WELCOME, to the Galt Horticultural Society’s
Open Garden Tours for 2017!
This year you will travel to various locations in Cambridge, Waterloo and Guelph. All of the
tours take place from 7 to 9 PM, rain or shine except the walking tour of downtown Hespeler
which takes place on Saturday July 15 at 12:30 pm. Thanks to the Hespeler Horticultural
Society for sharing this event with the GHS members.
Every attempt has been made to ensure details are correct. We apologize in advance if there are
any errors. As well, at times a garden needs to be cancelled and we will let you know if that
happens.
As in previous years, please note the garden tour etiquette rules. Thank you in advance for
taking care of all the properties that you visit. We are also publishing maps to help you navigate
your way as well as a brief write-up about each property. Please bring your membership card to
each tour location to help the Galt Horticultural Society greeters.
Greeters will again be wearing the neon yellow vests. Please see them if you need assistance.
To help you locate the properties the Galt Horticultural Society Open Garden signs will be on
each front yard. Evening passes will be available for $3 per person per evening for nonmembers.
We greatly appreciate each and every gardener who has agreed to place their property on the
tours for 2017. A big thanks to all of you from all of the members of the Galt Horticultural
Society and the Open Garden Committee.
Enjoy the tours and please do not hesitate to contact the committee with any comments or
questions.
Galt Horticultural Open Garden Committee
Audrey Bailey
519-623-1988
[email protected]
Renate Wells
519-623-0066
[email protected]
Nancy Smith
519-623-7085
[email protected]
www.galthort.com
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Galt Horticultural Society Open Garden
Tour Etiquette
1. Adhere to the schedule. If the garden is open from 7:00 to 9:00, do not arrive at 6:30 to beat
the crowd while the hosts are hurrying to get ready, or show up at 8:50 and expect to view the
garden for an hour.
2. Leave pets and small children at home.
3. Paths are to be walked on.
4. Ask permission before taking photographs.
5. Do not remove plant markers in order to read them.
6. If you have questions, do ask the hosts. They will be happy to talk to you.
7. Don’t brag about your own garden, but, if you need help, ask the hosts to share their secrets
for success.
8. If you see something you don’t care for, keep it to yourself.
9. Never weed, prune, pick or rearrange plants.
10. Do not ask for cuttings.
11. Taking seed heads or cuttings when you think nobody is watching is stealing.
12. If you are allergic to insect bites, discreetly use your own bug spray.
13. Unless it is an absolute emergency, do not ask to use the bathroom.
14. Make sure that you find the hosts and thank them for opening their garden.
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Galt Horticultural Society
Open Gardens 2017 Schedule
Monday June 5 (Map 1)
272 Salisbury Ave., Cambridge
139 Grand Ave., South Cambridge
145 Grand Ave., South Cambridge
137 Grand Ave. South, Cambridge
Donna & Norm Bertrand
Liz & Mike Stacey
Sue & Tony Willemsen
Peter and Diane Martin
* Registration Location
Monday Jun 12 (Map 2)
12 Foster Cres., Cambridge
8 Carpenter Rd. Cambridge
Terry Bowers
Stuart Cameron
* Registration Location
Monday Jun 19 (Map 3A & B)
102 Hume Dr. Cambridge
94 Hume Dr. Cambridge
138 Hume Dr. Cambridge
127 Attwood Dr. Cambridge
Sandy & Peter Caple
* Registration Location
Wendy & Dave Moscinski
Wilma & Mark Miyasaki
Connie & Edward Boychuk
Monday Jun 26 (Map 4A & B)
8 Megan Place, Guelph
Robert Pavlis - Aspen Grove
Monday July 10 (Map 5)
128 Fairlake Dr., Cambridge
143 Fairlake Dr., Cambridge
147 Fairlake Dr., Cambridge
Janine & Robert Rydak
Lil & Lloyd Jahn
Wendy & Paul Paquette
* Registration Location
Saturday July 15 (Map 6)
Walking Tour of downtown Hespeler
Hespeler Horticultural Society
Hespeler Heritage Building on Queen St. at the back of fire station. 12:30 pm
