The revitalization of Allan Gardens
This botanical jewel includes six greenhouses covering 4,900 square meters of beautiful plants from around the world. These are supplemented by colourful, seasonal shows. The centre piece is the historic, cast-iron and glass domed “Palm House”. It was built in 1910.
The conservatory is set in one of Toronto’s oldest parks. The land was donated by George William Allan, mayor and senator, in 1858. The park was formally opened in 1860 by the Prince of Wales.
In the central Palm House, bananas, bamboo and a huge Screw Pine reach high above your head. Walk south into the Cool House (1924) and admire the waterfall, Kashmirian Cypress, and citrus trees. Then enter the warm, humid Tropical House with its waterwheel, orchids and bromeliads.
North of the Palm House, you’ll find another tropical house with many different kinds of hibiscus, datura and ginger. Beyond that is the Cactus House which displays an astonishing variety of cacti and succulents. This greenhouse was relocated here from Exhibition Park in 1956.
The Christmas Show is the highlight of the year. The conservatory is decorated and filled with thousands of flowering plants and over 40 different varieties of poinsettias. The grand opening is the first Sunday in December and features Christmas carols, wagon rides, cider and cookies. The show runs into the first week of January. A special treat is viewing the conservatory by candlelight during the last two weeks of December.
In February, the Cool House starts to fill with flowering spring bulbs and cool crops like primula and cineria, culminating in the Easter Show. Or come in October to catch the fall show and admire about 75 varieties of chrysanthemums. But anytime is a good time to visit this oasis in the city. It’s popular with visitors, photographers, artists, gardeners and all those who appreciate beauty.
The Allan Gardens Children’s Conservatory is closed to the public, but has children’s programs. It belonged to the University of Toronto Botany Department and was built in 1932. The University donated this historic greenhouse and it was moved from College and University Ave and attached to the existing greenhouse complex. It was officially re-opened in 2004.
Read the Allan Gardens Landscape Revitalization Strategy and Management Plan Executive Summary.
Current developments
Update: November 2008
Progress on the revitalization of Allan Gardens
Re-opening of the enhanced off-leash area
Construction of the improved off-leash area was the first phase of the revitalization components. The off-leash area was identified as a priority project by community members during the public consultations in 2006.
Opened in fall 2008, the off-leash area covers approximately 3,000 sq. m. The area is surrounded by an ornamental metal fence with a smaller fenced-in area, separate from the rest of the off-leash area. The fence is ornamental metal in a style that complements the classic architecture of the conservatory and Victorian heritage of the gardens.
Lighting surrounding the off-leash area matches the existing lights in Allan Gardens and the perimeter of the off-leash area has been landscaped in keeping with the garden character of the park and the expectations to enhance the horticultural significance of Allan Gardens. Plant materials include ornamental grasses, perennials, flowering shrubs and maple trees.
The surfaces are made of two colours of granite chip and turf. The granite chip surfaces are more durable and resilient to dog traffic, and drain more freely than other surfaces.
Complementing the space is a sculpture of a dog entitled Animalis which is Latin for “having breath.” The sculpture was created by Stephen Cruise specifically for the off-leash area.
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