BRG: Annual Flowers in Full Bloom At Brueckner Mississauga

Annual flowers are in full bloom at Brueckner Rhododendron Garden, and the flower beds near the BRG and Port Credit signs at Godfreys Lane and Lakeshore Road West in Mississauga are especially stunning.

Yet if you usually enter Brueckner Rhododendron Garden via the parking lot or the Waterfront Trail, chances are you've yet to see one of the prettiest flower beds in the Garden.

As well as annuals such as coleus, lobelia, geraniums and vincas, there are perennials and shrubs, including a stunning PeeGee hydrangea.

And right now, all these flowers and plants are at their peak. Have a look:

BRG Sign at Lakeshore Road West and Godfreys Lane

 This annual flowers garden is on the south side of Lakeshore Road West (west of Mississauga Road and the Credit River -- see map). It marks one of three main entrances into Brueckner Garden. (The fluffy white area to the left of the sign is a PeeGee hydrangea. Other hydrangeas are located to the right of the sign.)

Perennial Grasses, Coleus, Chrysanthemums

Coleus in full bloom are truly stunning! While bright sunlight sets the colors ablaze, these stunners even glow on overcast days. There is a vibrant stand of perennial grass adding architectural interest. Chrysanthemums are still in tight buds, promising a good show in a few more weeks.

Coleus Full Bloom at Brueckner Rhododendron Garden

 Although rhododendrons and azaleas are the 'Stars of the Garden', selected annuals, (including these gorgeous coleus pictured above), and perennials, shrubs, trees and wildflowers play their parts in making the BRG an all-season garden. (Don't forget to check the Rose Garden for some late summer blooms.)

Lakeshore Road West Annual Flowers Garden

 In this view, I stood on Lakeshore Road West (south side) and looked west towards the creek, Waterfront Trail and parking lot (Main Entrance). This area between Godfreys Lane and the creek (Tecumseh Creek) is known as the East Garden.

BRG East Garden Rose of Sharon

Rose of Sharon is in full bloom in the former Lily Garden east of Tecumseh Creek and close to the Lakeshore Road sidewalk. Two footbridges connect this East Garden to the main Garden, as does the sidewalk along Lakeshore Road.

If you walk west along Lakeshore, you'll also notice more perennials, shrubs and wildflowers (native plants) as you near the Main Entrance. More wildflowers are in bloom along the creek as you walk south towards the Lake (see wildflowers pictures here).

Rose of Sharon, Waterfront Trail, Tecumseh Creek

 Lushly foliaged and covered in flowers, Rose of Sharon shows how well it responded to hard pruning last Spring (see prune Rose of Sharon details here). There are several of these late-summer bloomers in the Garden. Look, too, for the bright red, pink and mauve phlox in this area, as well as in the Peony Garden.

Coleus End of Summer Stars in the Annual Garden

Day lilies foliage makes a fine backdrop for the bright lights of coleus. This particular annual flower bed is also dressed up in spring with flowering bulbs, and even a fritillaria!

Perennial Grass, Coleus, Landscape Stones in East Garden BRG

 One final photo of the annual - perennial - shrub garden near the Port Credit sign at Godfreys Lane and Lakeshore. If you're out for a walk at Brueckner Rhododendron Garden, do take the time to visit the East Garden and take in the wonderful annual show!

Lake Ontario Lookout Brueckner Rhododendron Garden Port Credit

Located almost directly diagonal across the Garden from the Lakeshore-Godfreys Lane flower bed is the Lake Ontario lookout in the south west Garden. Though this wonderful spot has always been referred to as the Lookout, that will soon change.

Another Lake Ontario lookout is being established a few hundred meters east of here.

My thoughts are that the lookout (photo above) become known as the Top Lookout; the new lookout will become known as the Lower Lookout.  Right now, a split rail fence is being built at the Lower Lookout, and three new benches will be added to the concrete bases already in place.

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Hydrangeas Blooming Brueckner Rhododendron Garden : Rhododendron Companion Plants, Mississauga Ontario

Hydrangeas, companion plants for rhododendrons, are in full bloom now at BRG. Look for them throughout the garden, including the heritage (Brueckner) rhodo beds, the woodland areas and the entrances off Lakeshore Road West at Shawnmarr and at Godfreys Lane.

