Travel-inspired exotic garden in St. James is a peaceful oasis

Step into Tim Evans’ distinctive garden at any time during the growing season and it’s clear that he does not believe in doing anything by half measures. Every part of his garden on a quiet street in St. James is an elaborate feast for the eyes.

All the elements of a well-appointed garden were on display this summer — towering elm trees, fruit trees such as apricot, pear and plum, and collections of unique perennials, including some that have been grown from seeds purchased overseas. He grows several varieties of Thalictrum meadow rue. A favourite source is Plant World Seeds in England.

Evans brightened his shady front entrance this year with container arrangements planted exclusively with white flowers. The tall fence along the entrance to his backyard is densely covered in Virginia creeper vine. This summer, he hung hanging planters containing white angel wing begonias from large hooks that were completely concealed by the vine’s foliage so that it appeared as though the vine itself was blooming.

From the spacious multi-tiered deck organized into different seating zones that runs adjacent to Evans’ house, there are tantalizing views of the Assiniboine River which flows by the edge of the sloped property. An intriguing Victory Orangery solarium greenhouse perched near the top of the slope arouses curiosity. But we’ll go back to that later.