Below is a list of gardens participating in Bee Better Manitoba's Pollinator-Friendly Public Garden Program. By participating, these gardens are showing their commitment to creating and preserving pollinator-friendly habitat in our communities.
For more information on these gardens (brief description, location and pictures), click on each participating garden mentioned below.
Winnipeg North
- Millennium Gardens
-
The Millennium Gardens is cared for by a volunteered-based community garden catering to seniors 55 years of age and older. The site’s pollinator friendly gardens and forested area are home to over 80 species of native Manitoba flowers, grasses, shrubs and trees. The newest pollinator garden was planted in collaboration with Winnipeg Wildflower Project, David Suzuki Butterflyway Rangers, Master Gardeners, Millennium Gardens and neighbours.
Facilities include ground level beds, and accessible raised beds, running water, rainwater harvesting, composting facilities, benches, picnic tables and a gazebo. Concerts, exercise classes and coffee party chats take place in the gardens. The “ outdoor senior centre” allows many apartment bound seniors to get their hands dirty and produce amazing crops for their own use and also to support Manitoba Harvest Grow-A-Row program. The Millennium Gardens maintains ties with the Manitoba Master Gardeners, East Kildonan Garden Club and David Suzuki Butterflyway Rangers.
The site's multi-award winning gardens bring a sense of joy and purpose as well as a very connected community rooted in the agricultural history of the area.
The Millennium Gardens are located on 260 Douglas Ave, near Chief Peguis Highway and Henderson Highway (Directions Here)
- Winnipeg Wildflower Project - Point Douglas and Waterfront Drive
-
The Winnipeg Wildflower Project was established in the spring of 2019 with a goal of restoring urban spaces to native prairie habitat for pollinators and for people. In the first few years, with the help of partner Prairie Originals, seed plot and garden sites have been planted around Winnipeg to establish a source of native wildflower and grass seed. The seed can be harvested and shared in the community for future prairie restorations and planting projects within the city.
The Winnipeg Wildflower Project has constructed four garden sites throughout the city: Bishop Grandin Greenway, Point Douglas, Transcona, and Waterfront Drive. Each garden was planted in areas by an active transportation path or sidewalk to give passersby the opportunity to stumble upon them. They provide an opportunity to learn about plant species that are native to Manitoba and hopefully inspire residents to add native plants in the garden and yard.
Each site is planted with a variety of grasses and flowers from the mixed and tallgrass prairie, including Big and Little Bluestem, Milkweed, Asters, Goldenrod, Wild Rye, Sage, Coneflower and many more! No pesticides are used, and leaf litter is left for overwintering.
The Point Douglas garden is located along the south side of Euclid Avenue between Argyle and Meade (Directions Here). This 900 ft² site was planted in 2020 at the Point Douglas Community Orchard. There are 22 species arranged in seed plots.
The Waterfront Drive garden is located in Fort Douglas Park, by the Alexander Docks (Directions Here). This 1,450 ft² site has about 22 species and is a native plant display garden.
Winnipeg South
- The Manitoba 150 Pollinator Garden
-
The Manitoba 150 Pollinator Garden was created in 2020 and it consists of 500 native wildflowers and grasses - a sight to see! The garden is managed by the St. Vital Agricultural Society and is located on the corner of St. Michael Road and Glen Meadow Street (North of Bishop Grandin Blvd). Directions here
- Whyte Ridge Butterfly Garden
-
Established in 2014 as part of The Whyte Ridge Interpretive Trail Project, the Whyte Ridge Butterfly Garden is a 1,076ft² butterfly-shaped garden consisting of over 1000 native plants - including host plants that attracts a variety of butterflies such as Monarchs, Black Swallowtails, Painted Ladies and more! The garden is cared for by residents, Master Gardeners, and Master Gardeners in Training.
The garden is located on the Whyte Ridge Interpretive Trail, has a lovely bench for viewing, and is wheelchair accessible. The Interpretive Trail also includes a tall grass prairie, lots of interpretive signage on native trees and shrubs, and connects to the Fort Whyte Alive Trail! Directions Here (170 Fleetwood Rd - entrance is at the Whyte Ridge Community Centre)
- Manitoba Legislative Grounds
-
The Manitoba Legislative Grounds was one of the first locations to test the public garden pilot program. As of 2018, the (4,000 sq. ft.) gardens now include over 30 species of native perennials and non-native annuals, all selected to benefit bees, butterflies, and beyond. These gardens help to show how native plants can be a beautiful and beneficial addition to a variety of publicly accessible spaces.
