back now, Dennis told the Hamilton Spectator, “I think she’d be proud of the result.” The pond has become an integral part
of Dennis’ lifestyle. He can look out his patio doors and see the water gleaming in the sunlight. He can stroll around its margins and see how the fish are doing or gaze at the teeming life in the water. There is a little humpbacked bridge at one end which he can cross to a small “island”, featuring a Japanese maple and a single red rose. Here he can pause, surrounded by water, and contemplate the next improvement. Some of these inspirations have been realized. Dennis is an amateur woodworker and Betty’s brother is a carpenter. They put their talents together and built a beautiful cedar gazebo by the pond and a pergola at the back of the house. Dennis shows of his emerging garden-
ing talent in the plants that occupy the edges of the yard. He has planted green- ery that moves him: shrubs and ivy, a few hostas, some sedum – he even has some lichen growing on a well-weath- ered boulder and moss has taken up residence on a few of the rocks. It’s a magical tribute to a life well
spent together. In a well-chosen spot, there is a dedication to Betty. Carved in polished granite are the words “Betty’s Pond”, followed by an inscription dedi- cated to “Betty Clara Turner, nee Clay- ton”. She spent her final three weeks at a
hospice, passing away on Oct 21, 2010. P
Top: Music from the six waterfalls shuts out the world beyond the garden. Below: A Japanese maple and red rose occupy the island.
The bridge provides passage to a small island.
localgardener.net
Beautiful Gardens 2014 • 15
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