Favorite Greenhouses in Northern Alberta

One of the best, no-frills, inexpensive "vacation" spots in your neighborhood, is your local greenhouse. They may not be equipped for overnight visits, but a day trip to one of these fabulous Garden Centers is certainly worth your while.

Not only can you spend several pleasant hours wandering among colorful displays of seasonal flowers and vegetation, and browse though a gift-shop wonderland, full of fabulous decor must-haves. As well, many greenhouse operations now tempt weary shoppers even further with restaurants or coffee shops where we can sit and contemplate our serene surroundings, and perhaps, spot a few more "necessary" purchases.

One of my all-time favorite, and dangerous-to-the-pocket-book spots was Hole's Greenhouses in Saint Albert, only a half-hour drive from home - "home" before I moved to the north country, that is. One of my favorite weekend occupations was to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon wandering through the beautifully manicured grounds and gardens, looking for potential additions to my own landscape, and marveling at the variety and richness of the many styles and types of gardens on display.

My favorite greenhouse coffee shop though, was at the Ellerslie Greenhouse complex. Their coffee shop had a fabulous view of their water gardens, and stocked an absolutely killer chocolate cheesecake that went perfectly with their French-roast house blend.

Since moving north, I have had to find other sources for my floral indulgences. I was thrilled to find a familiar friend - Dunvegan Gardens.

A family-run operation, it has branches in several towns throughout the Peace country, and as far south as Edmonton. I spent many happy hours wandering through their beautiful grounds and tempting gift shops while living down south.

Not only does the Dunvegan Gardens Greenhouse nearest us share breathtaking scenery with a provincial, it is located right next to the historical Dunvegan Bridge, an elegant, and Alberta's only, suspension bridge, that crosses the Little Smoky in petite splendor.

What the bridge lacks in size, when compared to its larger brethren in Vancouver and San Fransisco, it makes up for in scenic beauty.

This site offer spacious grounds chock full of tempting trees, shrubs and statuary, as well as access to the park walking trails, and picnic sites. After day of drinking in natures splendors, where better to enjoy a refreshing beverage and a dish of delicious ice cream, than the shaded, peaceful veranda of the Garden's General Store?

You never know what sights await you - you may even spot a vintage car...

More adventure awaits through the doors of the ice cream parlor, with a mini-golf course complete. The margins of the water feature center-piece are bursting with plantings of bright flowers and feathery grasses.

Another of my favorite greenhouses, and a place where I can happily spend several hours and far too much money, is the Roadside Greenhouse in Berwyn, AB. Located only a five minute drive up the highway, this little gem is also a family-run operation.

My last visit, in late June, netted me several, spectacular late-season finds, and a free planter. The aisles were overflowing with impressively sturdy tomato plants, and other tender vegetables. I was particularly glad to see the tomatoes as mine had succumbed to cold weather.

I have found that gardening more than a five hour's trek north of my last home has made a huge difference in climate, growing season, and, so, in my plant choices. I would not expect to see so many tomato plants still available down south (as I now think of my last home), but killing frosts in mid-to-late June are not uncommon up here, and though all my flowers and hanging baskets survived the sudden dip in temperature, the tumbler tomatoes were goners, in spite of their covering.

New this year to the greenhouses is a delightful variety of Super-Tunias in a marvelous purple and green combination. Perhaps this combo is not everyone's cup of tea, but it is a striking combination of colors, and reminds me of tourmaline.

One of my favorite a semi-precious gemstones, for its color variations, tourmaline often comes in faceted lozenges that shade from a rich purple to a beautiful, clear, water-green.

The "Million Bells', a type on mini-tunia, is also a vigorous grower, and comes in a wide range of colors, including this seasons hot, new "Fire-cracker/Fiesta" mix.

Though the greenhouse in Berwyn doesn't have the amenities of some larger facilities, such as its own coffee shop, ice-cream parlor, or miniature golf-course, it certainly has a friendly and knowledgeable staff, who are happy to let you browse to your heart's content.

One of the nicest things about this small town is the proximity of the main street to the greenhouses, and the home-made pie featured in the coffee shop, which just happens to be on the main street.

© 2010, Text by Elle Fredine, All rights reserved

Unless otherwise noted, all photos © Elle Fredine, All rights reserved