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.