You can visit the grounds at 450 Broadway in Winnipeg Directions here. This location also includes a self-guided walking tour where you can learn about the history of the building, grounds, Memorial Park, and Memorial Boulevard.
- Winnipeg Wildflower Project - Wellington Garden & Abinoji Mikinah Greenway
-
The Winnipeg Wildflower Project was established in the spring of 2019 with a goal of restoring urban spaces to native prairie habitat for pollinators and for people. In the first few years, with the help of partner Prairie Originals, seed plot and garden sites have been planted around Winnipeg to establish a source of native wildflower and grass seed. The seed can be harvested and shared in the community for future prairie restorations and planting projects within the city.
The Winnipeg Wildflower Project has constructed four garden sites throughout the city: Wellington, Abinoji Mikinah Greenway, Point Douglas, Transcona, and Waterfront Drive. Each garden was planted in areas by an active transportation path or sidewalk to give passersby the opportunity to stumble upon them. They provide an opportunity to learn about plant species that are native to Manitoba and hopefully inspire residents to add native plants in the garden and yard.
Each site is planted with a variety of grasses and flowers from the mixed and tallgrass prairie, including Big and Little Bluestem, Milkweed, Asters, Goldenrod, Wild Rye, Sage, Coneflower and many more! No pesticides are used, and leaf litter is left for overwintering.
The Wellington garden is located along Wellington's m Crescent in Sir John Franklin Park near the footbridge (Directions Here). This 1,000 ft² site was planted in 2022 and designed by Dogwood Landscape, with 16 species of flowers and grasses arranged in seed plots such as Giant Hyssop, Side Oats Grama, Little Bluestem, Prairie Sage and Stuff Goldenrod.
The Abinoji Mikinah Greenway garden is Located on the northwest corner of St Mary's and Abinoji Mikinah, along the bike path (Directions Here). This 1,300 ft² site was planted in 2019, with 16 species of flowers and grasses arranged in seed plots.
- Demonstration and Pollinator Gardens - FortWhyte Alive
-
The FortWhyte demonstration gardens were developed to excite and educate the public about natural backyard habitats and have evolved continuously over the last 25 years. They are located on the north and south sides of the Interpretive Centre.
The Biodiversity garden is made up of native and non-native trees, shrubs, perennials and fruit bearers and also features a pond. It helps to promote FortWhyte’s Naturescape program, which encourages homeowners to increase the amount of biodiversity on their properties. The gardens and ponds have always been cared for by volunteers. It is a place where people, plants and wildlife come together to share in all the wonders of nature. The south gardens are also home to wildflowers, various shrubs, a pond with a waterfall, and a raspberry patch.
In 2018, a pollinator garden was developed under the solar panel array adjacent to FortWhyte Farms, consisting of wildflowers and native prairie plants. As interest in renewable solar energy increases across the world experiencing a changing climate, this project is an inspiring example of how otherwise unused or under-utilized land adjacent to a productive solar array can be repurposed. The garden was planted and is maintained by volunteers and is located along Sam Fabro Way.
FortWhyte is located at 1961 McReary Road (Directions here)
- Henteleff Park
-
Starting in 1996, a group of volunteers worked to establish a park on the former site of Winnipeg’s Henteleff Tree Nursery. Having opposed a housing development that would limit future access to this remarkable landscape, they presented a convincing plan showing the value and potential of the site as a public park. As a result, the land was rezoned as a park in 2002 and renamed Henteleff Park — a place for visitors to enjoy quiet reflection and low impact recreation in a natural setting. Since that time the Henteleff Park Foundation, with the assistance of many volunteers, has worked cooperatively with the City of Winnipeg to maintain and restore the Park.
Henteleff Park is located on a river lot at 1964 St. Mary’s Road. The northern edge of the park follows an east-west bend in the Red River and the land has kept its rural character, even as development has surrounded it. The park is a beautiful natural landscape that includes a riparian forest, a tall grass prairie restoration, and many plants that are beneficial to pollinators and wildlife. In addition, Normand Creek runs through the park, providing an important spawning area and backwater for fish species. For more information, visit the Henteleff Park website.
