Roses in Full Bloom at Brueckner Gardens

Roses are in full bloom this week at the Gardens, and the first flush of flowering is always the showiest. I photographed the roses that are labeled, and included a few more from the Mixed (test) bed.

Rose Garden at Brueckner Overview

Walk up the hill path to get this overview of the rose garden layout. To the top right is the hosta garden, also a good show this summer. The building is the garden staff office (public restrooms open April to November).

Abraham Darby Rose

 One of many David Austin roses in the garden. See this rose in 2009, when the rose garden was being planted.

Iceberg Rose (White)

 Iceberg is one of the most reliable long-season bloomers in the Gardens. Several Icebergs are planted among the brilliant red Tess, shown below.

Tess of the Durbervilles Red Rose.

 Tess is one of the deepest red roses, another David Austin winner. Several Iceberg (white) rose bushes are in this bed, to mark the colours of the Canada flag.

The Ingenious Mr. Fairchild (David Austin rose)

 See more photos of and information about The Ingenious Mr Fairchild (and Tess) on this page.

Eglantyne Rose at Brueckner Gardens

 Always lovely Eglantyne, another of the David Austins.

Crown Princess Margareta Rose

 The Crown Princess Margareta was one of the first roses to bloom this spring,  and one of the first to finish. See pictures from the start of blooming here.

Chuckles  Red Rose White Center.

Chuckles is a great favourite in the rose garden. At blooming time, Chuckles opens up one innocuous-looking flower, as seen in the photo above. That's a harbinger of the explosion of blooms to come.
  

Captain Samuel Holland Red Rose (Canadian)

 This is a very hardy Canadian rose, Captain Samuel Holland. It's not only gorgeous to look at, but its dense growing habit helps protect the more delicate roses from wind. It generally has one good bloom at this time of year, and that's it.

Evelyn Rose

Evelyn is not the hardiest of roses, and the afternoon shade in its current location is not helping. Plans are underway to move Evelyn to a sunnier bed in the rose garden, likely in September.

Brother Cadfael Rose

Brother Cadfael is a gorgeous rose, with a gorgeous bud to match. See a photo of this rose blooming  in late fall here.

Scentimental Rose at BRG

 Scentimental is one of those roses that seems to have no two blooms alike. It's also one of the most fragrant of the roses.

Sutton Place Rose

 Sutton Place has no bed of its own at Brueckner, and can currently be found in the Mixed Bed as well as at the end of Evelyn's bed.

Orange Rose (no name)

This is our famous orange rose, whose name we do not know.  It came with Chuckles roses, then surprised us with showy orange blooms. It has been moved into the Mixed Bed as well.

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Bring your Cameras!

Photographers in the Garden abound during June, with good reason: The roses are at their loveliest! Make plans to take your lunch or coffee breaks at the BRG this week.

Also in bloom, the first of the hydrangeas, and large day lilies at the top lookout, the first of the coneflowers in the Perennial Bed. And of course, the large hosta garden is picture-perfect!

Use the search box top of page to find more photos of plants in the Gardens.

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.

Wedding Pictures Mississauga ~ Brueckner Rhododendron Gardens a Great Location

With the roses, lilies and hydrangeas now in bloom, Brueckner Rhododendron Gardens is a great location for taking wedding pictures. Or any other kind of photo, for that matter. Come to think of it, the Gardens roses and lilies would make gorgeous wedding bouquets :-) But don't be tempted: All flowers, shrubs, trees etc in Mississauga parks are public and for all to enjoy.

Have a look at some pictures of what's in bloom now at the Gardens: RosesTess, Captain Samuel, Iceberg and Evelyn, and hydrangeas and lilies.

Roses in Bloom at Brueckner Rhododendron Gardens

Captain Samuel Holland rose bed, pictured above, is at the top of the rose garden; the rose bed closest to the parking lot on Lakeshore Road and Shawnmarr.

Captain Samuel Holland Bright Pink Rose Close Up

This hardy Canadian rose is resistant to black spot and fungus. But notice the dark spot in the center of the smaller rose? Japanese beetles are back. Time to get hand-picking before they do damage!

Evelyn ~ Yellow Rose ~David Austin Roses

Evelyn shows different shades of yellow and apricot, depending on the stage of the bloom and the light at the time of day.

Iceberg White Rose ~ David Austin Rose

Iceberg is a beautiful white rose from David Austin Roses; there are two beds of Iceberg in the Rose Garden, and plans call for them to be merged into one bed. Canadian winters are not always kind to roses, and some Icebergs did not survive.

Tess of the D'Urbervilles ~ David Austin Red Rose

Tess Of The d'Urbervilles is another David Austin beauty, a red rose that begins as a gorgeous bud then opens to a double full bloom.

