Explore the Leaf
Journey through four distinct worlds inside The Leaf. Find yourself in a vibrant display surrounded by colour, texture, and fragrance. Make friends with gentle butterflies, breathe in the aromas of the Mediterranean, and find winter respite in a tropical oasis. End your day at our warm and welcoming restaurant, savouring cuisine that celebrates the harvest of each season and incorporates flavours from around the globe that you’ll want to relive again and again.
The Leaf has been recognized as "Garden of the Year" at the Canadian Garden Tourism Awards at the 2023 International Garden Tourism Conference!
Hartley and Heather Richardson Tropical Biome
Visitors become immersed in the warmth and vibrancy of the Hartley and Heather Richardson Tropical Biome, where exotic plants and a balmy environment creates an oasis, particularly during the winter months. This rainforest-like paradise is brimming with tropical plants, bold textures and lush green colours. The largest of The Leaf's planted spaces; it is home to Canada's tallest indoor waterfall, a peaceful koi pond, and lush plant material from tropical regions of the world.
Mediterranean Biome
The Mediterranean Biome is home to plants from regions known for their superb fruits, fine wines and abundant crops. Visitors are surrounded by plant life from climatic zones characterized by moist, cool winters and hot, dry summers including Greece and Italy, as well as South Africa, South West Australia, Central Chile and California. This biome hosts a memorable mosaic of colour, texture and fragrance that reaches its peak during the winter months. A welcoming seating area invites visitors to relax and enjoy the sights and smells of these fascinating plants.
Babs Asper Display House
The Babs Asper Display House celebrates the art of horticulture with a rotating schedule of dynamic floral displays that will change four to five times per year, exploring seasonal and global themes. Here, the focus is simple; to showcase the breathtaking beauty that only nature can achieve, through flowers and colours offered through seasonal displays.
Shirley Richardson Butterfly Garden
Travel six stories high in an elevator to the magical Shirley Richardson Butterfly Garden, where visitors of all ages can experience awe and wonder as they interact with beautiful butterfly species. A year-round tropical paradise, the Butterfly Garden soars above the sea of plant life flourishing from below. The Shirley Richardson Butterfly Garden is currently populated with painted ladies, a species that is native to Canada.
Photo: Ema Peter
A Living Classroom
The Leaf - Canada’s Diversity Gardens is a living classroom where school and community groups can participate in environmental and cultural education programs year-round. The Tannis M. Richardson Classroom, the indoor biomes, and outdoor gardens create platforms for distinctive programming that can inspire people to care for nature and reflects the diverse, multicultural, and multi-generational community we serve at Assiniboine Park. The changing gardens enable learning opportunities focusing on the themes of health and well-being, sustainability and conservation, food and drink, beauty and expression, and spirituality and consciousness.
The Leaf Coffee Bar
The Leaf Coffee Bar serves grab and go beverages, snacks, lunches, and treats! Located in The Leaf, the coffee bar is accessible to all Park visitors, without admission to the biomes. Enjoy coffee, cappuccino, espresso, and a selection of teas, smoothies, cold beverages, plus sweet treats, pastries, salads, sandwiches, and more! Serving coffee from the White Buffalo Coffee Company.
