Touring gardens for good causes

Now in its seventh year, the Beaconsfield Garden Club’s annual fundraising tour provides participants a bird’s eye view of some of the West Island’s most exquisite gardens.

Seven private properties will be showcased on the Aug. 10 tour, through which the club (formerly the Beaconsfield Horticultural Society) has raised several thousands of dollars for two worthwhile local causes. “The West Island branch of NOVA and the Palliative Care Residence share the proceeds equally each year,” said tour co-ordinator Mary Martin, who is also a NOVA volunteer. “The tour draws more and more visitors every summer. A lot of people seem to be connecting with nature,” she said, adding, “we’ve had over 400 tickets printed up this year.”

There is a theme of sorts to the 2008 tour. “Water features predominate; most of the gardens have ponds,” said the Beaconsfield resident, whose own lush and unusual garden is on the Sunday morning tour. “During recent excavations to my house, I used the rocks in formation to create large raised beds. I also have two ponds, and the goldfish who live in them are now over 10 years old.”

The first stop will be a garden in Pointe Claire, “where visitors can walk on the flagstone path to the sound of live violin music, which will be played by the owner. “There’s also a spectacular home in Baie d’Urfé, which is nestled into a hill and has 400 tons of rock lining the driveway,” she said.

At the last property on the tour — which should wrap up at about 1:30 p.m. — participants will be invited to enjoy light refreshments in a Beaconsfield garden which is reminiscent of a sublime woodland retreat. “We’ve priced the tickets at $15, but last year so many people donated even more,” Martin said.

Tickets and a map of the seventh annual Palliative Care/NOVA Garden Tour can be picked up in Beaurepaire Village, either at NOVA’s offices, or weekends at La Palette Galerie d’Art. They can also be obtained the day of the tour, which gets underway at 9 a.m. For more information, call 514-630-4334.