The Leaside Garden Society’s Bloomin busy summer

Garden winners: 198 and 200 Bessborough Drive.
Garden winners: 198 and 200 Bessborough Drive.

The Leaside Garden Society, now in its 31st year, has been busy.

In June, a band of nine volunteers from the society spread out through Leaside and Bennington Heights looking for front gardens with a ‘wow!’ factor. After much thought, and among several stunning candidates, seven front gardens were selected as recipients of the 2017 “Gardens of Distinction” awards. These awards pay tribute to the loving care Leasiders provide to create interesting, beautiful, and welcoming gardens that all can enjoy viewing. You can spot the gardens by the sign in front of each one.

The garden society encourages everyone to have a look, but please respect the privacy of the owners by not walking on their properties. Congratulations to this year’s winners: 2 Burnham Road; 116 Bessborough Drive; 198 Bessborough Drive; 200 Bessborough Drive; 69 Brentcliffe Road; 160 Donlea Drive; and 96 Parkhurst Blvd.

On June 24th the Leaside Garden Society’s annual Magical Gardens of Leaside garden tour showcased several unique local gardens. The tour is a longstanding tradition and an eagerly anticipated event on the gardening calendar. Proceeds go toward the society’s local beautification projects and sponsorship of Grade 3 students from Thorncliffe Public School to visit the Toronto Botanic Garden teaching garden.

As well, all year the Leaside Garden Society tends the gardens around the library on McRae and provides seasonal plantings in the urn at the library door. In addition, several members contribute to the upkeep of the gardens at the Lyndhurst Centre. For further information about the Leaside Garden Society visit: www.leasidegardensociety.org or e-mail .