Nature’s Garden

This garden recreates two distinct habitats that form part of Toronto’s native plant heritage. The western area rests on part of the Wilket Creek ravine and exhibits the attributes of the Carolinian Forest. Native trees, shrubs and perennials that disappeared from the area have been reintroduced. The eastern part of the garden recreates conditions found at the southern border of the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Forest and on the Canadian Shield about 200 kilometres north of Toronto. This garden contrasts with the adjoining ravine by reflecting the strong, rugged and windswept terrain typical of the Canadian Shield.

Highlights:

  • The western area of the garden rests on part of the Wilket Creek ravine and exhibits the attributes of the Carolinian Forest.
  • The soil in the garden is alkaline, derived from local limestone rock. Native trees, shrubs and perennials such as sassafras (Sassafras albidum) and eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) that disappeared from the area have been reintroduced.
  • Specific species of native shrubs common to ravines such as golden current (Ribes dureum) and bush honeysuckle (Diervilla spp.) have been planted to prevent erosion at the edge of the ravine. The eastern part of the garden recreates conditions found at the southern border of the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Forest and on the Canadian Shield about 200 kilometres north of Toronto.
  • The vegetation grows on shallow layers of acid soil in full sun or partial shade along forest edges and in clearings. Varieties of blueberries (Vacciniumspp.) grow with bayberries (Myrica pensylvanica), bearberries (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) and sweet fern (Comptonia peregrina).
  • This garden contrasts with the adjoining Wilket Creek ravine by reflecting the strong, rugged and windswept terrain typical of the Canadian Shield. The plants in both areas of this garden attract, shelter and sustain wildlife, including birds, beneficial insects and butterflies. Perennials, trees, shrubs and grasses provide shelter, nesting material and food from fruit and seed production.