Guest Garden Tours
There are always those rare and exciting moments when I stumble upon gardens that leave me both weak in the knees and breathless at the same time. It is my hope that I will be able to document some of these very gardens within this section.
A Shade Sanctuary:
The gardeners who created this spectacular garden have been tending for it for thirty five years. Originally a local manse, it was then a maternity hospital and finally converted into four apartments. The results are nothing less than spectacular with the amazing stone-scaping and minute details that give this garden a personality that matches the owners!
A fabulous stand of Norway Spruce line the drive and have cast much of the front garden (tiers create a captivating sense of depth) in shade.
One of my favourite genera, Aconitum, thrive in the dappled sunlight in the back gardens.
I was thrilled to see familiar, but less known plants such as this stunning Aralia cashemerica. It produces cylindrical lime green flower stalks, followed by stunning dark wine-purple coloured fruit.
Statuary present throughout thegarden reflects not only their true artistic talent, but also a whimsical sense of humour! It is important that a garden reflect it’s owner.
The presence of a water feature brings a tranquility to the back gardens and aids in silencing the nearby traffic pollution.
The play of sunlight on the various hues of green, as well as the various heights allows for plants to truly glisten and radiate in the evening sunlight.
Dare I mention, a garden that includes Clematis tubulosa ‘Alan Bloom’ will always be a garden close to my heart!
The placement of Ligularia ‘The Rocket’ ensures that it catches the evening light and radiates as it’s cultivar suggests!
A wonderful example of the colour, textural and height variations current throughout many plantings.
Keeping shrubs to designated heights ensures that a balance is maintained. I have never before come upon a more demure, lady-like Cotinus coggygria ‘Grace’ before! The one in my garden looks like a burlesque dancer by comparison!
Plantings, hard scaping and grading of the property throughout the years has resulted in a multi level shaded sanctuary!
The near ebony stems of Artimisia lactiflora ‘Guizhou Group’ stand out against the creamy flowers and the setting sun in the background.
A keen attention to detail – lighting, texture and height result in combinations such as this that are truly a pleasure to capture on film.
Various Hosta species and Phlox thrive in the dappled shade cast by the stand of Norway Spruce.
I must remember to support my Clematis tubulosa ‘Alan Bloom’ next season. This is another thrill of visually recording other people’s gardens – they are filled with new and exciting possibilities!
The layout of a garden is essential in creating ‘rooms’ or ‘themes’ within an overall plan. This cleverly designed area represents the ‘authentic woodland garden,’ where Athyrium, Arisaema, and Actaea all covort happily with one another.
A sitting area is essential if only to be able to bask in the beauty of your creation. This covered area is at the front of the house and looks down upon the shaded tiers.
Remember to seek out plants that will ‘grab their attention as they walk by!’ There is nothing more rewarding than watching the reactions that your garden creativityelicits in total strangers! Phytolacca americana with it’s tropical looking red-wine fruits is sure to stop people in their tracks!
The evolution of this garden is in a state of constant flux. As the Spruce spread their canopy, an increasing amount of shade in created and grass tends to appreciate more sunlight. Poor grass….. NOT! Another new shade border is under construction!
The use of hard scaping – the flagstone walkway and the stone walls will soon come into their own as the display of horticultural wizardry slowly winds down for the winter.
Envision if you can the yard blanketed in snow with only the stone walls visible. ‘They seem to breathe life into a somewhat desolate landscape during the harsh winter months.’