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Design Philosophy
The gardens with their allied structures and features introduce the human element with ponds, gazebos and benches where one may relax and enjoy the beauty of the ever changing tapestry of colours, sun and shadow. The Humber Arboretum design follows nature as much as possible while being managed for aesthetics and order. Darwinian reality is curtailed when necessary to protect and assist those plants that are tender or near the extremes for their growing requirements. In the gardens, as in nature, you won't find many straight lines. By definition, an Arboretum specializes in the collection of woody plants. Close to 60 large beds are based on a stratified structure with a core of high trees, a mid layer of massed shrubs and a ground level layer of perennials, annuals, ferns and ornamental grasses. Bold curves at a distance turn into increasingly complex details at a closer approach.
At Humber Arboretum we also work with colour to set a mood - and by the use of repeating colours, draw the eye along - creating a flow from one space to another. For example, pinks, whites, blues and purples are cool. Whites, silvers and pinks together create an aggressive appearance that draws the eye from a distance. Yellows, oranges and reds are dramatic and enticing.
Some examples of garden "rooms" are:Magnolia Walk: - Provides a springtime emphasis, where a sweep of magnolias are interspersed with yellow flowering forsythia. Summer presents cool shade on a grassy slope while flower buds give way to developing fruits that present a colourful surprise in the fall.
Shady Lane: - This walk along the woodlot edge features shade-tolerant plants such as hostas, rhododendrons and a cool white swath of native anenomes. Not all shady plants are cool coloured - what colour would a rhododendron called 'fantasia' be? Come and find out! Tranquility Garden and Inner Tranquility Garden: - As the gardens mature over time it has been possible to create "pinch points" such as a garden within a garden where you are invited to stop and enjoy the details and "tranquility". The Garden of theRising Moon: - We are in the process of creating a new garden which should be completed by the fall of 2002. This dramatic garden will feature cool whites and blues tied in with natural stone and water features.
Many of these managed areas blend in with the natural areas such as the mixed-forest woodlot that occupies the ravine edge sloping down to the Humber River. There is a visual sense of connection between the gardens, woodlot and open meadows north of the gardens. The Humber Arboretum provides a large collection of exotic and native woody plants, annuals, perennials, ferns and grasses in an aesthetically pleasing and ever changing panorama over the seasons. The collections are well documented and information is available from the Arboretum staff. (For birdwatching or just plain enjoyment - I hear that the early morning and evening in the gardens is AMAZING!) For more information contact: |
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Day-lily walk: - There are
over 50 species of daylily represented in the arboretum collections.
With names like; 'Wild Rodeo', 'Blushing Bell' and 'Firefly', you know
that a spectacular show awaits you. Signage is always being added and
updated to help visitors locate and identify the treasures here. 
The Urban Wildlife Garden is being created on the
slope between the rose gardens and the low lying meadowlands.
Volunteers, schoolchildren and professionals work together to create
the "Butterfly Garden", the "Poplar Bed" and the "Living Wall". These
are only a few of the features in this "room" which is meant to
educate, delight and provide habitat for the wild creatures as well as
city visitors. 