- Albrin Park
-
Albrin Bay Park is located at 40 Lake Albrin Bay in Waverley Heights. Plantings at the park began with a small group of community members in 1999. The City of Winnipeg tilled and brought in soil to create 3 flower beds the first year, and within the next two years, a 4th large bed was prepared.
During its early stages, it was mostly cultivars, lilies, daylilies, and perennials. However, it always had native plants because they are hardy, adapt to the site, and thrive in Manitoba's climate. In 2020 a big effort was made to convert the beds to mostly native plants. In July 2021, a 53ft by 11ft Tall Grass Prairie Planting was created and then seeded. In the Fall of 2022, a sixth flower bed of Milkvetch was created and two naturalized tree planting sessions were conducted (more are planned in upcoming years).
Update for 2023: Six flower beds mostly consist of native plants and they continue to thrive - about 75 varieties of native species are present! Day lilies will soon be planted for continuous bloom. A rain garden bed will be constructed this summer, which will also mostly be native plants.
Volunteers work very hard to be make the garden sustainable and pollinator-friendly. They leave plant material in place over winter and provide nesting areas and water for pollinators. Pesticides are never used on-site.
Winnipeg West
- Living Prairie Museum
-
The Living Prairie Museum interpretive centre has four pollinator gardens containing approximately 40 species of native wildflowers. All of the plants are derived from seeds that were harvested from prairie habitat within Manitoba. A variety of pollinators frequent the flowers, including the yellow-banded bumble bee, a species listed as Special Concern in Canada. The gardens are located in the parking lot and around the interpretive centre at 2795 Ness Avenue in Winnipeg. Directions here
- The Sturgeon Creek Greenway Project
-
The Sturgeon Creek Greenway project was initiated by a group of 12 volunteers from the Manitoba Master Gardener Association (Master Gardeners and Master Gardeners in Training). Two members are also David Suzuki Foundation Butterflyway Project Rangers. It is located on the Sturgeon Creek Greenway Trail and it can be accessed off of Hamilton & Silver Avenue (Directions Here)
Work commenced on June 30, 2021, with a 4 x 75 ft strip prepared for planting this fall. The planting will include 100% native pollinator plants such as, Hyssop, Bergamot, Rudbeckia, Swamp milkweed, and more to be determined. A Bur Oak will be planted which will provide a food source for small mammals, birds, moths and butterflies. This location also has existing plantings of Big Bluestem, Wild Flax, Yarrow, Purple Prairie Clover, Wolf Willow and more. The site is a tall grass prairie with many types of native grasses and is a no till/no mow area which provides nesting and overwintering habitat.
Update: In 2022 the planting strip measured 4 x 95 ft., plans are to extend the strip further in 2023. With the native pollinator plants blooming and the bees buzzing around them, curiosity and community interest has increased - they've even welcomed their first community volunteer member! More plantings have taken place which include Blue Vervain (Vervain hastata), Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Giant Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum), Fleabane, Prairie Onion (Allium stellatum), Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea), Monarda, Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia) and False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides).
- Van Roon Prairie Gardens - Harte Trail
-
This garden commemorates the Van Roon family, long-time residents of the area known for their efforts in preserving its cultural and natural history.
There are two raised pollinator garden beds that have been planted with native wildflowers and grasses. One of the beds was planted in 2005 and is still in good condition, while the second was re-planted in summer of 2021. Each planting contains a variety of native plants sourced from within Manitoba. They provide natural spaces for native bees to nest, and the gardens are not cleared in fall to allow pollinators to overwinter. Weeds are managed by hand and no pesticides are used.
The Van Roon Prairie Gardens can be found on the Harte trail near Charleswood Road (Directions Here)
Winnipeg East
- Norberry-Glenlea Community Club
-
Norberry-Glenlea Community Club's Butterfly Garden took shape with collaboration between the Club and two David Suzuki Foundation Butterflyway Ranger volunteers. The main Butterfly Garden was planted with 250 pollinator friendly native plants including Dwarf Milkweed, Canada Milkvetch, Little Bluestem, Wild Bergamot among others.
