Fields of colour at Les Jardins d'Emmarocalles

Surely daylilies are among the most dependable, varied and stunning perennials to choose when planting a carefree garden. With hundreds of varieties in all shapes, sizes, colours and fragrances, hardy daylilies are hard to beat. Even their Greek name conveys beauty: hemera means day; kalos means beautiful.

There’s no better way to view these drama queens than by strolling the meandering paths of Les Jardins d’Emmarocalles. Located on the outskirts of Ripon, a picturesque village in the Outaouais region of West Quebec, the gardens are less than an hour’s country drive north of Ottawa.


What’s attractive to serious gardeners is that owner-designers Michel Tardif and Mireille Albert operate their heritage farmhouse as a B&B. Perfect! We can arrive one day, explore the variety of plants and stroll the garden’s pathways at dusk, when blossom fragrances can be exquisite. The next morning, we can decide which plants to purchase after our hosts serve breakfast—featuring edible daylily blossoms and buds as accents to local cuisine.