Let the Tour Begin!

I’ve been clipping and weeding, transplanting and hoeing, preening and primping [the plants that is, not myself, for those who choose to believe such balderdash!] in preparation for a tour bus of members of Toronto Botanical Gardens. Yesterday [Thursday] was the big day!

The weather was agreeable, finally, after what started off to be a wet week, but the humidity showed signs that it was definitely on the rise. Luckily for me, I have only to traverse to the Upper Garden to find the solace and tranquility of the woodland! Easy to understand why it is my favourite location of the property!

The sweet aroma of freshly turned compost! I am sure that the bins will be filled once again with my next project at hand – a massive episode of Divide and Conquer that will take place in the central sun border!

A walkway through the central border, taking you from full sun to partial shade – frankly, its the only path to follow in life if you ask me! But then you didn’t, did you!

Lucky for me, the lawn maintenance crew look after the edging! I do not deal with ‘straight’ and all of my edges are rather rough and hirsute!

One of two massive, old and brittle Salix alba ‘Tristis’ did not endure a Spring ice storm very well and is of chief concern for me. The pair of sentinels flank the outer edges of the property, and without them a great deal of the ambiance will disappear. Sadly nature has spoken and it will only be a matter of time. I rue the day!

It was been a stellar year for the Lonicera! This one appears to float above a rail fence at the entrance to the potage. The hummers have been out in droves, imbibing themselves on its sweet nectar!

I mentioned the Upper Garden, also referred to as the White or Woodland Garden. A more formalized planting scheme include a number of clipped Buxus as well as an array of fern, Arisaema, Trillium and other woodland delights!

A walkway from the upper to the central garden is filled with delightful woodland treasures including a personal favourite Kirengeshoma palmata – one that was commented on by keen eyed tour visitors. A few were familiar, and hopefully after my enthusiastic pontification, it will make its way into more woodland gardens!

  A century stone cottage, whose current resident is also an accomplished interior designer, maintains much of its old world charm, and with its river setting, makes a delightful retreat from the business of the nearby busy artists haven downtown core. It never ceases to amaze me as to how close this property is from the main thoroughfare!

It was thrilling to be able to converse with other ‘green’ minded people, whose keen enthusiasm was very rewarding for me. The final push is always fraught with anxious anticipation. A ‘fly by’ from the resident Blue Heron and a ‘swim past’ by one of two white swans that reside in the Grand during the summer was perhaps the ultimate coup! One couldn’t have planned it better. It seemed almost ‘contrived’ upon reflection!

Kind thanks to Dorothy for allowing me to continue my stewardship of such a delightful property! When you have a green tapestry such as this to come to every week, it hardly seems like ‘work!’ To Inge for spearheading the Elora portion of the tour – you bring a green magic to everything you touch! Heartfelt best wishes to tour organizer Frank Kershaw, who, due to personal illness was unable to attend. To Susan Hills, you did a magnificent job standing in for Frank! Your enthusiasm was infectious! I hope that our paths will cross again, and finally to the visitors themselves, your enthusiasm, knowledge and reverence toward this sublime property inspire me to continue to ‘grow’ and expand the plant material repertoire. Kind thanks!