Island hopping, Toronto-style: Toronto Garden Bloggers Fling
Seventy garden bloggers boarded a ferry earlier this month and were transported from bustling downtown Toronto (pictured above) to the idyllic lanes of the Toronto Islands (below), a mere 15 minutes across Lake Ontario but seemingly a world away.
This was the last tour on our first day of the Toronto Garden Bloggers Fling, and we were treated to a preview visit of the islanders’ private gardens, which would be open for a public tour the following weekend (June 6-7).
First we were herded together for our official Fling portrait, with the spectacular Toronto skyline in the distance. Then, with maps in hand, we were set loose, free to wander at will between Ward’s and Algonquin Islands, which are connected by a footbridge.
The islands are said to be the largest urban car-free community in North America. Traffic-free lanes lead to densely built cottages, where bikes are parked beside every door.
Bicycles with trailers are the transport of choice for residents and visitors alike. I saw these on the ferry as well.
Of course one could always sail over from Toronto.
Ownership of one of the 262 homes on the islands is coveted and strictly limited. Due to a government settlement over a land dispute, homeownership on the islands really amounts to a 99-year lease on the property and ownership of the structure only, not the land. Those wanting to buy in must sign up on a waiting list of 500 names and be prepared to wait approximately 35 years for a spot to open.
Happily, anyone can visit the islands and stroll or bike around to see the charming cottages. Everything, even construction and landscaping materials, must be brought in on bike or non-motorized cart, we were told, and trash goes out the same way, so islanders tend to be creative recyclers in their garden decor.
Gardens that were open to us were marked on our map, but many others could be enjoyed from the lanes.
As we strolled around, friendly islanders working in their gardens sometimes invited us in, even if they weren’t officially on the preview tour. This rear garden was in full spring glory (even though it was June!) with golden chain tree and alliums.
More alliums — the official flower of the Toronto Fling, by the reckoning of head planner Helen Battersby. I’d have to agree. They were everywhere.
Dark purple tulips, nearly black, harmonized nicely.
Tulip and allium combo
This house was nearly swallowed up by vines.
But its twin, nearby, was stunning, with double orange poppies echoing the color of the front door.
This one looked like a fairy tale cottage in the woods.
Small lots mean creative gardening — and a lot of container gardening.
This one pulled off a secret garden vibe.
Variegated lilac blossom
I tried to guess what this arbor was made of. It looked like metal mesh baskets wired together.
Next to the harbor, yellow sail covers on the sailboats serendipitously matched yellow iris blooming around a massive old tree stump.
Lilacs and iris beckoned me into this garden.
It was lovely.
I admired these glass dragonflies buzzing around a chartreuse-leaved hosta.
Porch pots
Bucking the island’s cottage-garden trend, this back garden was formally designed and centered around a circular pool.
Rhododendrons and spirea were showy that week, appearing in many Toronto gardens we visited.
But only the islanders get to enjoy this view — and we lucky visitors.
Coming up next: A tour of But-a-Dream, the garden of Jeannie Parker on Algonquin Island. For a look back at Sarah Nixon’s urban farm and floral demonstration, click here.
All material © 2006-2015 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
One of the fun things about the blog posts about the Toronto Islands is getting a peek into the gardens I didn’t see. That was such a special, fun place.
I really enjoyed the islands too, Jean. A highlight of the Fling. —Pam
Great photos Pam! You saw a few fabulous homes/gardens that I missed.
Likewise, Loree. I felt the same way reading your post about the island gardens. —Pam
What an interesting place. Love the gardens.
They were charming, Lisa. —Pam
Great post…so fun to see the islands through your lens. I really like the echoing you captured!
Thanks, Laurin. I enjoyed your islands post too! —Pam
How did I miss some of these gardens! I must been having tea while you were touring. Wonderful photos…
There was tea? 🙂 —Pam
Great shots of the near and far skyline! I forgot to capture a photo as we were leaving the city, and then it was so stormy on the way back. I’m still trying to figure out which gardens to highlight on my blog. I keep going back to “Themes of the Fling” thoughts, but I already did a post like that. Most of all, I was so pleased with how kind and fun all the bloggers were. I miss everyone. 🙂
Themes 2? I’d read it, Beth! I’ll be looking for your post. —Pam
You have a gift for uncovering the jewels of each place you visit, Pam.
What an eloquent and flattering compliment, Kris. Thank you. —Pam
Like you, Pam, I was very taken with many of the island gardens, even those not identified for our viewing. The islands were truly a place to explore. I plan on seeing them again. I liked the ferry ride too, except on the way back we got soaked, LOL, but it made for beautiful images.
That ferry ride was pretty wet, alright, but thank heavens the rain held off until then. And yes, the clouds made photography a lot easier than the sunnier days, didn’t it? —Pam
So alliums are to Toronto what agapanthus are to San Francisco?
I’m trying to imagine living on an island with no cars anywhere. It must have been so quiet there. Quiet and cool with blooms everywhere you look. Not sure if I’d wait 35 years for the chance, but it sounds glorious!
Kris put her finger on it. Honestly, if I ever attended a Fling I’d simply follow you around to see…”where’s Pam looking now?”.
I was just today reading in Garden Design about agapanthus being so commonplace (overused?) in San Francisco. How funny! I imagine alliums have a briefer show, but yes, they were everywhere. I wish I could grow them!
And I hope you DO attend a Fling one day, Deb, although I suspect you’ll be so busy with your own unique viewpoints you won’t notice anyone else’s — until you get caught in a scrum of bloggers all photographing the same thing, which happens quite often. —Pam
What beautiful gardens.
And, interesting info about these islands.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Linda. —Pam
I think the islands were a magical place…like time forgot.
It was a fantastic place to visit. —Pam
OK maybe you or one of your many garden-expert readers can explain this to me. An Allium is just a blooming giant onion. Onions grow like gangbusters in Texas. I’ve never thought of them as a particularly fussy plant. So why can’t we grow those giant allium in Texas?
I “get” tulips and stuff that needs cold. Why not allium?
Chris, it’s probably down to our ever-lovin’ nighttime heat and humidity in the summer. But maybe another reader can say for sure. —Pam
Love the recycled porcelain planters. They remind me of a house trailer that was near my grandparent’s place when I was a kid. The gardener there had a matching pair of white toilets on either side of the front door that held pink petunias every summer.
Once again your photos have made me want to travel.
A local plumbing supply company here in Austin, now torn down for condos, used to have a planted toilet by the entrance. Classy — and funny! —Pam