The Jardin botanique de Montréal plant collections were created in 1936 under the direction of the first curator, Henry Teuscher, and today, they comprise 10,000 species and more than 20,000 taxa in its greenhouses, nurseries and exhibition gardens. A taxon is a unit of classification that designates lower taxonomical ranks and species, such as sub-species, varieties, forms and cultivars.
The Jardin botanique collections celebrate the planets natural plant diversity. They also present a number of horticultural selections cultivated for their ornamental qualities or economic importance. Around 70 per cent of taxa are on display in the outdoor gardens; the others are cultivated in the exhibition and production greenhouses.
These collections are at the heart of the mission of the Jardin botanique de Montréal and Space for Life – research, education and conservation. The inventory of living collections is updated annually and integrated into the Botanical Gardens Conservation International database. Through this portal, all of the Jardin botanique collections are available to researchers all over the world.
More than 40 greenhouses
The 10 exhibition greenhouses and 28 service greenhouses cover an area of 14,000 m2 and house more than 5,000 taxa, ranging from tropical to desert-dwelling species.
Some plant families are particularly well represented, including Orchidaceae, Cactaceae, Bromeliaceae, Begoniaceae, Araceae and Gesneriaceae.
The Fern Greenhouse is home to large thematic collections of ferns, succulent plants, epiphytes, tropical food plants and penjings.
In addition, the Jardin botanique greenhouses cultivate more than 400 species on the list of rare or threatened plants drawn up by the World Conservation Union (IUCN).
Exceptionnal gardens
The Jardin botanique de Montréal comprises 75 hectares. It includes 20 outdoor gardens, in which more than 12,000 taxa are cultivated.
The Arboretum occupies almost half of the area of the Garden. It is home to nearly 800 species of trees and shrubs that grow in temperate climates, including one of the biggest collections of lilacs in North America. Its companion horticultural garden, the Shrub Garden, features a wide selection of ornamental shrubs, along with an impressive collection of rustic magnolias.
Discreetly nestled in the Arboretum and protected by a windbreak of trees, the Leslie Hancock Garden is home to a specialized collection of rhododendrons and other species in the Ericacae family.
Among the other large gardens are the Alpine Garden with more than 3,000 species, the Perennial Garden, the Shade Garden, the Rose Garden, the Food Garden, the Flowery Brook composed in large part of irises, peonies, lilies and day lilies, and the Garden of Innovations, which showcases the latest sensations from the ornamental horticulture industry.
In addition to the large gardens, there are many small gardens to discover and explore, including the Aquatic Garden, the Medicinal Plant Garden, the Toxic Plant Garden and the Reception Gardens.
Three large cultural gardens complete the Jardin botanique: the Chinese Garden, the Japanese Garden and the First Nations Garden. In addition to the botanical collections from each culture in these gardens, they offer a variety of cultural programs, including exhibitions, workshops and activities.
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