Closure Notice: The Shirley Richardson Butterfly Garden and canopy walkway at The Leaf are closed for general maintenance. We expect to re-open in the next few days.
June 1 - September 10
Babs Asper Display House
Spread your butterfly wings, and embrace the splendor of the season at Thrive in the Babs Asper Display House! This exhibit will celebrate the important role pollinators play in thriving ecosystems, and features a playful collection of mosaicultures and topiaries.
This show will explore the intricacies of our relationships with nature and how we are all interconnected. We invite you to take in the wonders of nature, appreciate its beauty, and examine the critical role we play in protecting our planet.
The featured butterfly mosiacultures have been planted with a variety of colourful plants, such as Alternanthera. The plants were carefully chosen by our team of horticulturalists to create elaborate designs and patterns. The topiaries featured in Thrive represent the summer season; flowers, dragonflies, and the sun in topiary form contribute to the living sculpture collection.
A collection of vibrant foliage, suspended summer baskets, and pollinator-friendly plants complete your journey into a summer paradise. Featured plants include Echinacea, Cosmos, Delphinium, Sambucus (elderberry), Syringa (lilac), Amaranthus, Calibrachoa, Pelargonium, and Dichondra.
June 1 - September 10
Spread your butterfly wings, and embrace the splendor of the season in the Babs Asper Display House! This exhibit will celebrate the important role pollinators play in thriving ecosystems, and features a playful collection of mosaicultures and topiaries.
This show will explore the intricacies of our relationships with nature and how we are all interconnected.
Chat with a member of our horticultural team while you explore The Leaf! Our expert gardeners will explore our connections to plants, and provide insider knowledge about the beautiful plantings within the biomes. Gardener Chats are presented by Lawn ‘N’ Order Custom Landscapes Inc.
Location: Please check the signage at The Leaf for the location of the daily Gardener Chat.
Date and Time: Daily, 10:00 am
Chat with an animal care professional and learn all about how we care for the butterflies at The Leaf! Chats take place in the Shirley Richardson Butterfly Garden.
Date and Time: Daily, 10:30 am and 2:00 pm
Stop by the Tannis M. Richardson Classroom for some hands-on crafting using natural or recycled products! Crafts are appropriate for kids and families of all ages and are accessible without admission to the biomes. Space is limited in the classroom. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Location: Tannis M. Richardson Classroom
Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Dates: Sundays, June 4, June 25, July 9, July 23, August 6, August 13, September 3, September 10
Sustainability was front of mind when the Leaf was designed. Join us on a free tour that explores some of the sustainability features that support our LEED certification. Tour spots are limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis. This tour does not include a visit to the biomes. Admission to the biomes at The Leaf is not required.
Location: Meet in front of the Tannis M. Richardson Indoor Classroom
Time: 1:00 pm, roughly 30 minutes long
Dates: June 17, July 8, August 12, October 14, December 16
Saturday, June 17
Join Poorany Williams at The Leaf for a demonstration on how to cook various traditional Tamil recipes. Participants will have the opportunity to taste all items as they learn about the medicinal properties of spices. Advance registration required.
Thursday, June 8
Learn how to make cocktails like a professional! Join Nick D from Patent 5, as he takes you through a unique experience of making (and tasting) three cocktails. Combine fragrant botanicals, spirits from Patent 5, and cocktail creativity. Advance resgitration is required.
