The 23rd annual Rotary Garden Tour ready to blossom

BY KERITH WADDINGTON

When a plant produces volunteers in Geoff Moggridge’s garden, but it isn’t as spectacular as he would like, he takes them on a one-way trip to the mailbox — which isn’t as bad as being taken to the train station (for Yellowstone enthusiasts), but still.

Indeed, this Ladysmith resident and self-taught gardening enthusiast is selective about what makes the cut and what doesn’t in the botanical bounty that is his backyard. And this is one of the reasons his garden was chosen to be part of this year’s 23rd Annual Rotary Garden Tour in Ladysmith. The sheer array of flora to be found on his property at the

south end of town is head-spinning.

There are perennials, bulbs, grasses, flowering shrubs, evergreens and Japanese maples. They are kept company with trilliums, hellebores, Siberian iris, oriental and Asiatic lilies, chamaecyparis, cryptomeria, cedrus, rose of Sharon, hostas, perennial hibiscus, anemones, cacti, agave and much more.

It doesn’t end there. A water feature, courtyard, selective pieces of garden art and a large-model working train track adorned with — you guessed it — a train station provide multiple points of interest.

Moggridge admits that his garden, which he has been working on since relocating to Ladysmith three years ago, is a labour of love. “I don’t spend much

Geoff Moggridge’s Garden is a part of this year’s Rotary Garden Tour.

Photos: Marina Sacht

time sitting in the courtyard.” He laughs. “Pulling weeds is a full-time job.”

Asked why he incorporated a train track into his landscaping, Moggridge says he always wanted one as a child. That and the size of his yard in Ladysmith suddenly made it possible. He looks forward to adding “houses, vehicles and people” to the station scene in years to come.

And what is Moggridge hoping people take away with them after a visit to his garden?

“A recognition that it’s not just flowers but foliage textures and colours that provide ongoing interest and beauty throughout the year,” he says. “And, of course, that creativity and a sense of whimsy make your garden your own”.

There are a total of eight gardens on this year’s garden tour, according to Mary Mulrooney. Both long-time Rotarians and founding members of the event, which started in 1998, Mary and her husband, John, stress that it is one of the largest annual fundraisers for Rotary, which supports projects both locally and internationally.

It isn’t unusual for the tour to see upwards of 250 visitors during their oneday event, says Mulrooney.

In the past, tour-goers were treated to everything from small pocket gardens

Garden train adds a whimsical touch. Photo: Kerith Waddington

on city lots to sprawling waterfront properties that encompass both sun-loving and shade plants. “It’s a day out for a lot of people, particularly if the weather is nice,” says Mulrooney. “Most of our visitors are gardeners themselves, and they enjoy seeing others’ ideas and being inspired.”

A visiting artist will be present at most of the stops this year, and there will be at least one Master Gardener on hand to answer people’s questions.

The self-guided tour runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 28. Tickets are $20 (advance) from any Rotarian or from Nancy’s or Salamander Books in Ladysmith. Otherwise, cost is $25 (day of) with tickets on sale at a table in the upper parking lot of Country Grocer (the 49th Parallel) in Ladysmith, starting at 9 a.m.

There is also a big ra ffle associated with the event. Watch for Rotarians selling tickets in the weeks ahead. And be sure to mark your calendars!