The front garden is framed with hardy roses ranging from red to pink, are observed on the other side of the path by a majestic yellow standard rose tree. The tidy circles of the front garden are dotted with peonies, white hydrangea, euonymus and yellow daylilies.  This garden also welcomes you with a massive Cotoneaster that is over 15 years old. The sapling yellow magnolia tree stands small but mighty on its own tiny circle of garden. Watch for the ‘hidden’ insect made of stones, adding movement and a sturdy set of stepping stones through one of the front gardens. The dwarf red maple tree is artful in its arrangement. When you’re ready, go around the side of the house and see where the burgeoning vegetable garden lives.

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The back garden, backing on to the golf course, enjoys the good fortune of a southwest exposure and contains several areas of mixed plantings that, while plentiful, feels airy and tidy Watch for Karen’s mom’s hydrangea as you enter the back garden. This content bush bloomed white in her mom’s garden and now reveals a light rosy, pink bloom.  Then there’s the orchid-like Jack in the Pulpits laughing and dancing by the Azaleas. This area features fruit trees, a thriving climbing hydrangea, and an oak leaf hydrangea notable for its peeling bark and striking summer blooms.  There’s also an herb garden, some native plantings like Echinacea and Black-Eyed Susans, Columbines, Hyacinth, Day Lillies, Sedum, Lavender and two proud twelve-year-old Yucca trees, which are usually found in arid climates but stand proud in this zone 7a region of Ontario.  The back is also dotted with large leaf Hosta’s and variegated Irises.

 

As you exit this stately garden, look around the north side of the house to see shade plantings, many of which were transplanted from a city garden of old.

 

Karen has had some hiccups along the way, the dramatic display of roses along the front path were originally a pleasant row of fescue grasses, but, as Karen describes, “they did not earn their keep – they just weren’t beautiful, now I have roses from June to the first frost”. She laughs as she says her secret to an abundant garden, “Ignore it!” and then quickly adds “fertilizing has made a massive difference for me”.  Creating a good soil base for her gardens has encouraged her plantings to blossom and grow.

Thank you Karen for sharing this incredible living tribute to the people in your life - past, present and future.