| Membership | Price (+HST) |
|---|---|
| Single | $85/year |
| Single Plus | $120/year |
| Family | $130/year |
| Family Plus | $175/year |
| Contributing | $300/year |
| Supporting | $600/year |
| Sustaining | $1,000/year |
| Benefactor's Circle | $2,500/year |
| Director's Circle | $5,000/year |
| President's Circle | $10,000/year |
What’s in Bloom? October at RBG
September 26, 2024
What Blooms in October?
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.
Cooler temperatures return to RBG, bringing rich fall colours in foliage and blooms. While parts of Northern Ontario have moved well into the peak of their fall colours, RBG’s location allows for an extended season to enjoy. From fresh blooms to early autumn hues, the Gardens are bursting with natural wonders to explore!
Over at the Rock Garden, fall colours are slowly trickling in, with the Japanese Maple and Katsura Tree as fiery standouts. More eye-catching flowers are also flourishing at the Rock, including Sweet Amber, Nieuwland’s Blazing Star, White Wood Aster, and Monkshood, all complimented by the collection of richly green coniferous trees.
Pictured, left to right: Monkshood, Ginkgo Biloba, Korean Maple, Woodland Aster, Annual Display (2024)
Every October, Hendrie Park becomes the perfect spot to enjoy the best of fall outdoors, with the gardens’ natural beauty highlighted by special seasonal horticultural touches. From Thanksgiving weekend through Halloween, you’ll find displays of pumpkins and classic autumn favourites throughout the gardens.
In the Helen M. Kippax Garden, pollinator-friendly natives like Aster and Goldenrod are buzzing with activity, while the Rose Garden still offers late-season pops of red, pink, white, and yellow, along with charming companion plants.
The indoor Breezeway at RBG Centre transforms with an autumnal botanical display. Stay tuned for the big reveal!
Pictured, left to right: Scented Garden, Goldenrod, Rose Garden, Breezeway displays with Pumpkins, Squash, and Gourds, and Calendula, Chrysanthemums, and Ornamental Kale.
At the Arboretum, full trees offer shade for those exploring the wide-open garden — keep an eye out for the changing colours of the Maple, Oak, Tuliptree and Linden trees as we move further into fall. And keep an eye out in the Synoptic Shrub Collection for Beautyberry, a fantastic seasonal shrub with richly coloured purple fruit.
Venture through RBG’s nature sanctuaries for amazing birding opportunities during migration season. Over 250 bird species can be seen over the course of migration season, and in the fall every trail hosts something special. The first burst of fall colours have begun along the trails, led by goldenrods and over 30 species of asters, with flowers concentrated around Princess Point, the Arboretum and Rock Chapel.
Pictured, left to right: Beautyberry, Grey Doe Trail, Escarpment Lookout, Cootes Paradise, Hendrie Valley
October Favourites
Fall Colours
When the weather cools, our gardens and trails come to life with warm autumn hues. As a nature sanctuary between climate zones with incredible plant biodiversity, RBG is the perfect location to watch the seasons change.
Roses
Depending on the seasonal weather, some roses may continue to produce their delicate blooms throughout the fall—if we’re lucky.
The Rose Garden is located in Hendrie Park.
Plants that typically flower / Plants of Interest in October at RBG
- Annuals
- Aster
- Autumn crocus
- Blazing star
- Cardinal flower
- Cosmos
- Goldenrod
- Monkshood
- Mountain Fleeceflower
- Russian sage
- Sedum
- Snowberry
- Sunflower
- Sweet-Amber
- Tickseed
- Verbena
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.