Established in 2021, theAdditional native plants were added to the Community Club’s existing perennial gardens. This garden will take time to establish and will begin to attract pollinators in the 2022 season and beyond. The Community Club staff and the Butterflyway Rangers are jointly working to provide the care for this new garden.
The Butterfly Garden sits near the community club’s new accessible play structure and sports fields. There is ample parking and some seating available. The Butterfly Garden is located at 26 Molgat St in St. Vital (Off of St. Mary’s Rd just a bit south of Fermor Ave) Directions Here.
- Sustainable South Osborne Community Cooperative
-
Sustainable South Osborne Community Cooperative (SSOCC) converts barren public land to fruitful garden space. Building community, developing resiliency, and growing food along the way, they maintain commons in the neighbourhood, as well as partner with like-minded people, and share produce with family, friends, and neighbours.
Native trees and shrubs such as American hazelnut, raspberry, high bush cranberry, Canadian plum, wild cherry and Saskatoon berry grow in the berry patch area. These native shrubs and trees, along with the native plants in the wooded area, provide pollinators with nectar, pollen, leaves for caterpillars and places to nest and shelter in winter. Although they are not native, fruit trees such as apple, pear and cherry support pollinators.
The SSOC maintains few garden locations around the Riverview Health Centre in Winnipeg:
- South Osborne Community Orchard - Northwest corner of Baltimore Road (Directions Here)
- South Osborne River Garden - beside the pumphouse at Baltimore Road and Churchill Drive (Directions Here)
- Riverview Garden Society - "A Place to Grow", west of Churchill Drive and Baltimore Road (Directions Here)
They also have a "People garden" on Balfour Ave (Directions Here) and another "A Place to Grow" garden at Lord Roberts Community Centre (Directions Here)
- WInnipeg Wildflower Project - Transcona
-
The Winnipeg Wildflower Project was established in the spring of 2019 with a goal of restoring urban spaces to native prairie habitat for pollinators and for people. In the first few years, with the help of partner Prairie Originals, seed plot and garden sites have been planted around Winnipeg to establish a source of native wildflower and grass seed. The seed can be harvested and shared in the community for future prairie restorations and planting projects within the city.
The Winnipeg Wildflower Project has constructed four garden sites throughout the city: Bishop Grandin Greenway, Point Douglas, Transcona, and Waterfront Drive. Each garden was planted in areas by an active transportation path or sidewalk to give passersby the opportunity to stumble upon them. They provide an opportunity to learn about plant species that are native to Manitoba and hopefully inspire residents to add native plants in the garden and yard.
Each site is planted with a variety of grasses and flowers from the mixed and tallgrass prairie, including Big and Little Bluestem, Milkweed, Asters, Goldenrod, Wild Rye, Sage, Coneflower and many more! No pesticides are used, and leaf litter is left for overwintering.
The Transcona garden is located along Plessis Avenue in Rotary Heritage Park, by the active transportation path (Directions Here). This 1,500 ft² garden has 21 species and is arranged in clusters to show off pretty plant combinations.
Selkirk, MB
- Gaynor Family Regional Library
-
The Gaynor Family Regional Library in Selkirk, Manitoba hosts the Urban Prairie - a 3 acre restored native prairie ecosystem that contains over 50 varieties of pre-colonialization plants and more than a dozen native Manitoba grasses. Planted in 2014 the restoration won the 2015 East Interlake Conservation District award for environmental stewardship. Recently, an art installation was added in 2021, entitled MANIDOONSAG IMAA MIKINAAKO-MINISIING, Sacred Spirits of Turtle Island. Plans for 2022, will see the addition of traditional healing plants to the Urban Prairie landscape. The Gaynor Family Regional Library is located at 806 Manitoba Ave., Selkirk MB. (Directions here)
West St. Paul, MB
- Blue Thunderbird Land-Based Learning Centre (Aki Centre)
-
Ozhaawashkwaa Animikii-Bineshi Aki Onji Kinimaagae’ Inun (Blue Thunderbird Land-Based Learning Centre) is a 49-acre place of learning and connection, a land-based extension of classroom learning. The Centre shares knowledge on a combination of Indigenous and western perspectives around historic and cultural connections to land, land stewardship, and growing foods.
