Showing posts with label Highlights of the Friends of the Library Garden Tour 2016. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Highlights of the Friends of the Library Garden Tour 2016. Show all posts

24 July 2016

Friends of the Library Garden Tour - Site #9 Rock Garden Extraordinnaire


This garden was a previous tour favourite so thanks to popular demand it joined the tour again this year.  When you see what this husband and wife team did with the help of a backhoe, you'll be amazed!  Each quartz and granite boulder, including some petrified wood pieces, were sourced and placed by the couple.  The sculptures were found during their travels in the states and Mexico (I think he said).  The dinosaur garden is incredible!

Alpine plants, ground covers and trailing evergreens trail over the edges of the boulders and crevices while water features including waterfalls and ponds are nestled within.  This property made my jaw drop!  It is intrinsic in minute details with rare plants and unique metal pieces of garden art.  The art often is placed to tell a mini story.  As you stroll the grass pathways or take the rock walkways, another scene unfolds before you.  There are a few garden scenes within this landscape.  I took so many photos here but don't worry.  I have not included all of them.  Just enough to give you a taste of what a rockery could be.

























This was the last garden we had a chance to visit, leaving four that we were not able to get to.  We left the rock garden just before 5.  It was a long day and totally worth it.  We'd had rain, cloudy weather and sunshine.  Fortunately we were prepared and determined to persevere regardless.  I'm so glad we did!

Sadly, this may be the last year for the Friends of the Library Garden Tour as those who have been behind the scenes have indicated.  I'm glad M and A got to come along for the finale.  Maybe next year we'll have to do the Edmonton Horticulture Society garden tour.  The 2016 tour tickets sold out a few days ago and the event ran yesterday and today.  Excellent weather this weekend for garden enthusiasts!  



23 July 2016

Friends of the Library Garden Tour Site #8 - Another estate garden


Just over 4 acres, this property really began it's development in the last 4 1/2 years and is a work in progress.  A long pond with waterfall and a creek, shrub and perennial beds, and a fairy garden maintained by their 7 year old daughter are the features of this estate garden.  We didn't explore other areas of the yard as new sod was just laid the day before so we checked out the water feature and surrounding area.  Not seen are a birdhouse collection and vegetable garden.





Many new ponds suffer from algae bloom.




We found the Loch Ness monster!



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22 July 2016

Friends of the Library Garden Tour - Site #7 In the Estates

This garden is often visited by moose, deer and coyotes.  It's out in a wooded area, which it borrows from for the view.  The owner has several large pots of flowers on the raised deck and an enormous pond with waterfall is nearly completed construction.  The deck posts wrapped with dock rope inspired my imagination.  Antiques and a bee watering station are points of conversation on this property.











21 July 2016

Friends of the Library Garden Tour - Site #6 Aqualine Aquatic Plants and Water Features


tower garden of vegetables
Lunch break!  Donated by Sobey's, hot dogs and pop were available for a toonie at Aqualine. If you had six stamps on your garden pass, (you get one at each garden you visit as you enter) you received a free water hyacinth as well (we did!). Aqualine Aquatic Plants and Water Features is located out in the countryside, just as site #5 was.  This is a lovely site for a lunch break as you may sit on any of the benches located overlooking ponds and water features. It had rained a bit earlier so the seating was wet but it was just as nice to stand pondside and enjoy a yummy hotdog with the library's secret sauce!  A draw for a gardening books or a bonsai was here as well.  I wonder if I'll win? 

Aqualine Aquatic Plants and Water Features sells tropical and hardy water lilies and marginal aquatic plants.  Feature gardens show you how you can incorporate water into your garden.








Any ideas what this plant is?  The flowers are a delicate pink.


Above, future expansion of the main water feature.









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