Fit for a Queen: Platinum Jubilee tribute garden unveiled in Charlottetown

Preparations are underway in the United Kingdom for a four-day party to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee.

Queen Elizabeth II is the first British monarch to reign for 70 years -- a milestone so big that even Canadian communities are joining in on the celebrations.

That includes Prince Edward Island's capital.

A new garden unveiled to the public Wednesday at Government House in Charlottetown is dedicated to the queen.

It’s full of plants native to P.E.I., alongside those representing the queen herself -- including a special tulip created for her Diamond Jubilee.

“I am so happy to have honoured Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in this way,” said Lieut.-Gov. Antoinette Perry. “It’s just, the significance of the plants just brings her closer to me, and I truly can feel her presence here.”

Flowers representing the first groups to settle on P.E.I., can also be found in the garden -- lavender for the English and French, and thistle for the Scottish and Irish.

Also planted, but yet to bloom, is specially-grown ceremonial tobacco to honour the Mi’kmaq people.

The garden was designed specifically for P.E.I. It’s one of 13 similar garden projects set to open across the country this summer. Each province is using its own themes, materials, and plants to honour the queen’s 70^th anniversary.

The couple who donated the lavender was present for Wednesday's unveiling.

“It’s an honour for us to donate towards something, a good cause for P.E.I.,” said Paul Tymstra. “It looks great out here.”

They also have a personal connection.

“That’s actually because of the queen why Antoinette came over,” said Trish Tymstra. “My mom was from England, and I know lavender is from England, so it was more exciting I think.”

The lieutenant-governor personally oversaw the garden's design.

“She (the queen) loves Prince Edward Island,” said Perry. “I can just see her sitting on the bench admiring the beauty of this garden and treasuring it, because she does love Prince Edward Island. I know that, she told me that.”

A special four-day holiday weekend kicks off in the U.K., Thursday celebrating the queen's 70^th year on the throne.

Far away in Charlottetown, the new garden symbolizes how close she remains to Islanders.