Established in 2017 as a part of Seven Oaks School Division,Of the 49-acres cared for by staff, students, and volunteers, 35 acres are being restored to Indigenous Tallgrass Prairie and a 5-acre remnant prairie is being preserved. There are also two mature Indigenous Plant gardens containing approximately 40 species of flowers and grasses combined. It also has 3 km of granular walking trails.
The Centre features a 1,700 sq. ft. Model Prairie Garden (constructed in 2019) that borders a path across from the vegetable garden. Behind the mix of Indigenous flowers and grasses are Indigenous shrubs and trees, such as Grey and Red Osier Dogwood, Buffalo Berry, Black Currants, Pin Cherry, and Wild Plum.
Located next to the pond is Wawiyia’kiti’gahn (constructed in 2018). It is a Medicine Wheel Shaped Garden encircled by 13 boulders representing the 13 moons of the lunar calendar. Four coloured paths mark the four directions. Each quadrant of the Medicine Wheel hold a garden: one of Sage, one of Sweetgrass, and two of the Indigenous tall grass prairie. In the centre are 7 benches engraved with the 7 Sacred Teachings.
The Centre is located on Treaty 1 Territory, 1985-A Grassmere Road, West St Paul, MB. Directions Here
- RM of West St. Paul Native Plant Gardens
-
Directions Here), are three native plant demonstration gardens. The gardens were designed and planted in 2020 and are cared for by volunteers from the Prairie Naturals Gardening Group.
Fronting the historic municipal building in the RM of West St. Paul, 3550 Main Street (The gardens measure 1,300 ft² in total, and feature over 30 flowering plants and grasses native to Manitoba. Plants were chosen with diversity and design in mind. Monarchs, Black Swallowtails, Mourning Cloaks and Painted Lady butterflies as well as native bees have been observed at the garden. The garden provides an opportunity for residents of West St. Paul and beyond to observe the various flowering plants and grasses, and to be inspired to plant prairie pockets in their own yard.
Brandon, MB
- Daly House Museum
-
Built in 1882, the Daly House is a small Victorian Mansion nestled in the heart of Brandon. Originally the home of two of Brandon’s prominent families – the Dalys and the Coldwells – it is now the only pre-1900 structure remaining on 18th Street, a municipal heritage site, and a fine example of Italianate architecture. This unique museum with its antique furnishings and displays such as Mutter Brother’s Grocery store transports you back in time to the 19th century the second you step through the doors.
A pollinator-friendly Victorian Garden is planted to the north of the building and contains heirloom garden plants as well as a pollinator garden. The garden is cared for by members of the Bee City Brandon committee and committed volunteers.
The Daly House museum is located at 122-18th Street, in Brandon, Manitoba (Directions Here).
- Riverbank Discovery Centre
-
Brandon Riverbank Inc. is a non-profit, charitable organization established in 1995. Brandon Riverbank Inc. embarked on the long-term process of developing the Assiniboine River Corridor to be a gathering place connecting people with nature.
The Riverbank Discovery Centre has become Brandon’s “central park”, providing a serene and beautiful place for families to play and pursue a healthy lifestyle. The area has become the home to many events that contribute to an active and prosperous community including a multitude of charity walks and runs, the City of Brandon’s Canada Day Celebrations, meetings, family gatherings and much more.
In partnership with Ducks Unlimited Canada, a native mixed-grass prairie zone was planted to encourage native plants to grow along the existing duck ponds. Many native plants can be found growing here including wild licorice, beautiful sunflower, purple prairie clover, gaillardia, blazingstar, showy milkweed, hairy golden aster, big bluestem, little bluestem and other types of native grasses.
There are currently plans to create a pollinator garden closer to the building to provide education to visitors about the importance of native plants as well as our native pollinators. Bee City Brandon is an active member in the discussions about this upcoming project.
The Riverbank Discovery Centre is located on #1-545 Conservation Drive, in Brandon, Manitoba. Directions Here
- Assiniboine Food Forest - Dana's Garden
-
The Assiniboine Food Forest has a vision of creating "a healthy community in Ecological balance with a thriving environment". Their mission is to create habitat, produce healthy food sustainably for humans and wildlife, and educate students of all ages with the natural landscape. The Forest is located at 1735 Rosser Avenue, in Brandon, Manitoba. Directions Here
A native prairie garden, Dana's Garden, can be found within the forest. The garden is still a work in progress and it provides an area where people can be educated in the difficulties and hardships in recreating native habitat.
