Toronto Botanical Garden and Edwards Gardens

Toronto Botanical Garden and Edwards Gardens share a site at 777 Lawrence Avenue East in the Don Mills area of Toronto, Ontario, and together form one of the city's best-loved garden destinations. Edwards Gardens is the older, larger ravine garden, developed from a private estate and opened to the public in the 1950s, with winding paths, a rockery, rose garden, wooded slopes and the Wilket Creek, which links to a long trail system through the Don River valley. The Toronto Botanical Garden next door is a smaller, more formal showcase of themed gardens, including a knot garden, a perennial display, a teaching garden and a Garden Hall hosting classes, exhibits and a gift shop. Visitors can wander the paths, cross the footbridges, picnic on lawns and enjoy the seasonal displays that change from spring bulbs to summer perennials and autumn colour. A typical visit lasts about 1.5 hours, though keen gardeners and walkers will spend longer and may continue along the Wilket Creek trail. Entry to both gardens is free. Late spring and early summer are the peak seasons, when tulips, roses and flowering shrubs bloom, and weekends in May and June are the busiest, with many wedding and portrait photographers. Weekday mornings are quiet. Photographers favour the rock garden, the arched bridges and the autumn leaves reflected in the creek. The gardens are open from dawn to dusk, while the garden centre hours vary. Access is by TTC bus 54 Lawrence East from Eglinton station, and parking is available on site. Pathways include steps and slopes, and dogs are restricted in some areas, so signs should be followed.