PeeGee Hydrangea Godfreys Lane at Lakeshore Rd. West Mississauga

Look for PeeGee hydrangeas throughout the Garden. This hydrangea is at the BRG sign near Godfreys Lane, at the large annual bed. Opposite this PeeGee are the pink hydrangeas in the picture below.

Pink Blooms Hydrangeas

Pink hydrangeas at the large annual bed near the Port Credit and BRG sign south of Lakeshore Road West at Godfreys Lane. This area is considered part of the East Garden, so if you are parked in the main lot at Shawnmarr, walk across the bridge or along the Lakeshore Road sidewalk to have a look. (see bottom photo)

Pale Pink Hydrangea Blossom Close Up

Close up of large pink hydrangea blossom.

White Hydrangeas Interim Place Memorial Plaque Garden

Just east of the main parking lot at Lakeshore Road West, look for the memorial garden in honour of Interim Place original location. Stop and rest a while on the benches located here.

Standard PeeGee Annual Bed Main Entrance BRG

Look for this standard PeeGee hydrangea in the main annual bed just south of the parking lot entrance to the Garden. It's in a sea of pink geraniums.

Blue Mauve Pink Hydrangea Brueckner Heritage Rhodo Garden

The hydrangeas in the main heritage Brueckner beds on the west hill side are easy to spot from the main trail as you head into the Garden.

White Hydrangeas BRG Heritage Rhododendron Beds Mississauga

Walk through a gate in the split rail fence to enter the hillside garden. The rhododendrons won't be blooming again until next spring, but their companion plantings -- hydrangeas, holly, Pieris Japonica (Japanese andromeda) are stepping up to the Blooming plate.

Blue Pink White Hydrangeas Split Rail Fence Rhododendron Garden

This is the view of the hydrangeas behind the split rail fence, and below the hillside garden, near the Rose Garden (The Roses are now signposted according to type.)

Annual Garden Lakeshore Road Godfreys Lane Mississauga ON

Annual flower bed at Port Credit, Brueckner Garden sign, Lakeshore and Godfreys Lane. Though referred to as an 'annual bed', the plantings in this area include roses, lilies, shrubs and grasses. The coleus are truly amazing this year. This photo doesn't do them justice!

The recent heat wave --- all of July and into August -- coupled with good soil, irrigation and fertilizer has set the weeds into a massive growth spurt as well.

Weeding is underway throughout the Garden, but if you'd like to volunteer your help, please do drop by and pull a few (hundred).

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I also took a short video of the Japanese beetles that are finishing off the meal they made of  the rose garden.

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Rose Garden Design Legend Map: Name That Rose

Almost four years in the making, the Rose Garden design has a legend to help name that rose!

It's not perfect, but this map of the rose beds at Brueckner Rhododendron Garden will serve the purpose for now. And just in time, as the Rose Garden is in fine bloom this week. Have a look:

Rose Garden Design and Legend for BRG Rose Beds

 Click on the above image to view this legend / map in a larger size, then click the Back button to return to this page. Before you visit the Garden (BRG map), you may want to print out the legend to bring with you.

Brueckner Rhododendron Garden Mississauga Ontario

 The Rose Garden is just over the rise from the parking lot entrance on Lakeshore Road West at Shawnmarr, and so is not readily visible. Note, too, the hosta beds (next to No. 9) as they are coming into bloom as well.

Rose Garden Design Legend No. 4: Scentimental Rose

 Here's a closer look at No. 4 in the legend: Scentimental. It seems no two Scentimental blooms are the same.  And they are very fragrant! Just to the rear of Scentimental is Brother Cadfael; past that, in No. 2 is Evelyn. See in detail on this post. I see by the date, the roses are in bloom almost to the same day as they bloomed last year. Last year this time, most of the rhodos and azaleas had finished blooming; this year, there are a fair number of rhodos still in bloom.

Scentimental Roses in Full Bloom BRG Port Credit

 Here's another picture of Scentimental. This year and for the first time, all the roses in the Garden were hard pruned, and they are looking great. The white roses seen in the right background are Iceberg.

Eglantyne Pink Rose in Full Bloom

 The roses in this bed in the picture above were the subject of a lively discussion amongst Garden committee members: Was this Brother Cadfael? Eglantyne? The Ingenious Mr. Fairchild? All those roses are pink. (It's likely apparent why we were in need of a rose garden design map and legend.)

But Para's (the BRG head gardener) memory and rose knowledge trumped the committee's as he proved that this rose bed is Eglantyne. 