11 Tannery St. E., Cambridge
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Monday July 17 (Map 7A & B)
162 Herron Place, Waterloo
David Hobson
Monday July 24 (Map 8A & B)
1487 Briarwood Dr., Cambridge
632 North St., Cambridge
160 Fountain St. S., Cambridge
Morag & Sidney Waite
* Registration Location
Rob Kent & Leah Kent-Olsen
Mary Jane Harnack
Monday July 31 (Map 9A & B)
1767 Seaton Rd., Cambridge
1777 Seaton Rd., Cambridge
1797 Seaton Rd., Cambridge
1817 Seaton Rd., Cambridge
Gary & Donna Willard
Neil & Nancy Smith
Chris & Renate Wells
Tom & Monika Thomas
Monday Aug 14 (Map 10)
CANCELLED
* Registration Location
Monday Aug 21 (Map 11)
37 Grand Ave.South, Cambridge
Ferguson Cottage
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Monday, June 5, 2017
Elizabeth and Michael Stacey
139 Grand Ave. South, Cambridge *
Peter and Diane Martin
137 Grand Ave. South, Cambridge
Sue and Tony Willemson
145 Grand Ave. South, Cambridge
Donna & Norm Bertrand
272 Salisbury Ave. Cambridge
* NOTE: Please visit 139 Grand Ave. South first if you wish to purchase/renew your membership
or purchase a Nightly Pass. Open Garden Booklets will also be available.
Elizabeth and Michael’s residence is a lovely Italianate Victorian style 1870 home. You may recognize Liz
as a former president and now as the Garden Committee Director of the Galt Horticultural Society. Both Liz
and Mike are Master Gardeners who continually change the gardens each year. At the front of their home
there is a dragon feature within the xeriscaped front yard. In the back, follow the whimsical sea of colour
"under the big top". The yard has water features, pathways, shrubs, sculptures, sitting areas, lights and of
course plants.
Peter & Diane’s home is circa 1861. They have lived in the home for less than a year. The back garden has a
stone pathway and new deck. The formal garden goes around the back and includes a redbud, fire pit and a
variety of perennials.
Sue (and Tony) write: “I’m known as the hosta-hoe (hence my email)… with my passion being for over 500
varieties of hostas (last wine count!). Even my 9 year old granddaughter could name hostas since she was 3
and will tell you THEY are my babies. I have dug up more grass and other perennials to make room for more
hostas! The little strip of grass left seems to be more of a problem! In my garden you will also find 50
varieties of Hens and Chickens, 6 Japanese Maples, and also a FIFI, a pompom juniper that Tony thought
would be a great addition! Stone pathways, stone berms, old rod-iron fencing, little hidden surprises,
twinkling lights and separate rooms/places to sit are included. Our 3 collies enjoy watching the birds at the
feeders and in the bird baths. Behind the garage, Tony has mounted an old cast-iron sink at my potting
stations. We have lived here for 36 years and the gardens were started 18 years ago and counting.” Sue will
have Hostas, Fairy Planters and Glass Flower – Suncatchers for sale on the garden tour.
Donna & Norm have lived in this home since 1999. The backyard includes a river water feature that they
built and leave running year round. The flow of the water over the stones in the river is a gentle background
sound that can be heard from the patio at the back of the house. Many plants and shrubs have been planted
in the front and back yard borders and ground covers and other interesting plants complement and
surround the river. They also have a “back-back” yard that serves as a holding garden for plants, a cup plant
patch and a compost area. This area gives a view overlooking the railway line down an embankment.
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Monday Jun 5 - Map 1
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Monday, June 12, 2017
Terry Bowers
12 Foster Cres., Cambridge*
Stuart Cameron
8 Carpenter Rd.
* NOTE: Please visit 12 Foster Cres. first if you wish to purchase/renew your membership or
purchase a Nightly Pass. Open Garden Booklets will also be available.
