Garden enthusiasts invited to explore unique local landscapes at annual Tour next weekend
- May 26
- 3 min read
Casandra Turnbull
Managing Editor
The arrival of the Paris Horticultural Society’s annual Garden Tour is often seen as one of the clearest signs summer is just around the corner and for gardening enthusiasts, it’s a weekend tradition that continues to bloom year after year.
Now entering its 23rd year, the self-guided tour invites visitors to explore a collection of unique and inspiring private gardens throughout Paris and surrounding communities, while also supporting local beautification projects and student bursaries.
“This is approximately the 23rd year that the Paris Horticultural Society (PHS) has had an annual garden tour in June,” said Nancy Chipman, chairperson of the Garden Tour Committee and member of the Paris Horticultural Society. “It originally coincided with the Springtime in Paris Festival. It showcases gardens of both PHS members and the public.”
This year’s tour features five diverse properties stretching from Glen Morris to Brantford, each offering its own distinct style and personality. Visitors will find everything from mature heritage landscapes and cottage-style gardens to native plant collections and artistic stone labyrinths.
Among the featured stops is a Gold Street property in Paris showcasing extensive perennial gardens, mature trees and a labelled Hosta collection surrounding a historic 1883 brick home. Another Warwick Street garden offers an informal cottage-style design filled with native plants, shrubs, a small pond and vegetables grown from seed.
A large East River Road property includes pollinator gardens and native species planted on land once belonging to the homeowner’s grandparents, while a heritage property in Glen Morris highlights the ongoing efforts of a young family restoring historic grounds dating back to 1867.
One of the tour’s most unique destinations is the Stone Garden Labyrinth on Robinson Road in Brantford, featuring blue granite columns, dry stone sculptural elements and winding pathways lined with cedars and perennials.
Beyond providing visual inspiration, Chipman said the event also serves an important community purpose.
“The garden tour is one of two major fundraisers for our society,” she said. “The funds help cover the costs of our meeting place, monthly speakers, an annual bursary for the local high school, maintenance of a variety of public gardens in Paris and ongoing public plantings. The tour also promotes the town of Paris as a gardening event destination.”
For homeowners participating in the tour, preparation often begins months in advance.
“People who agree to be on a garden tour definitely put more time and energy into preparing their property and this is greatly appreciated,” said Chipman. “Even the summer before (when the gardens are found) homeowners may start fixing up different areas.”
She noted that everything from repairing hardscaping and redesigning flower beds to mulching and edging gardens becomes part of the preparation process.
Chipman said the tour appeals to both seasoned gardeners and newcomers looking for inspiration.
“Why come to a garden tour in Paris? For a true gardener, it’s a no-brainer. We love looking at other people’s gardens, plants. It’s our hobby,” she said. “For newbies it’s a great way to start to think about how they can incorporate some of the ideas into their own homes, talk to more experienced gardeners, get new ideas and meet some great people!”
She added the event has become a popular social outing for many returning visitors who spend the day touring gardens, shopping and dining in downtown Paris.
The Paris Horticultural Society Garden Tour runs Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tickets are $15 and available at Sobeys Paris, John M. Hall House of Linens, Walters Greenhouse and at each participating garden. Local musicians and artists will also be featured throughout the gardens during the event.
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