Of all the gardens I had the immense pleasure of visiting this summer, the astonishing oasis of colour and lush greenery set within an old barn’s stone foundations was one of my favourites. The private garden is part of a home and farm near Mallorytown, Ontario.

A gravel path leads the eye through a metal archway and into a shady nook embraced by a section of stone wall once part of the barn’s foundation. The huge interior walled garden beyond is hidden from view.

This garden has taken the concept of repurposing to a whole new level. Field stones and crumbling foundation walls now embrace garden rooms.

The remnants of doorways, windows and an entrance ramp (see below) for the old barn have been used to full advantage as view-framing features of the garden and the landscape beyond.

Parts of the barn’s original flooring have reappeared as paths and patios. Stones have been rearranged to create raised beds and line pathways.

Garden seating of all kinds are discreetly situated to turn a huge space into interconnecting garden rooms, each with its own vantage point to sit and take in the views.

The photo above, taken from one end of the interior of the walled garden, gives you an idea of the scale.

For a garden that has been literally grown from stone, it’s astonishingly vibrant with blooming annuals and perennials. Mosses and low growing succulents add vibrant greens and soft textures to the grey stone soaking up the heat on this early July day.

At one end of the barn’s huge interior space, a former window in the wall becomes a bar area with seating for two for the ultimate in cocktails with a view.

Many of the plants were chosen to attract and support wildlife, including birds, butterflies and insects.

Springing from the foundations of an old barn and surrounded by meadow and farm fields, this magical garden truly shows off the transformative powers of a gardener’s vision.