Cover Image from Brooke Marshall

Looking for things to do in Ontario or plans to visit? We’ve curated a list of some must-sees gardens for all you green thumbs out there. Each place makes you feel like a fairy in a secret garden and your pixie dust will refill once you leave. Every garden benefits the ecosystem with hundreds of insects pollinating to keep alive and protect various plant species to give us fresh and good vibes. With each having beautiful walks, places to stop and more, these outdoor gardens in Ontario are a must-see. 

Terre Bleu Lavender Fields | Milton 

 Photos from Terre Bleu Lavender Fields Facebook & Instagram

Make your wildest dreams come true at Terre Bleu with their gorgeous lavender fields and experiences like yoga, picnics and more as you gaze at the shades of purple. You’ll smell the beautiful aroma from the lavender buds as you walk through the fields and walking trails available in the Grand River Conservation Area. Terre Bleu makes lavender-infused bath and body products, aromatherapy items and snacks from their farm. Reserve your spot online to experience the full bloom before August 30th. 

Butterfly Conservatory & Botanical Gardens | Niagara Falls 

 Photos from Niagara Parks Facebook & Instagram

Welcome to your Ontario-based tropical garden oasis. Enjoy incredible floor-to-ceiling windows while over 2,000 colourful butterflies freely fly around you at the conservatory. The space is filled with tropical plants and flowers for the beauties to feel like they’re in their natural habitats. As one of North America’s largest butterfly conservations, the hour-long experience will have you floating out on any weekday that works for you. It’s an incredible place to learn about butterflies and get an up-close experience at nature’s symbol for transformation. 

The Fieldstone Barn | Elora 

 Photos from The Fieldstone Farm Facebook & Instagram

Bask in yellow sunflower fields, a colour that brings happiness and joy, just under two hours from Toronto. Tickets are available for purchase Friday-Sundays for August, starting on the 6th, for prime-time sunflower season, which lasts until the beginning of September. There are tons of opportunities for visitors to walk through their corn maze, pet some fur babies and take a look at tons of vintage props. The farm also has glamping available with stunning safari-style tents surrounded by nature and tons of cute accessories inside. 

Royal Botanical Gardens | Burlington

 Photos from Royal Botanical Gardens Facebook & Instagram

Located in Burlington, just outside of Toronto, this 1,100 acres outdoor and indoor garden features stunning water, places to pause and more. The jaw-dropping window-filled interior space has dining, vegan options included and shopping to grab plant decor, jewellery and more. The 72 KM of trails is surrounded by the botanical gardens making it a super scenic destination to relax and have a picnic or move.

Toronto Botanical Gardens | Toronto 

 Photos from Toronto Botanical Instagram & Edward Gardens Website

The Toronto Botanical Gardens (TBG) is the gatekeeper of all gardens with a number of different spaces to check out. This includes places like Edward Gardens filled with wildflowers, cobblestone stairs and hiking trails with a stream flowing through to add to the already peaceful ambiance. The TBG also has many themed gardens like Woodland Walk and Green Roof, and a shop with a variety of bulbs and seeds. It’s perfect for a day trip with pavilions and grasslands located everywhere for mindfulness stops and picnics and will leave you feeling like you stepped out of a scene from Alice in Wonderland. 

Pit Stop: 

Dahlia May Flower Farm | Trenton 

 Photos from Dahlia May Flower Farm Facebook & Instagram

Need a rest? Stop by Dahlia May Flower Farm to grab yourself a beautiful and sustainably grown fresh bouquet. She has 3 acres of farmland to host hundreds of types and colours of flowers. It may be hard to bring home just one bouquet but she is open year-round when you fall in love. Open: Monday- Saturday 9 am – 5 pm, Sunday 10 am -5 pm, 1226 Stockdale Rd, Trenton.