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Here is a sampling of just a few of the delightful properties awaiting your visit:
Dunda
The owners describe their labour of love: We have 2 ponds with a connecting waterfall and many koi, on a ravine property. Our garden is a quiet oasis from a busy life. Our neighbour calls it the "woodand glen" which has attracted both wildlife and follage to our garden. It is a shaded backyard complete with the wonderful relaxing sound of waterfalls set on a private treed ravine lot. Large koi swim peacefully in the large upper pond connected by 3 waterfalls to a lower pond filled with smaller fish. Hosta and ferns fill the space around a large round patio connected by large stone stairs which connect the upper and lower areas. Our garden was built completely by our hands, tons of rock and a real labour of love. We spend many delightful hours overlooking our ponds from our upper deck watching the fish and discussing new possibilities for our garden and for our life together.
Gage Park Area
A railed faux dock allows us and our guests to move from the bricked dining area down to, and over the water’s edge. Against a backdrop and edging of trees, shrubs, grasses and rockery, accented with containers of bold summer annuals, our prize winning pond and waterfalls is best viewed from the end of this dock. As the sunlit water sparkles and cascades down over the rocks, orange, gold, and mottled fish dart about in the swirling waters of the falls or move lazily about amongst the potted Yellow Flag Irises, Blue Rushes, Queen of the Prairie, Narrow Leaved Cattails, floating Hyacinths and colourful water lilies. The end of the dock is also useful as a place to sit and dangle legs and feet in the water in the hopes that one or more of the catfish will surface to nibble on one’s toes.
From the side of the dock, a flagstone path curves around the edge of the pond to a seating area of comfortable outdoor furniture. It is at this spot that we are able to relax, read, reflect, and/or visit with friends. The pond and waterfalls remains easily visible from this area. An outdoor fireplace providing comfort, warmth, and ambiance, combined with night time garden lighting, enhances the underwater spotlights highlighting the fish as they swim about on a beautiful, starlit summer’s night.
“This is the garden I want to pick up, lock, stock and pond, and move to my home. It’s not so much jaw-dropping as overwhelmingly lovely.” – Rob Howard: The Hamilton Spectator, August 1, 2009.
Visitors are welcome to take pictures and move freely through the remainder of the garden.
Jerseyville
Designed and constructed by the owners, this lovely12-foot pond with a waterfall, framed by boulders, surrounded with lush perennials and filled with lively Koi would have inspired Monet himself. In addition, a thirty-something-year-old resident turtle can be spotted occasionally sunning itself on a boulder or strolling across the lush lawns which stretch out to the idyllic pastures and neighbouring fields of corn and wheat. Plenty of comfy seating is available on the cozy, wrap-around veranda of this 2010 Hamilton Tourism Award winning Bed & Breakfast. Perhaps a tour through the beautifully appointed home and around the wonderful, rural property upon which it is situated would be an additional treat.
Waterdown
The landscape designer-owner shares the history and evolution of his pond and garden: “Our gardens have been lovingly created over the past eight years. We moved into our circa 1928 home eleven years ago. The property got its name from the original family property owners. There was not much on the property save for a weedy lawn, overgrown shrubs and a couple of existing trees. From the onset the new owner, a landscape designer, had a vision to turn the backyard into a woodland oasis, complete with a 5,000 gallon pond. Apparently he got it right as last year Kathy Renwald devoted a column to the Vernon's garden in the Hamilton Spectator, calling it "Muskoka in Waterdown". The garden is a mini arboretum with 16 varieties of Japanese maples and surprises at every turn. The pathway leading to the backyard is well maintained gardens, leaving the visitor no idea what awaits them until they enter through the gates, made from they original side and rear doors of the house found in the basement.”
Waterdown
2 ponds connected by a waterfall, professionally designed, constructed and landscaped in 2009. “Come and enjoy our serene backyard oasis. Every morning as we have breakfast we watch a pair of mallard ducks come in for a landing. In the evening we enjoy relaxing in our Muskoka chairs with our cup of tea us we listen to the cascading waterfalls, watch the birds bathing at the water’s edge as the fish glide through the water enjoying their evening meal. When the sun sets we go into our screened gazebo and enjoy the ambiance that night lighting gives. We don’t need to travel up north but can just step out into our backyard and enjoy peace and tranquility after a busy day.”
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Tour Information