Terry has only been in this home for 2 years. When she moved in, it was quite overwhelmed with large trees
and shrubs. A few remain including a large tree in the front yard surrounded by an attractive garden. A new
brick pathway replaced a tangled trail leading to the backyard. The backyard is most inviting. There is a
shed that is so neat you could live in it! A shady nook gives shelter on warm days while new smaller trees and
roses have been added to the sunny open areas. Lots of interesting pieces of garden décor add a special touch
to the gardens.
Stuart has a wonderful assortment of trees, shrubs and perennials in the front yard. The red and gold
colours in the plant material complement and enhance each other, brightening the gardens. At the front
porch there is a climbing rose and clematis that provide a show of fabulous flowers in late spring. At the side
of the driveway a white blooming hedge is under- planted with thyme that makes a sensational combination
when in bloom.
As you walk to the back, there is a Virginia creeper that grows on the side of the house and turns a brilliant
red in the fall. A red honeysuckle climbs the fence and that attracts pollinators. The backyard hosts a
multitude of different trees, shrubs and perennials. It is hard to take in all the different plants when you
enter the yard. There is a multitude of remarkable trees and shrubs to see including tiger eye sumac, curly
willow, red bud, katsura, flowering almond, service berry, Japanese maples, black lace elder and a
magnificent red flowering Hawthorn tree. The back fence is adorned with golden hops that provide a bright
background to a shady area. Many perennials are found beneath and in between the trees and shrubs in the
gardens including epimediums, clematis, bamboo, ornamental grasses and astilbes. The assortment of plant
material in the gardens makes the landscape interesting in all seasons.
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Monday Jun 12 - Map 2
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Monday, June 19, 2017
Sandy & Peter Caple
102 Hume Dr., Cambridge *
Wendy & Dave Moscinski
94 Hume Dr., Cambridge
Wilma & Mark Miyasaki
138 Hume Dr., Cambridge
Connie & Edward Boychuk
127 Attwood Dr. Cambridge
* NOTE: Please visit 102 Hume Dr. first if you wish to purchase/renew your membership or
purchase a Nightly Pass. Open Garden Booklets will also be available.
Sandy & Peter’s front yard was dug up last winter just before Christmas by the city to fix the water pipes.
Unfortunately in the process their 10 year old Japanese Cherry tree was removed. They hope to have a
replacement tree installed this year.
As you go through the gate to the backyard, you will find a pathway between lilac shrubs and cedars. The
path opens up to an arbour with climbing clematis and roses. Through the arbour you will find the back
porch with a gazebo and hot tubs areas. A trellis over the hot tub supports 25 year old purple and white
wisteria vines that might be in flower for the tour. Mature hydrangea vines climb the trellis and the back
walls of the house. A garden behind the deck contains a rose collection and a late blooming toad lily.
Behind the deck is a pool and second deck half way up the hill in the back yard. This gives access to the
perennial beds in the back which contain a variety of plants, flowering shrubs and trees which provide
colour and interest throughout the seasons.
Wendy & Dave’s garden is a joy for all seasons! In the early spring you will find magnolias and a variety of
bulb flowers such as tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and crocuses bursting forth in bloom. The second show
follows in late spring with apple and cherry blossoms, lilacs and a variety of peonies dotting the landscape.
Throughout the summer, various clematis, roses, lilies, hostas and Rose of Sharon can be seen providing
interest in particular locations in the garden.
Wilma & Mark’s front yard has been transformed into a Japanese Zen garden with many different foliage
plants, shrubs and trees that give the garden a variety of form and texture. Different tones of lime, blue to
red greens in the plant material add interest. The gravel area serves 2 purposes as a decorative Japanese
feature and drainage from the higher elevations in the backyard. The bench on the front walk is a perfect
location to sit and view the garden.
