Saturday, June 25th
The Quadra Island Quilt and Garden Tour began today. It is a two day event, and I took in five very interesting gardens on this first day. All of them were new to me.
First I went to see friends I know through my daughter, Kathy and Nick. They have been transforming their property in many ways since they bought their land 4 years ago. First they worked on the house and a little over 2 years ago gradually created an extremely lovely garden out of hilly acreage once covered in grass, sedges and blackberries. Their soil is sandy and drains well, except after a day of rain, they have flooding. They are extremely hard workers and love their time together in their garden. Nick is a wood carver and enjoys making paths and walls, driftwood fencing (to disguise the deer fencing) benches and artistic rock designs. Kathy works her magic making amazing floor designs (indoors and out) as well as terrific outdoor seating areas.
Entrance to the garden
Meet Kathy!
Details
Floor in deck by Kathy
Circle of life, by Nick
The red stone represent a baby who moves through the cycles of life. Dark forces are the charcoal stones, positives are the light stones. The center represents the stage where the child has now turned into a parent.
*****
Garden Number 2
The original jail and courthouse on the island were built in 1912. They were burned to the ground in 1999. Nancy is now the owner of the property and has been working on her labour of love here over the last 16 years. Her love of colour is aparent in both paint and plant combinations.
Nancy’s garden includes ferns, Japanese maples, bamboos, and ornamental conifers. There are also bright spots of colour seen in Japanese Iris, Fuchsias and many other blooms, including a pink rose and even a Pitcher Plant! Her seating area is charming in red with ligularias behind.
The entrance to Nancy’s garden
*****
Garden Number 3
Changing with the seasons, and over the years…this delightful Japanese garden has gradually emerged first from a forest, then into the Craddock’s Garage parking lot, into now a place of serenity. The gardens bring a sense of peace and spaciousness into crowded lives. This garden includes common elements (rocks, water, trees, buildings, gates and fences) in a carefully controlled manner to remind us of the natural landscape. The owner makes use of bamboo, moss, koi and aesthetically pruned trees The dry landscape style reproduces natural landscapes in an abstract way. There are splashes of whimsy in the courtyard. There is a very long and bountiful vegetable garden as well.
This is the entrance to John and Susan’s Garden
And greeting us is my favourite quilt of the tour display
So many details to share with you….
Organized tool area
The vegetable gardens
Details… Loaded apple branch
Water chain and tools
Gate, paths and fencing
*****
The Community Gardens: Stop Number 4
The Community Garden is in its sixth growing season. It has evolved from the vision of a group of gardeners and the generosity of Fei and the late Milton Wong. The organic garden is situated on one acre of land and produces a wide variety of pesticide free organic fruit, flowers and vegetables. The plots are rented for a modest annual fee and the money contributes to maintaining fences and water lines. No two plots are the same!
Join me for a look-see!
The entry through the deer fence…
A place to chat and cool off after hard work….
*****
Quilts and more at Milton Road: Stop #5
Lots going on at this residence! The owner is working on a new studio and gardens on her woodland property. We were welcomed by a stone folly at the entrance. People meandered on a forest path and saw a vintage trailer (named Jenny), an outhouse, an outdoor bedroom with stars dangling on fine threads around it, an outdoor kitchen…and other things… until a large owl watching us emerged and we foud bright daylight again and a small vegetable garden. A very personal spot!
*****
What a fine outing!
From Our Island 