Get ready to Learn and Grow with Us!

Join our engaging horticultural learning series, designed for gardening enthusiasts and plant lovers of all skill levels.

Our 2025 Speaker Series is a program that offers a diverse range of expert-led talks covering essential and inspiring topics.

Each session provides practical knowledge, actionable tips and opportunities to ask questions. Whether you’re a beginner eager to grow your green thumb or an experienced gardener seeking fresh ideas, this series is tailored to cultivate your passion for horticulture.

Recent Speakers: January – Lana Doss OHS YouTube  | February – Jonathan Bruderlein OHS YouTube | March – Mary Crawford  OHS YouTube

Upcoming Speakers: April – Janice Street (Members, click here to access meeting itinerary, info & photos) | June – Nancy McDonald

Check our events calender or see the full program by clicking button below.

The OHS is pleased to announce that Photography Competition for 2025 is now open for entries.  The 2025 theme is “The Garden is Your Canvas.”

This year, we have seven main classes and a special eighth class for youth entries.

A downloadable competition poster is available to all, including tips for budding flower photographers. The poster also includes class descriptions, entry rules, and more—click the button below to download and print.

The deadline for submissions is October 6th, 2025 (9 pm). Winners will be announced at the AGM in December 2025. We look forward to seeing all the artistic entries for 2025!

We can’t wait to see your creative entries—good luck!

**Looking for inspiration? Have a look at the winning photos from 2024.**

Join the Annual Mother’s Day Plant Sale!
The Ottawa Horticultural Society (OHS) and Friends of the Farm (FoF) are thrilled to invite you to our cherished tradition: the Mother’s Day Plant Sale! Mark your calendar for Sunday, May 11th, 9 am to 12 noon.

Calling All Members—We Need Your Help!
We’re seeking enthusiastic volunteers for both pre-sale plant preparation and on-the-day event support. Tasks include plant collection, planting, and transportation. Boxes are essential—please bring them to our next in-person meeting: Tuesday, April 22, 7 pm, Tom Brown Arena.

Have Questions? Ready to Sign Up?
We’d love to hear from you! Contact us:  ✉️ info@ottawahort.org OR  the.canadian.ecuadorian@gmail.com | Please use the subject line: “Plant Sale Volunteer”.   Members, click below for full schedule, tasks and details.

This year, OHS is happy to announce it has joined with Canadensis and the Ottawa Field Naturalists’ Club on a new initiative: “Canadensis Native Tree Nursery Project.”

This initiative has been welcomed by OHS members. It involves planting, overwintering, and growing native tree seeds. Once the seeds germinate and grow into young trees, they will ready to be moved to a native tree nursery established at Canadensis, with funding from the City of Ottawa, located on the planned site of a botanical garden near Dow’s Lake.

The long-term goal of this project is to improve biodiversity in the region. For further information on this project, please contact Kathleen Fischer at kfischer888@outlook.com or Jean Carr at jcarr@jardincanadensisgarden.ca.

Additional details available by clicking on the button below where you will be able to view, download and/or print the background, info and planting instruction sheet.

Note, participation in this project is open to members and the public.

Thank you to all those members who participated in the 2024 OHS Photography Competition.  There were so many beautiful submissions.

This year’s theme was “The Cinematic Garden.”  A total of 99 images were submitted by 12 gardener-photographers. A first look at the Best in Competition winners:

(1) Judge’s Best in Competition Award: Larry Chamney, ‘China Rose‘;

(2) People’s Best in Competition Award: Cristina Crochetiere, ‘Spruce Starting to Bloom‘; and

(3) Judge’s Best in Competition Honourable Mention Award: Aroop Ghosh, ‘Hummingbird at Fletcher Garden‘. (Please click the button below to see Aroop Ghosh’s photo).

Please click the button below to see full winner and photos details for each class, along with comments provided by the judge.

Enjoy!

Thank you to all who submitted your wonderful garden pictures for the 2024 Great Pollilnator Garden Awards (GPGA).

Winners for the 2024 GPGA were revealed at the 2024 OHS AGM in December.

Categories and winners were:
Category 1 Front Garden –  Nina and Craig Foster McLaren
Category 2:   Back Garden –  Tuula Talvila | Honourable Mention – Adair Heuchan
Category 3:  Boulevard/Streetscape – Christine Edmonds
Category 4:  Balcony/Patio – Catherine Disley and Amanda Carrigan

Full details, including judges’ comments and winners’ photos of their submissions, are available by clicking on the button below.

Now Available

We are pleased to announce the publication of the OHS 2025 Yearbook. This edition details the numerous activities, programs, events, and competitions organized and delivered by OHS members and volunteers. Beyond mere documentation, it stands as a testament to the unwavering commitment of members like you.

Moreover, the yearbook serves as a historical chronicle, preserving our journey and celebrating the OHS community. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who generously shared their expertise and valuable contributions to help produce this document.

Enjoy exploring this fascinating publication. Available in PDF format for viewing on screen or downloading to print. Let its pages transport you through our shared experiences and achievements from 2024!

Note: The OHS 2025 Yearbook is available to public and OHS members.