In the back yard, they have a composite deck complete with an outdoor kitchen that Mark built. This area is
used for relaxing and dinning in the summer. A Honey Locus tree gives dappled shade to the dining area in
the afternoon. Many of their plants are from their families and friends and have a history that came with
them. One of the Hostas from Wilma’s father is over 90 years old! In front of the dining area is a fragrance
garden that adds another dimension to the back yard experience. A hummingbird feeder is also close to the
deck so they can watch the birds come and go. The perennial border around the perimeter of the back yard
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holds many varieties of plants, most with a history of where they came from. Wilma and Mark love to share
their plants with friends and family which continues the story of the plant as it moves to another home.
Connie and Edward moved to Ontario two and a half years ago and have totally changed the property
since then. The front yard is full of drought tolerant perennials, annuals, shrubs, flagstone pathways and
features a mounded colorful and textural focal point of foliage. The back yard is anchored with a wooden
gazebo girdled by a large flagstone patio. Flowering shrubs and colorful plants fill in between the flagstone
and the fenced yard. The dry creek bed complements the stone scape theme. This summer, they are working
on creating a matching dry scape boulevard. Although the gardens are young, they did come through the
winter in great shape. Connie and Edward hope you enjoy the gardens as much as they appreciate the
gardening community in Cambridge!
Monday, June 19 – Map 3A
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Monday, June 19 – Map 3B
Directions from Hume Dr. to 127 Attwood Dr.
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Monday, June 26, 2017
Robert Pavlis
8 Megan Place, Guelph
“Aspen Grove Gardens”
In 2005 Robert decided to start a large, private, botanical type of garden and called it Aspen Grove Gardens.
It is located on 6 acres of rolling hills in the south- east end of Guelph.
The areas of elevation of this hilly property are both a challenge and an opportunity for unique garden
design: a steep, long cascading waterfall, a dry stone waterfall feature, several ponds at different elevations
and bog gardens in water retentive areas.
Robert is a plant-a-holic and has amassed several thousand varieties of plants growing in a wide range of
conditions. Rare and unusual perennials, trees and shrubs thrive in both sunny and shady conditions. A
Japanese tea house, a dry garden, a forty foot arbour and a variety of statues heighten the experience of
viewing this beautiful garden.
Because there is so much to see at “Aspen Grove Gardens”, this is the only garden scheduled for this night.
2 maps have been included – the first to show directions from Cambridge to Guelph and the second to show a
closer view of the area in Guelph
Monday, June 26 – Map 4A
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Monday, June 26 – Map 4B
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Monday, July 10, 2017
Janina & Robert Rydak
128 Fairlake Dr., Cambridge *
Lil & Lloyd Jahn
143 Fairlake Dr., Cambridge
Wendy & Paul Paquette
147 Fairlake Dr., Cambridge
* NOTE: Please visit 128 Fairlake Dr. first if you wish to purchase/renew your
membership or purchase a Nightly Pass. Open Garden Booklets will also be available.
Janina and Robert have beautiful gardens all around their house! The front garden has two different
Japanese maples, a pink magnolia tree and a white magnolia, a Japanese lilac, a wide variety of shrubs as
well as bulb flowers and perennials. The pathway to the backyard, which is lined with flower beds, leads you
to gardens filled with hosta, hydranges, peonies, iris, Japanese maples and bulb flowers. The focal point of
the backyard is a beautiful lady statue/bird bath.
Lil and Lloyd have lived here for 11 years. When they moved in there were no flower beds around the house.
They have created beautiful gardens in the front and back of the house with many bulb flowers
and perennials planted for three seasons blooming. A variety of statues and bird baths add interest to the
gardens. In their backyard they have created a pondless waterfall.
Wendy & Paul moved into this home 19 years ago. At that time there were no gardens, only grass up to the
foundations of the house. Since then they have established beautiful gardens throughout the property. The
gardens include a rose bed containing 35 rose buses, 3 peony rose trees and an abundance of perennials.
Monday, July 10 – Map 5
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Saturday, July 15, 2017
Downtown Hespeler – meet at Hespeler Heritage Building 11 Tannery St. E.,
Cambridge at the back of fire station. Tour departure time: 12:30
Join the Hespeler Horticultural Society for an hour long walk of downtown Hespeler that will feature some
historical and architectural parts of Hespeler. Long-time resident and historian Larry Turner will talk about
the history and architecture of the area. After the walk the group will convene at Crème, a local coffee shop
for some social time. This tour is open to Galt and Hespeler Horticultural Society members.
