Summerland Ornamental Gardens
Summerland Ornamental Gardens
Summerland Ornamental Gardens
4.5
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
Established in 1916 as part of the Dominion Experimental Farm, now the Summerland Research and Development Centre, the 6 hectare, Summerland Ornamental Gardens was designed to help residents, choose ornamental plants for their gardens that would be suitable for the dry Okanagan climate. In collaboration with Agriculture Canada, the site is maintained by the non-profit society, the Friends of Summerland Ornamental Gardens. As you stroll through the Gardens you will have views of Okanagan Lake, Giant's Head Mountain and the Trout Creek Trestle railroad bridge, an outstanding engineering feat constructed for the Kettle Valley Railway. Visit the demonstration garden beds and learn principles of water-smart gardening with the diverse Welcome Garden, Xeriscape Garden, Butterfly Garden, Vegetable garden, Canadian Heritage Rose garden, Fairy Garden and more. The gardens are open year-round. Our society gratefully requests a minimum donation $5.00 per person to “keep us growing”.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
113 reviews
Excellent
71
Very good
33
Average
8
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Yvonne B
Penticton, Canada423 contributions
Mar 2022
My sister and I along with our two dogs visited the gardens to find several geocaches. It was a beautiful day to explore the many different parts of this attraction. We saw the KVR trestle as well as the Fairy Garden. We were interested in the Xeriscape Garden as well. The Butterfly Garden presented us with information about birds, bees and butterflies. A mural of twenty-two different plaques pictured the birds and flowers of the region. Our plan is to return to attend seasonal workshops offered on water conservation and other topics.
Written March 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J&N
Canada22 contributions
Jul 2021 • Friends
Was told by a friend about this place as we wanted to do a photo shoot for my daughter graduation. Well since BC is going through a hot spell plus a huge water restriction , I can understand why a lot of the flowers are fighting hard to survive along with the grass and bushes. I can only imagine what it would be like if BC was not so hot and dry!
Got here around noon and there was a few groups of people scattered around enjoying the views. I didn't have any issues finding many different areas to take photos of her day.
Lots of shade and areas to sit. I used the bathroom and it was clean.
All in all great day for photo shoot!
Got here around noon and there was a few groups of people scattered around enjoying the views. I didn't have any issues finding many different areas to take photos of her day.
Lots of shade and areas to sit. I used the bathroom and it was clean.
All in all great day for photo shoot!
Written July 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laurel M
Calgary, Canada866 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
These gardens exist due to the hard work of volunteers. It was originally part of the Dominion Experimental Farm and there are many species developed here on display. Take the short drive up the hill from Highway 97 turning at the government of Canada sign for Summerland Research and Development Centre. There is no fee to enter the gardens but there is a donation box. There are several little boxes with maps of the gardens as well as large maps throughout the park. We did an easy wander through all the gardens and were so happy to discover this place. Plenty of parking, washrooms available, lots of benches to sit and relax at.
Written August 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vhend
Reardan, WA155 contributions
Jun 2023 • Friends
We came across a sign for these gardens, decided on a whim to check them out, so glad we did! Very pretty flowerbeds all around, with thoughtful labels on different varieties, so you know what you're looking at. Pretty views of the valley, and many places to stop and enjoy the flowers. Loved the surprise fairy garden!
Written June 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patrick Rolli
Switzerland18 contributions
Sept 2015 • Couples
Nice trip during the week. Good place to relax and watching different plants. Tips for gardening is given.
Written December 26, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bumbleberry68
Keswick, UK87 contributions
Sept 2013 • Family
I was on a work placement over from UK to the research centre in the grounds of the gardens. Every morning at 8am I would walk past the gardens for exercise before starting work. I visited properly once the placement was over, saw several hummingbirds and the grounds are kept very well and clean. Will visit once again when I go back.
Written August 7, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Canadiatravelgoddess
Canada691 contributions
Jul 2014
I love the gorgeous gardens and friendly staff here however it does need more wheelchair accessibility and be aware there are plenty of bears here.
Written July 27, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SUSAN j
Palmwoods, Australia222 contributions
Jul 2014 • Couples
We took the sign to these Gardens not sure what to expect, what a lovely find, we spent about an hour wondering thru the well maintained gardens, all done by the community of Summerland. Being Summer we enjoyed ( well I did, hubby lagged behind) many many beautiful flowers, cactus plants, trees, views and butterfly's. Was a nice break in our road trip to enjoy the tranquil cool grounds. Well done to the Vounteers who created this lovely garden.
Written July 18, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ken W
Vancouver, Canada742 contributions
Jun 2014 • Couples
This a lovely diverse display garden just off Highway 97. Turn off at the flashing amber light that is about 8 km north of Penticton or 5 km south of Summer land. Admission is by donation ( suggested $5). Many plants are labelled. Along the back edge of the gardens are nice views of a railway trestle and trout Creek canyon. Great views of Okanagan lake as you drive back down form it
Written June 30, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark M
Surrey, Canada6 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Even though the weather wasn’t very good (a little snowy and chilly we really enjoyed the grounds, beautiful trees, a gorgeous heritage home, great view of a trestle bridge and rushing creek, we were lucky enough to spot some Bohemian Waxwings, California Quails and a Red Tailed Hawk as we were leaving, I would highly recommend visiting in the spring when the gardens are in bloom!
Written March 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Summerland Ornamental Gardens
Summerland, Canada
Yes, we welcome dogs and ask you keep them on a leash at all times.
Written March 21, 2018
marlenem652
Edmonton, Canada
What are your hours of operation today? Are you open to public? What are admission costs?
Written June 14, 2017
Summerland Ornamental Gardens
Summerland, Canada
Our summer hours are 8:00 am to 8:00 pm seven days a week. There is no admission but we ask for a donation of a minimum of $5.00 which helps maintain the gardens and pay for our gardeners. I hope you will visit and enjoy the Gardens.
Written June 21, 2017
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