SHERRY'S PERENNIAL GARDENS

Sherry Godfrey
8328 Talbot Trail (Hwy#3); 8 km W of Blenheim
Snail Mail: 8468 Water St., Cedar Springs, ON N0P 1E0
519-676-4541 . sherry.godfrey@ciaccess.com
Large, informal country gardens featuring new introductions, old-fashioned favourites, hostas, grasses and natives. Specializing in drought tolerant species. Invite your friends and book a container gardening workshop. Garden design & consultation services. Enjoy the spectacular view of Lake Erie beyond the vineyards and gardens.
Smith and Wilson Estate Winery on site.
Mid-April through July W/Th/F/Sa 9-5, Su 1-5, M/Tu by chance or appt,
Sundays in July by chance or appt, Aug-Oct by chance or appt

Located on a gently sloping ridge overlooking fields of grapes and the cool blue waters of Lake Erie, my gardens encompass about an acre in the backyard of the Smith & Wilson Estate Winery. A sheltered south easterly exposure with sandy loam topsoil over a well drained gravelly base is my medium.

Open areas of full sun and gentle pockets of shade permit me to continuously experiment with drought tolerant species – these, I admit, are my specialty.

Mulching is a great way to keep watering to a minimum as rain can be a rare commodity in this environment. In my trial display beds I have tested many species over the years. I am always striving for pleasant and interesting plantings that offer different and exciting combinations of flower colour and shape, texture of foliage, and how they evolve as the season progresses. Come see the results of this work, stroll along the walkways and observe the vibrant full sun lovers. 

Sit for a bit in the cool shade where the hostas, ferns and other shade lovers can be viewed. It is a garden full of ideas to take home, and which can then be interpreted within smaller garden spaces.  I can provide expert advice on suitable plants for your garden.  Almost all of these varieties and more are available for sale in the greenhouse.

The nursery is laid out in various sections:

Sun Areas:
Under 12’’ Many of these plants are suitable for rock gardens or edging.  Most are available in 3.5” pots.

12 to 36”   Intermediate height of plants.  Available in 4.5” to Gal size pots.

Over 36”   Airy plants for the middle and bold ones for the back of the border, or ones suitable for large area gardens.  Available in 4.5” to Gal. size pots.

Vine area:  Mostly various cultivars of clematis, and including honeysuckles, and other interesting vines.

Shade area:  Large selection of plants from short to tall heights.

Hostas:  Collection of species ranging in colour, variegations and maturity sizes.

Grasses:  Many clump-forming varieties (non-invasive).  Available in Gal. size pots.

Sedums:  These are located outside the greenhouse on the ‘Sedum Wagon’ where they are exposed to full sun to bring out the best of their colouring.  Many short growing varieties, including Sempervivums (Chicken and Hens) along with the taller spectabile types.

Native Plants: A new addition to my collection are native plants that are indigenous to this area. Most of these forbs (flowers) and grasses are suitable for large sunny areas with poor (even pure sand) soil conditions. Great for a mass ground cover and to attract wildlife. Some are alvars, i.e. can be flooded in the spring and then survive a drought later in the year. Also available are some shade lovers, such as Jack-in-the-Pulpits, May Apples, Trilliums, etc.

Annuals:  I carry a handful of seed grown, colourful annuals for fillers in the newly established perennial garden.  Includes Blue Salvia, Tithonia, Orange Cosmos, Cleome, Ornamental Kale, Larkspur, Amaranthus, and more...

HOURS:

MID-APRIL THRU JULY

WED/THURS/FRI/SAT  9-5

SUNDAYS 1 – 5

MON/TUES BY CHANCE OR APPT. 

SUNDAYS IN JULY BY CHANCE OR APPT. 

AUGUST TO OCTOBER

BY CHANCE OR APPT.

519 – 676 - 4541

OF SPECIAL INTEREST:

Bus Tours are welcomed.  Please call in advance.

Perennial Container Garden Workshops.  Bring your own containers and I'll assist you with your one-of-a-kind design. This can be done either as individuals or with a small group.

Gift Certificates available. 

DRIVING DIRECTIONS:

Drive 8 km west of Blenheim on Talbot Trail (old Hwy #3) past Cedar Springs (about 1 km).  Watch for the 2 signs, Sherry’s Perennial Gardens and Smith and Wilson Estate Winery on south side of the hwy.  911 # is 8328.  This is at the junction of Talbot Trail and Water St.  Follow the farm lane and arrow signs towards the lake, proceed down the hill where you will come upon the greenhouse.  Please park in the designated areas on the side of this lane, as it is a main thoroughfare for the farm. 

If you’re coming off of the 401: 

Westbound from Toronto:  take Exit #90 south to the town of Blenheim

Eastbound from Windsor:  take Exit #81 south on Bloomfield Rd (Cty Rd #27) to Talbot Trail (Hwy #3); go east about 4 km