A highlight of the Fergus Horticultural Society’s year is the garden tour. This year’s event is June 19, 12:30 to 4:30pm rain or shine. This tour is self-guided and participants may begin at any one of the gardens.
Society members enjoy meeting other gardeners to discuss individual treatments and the opportunity to suggest solutions to problems that seem to crop up from time to time.
As “Education for All” is the mandate of the society, the garden tour reinforces continued horticultural learning through hands-on experiences.
The society does not charge admission to the tour but it does collect food and monetary donations for the Centre Wellington Food Bank.
A printable map of this year’s tour can be found on the society’s website.
This year’s tour is an eclectic mix of town and rural properties.
Property 1: 240 Hill Street West, Fergus
Originally used as St. Andrew’s Church carriage house, this property and garden incorporates a quarter acre lot. It has been created and maintained by the owner for the last 25 years. The dedication shows in every corner with unexpected surprises including Quince and Mulberry trees and various herbs.
Each summer new blooms burst on the scene offering beautiful displays of colour through various perennials.
Property 2: 319 South River Road, Elora
This property is characterized by pine and spruce standing in sandy soil. All of the gardens and landscaping have been installed in the past 14 years. The gardens are primarily based around shade-tolerant perennials, with extra layers of colour provided by annuals. This large property of mature trees and green spaces provide a retreat-like atmosphere.
Green and brown thumbs are both favoured here. The owners have extensive knowledge of plant health and pathology, therefore, are equally interested in healthy and unhealthy plants. In jest, they often say that they know the diseases and insects in their gardens better than the plants.
Property 3: 6260 Wellington Road 7, Elora
This property has a farmhouse that was built in 1893. Since 1993, the owners have added foundation beds of perennials and home grown annuals provide an abundance of colour throughout the seasons.
The lawns are “au naturel” with a mixture of grass, ground covers and dandelions. Garden sculptures add a thoughtful whimsical touch.
Exquisite panoramic views make this idyllic hilltop garden a place to watch the changing seasons.
Property 4: 7224 Sixth Line East, Elora
This 1902 “Little Red Schoolhouse” has gardens encompassing the majority of the one acre property. These gardeners have worked diligently to create perennial beds involving 40 types of ornamental grasses, 60 varieties of hostas and 20 shrubs and bushes.
Pathways wind through the property to discover many seating hideaways and original garden art.
A much loved summer house is tucked away in the corner of the property. A repurposed chicken coop has been converted into a Japanese rain house.
All the gardens have been built with only the aid of a wheelbarrow, shovel and rake. Thirty years ago this garden was covered with huge healthy weeds, a groundhog network and a collection of unsightly debris.
The society is always on the lookout for gardens to be featured in the annual tour. If you know of a particular site, perhaps your own, please contact the society through the website.
