Not only are their floral displays on street corners, major intersections and in parks spectacular every year but there are also plenty of natural areas within the city (over 3,300 hectares of parkland and 267 kilometres of trails and pathways).

Of course Brampton has to have good gardeners! And every year, The Brampton Horticultural Society organizers a small fund-raising garden tour where gardeners and wannabe gardeners scrutinize real gardens made by real gardeners.

I particularly liked three of the gardens this year: Gayle and Gary’s restful relaxing resort-like garden, Alla and Brian’s romantic garden, and Jane and Michael’s whimsical garden.

Gayle and Gary bought their house 11 years ago, and seriously started work on their garden 9 ½ years ago. It feels like a resort garden, complete with a pergola, comfy colourful chairs and the sound of gurgling water. It’s a garden that you can live, entertain and relax in. The gnome in the hammock says it all.

Alla and Brian’s romantic garden, with its expansive bountiful charming borders, is 42 years in the making.

Alla prefers pinks and purples whereas Brian leans towards the reds and yellows. I would have thought these colour preferences won’t work together. I was happy to be proved wrong… look at how wonderfully the orange gaillardia (blanket flower) blends with the frothy chartreuse lady’s mantle’s blooms and the purple wands of salvia.

Jane and Michael’s tiny 21 year-old back garden is a study in efficient and creative use of space. Garage walls serve up floriferous baskets, whimsical art and antique bric-a-brac. A raised berm provides privacy as well as supporting backdrop for a waterfall. Smart, creative and whimsical.

Come back next week to see more of Brampton’s talented gardeners alongside their gardens!

And it’s not just me that thinks Brampton has a fancy floral face along with its economically strong light industry base. In 2008, Communities in Bloom awarded Brampton their highest rating: International award winner.

To get to that level of excellence, Brampton had to first win the provincial and then the national award before entering the international
competition