Floral Profusion on Display at Toronto Botanical Garden

In between the downfalls of rain yesterday, I ventured to the Toronto Botanical Garden next to Edwards Gardens to experience the vibrant colours of spring and restorative powers of nature. A volunteer organization dedicated to disseminating horticultural information, the Toronto Botanical Garden includes 17 themed gardens currently feature peonies, rhododendrons, alliums, irises and clematis and many others in full bloom.

Stooks and Punes Installation

An eyecatching temporary installation, “Stooks and Punes,” by artist and garden designer W. Gary Smith greets you as you approach the Toronto Botanical Garden at the west end of the parking lot. Made with natural materials from the Toronto Botanical Garden and other gardens in the GTA, the work is whimsical and conjures the supernatural forest in Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream. W. Gary Smith will be designing a children’s garden on this site.

This stunning red, perfectly-shaped peony still had raindrops on its petals. Probably my favourite flower.

Not all the gardening has been done for the season at the Toronto Botanical Garden. These flowers wait in beds ready to be planted next week.

I am dazzled by the luscious colour of this peony.

Staring at this Corkscrew Hazel tree reminded me of a Wordsworth landscape:

THERE was a time when meadow, grove, and stream,
The earth, and every common sight,
To me did seem
Apparell’d in celestial light,
The glory and the freshness of a dream. ~ William Wordsworth, “Ode: Intimations of Immortality”

Although not quite in full bloom, this purple Allium flower was the subject of many photographers who wanted to capture the detail of the stems not visible on the full Allium flower.

This soothing combination of coral, green and wine colours pleases the senses.

Peonies in Bloom

Hello beauty! Did I say that peonies were my favourite flower? This yellow peony confirms it. Absolutely exquisite!

Commonly available in purple, these white, tissue-like irises create an ethereal wedding garden.

A pruned shrub reminiscent of French Renaissance gardens.

Purple Clematis at Toronto Botanical Garden

I love the contrast of the spiked, purple clematis leaves against softly-shaped green leaves.

Our walk has finished and peace has been restored.

If you’re feeling peckish after your walk, why not visit the nearby Shops at Don Mills for a bite to eat. One of my favourite restaurants at the Shops is Linda Modern Thai.

Toronto Botanical Garden, 777 Lawrence Avenue East (at Leslie Street), 416-397-1340. Gardens are open daily from dawn until dusk and access is free. The Garden Café is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from May through October. Building is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends from noon to 5 p.m.