
Greater Ottawa Water Garden
Horticultural Society




2019 Water Garden Tour video Graciously provided by Betty Ann Grainger
Our next event is on May 17th, 7pm! Don’t miss it! RSVP required
Site Visit: Tiny (backyard) forests and lawn conversion demos
With Shelly Lambert, Director, Forêt Capitale Forest
2391 Pepin Court (Just Food Community Farm), Blackburn Hamlet
7:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Water gardeners, who have already taken the initiative to do something out of the ordinary, may have a heightened interest in other options to take their yards beyond the conventional. Two environmentally forward-looking practices are lawn conversion, and compact Miyawaki backyard forests. Both can enhance water gardens by extending the natural appearance of our yards, while increasing resiliency to the impacts of extreme weather events such as drought, excessive heat, and devastating winds.
Forêt Capitale Forest (FCF) Director Shelley Lambert will give us a guided tour of FCF's Base of Operations, including the Tiny Forest Demonstration plots, Lawn Conversion guilds, community food forest, and their tree seedling area. The Tiny Forest Demonstration plots were created to trial the Miyawaki method, to have a way for local groups to come and learn, and to engage with researchers to learn more about the benefits through additional study.
Further information: https://foretcapitaleforest.ca/base-of-operations / https://canadiangeographic.ca/articles/the-many-benefits-of-the-minuscule-but-mighty-miyawaki-forests
Please RSVP to Lesley Wilson at mlawilson@sympatico.ca or 613-795-7252 by 5:00 p.m. Monday, May 15
Hope to see as many of you in attendance!
2023 Water Garden Tour
The 12th annual Water Garden Tour, hosted by the Greater Ottawa Water Garden Horticultural Society, will be featuring 11 beautiful water gardens of various designs and sizes, including one site which can also be seen at night.
Date: Saturday, June 24, 2023
Times: Day: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Evening: 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Cost: $20.00 per person
1 Ticket ------
2 Tickets -----
3 Tickets -----
4 Tickets -----
Tickets/Tour booklets for this self-guided tour are available as of mid-May at www.ottawawatergardens.com or at Artistic Landscape Design, Beyond the House (Russell), Big Al’s Aquarium, Concrete Garden Supply (Greely), Nesbitts Greenhouses and Nursery (Alymer QC), Peter Knippel Garden Centre, Rideau Woodland Ramble (near Kemptville), and Ritchie Feed and Seed stores. (Cash only).
Highlights of our 2023 Tour
Visitors this year will get a look at several water gardens in urban settings. You will visit a home that caters to pollinator and wildlife habitat gardens, with a pond that attracts a variety of songbirds. Another property features a small pond tucked away, and guarded by a unique set of Chessmen. Our west-end Tour stop will have you admiring the landscaped yard with its tiered patio situated close to the pond for the ultimate in fish gazing.
One has only to walk into the backyard of the home on Queen Elizabeth Drive to be transported to a garden in France, complete with a cascading pond, winding pathways, flowers and artwork. In the Elmvale Acres area, you will not wonder why the owners of this property and their visitors find it so inviting and relaxing. Take time to admire the pond with its colourful koi and all the surrounding plants that make up a wonderful backyard. In Beacon Hill, you will spend some time admiring the owners’ lush pond and many koi and goldfish. And you will certainly enjoy the gardens at our Orleans home, which also features a lovely pond and waterfall, unique boulders, seating areas and a pergola.
The Barrhaven tour stops feature two properties on the same street, both boasting interesting and distinct water features that you may want to install at your own home. And a drive to Manotick will not disappoint as the beautiful front gardens of this home are just slightly outdone by those in the back, which frame a raised pond and waterfall.
We are also pleased to showcase again a spectacular property in the Cardinal Heights area, a true oasis with a lovely pond, waterfalls and koi, as well as interesting boulders, water features, plants and winding pathways. It is also the site of our evening Tour visit. Complete with night lighting, this is a magical place to end the day. Be sure to bring along your lawn chairs and beverages, and to linger awhile.
Finally, thanks to everyone for your support of our Water Garden Tours. Without the participation of the homeowners who open up their properties for viewing, our generous sponsors, and the retailers who sell the tickets, the Tour would not be possible. Proceeds from the Tours are directed towards community projects in the Ottawa area, such as the construction of water features at the Ronald McDonald House by CHEO, in Gayle’s Garden at the Ruddy-Shenkman Hospice in Kanata, in the Healing Garden at the Queensway Carleton Hospital, and outside the Peter D. Clark Long Term Care Home.








About our Society
Founded in 2006, the Greater Ottawa Water Garden Horticultural Society (GOWGHS) is an organization dedicated to the enjoyment, education and promotion of water gardening in the National Capital Region. more...

Consult the Gardening Calendar for information on other gardening events in the Ottawa area