Winner of the 2011 Sustainable Tourism Award

Memorial University of Newfoundland Botanical Garden is the province’s only botanical garden and is 44 hectares of cultivated gardens and nature trails, surrounding beautiful Oxen Pond. The Garden was established in 1971 as a centre for botanical, horticultural and environmental research and education. It has been developed to display plants native to the province and cultivated plants suitable to the local climate and to provide access to a number of habitats through a system of trails. Recognized for advancing and enriching sustainable relationships among people, plants and the environment, the Garden seeks to foster an appreciation of Newfoundland’s natural history in the development and future of the university and the province. 

Flower Gardens
The ten acres of cultivated gardens include: a series of rock gardens, including limestone garden and crevice garden, peat beds, English cottage garden, medicinal garden, Newfoundland heritage garden, wildlife-friendly garden, ericaceous border, perennial border, woodland bed, shade garden, white garden, vegetable garden, orchid display, rhododendron dell and alpine house. 

Nature Trails
The remaining 100 acres is a natural area accessible via nature trails. These trails connect visitors to a display of native Newfoundland plants growing in natural Newfoundland habitats including: wetlands (bog and fen), freshwater (Oxen Pond), riparian, boreal forest (coniferous and mixed deciduous), and Newfoundland barrens.  The planted garden area is connected to the natural area by the Ethnobotanical Trail. Interpretive signage is posted throughout the Botanical Garden flower gardens and trails.

MUN Botanical Programs

A wide variety of programs, including nature hikes to Oxen Pond and duck feeding are available throughout the season.

Education Programs:

Curriculum-linked School and Teacher Workshop Programs

Early Childhood Programs

Environmental Monitoring Programs

Gardening and Art Workshops For Adults

Junior Naturalist Camp Summer Program

Nature Hikes and Programs for Adults and Families

Youth Group Programs

Open Season:

• May 1 - September 30: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., daily
• October 1 - November 30: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., daily

The Botanical Garden is located at 306 Mount Scio Road, just minutes from downtown St. John's and north of the main Memorial University of Newfoundland campus. It is located within Pippy Park.

Fees: For more information on fees, please visit http://www.mun.ca/botgarden/about_garden/garden_fees.php

The field centre, flower gardens and main trail to Oxen Pond are wheelchair accessible. The hiking trails are not wheelchair accessible. 

Pets are not permitted except for registered service or assistance animals.