When The Kingsway was first developed, around the time of the first world war, the developer Robert Home Smith had a vision of creating “A bit of England, far from England.”

As the Etobicoke Historical Society explains, by contract, he required all homes (on large lots, many overlooking the Humber Valley) to be designed by an architect and approved by Home Smith – who favoured English vernacular styles and only allowed stucco, stone or brick exteriors. Trees also had to be preserved. It gave this neighbourhood a particular character – both quaint and grand.

This time next week, you could be strolling through its gardens at the 29th Through the Garden Gate. It’s a great event, leading up to the big 30th anniversary next year, and every year the Toronto Botanical Garden just seems to improve their biggest fundraising event.

You’ll be able to grab lunch at the headquarters or snacks en route, cool refreshments at different spots along the way (I highly recommend the Augie’s Cucumber, Lime & Chili ice pops), or you can do the tour by bike with Pedals & Petals. Plus, hang onto your wristband ticket, and this year’s sponsor Plant World will give you a discount. Here’s a peek at what you’ll see.

Tucked behind the garden in our first photo, a shady hillside retreat, with beautiful stonework.

One of two firepits on the property, looking out across the valley.

Now this is what you can do with a slope – pool at the top, treehouse-style gazebo at the bottom to gaze back at it.

Some of the gardeners are devoted plantspersons. This species peony (Paeonia japonica) was growing and blooming in shade! I always come away with plant ideas – or at least ideas to research for possibilities.

Don’t be so overwhelmed by the spaces that you miss seeing the cute details.

In one garden, you’ll see what is possible in the shade of giant silver and Norway maples. Great insight for many Toronto gardeners (expecially this maple-cursed Toronto Gardens gardener).

This relatively small garden featured two outdoor living spaces. Although many photographers at the preview were captivated by the outdoor dining room in the converted garage, I was drawn to this practical idea – a screened pergola.

The screening is simply a curtain that can be hung from a track and drawn to exclude the bugs.

The pergola roof featured bamboo slats to create a dappled shade – and, if you look closely at the gap near the left corner, you can see they’ve also included a layer of screening here. That’s an idea you can use.

Furniture as garden art! Fun and functional.

Here’s another plant to put on your list – the small green leaves of the plants between the stepping stones are actually a euonymus (Euonymus kewensii). The golden creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’) gives you a sense of scale.

And while it’s never polite to peer into the owners’ windows (and never take photos of their interiors – never!), some great ideas can be seen right from the street. Everyone I spoke to on the preview loved the massed lights in the bow window.

There’s still time to buy tickets. Go for the two-day version – it’s always the best deal. Just a bit more cash outlay, more time to explore the gardens, and great support for our tiny perfect botanical garden.