Tess of the d'Urbervilles (Red Rose) and Iceberg (White Rose)

 Some of the original Tess of the d'Urbervilles roses didn't make it through the past few winters, so Iceberg (white) roses were planted on the perimeter of this bed (No. 11). The red-and-white roses mimic the colors of the Canadian flag, and bloom in time for Canada Day, July 1.

Abraham Darby Yellow Rose No.6 BRG Rose Garden Layout

Abraham Darby (No. 6) is the other yellow / apricot colored rose in the Garden, and shows a deeper orange/ apricot center. Evelyn (No. 2) can look the same when it first blooms, or is in bud, but Evelyn fades to pinky-peach, or peachy-pink.

Iceberg White Rose in Full Bloom at Brueckner Garden

White rose Iceberg is looking fine in its own bed (No. 5) as well as framing the crimson Tess in No. 10. With any or all of these pictures, click to enlarge, then click Back.

Rose Garden Viewed from Waterfront Trail

 Here's how the roses look from the Waterfront Trail along Tecumseh Creek.

Do stop by and 'smell the roses' this Canada holiday long weekend! Especially if you are planning to come to Port Credit to take part in the July 1 parade, entertainment and fireworks.

The Rose Garden The Early Years: See how the rose garden looked when first it was laid out and designed.

More New Rhododendron Gardens, Flowers Bloom BRG

Brueckner Rhododendron Garden Stewardship Committee (BRGSC) Meets On Site at the Garden to tour new rhodo beds

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The BRGSC August meeting was on site at the Gardens to tour the new rhododendron beds added this season. Para, head gardener and BRGSC member, led the group tour to talk about what work had been done, and what new projects are still to come. Here are some photos of the new gardens and some of the annual and perennial flower beds that give color all summer.

BRGSC Garden Tour ~ Annual Flower Bed

Stewardship committee members David and Daphne at the annual bed, with mauve flowered Russian sage in bloom. This flower bed, located just south of the Garden parking lot at Lakeshore Road West and Shawnmarr Road, has perennial and shrub plantings, but the annual plantings change each year.

Flower Garden Bed - Brueckner Rhododendron Garden

Another flower bed located just east of the parking lot is a riot of yellows. This garden is largely perennials with some annuals added each season. The trail in the background is the section of the Waterfront Trail that runs along Tecumseh Creek in this area.

Florida Dogwood in Bloom ~ Mississauga Garden

Committee member David with Florida Dogwood. This stunning blooming tree is located on the far side of the hill trail that leads from the parking lot. This evening meeting meant the light was dim for photo taking, but the white dogwood blossoms still stood out. This dogwood is located close to the west fence, with the lake view in the background.

Florida Dogwood Close-Up

A closer look at the Florida Dogwood. The green centers turn red as the bloom matures, and are filled with seeds. This particular tree has some stressed branches that are starting to leaf out again.

White Rhododendron in Bloom in August ~ Mississauga

Follow the Waterfront Trail towards Lake Ontario, then cross the south bridge (closest to the lake) towards Godfrey's Lane. To the left, there is a large rhododendron that sent out a late season white bloom. (Rhodos usually bloom in spring, not mid-summer).

New Rhododendron Garden - BRG East Garden

BRGSC seeing first hand the new plantings in a rhodo bed in the East Garden. About 9 new rhodo gardens have been added in this area of the BRG. To shade and shelter the rhododendrons, staff planted a number of new trees. This East Garden, previously under-developed, has been the target for many of the new plantings.

Annual Bed Lakeshore Road ~ BRG East Garden

This annual flower bed at Lakeshore Road West near Godfreys' Lane and the Port Credit sign is perhaps the most visible to passing traffic. Again, some perennials and shrubs are grown here, but the annual flower show changes each year. This year, the coleus are giving a superb show, even at twilight.

New Rhododendron Bed ~ West Garden BRG

City staff and volunteers planted most of the new rhodos, etc. in the East Garden beds, but  they also in-filled existing beds in West Garden, adding dozens of new plants and trees, including rhodos, azaleas, white pine and magnolias. Here, Joe, city garden staff, rototills under the trees where another new rhodo bed, with shade trees already in position, will soon be planted.

And to give you a spot to rest a spell and admire the views, several more Garden benches are being replaced, and a few new ones are to be installed.

For a map to Brueckner Rhododendron Gardens, see the googlemap link in the right menu. BRG is open daily, year round and admission is free!