Trillium Awards

The Grimsby Trillium Program is completing its final week. The focus this week is on the selection of the Trilliums for other than residential gardens.  By that we typically mean single or attached dwelling.  We realize there are many variations on what a residence is.  

The idea of making a separate category of Trilliums is to acknowledge and appreciate our businesses, companies, and multi-unit buildings with delightful gardens visible and accessible from the street.  Access to and around the building, signage and main entrance are additional elements of the judging.

Harry DeVries on behalf of Evergreen Terrace, 275 Main Street East

Evergreen Terrace has a welcoming floral entrance with two large planters on either side of the wide entrance, with red and white geraniums and other flowers below.  There are flowers in numerous places, not just the entrance.  At the east side are Rudbeckias giving a cheerful skirt to the generator.  The large sign at the street is also decorated with a garden. Across the ground level units are individual gardens, full of colourful displays and a common garden with giant blooming Hibiscus.  

This is a large complex, and when one travels across the front and walks along the Bartlett side, there are many more unit gardens.  In the centre of this section of the property is a very large gazebo with a covered covered patio.  It has seating and tables.  Its focal point is a beautiful water pond with a waterfall.  This remarkable centre garden is surrounded by individual unit gardens and also by common gardens.  It is a delightful garden landscape.  

Evergreen Terrace’s gardens are managed by a garden committee, headed by Harry DeVries, and supported by many contributing hands in the design and garden maintenance.

Dr. Dan Dimtsis and Carrie of Dr. Dan Dental, 146 Main Street East

This single storey dental office is located beside Tim Horton’s on Main Street East, so is likely familiar to many. Facing north, it has three large rectangular gardens in front, each with a focal point specialty tree - Rose of Sharon and Hydrangeas.  Surrounding these small trees are perennials and annuals creating a colourful display.  Hostas, Day lilies and Hydrangeas, Sedums and Grasses form the core perennials, with colourful Geraniums,  Begonias, and other annuals filling in the display. 

Two lovely pink and purple mixed planters flank the front and showcase the entrance.  The tall spikes look like Bird of Paradise plants with their tall stems and architectural leaves. 

Luca Vitali of Casa Toscana, 22 Main Street West

In the centre of town is Casa Toscana.  It is located in the Farewell House at 22 Main Street West. This beautiful heritage house originally built by the Woolverton family is home to the rustic and welcoming taste of this Tuscany restaurant. The front yard is a dining patio.  Within the space, there is room for gardens of herbs, sunflowers and pollinators. The herbs are used in the kitchen.  There’s a decorative touch with the window boxes along the porch filled with colourful flowers.  A pretty weeping cherry tree fills a corner at the front, along with a Japanese Maple.  

It is a delightful garden experience at Casa Toscana. The smells of cooking and ingredients permeate the air and bring a harmonious five senses experience to those who visit. 

Nominations for 2025 are closed. The Trillium Program completes this week with the non-residential/commercial/multi-unit building Trillium gardens and the last residential Trillium garden.

Week 12 Winner:  24 Bal Harbour Drive, the garden of Carrie and Steve McElroy

This week’s winning garden is located on Bal Harbour which is north off of Lake Street at the boundary with Beamsville.  This garden faces west and has a view of the Lake at the end of the street.  Set against the palate of a white and grey brick house facade, the colourful plantings of pinks and strong greens stand out and attract the eye immediately.

The gardens are diagonally drawn across the property in layered, curving beds.  The edging of the beds is made of river rocks, further accenting the curves and layers.  Large New Guinea Impatiens in pinks and reds create the leading lines of the garden, moving the eye around.  At the front entrance is a colour-coordinated seating area with a beautiful planter at ground level, softening the hardscape and inviting the eye towards the decorative screen with the house number.  The Canna Lily at the door is an eye-popping red against the black door.  The Japanese Maple in the patio is pruned into a mop-head and allows for views beyond.

