SpindleTree Gardens

SpindleTree Gardens are located near Tamworth, Ontario...the inspiring garden project of retired architect Tom Brown and his wife Susan Meisner. You would be hard pressed to meet two people who are more passionate, dedicated and downright delightful to be with. I have met both Tom and Susan and toured the gardens. A garden tour with Tom consists of 90 minutes of sheer entertainment....stories, garden facts, mythology. 

THE WALLED GARDEN
Photo credit: Mike de la Haye

His enthusiasm is contagious and he has every right to be proud. Refreshing is Tom and Susan's sense of humility. Too often gardens can become about the gardener and not the plants themselves. This is not the case here...Tom speaks of his many perennials with pride and reverence...they are the true stars of his show.

Currently, the gardens spread out over 20 acres of an 80 acre property. The highlights include extensive ponds, raised gardens, a meticulously maintained rose garden, a walled kitchen garden to die for, and a charming croquet court with hoops architecturally rendered after famous buildings.  

STONE COLUMNS AND CLEMATIS IN THE WALLED GARDEN
Photo credit: Mike de la Haye

The walls, pathways, pergolas, and columns have all been touched by the hands of Tom Brown. In fact, Tom has designed every bit of the architecture...walls, water features, bridge, garden layouts and so on, himself.  His creative stamp is everywhere. I don't know his exact age, not that it matters, but I do know that Tom is retired and performs labour intensive feats that would put men 30 years his junior to shame. He rarely hires help, preferring to do the majority of the work himself.

A RICHNESS OF SWEET PEAS IN THE WALLED GARDEN...
A STUNNING KITCHEN GARDEN THAT TAKES LETTUCE TO ARTISTIC LEVELS

Susan informs me that further expansion is in the works and they are halfway finished building a new curved conservatory/greenhouse which will be the focus of the allée at one end of the big field with the Victorian well cover as the focus looking the other way.  


I can hardly wait until the spring to see the new changes!

THE BRIDGE OVER THE LONG POND...
this steel bridge was designed by Tom Brown and constructed off site.
The hair-raising tale of how it finally came to rest safely over the Long Pond is
definitely worth the price of admission.

A VIEW OF THE LONG POND FROM THE BRIDGE..the ponds were constructed
by Tom and consist of elaborately hidden waterworks that keep everything flowing.

If you are fortunate to find yourself anywhere near here, I urge you to come for an inspiring visit.

Spindletree Gardens are located at 6248 County Road 4, Tamworth, ON K0K 3G0. The gardens open in 2012 on Mother's Day (Sunday, May 13) and close Thanksgiving Day (Monday, October 8th). Until gardening season starts again, you can visit their website, and talk to Susan on Facebook.