Diverse Gardens with Great Ideas
#4 - Earthwise Society, Tsawwassen
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It was a sparkling and bright sunny day in June when the South Delta Garden Club offered 11 gardens for the public to visit in Ladner and Tsawwassen.
Located on the most southern part of British Columbia, South Delta is bordered by the Fraser River to the north, the Georgia Strait to the west and Boundary Bay to the south. Both communities in South Delta provide homes for over 40 thousand people, many of whom are retired. Ladner used to be a fishing village in the 19th century. Now it is a charming suburb and farming community. Tsawwassen is a few miles south and it’s known for being the sunniest town in Metro Vancouver. Gardeners make the most of this southern coastal and temperate climate of USDA Zone 8b. Although it isn’t the tropics, the weather is mild enough for Chinese fan palms and bananas, which are a common sight throughout South Delta. |
#10 - An Artist's Garden
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#3 - A Water Garden
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#4 - Earthwise's Organic Garden
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#6 - A Decorative Garden
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Here’s a look at the 11 gardens: four in Ladner and 7 in Tsawwassen. Each one is unique and has something to offer from stunning plants to innovative and creative garden ideas. A map with directions was provided on this one day self-guided tour. Each garden welcomed visitors and stamped their map upon arrival. An initial fee was charged before the tour of $30.00, which was available at numerous local establishments. Proceeds are graciously received by the Delta Hospital Healing Garden, the Mountain View Manor Therapeutic Garden, and the Delta Secondary School Memorial Garden, as well as educational programs and scholarship funds that the SD Garden Club supports. Click on South Delta Garden Club to learn more about this community active club.
Garden #1 - Garden with a view
Pink Meidiland roses welcome visitors and have great curb appeal.
Easy care Meidiland roses flower throughout the summer.
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Several artists were invited to paint this beautiful garden.
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This grand estate welcomes visitors with an impressive ribbon of pink Meidiland roses in front of a black European style metal fence. This partially wooded garden was originally designed by Robin Gardner, a landscape designer of Expo 86. As the garden evolves he continues to invest in its design.
Huge trees surround and tower over the house.
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An island garden bed provides some privacy to the front of the house.
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A maple tree provides a shady canopy in the front garden.
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Enormous cedars, Douglas firs and hemlocks encircle the property and tower above house. It's set among mature conifers and gracefully aged rhododendrons, which gives the impression it's ensconced by a secluded forest. Nothing could be further from the truth as it's in the middle of Tswawassen.
A late flowering azalea is nestled among the trees.
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A Nora Barlow columbine loves the shade.
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The front garden is impressive, however, the view from the back garden is no shrinking violet. A generous swimming pool and deck overlooks the cities beyond all the way to Vancouver’s North Shore Mountains.
GARDEN #2 - An Asian Mountain Garden
A gold-tipped false cypress is the perfect accent.
Small shrubs filled the garden beds.
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A paperbark maple shows the way to the front door.
This garden is reminiscent of an Asian mountain garden with its gravel paths rimmed with large grey rocks. The walkways lead visitors on a journey through Peter and Carla’s garden where there's a selection of mature trees. An impressive pyramidal gold-tipped false cypress looks like it should be on a mountainside and a superb, shaggy paperbark maple .
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Resembling a mountain outcropping, a silver-leaved bush daisy tumbles down the slope.
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A Royal Purple smokebush (Cotinus coggygria) is an attention getter and a great contrast to the surrounding plants.
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Roguchi, a bell-shaped clematis attracts butterflies and hummingbirds,
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Tightly clipped azaleas and boxwoods are accented by heavenly bamboo, purple and green smoke bushes. The azaleas thrive in the shade of the huge neighbouring cedars, but most of the garden lies in the sun.
A silver-leaved bush daisy (Senecio grayi) does well in the sunny garden.
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A birdbath welcomes people to the back garden.
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A healthy planting of raspberries are ready to pick.
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A Little Rocket ligularia is a good choice of plant for this partially shaded corner of the garden.
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An incredibly healthy and happy flowering jasmine was a show-stopper.
