Tropical plants thriving in Buffalo, one of the many visual treats at the county's largest garden walk
Buffalo, you might be saying, “what about snow?”. Well in fact, snow makes a great cover for gardens. When the weather breaks in Buffalo the city starts to bloom up a storm. If you are lucky enough the make it to Buffalo the last weekend of July you will see a city bursting with floral color. You will also see how a city’s garden community came together to help transform their city. Garden Walk Buffalo started 15 years ago when a woman who used to live next door to my family, planted the seed, so to speak. With her second husband they started garden by garden, then block by block, until large parts of the city were filled with overflowing color. This summer will mark my third visit in a row to see Buffalo Garden Walk. I grew up in North Buffalo– but I fled the frozen tundra winters sixteen years ago.
Garden Walk Buffalo is free but try to make donation for the great map
Summers in Buffalo are glorious and I go back almost every year to take a break from Florida’s summer sweat-a-tons. Prevailing winds off Lake Erie make for moderate days and nights, making Buffalo an excellent place to garden.
Gardeners love to spread their love of gardening, a long standing tradition
Under the umbrella of National Garden Festival Buffalo, you will find numerous events of interest. Buffalo, New York hosts the US’s number one garden walk in the country, showcasing 350 gardens. “Buffalo in Bloom” another city wide beautification program scouts out pretty yards each summer and bestows “Bloom” placards in their midst, aiming to make the entire city the “World’s Largest Flower Arrangement.”
A great side trip is Niagara Falls less than an hour north of Buffalo. But stay on the Canadian side, it is much prettier. The American side is full of chemical plants and the infamous “Love Canal”. There are a fair amount of tourist traps on the Canadian side, but it is overshadowed by beauty and the better view of the falls. The Canadian side of the falls is a showcase for plants, complimenting the overwhelming beauty of the one of the natural marvels of the world.
Check out Niagara Parks’ Botanical Gardens, located on the scenic Niagara Parkway and the Great Gorge, just a 10 minute drive north of the Falls. This beautiful Garden setting is home to the Butterfly Conservatory and serves as the unique outdoor classroom for students attending the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture.
Established in 1936, you’ll enjoy 40 hectares (99 acres) of beautifully maintained gardens, including perennials, rhododendrons, azaleas, a formal parterre garden, shade, herb and vegetable plantings, an aviary as well as a world-famous rose garden featuring over 2,400 roses. Footpaths wind past the Butterfly Conservatory and butterfly garden, ponds and an arboretum featuring one of Canada’s finest collections of ornamental trees and shrubs.
Horticultural excellence is the emphasis of The School of Horticulture, and the students are responsible for the maintenance and development of the Botanical Gardens throughout the year. Canadians are great gardeners, the English ancestors gardening genes are in full flower.
A town to fall in love with is right down the road– Niagara on the Lake. NOTL is also known for its gardens, art galleries, antique shops, and golf courses. The surrounding region enjoys a comparatively mild climate thanks to the adjoining lakes, and excellent soil for fruit production, for which it has become one of Canada’s centres. In particular, NOTL has grown into a major viticultural region. Visitors flock to dozens of nearby wineries, including those making the world’s largest volumes of ice wine. If you go there are many hotels, inns, bed and breakfasts, and spas in the area.
Siobhan’s slide show of Garden Walk Buffalo 2009
National Garden Festival Buffalo http://www.nationalgardenfestival.com/index.asp
Garden Walk Buffalo http://www.gardenwalkbuffalo.com/
Niagara Botanical Gardens’ The School of Horticulture
Niagara on the Lake: ice wine many hotels, inns, bed and breakfasts, and spas
I am disappointed that you would say, “But stay on the Canadian side, it is much prettier. The American side is full of chemical plants and the infamous “Love Canal”. While I might agree that the Canadian side is prettier overall, there is the beautiful Niagara Falls State Park, the oldest state park, established in 1885 and designed by the great Fredrick Law Olmsted. Three Sisters Islands and Goat Island give a unique view of the upper rapids in a way not seen in Canada. There is much beauty on the American side and it would be shame to miss the experience.
DL- Do you live near the Falls or in the Western NY area. I ask because you sound very informed. I also ask because it is great to have readers from the Buffalo area, where I am originally from.
Thanks for the additions to the list, all great suggestions. In fact, I visited Niagara Falls State Park recently and you are right, some of the best views on either side can be seen from Three Sisters and Goat Island. I also had a lovely relaxing lunch, taking in spectacular views and gourmet cuisine at the Top of the Falls Restaurant, one of the Fall’s signature restaurants. So yes, take in the falls on both the American and Canadian sides. But for me the Canadian side will always be a better experience, owing to their beautifications efforts.
Hi Siobhan,
I agree with DL, and although I love the Canadian side too, the American side also offers the historic and quaint towns of Lewiston and Youngstown a few miles north of the Falls. Both towns overflow with beautiful 1800’s architecture and gorgeous gardens, both public and residential. The deep Niagara River gorge at Lewiston offers incredible panoramic vistas, and is the location of Artpark, an outdoor celebration of the arts, both visual and performance. There are free concerts at Artpark every Tuesday and Wedneesday evening, all summer long. It’s a great venue for a picnic while taking in the scenery and listening to music. Just north is Youngstown, a sailor’s paradise at the mouth of the Niagara, where it joins Lake Ontario. Historic Fort Niagara is there, and is a great tour for history buffs, with reinactments of the 1700s battles between the British and the French on many summer weekends. It sits directly across the river from Niagara on the Lake, which you forgot to mention holds the Shaw Festival from April to October each year, for those who have a love of live theater. Also at NOTL are numerous Bed & Breakfasts and wonderful shops and restaurants. It’s great for a romantic getaway.:) As you know,I’m native to the area too, except I couldn’t ever bring myself to leave this beautiful region! A few winter flakes don’t bother me, ha ha. The change of seasons are always fascinating and ever-renewing.
Hi Cynthia
Great additions! You mention Lewiston, which I recently also visited. I just had to go for a visit last summer after reading the biography
“Too Close to the Falls” by Catherine Gildiner. When I shuffle off to Buffalo soon myself, I will be showing off both the American and Canadian side to my Garden Fairy friends I am bringing from Florida.
Keep the comments coming!
Thanks, Siobhan, the Fairies and Wiz, for you visit to the FlynnSteins. You brightened the landscape and added to the fun and excitement…rater, the hysteria, of Garden Walk Saturday- what a day!
xxxEllen