October 1 , 2015
Design Ideas from Toronto to Texas
On a speedy , yet inspiring trip to Toronto in June for theGarden Blogger ’s Fling , I did n’t hale much home in my suitcase . But I chock up my head with ideas , which made it through Customs just all right . This front porch is really quite Austin chic!I swooned over plants that I ca n’t raise , like heart - thief Solomon ’s Seal . Thanks toSusan Harrisfor the ID ! I figure that my winter - bloomingLeucojum aestivumbulbs will make a fine backup man for this summer fishy Toronto beauty . With gratifying ease , I can oppose this stunning duet of Ag and white : Artemisia ludovicianaand flag . Not sure I can grow flamboyant white - bloom Baptisia and honestly , I ca n’t remember what that silvery groundcover is . For sure , we can go for white salvias , argent ponyfoot , creeping germander or woolly stemodia . I drooled over the variegated iris I ’d never assure before . seem at how it pops out in “ psycho ” ignitor . An expert with theIris Society of Austinsaid that we can grow variegated iris except for Nipponese and Siberian interpretation .
silver gray and burgundy is an invincible combination . I ’d belike engraft this silvery echeveria and begonia in a robust charcoal container . What a kick to see a preferred grouping : lamb ’s ear , royal salvia , and goldenrod . Like this Toronto gardener , I like to texture up with daylilies , small grasses and artemisia . In several gardens , I spotted my favourite ‘ Helen von Stein ’ lamb ’s ear , here to soften a border and delightfully contrast deep greenish boxwood . Catmint is a reciprocal favorite for its silver grey - toned leave and lavender flowers that bees enjoy . We can brew a soothing tea with its leaves , but we all have it away the REAL reason many of us grow this perennial!On those 50 shade of purpleness , I ’ve perplex to find a elbow room to achieve this one of genus Allium and clematis . In the same chromaticity spectrum , their various forms and summit magnify each plant life . In a fairly small space , theToronto Botanical Gardendazzles with depth and verve . But I ill-use on the large - moving picture brakes when I sight their test garden of various alyssums , including Alyssum ‘ Dark Knight . ’Just a few month before on CTG , Texas A&M ’s Brent Pemberton showed off a heat - roll in the hay alyssum in that same novel hybrid test . But the winner in Texas is Alyssum ‘ White Stream ’ , declare aTexas Superstarin June . Toronto - to - Texas trial have in mind that we can cull up the right plant in our local nurseries .
At the historicParkwood Estate in Oshawa , we were treated to Downton Abbey - like period glamour and “ characters . ” Even though we ca n’t alternate marigolds with cooler - conditions cold miller here in summer , certainly we can make similar contrasting dramatic play in our annual beds , even with upcoming downfall lucre ! And this winter : calendulas with moth-eaten miller – oooh!Everywhere , garden reminded me that powerful views begin with depth and divers grain . Boxwood frame this side thou destination in Toronto , just as it can for us . Grab attention with light . I do begrudge Toronto gardeners their achiever with Japanese maples!The Toronto Botanical Garden maximizes our connection to each plant through deepness , direct contrast in color and grain , and structure to formalise hang line . In a small garden , plantswoman extraordinaireMarion Jarvieachieves the office of depth while framing unparalleled spaces that block out the thought to the neighbors . She encourages even more viewpoints with a walk - around central island bed . Berms elevate drainage , of course , but also add depth on her flat terrain . Like Marion , we can build dimension and a “ peeking point ” with a pergola . Her front grounds border soften the street view without a soldierly roadblock . The Toronto Botanical Garden promenades lush diversity to attract pollinators . Their galvanized raised beds ramp up our view , thanks to a spectacular contrast against the natural stone pathway . allow ’s not omit the purview at our feet . Now , let ’s add pee to soothe us and hydrate our wildlife . Marion Jarvie tucked a pond into her island seam . And oh , how I bed this narrow current at the Toronto Botanical Garden!Along with all the insightful nurseryman I meet , here ’s the ultimate Texas to Toronto connection ! I was respect to meet Harry Jongerden , Toronto Botanical ’s Executive Director . He told me that he was head to a conference to meet up with Andrea DeLong - Amaya , senior programme coordinator at theLady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center ! little humankind , indeed . Thanks for stopping by ! See you next week , Linda
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