Garden is But-A-Dream on Algonquin Island: Toronto Garden Blogger Fling
While exploring the Toronto Islands (click for an overview tour) during Toronto Garden Bloggers Fling, I happened upon a cheery yellow cottage near the Algonquin Island harbor.
Adorned with a black unicorn and a sign proclaiming the garden’s name — But-a-Dream — it was irresistibly charming.
You enter via a tropical-looking palapa-roofed gate. Fellow bloggers Judy of In the Garden and Diana of Sharing Nature’s Garden posed beneath it. (Notice: jackets and sweaters in JUNE.)
Entering, your attention is drawn immediately to a large rectangular pond edged on three sides by a boardwalk. The long section of boardwalk on the right leads the eye straight to a white-trunked birch tree with stump seating beneath. River rock of varying sizes lines the bottom and edges of the pond, creating a naturalistic look.
River rock is also laid just above the pond (upper right), like a dry creekbed, creating the impression of a stream-fed pond. Amid the stones, tall grasses and iris grow. Water lilies spread their leaves across the pond’s surface.
A mossy length of bamboo, supported by stones, pipes a steady stream of water into the pond.
Creeping groundcovers soften the hard edge where the pond adjoins a stone patio.
Bamboo poles, halved, line up to bridge the pond. The pond assumes a more formal look at this end, where the boardwalk creates a geometric edge.
Looking back toward the palapa gate, you see boats moored in the harbor, reminding you that you are on an island.
Tucked under a large birch, this delightfully rustic stump table and seating creates a fairy garden ambience.
In fact, yes, there is a fairy ornament on the table.
The side yard is patio-paved too, but geometric wooden raised beds create room to grow tulips, among other plants. A large woodpile under a palapa-roofed shelter is a testament to cold winters.
Tulips
At the back of the lot, a vine rambles over a shed…
…and bikes are parked and ready for an outing.
Colorful potted begonias and sweet potato vine brighten a shelf along the back fence.
I really enjoyed this garden and struck up a conversation with the owner, Jeannie Parker. She told me that the style of the garden is Chinese, which surprised me a little, considering the tropicalesque palapas and northern Europe vibe of the birch and stump seating. But the pond, which is the garden’s centerpiece, does have bamboo, moss, and stone and the tranquil air of an Asian garden. I wish I’d had more time to ask Jeannie about the design, but I’m grateful for the visit. But-a-Dream is a dreamy garden indeed.
Coming up next: A foliage-rich garden at a storybook cottage on Algonquin Island. For a look back at a general tour of the Toronto Island cottage gardens, click here.
All material © 2006-2015 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
Tulips in June! We’re already bracing for our second 100+ heatwave in Boise this week. That was a lovely garden.
The flowering plant that surprised me the most was a redbud I saw somewhere on the islands. Our redbuds here in Texas finished flowering in late March, as I recall. I couldn’t believe it when I saw one blooming in June. —Pam
Lovely — what a nice feeling this garden has. Like Jeanne says, it’s bit jarring to see tulips in June; ours are long gone and we’re headed into a heat wave as well!
Well, June is supposed to be hot, right? 🙂 I really was amazed to see their spring show still going into early June. —Pam
I’m puzzling over the bamboo “boards” crossing over the pond. They obviously can’t support foot traffic, and look like a tripping hazard where they lay on the boardwalk. Was there any explanation as to why that was there?
Sue, I asked Jeannie about the bamboo bridge — Is it actually walkable? — and she answered yes, it was. I wasn’t about to put it to the test, but perhaps for delicate-flower types it would be. And see Donna’s comment below. —Pam
I really love that garden and the owner was such a great lady. I think I might be able to answer Sue’s question. The owner had a tiny dog that used that “bridge” while we were there. The table and stumps was a very creative use of materials.
The owner was as charming as her garden. Thanks for the report on dog traffic on the bridge. I’m smiling just thinking about it! —Pam
It is a fabulous garden. Love the trunk seating and table. The pond do set the ambiance.
The trunk/stump table set was so charming. —Pam
Oh! Those lovely yellow posies are TULIPS! Don’t think I’ve ever seen such fluffy, yellow tulips before.Such a lovely garden.
Well, I THINK they are, Cheryl. However, I confess, as a Southern girl, I’m no expert on tulips. I hope someone will correct me if I’m wrong. —Pam
Yes, they’re tulips!
Thanks for the longer look at this garden, the last I saw and one I had to rush through.
Thanks for the confirmation, Loree. I was pretty sure but then had a moment of doubt. 🙂 —Pam
I really loved this garden and the owner! You got some great shots without people everywhere, so it was nice to see it again sans bloggers! ~Julie
This was a popular spot for blogger ogling, wasn’t it? —Pam