The Toronto Island Gardens

Much has been written about the Garden Bloggers visit to the Toronto Island Gardens. My fellow "Flingers" seem enamored with the idea of island life. No cars on the island, a slower pace, etc. While I thoroughly enjoyed walking the community you won't find dreaming about a move. I grew up in a rural setting where outings had to be planned and weather could dictate your schedule (roads made impassable by drifting snow). I am now a city girl through and through!

I snapped the shot above while waiting for the return ferry to downtown (before the buckets of rain started to fall). Below I've cropped it to highlight the area we explored: gardens on Ward's Island and Algonquin Island, just a short ferry ride across the harbour from downtown Toronto.

We were met at the ferry dock by a local and escorted to the far corner of Ward's where our group photo would be taken. A kind gentleman stopped a couple of us on our walk to point out this variegated chestnut. Beautiful!

This was the location for our photo...nice view of downtown don't you think?

Here's the group. I believe there were 70 of us, give or take a couple.

After being handed maps showing the locations of the open gardens we were set free to wander. Our group got "early admission" to the official Island Garden Tour happening that weekend.

The homes and lots on Ward's Island are small, and close together. At times it was difficult to tell where the garden you were supposed to be walking though ended and the next began. Thankfully nobody seemed to mind (well, almost nobody - more on that in a bit).

Was the window box actually a toy canoe? I hope so.

Birdseed.

See what I mean about close together?

Ferns seem to spring up wherever there is a bit of open ground on this island.

They obviously love the climate.

Another garden...

Giving the ferns a run for "most popular plant" on the island were the hostas.

When there are no cars the "streets" can be much smaller.

I've read about the red-stemmed hosta, but not seen one before this. Now I want one...

This was the resident I mentioned earlier, who didn't want anybody mistaking their garden for one that was open.

Too bad as I liked their style!

And theirs too (also not open)...

It was mostly hidden behind a screen of tress.

For those who want more space (and sun) to grow veggies there's an allotment garden.

Further on, nearing the footbridge to Algonquin Island, was a sign that caused me a little concern. I'd just read a story about a California woman battling Lyme Disease she picked up on a trip to New England. Ugh.

Crossing the bridge to Algonquin Island...

Since everything that comes onto, and leaves, the islands must do so by boat the residents are excellent at reuse and repurposing. There's a "free" stand at the base of the bridge.

There was also a small staging area for furniture. I saw a nice 50's era Formica kitchen table I would have considered hauling home, if home was nearby.

What a tree house!

More of the same metal framework the previous "closed" gardener was using to block the entrance. I wonder what it did in it's former life?

This group seemed to enjoy the passers-by as much as we enjoyed them.

Some of the homes and lots on Algonquin Island were much larger than those on Ward's...

But the ferns and hostas were just as happy...

Several of the homes had this million-dollar view (the pitch-fork is holding an open garden sign)...

The gardens are all blurring together now, I was starting to walk a little faster as small raindrops were falling and the time to catch the last (!) ferry off the island was drawing near.