9 Enchanting Ottawa Gardens That Are Bursting With Blooms Every Spring

So much free fun awaits! 🌸
Staff Writer

Get ready to tiptoe through the tulips. Once the warm weather arrives, there are so many Ottawa flower gardens that will be bursting with blooms.

When it comes to blossoms, our city is famous for the Canadian Tulip Festival. But that isn't the only spot to see budding plants. 

You can head to Dominion Arboretum to see hundreds of trees covered in fluffy pink buds or find lilac bushes in every shade of purple at the Ornamental Gardens.

Here are all the spots across town you will want to visit at least once.

Editor's Choice: 8 Ottawa Spots That Serve The Most Decadent Donuts For You To Sink Your Teeth Into

Fletcher Wildlife Garden

Price: Free

Address: Prince of Wales Dr., Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: It is a peaceful spot to walk next to flowering trees and a butterfly garden.

CF Rideau Centre Rooftop Garden

Price: Free

Address: 50 Rideau St., Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: Many locals don't realize that there is a public garden on the roof of the mall. Here you can not only see trees covered in tiny pink blossoms but also enjoy a fantastic lookout over downtown Ottawa.

Ornamental Gardens

Price: Free

Address: 75 National Capital Commission Scenic Driveway, Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: From mid-May to mid-June this place is a sweet-smelling lilac wonderland. Within this garden, you can also find 350 peonies

Dominion Arboretum

Price: Free

Address: Arboretum, Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: It is the best spot to see crab apples in the city. Next to Prince of Wales Drive, there are 100 blooming trees, but you'll find many others scattered through the park. 

Rideau Hall

Price: Free

Address: 1 Sussex Dr., Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: There is a sprawling garden where you can explore the many trails that will take you to a bubbling fountain and budding trees.

Major’s Hill Park

Price: Free

Address: Mackenzie Ave., Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: Overlooking the Parliament Buildings, here you can see colourful tulips.

The National Gallery Sunken Garden

Price: Free

Address: 380 Sussex Dr., Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: Outside of the gallery, you can find a secret garden with 12 crab apple trees.

Commissioners Park

Price: Free

Address: Queen Elizabeth Driveway, Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: Every spring, this park has thousands of blooming tulips for the Canadian Tulip Festival.

Maplelawn Historic Garden

Price: Free

Address: 529 Richmond Rd., Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: You'll feel like you've stepped into a storybook garden. It is a beautiful spot to enjoy time outdoors away from the crowds.

Before you get going, check our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.

  • Stephanie White was an Ottawa-based Associate Editor for Narcity Canada. She has been writing mouthwatering food and wanderlust-inspiring articles for Canadians since 2012. She has a B.A. and B.Ed. from Ottawa University. When she isn't writing, you can find her travelling the globe and trying new restaurants. Stephanie has previously been published on Insider, Flight Network, Apartment Therapy, Faces Magazine, Daily Hive, Dished and The Spruce.

8 romantic fall dates around Ottawa to enjoy with your boo for $30 or less

The perfect fall date doesn't have to cost a lot. 🧡🎃

More winter weather is forecast in Ontario with up to 15 cm of 'heavy snow' this week

Lake-effect snow after the storm could increase accumulation totals in southern Ontario!

Costco gave a sneak peek of a new special warehouse that's opening in March

The store is a first for this province and it also offers a service that other locations don't!

A new Canada's best employers list is out and here's why these are the top places to work

This list includes federal government agencies, universities, retailers and other companies.

NAV Canada is hiring for air traffic controller jobs that pay up to $201,000

You don't need a university degree or college diploma. ✈️

Baby formula sold at Costco is being recalled due to a toxin that can cause food poisoning

The toxin is not destroyed by heat and can survive temperatures that would usually kill bacteria.

Canada just approved US-made jets under threat of massive new tariffs from Trump

Trump threatened to slap Canada with a 50% tariff if it didn't approve the jets.

Canadians' trust in public institutions is up but less than half say they trust Mark Carney

The P.M.'s trust rating has dropped below 50%, but he's still the most trusted party leader.