Garden with All Your Senses at the Botanical Garden's 19th Great Gardening Weekend

MONTRÉAL, May 18, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - With the gardening season fast approaching, Montréal Space for Life invites everyone to look at nature through a child's eyes and be guided by their senses at the 19^th Great Gardening Weekend, from May 27 to 29 at the Montréal Botanical Garden. Over 80 exhibitors will be on hand with all kinds of plants and original garden accessories, while young visitors will have fun at the "sensory stations" in the Croquarium. Grown-ups can discuss different gardening-related themes and, as part of a new, more interactive cultural segment, enjoy thought-provoking talks on major issues in agriculture. In short, Quebec's largest gardening fair promises lots of finds and new features again this year!

Create a garden for the senses and enjoy fascinating discussions
Pick up some tips for planning your garden from plant growers and accessory designers. There's lots to consider when it comes to plants: not only colours, but also scents and textures, from silky to even prickly! Select ones that appeal to your taste buds or that attract birds to please your eyes and ears. Twice a day, you can chat about such topics as horticulture, edible and decorative landscaping and even biological pest control. And be sure to drop by the Croquarium trailer to explore a world of tastes, sounds, fragrances, colours and textures.

The true nature of agriculture – NEW
The Great Gardening Weekend invites everyone to think about the true nature of agriculture, with a new feature developed by Montréal Space for Life and UQAM, in co-operation with the Fonds de recherche du Québec and the Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA), as part of the "Je vois Montréal" event. Admire three huge pieces of digital art by artist Michel Boulanger, illustrating the modern dairy industry. Then, on Saturday, May 28, at 3 p.m., come for a discussion ((in French) )with scientist Luc-Alain Giraldeau, Dean of the UQAM Faculty of Science, grower and UPA President Marcel Groleau, and UQAM Professor Michel Boulanger. The forum will be moderated by Radio-Canada journalist Hélène Raymond.

Ready-to-plant kits to attract butterflies and birds – NEW
This summer, why not attract monarch butterflies and birds to your garden or balcony? Choose a ready-to-plant kit, place the four plants where you want them (they come with their own geotextile pot), and then take a seat and wait for the butterflies and birds to come calling. You can even have your garden certified and join the hundreds of other "gardenauts" in the My Space for Life Garden movement to protect biodiversity.

Henry Teuscher Award – Recognizing an exceptional figure in the world of horticulture
On Friday, May 27, the Henry Teuscher Award will be presented to an individual who has distinguished him- or herself over the years with an exceptional contribution to promoting horticulture and advancing horticultural knowledge in Quebec.

Tickets/Hours: montrealspaceforlife.ca 
List of exhibitors: espacepourlavie.ca/en/programming/great-gardening-weekend

IMPORTANT
As in previous years, the Botanical Garden and the Insectarium will not be participating in Montréal Museums Day on Sunday, May 29.

The Great Gardening Weekend is presented in co-operation with the Friends of the Montréal Botanical Garden.

Montréal Space for Life is made up of four attractions on the same site: the Biodôme, Botanical Garden, Insectarium and Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium. These four prestigious municipal institutions form Canada's largest natural science museum complex. Together, they are launching a daring, creative urban movement, urging everyone to rethink the connection between humankind and nature and cultivate a new way of living.

SOURCE Ville de Montréal - Jardin botanique de Montréal

For further information: Karine Jalbert, Communications Co-ordinator, Telephone: (514) 872-1453, E-mail: karinejalbert@ville.montreal.qc.ca ; Karine Vendette, Communications Assistant, Tel.: (514) 872-2227, E-mail: karine.vendette@ville.montreal.qc.ca