Les Jardins de Metis, Canada - putting the glory back into public gardens - with the 2016 International Garden Festival

Cyclops, by US architect, Craig Chapple - a new installation for 2016 at Les Jardins de Metis, Quebec

Today is just a taster of what's to come because I'm lucky enough to be at Les Jardins de Metis in Quebec (also known as the Reford Gardens), exploring the gardens and the annual International Garden Festival that has really put the glory back into public gardens here in Canada. The Festival opened on 24 June and runs until 2 October this year.

Inside 'Le Caveau' - by Swiss landscape architect, Christian Poules - at Les Jardins des Metis, Quebec

A fantastic location on the banks of the St Lawrence River, combined with the boundless energy of Alexander Reford, have turned these long-established gardens into an exciting destination for both gardeners and art lovers, who will definitely appreciate what they find here.

'Tilt' by Sean Radford and Chris Weibe - another new exhibit at the International Garden Festival

The gardens have been revitalised over the last two decades by Alexander Reford, great grandson of Elsie, who spent her life creating the traditional gardens here. Both the plantsman's paradise on offer and the celebrated Jardins des Metis/Reford Gardens International Garden Festival, which invites proposals from architects and those involved with landscapes throughout the world. The combination of the two has definitely rocketed Les Jardins de Metis straight into my top gardens of the globe for interest and initiative.