There are five public areas to visit at the Central Experimental Farm:

Arboretum

This magnificent collection of trees and shrubs covers about 35 hectares (86 acres) of rolling land. More than 2,000 varieties have been adapted to the region, some dating back to the first plantings in 1889.

The northeast corner of the Arboretum has its own microclimate. Here, you will see magnolias, rhododendrons, a wisteria and others.

The lookout on the south-east side offers a panoramic view of the Rideau Canal and Carleton University, while the north-east overlooks Dow’s Lake and the surrounding city.

The Ornamental Gardens display historic and new varieties of flowers and shrubs for the amateur gardener and general public.

The gardens include a rose garden, perennial collection, rock garden, annual garden, the Macoun sunken garden, hedge collections, as well as unique collections of lilacs, peonies, explorer roses and irises. They cover an area of approximately 3.2 hectares (8 acres) and have been a favorite site for wedding parties and photographers since they opened in the 1880s.

Canada Agriculture Museum


Canada's unique agricultural heritage is featured at the Canada Agriculture Museum where, for a modest entrance fee, you can explore the sights and sounds of traditional farm life.

Tropical Greenhouse

The Tropical Greenhouse holds 500 different plants and is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm.

The tropical greenhouse is closed indefinitely for renovations.

Fletcher Wildlife Garden

The Fletcher Wildlife Garden includes a variety of natural habitats. Volunteers are working to restore and enhance these to provide a wide range of potential homes for regional wildlife.