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Canadian Pioneers

Delving into the Ottawa archives reveals a fascinating connection between the Parisien family and Canada’s anniversary. In 1867, Louis Parisien III, a pioneering gardener and ancestor of the family, moved to Cyrville. As the first in a long line of gardeners, he broke new ground by cultivating the local land and selling his products in the bustling ByWard Market. According to Suzanne Martin Labelle (free translation of her words), “Louis Parisien had a vision for this region, and his expertise in market gardening enabled Cyrville to flourish as a major hub for vegetable gardening.” This pivotal moment marked the beginning of a remarkable journey that would shape the family’s destiny.

Roots of Tradition

The Parisien family’s rich history in gardening spans seven generations, with each one building on the legacy of the last. From humble beginnings on York and Byward streets, the family’s passion for gardening grew, with Louis III being the first to own gardening land. His father, Louis Parisien II, played a vital role in cultivating and selling the land’s produce. The torch was then passed to Cleophas, who ignited a spark in Paul-Emile, the fourth generation gardener.

Adapting to Change

Paul-Émile’s life was marked by significant events that shaped the family’s future. As Ottawa City expanded, he was forced to cede a portion of his agricultural land to accommodate the construction of Highway 417. This change in circumstances prompted the family to revolutionize their approach, transitioning from traditional field cultivation and cold frames to greenhouse production. Having once delivered his products to market by horse and wagon, Paul-Émile was thrilled to take advantage of modernization and begin trucking his products, embracing the benefits of innovation.

A Shift in Focus

The Parisien family’s early success was built on selling fresh vegetables. However, as the years passed, Paul-Émile, his wife Dolorès, and their family shifted their focus to plant sales. This new direction brought a kaleidoscope of colours to their offerings, featuring a wide variety of bedding plants like geraniums, marigolds, and petunias, as well as many vegetable plants.ts.

A New Era of Growth

As the family’s knowledge and expertise in greenhouse culture continued to grow, so did their ambition. Jean, Paul-Émile and Dolores’s second son, followed in his parents’ footsteps and dedicated his career to greenhouse culture. In the mid-1970s, he made a bold move, relocating the company to Cumberland. This strategic decision allowed him to expand the wholesale division of Parisien Greenhouses while maintaining the traditional retail sales at the Byward Market.

Innovation and Sustainability

In 1990, Daniel, eldest son of the 6th generation, became co-owner. He built a 30 000 sq. ft production greenhouse complex, in 1994, south of the village of Bourget, located east of Ottawa. He prioritized efficiency and environmental sustainability by switching from oil furnaces to a hot water heating system. This new system burned biomass from the local forest maintenance program, reducing the company’s ecological footprint. He also developed many heat retention systems.

Early 2000

As their father prepared for retirement, Mario, Daniel’s younger brother, stepped forward to take on a new role. He began by operating the Cumberland site, gaining valuable experience and insight into the family business. After a few years, Mario joined Daniel in Bourget, and together they expanded the complex to an impressive 55,000 sq. ft. For many years, the brothers worked side by side, producing and selling plants while maintaining Cumberland as a vital point of sales. Eventually, Mario officially opened a garden centre under the banner Jardinerie Le Migrateur Garden Centre. Today, he produces and sells his own crops on site.

A heartbreaking decision…

Over the years, owners of Serres D. Parisien assessed their options, studied the habits of their customers and were able to adjust their production in order to continue to meet the demands of consumers in Ottawa. However, some decisions regarding the restructuring of the ByWard Market and the celebrations of Canada’s 150th anniversary directly affected the stalls normally occupied by the Parisien family. Regretfully, brothers Daniel and Mario Parisien decided to bow out of the ByWard Market, putting an end to the presence of a pioneer family in the heart of the capital.

Yesterday to today, times have changed…

Today, Serres D. Parisien is operated by Daniel Parisien, for whom growing annual bedding plants is a lot more than a job; it is a passion. His wife and children are also involved in the activities of the company. Raised between the bedding flats and the planters, Emile, Pier-Jean and Ariane learned the trade early on and still contribute part-time as they enjoy their respective careers.

Because quality is a tradition!

Loyal to his ancestors, proud of his origins and passionate about horticulture, Daniel continues to operate the family business. He is committed to offering high-quality products and expert advice to ensure our customers have a successful gardening season. You can always meet Daniel in the greenhouses or the garden centre in Bourget, where he’s happy to discuss products, maintenance requirements, and ideal growing conditions.

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Serres D. Parisien