Let’s face it. I’m drawn to plants that are (for the most part) little iffy to overwinter even in my USDA Zone 8 garden. So traveling to Toronto, Ontario, where winter is a reality and snow happens (they’re a USDA 5-6 depending) chances are I wasn’t going to be wowed by the plant palette. I was going to have to look a little deeper…
My posts on this year’s Fling are no doubt going to be out of order and not terribly quick in coming, it takes me time to process it all! I wanted to start with this garden because it really intrigued me. It had some nice solid plants, but nothing high on the WOW meter. The design elements are what really stood out to me, starting at the front of the property.
So, in a neighborhood where this…
And this…
And this, seemed to be the norm...
This really made a statement…
Its purpose is to deter the neighborhood dogs, but wow it looks good doing it don’t you think?
Here's a small sampling of what the fence was protecting.
I had a feeling this garden was going to be interesting.
Walking up the drive towards the house I got a little peek-a-boo view.
Still not getting the entire picture...
Closer...
Simple
And just little "odd," which is how I like it! (does anyone really sit in that chair?)...
Someone sits in these chairs. In fact I took a moment to enjoy the one on the left.
Matching, but not all matching.
Besides a plethora of cool chairs there were also many cool cement/stone planters.
The ultra-modern chairs where a great compliment to the classical planters.
The must be fish in there that need protecting?
You know I do love a pop of orange.
Here's the house. I didn't get a chance to ask, but I bet the lath-like wall encloses a sleeping porch?
Actually maybe I didn't ask because I didn't want to be told that wasn't the case.
There was ample use of Hakonechloa throughout the garden, I do love that grass - and you don't see the solid, darker green, version much anymore.
This scene greets you as you enter the back garden.
And overhead - a great old street lamp...
I heard more than one person say something to the effect "I doubt they even use this space, with such a beautiful, private, space out front."...what!? Of course they use this space!
In my (overactive) imagination the doors at the top of the stairs (above) open off the kitchen and this is the perfect area to enjoy a peaceful cup of coffee in the morning. There were chairs flanking this planter (birdbath?) - but I didn't include them, instead I wanted you to focus on the details here.
Looking up at the back of the house.
And preparing to head back out front.
Did I mention there were a lot of cool chairs?
A last look at the front garden (full of bloggers)...
And a moment to appreciate the plantings at the edge of the house/driveway.
And then we were off to another garden!...
All material © 2009-2015 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
There's almost always a takeaway. I need more chairs! I've also been hunting for larger diameter pipes to use but these smaller ones make a great statement.
ReplyDeleteYou've certainly got the space for a chair collection Shirley, and how are you planning to use the pipes?
DeleteI've seen bits and pieces of this garden on other blogs (someone shared the fence, someone else showed that Allium bed), but not the whole picture. I like Fling blog posts that show the whole garden, and give you a sense of how the garden was put together. Thanks for that! And thanks for being honest and saying you didn't think you'd be wowed by the plant palette.
ReplyDeleteMe too Alison! While I appreciate those that have the creative energy to pull together themed posts (the fences of Toronto, plants I fell for, etc) I'm old fashioned I guess and just want to share the gardens as I saw them. Or rather as I want you to see them! (ha)
DeleteSuddenly the chairs become more than functional items but also focal points of garden art!
ReplyDeleteAs I recall you guys have some pretty "arty" (mean that in a good way) chairs in your garden too!
DeleteYou captured one of my favorites so well. Having been allowed to use the washroom, I can share it had the most wonderful wallpaper. Line drawings of various insects repeated over a cream background - perfect.
ReplyDeleteJEALOUS! I peeked in a couple of windows and swooned over what I saw. Why didn't I think to ask to use the washroom too!!!
DeleteThis looks like a pretty interesting garden, Danger. Like the commenters above, I appreciate a look at the entire garden rather than snippets or themes. Great use of garden art, if you want to call it that, it has a good vibe. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThere was a piece of real garden art, I just chose not to include it because, well, I didn't care for it.
DeleteWhat gorgeous pictures and perspective! Like you, I didn't expect to bring home specific plant ideas but the concepts and fun quirks translate to any zone.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm sure you got a few of those, yes?
