Wildlife garden with an artful touch: Toronto Garden Bloggers Fling
On our last day of the Toronto Garden Bloggers Fling in early June, we visited a private garden described as a wildlife garden. I didn’t end up taking photos of its wildlife-attracting features, however. Instead I was drawn to the artful touches found throughout, many of them composed of natural materials. Most prominent was a blue-painted dead tree, centered like sculpture in the back lawn.
What an incredible focal point, don’t you think?
I also admired this cross-section of a tree stump, set on edge to become a sculptural accent in a shady bed.
And this egg-shaped stone, cradled in an upright tree branch.
Two cartoon-style paintings, hung on exterior walls of the house, create surprise and amusement as you encounter them along the paths.
This fellow seems a little worried about something, doesn’t he?
The back patio is inviting and homey, offering a prime view of the blue tree.
In front, a contemporary porch holds a few pots of colorful annuals.
I like this copper-colored planter.
The front garden slopes toward the street, and runoff has been tackled with a lovely dry stream that winds through the lawnless garden.
Here pollinator plants are favored, like this Jerusalem sage. Although intimately familiar with the yellow-flowering Phlomis, I’d never seen the pink cultivar. I love it.
Sometimes it’s the little details in a garden that really grab you.
Coming up next: My tour of Toronto Botanical Garden, where Toronto Fling officially concluded. For a look back at the Evergreen Brick Works community greenspace, click here.
All material © 2006-2015 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
These details are certainly eye catching. Love those paintings. You wouldn’t ever feel alone in the garden.
That’s true. I wonder if the eyes follow you? —Pam
I so much appreciate seeing so much of the Fling tours. The photographs are beautiful, and there is so much inspiration. I really loved the use of logs, branches and stone. I wonder whether a ‘dry’ stream bed would help drainage in my new wet garden? Hmmmmmm.
I bet you’re busy making plans for your new garden, Commonweeder. I look forward to seeing it evolve on your blog. —Pam
I love it – a garden design “mullet” (all formal up front and party time on the sides and in back).
That blue tree is stunning – I’d seen painted red branches (really large ones) used as sculptural accents in a television set of a Chinese garden and keep thinking I want to play with something like that. I’m not sure how it will fly with the more traditional types around here. I’ve never quite gotten over getting ready to purchase a patinated small metal sculptural piece for our gardens only to have my Hub ask “you realize that’s rusted, right?”.
Sometimes I think spouses should never be consulted on important things like gardens, nor on anything that goes in them. I’m enjoying your mullet imagery. —Pam
Pam, you manage to find something wonderful to say, and to see, in every garden we visited. Bravo! In a week or two, I’ll post an entry on a section of my garden where I have used the blue tree idea. The result is quite different but I know where the inspiration came from!
I look forward to seeing your interpretation, Pat! —Pam
Nice details. I love that translucent porch roof.
I do too. I think it would be too hot in Austin, but I bet the extra light is welcome in Toronto’s milder climate. —Pam
That blue tree was something! But my fav is the tree cross section. Brilliant use! ~Julie
Mine too, Julie! —Pam
Nice post. Did you venture up the ladder to look at the green roof, Pam?
I think I was so busy taking pictures of their cool back-garden art that I didn’t even know it was there, Helen. —Pam