The Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens

Oshawa, Canada, Canada

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The Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens is a unique public attraction located at 155 Arena Street in central Oshawa, Ontario, that combines the dedicated gardens of the Parkwood National Historic Site with the scenic terrain of the Oshawa Valley Creek Trail system.

The gardens feature several linked specialty gardens, including the renowned Michael and Judi Denny Peony Gardens with over 300 varieties of herbaceous and Itoh hybrid peonies in colors from pure white to pink, yellow, coral, rose, and deep red, making it the largest contemporary peony collection in North America.

The peony collection began in 2001 when the Canadian Peony Society donated 100 plants from Walter Gilbert's estate, and the garden also includes lilac and hosta collections, a water feature garden, a commemorative gazebo with a dome roof, pathways, mature shady trees, a paved bike path, meandering walkways, park benches, picnic tables, and different flowerbeds.

The gardens are open daily from April 1 to October 31 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and from November 1 to March 31 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., with free admission and free parking available on Arena Street just south of Adelaide Avenue. Since 2014, the area has hosted the annual Oshawa Peony Festival, and the gardens also include a Daylily Collection and Memory Garden, offering visitors a lovely respite from the city with world-class blooms especially in June.