Stroll in the gardens

GREEN thumbs can take the time to smell the roses on the Sunday at the spring Open Gardenfest in Gembrook.
Vibrant azaleas, rhododendrons, magnolias, springtime bulbs and camellias are set to dazzle visitors.
Five gardens will be on show from 10am to 5pm on Sunday, 1 October in a springtime celebration of the cool climate gardens Gembrook is renowned for.
Organiser Keith Livingston said two of the gardens are owned by camellia and rhododendron specialists who will offer tips on growing the plants.
One of the five gardens sprawls across two hectares. It was redesigned 16 years ago and was built around plants that are more than half a century old.
It features a series of garden rooms linked by steps, paths, clipped hedges and grassed walkways.
Meanwhile, a town garden will give visitors something different with a cottage theme and a secret garden worth finding.
Garden lovers can visit all the gardens using a single pass costing $10 per person.
Passes can be purchased from the Gembrook CFA station in Innes Road.
The proceeds from the open Gardenfest will go towards a replacement community owned fire truck for the Gembrook CFA.
For more details contact Keith Livingston on 5968 1115.