Gardeners open their yards to visitors during tour

New attractions have been added to this year’s Creemore Garden Tour.

Each year, Paul and Charlotte Vorstermans hold an open garden, welcoming visitors to tour a series of seven garden “rooms” that cover most of their half acre lot. Paul is the designer of the hardscape, and Charolette, a Master Gardener, is responsible for the planting.

The initiative allows people free access to local gardens, many of which are in the backyard, hidden from view.

Last year, Paul said 340 people came through their garden over the weekend. Five private gardens, and two other spaces, are included on this year’s tour, most of which are within walking distance of Creemore’s downtown. The gardens highlight the individual artistic approach of each gardener and their choice of plants.
Charlotte alone grows about 45 varieties of clematis and dozens of hosta varieties.

Paul said by nature gardeners are always adding and changing their spaces so there is always something new to see.

“There are two kinds of people who come to the garden tour – those who like to walk around and others who are really into plants, who want to know the name of everything and really know their plants,” said Paul. “We do have some unusual plants that probably people have never seen before.”

The Creemore Garden Tour will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 13 and 14. Admission is free. The gardens are as follows. A map and more information is available at www.gardentour.ca.

• Norah and Doug Mills, 24 Elizabeth St. E. “A secluded piece of Heaven“
• Bev Stableforth, 3 Elizabeth St. W. “Follow the winding paths“
• Jaki Skillings, 17 Elizabeth St. W. “Delightful whimsy”
• Paul and Charlotte Vorstermans, 113 Mill St. “A surprise at every turn”
• Marilyn Badger, 4 George St. “Red door Cottage”
• Grandmother’s Garden, North America’s smallest jail and Creemore Log Cabin, 165 Library St. The jail is open all weekend. The Log Cabin is open Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Purple Hill Lavender Farm on 6/7 Nottawasaga Sideroad – On the weekend of the garden tour, receive a $5 discount on admission by using the code ‘garden tour’ at www. purplehilllavender.com.

Trina Berlo photo: Jaki Skillings’ garden is described as “Delightful Whimsy” because of the variety of metal sculptures she collects in Florida.