Saturday, July 15 – Map 6
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Monday, July 17, 2017
David Hobson
162 Herron Place, Waterloo
As you walk through a sheltered arbour covered with plants, you enter David’s backyard garden. Take your
time wandering the paths. There is so much to see, here are some of the highlights. There are lots of
containers throughout the garden holding a variety of plants showing s a whimsical aspect of his gardens.
Don’t miss the hens and chicks growing on a cement hat! The garden contains a wide variety of fascinating,
colourful plants, shrubs and trees. In the back, there is a veggie patch and compost pile. Follow one of the
paths to a pond with moving water and fish swimming around the lily pads. And of course David Hobson,
master gardener, humorist and writer will be available to answer your questions.
Because there is so much to see at David Hobson’s Garden”, this is the only garden scheduled for this night.
We would like to thank David for taking the time to open his garden for our members. A donation of a
twonie for the Food Bank would be greatly appreciated.
2 maps have been included – the first to show directions from Cambridge to Waterloo and the second to
show a closer view of the area in Waterloo
Monday, July 17 – Map 7A
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Monday, July 17 – Map 7B
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Monday, July 24, 2017
Morag & Sidney Waite
1487 Briarwood Dr., Cambridge *
Rob Kent & Leah Kent-Olsen
632 North St., Cambridge
Mary Jane Harnack
160 Fountain St. S., Cambridge
* NOTE: Please visit 1487 Briarwood Dr. first if you wish to purchase/renew your membership or
purchase a Nightly Pass. Open Garden Booklets will also be available.
Morag & Sidney’s home has lots of curb appeal. There is a gently curved sidewalk that leads to the front
door. Several small trees have been made into standards of various heights. A small shade garden invites you
into the backyard. This area has been revamped for easy maintenance. In the backyard there is a shady spot
for the BBQ and seating in a sunny area. This is a very charming outdoor living room which gives the owners
a comfortable place to relax and entertain. The yard is rectangular in shape, but not the gardens. Garden
islands make the area more interesting and skilfully placed pots of bright annuals complete this delightful
property.
Rob & Leah’s front garden leads you to hope to see more. In the backyard, they have created a carefully
planned large area with an adult area for entertaining, a small lovely garden and a children’s place with a
trampoline, tree house and a pirate ship for their 2 children and most of the neighbours.
Leah is part of the Olsen family who own and operate Royal City Nursery. She now has her own business –
Fleuristic Garden and Flower Studio in Guelph.
Mary Jane’s property is on a hill overlooking the Speed River just south of the old Preston Springs Gardens
and across from the Pines. Over the years, Mary Jane has built this garden from scratch, taking the rocks
from the soil to build walkways and pockets for plants. This is a very challenging garden and as Mary Jane
says, in some places you need to be part goat to work on it. Many plants take advantage of the hill and grow
where they are happiest. There are numerous ground covers that crowd out many of the weeds and provide
a backdrop for the larger plants. Several springs flow down the property and provide water to many of the
areas. Some areas stay wet allowing Cattail rushes to grow. There are plants in bloom in all seasons. During
July when we will be touring her garden, you will see many plants including Day Lilies, Black-eye-Susans,
Alyssum and Rose Campion.
Around the house there are more formal gardens and planters to be enjoyed and a vegetable garden which
is planted in front of the porch. You can enjoy the hill garden from the porch or by going down the stairs and
wandering the pathways.
Although the address is on Fountain Street, Mary Jane’s laneway comes in between 219 and 231 Abraham
Street. The laneway is narrow and on the hill so please DO NOT drive your car down to the house, Please
park on Abraham Street and walk down the laneway. If you need assistance getting up & down the laneway,
let the greeter know. We are planning to have a car ready to help.
