SEE Autumn in its full glory in the Yarra Valley and the Dandenong Ranges through Australia’s Open Garden scheme.
A number of gardens maintained by residents in the hills are open during March, April and May, which are sure to be worth checking out.
17-18 March
Anderson garden, Warrandyte
LOCATED in a bush setting, this garden is filled with a collection of 300 salvia species, labelled and planted by the continent of origin.
Members of the mint family mingle with the perennials, succulents and natives, including eremophilas.
Rose arches, a large vegetable garden and stone carvings are also featured.
24-25 March
Currawong Cottage, Yarra Glen
THIS garden may be small, but don’t judge a book by its cover as this delightful and interesting garden has many treasures to show.
Mature trees shelter layers of shrubs, salvias, bromeliads, scabiosa and clusters of skilfully placed succulents.
It also has heliotrope, lemon verbena, rose arches, a vegetable garden and fruit trees.
24-25 March
Dot’s garden, Yarra Glen
AUSTRALIAN plants are the theme for this garden, with a wide range of grevilleas, tea trees, correas, waratahs and agonis.
Exotic plants include crepe myrtle, variegated liriodendron and purple-leafed silver birch.
24-25 March
Station Master’s Cottage, Yarra Glen
THIS small garden features abundant cottage plantings designed for easy maintenance.
Well-shaped shrubs and mature trees frame layers of delightful seasonal annuals and perennials.
21-22 April
Dalblair, Seville
THE mature deciduous trees in this cottage garden shelter woodland plantings.
Meandering paths link expansive beds of shrubs and perennials.
Clematis, iris, salvias and an extensive range of colour-coordinated roses are sure to draw the eye.
There is a number of gorgeous autumn foliage, as well as fruit trees and a vegetable garden.
21-22 April
Heywood House, Seville
THIS relaxed country garden offers picturesque views of the Warburton Ranges and features prominent roses, shrubs and perennials.
Irises and perennials in blues and yellows surround a delightful pond.
There is also an enclosed vegetable garden and citrus grove.
5-6 May
Hillcrest, Sherbrooke
SET on a very steep slope, this hills garden shows autumn at its best with a canopy of towering mountain ash, huge oaks, breeches, maples and dogwoods. It has underplantings of fothergillas, brugmansia and disanthus.
Its broad lawns give onto stunning vistas.
12-13 May
Ford and Adams gardens, Eltham
BOTH of these Australian gardens were designed and landscaped by Gordon Ford and feature beautifully integrated waterfalls, pools and rocks.
A naturall style is used to recreate a bush environment for the larger scale of the garden, while the Adams garden uses natives in a smaller space.
12-13 May
Sam Cox’s garden, Wattle Glen
THE natural-style garden, belonging to garden designer Sam Cox, sees endemic species and more traditional natives embrace the mudbrick house.
There are also hints of Gordon Ford’s influence, with waterfalls, a pond and rock outcrops.
The bushland is currently undergoing revegetation.
