9 Jun 2011

A Sneak Peak: Fergus Hort’s 2011 Garden Tour

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The evening got underway at St. James Anglican Church’s butterfly garden. Wonderful drifts of flowering perennials ensure that this is a magnet for the local butterfly population. Meticulously maintained borders are available for rent for any summer inspired function

DSC_0583A meander down Side Road 10 [7224] brought us to our second stop. A 1902 vintage schoolhouse and surrounding property held the group under its spell!

DSC_0584  DSC_0588 A teahouse offers the owners a brief respite whenever the urge should strike, but with a property such as this, I should think they would consider it a piece of heaven year-round!

DSC_0589 Fabulous use of stone and sculpture ensured that visitor’s took their time to notice each intimate detail.

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Grasses were used to theatrical effect in the sunnier areas of the property including a bed that was once infested with the dreaded ‘goutweed!’

 DSC_0596I was most interested in the shadier nooks of the property that were filled with a vast array of ‘shady characters.’ 

 DSC_0595 DSC_0601 DSC_0604 Next stop was ‘Under the Willows’ an extensive property filled with a vast array of perennials. I was most impressed with the magnificent heads of blooming Paeonia.

DSC_0606 DSC_0607 DSC_0609 DSC_0611 A home-made labyrinth adds to the uniqueness of the property, as does a row of rainbow coloured chairs! Of course the group can never turn down a photo-op!

DSC_0610 DSC_0613 DSC_0618 A riverside property on County Road 18 offered an enchanting view of the Grand combined with a meticulously manicured property, boasting what I consider to be some of the nicest specimens of Salix integra ‘Hakuro Nishiki’ that I have ever come across. See what I mean?

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 A delightful and colourful wind chime added the perfect touch of whimsy to the property, and the trickling sound of water was the perfect denouement for the view of the Grand that would come later!

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 DSC_0625 Look closely and you will notice one of many fly fishermen who test their luck along the Grand.

DSC_0636 A truly spectacular specimen of Cornus alternifolia, with its wonderful pagoda inspired branching was the highlight of the final stop on the tour. A local bed and breakfast, this property offered plenty for the vacationing gardener!

DSC_0638 A delightful walled garden, reminiscent of an English potager, elegantly edged in pristinely manicured Box was a delightful distraction from a nearby house recently built that loomed nearby! The owners have done a wonderful job of keeping their guests focused on the cause at hand, a wonderful series of gardens! I love that the wooden window frames seem to hang in the air as if my some magical force field!

DSC_0643 DSC_0641 Spiraea nipponica ‘Snowmound’ is delightful this time of year, and unlike its ganglier cousin S. ‘Bridalwreath’ it maintains a more compact, fuller growth habit, with its arching branches weighted down with bloom! Sublime!

DSC_0644 A delightful evening, with the weather agreeing with us…. for once! It can rain all day tomorrow if it wants! Many thanks to the talented gardeners who have opened their properties to our Society for this annual gala! Mark June 12th on your calendar and come out and see these delightful gardens in all of their glorious bounty! A donation to the local FoodBank is greatly appreciated!

2 comments:

GRACE PETERSON said...

Gorgeous photos! What a fun time you must have had.

Barbarapc said...

Barry, wonderful photos. I so admire how hard the gardeners work to make their gardens glow on show day. Hope it was a great success.
B.