By KATH GANNAWAY
THE heat’s off and it’s time to get out into the countryside again to explore gardens.
Autumn in the Yarra Valley, Dandenong Ranges and the Mystic Mountains of Marysville is a spectacular time of year to be garden-hopping.
It’s all about glorious colour and design that highlights the very best of exotic trees and shrubs within landscapes that are intrinsically Australian.
Among the gardens on offer are several that are open as part of Open Gardens Australia*, private commercial gardens such as Alowyn and The Singing Gardens of C.J. Dennis, and the magnificent public gardens of the Dandenong Ranges.
If you’re planning a trip to the Hills, and you love to talk the garden talk, as well as walk the garden walk, try to include the weekend of 26 and 27 April when the Ferny Creek Horticultural Society holds its Autumn Show. It’s a celebration not only of the beautiful autumn foliage, but of the gardening volunteers who love their gardens with a passion.
What’s on and Where
Nonesuch – Lilydale*
AN ENTICING formal walkway of magnificent espaliered copper beeches, standard roses and box hedge pyramids leads to handsome iron gates at Nonesuch.
Beyond is a garden where mature trees and shrubs in their autumn finery shelter creative and eclectic plantings.
A weeping willow shades Japanese maples.
While nature paints a magnificent landscape outside, move to the chapel to view paintings and prints on sale.
When: 11 and 12 April.
Where: 150 Hereford Road.
Open: 10am to 4.30pm.
Entry: $8
Telopea Gardens – Emerald*
THE natural amphitheatre design of Telopea provides vistas of the contrasting foliage shapes, colours, tones and textures of this expansive, informal garden.
Meander down numerous paths past a diverse range of exotic and native trees, shrubs, perennials, bulbs and succulents.
Discover rare, interesting, unusual or unique specimens around every corner as you wander.
When: 18 and 19 April.
Where: 80 Beaconsfield-Emerald Road.
Open: 10am to 4.30pm.
Entry: $8
Kristie’s Bouquet – Mount Evelyn*
KRISTIE’S garden is spacious, diverse and has a fabulous focus on sustainable practices.
Mature trees, shelter beds featuring an eclectic mix of bird-attracting natives and massed colourful perennials, including 80 species of salvias.
Discover the harvest of fruit trees, vegetables and herbs and make the connection with composting and recycling.
Many of the plants in Kristie’s Bouquet are grown from cuttings and seeds.
When: 11 and 12 April.
Where: 11 Forge Road.
Open: 10am to 4.30pm.
Entry: $8
Ferny Creek Autumn Show – Sassafras
SET in four and a half hectares of magnificent ornamental gardens the Ferny Creek Horticultural Society’s Autumn Show features autumn foliage and hydrangeas.
More broadly, the show is a celebration of the colour and form of the thousands of magnificent exotic trees that abound in the Dandenongs.
The weekend program includes rare plant sales, craft and gifts, fantastic foliage and flower displays, photographic displays, and light refreshments.
When: 26 and 27 April
Where: 100 Hilton Road,
Open: Saturday Noon to 4.30pm, Sunday 10am to 4.30pm.
Entry: $5 non-members.
Arden -The Singing Gardens of C.J. Dennis – Toolangi
THE Singing Garden (1935), was inspired by Arden, the garden of poet C.J. Dennis at Toolangi. Although the house burned down in the 1960s, the garden Dennis created with his wife remains.
An outstanding feature of this gorgeous Autumn garden is a copper beech planted by English Poet Laureate John Masefield.
Within the1.5 hectare garden are also rhododendrons, azaleas and exotic trees.
Wander into the tearooms for a taste of Arden’s famed Devonshire Teas and a chat about Toolangi’s own poet, C.J. Dennis.
When: Thursday to Sunday.
Where: 1694 Main Road.
Open: 10am to 5pm and other times by arrangement. Phone 5962 9282.
Narbethong Farm – Narbethong*
OVER The Black Spur out of Healesville is Narbethong … and Narbethong Farm.
A long driveway of mature trees and post-and-rail fences leads into a magnificent garden with exceptional autumn colour.
Stately trees are complemented by newer plantings and acres of green lawns weave around glorious trees and shrubs under-planted with perennials and groundcovers.
Conifers, birches, maples, dogwoods, beeches, rhododendrons, a parterre garden and an olive grove await.
When: 2 and 3 May.
Where: 551 Maroondah Highway.
Open: 10am to 4.30pm.
Entry: $10
Alowyn Gardens – Yarra Glen
ALOWYN is an all year round garden, but autumn is especially spectacular.
Designed with shade and comfort in mind, it is also designed to reflect the seasons.
The magnificent 100-metre long wisteria and rose arbour is transformed into a tunnel of gold as the leaves turn, creating a luxurious carpet leading to display garden that include forests of colourful exotics.
In April, there is also the opportunity to participate in basket weaving workshops with local artisan Ruth Wood.
Ruth has drawn her inspiration from many sources and has learnt the skills during travels in South East Asia and living and working with Indigenous women in Arnhem Land.
When: Every day.
Where: 1210 Melba Highway
Open: 10am to 5pm.
Entry: Fee applies. Visit www.alowyngardens.com.au.
Gardens of the Dandenongs
THE gardens of the ‘Blue Dandenongs’ have for decades been a tourist drawcard, and autumn is when they are at their most colourful and most splendid.
They include George Tindale Memorial Gardens, William Ricketts Sanctuary, R.J. Hamer Arboretum, Pirianda Gardens, Alfred Nicholas Gardens and the National Rhododendron Gardens at Olinda.
For more details on the how, where and when of these gardens, and the back-story to how they came about, visit www.parkweb.vic.gov.au.