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Pink Summer/Stephan Jasmine, Jasminum stephanense is hardy from USDA growing zone 7 to 10.
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The gravel pathway travels through the back garden.
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The back garden opens up to a concrete birdbath. It’s a quaint touch to the gravel walkway and rock lined beds. An incredibly healthy and happy flowering jasmine was a show-stopper.
The house wraps around a central courtyard.
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A heavenly bamboo, Nandina domestica, on the left is a nice contrast to the dramatic form of a weeping atlas cedar, Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca Pendula'.
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Through the gate is a serene courtyard that accents the style of the house and the Asian feel of the garden.
GARDEN #3 - A Water Feature Garden
The front garden is delightful, but the back garden is something else.
This professionally designed garden has been well-thought out. There's a mixture of plant shapes, textures and colours that keeps the eye moving from plant to plant.
Pink phlox and purple salvia spikes stand upright among the evergreens.
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The entrance to the dry stream bed.
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The front garden is designed around a dry stream bed that's composed of smooth round rocks in shades of grey. It's lined by a garden full of floral lovelies including pink rugose roses, Japanese spireas, lilies, and garden phlox. A small Japanese maple and a young maidenhair tree; a Gingko biloba provide complimentary vertical elements.
Take It Easy is an easy care floribunda rose.
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Deep red impatiens echo the red roses.
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A yellow floribunda rose.
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Two rustic planters stand guard over the courtyard entrance.
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The hacienda style entrance is stunning.
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Beyond the front garden, is the courtyard. It's surrounded by roses at the peak of their bloom. Its arch entrance is reminiscent of a Spanish hacienda.
Vegetables enjoy the heat of the summer sun in a long raised garden bed.
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Further down the path, a jasmine covered lattice screen provides privacy from the neighbours.
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Every space of Angela’s garden is utilized including the path leading to the back garden where veggies and jasmine grow.
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A natural-looking waterfall and pond are a back yard surprise.
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A Japanese plum yew, Cephalotaxus harringtonia 'Fastigiata' is the centrepiece of this yinyang design
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The gem of this garden is the water feature that takes up a good part of the back garden. It’s been deftly designed to resemble a natural pond with a waterfall. Large granite rock paths are placed to complete the look.
A dry river stream bed leads to the pond.
A blue lace-cap hydrangea appreciates the shade.
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A flagstone walkway leads to the yingyang garden.
A Japanese spirea offers pink flowers with yellow foliage.
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Serbian bellflower (Campanula poscharskyana) is a sunny evergreen perennial groundcover.
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A coreopsis (tickseed) adds colour and interest.
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A cerise coloured yarrow is a perennial that likes full sun and is drought tolerant.
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Low growing perennials are grown together to form a tapestry of different colours and textures.
GARDEN #4 - Earthwise Society's Organic gardens
The non-profit Earthwise Society features demonstration gardens.
Boundary Bay’s Earthwise Garden has come a long way over the years. As a non-profit society, it has suffered the indignities of not having enough money to do what was needed to make this garden flourish.
A pink Bonica rose accents an information sign.
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A sign explains the importance of planting bee friendly plants.
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Due to the advancement of the adjacent Southlands development, the Delta Food Coalition, and many community groups and residents, the Earthwise one acre demonstration garden is now thriving. The derelict buildings have been replaced and a community garden is a popular place to grow food and flowers.
'Pink Pompom' Peony Poppy, Papaver somniferum.
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Become part of the tranquil scene and sit among the flowers.
There's lots of flowers for the pollinators like this exquisite breadseed poppy, Papaver somniferum.
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An easy care Bonica rose doesn't disappoint.
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The community gardens.
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The focus of the Earthwise Society is organic, sustainable gardening. There are no pesticides. Bees, butterflies and other pollinators dance among the pollen and nectar packed flowers that flow in drifts along the ample gardens.
An textured blue and green ocean made up of Mexican feather grass (Nassella tenuissima), globethistle (Echinops) and speedwell (Veronica) surround an obscured bird bath.
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A fitting statue of Saint Frances, the patron saint of animals and the environment.
