Guelph has a long and illustrious relationship with gardening. However, many locals have no idea of the history hiding in their own backyards! History tells us a lot about our modern gardening practices, from the evolution of the contemporary front yard to the origins of our North American “standards” and aesthetic preferences. While I’m no historian, I am an avid gardener, and I love learning more about how our modern Guelph landscapes have been shaped by time. If you share either of these passions, then you’re in luck! This guide is your introduction to Guelph’s rich gardening history, providing you with key insights into our local agricultural past and classic North American landscape design.
When we look at the history of Canadian gardening, it’s pretty easy to see how heavily it’s been impacted by British influences. In fact, Canadian gardening practices have mostly maintained the British landscaping ideals brought over more than 150 years ago.
A popular example of this historical influence on Canadian gardens is the modern lawn, which first became popular here in the 1950s but was a prominent feature of British castles and estates as early as the 1600s. Practically speaking, really large scale lawns can cost a ton to upkeep: there are the financial costs of the fertilizer, water, and seed they require, not to mention the labour costs associated with cutting, trimming, and maintaining it – there was no way a common peasant could afford something like that! As a result, lawns became symbols of status and wealth in Britain, representing a landowner’s immense affluence and prestige. This ideal eventually made its way across the pond to Canadian gardens, and the lawn has been a staple of our modern landscapes ever since.
Even though we’ve mixed and matched various trends and influences from many other cultures across history to create our modern landscape ideas, the traditional core of the Canadian garden—from overgrown cottage-style gardens to pristinely manicured lawns and topiaries—is still undeniably English.
When we look at Guelph’s history, it’s no wonder we became a town so obsessed with gardening and landscaping. Guelph was founded by John Galt and William “Tiger” Dunlop on April 23, 1827, in a ceremony that involved the celebratory felling of a maple tree—a literal celebration of greenery and agriculture! Interestingly, Galt and Dunlop also founded the city of Goderich, ON, around the same time, and actually mixed up the plans of the two cities at one point. For instance, Guelph’s downtown core was originally supposed to have the radial plan that Goderich now uses. Hilariously, my mother is from Goderich, and my father is from Guelph, so this bit of history is kind of special for me!
In 1964—more than 130 years after the first maple tree fell—The University of Guelph was founded, and with it came the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC). The OAC is one of the oldest agricultural colleges in North America, and its establishment and history have undeniably impacted Guelph’s current landscape, influencing the clear focus on agriculture and green-based policies and practices that mark much of our city’s modern industry and economy. I am proud to teach a number of courses at Humber College in the Horticulture Technician Apprenticeship Program; Dave teaches at both Humber and the University of Guelph. Thanks to this rich history of agriculture and cultivation, Guelph has blossomed into the green, garden-loving space we now all call home!
Royal City Nursery has been a part of Guelph’s history for over 60 years, and I am proud to continue our long tradition of green-focused thinking and connection with the earth. If you have any questions about gardening in Guelph, ON, stop by and visit us today! Our experts are ready to help you create a thriving garden that is sure to live up to our city’s rich horticultural history!
