The Jardins de Métis (), also known in English as the Reford Gardens, is an
English-style garden located at
Grand-Métis, Quebec.
Originally private, the gardens were opened to the public in 1962.
The gardens were designated a
Canadian National Historic Site
National Historic Sites of Canada () are places that have been designated by the federal Minister of the Environment (Canada), Minister of the Environment on the advice of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC), as being of na ...
in 1995
[ and as a Quebec heritage site by the Ministry of Culture and Communications of Quebec in 2013.
]
Description
The property covers about 18 hectares (45 acres). The gardens contain approximately 3,000 plant varieties. Thanks to its location near the confluence of the St. Lawrence and Mitis Rivers, the site has a favourable microclimate
A microclimate (or micro-climate) is a local set of atmosphere of Earth, atmospheric conditions that differ from those in the surrounding areas, often slightly but sometimes substantially. The term may refer to areas as small as a few square m ...
which allows plants to grow here that are found nowhere else in Canada.[
An International Garden Festival has been held here every year since 2000. The festival features contemporary gardens designed by landscape architects and designers from around the world.
Estevan Lodge, also known as the Villa Reford or Villa Estevan, is a heritage building which was formerly ]Elsie Reford
Elsie Reford (; January 22, 1872 – November 8, 1967) was a pioneer of Canadian horticulture, creating one of the largest private gardens in Canada on her estate, Estevan Lodge, in eastern Quebec. Located in Grand-Métis on the south shore of ...
's summer home. It was built in 1887 and expanded by her in 1926 and 1927, and restored in 2003. Currently it is used as a dining room and also houses temporary exhibits.
History
The gardens were developed by Elsie Reford
Elsie Reford (; January 22, 1872 – November 8, 1967) was a pioneer of Canadian horticulture, creating one of the largest private gardens in Canada on her estate, Estevan Lodge, in eastern Quebec. Located in Grand-Métis on the south shore of ...
between 1926 and 1958. The site was originally a fishing lodge owned by George Stephen, Reford's uncle[ who later gave the property to Reford. While she was recovering from surgery, her doctor suggested that she take up gardening as a less strenuous alternative to fishing.][
]
Gallery
Image:Jardin de métos pot.JPG, Rest area, 2009
Image:Estevan_Lodge_2009.jpg, Villa Estevan, 2009
Image:Elsie Reford-Lodge 2009.jpg, Portrait of Elsie Reford
Image:Reford Garden.JPG, Reford Gardens
Image:Every garden-2009.jpg, Every garden needs a shed and a lawn, 10th Edition of the International Garden Festival
References
External links
Les Jardins de Métis/Reford Gardens official site
National Historic Sites in Quebec
Botanical gardens in Canada
Estate gardens in Canada
Heritage sites in Quebec (Cultural Heritage Act)
Protected areas of Bas-Saint-Laurent
Tourist attractions in Bas-Saint-Laurent
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