Four Garden Rambles

Garden design and art

‘Canadian garden’ is a perpetual surprise! Great North, where conifers and taiga species dominate, yet unexpected lushness bursts in summer months along great lakes and coasts. Winter-hardy species are curios and unexpected in their short and showy seasonal displays. Some of Canadian gardens stand proudly ‘shoulder to shoulder’ with other world famous gardens- well, it is so easy to be showy in tropical climates.

Take a look at these unparalleled Northern gardens I searched for in my Canadian travels – Nova Scotia, Quebec, British Columbia…

https://historicgardens.wordpress.com/

https://cepas.qc.ca/jardins-quatre-vents/

https://www.butchartgardens.com/

Gardens are not ‘just’ plants, trees, flower beds. They are a ‘vibe’ – tranquility, harmony, wilderness, structural and decorative design, contemplation, repose, civilization, beauty…

Why are gardens so integral to our living, urban or rural? Why are they an art in their own; or ideal environment to display art? As a young urbanite, I could not have imagined becoming a garden(er) buff in my mature age.  But, here I am, seeking gardens on my travels and working ardously on my own- another long-term ‘art and life’ project. And, I am not the only one in our group, nor the most involved. 

In this project, we are paying a tribute to some exquisite local gardens that effortlessly lay out displays of plants and works of Ottawa region’s artists. They are inspiration and places to visit every summer. We will also have a glympse into two of our own gardens, different and personalized, the expression of our own striving to achieve places for repose, reflection and balance. 

These Garden Rambles (aimless wanderings) have a hidden purpose.  Taking ‘in’ a garden in random explorations means settling in its mood, becoming embeded and surprised with revelations of hidden light or statue, its rythm and vistas. Maybe it is about a flipbook making? 

You will never stop wanting to come back to these flipbooks and moods of our Northern gardens, once the winter sets in. Refreshing memories of their blooms, keeping expectations of the season to come alive and unwavering. Is there a defining feature of a Canadian garden? Let’s Ramble through RWR, Whitehouse, Classic country and Zen…

Four Garden Rambles, part I

Four Garden Rambles, part II