What is a Botanical Garden

During this past winter, we've heard much talk about a botanical garden for Ottawa. But what exactly is a botanical garden?

As a special collection of plants, a botanical garden is distinguished from common plant displays and public parks by being a documented collection of both woody and herbaceous plants. These plants are researched scientifically and frequently used for teaching (live textbooks). In a botanical garden, plants are arranged in special sequences, e.g., by evolutionary development, geographic origin, medicinal properties, and other uses and functions.

Canadian botanical gardens are most often associated with universities. The first was established in 1861 at Queen's University in Kingston; however, it was short-lived because it did not have sufficient financial backing.

The oldest continually operated botanical garden in Canada, established by botanist John Davidson in 1916, thrives as a department of the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.

Botanical gardens serve three main functions: education, public information and research. Physicians and physics students searching for medical properties conducted the first recorded studies. Modem botanical gardens are often major tourist attractions, and help demonstrate and develop suitable varieties for growing horticultural-based businesses. There is also a long list of esthetic values - think of how many floral backgrounds are featured in wedding photos! An interesting aspect of botanical gardens is that they are not just for plants. They take on many dimensions: butterflies and other beneficial insects, birds, inspiration for sculpture and other artwork, water developments and agronomy, to name a few.

We are fortunate to still have the arboretum, established by an act of Parliament in 1886, as our historic nucleus. As Ottawa's botanic garden develops, it has the potential to include specific sections devoted to indigenous plants, wetland plants, dryland plants and many others. It will take time - and money - but what a wonderful addition it will be to this area and to Canada!

Please contact the OHS or the author if you wish to republish these articles. © Ottawa Horticultural Society

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