The Leaf at Assiniboine Park is Canada's Diversity Gardens
Visiting Winnipeg's World Class Horticultural Attraction
The Leaf in Winnipeg, Manitoba - It was a cold and blustery day in Winnipeg. The wind chill certainly discouraged outdoor adventures. Not to mention it was mid-March, so it was no longer wintery enough for winter activities but not yet warm enough for spring activities. This begged the question, what can we explore in Winnipeg that is indoors? The answer is easy. Visit The Leaf in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It is an award-winning, world-class attraction known as Canada's Diversity Gardens. The Leaf celebrates the diversity of Canada's people by telling stories about the interconnections of people, places and nature through plants. Sounds interesting...and warm.
The Leaf in Winnipeg Manitoba
The Leaf in Winnipeg Manitoba is one of the jewels of Assiniboine Park. There are four different biomes, or gardens for visitors to explore including the Hartley and Heather Richardson Tropical Biome, the Mediterranean Biomes, Babs Asper Display House, and the Shirley Richardson Butterfly Garden. Since we were trying to escpae the cold weather outside, we didn't explore the outdoor gardens, not that there would have been anything to see this time of year. The Leaf has almost 12 hectares (30 acres) of gardens surrounding it with six different gardens to explore.
The Leaf's Architectural Design is a Winnipeg Attraction
The architecture captures natures complexities resulting in the organic form of the building reflecting the plant life within its biomes. The Leaf's design was inspired by natural designs like the nautilus shell and sunflowers and the Fibonacci Sequence that is so common in nature. Honestly, the architecture of The Leaf is just as incredible as the gradens that are housed within it. KPMB Architects out did themselves on this project.
Tropical Biome at The Leaf in Assiniboine Park
The Hartley and Heather Richardson Tropical Biome is a fantastic escape in the winter when Canada's northern winds blow. The warmth of this indoor rainforest instantly washes away the winter chill whisking visitors instead to a tropical paradise. Its lush tropical plants, koi pond and waterfall make this garden feel like an oasis.
Canada's Tallest Indoor Waterfall
At six stories (20m/65ft) high, the Hartley and Heather Richardson Tropical Biome at The Leaf in Winnipeg, Manitoba is home to Canada's tallest indoor waterfall. The waterfall not only makes for a stunning addition to the biome, but it also serves an important purpose. During the winter, the waterfall adds humidity to the biome required for the tropical plants. Whereas in the summer, visitors will enjoy its evaporative cooling effects.
Mediterranean Biome
The Mediterranean Biome is most fragrant biome of them all. This biome feels like you have just set foot into Italy or Greece. It is filled with herbs, like rosemary and thyme inviting visitors to touch the plants and to enjoy their fragrance. A large seating area in this biome is designed for visitors to relax and imagine what life must be like in these Mediterranean countries.
Celebrating Cultural Diversity Through Plants
Signage throughout The Leaf not only showcases the rich biodiversity on display, but it also highlights the interconnections between people and plants.What I found to be really interesting is the focus that The Leaf has on using plants to tell stories about Canada's cultural diversity. While we were visiting it was the last day showcasing The Flora of the Philippines. I haven't visited the Philippines yet but judging by the beauty on display at The Leaf, the country must be breathtaking.
The Flora of the Phillipines
The Babs Asper Display House features rotating displays throughout the year. The biome was filled with hundreds of beautiful tropical flowers and orchids. As I learnt during our visit, the Philippines is home to over 1,000 species, sub-species and varieties of orchids. Wouldn't that be a magnificent sight to see, all those orchids growing wild all over the Philippine countryside?
The Butterfly Garden at The Leaf in Winnipeg
The Shirley Richardson Butterfly Garden is on the sixth floor of The Leaf in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Butterfly Garden is currently filled with a butterfly species that is native to Canada called Painted Ladies.
The Leaf at Assiniboine Park Gift Shop
Everything at The Leaf in Winnipeg Manitoba is designed to connect people with nature, including the handmade items for sale in the gift shop. Here you'll find skin and body care products infused with essential oils, Indigenous art and unique jewelry, gardening items, food and so much more. When visiting The Leaf in Assiniboine Park, be sure to take a few minutes to explore the gift shop.
Gather Craft Kitchen and Bar
Being in Winnipeg for the better part of the week I had plenty of time to quiz the locals on the best places to eat in town. Without fail every single one of them recommended Gather Craft Kitchen and Bar at The Leaf in Assiniboine Park. As it turns out the place was packed for lunch on a Sunday. Actually, I think it might be packed all day every day. Not realizing that we should have made reservations we were fortunate to have found seats at the bar.The concept behind Gather Craft Kitchen and Bar is the celebration of nature, the food it provides and connections that people make when they gather together for a meal. Their menu is inspired by global cuisine and cooking techniques. Sounds delicious, right? But I think the secret to Gather Craft Kitchen and Bar is the fresh, locally sourced and seasonal ingredients grown in their gardens and sourced from farmers across Manitoba.
Lunch at Gather Craft Kitchen and Bar
The reviews and recommendations were right, the food at Gather Craft Kitchen and Bar was sooooooo good. I'd fly back to Winnipeg just to get another bowl of this squash soup! The squash was grown on-site at the park and seasoned with sweet and mild curries. It was topped with yogurt, crushed cashews and pickled chilis. So delicious. My cocktail of choice this time is the Tea Thyme Mocktail. Yes, mocktail. Gather Craft Kitchen and Bar uses herbs grown at The Leaf to make their craft cocktails and mocktails. The Tea Thyme is made with fresh ginger and turmeric root tea mixed with lemon juice and thyme infused honey as well as a non-alcoholic spirit.
Assiniboine Park
Assiniboine Park has been an important attraction in Winnipeg, Manitoba for over a hundred years. At 450 hectares (1,100 acres), Assiniboine Park is a massive park in the heart of Winnipeg. The park is beautiful and filled with so many attractions within attractions that visitors could easily spend their entire visit to Winnipeg just in Assiniboine Park.
Other Assiniboine Park Attractions
There are many other attractions at Assiniboine Park in Winnipeg, Manitoba including
- The Assiniboine Park Zoo which is famous for its Polar Bear exhibit- The Park Cafe
- Nature Playground
- Cargo bar
- English Garden
- Leo Mul Sculpture Garden
- Lyric Theatre
- Steam Train and so much more.
After finishing up our visit to The Leaf in Winnipeg, Manitoba we had just enough time for one last adventure before heading to the airport to catch our flight home. Naturally we chose another indoor option to esacpe the cold day. Our choice was to visit the Pavillion. It was close to The Leaf, has free admission and includes a Winnie the Pooh gallery. The character, Winnie the Pooh is based on a really bear that came from Winnippeg. Hence, the character's name Winnie and why this is also a must-see attraction when visiting Winnipeg.
The Leaf in Assiniboine Park is a Must-see Attraction when Visiting Winnipeg
The Leaf in Winnipeg Manitoba is an award winning world-class attraction in the heart of Assiniboine Park. The botanical gardens and the architecture are stunning. However, the thing that I found to be the most interesting was how The Leaf told the stories of Canada's diversity through plants.