The Globe and Mail

As head gardener, David Leeman, explains, the purpose of the new Toronto Botanical Garden is to inspire. That it does in spades. Despite the fact it's brand new — planting didn't start until April — already the TBG seems a fully established feature on the civic landscape. Even before it officially opens next Saturday, it has the feel of having become an indispensable part of Toronto cultural life. Located at 777 Lawrence Ave. E., in Edwards Gardens, the TBG will bring a new dimension to the city, which in truth has no real tradition of public gardens. There's the exquisite Music Garden on Queen's Quay W., and the flowerbeds on the grounds of St. James Cathedral, but like so much of what happens in Toronto, gardening has been strangely internalized; it is something we do behind closed doors.