The Gardens at Pillar and Post

A prestigious resort, spa, and wedding venue with an extensive garden and elaborate pond.

A small waterfall flows between large, textured rocks, surrounded by green plants. Soft lighting highlights the natural scene, creating a tranquil atmosphere.

The location

A prestigious hotel inspired by the past.

Set in the heritage district of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Pillar and Post is a vintage hotel unlike any other. The old-world charm of the town is reflected in the decor and architecture of the hotel.

Jackson Pond was approached by a local landscape firm that lacked the skills required to build the expansive pond in the gardens across the road from the hotel.

A vibrant green bridge spans a serene pond with a boat, surrounded by lush gardens and a brick building in the background.

The Design

Merging Monet’s Giverny gardens with Niagara.

The gardens take direct inspiration from French impressionist painter Claude Monet’s gardens outside of Paris in Giverny, France. A large waterfall, mimicking the roar of the nearby Niagara Falls, sits next to a boardwalk for visitors and guests to admire.

The 75’ x 150’ pond, featuring over 500 tonnes of granite rock, is the centrepiece of the design. Panoramic views of the pond are available from all around the garden. As a premier wedding venue, the goal was to have many backdrops for wedding parties to capture the perfect photos within the gardens and next to the water.

Key Design Features

A serene garden with a green bridge spans a pond, surrounded by lush trees, flowers, and winding pathways under a cloudy sky.

Two Large Wetland Filters

These filters help to naturally keep the water in the pond clean and healthy.

A serene park features a vibrant green bridge over a reflective pond, surrounded by lush greenery and a distant smokestack.

Extensive Underwater Lighting

90 underwater lights add drama to the evening, making this a destination for all hours.

A serene garden path winds alongside a small waterfall over rocky terrain, surrounded by lush greenery and a brick wall background.

Waterfall Boardwalk

Evoking the rushing water of Niagara Falls, a massive waterfall accessible by boardwalk is the ideal backdrop for photos.

The Results

Adding new meaning to “destination wedding.”

The Gardens at Pillar and Post solidify the hotel, spa, and grounds as a top-tier wedding destination in Southern Ontario. Thousands of visitors flock to enjoy the gardens year-round. Next time you’re in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, be sure to tour The Gardens at Pillar and Post.

Serene garden scene with a rocky pond, lush greenery, and a small waterfall under a cloudy sky. Peaceful and picturesque setting.

A serene garden with a wooden path and cascading waterfall, framed by lush trees and greenery, reflecting in a calm pond.

A wooden path beside a pond and rock garden leads to a rustic building, surrounded by lush greenery and a serene atmosphere.

A serene waterfall cascades over rocks in a garden setting, surrounded by trees and a wooden walkway under a partly cloudy sky.

A serene garden scene with a small pond, green bridge, and lush trees under a cloudy sky. Peaceful, natural landscape setting.

A small waterfall flows over large rocks, surrounded by greenery, a brick wall, and wooden walkway, creating a serene natural setting.

Tranquil garden scene with a green bridge, rocks, and lush vegetation under a cloudy sky. Wooden pergola adds to the serene atmosphere.

A peaceful garden scene with a wooden walkway, small waterfall over rocks, and lush greenery. A brick wall enhances the serene landscape.

Awards

This property was recognized for its excellence by Landscape Ontario.

“The serene pond and waterfall will serve as a memorable backdrop for decades to come”

The Pond is a main feature in the Pillar and Post’s new 3-acre botanical gardens designed with inspiration from the Monet Gardens in Giverny, France. The 450-cubic-meter pond features a 12-foot wide waterfall and 2 pedestrian bridges offering inspiring views and sounds.

Preliminary designs of the pond featured a kidney bean shape design with two island features. Jackson Pond’s expertise in design and construction modified the initial design to create a fuller and operationally efficient design with the addition of two wetland areas to assist filtration and improving the feel of naturally flowing water. At the base of the waterfall, water cascades gently under a curved pedestrian bridge and over a rock formation inspired by the fallen rock at the base of the famous Niagara Falls.

Now fully open to the public and operational, the Gardens houses multiple wedding ceremonies every weekend. The serene pond and waterfall will serve as a memorable backdrop for decades to come.

— Joe Murray, Project Manager, Lais Hotel Properties Limited

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