Tour the Gardens

From the unfurling of buds and the sprouting on seeds in the Spring through flowering and fruiting to the slow surrender to the winter, only to begin the cycle over again. We find in nature a graceful flow through all the cycles of life, from birth to death to re-birth. In connecting with the cycle we become more comfortable with the cycles of our own lives. The winters may come, but spring always follows on its heels.

The Peace Garden

Let the soothing sound of flowing water relax away tension at this, the first of the gardens you encounter at the retreat. The screened gazebo provides a peaceful, sheltered place to quietly relax and enjoy the garden, or to meet with others as they come to the retreat. The heart of the garden is the ‘Pondless Stream' a lovely water course framed in stone native to the property, plus a few ‘treasures' collected on travels around the country. The plants are a selection shrubs and perennials selected for their beauty, structure and ability to thrive in the natural, organic conditions found on the site. Complete with benches and statuary tucked in among the plants this garden is worth taking the time to explore in detail.

Taliesin's Retreat

Simple, peaceful, striking. This ‘Druid' circle arrangement of fine, smoothed gravel, contrasted with graceful arching grasses is special in its simplicity. The different seasons each bring out a separate character in this space. Spring is playful, with tine grape hyacinths drawing a fairy ring around the insides of the beds. Early Summer trades the miniature for the giant, with the appearance if globe alliums, with their huge purple earth shaped blooms held on tall straight stems. Fall is when the grasses truly come into their own, topping their fine green foliage with soft silver plumes that reach over 6' in height and will continue to stand through much of the Winter.

Spiral Garden

Conceived and begun in late Summer of last year, this garden is a spiral progression through the colours of the charkas. In addition to flowers selected for their colourful blooms the plants in this garden include a range of culinary and medicinal herbs as well as a selection of fruit trees. The herbs include narrow leaf Echinacea, the variety of Echinacea with the highest concentration of immune system boosting echinacoside, the active ingredient in Echinacea. You will also find Sage and Sweetgrass as you spiral your way to the centre of this simple labyrinth that is rich in colour, texture and scent. Many of the perennials in this garden were generously donated from the gardens of a local yogi.

Rock Garden

Complete with a bench overlooking the terraced earth amphitheatre this garden flows down the slope in a series of tiered levels. Full of sun loving perennials which display a variety of showy blooms from spring through fall, and frequented by humming birds and honey bees, this garden is a lovely place to sit and bask in the afternoon sun.

Grass Gardens

Enclosing the back of the amphitheatre this series of gardens consists of a blend of hardy grasses and perennials. While the grasses are the stars of these gardens, there are many ‘guest appearances' through the seasons. Beginning in the Spring with naturalized crocuses and daffodils there are bursts of colour for each season. Summer draws the humming birds and butterflies here as Black-Eyed-Susans, Echinacea, and Bee Balm burst into nectar filled bloom. Fall is when the grasses come into their full glory. The leaves begin to show a range of subtle, or not so subtle, fall tints and the seed heads are at their fluffy fullest. Many of the perennials in this garden were generously donated from the gardens of a local yogi.

Amphitheatre Garden

Curved along the top edge of the amphitheatre this garden is a blend of the natural stone and fragrant perennials, herbs and hardy roses. The largest of the rocks provide places to perch and enjoy the sweet scents and watch the bees and butterflies drift from bloom to bloom. The shelter and excellent drainage provided by this sloped site provides ideal growing conditions for English Lavender, which boasts the classic soothing fragrance known to ease away stress and headaches.

Pavilion Gardens

Framing the entrance to the yoga pavilion this garden has a surprise for every season, with colour throughout the Spring, Summer and Fall. One of the most appreciated details is the elfin thyme, only a half of an inch tall, this adorable little herb is nestled between the spaces in the sand stone flagstone walk at the base of the entrance stairs. Just going to show that it is so often the little things that make the biggest impact. The fall has it's own treat, with the sudden appearance of fall blooming Crocuses. These seemingly confused bulbs burst forth at the end of the season with a showy preview of the Spring to come.

Vegetable Garden

Fresh, Organic, Scrumptious. Boasting a range of seasonal vegetables and herbs the produce from this garden both finds its way into the meals served at some of the workshops and to Rama Lotus Yoga Centre where it is shared with the students and employees. The garden itself is certainly not lacking in character, and is as pleasing to the eye as it is to the pallet. It is Framed in Sunflowers and Nasturtiums, which clamber up the fence and over the rustic garden furniture. The vegetables add their own decorative touch, most notably the squash, which climb up the birch branch trellises and display their fruit well above ground level, for both aesthetic appeal and ease of harvest.