Photos by Hamlin Grange
One of the most beautiful gardens I’ve ever seen grows behind a very modern house not far from Toronto’s downtown.
A lush, hidden garden in a world of its own.
A place where tall trees loom into the sky, water flows peacefully, plants thrive and a discovery waits around every corner.
The garden is the ‘labour of love’ of Mary and Bob and their family. (Mary is on the right, below.)
While there’s no doubt that Mary provides the driving passion behind the garden (and loves nothing better than working in it) Bob and daughter Adrianne also play central roles.
“Bob built the arbor and pergola and has been so supportive of my passion,” Mary says.
“My Adrianne has been a big part of the creation. She is an incredible artist and we love when her time permits for us to work together on the garden.”
Mary describes the garden as “a canvas on which we have the privilege of unleashing our creativity”.
And what a work of art.
Japanese maples of different kinds – more than two hundred of them – weave through the garden, as do Japanese forest grass, hosta and other interesting plants.
Their foliage and colour contribute to the texture of the garden from spring to fall.
Hundreds of tropical plants thrive in the pool area, seeming completely at home.
Water features add to the feeling of peace here.
There are ponds.
Waterfalls.
And a water wall.
It is surprising to find a garden of this size and kind so close to downtown Toronto. Equally surprising: this garden is less than 6 years old.
The family was fortunate to have very large trees and more than an acre of land, but they had to start the garden from scratch.
Under the shade of the trees, and in many sunny spaces, the garden changed and evolved over those years.
You can see it many times and still find something new to admire every time.
New plants, new trees, new structures.
Which may explain why friends beg to tour the garden every time they visit.
And gardening magazines love producing features about it.
Mary talks about her family’s creation with a gardener’s passion. There’s wonder and delight in her voice and on her face when she stops to look at a new development.
A late-season rose.
A passion-flower, giving one of its first blooms near the end of summer.
The fragrance of a gardenia.
“I love this garden!” Mary says. “It comes from our family’s heart.”
**
Dedicated to the artist in all of us.
Cynthia Reyes 
How gorgeous and only 6 years old, unbelievable!
It is surprising. So lovely.
Looks beautiful – but where are the veg? If I had so much space, most of it would be for crops, which I find beautiful too.
Oops! They have lots of veggies – I didn’t use those photos.
Ha! Is that a reflection of your preferences in a garden?
How did you guess? But I love my husband’s vegetable garden and especially the fruits of his labour.
That’s a beautiful garden, full of love and it’s the most important think in life 🙂
So well said, Christiane.
Such a beautiful calm green garden. Everything looks so healthy and well tended. If only…..
I think the greenness of it does contribute to the feeling of peace. Thanks for replying.
There’s definitely a lot of heart and hard work in that garden. It glows with love and care.
A great way to describe it, Gallivanta. Thank you.
I have finished A Good Home! But …..now I am sad…..are you sure there isn’t a sequel? I have only one complaint. At the end of the book, you didn’t mention what a great blogger you are!
Thank you for sticking with it!
I only recently became a blogger, remember? Just over a year ago.
I started writing the sequel, then decided to boldly write about what PTSD is like for me – and that experience stopped me in my tracks. I hope to get back to the sequel, because it is at least as interesting as book 1.
Did you enjoy the book?
Ah yes, that is true. I forgot that the book would have been out before you began blogging. There is a sequel coming? Excellent. Did I enjoy the book? You bet I did. Spellbound. Truly lovely. ( I am planning to write a review for Amazon). For a short time I was a reader/writer/amanuensis for a couple of students with brain injuries. They were incredible young adults. But I always sad that their fellow students and lecturers often seemed to think they were using me to gain an advantage. They simply didn’t understand the struggles these students went through each and every day.
Thanks, Gallivanta. Very much. I look forward to your review.
Beautiful, beautiful gardens. As usual, your appreciation for the creativity and passion puts us right there among those well-tended paths. Truly a labour of love. Hamilin’s photographs are spectacular!
Thanks, Gail (Madame Garden Artist herself).
Glad you like this beautiful garden.
Nice to hear from you.
I imagine you are busy with your own lovely garden right now.
Gardenias outdoors in Canada? Amazing.
Only in the warm months. Then they have to bring all the tropical plants inside – more than 300 of them!
Incredible! Such a huge amount of work. The love and passion they have for this beautiful space is inspiring.
It sure is, Sheryl.
I love that bench built-in to the wall surrounded by all that lush greenery! It’s so peaceful!!! Thx for sharing!
Thank you for commenting. It’s a beautiful place.
I love that there are these incredible gardens tucked quietly behind homes throughout Toronto, including some of the most unassuming. I think I may have been to this garden on a tour years ago, so familiar, so beautiful.
You’re so right, Ann. It’s always a surprise to find such places.
All I can say is Superb. Thanks my friend Cynthia. Hope you’re doing well?
Well, Levi, my body is weak but my spirit is strong. Makes a world of difference. Thanks for asking. Hope you and your family are doing well. I’m so glad you like the garden.
that is truly magical…all it needs is a few fairies:-) wow…truly from the heart…you can tell an artist lives there!
You know, Robbie – I forgot to ask Mary if there are fairies. I didn’t SEE any, but that’s no indication!
Beautiful.
THANK YOU, PAUL! Wishing you a lovely weekend.
What a beautiful garden this is! It looks perfect for relaxation and mediation. Perhaps a writer’s retreat? 🙂
Hmmmm… what a great idea….
What a beautiful garden. Thanks for sharing Cynthia! 🙂 It’s wonderful all these homes and gardens that you get to visit. 🙂
It’s wonderful, and I enjoy every one. This summer has been a blessing to me.
I am in awe!! I so wish I had that talent!! Mary and her family have a true paradise!!
