Summer will soon be here with all its colourful grandeur and the Fergus Horticultural Society’s annual garden tour is a splendid way to applaud local gardeners, while picking up a few ideas for your personal space.
The self-guided tour is June 22 from 12:30 to 4:30pm, rain or shine. Tour goers may choose to begin the tour at any one of the five gardens.
This year’s tour includes smaller neighbourhood garden and expansive riverfront properties.
Guests from the most experienced horticulturalists to those novice gardeners will be able to talk with other gardeners and homeowners one on one.
Due to its strong educational commitment, the society does not sell tickets for the tour. In lieu of admission, a food or cash donation for the Centre Wellington Food Bank would be gratefully received.
Members of the society will also be present to answer questions concerning specific plant varieties and gardening techniques. Don’t forget to bring a camera to capture the stunning treatments.
This year’s tour includes stops at:
1) 270 Hill Street, Fergus.
The owner of this property receives kudos from many a passersby. “This one is for you, mine is in the back” is the response. Stone paths separate viburnum, Korean lilac and butterfly bush. Stately purple beech, magnificent blue spruce and a catalpa create a peaceful back garden. Coral bells, daylilies, pulmonarias, doronicums and euphorbias are perennials of favour. An environmentally friendly clover-based lawn attracts pollinators to the whole garden.
“My garden is always a work in progress with the aim to be easily maintained and enjoyed for years,” says this gardener.
2) 0580 South River Road, Elora.
This vast, multilevel property backs onto the Grand River. The landscape allows the homeowners to have hillside rock gardens, shaded gardens, marsh-like woody areas and flat sunny meadows.
Ten years ago, much of the property was covered in grass. Presently, the main plantings are perennials and shrubs, with punches of colour provided by annual planters on the wrap-around decks.
This unique property is a must-see on the tour. Although, the river is the main water feature a small pond for frogs and water plants has been fashioned from a recycled bathtub and strategically placed in the back sitting area.
The terrain is a real challenge but the homeowners have incorporated their love of gardening into all available spaces.
3) 0422 South River Road, Elora.
This 1870s property is situated on the banks of the Grand River. A historic renovated stone home is surrounded by majestic evergreens and English country gardens.
Old roses, grape vines, herbs, fruit trees, perennials and vegetable gardens make this a traditional well maintained garden. Hostas, pulmonarias and epimedium line a pathway entering into a tranquil wooded area. Two very friendly leashed dogs complete the idyllic setting.
Please DO NOT park on the road. Supervised parking is available on site.
4) 119 Halls Drive, Elora.
This unusual shape property incorporates a work in progress.
Like many other gardeners, the owners have eliminated the lawn. This area has been remarkably transformed into stunning beds. A multitude of perennials complement the overall design.
Among other highlights are the numerous mature trees and a dry river bed. The owner’s main objective in designing the gardens was to create a spacious outdoor room that could be viewed from either inside or outside of the home.
5) 121 Halls Drive, Elora
Like the previous garden, the homeowner decided to eliminate the grass areas.This relatively new garden is being developed to resemble an English country garden.
The owner has selected numerous eye-catching perennials that pleasingly add to the overall theme of the garden while hoping to encourage visits from wildlife and pollinating insects.
Detailed brochures and maps for the tour are available at LittleTree Horticultural Ltd., Hwy#6 North, Fergus, Cedar Spring Nursery, South River Rd., Elora, Fergus Information Centre, Albert & Tower St. S., and Elora Information Centre , Mill St., Elora.
A printable brochure and location map is available on the society’s website http://www.gardenontario.org/site.php/fergushs.
Submitted by Ron Stevenson
