The Garden Coach

Across Eastern Ontario there are many excellent nurseries. Some have developed specialized lines and include wonderful demonstration gardens where you can see their plants in location. Some of our favourites include:

The Herb Garden

Gerry and Denise have created an amazing demonstration garden where you can purchase herbs of all kinds, participate in their Sunday brunches or workshops on growing and using herbs and take in the big Herbfest in July. For lots more information go to their website at http://www.herbgarden.on.ca.

Kiwi Gardens

Kiwi Gardens is very well know for the quality and variety of perennials including grasses which are not as easily found elsewhere. They are located on Harper Road just east of Perth. For more information see their website at http://www.kiwigardens.ca.

Rideau Woodland Ramble

While this is a relatively new nursery, you wouldn’t know it by the woodland gardens. Located near Merrickville and Down to Earth Gardens, Rideau Woodland is definitely worth the visit. For more information go to their website at http://www.rideauwoodlandramble.com.

Rockwall Gardens

Located in and around the remains of an old stone barn, Judith has done a beautiful job of buiding demonstration gardens in a truly unique site. The focus is on alpines and rockery plants along with perennials that are hardy and drought tolerant. Rockwall Gardens is on Highway #7 just a few kilometres west of Perth. Telephone: 613-267-6684. To view pictures of their demonstration gardens and for information about their nursery, garden art and workshops go to their website at http:/www.rockwallgardens.com.

Whitehouse Perennials

Whitehouse Perennials, near Carleton Place, has acres of demonstration gardens (5 acres of daylilies alone!). They are definitely worth the visit to see what’s in bloom and when. They can be reached at 613-256-3406, by email at suzanne@whitehouseperennials.com or at their website: http://www.whitehouseperennials.com.

If you have a favourite nursery you’d like to see included here, please drop me a note at shsim@rideau.net or give me a call at 613-273-6772. Sheila Sim “The Garden Coach”