It seems to me that we make an effort to find or see unusual places when we travel but rarely do most of us do so around where we live. This was the case for me when our garden club visited a true rock garden last week. By “true” rock garden, I mean that the rocks were the superstars in this garden with the plants taking on the supporting roles.

The owner has scoured gravel pits, and landscape centres for interesting rocks. The garden also has petrified wood which has been in the garden for a long time. Apparently, petrified wood is not allowed to be sold anymore because it has been reclassified as a fossil by the government. If I was a piece of petrified wood, I would love to live in this garden.

The couple (the husband admits that he is the brawn, his wife is the brains behind this project) have been working at this garden for about 15 years, each year expanding from a small area to covering the better part of their private acreage. It was easy to tell how passionate our gregarious hostess was about her garden.

There has several water features. Two good-sized waterfalls flow into a deep pond that holds fourteen Koi fish. The largest Koi is pure white and beautiful.

There are many interesting trees that add height and textural interest to what otherwise would be a very horizontal garden. I love the “weeping spruce”. At least I think that’s what they are called :). These have been placed in groupings throughout the garden and in my imagination they look like many old men bent over and talking to each other – as if they were at a cocktail party! (ok that might sound weird).

The owner’s sense of whimsy is evident in the many “creatures” she has placed all over the garden. There are metal ants, and birds, and dinosaurs, and… you name it. Keeping these critters in control are two Shelties that patrol their domain on a regular basis.

It was raining on the day we went to see this garden but that didn’t dampen our pleasure (pun intended). We followed our tour by going for lunch at Katie’s Crossing which is a grouping of train cars recycled into a restaurant. The food was simple but tasty. It was a great day – it’s amazing what pearls you can find in your own back yard.