Photos by Yvonne Duivenvoorden
Two intrepid gardeners battle the elements to create a coastal paradise.
Imagine a garden-crazed couple, unable to find just the right plant, getting into a large SUV kitted up with shelves. Then imagine them driving from St. Andrews by-the-Sea in New Brunswick to St.
Thomas, Ont. Not your average plant jaunt, but a biennial foray for Deborah and Rick Smith.
Their intrepid natures are immediately obvious in their jam-packed garden cantilevered over the Passamaquoddy River and gracefully designed to be viewed from every room of their light and airy
house, particularly the upper, main level. ?Since the house is built with garden and sea in full view, I wanted a garden with pleasing shapes to look down on,? says Deborah. From above, kidney-
shaped beds create appealing patterns and, from the dining-room window, a path flanked with new beds becomes a striking focal point.
A deck offering splendid water views is bordered by a hedge of ?Goldflame? spirea in the plant-packed New Brunswick garden of Deborah and Rick Smith.