The Gardener's Corner
Grandparents are seasoned gardeners
by Judith Rogers

(above) Bruce and Carolyn Payne showed off their gardens on the tour. photo by Michelle Minnoch

I've always said gardeners are the friendliest folks and this was undoubtedly the case during the garden tour held at Sandycove on July 11. My guess would be that all of the garden hosts were grandparents; people who had been gardening for many years and have honed this hobby to perfection. They were so happy to be sharing their accomplishments with visitors that were very eager to see and hear all about them.

The year round railroad garden was a big hit with men and women alike; imagine that little village colours in the gardens nearby and the mirror leaning against a tree trunk caught one's eye as the reflection of pretty flowers danced in the breeze we had that day.

A dry riverbed was ideal to give the illusion of a trickling stream under the quaint little bridge that led to an oasis of lush green grass.

There were flowerbeds in bloom resembling magnificent tapestries woven from hues of red, yellow and purple and the vista of rolling farmlands with a barn in the distance at two of the properties made you forget you were in a subdivision.

aglow at night with lights from the engines and in some of the buildings. The ponds offered a cool respite to the palette of

It's not just the work inspired flowerbeds that make a garden cozy but the little touches too that can add so much. The big gold Buddha gave an air of tranquility to the Japanese garden, the statues under an arbour drew the eye to that very point and the fat ceramic cat lying on a chair said welcome to our little piece of Eden.

(left and below) Elizabeth Priddle shows off the labour of love both she and her husband Sid have worked on over the years. She is the gardener of the house, while Sid tinkers and creates a whole new world with his trains. photos by Michelle Minnoch