The Gardens for 2010

This symbol used throughout this list of our gardens refers to locations with greater ease of access. Persons with mobility issues may wish to select from these gardens in designing their tour.     1.  The first Balm Beach site is a true cottage garden designed for summer relaxing.  A gazebo, fire pit, hammocks and shaded seating under tall trees make this a place to linger - however it is the well-tended gardens that add depth to this retreat.  Lawn has been banished, instead hosta, ferns and daylilies surround the building.  Even a sunken row- boat is brimming with plant material.      2.  Just a few kilometers south of Balm Beach you will find this charming, well-designed waterfront property complete with a nice variety of perennials, grasses and trees.  The garden is just three doors from Jackson Public Park which has picnic tables, washroom facilities and parking.      3.  This Tiny Township property is a good place to make plant lists for difficult conditions.  The large corner lot is a sand dune but this practiced gardener has skilfully met the challenge.  Good plant choices, adapt use of texture plus art objects and the sound element offered by the pond’s fountain effectively creates an appealing retreat.     4.  For 20 years this Tiny Township garden has been evolving.  The large vegetable garden remains a fixture and its vertical elements will amaze visitors.  After hard work in the garden patch, the gardener can retreat to a sheltered seat on the deck to enjoy the trickling water fountain, birdhouses, reflecting mirror and baskets which frame the house.      5.  These garden enthusiasts have been creating a garden oasis on this large well-manicured shoreline property over 24 years.  Annuals punch up the colour but large perennial beds plus shrubs anchor the extensive gardens.  Hosta, sedum, lilies, herbs and more frame the patio around the home.  The flagstone path leads down through expanses of lawn towards the water to more plantings and fragrant baskets brimming with colour.      6.  A lovely older Penetanguishene home has had fresh spirit breathed into the perennial beds by the new owner.  This is a sloping property with striking views of the boat filled harbour but the gardens structure the foreground.  An arbour and ornamental grasses anchor the perennial beds.  The interesting bog garden adds an element of wild, attracting birds, frogs and even night visitors.     7.  Visitors to this lovely waterfront property in Victoria Harbour will find a huge pond complete with waterfall, a swimming pool and the gardens to complement both.  The striking gazebo located on the point is wonderful for viewing frogs, birds and various other wildlife.  A person will want to linger here in peaceful enjoyment.      8.  This Victoria Harbour townhouse has a lovely garden designed for long periods of colour, fragrance and texture.  Annuals and perennials fill the beds accenting the entrance and seating areas while framing the views.  Added to this, the property has many low maintenance garden features.      9.  The gardener at this waterfront property has designed the gardens of “Petite Falaise” with perennials and annuals.  Splashes of strong colour and foliage have been used to define depth.  The striking waterfront view complements the many elements in this restful garden.     10.  Well gardened but still very natural is the defining feature of this Penetanguishene property where boulders and winding paths twist and tumble down to the edge of the water.  This is a friendship garden where plants have journeyed from other homes and places to fill the border beds.  These souvenir perennials perform well in the high canopy shade of this inviting garden.     11.  A large mature Midland garden surrounds this heritage home and even includes a barn for a garden backdrop.  The garden edged terrace with pots and hanging baskets invite you to linger but so do many other tempting areas in this garden.  Huge trees cast dappled shade over a small pond, garden art and wide perennial borders.      12.  This downtown Midland garden is filled with whimsical elements and flights of fancy are evident everywhere.  The perennial beds are brimming with lush plant choices but the best surprise may well be down the back lane where you will find a wonderful productive vegetable garden.     13.  The garden size of this town property appears multiplied by sharing an extensive vista across neighbouring properties.  Good garden design has added to this and the owners have created an enticing shady space.  Almost all the mature perennial beds share space with iron sculptural pieces and that combination makes lingering here even more tempting.      14.  This two year old Midland garden shows its good bones.  Well-designed stone patios and stairs take advantage of the terrain and views.  Carefully chosen roses along with other plant material add colour and texture.  Lovely already, this is a garden that will age beautifully and promises ease of maintenance down the line.     15.  A tiny perfect Victoria Harbour jewel designed for fully engaged gardening as the owner ages. Raised accessible beds are an enviable feature but so are the hot tub with privacy screen, the wood burning stone cooking pit, and the privacy promised by a full cedar hedge surrounding the garden.  The garden brims with perennials and shrubs at the front and in the back.  The design creates wonderful combinations of colour and texture.      This symbol used throughout the above list of our gardens refers to locations with greater ease of access. Persons with mobility issues may wish to select from these gardens in designing their tour.

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