There are flowers everywhere in the Montérégie region. From the first blossoms of spring that transform the orchards into a picturesque landscape, to the warm sun of summer that caresses the fully bloomed sunflowers. No one can remain indifferent to this enchanting decor made up of flowers you can see, smell and even eat! Here is what the growers of the region have to offer. Throughout the year, there is a flower activity that will delight everyone.
Tulips for days
Photo credit: Alexanne Brisson
Only a few minutes from Montreal, in Boucherville, is a magnificent tulip field that expands into a rainbow of colours! This huge, shimmering expanse is full of flowers ready for you to pick as early as May. Don’t wait too long, the season only lasts about three weeks! Need a breathtaking backdrop for a selfie? Bring your camera, along with your family, friends or significant other, and come strolling along the blooming lanes. A large parking lot is available and the entire friendly Tulipes.ca team is ready to guide you 7 days a week on this field here nearly half a million tulips grow!
*High traffic, plan to reserve your places. No tickets are sold at the door.
Time of the year: May
Apple trees in bloom everywhere
Photo credit: Alexanne Brisson
May is the time to marvel at the majestic landscapes carpeted with apple trees in bloom. Pink and white backgrounds are around every corner and can be seen along the bicycle paths of La Montérégiade or along la Route des Champs. Hop on your bikes and come take a leisurely tour of the area. By car, the Chemin de la Montagne Saint-Hilaire winds through charming orchards. Why not take the opportunity to enjoy a drink in your favourite cider house while enjoying the view? It’s the perfect thing to do on a Saturday afternoon! There are many options in other towns in the area, including Mont-Saint-Grégoire, Rougemont (the apple capital!), Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Hemmingford, Franklin and Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot.
Flowering period: Start mid-May, depending on the weather.
Flowers are notre only beautiful, they also taste good!
Photo credit: Alexanne Brisson
Mélanie Massicotte grows organic edible plants in Saint-Jean-Sur-Richelieu. In this field, where a pond hosts an otter and two turtles, you’ll discover all kinds of flowers that taste as good as they look. Huge sunflowers will amaze children and adults in August. And if the heat gets to you, take a few minutes to rest in the shade of the pines on their carpet of needles that feel like walking on a mattress. But that’s not all! Did you know ground ivy has a slight taste of mint? Have you ever tried the tart oxalis flower? Or the angelica, which tastes a bit like celery? The owner has collaborated with several renowned chefs to create recipes using these surprisingly flavourful plants. Fleurs et feuilles gourmandes is a place for discoveries and to amaze your taste buds. Take a tour of the garden or stop by the kiosk to stock up on edible plants that will bring new life to your favourite dishes!
Time of the year: mid-June to Octobre
Plants that will prickle your fancy
Is this Mexico? No, this is Sainte-Marie-Madeleine, a town just outside Saint-Hyacinthe where you can visit a very exotic garden. Where else could you marvel at over 500 cacti outdoors? It is Cactus Fleuri, a facility where succulents rule. In addition to a greenhouse which is in operation all year long, there is a store that can satisfy all your interior decoration needs. Want to learn more about these exotic plants? Guided tours and interpretation sessions are offered, as well as advice on how to keep your new succulent healthy. In the summer, you can set up a picnic right in the middle of this surprising flora.
Time of the year: mid-June to Octobre
The gentleness of lavender
The team at Champs de Rêves Nursery is made up of landscaping experts, and it really shows in the imposing garden they have created, which is open to the public from July 1st to September 30th. It includes the largest lavender field in the region. During blooming season, which takes place in July and August, this vast aromatic and soothing field may be visited by all. In addition to this delicately scented plant, you can stroll through an impressive mosaic of sculptures made from annual flowers and find your way through a maze. Fun for the whole family!
Time of the year: July to September
Ecological flowers
The Beaupré-Quenneville family wishes for a greener future for our planet. That’s why they founded the Au Beau Pré flower farm in Saint-Anicet. Instead of buying flowers from Asia, as is often offered elsewhere, why not visit these fields and pick your own flowers. Come put together a bouquet in this enchanting setting where 300 different types of coloured dahlias are grown, as well as about 50 types of annuals. And if you’d like a new bouquet on a regular basis, there are subscriptions available and pick-up locations throughout the Montérégie. Keep your home blooming and fragrant from June to October with these monthly or bi-monthly packages.
U-pick: From the end of July to the end of September.
Sunflower-Mania
La Belle de Coteau-du-Lac isn’t just a place for strawberries, raspberries and corn. This farm also has an impressive sunflower field. Over three weekends, you can make your choice among 60 varieties of sunflowers. Want to have a picnic? Tables are at your disposal and there are meals for sale, made with the farm’s fresh produce. You can even make a reservation for a magnificent photo session or for a private event outside of regular opening hours. Several options are offered to the public including a musical evening in the sunflowers. Just picture it: being surrounded by shades of yellow while the saxophone plays!
Time of year: August and September
There are flower activities for all in the Montérégie! As soon as spring has sprung, the colours become vibrant, and it keeps going until the end of the summer. Whether it’s for a good time with friends, a visit to an enchanting setting, a romantic walk or a family outing, these colourful and fragrant locations are waiting to welcome you. Treat your eyes, your nostrils and even your taste buds. See you soon!
