Welcome to Above: clematis scrambles up a fence at the garden centre.


Centre: the pergola shop in the fresh air is part of the ambience. In the garden at the back of the photo is a wonderful stand of fleece flower which can get to six or eight feet wide and tall.


Story by Cindy McKay Photos by Veronica Sliva


T


hey come from as far away as Mississauga,


Peterborough and the greater Toronto area,


and often the first thing people do when they step out of the vehicle after arriv- ing at Plant Paradise Country Gardens is take a deep breath of fresh air. The peaceful, eye-pleasing setting has a way of calming the senses with its scented flowers and nature. Lorraine and Robert Roberts


purchased their 24-acre property, near Caledon, in 1999. The property had trees, a house and grass with no gardens. It was a big job to create the paradise it has become today, but Lorraine said it was easier to develop their own gardens rather than take on someone else’s choices. The first garden was planted in 2000


30 WINTER 2013


and they have added new gardens every year. Lorraine said her mother fostered her


love of gardening while she was grow- ing up on a large acreage in Etobicoke. It was there she developed her passion for growing plants and vegetables in a healthy environment. Robert further supported Lorraine in her gardening passion as he, too, takes a huge interest in the gardens. Lorraine and Robert met through


music and for many years they trav- elled together playing small venues and private functions. Over the years they have produced four instrumental CD’s and have sold over 60 thousand copies of their work. Things were changing in the music industry and there were some health


A lovely Hakuro Nishiki willow standard. www.localgardener.net


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