This garden has another notable feature - its perfect lawn which is a uniform soft green. It takes much attention and work to caretaker a lawn to achieve this quality.  

Week 11 Winner:  16 Baker Road North, the garden of Martin and Wendy Havey

This week’s winning garden is located on Baker between Main Street and Central Avenue.  It faces west and has full sun exposure.  Its distinctive design is a dramatic curving line of tall grasses that fill the full expanse of the garden in terms of width and height.  The green is punctuated with the deep red of Canna lilies which create a rhythmic flow across the expanse.  

Below are Echinaceas in bloom and Autumn Sedum, just starting to bloom.  In the front are Liatris with their vertical flower spikes.  Mostly completed blooming now, they are a bright purple, and bloom from the top down which is unusual in flowers.  These flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds.  

One might think that a restrained plant palette might be a concern,  but this is not the case here - the simplicity of the plantings along with the bold and adventurous design of the curves is striking.  

The garden is set out from the house, and behind the garden,  at the front door of the house is a seating area with a large tent umbrella.  Gardeners today are utilizing their full yard and this gardener has fit the seating area behind the tall grasses, so it is a secluded and private space.  

Each week we see a delightful and interesting garden.  This one brings out what is possible with bold and creative design and plantings.

Week 10 Winner:  The garden of Leon and Gabriella Waskowski at 94 Terrace Drive

Our winning garden is off of Main Street East on the south side of Terrace Drive backing on to the Escarpment. 

This wide front garden showcases a design of curving lines -  the driveway, path to the front door.  and gardens all flow beautifully, creating a harmonious sense of balance and unity. 

The garden is partially shaded by the large multi-trunk locust in the front.  Below it are hydrangeas, day lilies, hostas and blue rug juniper as a ground cover.   There are perennials providing colour throughout the season.  

A hidden water feature on the other side of the path provides a pleasant burble that gives a cooling effect. Statuary are placed throughout the garden.  

At the front door are stone urns of red geraniums, brightening the front door.  

A recent addition to the garden is a small Crape Myrtle tree, which is about to bloom.  This specialty tree is usually seen in the southern U.S. and with the changing climate it is becoming viable in Niagara.  As a late summer bloomer, it is a very attractive addition to the garden. 

Week 9 Winner:  The garden of Steve Roxburgh at 9 and 11 Birchpark Drive

Our winning garden is in Grimsby Beach off of Lake Street.  It is the garden of Steve Roxburgh who gardens both sides of these semi-detached houses as one garden.

This shaded garden has stand-out cloud-pruned euonymus, yews and cedars. This is a form of pruning that is similar to topiaries, and creates naturalistic, cloud-like shapes.  In harmony with these shapes are the beds that curve and intertwine with meandering grass paths.  The blue-gray of the house facade is echoed in the blue hostas and gray dianthus leaves throughout the gardens.  Bright pink New Guinea impatience guide the eye across the gardens and around the curves.  Deep purples of Heucheras reflect the purple of the large Japanese Maple tree at the centre of the design.  There is a sense of wholeness and unity that creates calm in this landscape. 

Cloud-pruning is not for the low-maintenance gardener.  Its reward, though, is clear in this serene and tranquil setting that invites the viewer to relax and enjoy.

Week 8 Winner:  The garden of Connie and Larry Kratofil at 5 Sunnylea Cres

This week’s winning garden is located between Baker and Lynnwood near the hospital.  Facing east, it is a full sun garden.  It displays a diverse and substantial collection of specialty plants - conifers, trees, shrubs and perennials.  

One’s eye is immediately drawn to the waterfall fountain at the front near the street. It sits between a small weeping blue spruce and an owl statue, attracting birds who stop by for drinks and baths. Beyond it are gold-tipped cypress, yellow perennial flowers and contrasting blue conifers in curving beds.  They create texture and colour interest in the expansive gardens. The yellows lead the eye around the garden and to the patio plant display at the porch. In the centre of the lawn is a thriving gold-leafed Japanese Maple tree with its layers of gold and green.  

