Artful garden blends blooms and mixed media...

In addition to the beautiful blooms and creative designs we enjoyed at the Toronto Garden Bloggers Fling earlier this month, we were also treated to some amazing mixed media art entwined into this landscape on the hilly shore of High Park’s Grenadier Pond. 

Filled with the work of sculptor Wojtek Biczysko, the garden reflected upon itself through various metal sculptures that brought light and movement into the landscape.

This piece evokes the image of a hammock in the trees (to me) -- a place I would love to spend time with a good book and the sounds of nature.

Bordered by a vining metal railing, the  upper balcony appears to be weaving in and out of the treetops overlooking the pond.

Metallic strips dangle loosely from a line strung between two trees, mimicking the movement of limbs and branches blowing in the breeze.

Hidden behind oversized hosta leaves, this Buddha statue seems to give a Zen nod to the peaceful nature of the garden.

More art dangling in the trees -- these metal orbs suggest the opening of seed pods, spilling their precious cargo into the garden below.

Were this my garden, I believe you would find some Christmas ornaments on these perfect little evergreens come December!

I did a little dance with this red-winged blackbird down on the shore of the pond. His flashing, brilliant red wings commanded my attention. In spite of my best efforts, this was as close as he let me get as he flitted around the branches.

Behind this colorful pot, the metal railing looks like vines growing right out of the planter.

I was taken by the rock work in this garden -- the steep slope required a carefully crafted hardscape - intricate yet sturdy.

Gail, of Clay and Limestone, admires the garden from below.

I'm particularly fond of the use of hidden mortar and cement to stabilize retaining walls, leaving the rocks to look like a dry stack, which would never work in this space.

This simple stone fire pit at the base of the garden was the final punctuation point at the end of the rocky stairs.