I have written here several times about fellow Toronto, Parkdale resident, Barry Parker and his exceptional backyard garden since meeting him this past spring, but I have never shown any wide view pictures. Well, as luck would have it, Barry is hosting a garden open house this coming weekend — those of you who live locally will have the opportunity to see his beautiful garden in person. So for the rest of you who can’t make it, I’ve got off my butt and compiled a series of photos showing some of the seasons in Barry’s garden as I have experienced them on my visits since the spring.
First, the details:
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When: Sunday October 4th from 1.00 to 4.00 p.m.
Where: 11 Melbourne Ave, Toronto
Admission: $4 Proceeds going to the Canadian Women’s Foundation.
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Additional: Barry would like you to know that if you make it out to the open house he will be giving away paw-paw and persimmon tree seedlings, free to good homes. He grew them all from seed!
These two sculpted bushes break up the long, narrow space and are seen when you enter the yard.
Barry has been gardening in his long and narrow downtown Toronto backyard for 23 years. He’s an artist with plants. He knows how to shape them, pair them, and it is a pleasure to watch the garden unfold as plants have their season and then make way for the next. No space is left unnoticed or unattended.
Walking through the bushes takes you into a hidden back garden that is mostly comprised of woodland plants. Here’s what it looked like in early fall. I wish I had a springtime photo because it was absolutely incredible then.
Barry’s gardening style is quite formal and sculpted, but it is infused with his charm, warmth, and true sense of delight in plants that makes the garden very comfortable and inviting rather than rigid and stuffy like most formal spaces tend to be.
Looking to the east.
For that reason I have begun to think of Barry’s style as decisive rather than taint it with my own obvious bias against formality. He knows what he likes and pursues it rigorously. He likes to experiment and try out new plants but when he’s sure something isn’t working, he’s not afraid to pull it up and get it out of there. If only I had that skill!
One of the smaller break-away paths to the west.
Variegated Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum ‘Silver Wings’) this past spring.
Yellow Trillium (Trillium luteum), also photographed this past spring.
A view of the space looking north as you emerge from between the two bushes.
Two of Barry’s many clematis plants in flower this past July.
Clematis ‘Elvan’
Barry is an avid clematis collector. There is always something unique and incredible in bloom throughout the summer months, including shapes and sizes I had no idea existed in the clematis world.
Looking east at the front part of the garden.
Alpines flank the steps of the deck.
Alpines are another of Barry’s loves. When I first visited his garden, the sheer number of alpine troughs (both hypertuffa and stone) took me by surprise. Each one is lovingly tended and many have to be brought indoors to over-winter. That’s commitment!
I think I like this pot stuffed tight with tiny sempervivums, best.
Or maybe it’s this small stone trough with neatly shaped compartments.
Or could it be this one with plants that hug the edges of the pot?
This table on the deck is used to showcase seasonal plants of interest. On my first visit it was covered in specimens from Barry’s extensive agave collection; and on another occasion, a particularly impressive begonia.
A wide view of the deck showing legions of alpine troughs. There’s that orange begonia in the background.
Barry had a small, unheated greenhouse built sometime after he bought the house.
There is always some fantastic experiment in the works inside the greenhouse. It currently houses rows and rows of unusual cyclamen that Barry started from seed.
I hope I have done Barry’s garden justice with this presentation. There is so much going on there, it would take days to feature it all. When I first visited the garden I was so overcome, I barely lifted the camera to take a photo. But while I may have been too stunned to take pictures, I rushed home invigorated to get back and do better by my own plants.
I don’t often feature gardens, but Barry’s has been an inspiration this summer and better than most botanical gardens I have visited. As I mentioned above, it’s not only that he puts an incredible amount of work into maintaining the space, but that it captures the charm and personable warmth of his character so well. Most gardens of this ilk are tended by many, and reflect that. Barry’s garden is all him and his infectious enthusiasm for plants. A true plant geek.
I wish texas was closer to canada, so I could visit :/ very pretty garden though :)
Wow! just amazing!!
Wow, amazing. The formal-but-fun design of Barry’s garden is really interesting. Wish I were closer… the little succulent pots are so charming and beautiful.
