The City is performing a comprehensive restoration and systems upgrade of the Palm House heritage building. Other renovations include the administration building, public washrooms and related park improvements.
These improvements will consist of:
The conservatory will continue to be open during construction. Portable washrooms are available outside in the parking lot, near the playground. One accessible and one regular portable washroom are available.
Learn more about the heritage building restoration.
This indoor botanical garden features five greenhouses.
The Arid House is located on the northwest side of the conservatory. It’s home to a large display of unusual cacti and succulents including collections of agave, opuntia, haworthia and aloe.
The Tropical House is located on the northeast side of the conservatory. It features a mix of plants from equatorial regions.
The Palm House is located on the east side of the conservatory, between the Tropical landscape and the Temperate Show House. It’s currently closed. Plants have been relocated to Cloud Gardens and Centennial Park Conservatory.
The Orchid and Bromelied Houses are located on the southwest side of the conservatory. On display are Primarily equatorial plants with showy orchids and colourful bromeliads.
The Temperate Show House is located on the southeast side of the conservatory. It showcases seasonal flower shows and has a Koi pond.
The land on which Allan Gardens conservatory and park sits was donated to the Horticultural Society of Toronto to be used as free, publically accessible space donated to plant display in 1958 by George Allan a local politician and landowner. In 1879, the horticultural society opened the horticultural pavilion and conservatory on the site which was used to host events and flower shows. The building which was destroyed by fire in 1902.
In 1910, a new classically proportioned palm house conservatory building, design by Robert McCallum opened is the central heritage feature on the site today. Over the years the conservatory has been expanded in 1920 and in 1957 with the 4 show house wings.
In 2004 the University of Toronto donated the final Conservatory building originally build in 1932. This building is used for teaching and programming by the Friends of Allan Gardens.
Contact Information
The Friends of Allan Gardens is a non-profit group working with the City and dedicated to preserving and enhancing Allan Gardens. You can support the Friends by donating online.