Garden Chats Summer 2021

Caroline's Garden

There were many facets to learn about Caroline’s impressive gardens – which plants have medicinal properties, the fertilizing impact of others and the protective advantages of companion planting. Caroline is an avid gardener and is very knowledgeable regarding the varieties of fruit trees and vines that she is cultivating. We learned about the true difference between dwarf trees and semi-dwarf trees, as well as the fact that there are also bush varieties of fruit trees. The perennial flowers and shrubs Caroline has selected add colour and beauty to her varied plantings.

Helen's Garden and Bees

The visit to Helen’s garden focused on her recent addition of a honey bee hive, rented from Apiverte annually. The bees live in an ideal environment, right beside Helen’s varied landscape of sun-loving flowers. We learned about how the numbers of bees has increased exponentially, how the bees manage their routines and environment and how the harvest is done (semi-annually). We suited up for a close-up look at the beehive and also had the chance to taste different varieties of honey, which occur when the bees retrieve the pollen from different plants and flowers – a fascinating workshop!

Astrid's Garden

Astrid’s garden is a feast for the eyes. She has mastered the art of inserting texture in the garden by highlighting the different colours and shapes of leaves; her play on the many angles of the sun when it touches the garden confirms her artistic talent. Her use of shade to focus the attention on the frontier between the cultivated part and the wild/natural part of her garden adds depth and distance to the limit of her property. Her artistic touch also adds whimsy to a country-style Victorian garden.

Suzanne's Garden

Suzanne’s garden revealed new plants and arrangements. Their use of the natural rocky landscape to highlight different heights and rambling habits of old-fashioned varieties was masterful. Their incorporation of new plants within the wild environment of native plants accentuates the adventurous side of her personality. Focus on shade plants, with the hot spots of orange begonias and other annuals, provides an atmosphere for reflection in a serene garden setting.

Michele and David's Garden

Michele and David’s garden brings into focus what community is all about, as well as demonstrating a real passion for the environment and the community. David is all gung ho about using natural fertiliser (chicken manure), less water and xeroscaping, incorporating vegetables with flowering plants and gardening with heritage stock. They started from scratch and have created a sustainable environment that benefits the garden community. Michele and David represent a generation of passionate gardeners who are very community and environment-oriented and they carry with them new ideas, new contacts and new methods. It was a stroke of genius to include their garden, as well as the community garden, on the tour.