I have been at the Toronto Botanical Gardene twice this past week. The first time was Tuesday night, when I attended a lecture by Marion Jarvie with my friends Barry Parker and David Leeman. And the second time, this past Sunday, when ORGS (Ontario Rock Garden and Hardy Plant Society) had its annual plant sale. So I made sure to get out in the garden both times to take some photos, giving myself some inspiration and hopefully you.
You walk through the woodland garden to get to the main building.
I believe these are insect habitats, quite beautiful.
They are adding new bike racks at the TBG,
nice to see a botanical theme.
I planted these in my garden last year,
Leucojum
but mine have not started flowering yet.
Obviously I need a lot more.
A great underplanting idea for a specimen tree,
ajuga and amemone blanda.
A couple of plant combinations I liked.
The formal garden is looking quite lovely.
I think this is tulipa sylvestris.
Must have!
And Acer shiraswanum ‘Aureum’, I bought one last year, lovely underplanting.
I love redbuds, mine should be in flower soon. And I actually have a couple of seedlings, a group like this would look lovely on the berm.
Next time, I will show you my absolute favourite spot…
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 
Heather @ new house, new home, new life said,
May 8, 2012 @ 12:16 PM
Went there last week with my mother but didn’t see much. She’s in a walker and with the parking lot closed, it would have been too difficult for her. Oh well, next time.
kilbournegrove said,
May 10, 2012 @ 7:11 AM
I had been there tuesday, and the lot was closed then, hopefully you will get back.
paulinemulligan said,
May 8, 2012 @ 1:06 PM
Wonderful selection of plants, but my favourite is the insect habitat, it’s fabulous!
kilbournegrove said,
May 10, 2012 @ 7:11 AM
I think they are beautiful as well.
gardeningasylum said,
May 8, 2012 @ 1:09 PM
Gorgeous photos of the botanic garden – being so far south, tulips and redbuds are a memory now, but sweet to see again. Love those layered combinations!
kilbournegrove said,
May 10, 2012 @ 7:12 AM
You must find it an adjustment after so many years in the north. You always have an idea in your head when things flower, and now it is out of sync.
tezalizard said,
May 8, 2012 @ 7:41 PM
You know, twice I have been there to attend the Plant Sale and twice I have never made it to the surrounding gardens and property! One day I will have to leave the wallet at home and stroll the gardens, and hopefully run into Ben, a friend who is working there this year!
kilbournegrove said,
May 10, 2012 @ 7:13 AM
You have to get out and see it, I am sure you will then spot other plants to add to your wish list.
Donna@Gardens Eye View said,
May 8, 2012 @ 9:51 PM
I love some of those combos…quite lovely
kilbournegrove said,
May 10, 2012 @ 7:13 AM
They certainly do a nice job.
Garden Walk Garden Talk said,
May 9, 2012 @ 6:42 AM
The insect habitat is beautiful, a work of art. The textural combos are pretty, they vary in color too.
kilbournegrove said,
May 10, 2012 @ 7:14 AM
I love those insect habitats, not only useful, but beautiful as well.
Jennifer@threedogsinagarden said,
May 9, 2012 @ 8:25 AM
We must have passed in the wind. I was at the RBG last weekend as well! I see you have been to Lost Horizons. I haven’t been this year…yet.
kilbournegrove said,
May 10, 2012 @ 7:15 AM
Did you go to the ORGS plant sale on Sunday? Look forward to seeing all your lovely purchases from Lost Horizons.