These dreamy flower fields across Canada are must-see summer destinations

CBC

7 hours ago

Whether you're looking for a deal on seasonal blooms, a way to support local growers, or just a summery outdoor activity, with more than 200 Canadian farms cultivating flowers in their fields, it's easier than ever to find one close to you.
While many of these are not open to the public, pick-your-own spots and farms hosting events have flourished since the pandemic — and thanks to social media. Alongside tours and markets, you'll find botanical-dyeing workshops and picnics among the blooms.
Just be sure to plan your visit in advance. Smaller farms are often open by appointment only and you may need tickets for some activities. And as with any seasonal crop, timing is everything. You'll want to check online or phone ahead to see what's in bloom.
With that in mind, here are 13 stunning flower farms to check out this summer.
Bilston Creek Farm
This Vancouver Island farm regularly holds seasonal events, like its Lavender Festival from June until mid-August. You can expect live music, hands-on workshops and a makers' market. Plus there's an apple and pear orchard and an apiary, and you can even book an overnight stay.
About an hour's drive from downtown Vancouver in good traffic, this charming farm offers flower-picking workshops from August to October, as well as concerts and wreath-making classes. To see their dahlias in full bloom, book your visit for late August or September.
Blooms on 7 Flower Farm
Sherwood Park, Alta.
This flower and alpaca farm is just a 30-minute drive east of Edmonton. More than 150 varieties of blooms are grown here, and stems are priced by the cup. Also check out their botanical-dyeing workshops and pilates classes that take place next to the alpaca herd.
Fern's Flowers Garden
Edmonton
Fern's Flowers Garden's U-pick grows zinnias, marigolds, gladioli and more. Its land on the North Saskatchewan River — shared with the non-profit community garden it supports — is surrounded by an old-growth forest and trails you can explore.
Boho Flower Farm
Strongfield, Sask.
This Prairie attraction offers ticketed flower picking, a sip-and-snip evening with a local craft distillery, and a date-night package, which includes drinks, charcuterie and lawn games.
Miss Millie's Flower Farm
St. François Xavier, Man.
More than 200 types of flowers are grown on this organic farm near Winnipeg. You'll need to make an appointment to visit Miss Millie's, and you can also book a slot to pick your own stems, drop by with your pup on one of their dog-friendly days or attend a cake picnic.
Heritage Blooms
Norwood, Ont.
Opening in mid-July, this property in Ontario's cottage country grows a wide range of dahlias as well as zinnias and sunflowers, to name a few. The farm also hosts workshops on bouquet-making in the summer and on how to store dahlia tubers in the fall.
Country Cut Flowers
Newmarket, Ont.
This scenic spot about an hour's drive north of Toronto has pick-your-own tulips, peonies, dahlias, snapdragons and much more. You can buy tickets for one-time entry or a subscription that allows you to return throughout the season. Ask about their painting, wreath-making and crafting events too.
Deep River, Ont.
Occupying not even 300 square metres of land in a small town northwest of Ottawa, this small but mighty organic farm grows tulips, peonies, dahlias and more — plus a variety of vegetables. And they hold workshops for hand-tied bouquets and pumpkin centrepieces as well as themed dinners, such as their Taste of Ghana evening, made with ingredients grown in the garden.
Saint-Eustache, Que.
La Maison Lavande's boutique in the Montreal suburb of Saint-Eustache is open year-round, but lavender season typically kicks off toward the end of June. Aside from creating your own bundles, there are scenic spots for picnics, walking paths and yoga classes in the fields.
Lower Millstream, N.B.
Founded in 2021 by sisters who are seventh-generation farmers, this East Coast property now grows over 50 varieties of flowers on less than half a hectare of land midway between Saint John and Moncton. Visit the self-serve Posy Shed for ready-made bouquets or book a spot to pick your own stems.
Middle Musquodoboit, N.S.
Part of a Musquodoboit Valley dairy farm an hour's drive northeast of Halifax, Just Bloom has a shop where you can collect pre-ordered bouquets, and U-pick gardens for strolling and snipping. Tickets for the latter are available most weekends from mid-July to mid-September, and depending on the time of year, you might find anemones, novelty tulips, sunflowers, amaranths and more.
Island Lavender Distillery
St. Catherines, P.E.I.
Just a 30-minute drive from Charlottetown, this scenic four-hectare farm and essential-oil distillery grows two varieties of English lavender, Hidcote and Munstead, and the French Phenomenal. In July, you can harvest your own bundle of lavender on designated days.