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Plants that like the same conditions are grouped together en masse.
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Pink astilbes grow among a thick ground cover of a hardy geraniums.
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Paths meander throughout, surprising visitors at every turn with swaths of native plants and picturesque views. This bee friendly garden is laden with blossoms from an assortment of perennials, shrubs and trees.
Catnip, Nepeta, has true blue flowers that bees and cats love.
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A vine wrapped arbour offers a peak into another garden.
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A mass purple spires of the spike speedwell (Veronica).
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The many flowers throughout the extensive gardens are not just pretty to look at, they are essential to feed the bees and for other pollinators including birds.
The winter veggies have been sown and most have already germinated.
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The demonstration veggie garden combines edibles with flowers to entice pollinators.
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The raised beds are filled with produce at different stages of development.
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Patricia Fleming, the society’s executive director, emphasizes that education is an important part of the Earthwise Society. The Eco-tour Program offers hands-on activities and workshops as well as supplying produce to at-risk populations. There’s also Feed the Bees, Therapeutic Horticulture and a Master Organic Gardener Program. Schools bring their students for fun and educational field trips, whilst high school students are able earn credits towards Sustainable Resources Agriculture.
A soft purple yarrow, Achillea millefolium, a perennial, bears flat flower clusters. They make perfect landing pads for bees and butterflies.
Satin flower, Sisyrinchium striatum is a summer flowering perennial that spreads readily.
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Blanket flower (Gaillardia) is a short lived perennial that prefers sun and dry soils.
Scotch marigolds, Calendula, are hardy annuals with edible flowers that reseed themselves.
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Loosestrife, Lysimachia punctata, needs full sun and lots of room to spread.
A stunning light mauve breadseed poppy, Papaver somniferum. Although it is an annual, it does reseed.
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Shrubby cinquefoil are easy care summer flowering deciduous shrubs. Click on the pic for more.
White dogwood flowers blush with pink as they age.
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During the summer, produce from the farm is available – all organically grown of course, and freshly picked. Kudos to the many volunteers that make this garden a success.
GARDEN #5 - A Floral Oasis
The welcoming front entrance has great curb appeal.
A wrap-around veranda overlooks the expansive front garden.
Floral accents add to the entrance to the back garden.
A Violet's Pride rose is a floribunda.
Violet's Pride standard rose is the focal point of the deftly designed front garden.
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This corner lot is well-turned out with pleasing plant combinations that accent Mary and Andrew’s two-story house. The spacious front garden wraps around both sides of the house. Garden islands are surrounded by an expansive lawn. The front entrance is a welcoming sight with its generous plant-lined path that leads to an artfully decorated front porch.
The charming vignettes of vintage type ornaments adorned with potted plants is a nice touch.
Andrew's bespoke planters break up the monotony of the large green cedar hedge at the front of the property.
Silver-leaved coral bells, fuchsia impatiens lacy ferns and heart-shaped leaved hostas fill a shady planter.
Superbells Coral Sun million bells, Calibrachoa is a floriferous annual from Proven Winners.
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The back garden opens up to reveal a curved bed overflowing with all kinds of garden lovelies.
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A simply stunning sunny Peruvian Lily, (Alstroemeria). Click on the pic for more.
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Nestled among the plethora of flora is an outstanding false sunflower, a Heliopsis called a 'Bit of Honey'.
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An oasis of flora surrounds a secluded hot tub.
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A chartreuse Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra) is a dramatic centrepiece.
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Hostas, ferns and Siberian bugloss enjoy the shade of an elegant Japanese maple.
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The curved bed gently evolves into a stone raised bed that sits in front of a wooden pergola. Four triangular shaped lemon scented Monteray cypresses (Cupressus macrocarpa 'Goldcrest') sit atop the privacy wall that hides a hot tub.
A red painted tool box becomes an inventive container for succulents.
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Gothic mirrored sconces are planted with begonias and creeping jenny.
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Andrew's impressive hand-crafted planter features a stunning White Licorice floribunda rose.