**Photos coming soon**
- École Secondaire Neelin High School
-
Located on 1020 Brandon Avenue in Brandon MB (Directions Here), teachers and students of Neelin High School planted a pollinator-friendly garden in their school field! The school's garden was funded by their school division and it includes a variety native shrubs, flowers and grasses. Seeds and plants were obtained from Skinners native seeds and other local greenhouses.
Winkler, MB
- Discovery Nature Sanctuary
-
The Discovery Nature Sanctuary (DNS) is a hidden oasis in an urban landscape. Located 100 km southwest of Winnipeg, Manitoba in the City of Winkler, the sanctuary encompasses about 34 ha of grassland, wooded and wetland habitats. Nature sanctuaries are special places for people and wildlife. For people, they provide a place to reflect and enjoy the natural beauty around them. For animals and plants they provide a habitat to live in.
The sanctuary has 2 km of trails, an outdoor classroom, a viewing platform and other features. Open dawn to dusk, year round, the sanctuary provides birders, naturalists, photographers, school classes and the public with the opportunity to explore this special site. Ten interpretive panels provide visitors with information about wetlands, riparian habitat, aerialists, pollinators and other topics.
The sanctuary's pollinator garden encompasses approximately 3,200 sq.ft (297 sq. m). The garden currently consists of over 2,500 perennial plants of over 35 native species including Yarrow, Goldenrod, Bergamot, Gaillardia, Prairie Clover and Aster. Adjacent to this garden is a native shrub garden with over 100 shrubs of 12 species including Dogwood, Saskatoon, Cranberry and Hawthorne.
The sanctuary is located in the northeast corner of Winkler. To get there, take Highway 3 or Highway 75 to Highway 14 which will then take you to Winkler. The parking lot for the DNS is 150 m south of the junction of Highway 14 and Eastview Drive. Directions Here
Stonewall, MB
- Oak Hammock Marsh Wetland Discovery Centre
-
The Oak Hammock Marsh Wetland Discovery Centre (Directions Here) has one of the largest natural green roof in Manitoba. In 2021, they created an additional pollinator garden accessible to all visitors to the Centre. One of the most important goal of the Centre is to provide environmental education to a public of all ages and encourage them to look at the interdependency of plants and animals within an ecosystem and inspire them to create their own wildflower gardens to expand natural pollinator sites across the province.
Their rooftop pollinator garden showcases common yarrow, great blanket-flower, upland white aster, pink onion, blue giant hyssop, dwarf milkweed, pussytoes, heartleaf alexander, purple prairie clover, narrowleaf sunflower, stiff goldenrod, wild bergamot, northern bedstraw and three-flowered avens. These plants are well-known for their abundance of nectar for pollinators and other beneficial insects. The pollinator Garden is maintained by community volunteers.
In addition to the rooftop pollinator garden, the Discovery Centre features an extensive cover of native grasses and flowers on the roof and berms to the front and side of the building. The Oak Hammock Marsh Wildlife Management Area is also home to a tall-grass prairie and other native prairie totaling over 320 acres (160 hectares).
Grand Marais, MB
- Grand Marais & Grand Beach Butterflyway Project - Grand Marais Community Central and RV Park
-
Located on 36058 Hwy 12 in Grand Marais Manitoba (Directions Here), Manitoba Master Gardeners and David Suzuki Butterfly Ranger volunteers have created a pollinator friendly garden just outside Grand Beach National Park!
The current garden is approximately 48x12 feet in size and the majority of the plants are native to Manitoba. Purchased from Prairie Originals, the garden includes native plants such as swamp milkweed, anise hyssop, wild bergamot, golder rod, pink onion, black-eyed Susans, Joe Pye weed, Big Blue Stem, switch grass, 3-flowered avens, New England asters, prairie roses, and more! A bird bath is also present to provide as a water source for birds.
The garden also has nesting areas such as bare soil and natural crevices. Tall grasses provide shelter for butterflies and other pollinators and nesting habitat for small mammals. No herbicides and pesticides are used in the garden and they follow best garden clean-up practices in the fall/spring.
This is their first garden and have plans to expand their gardens in the area.