(If you’re asking… I’d be into more posts on other people’s gardens. Such a treat to see these private spaces.)
it’s absolutely breathtaking. i’m particularly smitten by all the hypertuffa troughs. i bought a book on these a while back, but have yet to make one for myself. thanks for sharing, there is so much inspiration here.
what an awesome post — that garden is amazing.
It is quite inspirational. Wish I lived closer so I could see it in person. Beautiful.
Thanks for those kind words Gayla. It’s been great having your company this summer and I’ve enjoyed our mutual interest and enthusiasm in plants and gardening.
so inspiring! I love all of the photos and his sense of layering and pairings. Beautiful!
Wow, it’s lovely. I can see how it would be inspirational. For some reason, it reminds me of west coast gardens.
The front garden is pretty spectacular too. We often stand in front of Barry’s house and play count the monarchs because he’s got so many beautiful flowers planted there that the butterflies adore.
Sheryl: It’s true! And I’ve got pictures of the front as well but had to draw the line somewhere or I would have been writing this post for weeks…
I would love to see more photo essays like this one, not only are they inspiring, but Barry has some great ideas for maximizing plants in a small place. Absolutely amazing and beautiful!
Love the hidden back garden. I live in an apartment and every time I see photo shoots like these I miss having just the smallest of gardens.
Too bad I live in Melbourne (Australia) and not Melbourne Ave, Toronto or I would definitely attend the open day.
Wow. Now that’s something to aspire to! I figure I’ll try to master tomatoes, basil, rosemary and sage first, then I’ll move on to something new. I really like the succulents, maybe they can be my next obsession.
How lucky we are to live in Toronto. And Barry’s Welsh, too. Cymru am byth (Wales forever)!
Absolutely beautiful. From London and still learning.
Impressive! Love the different feelings each part of his garden purveys from the clusters of containers, the formally groomed yard, and the organic woodland garden. Bravo.
My biggest question is HOW does he keep his Oakleaf Hydrangea alive and thriving in Toronto? I live in New Hampshire, in a zone 4 climate and have to really fuss and have a hard time making it a happy shrub. Any suggestions?
Irene: That would be a question for Barry. He has lots of tips and tricks up his sleeve.
Hydrangea quercifolia is hardy in zones 5-9. Perhaps Irene is assuming that all of Canada is colder than the U.S. ( this is a common mistake made by American and British gardeners). In fact Toronto is zone 6. And both Gayla and I both live and garden within walking distance of Lake Ontario which moderates the climate and pushes us into zone 6b or even milder a climate.
My plant is quite old and had become very leggy, and so this Spring I cut it back severely, which has resulted in the lush growth you see in the picture. Perhaps, in zone 4, it would be a good idea to cut it back in the Fall and mulch it heavily to protect it from the worst of the winter weather. Hopefully you’ll be rewarded with the same vigorous growth in 2010.
Not sure if it flowers on old wood, if so, you might have to do without flowers for the sake of foliage.
Thanks so much for advice. Yes, I am guilty of gardening assumptions. Zone 6! Very nice.
My hydrangea is about ten years old (in it’s location) and I have been pretty timid about cutting it back hard. This spring I may give it a go, for the sake of experiment. I typically mulch it with manure every fall as well as leaf mulch. Any other suggestions?
I will sacrifice the bloom for that lovely foliage any day. So dreamy.
Thanks again, and is there a garden open house annually? I have always wanted to visit Toronto… Kudos on your beautiful outdoor space. So very lovely.
Thanks so much for advice. Yes, I am guilty of gardening assumptions. Zone 6! Very nice.
My hydrangea is about ten years old (in it’s location) and I have been pretty timid about cutting it back hard. This spring I may give it a go, for the sake of experiment. I typically mulch it with manure every fall as well as leaf mulch. Any other suggestions?
I will sacrifice the bloom for that lovely foliage any day. So dreamy.
Thanks again, and is there a garden open house annually? I have always wanted to visit Toronto… Kudos on your beautiful outdoor space. So very lovely.