BEAULIEU GARDENS

YOUR BELTLINE GARDEN

Picnic, walk the dog, stop to smell the roses, snap a photo, or have a morning yoga break. It’s all yours to enjoy.

Illustration of shovel and flowers

3 ACRES OF GARDENS

that have provided generations of enjoyment.

The French beaulieu means beautiful place, and that’s exactly what this is. Today the gardens honour both their Victorian origins with formal beds and heritage plants as well as feature green space for modern-day public enjoyment. Hosting esteemed guests like the Prince of Wales in 1919, these gardens have been the backdrop for grand gatherings throughout history, outdoor dinner parties, floral festivities, and memorable weddings. Experience the timeless elegance and charm of this Beltline oasis.

BRAWN FAMILY ROSE GARDEN

Lougheed House is pleased to announce a $125,000 gift from the Brawn Family Foundation for the naming of the Lougheed House Rose Garden.  The garden will now be known as the Brawn Family Rose Garden.

“Heritage and Community are important values of our family, and we are proud to give support to Lougheed House with this naming gift,” said Bob Brawn. “The gardens of Lougheed House provide an oasis of healing and enjoyment to residents of the Beltline and all Calgarians. We are proud to contribute to something with a positive impact for our community.”

Our deep and sincere thanks go out to the Brawn Family for their generous gift.

Beaulieu Gardens Jane Reksten

MEET JANE REKSTEN

Our resident gardener who makes everything that blooms come alive.

GARDEN MAP

Beaulieu Gardens illustrated map

FLOWERS TO SPOT IN THE GARDEN

Illustrated Iris

  • Iris are tough, hardy, drought tolerant plants that come in a range of heights, providing blooms from spring through to July.  They bloom in virtually all colours of the rainbow except true blue, and make a wonderful cut flower.  Historically iris were a valued addition to Victorian gardens for their beauty as well as their symbolic meanings including faith, hope, courage and wisdom.

Illustrated Rose

  • Roses are flowering shrubs, popular in the Victorian era and still well-used in modern gardens.  Examples of heritage and new varieties can be found at Beaulieau, including early blooming Persian Yellow, lightly scented, semi-double blush pink Morden Blush, climbers John Cabot and John Davis, and examples of the Canadian Artist Series.  Symbolic of love and beauty, roses added elegance and fragrance to Victorian gardens. 

Illustrated Hollyhock

  • Hollyhocks are biennials that bloom from mid-summer to early fall, in colours from pink to a deep purple and maroon.  Towering up to three metres in height, Victorians favoured hollyhocks for their striking vertical presence and ability to add drama to garden beds creating a lush, layered look.  Traced back to the days of the Lougheeds, hollyhocks pop up in several pockets of the garden, and seeds collected on site can be found in the gift shop. 

  • Milkweed can be found growing wild across Canada, and is inextricably connected with monarch butterflies.  The common milkweed in Beaulieau is a bold statuesque plant with drooping clusters of pink flowers blooming in mid-summer. While monarchs do not typically frequent Calgary gardens, milkweed is an incredibly important plant for a multitude of pollinators, easily visible when they are in flower.

  • Peonies begin to bloom in June and are known for their large, lush flowers and delightful fragrance. They have been known to symbolise prosperity and romance and were adored by Victorians for their opulent blooms and elegance.  Long lived plants often exceeding 50 years of age, these resilient plants can withstand periods of drought, and are valued for their use as cut flowers.  Beaulieu gardens is home to several examples including the heritage Sarah Bernhardt, - named for the famous actress - as well as species peonies and Itoh crosses.