Dunbar Garden Tour August 2020

A secluded little pond was a pleasant surprise in Garden #1.

​It was a mild and sunny day that greeted us as we toured four gorgeous, and totally different gardens in Vancouver, British Columbia. Some of the members of the Dunbar Garden Club had opened up their gardens for other members of their club to attend. It was an afternoon well spent. With my camera in hand I am always looking for pleasing plant and colour combinations - and unfamiliar plants. Of course I am not alone as other plant nerds are pretty stoked too! Yes, we do exist. We tend to congregate at garden tours - and plant sales.
​Hope you enjoy this pictorial essay of this summertime garden tour. 
Cheers,
Amanda

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Garden #1 - A Secret Garden

This jewel of a garden is hidden from the road by a large English laurel hedge.

Behind a tall English laurel hedge hides a little green gem of a garden. Like a miniature forest, plants are layered with a multitude of shrubs and perennials. Tucked away, behind the hedge and among the flora, is a perfect little pond donning a flawless pink waterlily. A large magnolia acts as a bold and broad anchor that oversees the plants underneath.
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There’s no sign of a lawn as none is needed, but there is a path. It weaves its way to the side garden; it’s a short trip, but with every step there’s something to see. All sorts of perennials and shrubs intertwine in a sea of greenery punctuated by gentle colours of maroon and pink.

This shady garden is permeated by shafts of light that finds its way through the leafy canopy. The conditions are ideal for the many hostas that make a bold statement among the more delicate flora.  Strategically placed plants with chartreuse foliage brings a lightness and energy to this intimate and natural landscape. 

An English laurel hedge screens the garden from the street.

A Japanese painted fern is surrounded by hostas, helleborus and Siberian bugloss.

Plants of varying shapes, heights and textures work together in this many coloured green collection.

Shafts of light breaks the shade enough to allow this Bear's Breech to flower.

Different layers of plants gives the garden a natural and peaceful feel.

A black-eyed susan shines brightly in the dappled sun.

'Pink Double Delight' Echinacea echoes the pink Bonica rose.

A Bonica rose receives enough light to put on a flower show.

'Little Honey' oakleaf hydrangea brightens up the garden with its chartreuse coloured foliage.

A yellow tuberous begonia looks regal in it's old concrete urn.

Coral bells, hostas, hellebores, Siberian bugloss and ferns are the perfect shade garden combo.

A perfect waterlily - such splendid timing!

The small pond is a serene spot.

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Garden #2 - Flowers Galore

Where once a chafer ravaged lawn once stood, bodacious lilies, bright ligularia and bold hostas now grow.  Rising above the flowers, and amid the strategically placed ornamental grasses, roses and a host of perennials are placed for close inspection. A winding path allows intimate views of the many dazzling lilies that hug the curves.  

Each plant has its own space in its own place despite the fact it all looks very loose and natural. The vertical stems of Karl Foerster Reed Grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster') adds a striking contrast and drama among the many flowers. This vertical element stops the eye so each plant is seen and admired.  A few edible plants have been included. Blueberry shrubs are a pleasant surprise as they are used effectively as an ornamental and are a quite pretty with their deep blue ripened berries. This informal mix of perennials, punctuated with roses, shrubs, edibles and grasses is an effective way of making each plant special. 

A gentle path offers intimate views of the surrounding plants.

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A black-eyed susan peaks out behind a purple liatris and a yellow threadleaf coreopsis.

Stargazer oriental lilies draw attention to a fair maiden.

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A 'Salmon Stargazer' oriental lily captured much attention, and rightfully so.

This threesome includes a red rose, stargazer lilies and a calla lily.

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An impressive large flowered blue balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorus).

Karl Foerster feather reed grass provides a vertical element.

White oriental lilies are supported by a small wire trellis.

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'Yellow Splash Rim' and 'Queen Josephine' hostas.

A small path makes it easy to admire each plant.

Purple gayfeather (Liatris), and a 'Big Daddy' hosta go well together.

A bespoke door and arbour adds to this garden's charm.

A daisy flowered leopard plant (Ligularia) makes a good companion for a rhododendron and Japanese maple.

Orangey-red crocosmia oversees green hostas and a blue phlox..

Leopard's plant daisy-like flowers.

Due to a chinch bug infestation, much of the lawn was successfully converted to a garden bed.

This white beauty is a floribunda rose named 'Diana Princess of Wales'.

Stargazer oriental lilies smell as good as they look.

'Balmy Rose' bee balm

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Garden#3 - Beautiful Bones

Large trees and sweeping beds are reminiscent of old cottage gardens.

Upon approaching this property, it's reminiscent of an estate from yesteryear – and it is! Over 50 years ago it was a cherry orchard and a chicken farm. It’s vast and expansive front and side lawns are festooned with beautiful lush borders filled with roses, perennials, shrubs and trees. The house sits far back on the property and the owners have taken full advantage of their huge lawn by creating meandering beds full of bee friendly flowers.   
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This garden has good ‘bones’ so matter what time of the year, this garden has something to offer. Majestic mature trees surround the property and gracing the garden. A couple of craggy old apple trees that look like they’ve been there from the dawn of time adds to the garden’s charm. This is not just a pretty garden, it is a functional one. The fruit trees are loaded and the veggie garden is full of goodies. Mature shrubs and trees dot the landscape and flowers are buzzing with bees. An inviting covered seating area is nestled among a purple smoke bush and goldenrod, is perfectly placed to view this expansive and generous garden. 

A blue lace-cap hydrangea and an orange crocosmia are an unlikely but attractive pair.

A purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) and a sweet peas make a sweet pair.

An owl sits among the white mugwort (Artemisia lactiflora) on the left and bee balm on the right.

A generous and continuous garden bed skirts the lawn without stopping.

It's hard to miss the huge white snowball shaped flowers of the smooth hydrangea (H. arborescens).

Golden rod and Japanese anemone attract bees and other pollinating insects.

A 'June' hosta is perfectly framed by ferns and lenten roses.

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'Double Delight', is known for it's delicious fragrance.

An old brick wall and bespoke wooden gate brings a touch of Europe to the garden.

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Italian arum seeds are ripening to red.

A sundial adds old-fashioned charm.

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A sheltered bench offers a prime view of the garden.

'Cascadia Rim Magenta' petunia.

White mugwort (Artemisia lactiflora) grows to 5 feet and attracts butterflies.

Red bee balm and Johnson's Blue perennial geranium (Pelargonium).

This old apple tree 'Winter Banana' still bears a good crop despite its age.

'Bright Eyes' garden phlox looks so pretty in front on the white stucco.

Orange crocosmia and pink soapwort flowers are quite happy together.

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Garden #4 - A Boulevard Bed

A garden outside a garden is appreciated by all that pass by.

Although this garden wasn’t open for the tour, their boulevard was recommended for a visit. It certainly is worthy of a mention. The owners had made good use of their property along the fence on the boulevard. Yellow and orange flowers filled the beds in this tranquil scene. An inviting bench is nestled in among the orange-red crocosmia and yellow daisies. This simple mass planting is an effective and colourful ground cover. A mountain ash, dripping with clusters of hanging orange berries, ties everything together and provides needed structure to this perennial bed that echoes the colours below. Just goes to show that you don’t need lots of different plants to make lovely little haven.         

Yellow flowers of the Inula and orange crocosmia are a colourful and simple ground cover.

The tree trunk of a mountain ash provides a vertical element.

An inviting bench is nestled among the flora.

The orange berries of the mountain ash are a good match to the colours below.

The orange berries of the mountain ash.