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What’s in Bloom? December at RBG

November 24, 2023

What Blooms in December?

Note: this is a general guide of what typically blooms this month at RBG. Bloom periods may vary by up to 2 weeks. For the best view of what’s blooming right now at RBG, see the current photos on RBG’s Instagram, or find the “Bloom Watch” section on the What’s in Bloom page.

Escape winter weather and keep the green thumb satisfied with a stroll through RBG Centre’s Mediterranean Garden! Don’t miss the seasonal breezeway display, the Orchid Case, and the Cacti and Succulent Collection. Winter is citrus season in the Mediterranean Garden, keep an eye (and nose) out for the flowering blossoms and growing fruit!

  • blossoming jade plant
  • Fuchsia christmas cactus
  • Small oranges in a citrus tree
  • bright yellow 'pom-pom' looking flowers on branches of a Sweet thorn tree with finely textured dark green leaves .

Pictured, left to right: Jade, Poinsettia, Christmas cactus, Citrus tree, Sweet thorn

Enjoy a winter walk through Hendrie Park or the Rock Garden! Get some “winter interest” garden inspiration, and appreciate conifer displays, berry-producing shrubs, and the many textures of deciduous tree bark.

Plant life slumbers but the nature sanctuaries are still full of life and interest. Find animal tracks in the snow, explore indigenous plant use, and spot raptors and arctic waterbirds. Witch-hazel, a native forest understory shrub species is among the most common species in the oak dominated forests of RBG’s nature sanctuaries with the yellow flowers quite distinctive against the forest setting.

Laking Garden is now closed for the season. We eagerly await its spring reopening!

  • Tall, thin conifers covered with snow at the rock garden
  • Dried Hydrangea With Snow
  • close up of red berries on a bare branch
  • white fluffy spent seed heads of a japanese anemone plant
  • close up of bright yellow witch hazel flower

Pictured, left to right: Conifer trees, dried Hydrangea, Winterberry, Japanese Anemone seed head, Witch-hazel

December Favourites

Indoor Breezeway display full of poinsettias. At the centre of the room is a tall poinsettia "tree" within a gazebo lit with white lights.

Winter Breezeway Display

Our talented gardeners change the space with a variety of themes each year, culminating in a holiday season show of poinsettia and winter greens.

Tall banana leaf tree and other lush foliage of the mediterranean garden shining in the sunlight

Mediterranean Garden

Two landscaped levels showcase cultivars of native and exotic Mediterranean plants. This indoor garden blooms through the winter, creating an ideal escape from the cold.

frozen bay of Cootes Paradise

Winter Hiking

Explore RBG’s Nature Sanctuaries with 27km of hiking trails through Hamilton and Burlington!

Plants of Interest in December at RBG

  • Poinsettia
  • Holly
  • Witch Hazel
  • Jade (Mediterranean Garden)
  • Citrus trees (Mediterranean Garden)
  • Christmas cactus (Mediterranean Garden)

Blooms by Season

Plants of interest are ever-changing in RBG’s five cultivated garden areas and nature sanctuaries. Learn what’s blooming now or see the blooms calendar for a rough estimation of what to expect each season.