Friday, June 2, 2017

Rain Gear, Puddles and Some of Toronto's Finest Gardens!

Got to go to the media preview for the Toronto Botanical Gardens 30th anniversary tour:  "Through the Garden Gate" coming up June 10th and 11th. There will be 30 lovely North Rosedale and Moore Park gardens for you to enjoy.  And, if the 10 or so that I've seen are any indication, this tour is not to be missed.

Here's a little of what I saw that day and a few sunny day snaps that I took back in September. As you can see, these gardens are marvellous, no matter when you get to visit.


The architect of this fine home was Eden Smith, renown for his Arts & Crafts designs and many public buildings in Toronto including the Lawren Harris studio.  He believed that a home should provide its best views into the garden.  Look at the wall of windows and just imagine how gorgeous the views must be. 




Everyone on the tour works so hard to make their gardens look spectacular.  Coats of paint have been added since late last year.



There are lots of white and soft coloured flowers no matter the season.







This was our second stop.  Its has a great no-grass front garden and splendid roof-top garden.  There are several gardens with some really good ground covers on the tour this year.  The secret is pick your plants well and plant them in abundance -- don't wait for the magic, MAKE it happen.






Sean James came up to the top of the porch to get a better view.  Not only are there the usual suspects in the roof-top garden, they've planted iris as well!


I know there are those who aren't all that fond of chartreuse in the garden, but situated well it almost makes you think the sun is shining.


Such sweet little pansies.


If ever there was a spring to show off your formal boxwood garden -- it's this one:  Not too much snow and cold over the winter; lots of rain, and no scorching sun as the new growth appeared.  Here's my buddy Margaret Bennet-Alder, author of "The Toronto Gardener's Journal", who is turning 90 on the 19th of June.


The dear owner left her cushions out in the deluge so we could get the full effect -- and served us little treats and bubbles to wash it down with.  You can get an idea just how much rain we got that day:




Even big kids like to play in the rain -- a little soft shoe splish splash with Sara Katz.




And a few sunny shots from last fall:  A driveway that's more pattern than concrete.  And, who wouldn't want to spend time in the back corner with friends?



A cozy surprise in a sheltered corner garden:


A plant collector, who sources his plants from around North America, starts many from seed and has established a boxwood hedge from cuttings!



A garden with a cobbled walkway circling the garden.  


How's this for respecting what came first?!   Lots of limbed old bushes, but as you climb the stairs, look at the stonework around the tree.....



With 30 gardens on the tour, you're going to have to put on your runners and scoot.   While the tour is adding an extra hour, on both Saturday and Sunday, starting at 10:00 rather than 11:00, you'll be hard pressed to see it all.  But no matter where you start, or end, you'll have a great day.  Leave that electronic device at home and let the sights and sounds wash over you as you step "Through the Garden Gate".



4 comments:

Jennifer said...

It does look like this is going to be a great year for the tour. Sadly I may have to do the tour in just one day and am bound to miss some great gardens.

Barbarapc said...

I'm doing Sunday - don't think I can make it both days as well. Weather looks great tho. Should be a lot of fun!

Beth @ PlantPostings said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous! I remember Toronto fondly--for the people and the amazing gardens! Wow, that's a lot of rain!

CanadianGardenJoy said...

How are you doing Barb ! .. still sore from the garden work ? .. I have a good session once a week now and it takes that following week to get over it ! LOL
Hey .. I will stand up for chartreuse in the garden .. boo to the nay sayers ! LOL
The most striking thing that stuck in my mind was that huge tree in the middle of the concrete .. wow !
Beautiful pictures even in unruly weather ... thanks !
Joy : )