"The Maccoy Garden is an example of a cottage garden, with a variety of perennials interspersed with annuals. The peonies survived the flood of 2013 and have been growing in place for many years. All other perennials have been replaced over the last three years.
For years, Ruth Maccoy supplied the Anglican Church with flowers all through the gardening season.
Gardening here is done by volunteers. We still have work to do at the back of the house. The soil is very heavy and in need of compost.
The Maccoy cabin was designated as a Provincial Historic Resource in October of 2015.
The Park is operated by volunteers and we welcome others to join.
Enjoy the garden."
One of the best things about the Maccoy Garden is - you can visit anytime! Open to the public 7 days a week.
According to the information out front of the cottage, this log cabin is the oldest home in High River having been built in 1883 by one Andy Bell.
The first thing that struck me when I visited, in addition to how the gardens had been recovered/rebuilt was the beautiful cornflowers.
Possibly because these wonderful blossoms constituted the majority of my wedding bouquet. I had known them as bachelor buttons but you may also know them as: garden cornflower, blue cap or blue bottles.
Follow the path around the grounds and you will not miss any of the wonderful plantings in this lovely garden.
Delphiniums
Lily
There are Martagon lilies, Day lilies and Siberian lilies for you to enjoy.
Clustered Bellflower
Cranesbill Geranium
I loved how parts of this plant poked through the pickets to show themselves off away the crowd inside.
False Sunflower
Around the Cottage
The Rest of the Cast
As with a stage production, not everyone gets top billing so I've chosen to add the remaining members of the garden cast together.
The Gardeners
Marj Starke began joining Mary Ann Dearing at the cottage three seasons ago in an effort to rebuild the garden originally created by Evelyn Maccoy and so loved by her daughter Ruth.
The effects of the flood have been far-reaching in the park and since it is totally reliant on volunteer manpower the recovery has been a labour of love. What an amazing job they have done. Anyone who would take on such a daunting task is worthy of our gratitude.
Credits:
C. J. Bennington Fine Art Photography