Story Kathleen Duncan | Photography Sandy MacKay

Inspiration blooms each July as the gates open for the Georgian Bay Garden Tour. Stroll through these pages to marvel at seven impressive gardens featured in the tour’s 25th anniversary event. Nurtured by volunteers, artisans and supporters, 2019’s tour raised $8,000 for Hospice Huronia.

Waterfront Woodland

Monica Cordes & Roger Morreau
Tiny Beaches

Flagstone paths weave through this hearty waterfront woodland garden leading to a choice of chairs and perspectives. The rugged terrain, calmed by a constant breeze floating in from an uncluttered expanse of Georgian Bay, features low-slung rock gardens and dancing wildflowers against a backdrop of evergreen shrubbery. It is Monica and Roger’s ongoing labour of love to collaborate with nature to build this serene perennial retreat where one blends seamlessly with the other.

A single touch of whimsy, visible to passing boats, demands attention at the centre of this oasis. Far from the touch of Mother Nature, the hand-crafted yarn-bomb is a reminder that Monica has more than one creative interest. With bright colours that mimic the more muted tones of nearby flowers, grass and water, the tall artwork encircling the tree trunk is clearly a visiting cousin come to shake up the meditation.

Eclectic Cultivations

Linda Brubacher (and neighbour Barb A’Hern)
Tiny Township

Linda felt blessed to find her dream cottage, and delighted to discover it came with neighbours interested in landscaping and socializing together. Her gardening journey began with her first flower bed at the water’s edge and, over time, it crept around the entire property with 10 unique areas populated with their own wee folk and folklore.

Her gardens are rich in “critters” that were either gifts, thrift stop impulses or found objects that captured her attention and were rewarded with a second chance. Taking advantage of existing yard features, she recently finished a “turtle garden” that centred on a leftover cement dome she overturned as its shell.

Inspired by textures, colours and curiosity, Linda is an artist whose gardens are an extension of her studio. On her outdoor canvas, fairy houses co-exist with Japanese crimson maples and coral bells, which range in colour from grey to acid yellow green.

Dry River Woodland

Patricia & Murray Belfry
Tiny Township

Situated on 75 acres just minutes from Midland, Patricia and Murray have a large yard, so self-reliant and drought-resistant plants are essential. Spring tulips, daffodils and trilliums are followed by perennials, grasses, flowering shrubs and trees. A favoured iron wood tree looks pruned and manicured but isn’t. Colourful annuals are restricted to large pots and border gardens around the house.

Once thwarted by randomly situated boulders, the Belfrys purchased heavy equipment 20 years ago to “do something beautiful with them.” Now the rocks work with the landscape not against it.

With six grandchildren, the yard has to function beyond aesthetics. The youngsters stay busy in the playground, beach volleyball court and swimming pool, but also like to raid the nearby vegetable garden. However, with that much space, the family isn’t limited to the yard. With a vast network of bush and trails, their time is well spent hiking and biking.

An English Inspiration

Susan Miller
Midland

When Susan moved from Barrie to her retirement home, the backyard craved a green thumb and a vision. She didn’t have either, but she did have the determination to learn and quickly became a regular at Northland Nurseries and other local garden centres.

She thinks her love of English gardens steered her choice of plants, colours and their mature look. She preferred perennials, but added annuals for the summer colours and variety. She returned from her first trip to the store with 40 one-gallon pots and a yearning for all those left behind. Many other trips followed.

Now, sitting on her new deck she feels nothing is “more calming and relaxing than to sit outside listening to the birds and insects attracted to the pollen and seeds as well as seeing the sheer beauty of the flowers glowing in the sun. “There is no other place I would rather be than in my backyard.”

Garden Pond

John & Susan Anderson
Victoria Harbour

The garden pond with lush water lilies is teaming with wildlife (both real and faux) hiding in the shadows and at the edge of the gravel path. The serene environment just beyond the wrought-iron garden gate welcomes visitors to a mystic past where woodland sprites or a water horse might just appear.

The dappled sunlight feeds a range of thriving plants from roses to hostas to ferns on the mixed woodland floor. A natural symphony provides the soothing soundtrack to fill the senses as it mingles with the colours, scents and textures filling every direction.

The bounty of Georgian Bay may be close, but for the Andersons, their private water feature rewards their attention every day. A pond is a high-maintenance garden option. Its health depends on the diligence of its caretakers. With a second-generation love of gardening in all its forms, this couple is up for the challenge.

Cottage Garden

Doug Tilcox
Waubaushene

Doug has completed the garden at his home twice. The cosy century home was built in 1875 and functioned as a library, a retail store and a Women’s Institute at different times in its history. After beautifying the property the first time, he sold it about a decade ago. He then bought it back last year. In the meantime, the gardens he had planted were neglected and severely damaged.

He has since brought the gardens back to full health. A self-identified “green guy,” he has added Japanese maples, ferns, hostas and bushes to add a tonal range and texture rather than colour. His charming yard also features a pond, window boxes, bird houses and a wheelbarrow planter.

“l have always loved plants and nature. l just enjoy gardening and making things beautiful.” Wanting to support local small businesses, he tends to shop all over town for his garden supplies.

Therapeutic Gardening

Kay Hawkins
Oro-Medonte

Kay loves the peace of being in her garden. She loves the sound of birds and wildlife, and the privacy when the trees fill out in the spring. She says her garden has kept her sane for years and her children are aware that “a mummy who got an hour in the garden after work was a much nicer mummy than one who didn’t.”

At first, she planned to ensure colour from spring to fall, but that plan evolved in years where she became fascinated by a certain plant group or when height or texture was more important.

“I do a walk round every morning. Sometimes, it can take a few hours if something in the garden calls for attention or I start to hunt for a certain plant.” With a noted dislike for cutting grass, Kay is currently working on a Wildflower patch at the front of her property. OH

Secret Gardens