Botanical Trespassing: The First for 2013

P, a wonderful artist/gardener and her husband A, a talented gardener in his own right, stopped by the nursery a week or so ago and invited me to their nearby property. P was especially excited to show off a recent collaboration between she and A that utilized recently purchased nursery stock as well as a pair of antique wrought iron frames. Unfortunately work kept me from visiting until now!

 Wishing to delineate their property from the neighbors, they had three posts installed, between which two wonderful wrought iron gates have been hung. Beyond them is a simple planting of Thuga occidentalis ‘Degroot’s Spire,’ which is my favourite within the genus with its narrow, tight vertical presence, combined with the delicate laciness of its fronds.

A delightful property that is broken down into a number of garden vistas, each one firmly rooted within a central element – in this case, a trip to England inspired A to manicure a lush green Buxus hedge, so reminiscent of the Great English gardens!

Large drifts of Paeonia, Phlox, Chelone and Papaver add a rustic country charm, artistically divided with a rail fence.

A corner at the back of the house has been turned into a seating area. The rich colour chosen for the outside of the house only intensified the richness of the reds and oranges scattered throughout the property.

The back of the property is home to a pergola, over which a magnificent white Rosa scrambles. One can sit here and view the property in reverse.

Upon seeing this rich wine coloured Paeonia, I was instantly transported back in time to the sunny border in my Grandmother’s garden.

I questioned as to whether the darling Chiasifolium oppositifolium, the diminutive succelent leafed plant with the pendulous canary yellow chain like flowers, was hardy, to which P replied that it was more than happy in its placement. Yet another wonderful vignette that you need to be on hands and knee to fully appreciate!

Just beyond a second pergola that A constructed is the entrance to the woodland garden/ Here is another example of the passion and attention to detail that the property encompasses – each stone was located, transported and laid by hand!

Those familiar with my penchant for all things shady will understand the excitement of walking through this latest garden endeavor for both P and A.

The trunks of decades old Thuga create the perfect backdrop for the evolving woodland garden!

Remembering the great excitement exhibited by both P and A in reference to their most recent garden embellishments, I was excited to turn my camera toward them in anticipation of capturing their antiquated beauty! I was not disappointed!

A personal favourite that captures the beauty of both the intricate metalwork as well as capturing the lushness of the garden in the background!

  Yes, I could have focused my lens on this subject matter for the remainder of my visit, but as a horticulturalist, I needed to tear myself away so that we could explore the remainder of the property!

Thanks to an abundance of rainfall in the past month, lush is the new way of life, and when you’ve got Hosta in drifts such as this, you can’t help but look spectacular!

Kindest thanks to P and A for their gracious invitation. I am thrilled to use this sublime property as my first of what will hopefully be many future episodes of ‘Botanical Trespassing.’