There is an iconic Canadian garden fairly close to Kilbourne Grove. It was probably one of the first gardens in Canada to achieve national recognition. Patrick Lima and John Scanlon started gardening at Larkwhistle back in the 1970’s and since have published several books about gardening, using photos of their garden. When my friend Janus came to visit from Kingston, we decided to drive up to Larkwhistle, as she has never been there before.
Well, Janus was in seventh heaven. This garden is very similar to her garden, both in the country, surrounded by fields. A profuse overgrown cottage look. Arches and pergolas built from cedar rails.
You could almost see the steam coming out of her ears, as she took it all in.
Oooh, purple goodness, thalictrum and verbena bonariensis.
The Quiet Garden.
I love these concrete pools, (as you can tell by so many photos), must show to Ian.
Must have this Clematis!
You can read another post (and see a whole lot better photos) about this garden on Jen’s Three Dogs in a Garden blog. She and I e-mailed about the chance of getting together when she and her husband were on holiday in the Bruce. She even offered to weed my garden for me, what a sweetie. But the times just didn’t work out, hopefully it will happen another year. She visited Larkwhistle 2 weeks before Janus and I did, see if you can see the difference in the garden by reading her story about it here and here.
Larkwhistle is open to the public for a nominal charge of $3.00 and believe me, you will get a hundred times that in ideas for your own garden.Just be sure and check that it is open before you drive up, they are open on the weekends, I know, but not sure about during the week. If you have the time, be sure and check out this site, Rural Gardens of Grey and Bruce County. Over 30 gardens, including Larkwhistle, belong to this network, all opening their gardens to the public on a regular basis. Perhaps, one day, when Kilbourne Grove is finished, I shall be on it too. But in the meantime, we visited another garden on our way home…
I am a floral designer living in a tiny condo in downtown Toronto, Canada's largest city. But on the weekend, I am a gardener/frustrated architect trying to keep up with a 3/4 acre garden in Owen Sound, Ontario, a warm (to Canadians, Zone 5b, and a cold (to Americans, Zone 4b) garden.
Green Theatre 
Pauline Mulligan said,
November 29, 2011 @ 6:08 AM
What a really beautiful garden – no wonder your friend Janus loved it so much. Garden visiting is so inspiring – I always come away with lots of ideas to put into practise here. I’m sure you will get onto your garden visiting list one day – you have a super garden.
kilbournegrove said,
December 1, 2011 @ 1:23 PM
Thanks Pauline, that is a lovely compliment. I wish Canada had as many open gardens as the UK does, we are sadly lacking.
Heather @ what's blooming this week said,
November 29, 2011 @ 8:03 AM
I’ve heard of this garden, but have not been. But after seeing these pictures, I think a trip to the Bruce is in order. Particularly love the quiet garden – the greens are so soothing. Lots to dream about there.
kilbournegrove said,
December 1, 2011 @ 1:25 PM
I think a trip is in order as well, Heather, you can break up the journey at Kilbourne Grove. I would love for you to see my garden.
Garden Walk Garden Talk said,
November 29, 2011 @ 8:34 AM
It would be a drive, but a trip I would enjoy. It is such a beautiful place and looks like it has many natural spots as well as the gorgeous gardens. I also saw it on Toronto Gardens blog.
kilbournegrove said,
December 1, 2011 @ 1:28 PM
Donna, you could always break your trip up at Kilbourne Grove. I would be happy to have you.
tezalizard said,
November 29, 2011 @ 12:31 PM
D:
A gorgeous garden for sure, and one that I will have to revisit this coming year. methinks the Clematis is ‘Mrs Robert Brydon, also known as pillar clematis. I grew it once, but found it needed more sun and plenty more room than I afforded it! not too hard to find at garden centres!
kilbournegrove said,
December 1, 2011 @ 1:28 PM
Why do you do this to me? My wish list is supposed to be getting smaller, not larger!
Jennifer@threedogsinagarden said,
November 30, 2011 @ 5:54 AM
Thanks so much for the mention! Larkwhistle is a garden I would like to visit again, this time earlier in the summer. We really enjoyed our visit to Owen Sound and found a great place to stay, so I am sure we will back. Maybe next time, if you are home, we can pop in for a visit. I would love to see Kilbourne Grove.
kilbournegrove said,
December 1, 2011 @ 1:30 PM
I would love for you to see it too, Jennifer. Do come this spring, I should be back from mid April, but I think Larkwhistle opens up around Victoria day. I won’t even make you weed, lol.
gippslandgardener said,
December 5, 2011 @ 3:52 AM
That is one lovely garden – the steam would be coming out of my ears too 🙂
kilbournegrove said,
December 9, 2011 @ 7:01 AM
I got a lot of great ideas, hope you did too.