TTGG 2016 Tours Gardens in The Kingsway

TTGG 2016

Everyone loves to see other people’s gardens. That’s why Toronto Botanical Garden’s annual Through the Garden Gate garden tour, now in its 29th year, is always such a success.

TTGG invites people to different neighbourhoods every year to take a glimpse at other people’s gardens, get inspiration for their own and explore different parts of the city on a lovely weekend in June.

TTGG 2016 is no exception. On Saturday and Sunday, June 11 and 12, 18 residential gardens in The Kingsway in the west end, one of Toronto’s most affluent neighbourhoods, will open their gates to happy garden-lovers from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

As one of 40 lucky participants on the TBG’s annual pre-show media tour, I can confirm that the gardens in this area are classic, well groomed and inviting. The Kingsway area was developed in the early 1900s by visionary Robert Home Smith. His goal was to establish an English-style garden suburb of the highest integrity and beauty. In short, a community fit for a king or queen. His legacy can still be seen through the Tudor-style architecture, mature tree-lined streets and beautifully designed residential gardens some of which wind along the Humber River.

Many of these traditional, somewhat formal gardens feature shade loving plants such as hostas, ferns, viburnum, dogwood, hydrangea and Japanese maples. There are winding pathways and stone walls and terraces; hillside rockeries and urns of all sizes overflowing with brightly hued flowers and foliage.

You can take this self-guided tour at your own pace. Tour headquarters will be at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School, 32 Montgomery Rd., Toronto where you can pick up a map and garden guide with descriptions of featured gardens. Light refreshments will be available at headquarters and at stops en route where you can purchase goodies from  Auggie’s Gourmet Ice Pops, ChocoSol, En Ville Catering and Vert Catering Pickle Cycle,

A complimentary shuttle bus will let you “hop on and hop off” along the route. A knowledgeable Toronto Master Gardener will be stationed at each garden to answer any questions about the plant materials and design features.

Or, for something different you can join the Petals & Pedals Bike Tour are ride from garden to grden. For more info see below.

As an added bonus members of the North American Native Plant Society will be at tour headquarters with plant suggestions for attracting pollinators to your garden.

TICKETS

One-Day Pass: Public $45 / TBG Members $40
Two-Day Pass: Public $65 / TBG Members $60
Students $25 (With ID, One-Day Pass Only)
Tax included. Tickets are limited, advance purchase recommended.
For more information or to purchase tickets contact 416-397-1483.

BUY YOUR TICKETS ONLINE 

HST is included in the ticket price. Please note that all tickets are non-refundable and are only valid for the date that was originally purchased. All sales are final.

PETALS & PEDALS BIKE TOUR

Presented by Toronto Botanical Garden and Toronto Bicycle Tours
Instead of walking, join a small group of garden enthusiasts and pedal your way to our 18 beautiful private gardens accompanied by your very own Master Gardener on Wheels and Architectural expert.
$115/person + 13% taxes
Optional bike rental: $50 + 13% taxes
Duration:  5 hrs, includes picnic lunch.  Level:   Very Easy

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