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There are two seating areas designed for entertaining. A bright red umbrella is a perfect accompaniment to the casual chairs donned with pillows. Finishing touches add to the charm with a red tin box filled with succulents and small statues surrounded by potted plants.
An attractive vignette of flowers and ornaments graces one of the seating areas.
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A dark fence becomes an area of interest with a strategically ornament.
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Ooh, let's sit down!
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Against the house is a more formal seating area surrounded by potted flowers. Although the raised deck up above the garden, it feels very much part of it. Flowers billow out from planters that are generously located around the deck.
This arrangement is admired by those that care to sit and enjoy the flora.
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Andrew's planters are filled with veggies!
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A bodacious bee balm beckons the bees.
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GARDEN #6 - A Touch of Bling
The front lawn is a distant memory. It has been replaced by a dappled willow (Salix integra 'Hakura Nishiki'), lupins, Asiatic lilies and a windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei).
Irene and Randy’s garden has evolved gradually over the years. Once there was a lawn, but not anymore. Charming gardens have taken its place. Effective use of pieces of art and garden ornaments add to it's charm.
A Garden Goddess statue graces the garden.
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The back yard features an island with crane statues and a birdbath.
Nestled amid the greenery is a cute little shed adorned with numerous trinkets.
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There’s lots to look at, and not just plants. Even the shed is picturesque.
A lovely Swingtime fuchsia hangs from the back porch.
Effective use of space makes this garden functional as well as aethestically pleasing.
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A generous porch overlooks the back garden.
An angel trumpet tree (Brugmansia) is a dramatic and tropical accent. It is brought indoors over the winter.
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A quaint vase full of fresh, delightfully scented sweet peas is a charming touch.
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Within the garden, seating surrounds a contemporary fire place.
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This garden is designed not just for plants, but for people too. Comfy chairs sit next to an elegant firepit surrounded by a gravel pathway that weaves its way from one end of the garden to the other.
A perfect Japanese painted fern, Athyrium niponicum.
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A white variegated bear's breeches, Acanthus mollis 'Whitewater'.
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If you look closely there's a bit of bling dangling from trees and hidden among the plants.
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Extensive shade plants line the garden fence.
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The flow of water from a stone fountain is calming.
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The trees are not immune to a little bling either as dangling bird ornaments and coloured stones catch peoples interest as they walk by. A trickling stone fountain offers coolness and serenity.
Goat's beard, Aruncus dioicus and a mirror brighten up this shady corner.
A large mirror expands the space and brightens up the area.
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Metal artwork of the fan-shaped leaves of a maidenhair tree, Ginkgo biloba.
A clock vine, Thunbergia alata, hangs with a fuchsia on the fence.
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Mirrors, art and hanging planters are strategically placed on the surrounding fence that provides a perfect backdrop.
GARDEN #7 - An Innovative Approach
A firethorn is expertly pruned despite its long, sharp thorns.
This twist on a cottage garden includes some creative uses of plant material. A deftly pruned firethorn's naked intertwining branches doubles as a screen. It's one of the many bird-loving, berry producing plants in Maggie and Peter's nature friendly garden.
Metal ringed orbs are a rustic touch.
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A serviceberry tree (Amelanchier) has been intergrated into the deck.
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The serviceberry tree is thriving despite being in the centre of the wooden deck.
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Entering the back garden, I was pleasantly surprised to see a stately tree growing through the wooden deck. Its dappled shade danced through the garden and highlighted the table and chairs below its leafy canopy. The garden has a pleasant cottage feel with features with a curved stone-stacked raise bed curved lines of a stone raised bed follows the fence where perennials, trees and shrubs Salal, staghorn and sword ferns combine with Oregon grape and other native plants.
A pond with a dribbling rock fountain serves as an attractive transition from the deck to the garden.
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The garden and deck are embraced by the greenery under the trees.
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A stone fountain at the corner of the deck creates an attractive focal point that leads to the raised garden beds along the fence.
Accents draw attention to the different parts of the garden.
The bottom half of a tree is responsible for supporting this outdoor shelter.
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The transition from the deck to the garden is seamless.
Silver nickel vine drapes over the rim stuffed with dark purple petunias, red salvias and a silver Angel Wings senecio.
