistling Gardens. Colour from perennials can be found in each season with some varieties blooming in March and others into November.
Our Iris collection has greatly expanded to some 400 varieties and species and can be found in nearly every area throughout the gardens. They are at their best around the end of May.
If lilies are your favourite then you will have to visit in July when there are Thousands of lilies in bloom, just after the peony season comes to end.
Perennial Collections
Some 8,000 perennials have been planted and represent hundreds of varieties and species at Whistling Gardens. Colour from perennials can be found in each season with some varieties blooming in March and others into November. Our Iris collection has greatly expanded to some 400 varieties and species and can be found in nearly every area throughout the gardens. They are at their best around the end of May. If lilies are your favourite then you will have to visit in July when there are Thousands of lilies in bloom, just after the peony season comes to end.
Peony Collection
Initially over 600 varieties were donated to Whistling Gardens in the fall of 2013. Since then the collection has grown to approximately 1,300 varieties of herbaceous, Intersectional, tree peony and species. It is the largest public collection in North America and certainly one of the largest in the world.
A visit from renowned peony breeder Dr. Feng, a peony tree breeder from the Beijing Botanical gardens called the collection on his visit to Whistling Gardens one of the most impressive and comprehensive collections he has ever seen.
PEONY BLOOM FORECAST:
Week of May 18th- Species Peonies Blooming
Week of May 25th- Last of Species Peonies. Beginning of Tree Peonies
Week of June 1st- Last of Tree Peonies beginning of Itoh’s and Early Garden Peonies
Week of June 8th- Last of Early Garden Peonies, Itoh’s and Mid season full bloom
Week of June 15th – Last of Itoh’s and Mid season Peonies, Late season Garden Peonies blooming Finishing about June 22nd.
PEAK PEONY BLOOM - Historically this cascading bloom starts to reach it’s peak during the last week of May into the first two weeks in June. The peak could start earlier and depending on weather last until mid June over to 4-6 week period. Not all peony flowers bloom at the same time due to age of plant and variety.
Check our social media platforms for BLOOM UPDATES!
BLOSSOM HILL NURSERY, The Cook Family
BLOSSOM HILL NURSERY, The Cook Family Joe and Hazel Cook with their daughter Amy have operated a family owned business, Blossom Hill Nursery since 1994, specializing in the hybridization and propagation of British Delphinium elatum. A second passion has resulted in an extensive peony collection of over 600 varieties including species, tree, herbaceous and intersectional peonies. Blossom Hill is located just north of Peterborough and has perennial display gardens as well as 3000 peonies and trial beds in the field for over 1500 delphiniums! The Cooks are active members of many horticultural organizations. Hazel is now a director for the American Peony Society and Joe is the past president of the Ontario Delphinium Club.
David J. Maltby
Peony donor, David J. Maltby is a well-respected Canadian general practice lawyer in Brantford, Ontario. As the current President of the Canadian Peony Society and Past President and current board member of the Ontario Regional Lily Society. He is the 2012 recipient of the North American Lily Society Regional (NALS) Medal, acknowledging his outstanding service to the horticulture and the Ontario Regional Lily Society. Growing accolades are numerous, Best in Show, along with many other major awards, have extended his long winning streak. His respectful peers know him best as 'a good gardener'. He made this donation so that it would be available for the public to enjoy! The David J. Maltby Peony Collection will be proudly enjoyed by thousands of guests as a result of his generosity to donate his personal collection of approximately 600 peony plants with several one of kind cultivars and varieties to Whistling Gardens.
Native and Ornamental Tree Collection
Hundreds of native and rare Carolinian trees are planted throughout the gardens. The ornamental tree collection focuses on uncommon species, and new varieties. Some plants are being tested and evaluated for the first time in Canada at Whistling Gardens to determine hardiness, ornamental value and economic production viability. Woody shrubs are used extensively and new varieties are always sought after for evaluation.
Conifer Garden
The conifer collection now contains approximately 1500 different species, hybrids and cultivars. This collection is the largest in North America on display for the public. Many specimens in the collection are the only ones in the country. The Tree Peony and Itoh Hybrid Peonies can also be found in the garden. Make sure to visit this garden as it is a living museum. Our collection also features one of the rarest plants in the world – Baishan Fir (Abies beshanzuensis). Only 3 wild specimens remain! Other rarities include the Guongdong Pine (Pinus wangii), Taiwan Fir (Abies kawakamii), Tigertail Spruce (Picea polita) and a multitude of cultivars never seen before. Note: some of the dwarf conifers are now over 30 years old (2022) and still only 2 feet tall. A true testament to their low maintenance, landscape value and ornamental appeal. Through our own propagating and colleagues, we are proud that Whistling Gardens and has introduced over 150 varieties to Canadian horticulture, many of which have now become staples in gardens across the country..