This is one reason we love going for strolls around new (to us) parts of the city. We often stumble upon these mesmerizing little pockets of neighborhoods we otherwise would never have discovered. Case in point - this stunning garden shared by a row of houses along one block near Westmount Park. When we happened upon this scene, it was magic...
The row houses along this entire block have combined front yards to create a lush flower garden. The spirit of sharing, the size of the sprawling garden in an urban setting, and the robustness of the plantings are almost overwhelming.
There is a surreal quality to having such gardens right up against the sidewalk, overflowing the space between the street and the brick facades. Narrow stone paths meander through the flowers, leading to each home's entrance.
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Wow! What an amazing group effort!
But -- is there one house which isn't as well kept or which has more weeds? (that would be me, I am afraid...). And I wonder what happens when one of the houses is sold...
(I am afraid it is now Pavlovian -- I saw the word "Montreal" and Immediately craved a Fairmount bagel... I am now desperate for one -- it has been 2 1/2 years since I've had one, and it's getting desperate!)
view mschatelaine's profile
I would guess that either they garden collaboratively, one person volunteered to garden for them all out of a love of the hobby, or they have a landscape company take care of it and all chip in. Any of which would mean that the space is treated as one garden and maintained uniformly, no one yard falling behind.
view SherryBinNH's profile
My street in Chicago (4000-4400 block of Hermitage) has a similar vibe- not necessarily as consistent from house to house as this one, but a long series of flourishing gardens that run right up to the sidewalk. I love it!
view MCNicole's profile
Wow....they pulled off that great English garden look. Incredible.
view baileyb's profile
perfect. fabulous. love... a good way for neighbors to start talking to each other
view formosagirl's profile
I appreciate these nearly every day--they are gorgeous yards.
I would say that they are definitely not all alike--most have the wild English garden vibe, but with all sorts of plants, flowers, etc. And while this is one of the only stretches I know of where every house for a while has the full front yard garden, it is pretty common in this area of Montreal--so I doubt there is a street-wide plan, but rather a lot of people who realize that mowing is a pain (and draging a mower from front to back THROUGH your house must really be a pain!)
Love the Montreal content!
view musingsfromhere's profile
I've appreciated these gardens plenty of times throughout my life, it never ceases to amaze me. It really does make you stop in your tracks. It has been maintained beautifully for many years now.
view gwylan's profile
My small street in Sydney (12 buildings of units) has a gardener. Each building pays an annual amount for plants and upkeep and the gardens in front of all the buildings are lush, green and unified.
view lucynz's profile