Long time Garden Tour volunteer Barb Pratt reminisces about one of the GTA’s greatest gardens.
“I was sorry to see that Marjorie Harris, gardening guru, author and columnist, is selling her house — and garden — in midtown Toronto. I have followed Marjorie’s writings and broadcasts over the years. I particularly enjoyed the stories of how she designed and developed her own exquisite garden.
A few years ago I needed a copy of her Botanica North America, but it was out of print. It’s a huge, comprehensive work, subtitled “An iIlustrated Guide to Our Native Plants, Their Botany, History, and the Way They Have shaped Our World”. I was so disappointed that it was unavailable, and another printing wasn’t planned, that I contacted Marjorie Harris to complain and sympathize. As it turned out, she had a few remaining copies in her possession, and would sell me one.
Down to Toronto I went, knocked on her door, and spent a delightful hour chatting with this charming, voluble woman, and even touring the garden that was familiar to me from her books and photos. I’m so glad I saw the garden for real. Now I treasure the memory of my visit, and the inscription in my copy of Botanica North America:
“To Barbara — for the plants. Marjorie Harris”.
Create your own garden memories on the 28th annual Gardens of Uxbridge Tour. The countryside surrounding the heritage town of Uxbridge, Ontario offers up many hidden garden gems just like Marjorie Harris’ urban oasis.