Gates to secret sanctuaries open
It is surely the perfect artistic expression of the revenge that all sad- eyed pond enthusiasts would like to extract on the pesky heron: to freeze the exasperating predator in perpetual frustration, never again allowed to get close enough to damage priceless koi.
The curving flower borders contain an eclectic mix of choice perennials, showing Buckland’s taste for quality cultivars.
She has a soft spot for foliage, which reveals itself in smart selections, such as Persicaria Red Dragon, Stachys Helen von Stein and Cimicifuga Brunette, as well as variegated scrophularia and assorted hostas.
One of the prettiest spots in the garden is a small round patio area with a sundial at the centre. A wooden bench with a heart motif on the back rest has been placed in front of pink- tipped kiwi vine ( Actinidia kolomitka).
Close by, the tender, red- flowered flame vine ( Tropaeolum speciosum) has been patiently nursed over several years to get established and is now a showpiece.
In other spots, Eriksen has found room for more of his sculptures, including one of two people in an everlasting embrace. This sits in front of the pale green foliage of a golden mock orange bush.
Flower colour rolls out in a continuous stream from spring to fall thanks to Buckland’s careful attention to blooming times. She relies on clumps of primulas, hardy geraniums, roses and clematis.
A large deodar cedar commands space at the foot of the garden along with a golden robinia and stewartia.
A newly created shade garden is shadowed in summer by the canopy of a catalpa tree, but being slow to leaf out it permits sunlight to flood the areas in spring and assorted shade perennials to flourish. The Heritage Vancouver Garden Tour will also be a good opportunity to see work by some of B. C.’ s most accomplished garden designers and top landscape firms, including Ron Rule, Paul Sangha, Anne Talbot Kelly and Nenagh McCutcheon.
Some gardens are only a few years old, while others have been a labour of love for more than half a century.
A garden on West 27th Avenue is affectionately known as the teapot garden because it contains more than 70 teapots dotted through the shrubbery.
A small- space garden on West 11th Avenue is an excellent example of how even in a limited space it is possible to have a lot of water features and a lush mix of plants. Although only a tiny lot, this garden contains not one but three wisteria plus two ponds, one full of large koi as well as a wall of bamboo grown in containers and cleverly raised up to create a privacy barrier.
There are ideas on this tour for all gardeners, from beginners to experts. It’s worth your time and can be a fun day out with friends.