So many place we travel I’m simply speechless with the outrageous and gorgeous spectacle that is nature: Hawaii, Bermuda, Central America, Palm Springs. Nothing struggles to grow; it’s a delight to simply gaze upon tropical beauties and indeed, is abundance magnified.
So I’m always interested to see how it’s done where it’s not so easy. Like the east coast of Canada.
We had a quick sojourn to St. John’s Newfoundland, and oh. The food. The architecture. The history. The weather. Yikes. Talk about your short growing season. We have little to complain about in Southern Ontario.
You quickly learn why they call it ‘the rock’ despite that we were in the easy climes in midsummer (and no Newfy pal of mine would even consider St. John’s to be ‘harsh’. No b’y, Northern Newfoundland and Labrador–now that’s harsh).
The city of St. John’s is on the windswept waterfront and the gaily painted homesteads more than make up for the weather. A hilly rocky town, it’s amazing what home and shop owners do with their wee square footage for plants.
The streets are narrow and homes front right onto the sidewalk. I admired their truth to small size gardening.
You need ingenuity to mark your spot with plants on these small plots. Note all are raised beds. Tall and columnar evergreens and vines at doorways strike the right fit.
Considering, however, that most of the city has literally no room for gardens, particularly in the downtown core, owners still find a way to gussy up their places with plants.
Coffee shop has trees in planter boxes
Cheery Storefront planter matches window display
Brilliant window planter matches infamous mailboxes
Colour coordination with mailbox
The city proper has been ingenious with its use of boulevard and sidewalk space for small trees, raised concrete garden beds, even hedges lining a bleak wall.
Small boulevard trees
Raised garden beds everywhere
Hedges fitting in.
Businesses with a bit of space, although paved, strive to make inviting spaces for their guests, such as this open patio.
This restaurant welcomes with hanging flowers and even plants in tires
I was enchanted with the indomitable spirit of this town. Even when there was no space at all, a welcoming garden was made.
I will go back, mid summer again. We were treated to two days of 25 degree C temperatures before a nasty cold front moved in. But it was glorious while it lasted. The food was extraordinary and the people so very fine. The puffins were adorable and the whales were crowd pleasers. Highly recommended.
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