Stargazer Lily

The lily garden was decimated by red weevils last summer, but these Stargazer lilies in the main 'annual' bed just south of the parking lot at Lakeshore Road West in Port Credit are in full bloom now.  If you visit, take note of the weeping beech and Japanese maple, both new to this bed.

Captain Samuel Holland Red Roses ~ David Culham Photo

David Culham, chair of the BRG Stewardship Committee, sends along this photo of Captain Samuel Holland roses. If you'd like to volunteer, see details this post.

Hydrangeas, Geraniums, Stargazer Lilies ~ Summer Bloomers

The annual bed at the front of the Gardens is a picture right now, with chubby white hydrangeas, pink and yellow lilies, and salmon pink geraniums making a nature bouquet. The cleomes are just starting to open their buds.

There's a google map for the BRG in the right menu.  Come walk through the Gardens, and bring your camera! (And your bride, if you have one!).

To book BRG or other Mississauga parks, get a permit : Details on City Mississauga site.

Roses Brother Cadfael, Eglantyne, Scentimental, Hazel McCallion : What's in Bloom at Brueckner Rhododendron Gardens

In a show of pink, red and white, the roses at Brueckner Rhododendron Gardens are in bloom now.

Here are some pictures of roses Brother Cadfael, Eglantyne, Scentimental,and Rosa Hazel McCallion. Click on image to enlarge, then click Back button to return.

Brother Cadfael Pink Rose Brueckner Rhododendron Gardens

This Brother Cadfael rose is just beginning to open fully. Note the tightly curled petals in the center.

Rose Brother Cadfael ~ Pink bloom on Bush

Brother Cadfael rose fully opened looks like a delicate pom-pom.

Close Up of Fully Open Pink  Rose Brother Cadfael 

Is there any flower more lovely than a healthy blooming rose? Most of the rose varieties at Brueckner Gardens were chosen partly by scent, so stop and sniff when you visit.

Eglantyne - Elegant Pale Pink David Austin Rose

Another lovely pale pink rose, Eglantyne is in full bloom now at the BRG.

Eglantyne Pale Pink Rose ~

Still one of the most beautiful English roses! See more pictures of Eglantyne taken last year: Blooming Roses post.

Rosa Hazel McCallion ~ Red White Rose

Named for the long-serving mayor of Mississauga, Rosa Hazel McCallion is in its second year at Brueckner Gardens. Nursed through the winter by Para Kanp, head gardener, this new variety rose is still in its infancy.

Hazel McCallion Rose Bushes

Several of the plants survived and are beginning to bloom. Originally described as a pink rose, these red and white roses may not be true to form. Look for these roses in the center front rose bed.

Scentimental Roses ~ Sweetly Scented Sentimental Favorite

Each Scentimental, like each snow flake, is unique. It's a constant marvel to see how many different ways a Scentimental can look, and how each bud changes as it blooms. Some are mostly red, others pink, and most are variegated with white tossed in.

With the roses fully in first bloom at the BRG, you might think the rhododendrons are finished blooming for the season. Most rhodos are finished blooming, but they need your help:


Rhododendron Help Needed:
Each and every rhododendron flower needs to be dead headed: This means that every rhodo that bloomed this year has to have its dead blossoms removed by hand before the new buds that will bloom next year get too large.

If you can help, see Volunteer post (Mayor Hazel McCallion photo there too!), and call, or drop by the gardens weekdays 8-5 and talk to the Gardens staff.

'Many hands make light work' was never truer than it is of dead-heading thousands of rhodos!!

Bioswale, Roses, Rhododendrons, Tree Stump Removal, Mulch - Getting Gardens Ready for Ontario Winter

 It's been a busy few weeks at the Gardens in Port Credit: The new bioswale is in place to improve the drainage in the east garden; The tree stump removal specialist came with a remote controlled grinder to remove tree stumps (video below); and volunteers and staff continued preparing the rhododendron and azalea beds for winter.

Warm fall weather in south Mississauga made for pleasant November days along Lake Ontario, and a few late bloomer roses cheered all that came to visit.

Bioswale Created East Garden BRG

The gardens area east of Tecumseh Creek at the middle bridge are prepped to create a bioswale -- basically a shallow ditch -- to receive runoff and improve the drainage.

Bioswale to be Naturalized

With the bioswale in place, the shallow ditch will be naturalized -- planted with wildflowers and other native species.

Bioswale Brueckner Rhododendron Gardens

The near end (bottom of photo) of the bioswale slopes towards Tecumseh Creek.

Here's a short video of the bioswale :

BRG Lake Ontario Waterfront

Warm sunny days made more pleasant the task of placing pine needle mulch around rhodos, azaleas, and hydrangeas, and the benches overlooking Lake Ontario were a great spot to take a break.

