Among the Golden Larches: A Perfect Fall Day at the Aga Khan Garden, Alberta

Aga Khan Garden, University of Alberta Botanic Garden, Autumn Fall Colours
Main entrance and path leading to Talar Building; Aga Khan Garden, Edmonton, October 7, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

By MALIK MERCHANT

Having reached Edmonton’s outskirts well before my hotel check-in time, I decided to visit the Aga Khan Garden at the University of Alberta Botanic Garden for an hour or so on Saturday, October 7, 2023. This was my third visit to the Garden and the first in autumn. My two ealier visits took place in spring and summer of 2022.

With Monday, October 9, being declared as the last day before the Botanic Garden closed for the season, my timing couldn’t have been better; it was a glorious autumn day, with blue skies and warm temperatures. According to the information I was provided, many of the trees in Edmonton neighbourhoods had lost the autumn foliage. I had least expected to experience rich fall colours at the Aga Khan Garden.

Larch tree, Aga Khan Garden Edmonton, University of Alberta Botanic Garden
A beautiful golden-needled larch tree; Aga Khan Garden, Edmonton, October 7, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

Much to my delight, the foliage at the U of A Botanic Garden was still at 70%. What amazed me the most was the presence of larch trees which are mainly found at higher elevations in the Canadian Rockies in Alberta. The needles of the larch trees had turned golden, a natural phenomenon that attracts visitors from around the world to the province’s Rocky Mountains for around 3-4 weeks from mid-September. 

As I departed the Aga Khan Garden, I was informed that the Botanic Garden would re-open on weekends during the 2023-24 winter season. Having seen the Garden during 3 seasons, how can I now ignore the Garden in winter? In a parka, snow boots as well as layered protection — and with snow tires mounted on my car — I shall once again be at the Aga Khan Garden in 2-3 months for a unique winter experience. In the meantime enjoy these autumn photographs and my SPRING and SUMMER collection of photographs of the Aga Khan Garden.

Aga Khan Garden, University of Alberta Botanic Garden, Autumn Fall Colours, Reflecting Pool
Reflecting Pool on path leading to Talar Building; Aga Khan Garden, Edmonton, October 7, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
Aga Khan Garden, University of Alberta Botanic Garden, Autumn Fall Colours, Talar Building
Visitors enjoy the rolling waterfalls at the iconic Talar building surrounded by fall colours; Aga Khan Garden, Edmonton, October 7, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

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Aga Khan Garden, University of Alberta Botanic Garden, Autumn Fall Colours, Larch trees
Larch tree close-up; Aga Khan Garden, Edmonton, October 7, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

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Aga Khan Garden, University of Alberta Botanic Garden, Autumn Fall Colours, Roses
Roses; Aga Khan Garden, Edmonton, October 7, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
Aga Khan Garden, University of Alberta Botanic Garden, Autumn Fall Colours
Pond; Aga Khan Garden, Edmonton, October 7, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

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Aga Khan Garden, University of Alberta Botanic Garden, Autumn Fall Colours
The new Diwan Building inaugurated September 2022; Aga Khan Garden, Edmonton, October 7, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

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Aga Khan Garden, University of Alberta Botanic Garden, Autumn Fall Colours
The Talar Building viewed from the terrace of the Diwan Building; Aga Khan Garden, Edmonton, October 7, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

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Aga Khan Garden, University of Alberta Botanic Garden, Autumn Fall Colours
The Char Bagh and the Pond viewed from the Talar Building; Aga Khan Garden, Edmonton, October 7, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

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Aga Khan Garden, University of Alberta Botanic Garden, Autumn Fall Colours
Pond, Aga Khan Garden, Edmonton, October 7, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

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Aga Khan Garden, University of Alberta Botanic Garden, Autumn Fall Colours, Larches
Larch trees around Jilau Khana; Aga Khan Garden, Edmonton, October 7, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

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Aga Khan Garden, University of Alberta Botanic Garden, Autumn Fall Colours
View of Talar building from amphitheatre; Aga Khan Garden, Edmonton, October 7, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

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Aga Khan Garden, University of Alberta Botanic Garden, Autumn Fall Colours
A view of the Chahar Bagh from the Diwan Building; Aga Khan Garden, Edmonton, October 7, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

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Aga Khan Garden, University of Alberta Botanic Garden, Autumn Fall Colours Talar Building
A section of the Talar Building; Aga Khan Garden, Edmonton, October 7, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

Date posted: October 14, 2023.

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Category : Canada, Nature and Space, Photo of the Day, Travel Essays
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