There are many interesting plants that are beautifully displayed in this abundant garden. One can drive by any time and see an evolving, changing display.

Week 7 Winner:  The garden of Deena Errampalli and Andrew Piggott, 34 Elgin Street

Our winning garden is in the west end of Grimsby off of Casablanca.  It is the garden of Deena Errampalli and Andrew Piggott at 34 Elgin Street. 

This garden has a lovely layered design of nicely-proportioned angled beds with quite a display of flowers, shrubs and small trees.  As we enter mid-summer the Coneflowers are blooming with their delightful dusty pink colour under the filtered shade of a locust tree at the street.  

The pinks of the Rose of Sharon on one side of the driveway and Fairy roses on the other side are similar to the colour tones of the brick of this two-storey house, creating a sense of unity and harmony. These colours are enhanced further by the deep red Japanese Maple at the driveway edge.  The Fairy rose on the right is one of the small flowered roses that is extremely abundant in bloom. 

It isn’t all sameness - there is some colour contrast with orange and yellow Marigolds in the bed with the Maple - a surprise element as one walks up the driveway.  And then as one approaches the front door, the bright colours of tropical flowers is showcased. At the front door is a stone statue and bench to entice the visitor to linger and enjoy the large planted pots.  This is a garden that one can appreciate from the street and close-up.

Week 6 Winner: The garden of Sue Soman at 42 Maple Avenue

This week’s garden can be viewed from above as one takes the QEW Maple Avenue overpass. This garden is on the section of Maple Avenue on the south side of the QEW.

This garden has interest from Spring through to Fall. There are two notable trees in the front garden - a native Dogwood and Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus)- both showpiece specimens that bloom in Spring.

A decorative lamp stand at the driveway near the street is planted vertically with a peony and shrubs, giving it a decorative skirt, and a hinoki cypress marks the walkway to the front door. At the garage is a well-trimmed weeping Mulberry tree, just at the right height for the porch, something that can be difficult to achieve with trees at the house front.

The spacious front yard has generous beds with curving, circular lines that lead the eye around the garden. Interesting shrubs, perennials and flowers intermix in the beds, along with small garden statues on an angel theme. The dominant colour of yellow is achieved both through flowers and" evergreen" shrubs, making for interesting texture in the garden material.

Bird baths on each side of the porch sit in front of white wicker furniture. making this the garden focal point where the eye lands. The colour theme changes there to pink through hydrangeas, geraniums and annuals.

In autumn the standard Burning Bush shrubs on either side of the porch steps will blaze with colour, completing the garden year in style.

Week 5 Winner: The garden of Liza Fuller at 472 Wolverton Road 

This week our winner is one of Grimsby’s largest gardens, and definitely Grimsby’s largest pond. The pond is the centrepiece of this expansive front yard on Woolverton just north of Mud Road. 

The pond is surrounded by gardens planted with trees, shrubs and flowers. A spray in the centre of the pond creates an enjoyable sprinkling sound and lifts the eye towards the back beds.

Beyond the driveway to the left of the pond is the house with its gardens across the front. They are filled with a pleasing arrangement of shrubs and colourful flowers. 

White Shasta daisies line the walkway to the pond with its seating areas that invite the visitor to take in the view.  

We were sorry that Liza wasn’t home for her picture, so we’ll catch up with her later in the week. For now we have Gizio in front of the Grimsby Garden of the Week sign. 

Week 4 Winner:  The garden of Helen O’Connor at 54 Morrison Crescent

A small garden is like a jewel box - each plant, ornament and element is to be savoured.  There is great enjoyment in viewing a small collection of beautiful things. 

This small garden is off of Lake Street, at the north end of Morrison Crescent, facing south.  The small space doesn’t seem to be a limitation here.  The eye is drawn up by the standard French Lilac whose trimmed curved shape mimics the front window, as does the trimming of the small shrubs into spheres.  This creates unity and harmony between garden and house. 