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The recycled tall tree stump used to hold up a corner of an open shed in the back garden was impressive and quite a conversation starter. When I remarked on such ingenuity, the owners showed me that there was also one in their living room!
A potting bench is a practical use of a narrow space.
A cute little accent.
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Upturned clay pots on bamboo poles quaint and effective plant labels.
Lavender flowers dry on the potting bench.
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is a delightful vignette of a wooden potting bench of vintage pots and little posies of lavender hung to dry. Very cute.
The front garden is replete with flowers and food.
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Fluffy asparagus stems rise above chartreuse lady's mantel flowers.
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The front garden is a mass of greenery, flowers and food! An asparagus patch resembles a cloud of tall fluffy ferns. Rhubarb, artichokes, blueberries grow among the Japanese spirea, cranesbill geranium and daylilies. It's so full, there's no space for weeds.
GARDEN #8 - A Cutting Garden
A literal interpretation of a flower bed. The chandelier is a nice touch.
At first glance, when approaching this garden, I was wondering what all the fuss was about. What is so special about this garden? There was no sexy hardscaping, no elaborate garden beds, no funky plants, then I got closer.
The floral mattress is mix of orange and yellow Scotch marigolds (Calendula).
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Sweet peas climb up the posts of the four poster flower bed.
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Hidden from view by a hedge, was a bed - a four-canopy bed frame! It was overflowing with flowers beneath a chandelier. Sweet peas coiled their way up to the top to create a bed made for a fairy tale.
Eavestroughs become planters when hung on a fence.
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I loved the suspended watering can that seemed to flow with water with the help of copper lit wire.
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The back garden is more rural than urban with the rustic wooden shed and Adirondack chairs.
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Colourful flowers blossom freely next to the shed, ready to be cut and arranged.
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As in the front garden, the back garden does not have garden beds stuffed with awesome plants with paths that meander throughout. Instead there are plant filled eaves troughs that line the fence and a charming rustic country shed.
Sweet peas are trellis grown for easy cutting.
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Each bed has a list of the type of flower, variety and colour.
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No veggies here, just flowers.
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Growing fresh-cut flowers is a pretty business to be in.
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Chantilly butterfly snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) are grown for their unusual flowers.
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Soft blue larkspurs, Consolida ajacis,
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The back garden is full of surprises because instead garden beds, there are a functional raised beds. Each one is home to specific cut flowers, as the owner Tracy, has her own cut flower business, Backyard Blossoms. It's a flowery production.
A vignette gives a gentle nod to the far east.
Tracy's tenant, Joan, converted her outdoor space into her own personal tropical oasis.
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A variegated elephant ears (Colocasia) towers above a similar but smaller pointed leaves of a sweet potato vine, Ipomoea and blue lobelia.
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Living outside al fresco!
A bunny planted with a string of pearls, Senecio rowleyanus.
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Worthy of note, at the back corner of the house, the tenant Joan has put her talent as a houseplant grower to good use. She’s expanded her living space outdoors and filled it with inspirational and fun touches. Light sheer drapes create a secluded space, lush with plants with interesting bits and bobs.
GARDEN #9 - It's all About Trees & Food
Trees frame the view to the veggie garden.
This expansive garden is surrounded by beautiful large beech trees, Douglas firs and deodor cedars. It's not surprising as Bart is a retired professor of Forest Pathology, would be full of trees. But there’s more to this garden than trees.
Numerous fruit trees: apple, plum and pear, obscure a well-placed seating area.
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An eight year old grapevine is a leafy canopy for the garden swing.
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An old-fashioned garden swing is reminiscent of a simpler time.
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The orchard looks onto the veggie garden and the greenhouse.
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A grape vine uses the garden swing as a support. The vine provides a nice amount of shade for those that decide to sit down and enjoy the view.
The vegetable garden consisted of raised beds.
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The veggie beds are organised and well tended.
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Numerous crops are grown in the same beds.
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Tomatoes plants grow in the ground of the greenhouse and trained up strings attached to the roof.
