Round Garden at Perth

In mid-May we drove to Perth to visit "the Round Garden," which to my mind is unique in the variety of gardens easily accessible to us in Ottawa. We had been there before to study in detail the innovative structures as I planted a Fragrant Garden for CNIB in Ottawa. A brochure on the Perth garden refers to it as: "...a garden where young and old, the handicapped - and especially the blind - can savour the natural world in comfort."

To find this special place, turn off Highway 7 onto Highway 43 South (Wilson Street) at Perth, proceed across the railway tracks and past the Beer Store to Sunset Blvd. Proceed right on Sunset Blvd for about a kilometre and watch for the sign indicating the Lanark County Administration Building off to the left. The Round Garden is adjacent to the Administration Building.

Within a square of approximately 30 yards (28m), protected by a cedar hedge on the north and a row of poplars on the west, a round design of beds and interlocking tiles includes raised boxes, trees and shrubs. Visitors are easily led from one plant box to another, from shelters to resting benches and to a large 3-tier fountain. We were too early to see the garden abloom for '95 but even without the flora the design of the garden is attractive. New leaves were appearing on the central maple enclosed by an octagonal bench and remains of last year's plants told what had been there. The sturdy plant boxes are waist high, bringing the garden closer to each visitor. Two boxes side by side are planted as a water garden with cat-tails, arrow leaf and other native plants. Even water striders can be closely observed.

In the Round Garden, all of the senses are rewarded - smell, touch, sight and the sound of the fountain, the rustling leaves and the birds delight the ear. All visitors are enchanted.

The plants have labels in English, French and Braille. There are other interesting details, i.e. a martin house, donation boxes (the Round Garden is incorporated as a charitable institution), display and memorial cases.

Built in 1983, the Round Garden is a community project of the Perth and District Horticultural Society. A drive to see the garden will bring pleasure for all as well as, perhaps, give some fresh approach to our own home spaces.

Please contact the OHS or the author if you wish to republish these articles. © Ottawa Horticultural Society

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