NSAGC Convention - Day 3 - Garden Tours

A sunny Sunday was the perfect day to wind up the Convention with garden tours in the area. The garden at Indian Harbour, originally created by Walter Ostrum, attracted a large number of registrants who had been intrigued by the photos and stories in his keynote address the previous evening. The following images are a mere sample of more than two hundred photos submitted by a number of garden club members who enjoyed the tours of this garden and also another private garden at Fox Point. The Convention's organizing committee is very grateful to the owners of both properties who granted registrants the privilege of visiting their entrancing gardens.

A scree garden built along the top of a rock wall graces the entrance to the oceanside gardens on the property that was formerly owned by the Ostrums.  The photo below is a view of the gardens seen from the  hill at the entrance, looking down over the land that slopes toward the water.

Walter himself was on hand to provide the volunteer guides with pertinent information about the many varieties of rhodos, azaleas and other plants that he established in this garden so many years ago. Members of the Chester and Chester basin clubs as well as friends from the Rhododendron Society in Halifax served as the guides. 

The gardens are built into the natural contours of the property with the most prominent feature being the large variety of rhodos and azaleas.



Smaller perennials, such as a rocky-soil lover like Lewisia were also showing their best colours.

Bemused by the extent of the gardens and by Walter's knowledge, the guides are beginning to wonder whether they will remember all the detailed botanical information Walter has provided, once the guests start to arrive. 

The path up toward the house is crowded with lush plantings on either side.

Tucked proudly into a tiny brook that meanders down the hill, there is a swamp Cypress, brought to the property from Florida some years ago. It doesn't yet show any "knees" but visitors were advised that if they returned in about 100 years, they would be sure to see some! 

Guides hurry to the next point of interest, concerned lest they miss any of the important bits of information.

Another overview of a section of the garden looking down to the sea.

Back up near the house is a "shade house" built of lathes and useful for keeping plants protected from weather  while they are vulnerable. A second shot shows the interior of the shade house.

Chester-area gardeners Jane, Myra and Lara compare notes on the range of plants to be seen in the extensive collection on these grounds. 

The view from a gazebo on the shore provides another beautiful image of Nova Scotia that can be admired by landlubbers (gardeners) and sailors alike. 

Because of the large number of photographs taken by enthusiastic gardeners, some of which are still being received by your blogger, the photos of the garden at Fox Point will be posted in a separate blog. We will try to include as many shots as possible of both gardens in another instalment.