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Click here for a printable version of the map and key
1. The Main Entrance Gates
The ornate cast-iron gates were built in Scotland in 1890 and originally stood on South Park Street, mid-way between Spring Garden Road and Sackville Street. In 1907, they were moved to their present location when the Gardens cast iron perimeter fence was erected. The gates were restored in 2003.
2. Bridges
In 1911, two small concrete bridges were built to span the watercourse in the southeast corner of the Gardens. The upper bridge commemorates Francis J. Fitzgerald, a member of the North West Mounted Police who lost his life in the Yukon. The bridges are very popular spots for photographs.
3. Carpet Beds
These beds are planted with a variety of compact, slow growing plant material and are carefully trimmed to create logos, patterns, and letters. These two beds are sponsored each year to commemorate a special event or community organization.
4. American Chestnut Tree
A native of the Eastern United States, this commercially important species was almost destroyed by blight in the early 1900's.
5. Tropical Bed
Victorian explorers began the habit of collecting and cultivating exotic tropical plants from around the world. The collection here includes cactus, palms, agaves, dracaenas, aloes, and bird of paradise. The tropical and exotic plants in this bed are stored in the greenhouse during the winter and replanted each summer.
6. Herbaceous Beds
These beds are made up of perennial plants that survive the winter, coming back to life each spring. Examples include phlox, foxglove, poppy, globe thistles, and delphiniums.
7. Statues and Vases
In 1887, Chief Justice Sir William Young (buried in Camp Hill Cemetary) bequeathed the three Roman Goddess statues along the Petite Allee and the six vases surrounding the band stand. The statues are Ceres Goddess of Grain, Diana Goddess of The Hunt, and Flora Goddess of Flowers.
8. The Bandstand & Bandstand Beds
Architect Henry Busch designed the Bandstand in 1887 in honour of Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. Its compact geometric shape, ornate gingerbread decoration and use of bright primary colours are quintessential qualities of High Victorian design. There are thirty two floating beds around the bandstand, providing spring bulb colour and a bright contrasting show of annuals.
9. Horticultural Hall
Built in 1847, Horticultural Hall is a simple classical design. It was erected by the Halifax Horticultural Society to serve a meeting room, and the building's cellar was used to store vegetables. Horticultural Hall has been restored since 2003 when Hurricane Juan severely damaged the Gardens. Light Refreshments, including ice cream, are available here.
10. Horticultural Hall Plaza
This new entrance from Spring Garden Road was built with money raised by the Public Gardens Foundation established after Hurricane Juan. It features beautiful gates, a landscaped plaza, a new fountain, and new washrooms.
11. Dahlia Beds
These beds include a collection of show dahlias from pompom to large cactus types.
12. Diamond Jubilee Fountain & Serpentine and Scroll Beds
The Jubilee Fountain was installed in 1897 to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. This bronze fountain, in Victorian style, includes classical water babies, sea serpents, and the nymph Egeria. Surrounding the Jubilee Fountain are the intricate and balanced scroll and serpentine annual beds.
13. Griffin's Pond and Titanic Model
The largest of the Gardens ponds was redefined in 1878 from a square to its present, more natural shape. The Titanic model was built and donated by the Maritime Ship Modellers Guild. In past years, Griffin's Pond has floated various other model boats, from small sailboats to a replica of the Queen Mary I.
14. Boer War Memorial Fountain
Erected in 1903, the statue is of a Canadian Mounted Rifleman built to commemorate the service of Canadian soldiers in Britain's South African campaign. The wide, relatively short weeping trees surrounding the fountain are Weeping Camperdown Elm. This unique tree is produced by grafting weeping branches onto a standard trunk. The dramatically majestic Weeping Beech Boer War Memorial Fountain is a favourite shade spot in the Public Gardens.
15. Rhododendron Beds
The Gardens are fortunate to have a collection of rhododendrons. The largest of these are mature Iron Clad Rhododendrons.
16. Toulouse Geese Enclosure
The Public Gardens acquired a pair of Toulouse Dewlapped Geese in 2009. A childrens' competion was held to "Name the Geese", and the chosen names were Finnegan for the male, and Flora the female.
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