Front End Loader at BRG

Mississauga staff used the front end loader to shift larger amounts of needles to the rhodo beds where volunteers made fast work of spreading among the acid-loving plants.

Young Rhododendrons Get Winter Prep

These newer-planted rhodos are nicely tucked in behind snow fencing faced with burlap and snuggled under a blanket of mulch, ready for cold winter weather.

Wild Cucumber Gourd

Underneath one of the large evergreeens shading the rhodos, I found this delicate, dried gourd like shell. New to me, but David, who really knows his wildflowers, identified it as wild cucumber, the fruit of a  vine. See the complete life cycle on this page.

Late Blooming Roses

Tess of the D'Urbervilles is one of the roses still blooming in the Rose Garden but is showing signs of black spot. This late in the season, black spot is to be expected.

And a week or so ago, the tree stumps dotting the Gardens were removed -- well, chewed up and spit out --  with help of a technician and a self propelled, remote controlled grinder. The  remaining small roots left underground are not a problem.

See video self propelled tree stump grinder remover or view below:


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While the warm fall weather holds, volunteers and staff will continue to prepare the rhododendron and azalea beds for winter. The lily garden also needs a few good days of weeding and mulching, so if you have any free time, do give David a call. See  Volunteer link in right menu.

Spider, Tiny Toad Halloween in the Gardens, Kentucky Coffee Tree Leaves Pods, Hostas, Roses and other Late Bloomers

The BRG is still a busy spot as the gardens are getting set for winter. This week, just in time for Halloween, a large-ish spider, a tiny toad (and lady bugs!) joined the volunteers and staff working in the rose and peony beds.

The Kentucky Coffee tree dropped its leaves and seed pods in very short order, and the hostas are going out in a blaze of color!

Edging Peony Bed ~ Brueckner Rhododendron Gardens

Volunteer Dave hard at work edging the peony bed already dressed with its snow fence and burlap to protect it from winter maintenance on the Waterfront Trail. Click on image to enlarge, then click Back button to return to this page.

Fat Brown Spider

This fat brown spider dropped in from the apple tree near the Gardens office, and stayed still long enough to have its picture taken.

Tiny Brown Toad

This little toad was the smallest of about 4 spotted by volunteers when they were weeding the rose bed. This tiny toad was hopping along the Waterfront Trail. These  toads are so well camouflaged, they are usually only noticeable when they hop. 

Kentucky Coffee Tree @ BRG

This Kentucky Coffee tree at the south end of the Peony bed lost all its fall colored leaves in just a few days. See how it looked before it dropped its foliage.

Kentucky Coffee Tree ~ Fallen Leaves

The Kentucky Coffee tree drops small branches along with its leaves, scattering them all over the peonies.

Kentucky Coffee Tree Seed Pods

Under the Kentucky Coffee tree, amidst the fallen leaves and branches, I found several pods in varying states of dryness. Within a day or so, both of these pods in the photo were dark black. The seeds inside the pods are very small -- about the size of a raspberry seed.

For a few days, we volunteers contemplated planting these seeds and growing a few new Kentucky Coffee trees of our own, but Voice-of-Reason (head gardener Para) made us rethink. But luckily, we didn't have to, since this tree seeded itself. See the Kentucky coffeetree saplings here.

Kentucky Coffee Tree Leaves on Branch, Seed Pod

 Here is a close up picture of the leaves and seed pod of the Kentucky Coffee Tree. A lower branch needed to be removed so I took the opportunity to take a closer look of the leaves on a branch lying on the pavement. It's hard to show leave structure, shape etc. when you are looking up from below.

Hosta Bed - Brueckner Rhodo Gardens

This large bed of hostas near the gardens office is dying off gracefully and colorfully, with the different varieties of hostas showing their unique shade of green and or gold.

Volunteers With Brother Cadfael Pink Rose

Though just a few days before Halloween, several varieties of roses are still blooming in the Gardens, like this Brother Cadfael rose with volunteers David and Don. As David remarked, "It's a rose between two thorns."

Evelyn Rose  ~ Lady Bug

Evelyn, too, is still blooming this week in the Gardens. Lady Bugs like the one shown here on Evelyn were flying about on these warmer than usual late fall days.

Fernleaf Bleeding Heart - Day Before Halloween

Nicotiana - Day Before Halloween

Both this nictotiana and fern leaf bleeding heart were blooming valiantly in the memorial rhododedron bed on the west side of the Gardens. These bleeding hearts are also a good companion plant for rhodos and azaleas, but are often overlooked when their showier friends are in bloom.

Late Fall, the gardens is still a lively spot, as the spider and tiny toad attest. The Kentucky Coffee tree, though, is done for this year, and the hostas will likely join it any day now. But I for one am optimistic that late fall will be kind to the rose garden and the hydrangeas!
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