A transitional-styled jewel box garden by Fox Whyte, in Toronto’s Annex neighbourhood, transforms a dated overgrown back garden into a functional, elegant and welcoming retreat in the heart of the City.
Respecting the traditional style of the home the garden is organized around a strong central axis. Beyond this strong traditional gesture, the garden leans toward a more contemporary style by breaking down the arrangements of the garden elements on the two sides of this axis. Stepping stones in a minimal gravel paved area lead past two lounge chairs along this central axis providing clear, easy, functional access through the site. Asymmetrical placement of the planting and two seating areas engages the user in all areas of the garden while visually expanding the small space. Two solid limestone plinths showcase the client’s carefully restored, century old, heirloom heritage urns. Their placement further emphasizing the asymmetry of the garden, drawing the visitor through the space and anchoring the garden’s two main living areas.
On axis to the main interior living space of the home, the fountain is the focal point of the garden. A custom limestone water wall features an engraved pattern of fallen Honey Locust leaves, that nods to the centrally located mature Honey Locust Tree that anchors the garden. Water flowing down the wall falls a short distance into a pool, with a just barely submerged limestone panel, helping to soften the sounds of the bustling downtown neighbourhood, and creating a tranquil backdrop for living and entertaining.
Organization of the functional garden areas was key in preserving the mature honey locust that is central to the garden and provided the inspiration for the detailing in the fountain. The existing tree had outgrown the brick patio area immediately surrounding it in the old garden. Placement of the seating areas away from the tree provided more intimate living areas in this very urban site while ensuring only planting was kept close to the tree. Deconstruction of the traditional herringbone paving pattern in the dining area provides a playful visual counterpoint while also giving additional planting area and soil volume around the tree’s roots. Though the main dining area paving is laid on concrete, paving closer to the tree was dry laid, on a minimal sand setting bed, to allow the tree more room.
Beech hedging around the perimeter of the garden provides privacy and eliminates the visual clutter of the urban site emphasizing borrowed views of the neighbouring mature trees, central to this heritage Toronto neighbourhood, and visually expanding the space. Yews and Japanese Maples frame the fountain in front of the garage providing structure and winter interest to the garden. Lush planting beds filled with a matrix of loose swaths of shade-loving perennials, ground covers and seasonal bulbs soften the more structured plantings and clean lines of the garden.
Though small this garden is packed with detailed custom features, tailored to work with the traditional style of the house while providing a fresh, updated feel.
