The Leaf – Canada’s Diversity Gardens, touted to be the most significant horticultural development undertaken in Canada in the past 25 years, is set to welcome visitors in Winnipeg, the capital city of Manitoba in central Canada.
The Assiniboine Park Conservancy is undertaking final preparations of this magnificent indoor/outdoor display, one of the most visually stunning gardens in Canada, spanning 30 acres.
Resplendent with innovative horticulture, mosaics of colour and fragrance, exotic plants and balmy environments, visitors to the ever-changing gardens will explore themes of sustainability and conservation, beauty and expression, and spirituality and consciousness.
“The Leaf – Canada’s Diversity Gardens is a project of its time and Winnipeg is the perfect place to bring it to life,” said Margaret Redmond, President & CEO, Assiniboine Park Conservancy.
“This will be a place of gathering, learning, celebration and recreation for Winnipeggers, Manitobans, visitors from across the country, and tourists from around the world. We can’t wait to welcome visitors to The Leaf when it opens soon.”
Featuring stunning architecture and state-of-the-art design, The Leaf will invite visitors to explore four unique indoor plant biomes:
The Tropical Biome, the largest of The Leaf’s planted spaces, will feature lush plant material from tropical regions of the world and the tallest indoor waterfall in Canada and possibly North America.
The Mediterranean Biome will showcase plant life from climatic zones known for their superb fruits, fine wines, and abundant crops such as Greece, Italy, South Africa, Central Chile, Western Australia and California.
The Babs Asper Display House will celebrate the art of horticulture with a rotating schedule of dynamic floral displays that will change four to five times per year, exploring seasonal and global themes.
The Shirley Richardson Butterfly Garden will be populated year-round with tropical butterfly species. Elevated five stories above ground level, the Butterfly Garden will also provide access to a canopy walkway that wraps around the waterfall and overlooks the lush foliage flourishing in the Tropical Biome.
“A great amount of time and energy have been dedicated to the creation of a dynamic, layered, and engaging experience inspired by the rotating floral displays that will encompass the indoor biomes at The Leaf, our restaurant and retail offerings, special events and programs, and the beautiful outdoor gardens,” said Redmond. “The experience of visiting The Leaf – Canada’s Diversity Gardens will change with every season and each new display.”
The Leaf will also be home to an exciting new destination restaurant called Gather Craft Kitchen & Bar. Scheduled to open separately on a date to be announced, the new restaurant will serve culturally expressive, seasonal dishes inspired by the natural world and plants at The Leaf.
“For over a century, Assiniboine Park has served as a joyful gathering place and a natural oasis where people from all walks of life can come together to learn, celebrate, and connect with nature. The Leaf – Canada’s Diversity Gardens will build on that legacy and be a place of pride for our City and Province that we can share with the world,” said Redmond.
GETTING THERE
Air Canada offers daily direct flights to Vancouver from Sydney and direct flights between Brisbane and Vancouver four times per week. Direct flights from Sydney to Vancouver are also available on Qantas. Daily connecting flights are available from Vancouver to Winnipeg, in addition to the VIA Rail train service.
www.travelmanitoba.com