DeleteThis was one of my favourites of our Fling gardens. And to think I've seen it three times and never considered looking up! Thanks for the 360, Loree.
ReplyDeleteGlad to help Helen!
DeleteI really like this garden for the hardscape and the way it drew me in. Fun picture of Shawn and I : ) Do you know I didn't even know there was a back garden to look at. The chairs are very cool and had a feeling that they were used and often. And the art was not over powering and took me a while to even actually notice. I am still thinking about this garden! I enjoy seeing it through your eyes!
ReplyDeleteI was hoping you'd stop by and get to see that photo! And I can see why you'd miss the back garden, especially with so many pesky bloggers milling about!
DeleteThe design concepts are great. That's what I like about the ANLD tours too (although they are increasingly embracing more unusual plant choices).
ReplyDeleteAh see, now you're making me wonder if I shouldn't hit the ANLD Tour tomorrow!
DeleteYou should...did you?
DeleteNo, life got in the way...
DeleteLove the details on this one and the massing of plants for texture. The fence was especially great. Any idea what the groundcover was in the front (or at least, first presented garden) … sort of looks like Liriope, but appears too relaxed for that? I like how its low, almost swirling. Thanks for sharing, can't wait to see the other gardens!
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't Liriope, but I'm not sure what it is. If I find out (via other bloggers) I will let you know.
DeleteReports are it's a mix of Carex pensylvanica and Eco-lawn.
DeleteWhat I like about this garden is the way it feels like it's been here for a while. You don't collect so many unique chairs in a year or two, and you can see the marks of time on everything -- a good thing. Looking forward to seeing more!
ReplyDeleteGreat point Alan, I was probably responding to that as well, and just didn't realize it.
DeleteNice touches. I really like that front fence.
ReplyDeleteMe too!
DeleteSo lush. I bet green is the predominant color in Toronto.
ReplyDeleteDo you know what the grass is in the photo with the lone chair (http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JwmceJKg4GY/VYIvlrgqzVI/AAAAAAABHHE/dS8MZHOy1KE/s640/hsw111.JPG)?
It was very green, but not as green as Chicago! Okay we only flew and and out but wowsa, flying over mile after mile of lush green ground and trees. I was amazed. As for the grass, dunno. I just posted the question on the Fling FB page though so hopefully someone will have an answer!
DeleteReports are it's a mix of Carex pensylvanica and Eco-lawn.
DeleteOh, that chartreuse grass! Amazing and lush! The fence! And the Corten! I love Corten in the garden! I love seeing plants that I'm not familiar with, too! Wonderful place and great photos!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it Robin!
DeleteNice chairs. What a neighborhood! They don't build houses like that here. I think I recognize some bloggers, too.
ReplyDeleteI bet you do, recognize a few. As I said before, you were missed!
DeleteYes, that was a good one, wasn't it?! Your photo of the Alliums is one of the best ones I've seen. It seems we all captured their magic from one angle or another, but your photo is excellent! I miss Toronto and all the fun bloggers.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I really liked that photo too, the sun dots (there's probably a real name for that phenomenon but I don't know it) seemed to echo the magic.
Delete(lens flare!)
DeleteYou got much better photos of this shadowed/brightly lit garden than I did. This was one of my absolute favorite gardens on the Fling too. Maybe THE favorite, actually.
ReplyDeleteIt was a hard one to photograph, that's for sure!
DeleteBeing an old house freak, I was a little in love with the first and third picture! This garden certainly is a contrast! Loved the details on the birdbath/planter.
ReplyDeleteThose alliums! Wow! I love the fence enclosing the area with the alliums and chairs. And that lath wall up above creates a tantalizing mystery, at least for me. What cozy little space could it be hiding?
ReplyDeletedid you get any info on how that pole fence was assembled. it's so uniform, seems it must be structured underground? it's so cool.
ReplyDeleteI thought this was a really cool garden. I liked how secluded it was. LOVE the first allium photo!
ReplyDeleteLate to the party, but thanks for the great photos of a beautiful garden. Inspiration everywhere you turn!
ReplyDeleteVery cool chairs, and I also love that horizontal wooden fencing with whatever it is that's planted in front of it running the full length of the fence.
ReplyDelete