Meanwhile in the Secret Garden…

First let us blow our own horn, we were chosen as one of the top ten garden centres in Toronto by the highly respected BlogTO. Here’s an excerpt showing the criteria they used, and the nice words they had to say about us. We’re so chuffed!

 A few key ingredients are imperative; a large selection of plants and/or other gardening essentials, helpful and knowledgeable staff, and a well-organized store, so even novice gardeners can find what they’re looking for. With these criteria in mind, I scored the city in search of the best spots to get your garden on.

East of Eliza
1960 Gerrard Street East, 416.461.8038 
A traditional florist shop with a hidden secret garden centre, East of Eliza is perfect for finding that pretty little something for a special event or a permanent fixture in your garden oasis. Owner Reed Russell is known for her earthy and whimsical approach to planter boxes and floral arrangements. She also offers landscaping services, and has been a Beaches (or the Beach) area favourite since 1988.

It’s been fun trying to follow the steps Mother Nature has choreographed for the beginning of Spring. All set to bring in a big load of perennials but, no wait- all the growing tips on the euonymous are frost burnt …. YIKES! better wait another week! And so it has gone. Two step forward four steps back Cha Cha Cha

But as of today, Monday May 7th, the perennial benches are starting to take shape, especially the shade section. There are some particularly delicious epimediums and dicentras (what are they when they’re at home? You might also know them as Barrenwort and Bleeding Hearts).  There are some lovely  ferns in “Fern Hollow,” and the tougher  annuals are also starting to take their places in the line up.

This week will be the Market Run equivalent of the IronWoman trials – I will be  up almost every day at 2 a.m. to fill the gaps on the benches. I’m still proceeding with caution, but with the passing of the Super Moon, the barometric pressure is falling, the temperatures are rising, and garden season 2012 is off and running!