THE hot months of summer really don’t lend themselves so well to open gardens, but there are a few exceptions with three gardens open over the next three months under Australia’s Open Garden Scheme (AOGS), the magnificent Alowyn at Yarra Glen open every weekend as a private garden and Bruno’s Sculpture Garden at Marysville also now re-opened.
The scheme is also holding a Plant Fair in the Yarra Valley in February – some great first entries in the 2010 diary!
29 November
Bruno’s Sculpture Garden – Marysville
Bruno’s world-famous garden is literally rising from the ashes and will be officially re-opened on Sunday 29 November. A world of fantasy, beauty and humour in a rainforest setting, the garden was almost totally destroyed on Black Saturday. Many of the sculptures have been rebuilt and the transformation of the garden is inspiring.
51 Falls Road, 10am to 5pm.
Entry fee applies.
30-31 January
Ringwood Community Garden – Wantirna
THIS large suburban community garden celebrates the ethnic backgrounds of its gardeners with its diverse and interesting range of crops in 100 large plots.
An education and a pleasure for anyone interested in setting up a home veggie garden, or a community garden. Produce stalls are an added feature.
Selkirk Avenue, 10am to 4.30pm. Entry: $6
Bev Fox’s Garden – The Basin
RESTFUL and well-designed this garden illustrates the rich variety of Australian plants that can be grown on a normal suburban block.
Hakea multilineata, double-flowered wahlenbergias, derwentias and thomasias feature in wide beds separated by gravel paths. A small frog pond, bird baths and well-placed pots add to the charm.
6 Camelia Crescent, 10am to 4.30pm. Entry: $6
27-28 February
Plant Fair in the Yarra Valley – Yarra Glen
ENJOY this ‘gardener’s heaven’ at Lubra Bend Homestead and the opportunity to buy from a wide selection of rare and unusual plants.
AOGS brings together exhibitors from around Victoria and interstate for this event with the opportunity for gardeners to meet and talk with expert growers of the most interesting and unusual plants.
Lubra Bend is a fascinating garden with a combination of traditional and contemporary elements delivered with real flair – features too numerous to mention.
135 Simpsons Lane, 10am to 4.30pm. Entry: $10.
20-21 March
Lemon Tree Cottage – Upwey
MORE than 130 salvias, roses and perennials surround the lemon tree at the heart of this terraced garden where arbours link different sections.
Plantings in vibrant colours contrast with fern-filled glades.
Extras include an art exhibition.
59 Ferguson Street, 10am to 4.30pm. Entry: $6
Every weekend
Alowyn Gardens – Yarra Glen
JOHN and Prue Van de Linde’s 1.5 hectare garden, winner of the ABC Garden of the Year 2008, is designed along strong symmetrical lines with five clearly defined areas. Features include a perennial border, a silver birch forest of 500 trees, an edible garden, avenues of fruit trees, a formal 17th century parterre garden and a 100 metre long rose covered arbour with a rose garden and a classical fountain as its centre piece.
Extras include plant sales, coffee, tea and cold drinks available.
1210 Melba Highway. 10am to 5pm.
Entry: $7.50.
