Teeny Tiny Garden Spotlight: Bonnie and Ruth’s urban oasis
When Bonnie’s mother, Ruth, created an urban oasis on her 1915 property in James Bay, she had bed and breakfast guests in mind – and wildlife. She developed lush gardens to nourish birds, insects, and the soul of anyone who visits.
When Ruth died in 2020, Bonnie inherited the beautiful home and garden, and Ruth’s love for both.
“I promised her I would look after the garden – her passion – which has now become my passion. I miss my mom so much and I am closest to her when I am in the garden.”
A painter whose creativity was expressed on canvas, not in the garden, Bonnie learned as she went – from the ground up.
“It has provided so much comfort to be in her garden – as much as it’s been a learning curve. But I am so in love with it and enjoy all the little things, especially in spring. It’s very creative in many ways. I like to think Mom was an artist in the way she composed her garden.”
A private space sheltered by a big cedar and Portuguese hedge, the garden’s rich plant population includes maples, lilacs, three kinds of hydrangeas, three kinds of roses, smoke bush, honeysuckle, Fatsia trees, Russian sage, hostas, phlox and so much more.
For Bonnie, opening the gates for the Teeny Tiny Garden Tour is also homage to the care her mom received from the Victoria Hospice Palliative Response Team that helped Ruth remain in her home at her end of life in 2020, and for the care her sister, Heather-Ann, received on the Inpatient Unit when she died in 2019.
“My mom was a long-time monthly donor to Victoria Hospice,” says Bonnie. “I’m so glad to be able to continue her support in this way.”
Visit Bonnie and Ruth’s urban oasis Sunday, June 12 on the Teeny Tiny Garden Tour. Tickets are $25 at Capital Iron, GardenWorks, and Heirloom Linens. Learn more.