One’s eye travels around the garden guided by the arrangement of solid stone urns, along with the red and yellow-green of plants.  Grasses cascade into a waterfall shape adding to the sense of design unity. There is a pleasing balance and proportion in the space. 

There are landing places within the space space.  One of the most attractive of  these is the two seasons stone statues on either side of a potted plant.  The eye has an opportunity to stop for a visit, before moving to other features.  

Every garden benefits when all the five senses are brought into play - especially smell/scent.  Here, the white Daphne fills the air with its sweet citrus and creamy vanilla. Another reason to stop by and admire this garden.

Find out more about the Weekly Trillium Program, sponsored by the Town of Grimsby and the Grimsby Garden Club  at grimsbygardenclub.ca 

Week 3 Winner:  The garden of Jerry and Judy Heeringa at 243 Main Street East.  

This garden is located near Bartlett and Main on the north side.  Located on a corner lot, it has views from the front and side, making for an enjoyable viewing experience, although Trillium judging is focused on the front of a house.  The front door and house number are usually what designates the front of a house.  

From the sidewalk, the boxwood hedge-lined front walk pulls the eye to the house and porch, and then expands in both directions drawing one’s attention to the wide expanse of the house facade and the property.  Gardens at street side and mid-way towards the house bring the eye back to the gardens and the plantings, with white a predominant colour in the floral and shrub materials. There are specialty trees such as Japanese Maples and conifer Hemlocks, with under plantings of hostas, perennials and annuals for constant colour.  

If you are viewing this garden on a walking tour, walk around the corner and look towards Main Street, where there is an abundance of pinks, corals and reds in a beautiful display of roses and perennials.  

The Trillium Program continues to the end of August.  Nominate your garden or a garden you like.  Find out more at grimsbygardenclub.ca 

Week 2: June 9th

The Grimsby Trillium Program awarded its second Trillium last week. This year, the Program is awarding a Trillium weekly with up to five gardens nominated and judged. Judging taking place Thursday mornings with a garden receiving a Trillium award each week.

Our congratulations to this week’s winning garden - 10 Chardonnay Place - the garden of Kimberly and Kevin Marsh.

This garden is east of Bartlett, just off of Main Street E near the high school on the escarpment-side and faces east.  The two-storey house has a grand facade of curved arches and columns. Tall, clipped cedars are planted along the arched columns creating a symmetrical design with an even rhythm in the plantings.  The cedars on either side of the front porch create balance and harmony in the landscape design. This symmetry is further emphasized with sphered small cedars at the pedestrian sidewalk. Beneath the cedars are impatiens, hydrangeas and hostas creating a bounty of colour, and giving a soft landing to the cedars.  

Follow along the fence and the topiary-trimmed Dwarf Alberta Spruce catches the eye for interest. Continue to the opposite side of the yard where a raised island bed draws the eye across the front facade.  This is a garden whose colour will intensify as the season progresses and will provide for evolving and maturing enjoyment of passers-by.

Find out more about the Weekly Trillium Program at grimsbygardenclub.ca

Week 1: June 2nd

Our congratulations to this week’s winner - Rose Fuller at 35 Orchard Parkway. 

This garden is close the Escarpment facing west on Orchard Parkway.  Anchoring the sunny front lawn is a brilliant yellow Sunburst Locust. The bright yellow theme is contrasted with deep burgundy throughout the garden. The raised rock-enclosed perennial and flower garden features yellows and reds, with snow on the mountain with its white blooms. 

The raised front of the house has an extended porch which welcomes visitors with a generous seating area and a canvas-covered roof.

A notable and creative focal point is the ‘face statue’ set in a weeping spruce so it looks like hair around the face.  Beside that is a beautiful ceramic urn water feature with birds regularly visiting.

There are many more features in the garden - planter pots, beautiful Japanese Maples, and a lovely birch tree near the street.