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Tender perennials, tropical plants and geraniums are overwintered in the greenhouse.
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There’s lots of flowers Adriana’s cutting garden including snapdragons, peonies and zinnias flowers
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Masses of huge delphiniums attracts bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
In the background are tall blue delphiniums, white calla lilies with blue bachelor's button, and deep purple speedwell spikes.
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Maltese Cross, Lychnis chalcedonica, attracts butterflies and it is a reliable perennial.
Delphiniums and calla lilies.
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GARDEN #10 - An Artist's Garden
A wisteria frames the entrance.
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Sculptures and pieces of art are strategically placed throughout this artist's garden.
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An artist’s garden is never dull or boring as this garden proves. Jennifer, and her musician partner Patrick, has turned her garden into an whimsical art gallery.
Yellow loosestrife, Lysimachia punctata, becomes a focal point when in flower.
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The mixed rock path takes on an old world charm when combined with the picturesque surroundings.
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Plant groupings create a tapestry of colour and texture with bold foliage mixed with the delicate.
Dappled sunlight adds to the serenity of the garden.
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This faded wooded shed is simply charming.
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Heavenly bamboo is showcased as a feature plant when framed with surrounding art.
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A wall sculpture is accented by the reflection of a potted hosta.
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Everywhere you look there’s a statue, a decorative element, a flight of fancy.
Yellow loosestrife is the backdrop to whimsical little house.
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There’s no lawn, just places to sit that are strategically located so you can enjoy the art.
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Instead of a garden full of flowers, this garden consists of art surrounded by plants.
A funky chicken coop is a surprise addition.
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A lovable clay 'wooly' sheep brings smiles o the garden.
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A simple hosta in a ceramic pot becomes a work of art.
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The gardens are full and lush.
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GARDEN #11 - A Well Groomed Garden
The unusual shape of a giant weeping sequoia draws attention to the well manicured garden and lawn.
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A giant weeping sequoia makes a dramatic statement.
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When approaching Neil and Jackie’s tidy garden with its immaculate green lawn, it's impossible not to notice the gigantic weeping giant sequoia, Sequoia giganteum 'Pendulum' s that looms overhead. Its a dramatic specimen with multiple tops and shaggy branches that hang down.
The lawn was so perfect, it looked fake!
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The evergreen groundcover, Japanese spurge, Pachysandra terminalis, fills a shady bed under the weeping sequoia.
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Neil has managed golf courses over the years, which explains why the lawn looks more like AstroTurf, than real grass. This well-maintained and healthy lawn is annual bluegrass. It's perfect with not a weed in sight.
Impatiens, begonias and other annuals trim the garden beds and flow in neat rows.
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Shade plants lay at the feet of the giant weeping sequoia including Japanese spurge, Siberian bluegloss and hostas.
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A generous foundation planting around the house provides great curb appeal.
A white arched arbour lead visitors to the back garden.
Pretty pink geraniums fill a windowbox.
All the windows are accented with window boxes filled with bedding plants.
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The arbour is a gracious way to enter and exit the back garden.
Three cascading purple clematis clamber over the archway that leads to the back garden.
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Windows that line the path to the back garden are framed by dark shutters and flower-filled window boxes.
Hanging baskets full of colourful bedding plants fill the gazebo.
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A keepsake from Thailand becomes a centrepiece among the flora.
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A well-loved and used gazebo is nestled among the plants and ornaments.
Orange-red cigar plants, aka firecracker plant (Cuphea ignea), attract hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinators.
A simple pot of pink astilbe.
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A pink and white rose, pink astilbe and the round allium seed heads are complemented bu the blue house siding.
A window box is accented by a basket of pink petunias.
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The combination of geraniums and petunias in the planters and window boxes are a simple mix of colour and texture. There’s nothing garish in this well-planned and nicely appointed garden.
The back garden is a well organised mixed border.
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A bespoke bird house is a charming focal point.
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An impressive bird house sits high above the garden and ornaments from Thailand are nestled among the plants.
An elegant topiary.
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A Halcyon hosta.
A pagoda statue hides behind a pale pink dogwood.
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