Gardening is something you do for yourself according to Paul Vorstermans, but once you’ve done all the work, it’s nice to share the result.
That desire to share is behind the Open Garden Weekend coming to Creemore July 23 and 24. The Vorstermans’ garden at the
corner of Mill and Edward Streets is one of three properties to be featured.
Vorstermans and wife Charlotte have lived in their home for 40-plus years, but really only began gardening about 25 years ago. Since then, what started as one small garden area has evolved into a series of seven garden “rooms” that cover most of their half acre lot. The first major project was installation of a garden pond that took roughly two years from start to completion.
Paul says there was never a master plan, just an openness to possibilities. When sanitary sewers were installed in the village, they saw an opportunity to turn the area which formerly housed the septic bed into a sunken patio. When lightening downed mature shade trees, they moved the shade loving plants to another area and proceeded to redesign the space.
Charlotte is the plant expert of the duo. She has amassed a collection of 45 varieties of Clematis, and is constantly adding new and interesting plant varieties. Paul is in charge of hardscaping and his artistic talents are evident in creative paths and water features, and bits of stained glass, sculpture and ceramics placed throughout.
All are welcome to view the three feature gardens Saturday and Sunday, July 23 and 24 from 9a.m. to 4 p.m. The Vorstermans’ garden is described as “a surprise through every doorway.”
Nearby at 17 Elizabeth St. W., Jaki Skillings offers “Delightful Whimsy.” Bev and Ted Stableforth, at 3 Elizabeth St. W., invite viewers to “Explore the Pathways.”
Last year’s event drew approximately 275 visitors.