I love open Garden days. We just had two in my less populated area of B.C. These back-to- back weekends of touring real home gardener’s gardens are the best part of the year in my event book. Coming from the U.K. a long time ago, I missed the joy of visiting stately homes and their famous gardens but although I love them, they are not acheivable to the average home gardener. Open Garden Days in the UK are a fabulous way to be inspired and see what is possible in the English climate but our climate and topography in the Rocky Mountains is a far cry from the rich arable land that has been cultivated for centuries.
Many years ago now I suggested we try an Open Garden Day in the mountain town in which I live. It was a great success and the tradition has now become a fixture in the yearly calendar. It continues to be run by a great group of volunteers from the local garden club and those who generously offer their gardens. We have been able to learn so much fom one another and be inspired by each others successes. I believe we have many more people now who are motivated to grow after seeing what is actually achievable in our thin soil and harsh climate. For a short while in early retirement I designed gardens in the area so I still look at all gardens through that eye and learn from them. I must add I love all gardens. They each take on the personality of their owners and everyone has something unique to offer.
Here are few impressive gardens from the tours in Kimberley and Cranbrook at the beginning of July 2026.
The unifying theme of the colour blue brought this small garden together with collections of potted plants and quirky collectibles. Blue doors, blue furniture and blue flowering plants made this tiny space special.
The passion of this home owner is to use and demonstrate what clover can do in our frequently drought stricken area. Clover has penetrating roots that can seek out moisture no matter the weather. Persistently green, even in the our hottest dry conditions, it can be mown for a more groomed look but looks lush left at its natural height.
Paired with contrasting colours of other landscaping plants, clover becomes a perfect choice to replace a fine lawn. The bees benefit, the homeowner benefits with less mowing and the community benefits through water conserving measures.
This c-operative produce garden in Kimberley, run with approximately thirty-five members feeds its members and donates to various charitable groups within the community. This immaculate garden is a real thing of beauty, thanks to its dedicated members.
For something completely different this minamalist, courtyard low-maintainance garden , designed by a professional, offers easily maintained plants with different leaf colour and textures. Wide enough for a wheel chair, baby buggy or wheelbarrow the crush paths provide an easily manoueverable alternative to a lawn.
Every garden needs a central location for tools of the trade!
This small classic cottage garden provides constant changing colour with well-thought out sequencing of perennial flowering times. Ligularias, roses, grasses, Barberries , Nepetas and Spireas were just some of the tried and true plants for this climate.
A magnificent five acre farmstead demonstrated everything from an apple arbour to garlic and strawberry patches. Food in abundance is provided by this family tended small holding. This is a food farm in the true sense.
Another classic cottage garden with the rambling ‘John Davis’ rose in its glory.
Another clover ‘wannabe’ lawn. The owner is nurturing her clover to take over the grass to provide a more maintenance free garden. Now if the lawn mower would stop cutting down the clover!
For the seniors amongst us still wanting to grow their own food this perfect fenced construction provides ‘no bend,’ raised beds and protects the food from the deer.
Our Italian community grows magnificent tomatoes and here is just a sampling of the many tomato gardens on the tours this year.
Retired and ready for change? Pots may be the way to go watered by hand or with a drip system. Creative fun can be had with designing the plantings and displays are transportable for a variety of ‘looks’.
Many Thanks to Tracey and Brent Harris, Dina and Darryl Hansen, The Kimberley Edible Gardens and Greenhouse, Renato Natash Nicli and designer Pat Adams, Sandi McArthur, Courtney Terpsma and Chris Shannon, Helen Robertson, Jean-Ann Debrecini, Lina and Ang Fiorentino, Lee and Ken McAleese, whose garden photos are included in this piece. Many Thanks also to all those gardens not included in this brief summary. Your participation in Open Garden Days is so appreciated. This is how we learn and grow.
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