ELORA – When Sue and Paul Kelly decided to leave Kitchener and make their home on Mathieson Street in Elora, Sue had a stipulation.
She insisted the couple recreate their backyard at their new home.
“We were looking at new builds and what we wanted in a home, and I said I didn’t care, I just wanted a property where we could replicate what we had in Kitchener,” she said.
Sue’s skill as an ornamental gardener, and Paul’s as a carpenter were keys to their success.
“This is our 11th summer here, and when we moved into the house there was a small deck at the back, and a big bird feeder in the middle of the yard,” Sue said.
Along with two small garden areas, “from the back of the house to the cedar trees, that was it. We planted everything you see.”
The pool was the first piece of the puzzle. “The digger for the pool came the day after we moved in,” Sue said.
Paul built the two sheds that line the pool edge, and created a new back deck that seats several comfortably.
He also built a back shed and inserted windows that were being tossed out from an old home near Victoria Park, adding to the quaintness of the structure.
Sue said she learned a lot about gardening from her mother, who “was very knowledgeable with plant names. I learned so much from her.”
Sue’s mother died from cancer 19 years ago, and Sue said she spent a lot of time working on her mom’s gardens for her when she was ill.
Sue also learned a lot from the former owner of their Kitchener home.
“I inherited her gardens. That’s where the idea of mixing the lime green and the burgundies and keeping the flowers white came from,” she said.
All of the trees, shrubs and flowers planted are perennials that Sue compliments in the summer months with pots of annuals.
Sue said creating the fullness and colour didn’t take very long.
“The hedge of grasses came quickly,” and so did the willow trees and various shrubs.
The backyard is the Kellys’ “cottage staycation,” Sue said, and their kids and grandkids spend a lot of time there with them.
One of two structures Paul built along the pool deck area can be seen among the lush vegetation and potted flowers that adorn the space. Photos by Lorie Black
The upkeep of their backyard oasis is a labour of love.
“The spring and fall are busy, there is power gardening for sure,” said Sue.
“Most of what you see in the gated area and part of the backyard gets cut right down. And it’s a lot in the spring too.”
Sue said the couple continues to learn a lot through maintaining their backyard, noting, “Paul uses a chainsaw now because you have to cut a lot of this right down to six inches.”
Beyond the enclosed pool area of the couple’s yard, Sue said she wanted to create spaces where they could sit and relax.
“And the kids can play in the little tree fort that Paul made,” Sue said.
The Kellys planted over 30 trees in their yard, including a magnolia.
The couple continues to work on the property and Sue has plans to augment the east side with green ground cover to mitigate weeding and add to the overall colour scheme.
This year, Paul added garden lights that enhance the beauty of their backyard oasis at night.
Sue said the property takes a lot of work.
“I just find it, when I cut the grass and have everything to a certain level, very gratifying, instantly rewarding. I just love, love it,” she said.
The Kellys have a lot of visitors who take the time to enjoy their space then.
“There are people here all the time. People just drop in and it’s wonderful,” said Sue. “When you have people over, it’s fun. And living on Mathieson Street, living in Elora is amazing.”
