Rideau Hall is the only official residence in the National Capital Region that’s open to the public. The grounds of this historic site represent one of the finest historic landscapes in Canada.
Let’s have a closer look at one of the grounds’ attractions: the Canadian Heritage Garden. This garden, otherwise known as Rideau Hall’s rose garden, officially opened in June 2000, and has been in the care of the NCC ever since.
The garden boasts over 200 varieties of winter-hardy roses. It features many native Canadian varieties, as well as roses that reflect Canada’s cultural diversity. The garden is a living reminder of our ancestors and our democratic traditions. It is the first garden in the world to use roses to represent a country’s ancestors and history.
The arched columns bear information about milestones in the creation of Canada, from 1608 to 1992, and about 100 roses recall specific events in our history. There are 11 circular flower beds — we call them rooms — which begin with First Nations in Canada, and chronicle the arrival of European explorers and settlers. Each room has a plaque listing the ancestral groups represented by the roses.
A rare rose garden
The Canadian Heritage Garden at Rideau Hall is beautiful. It is the perfect place to sit and enjoy a quiet moment of reflection and rest during a visit to the grounds of Rideau Hall. The garden is one of the rare rose gardens in Ottawa, and it’s well worth a visit — especially if roses are your cup of tea.
Interactive map: route, parking and amenities
Everything you need to know to plan your visit to Rideau Hall
The Canadian Heritage Garden is an initiative of Governor General Ramon John Hnatyshyn and his wife, Gerda Hnatyshyn, to celebrate the first 125 years of Confederation. The garden was funded by the Canadian Heritage Garden Foundation, a foundation established by Gerda Hnatyshyn.
Rideau Hall has been the official residence and workplace of every governor general of Canada since 1867. The NCC has managed its buildings and grounds since 1988.