I hear you. Gee whiz – I thought I was a good garden designer, but this one puts me to shame.
A really inspiring and creative haven! So well cared for and I’m sure with tender loving care. Beautiful photos. The write-up is very interesting, too … 🙂
Hey, Iris – you saved yourself at the very last minute – by not forgetting the wonderful writer! Tee hee….
Thanks, I’m glad you like it – garden, photos and all.
🙂
Surely this is a little corner of paradise. Beyond lovely doesn’t even begin to describe it. Thanks so much for sharing. Jeanne
You’re most welcome! And thanks.
That is one of the coolest looking gardens I have seen in a long time and, WOW, really can’t believe it’s only six years old. Absolutely loved this post, Cynthia.
Thanks, Rosa.
It really is beautiful. And I know for sure that it was also a lot of work!
It sure is!
Absolutely gorgeous!
So true, Chasidy!
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
We had a couple of acres at our home in Ireland. The people who had built the house both had parents in the plant nursery business and we inherited over 200 trees and bushes that made the garden a picture year round. Here on the mountain in Spain the only time the lawn is green is in the late autumn through to June when the heat sucks the colour out of the grass. We do have pots of various flowers that add colour and magnolia trees, roses and lilies that flower at different times. I do however have garden envy and in this post from Cynthia Reyes I am definitely seeing Green!!! What a fantastic garden and house – absolutely must have taken a labour of love.
Sounds like you’ve created a little Eden of your own. Thanks for reblogging.
What a piece of paradise. Heavenlly. ❤
Well said!
😀 😀
Wow! That is one awesome garden.
Cheers
MTM
Sure is!
wow, how beautiful is that!! Love all the plants, hostas, ferns, Japanese maples, ground cover, water features..,etc. When I first looked at the picture of yall sitting on the couch I thought I saw a raccoon jumping up on the couch, haha….not sure where my mind was. Mary, Bob and the family sure are dedicated, it takes a lot of work and love to manage a garden that large.
I thought the back view of that cat looked a bit funny, and wanted to use a picture of his face, but couldn’t fit it in somehow. I have now added it.
Fantastic! I feel privileged to have seen this garden, Cynthia. What a beauty! Those maples are so lush. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Thank you, Jo. Well, you gave me Giverny….
Beautiful! So incredibly verdant and healthy!
Verdant and healthy – you’re so right.
That is like painting with plants, flowers and shrubs. Beautiful!
Yes, you’re right, Jackie!
Extremely beautiful! 🙂
‘Tis so, indeed. Thanks, Linda.
Gorgeous!
‘Tis!
What a beautiful garden – a place to wander and dream in and be refreshed by. And wonder at. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
You’re very welcome, Margaret. Glad you like it.
Marvelous gallery Cynthia.
Thanks for sharing. All the best to you, Aquileana 😛
Thank you for liking the story about this family’s garden. Best to you too!
Beautiful garden! And you’ve told their story so well! Thanks for sharing this little gem with us!
Ah, how nice of you to say so. I know you must see these pictures with a photographer’s eye, as well.
I just found your blog and I am loving it !!! 🙂
I love this garden, it looks like its straight out of paradise 🙂
How kind of you. Thanks and you are most welcome to come back.
Thx!!
Oh, I am so in awe! This is simply breathtaking! And Japanese maples are one of my favorite trees! Thank you so much for sharing these lovely pictures and the delightful written tour! 🙂
Reblogged this on Cynthia Reyes and commented:
An exceptionally beautiful garden.
Amazing garden Cynthia, I can’t believe they can grow all those tropical plants in Toronto. Do they dig them up every year and store them? Thanks for sharing!
They dig them up. Or they keep them in the pots and move them into a sunroom or garage. I am not one of these green thumbs, though. Hooray for them!
I love gardens but mine is pretty neglected!!
Absolutely gorgeous!
Sure is!
Nice garden, I would love to see it! Hope you are well!
Thank you, Amy. Been out of the flow for a bit.
This is sensational – so many places to relax! xxxx
Yes, indeed, Dianne.
This really is a labor of love! The work that has gone into it is almost hard to imagine–but the pay-off is extraordinary!
We saw Mary a few weeks ago and she is every bit as passionate about her garden, and working hard. More than 250 Japanese maples on the property — can you believe that?
Love all the Japanese forest grass and the waterfall. I heartily agree with the remark about a garden being like a canvas.
Me too!
Lovely to hear about a family that tends and loves a garden and how a garden can be an expression of familial love. It reminds me of my parents and their garden. The impression I get from your pictures is that the garden is a shady, tranquil place. Thanks Cynthia.
It is a somewhat shady place, but the trees are very tall and lower branches gone, so there is also a good deal of sunshine. I’ve never seen a private garden of its calibre in the city of Toronto.
I remember this garden + your post!!!! stunning!
Well said, Robbie. Hope you’re doing well.
Ah… that is awesome. I’m not sure I saw it last time loving the green.
Yup. Sure is awesome. And a reminder that green comes in many shades and textures.
This garden is truly a work of art! Amazing! Thanks for the tour. It reminds me to check my herbs for water as they may be wilting in this heat.
Funny how one thing reminds us to do something else, eh?
Lovely to be reminded of this beautiful garden. I wouldn’t want to leave home much if I had a garden like this to enjoy every day.
I agree. And in Mary’s case, the garden is such a passion, that she finds plenty of work to do.
the Hostas…
I know. Remarkable.
So beautiful. Whereabouts in Toronto is it? Roughly?
Upper Beach area.
Beautiful.
Oh my what a stunning garden! And only 6 years old .. heavenly 😀
Hard to believe, isn’t it, Julie?
Sure is 😃