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Monday, July 24 – Map 8A
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Monday, July 24 – Map 8B
Although the address is on Fountain Street, Mary Jane’s laneway comes in between 219 and 231 Abraham
Street. The laneway is narrow and on the hill so please DO NOT drive your car down to the house, Please
park on Abraham Street and walk down the laneway. If you need assistance getting up & down the laneway,
let the greeter know. We are planning to have a car ready to help.
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Monday, July 31, 2017
Gary & Donna Willard
1767 Seaton Rd., Cambridge *
Neil & Nancy Smith
1777 Seaton Rd., Cambridge
Chris & Renate Wells
1797 Seaton Rd., Cambridge
Tom & Monika Thomas
1817 Seaton Rd., Cambridge
* NOTE: Please visit 1767 Seaton Rd. first if you wish to purchase/renew your membership or
purchase a Nightly Pass. Open Garden Booklets will also be available.
Gary & Donna spent last summer creating a new rock and garden area along the front of their property.
Many different sun and shade plants fill the gardens in the area. Included in the rock garden are fragments
of the original grave marker of Gary’s 4th great-grandfather, who was an original settler in 1832 in the
Sheffield area.
Notice the gardens along the front walkway and beautiful Magnolia tree in the side yard. Going around to
the backyard, there is a wonderfully designed vegetable garden that leads to the back yard where flagstone
walkways, surrounded by gardens, lead to a patio and pool.
Neil & Nancy moved to this property 7 years ago and have been making changes to the gardens since then.
They are working on the pond this year which went dry last summer during the drought. They hope that the
work and clean-up will be finished by the time of the garden tour but if not they have many other areas that
you can visit. The front garden along the road is one of their favourite gardens with many different
perennials that bloom at different times. Another favourite area is the rock garden hollow in the back yard
that has many shade plants including hostas, epimediums, ferns, primulas and toad lilies. Many of the
annuals planted around the property are grown from seeds that are planted in early spring under lights in
the basement. Growing seeds helps to pass the winter months and make it feel like spring is around the
corner.
Chris and Renate have owned this property since 1988, when Chris cleared a section of the treed lot to build
their house. Most of the gardens were created around the existing trees and rocks on the property. The
gardens are planted with bulbs and perennials for three season blooming. A variety of statues add interest to
the gardens. Don't miss the "Secret Garden"! This is a shade garden with mostly spring flowers such as
bleeding hearts, triliums, primulas, bethlehem sage and lily of the valley; in the summer you will see mostly
ferns, hosta and phlox here.
The backyard is under construction - again, and is therefore not part of the tour.
Tom & Monika - One of the first things you will notice about Tom & Monika’s front yard is the perfectly
manicured boxwood hedge across the front with stone pillars framing the circular drive. Tom and Monica
inherited this hedge and it’s pruning when they moved in 38 years ago. The gardens around the front of the
house are filled with perennials and annuals to give colour in all season.
Follow the stone walkway around to the backyard. All the stone work was installed by Tom using stones
found in the area. The walkway leads to a deck with a sitting area complete with swivel chairs so you can
take advantage of all the different views of the property. On another level there is a covered dining area and
pool. The solid wood fence was replaced by an open powder-coated steel fence that allows you to appreciate
the views of evergreens and lilacs around the property. The gardens in the back yard are filled with
perennials including some Japanese Peonies and Hostas she received from her family.
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Tom & Monica have also created a garden across the road where you can find a variety of ground covers,
lilacs and a couple of Naked Ladies!!
Monday, July 31- Map 9A
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Monday, July 31- Map 9B
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Monday, Aug. 14, 2017
CANCELLED – due to unforeseen circumstances this night has been cancelled. The
Garden tour will finish next week with a celebration at Ferguson Cottage.
Monday, Aug. 21, 2017
Ferguson Cottage
37 Grand Ave. S., Cambridge
Come and join the party as the Galt Horticultural Society garden committee shows you the changes
to the gardens at Ferguson Cottage. We will have refreshments and lots of committee members to
show you around.
Monday, Aug. 21- Map 11
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