Monday, September 3, 2018

A Summer Walk In The Garden

The Garden Of The Provinces And Territories is found downtown, on a slope between two churches on the south side, and the headquarters for Library And Archives Canada on the other side of Wellington Street to the north. It is a lovely area, a combination of flowerbeds, lawns, and terraces that pays tribute to the country itself. This view takes in the spire of Christ Church Cathedral. I recall taking a similar perspective some years back on the morning of the national firefighters memorial service, when bagpipers were standing here.


This shot is now dated, as the sculpture has been removed from this spot to prepare for its new location. 12 Points In A Classical Balance is a 1982 sculpture by Chung Hung, a Chinese born artist who ended up in British Columbia. Made of western red cedar, this sculpture is described by the artist as "a line whose end joins the beginning to form a loop." The Memorial To The Victims Of Communism will be placed at this spot at some point next year, quite different and in a different spot from the project that had been proposed by the previous prime minister. I passed by the Garden a couple of weeks after I took these shots, and 12 Points was missing. An inquiry with the National Capital Commission, which oversees federal properties like this, determined that 12 Points will be installed at its new location nearby in the fall.


The garden beds here have a variety of flowers and plants found across the country, from spring into the fall.


This view takes in Library And Archives Canada itself.


On the terraces in a couple of spots, the official flowers of the provinces and territories are represented, in this case in bas relief. Newfoundland has the pitcher plant.


Prince Edward Island has the lady's slipper while Nova Scotia has the mayflower.


New Brunswick is represented by the purple violet. Quebec selected the blue flag iris.


The trillium is the official flower of Ontario, and Manitoba is represented by the prairie crocus.


Saskatchewan chose the western red lily, and Alberta chose the wild rose.


British Columbia is represented by the Pacific dogwood, and the Yukon chose the fireweed.


Mountain avens is the designated flower for the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut chose purple saxifrage.


I finish with this sculpture and water feature, a tree in steel form that is a particular pleasure to see on a hot day.

32 comments:

  1. I really like that prairie planting using grasses and daisies

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  2. ...Ottawa is such a lovely city.

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  3. Love to read about official flower. That's interesting.

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  4. Hello, I like the official flowers of all the provinces. The sculpture is pretty. Lovely walk and garden! Enjoy your day and new week ahead!

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  5. It is a lovely area to walk through, love the water feature in the last shot. Hope you are enjoying your long weekend ✨

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  6. I hope you had a nice summer, but ... fall is in the air! :)

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  7. Interesting to know about the official flowers of different countries.

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  8. I enjoyed learning the flowers of each Canadian province. Very interesting sculpture, too. :-)

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  9. @Rosemary: there is quite a mix here.

    @Tom: yes it is.

    @Aritha: I imagine many countries do it.

    @Eileen: thank you!

    @Grace: I am thinking of taking in some art.

    @Ella: sooner or later!

    @Nancy: it is.

    @DJan: I think so!

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  10. One could keep busy every day of the year looking at significant things in Ottawa.

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  11. I love seeing green space in metro areas. I love the symbolism of the benches.

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  12. Coneflowers are among my favorites.

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  13. Love the flowers of the provinces and territories!

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  14. Beautiful garden in the middle of the city.

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  15. What a great place to explore. I love the water sculpture and the Chung Hung sculpture too.

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  16. Beautiful sculptures William, specially the tree water feature.

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  17. Lovely summer walk. I enjoyed those official flowers on terraces. The sculpture in the last photo is beautiful!

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  18. That 12 points sculpture looks as if it would be quite heavy to move.

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  19. Human scale but grand too in it's way

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  20. I like the flowers of the provinces but really like the sculpture & fountain!

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  21. pleasant piece of nature in the downtown.

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  22. I like the flowers from the provinces.

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  23. @Red: there is a lot.

    @Jeanie: this is a good space.

    @Revrunner: and this has an abundance of them.

    @Marie: so do I.

    @Jan: yes it is.

    @Sharon: I was glad to learn the sculpture will be moved close by.

    @Sami: it's quite something to see when the water runs.

    @Tamago: thank you!

    @Janey: it would have to be.

    @Cloudia: indeed.

    @RedPat: thank you.

    @Klara: it is a peaceful spot.

    @Fun60: so do I.

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  24. I do like the sculpture and water feature …

    All the best Jan

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  25. Lovely place and great photos !

    Happy Day to you,
    A ShutterBug Explores

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  26. I can see the trillium!!
    I like the blue flag iris as well.
    ; )

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  27. Those official flower works are very nice! What a nice way to show each province.

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  28. @Jan: I do too.

    @Carol: thanks!

    @Catarina: it's a nice way to include the country as a whole.

    @Jennifer: thanks!

    @Jenn: I agree.

    @Beth: very cool.

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  29. Great place to walk and rest... And take pictures.

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