More Annuals Planted!

We are moving along nicely heading into the first volunteer planting Saturday! Both terraces have been planted up creating a beautiful display around the fountains. Beds will need a few weeks to fill out, but we’re tracking toward peak bloom earlier in July compared to most years. 

This year’s annual plantings are themed around Peace.

One half of the garden will burst with vibrant blocks of orange and pink, echoing the spirit of the 1960s and 70s peace movement. This side celebrates joy, unity, and optimism, with strong, confident colours that radiate energy and love.

The other half will invite you to breathe and be still. In a palette of soft pinks, pale blues, gentle lavenders, and creamy whites, this peaceful space is designed to soothe the senses and encourage mindfulness.

Thanks to a large, multi-department staff effort on Wednesday (June 3) the entire west hill annual bed planting was completed! This includes the iconic American and Canadian flag beds and a variety of others in this year’s Peace theme. These beds run from the Sunken Garden west, continuing west to the 9/11 Memorial and Carillon Bell Tower.

Beverly Coutts, Display Gardens Horticulturist

What’s In Perennial Bloom This Weekend? 

Big shout-out to all the staff and volunteers who are making this possible.

All of the planters in the Sunken Garden and formal areas have been planted. The raised beds in the pollinator garden and patio area near the Conservatory have been planted as well. All of the perennial beds are filling in nicely now that summer has arrived. 

The lupines and irises are really starting to show their colors in the Sunken Garden this week! One of my favorite iris cultivars, ‘Immortality’ (which is a crisp white color), can be found blooming in many parts of the Sunken Garden. The first roses of the season are blooming and can be found near the stone shelter closest to the Conservatory. Other new blooms this week include our native blue flag iris, shasta daisies, cranesbill, American highbush cranberry, and hybrid columbines. Perennials still blooming from previous weeks include chives, anemone, primula (primrose), lilacs, bachelor buttons (cornflower), and golden Alexander. Striped coralroot is currently blooming and I’m hoping to catch a glimpse of some yellow lady slipper orchids either this week or next.

Meredith Swanson, Sunken Garden Horticulturist

What’s Open? Cafe open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Gift Shop & Conservatory 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; North American Game Warden Museum 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays; Campground reservations here.

Late May/Early June in the Turtle Mountains. At 700 feet above the surrounding prairies, IPG is located within a unique forest and wetlands area known as the Turtle Mountains. After a long, snowy winter the ground needs time to thaw. Spring rains bring additional moisture and occasionally stall our staff from planting our magnificent annual floral displays.

We are out of the frost threat this year, but our microclimate is not always ready for the annual flowers, and in the past the Garden has lost substantial sums to cold nights into June. So, we proceed with caution to ensure we are hitting peak bloom between July and August. The annual display beds fill out week after week.

Our experienced horticultural staff is humming right along now! This massive effort is aided by volunteer groups, who generously donate time in our rural location along the U.S.-Canada border.

The Sunken Garden is our perennial home and provides a stunning array of ever-changing color throughout the season. Staff is diligently pruning, and pockets of color are exploding.

Our Grounds Maintenance fired up the mowers and are balancing the openings between rains to mow hundreds of acres of formal lawns, 7 picnic areas, our full-service campground and more. Although we aim to minimize the spread of weeds, we manage nearly 2,400 acres and appreciate your understanding during this brief spring pop! 

Our Facilities Maintenance crew maintains hundreds of buildings, including washrooms throughout the grounds. Let us know if you see anything we missed and we will get right to it!

Miles of trails (Lakeview Trail on brochure is best right now), the new beach at the Manitoba Women’s Institute Maple Grove picnic area, kayak rentals (reserve at Gift Shop) and CCC-era pavilions offer great exploration. The Turtle Mountains are home to hundreds of full-time and migrating birds, including ducks, grebes, warblers and the mighty pelicans.

Remember that the animals are getting their bearings as well! Please do not approach wildlife and notify IPG staff if you have concerns. Enjoy the chance to see moose, elk, deer, beavers and more from a safe distance.

Tim Chapman, CEO

Conservatory Thriving
Hard to believe it has been a year since we reopened! The plants are thriving in this beautiful new expansion and cacti and succulents are blooming all over! Echinopsis, Gymnocalycium, Rebutia, Mammilaria, Astrophytum and Uncarina are among the species showing off their stunning flowers. Remember to bring water or purchase a beverage at the Gift Shop or Cafe.

Events and Music Camp
Don’t forget that International Music Camp’s Festival of the Arts Series is here! All Festival of the Arts performances June 20 on are free following payment of the IPG gate fee. 2025 Admission is either $10 per day per person or $50 for a family annual season pass.

The first full week of IMC begins Sunday with arrival of campers. Saturday and Sunday afternoons may be accompanied by longer waits entering and exiting the Garden. Please remember our gate staff and U.S. and Canadian Customs are doing their best to keep traffic flowing.