Open Gardens Victoria will open six gardens to the public on the weekend of 12 and 13 November in Traralgon’s very first Open Gardens program.
The impetus for the program has come from Gina Symonds, a Social Worker and Nutritionist who is a staunch advocate for The Latrobe Valley Life Skills Programs for Young People. Proceeds from the openings will go towards expanding this valuable program which currently can’t keep up with demand. A keen garden lover, Gina realised the Traralgon area had never had a coordinated program of openings before as a fundraiser. And the rest, as they say, is history.
A wonderfully diverse group of six gardens will open with Open Gardens Victoria on 12 and 13 November. There are sustainable, productive, plant lover, historic and artist’s gardens, ensuring there will be something to satisfy all interests. All are located within a comfortable driving distance from the centre of Traralgon. Right in town is the gorgeous Harpfields garden surrounding an historic homestead. It is hard to imagine that when the garden owners purchased their home 37 years ago there were only four large trees, a hedge and Cyprus trees lining the driveway. Since then they have designed and created a work of art so that today there are magnificent trees, roses hedges, garden features, stunning pots, a gazebo and vegetable garden. The garden truly comes to life in the spring when the cottage garden is in full bloom.
Visitors will be seeing this garden at its beautiful best. Note, Harpfields will be open only on Saturday 12 November. In Hoven Drive on the outskirts of Traralgon are the stately grounds of Montfort Manor. Here, a stunning tree lined driveway of 26 Manchurian Pears greets visitors as they arrive. An easily accessible walking path takes them through the seven-acre garden. Visitors will be encouraged to linger – have a picnic on the lawns and listen to music wafting from the gazebo. There is much to explore – a vast orchard, a rose garden with over 70 rose bushes, a beautiful lake, camellias, swimming pools surrounded by formal hedges and much more. In spring 10,000 bulbs are a sight to be seen. Montford Manor is planning to offer market stalls in conjunction with its opening. Further down the road is Maria & Sal Testa’s garden. Starting with a bare block and just one burnt tree, over the last 20 years the owners have gradually created a wonderful five-acre garden. The centrepiece is a huge productive garden. No seedlings bought by the punnet here! Instead the vegetables are grown from seed in the hot house on site. A variety of berries are grown in spring and early summer.
This is a garden of many parts. Away from the beds, citrus and nut groves flourish, along with an apple orchard and numerous fruit trees. Sal has experimented with grafting many different fruits onto single trees. All are labelled and make for fascinating viewing. Visitors will also find an extensive ornamental garden with roses, a native garden, a liquid amber arbour and an oak walk all set against the background of a large dam. A variety of seedlings will be available for sale.
A few kilometres away in Churchill lies the beautiful Seven Acres garden. This is a true gardeners’ garden housing a wonderful collection of plants. Many are rare and unusual. Meandering paths lead from one garden room to another. Special features include a magnificent camellia hedge, fernery and a summerhouse with a tower that offers 360 degrees views of the garden. Deep garden beds brim with colourful shrubs, perennials and annuals. A huge vegetable garden, beautiful maples, an orchard, citrus and birch groves are guaranteed to interest gardeners of all levels. At Jeeralang Junction, set in bushland near the National Park, is what can only be described as an artist’s garden. Yoka and Alan Beumer’s mud brick house is tucked into the landscape, flanked by lawns which have been carved from the hill, with drystone walls taming the slope to create a series of terraces. A collection of rare and unusual plants blends seamlessly with natives. Pathways lead from a tiered Japanese garden, past closely planted beds near the house to a gully walk. Lovely grouping of plants and sculptures are a feature, with stunning combinations of colour and textured foliage.
Finally, back at the west end of Traralgon, is Fairhaven. This is a charming garden set against a backdrop of majestic gum trees. Pathways lead though shrubberies, past sweeping lawns and under a rose arbour to reach a Japanese garden and a landscaped dam. Along the way various structures, statues and old farm machinery provide interest. Visitors will be able to enjoy a Devonshire tea as they take a well-earned rest! Tickets will be $8 for a single garden entry, $25 for a group pass to all 6 gardens pre-purchased through the Open Gardens Victoria website and $30 for a group pass purchased at the gate. Group passes will be valid for the whole weekend but note that Harpfield will not be open on Sunday 13 November.
Full details of the gardens and the program for the weekend are available at www.opengardensvictoria.org.au
