Fanshawe College’s Mac Cuddy Botanic Garden will commence its 2023 season this weekend with a plant sale and “Open Garden” event.
Managed by the college’s Horticulture Technician program, thousands of plants have been produced at the garden and are now ready to be taken home.
“The gardens have matured, and the collections have been enhanced with over 100 seed-grown peonies added, as well as rare shrubs and trees grown from seed from our partner botanic gardens in Europe and Asia,” said Michael Pascoe, director of the botanic garden and professor of Fanshawe’s Horticulture Technician program. “Most of these plants have been in the nursery for six years, reaching a suitable size for garden display.”
Located at 28443 Centre Rd. in Strathroy, the garden is home to one of the largest plant collections in the province. At Mac Cuddy Botanic Garden, visitors can see plants thriving in dry, rock, woodland, perennial, rose, and aquatic gardens, all in one place.
The Mac Cuddy Botanic Garden will soon be expanded, having purchased acres of additional space to the north of the current property. Fanshawe says this area will be transformed into a welcome centre. Additional parking is also in the works, according to the college.
“We are excited to create new partnerships in the community and strengthen our existing ties,” said Cindy Buelow, the new garden manager. “The growth of the Mac Cuddy Botanic Garden is an important step in expanding our ability to support teaching and learning as well as a positive daily garden experience of the grounds for students, staff, faculty and visitors.”
The Open Garden and plant sale is on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adult tickets are $8, while children 12 and under get in free.
Pascoe says this is the first time the garden has resumed a “regular schedule” since before the pandemic.
