This evening, my husband Doug and I went to view a garden on the Hamilton Spectator's Open Garden Tour. The house was located in our neighbourhood, so we headed over just after we'd eaten dinner.
The homeowners, Andre and Sophia, had clearly put a great deal of work into their front, side and back gardens - The front and side garden spaces were very well-manicured and contained a variety of familiar perennial shrubs mixed with annuals; however, their back garden was the showpiece of the property.
There, the homeowners had combined evergreens, shrubs, rosebushes and groundcovers; perennials and annuals; supplemental ivy on the fences, wisteria over a pergola, clematis growing on a gnarly tree, and large colourful pots containing herbs and tomato plants.
It sounds like a lot of diversity; however, the garden was not overcrowded, and the gardener's plan clearly worked.
Sophia, with her plant knowledge and obvious vision; and Andre, her willing assistant and the muscle she says she couldn't do without, are a formidable team. Their collaboration was evident; not only in their garden's appearance, but also in the way they easily worked together, showing their garden off to their visitors.
I've never gone on a garden tour before, but this positive experience already had me thinking that I'd like to do it again.
Just as we were signing the guest book before heading home, Andre said to us, "Take a plant," and at first Doug and I were confused as to what he meant. Looking around, though, we noticed several pots lined up along the base of the garden shed and we realized he meant for us to take one.
When Andre repeated, "Take a plant," my husband suggested, "Take the one with the red flowers." So, I did. At home later, I discovered that the plant we'd chosen is a Maltese Cross Campion, a hardy perennial popular with hummingbirds.
In going on the Open Garden Tour, Doug and I really only expected an opportunity to see the handiwork of someone else, and maybe take home some inspiration. Receiving a tangible gift from the homeowners, especially something from their own garden, was an unexpected and lovely surprise.
Once again, I'm bowled over by the generosity of strangers, and the reminder that kindness grows where it's least expected!
