By Romy Stephens
This October, Edna Walling’s historic gardens at Bickleigh Vale will open to the public for one day only.
Open Gardens Victoria is hosting a rare opening of the eight gardens on 13 October in Mooroolbark’s Bickleigh Vale Village.
Visitors can picnic in the gardens, feast on a gourmet sausage sizzle, view an old wares stall, get creative with textile art and craft and much more.
Bickleigh Vale resident Maryann Sporon-Fiedler said the open gardens appeal to everyone.
“It’s interesting to most people as it is a tiny heritage area in the heart of suburbia, designed by a woman at a time when women didn’t work in that field,” she said.
“It’s gorgeous for children as it’s like a fairyland full of nooks and crannies.
“At this opening, there are eight gardens open. I have been here 25 years and we have never had that many open.”
The eight gardens set to open include Badgers Wood, The Barn, Devon Cottage, Downderry, Hurst, Sonningfield, Whistlewood and Wimborne.
All of which were designed and created by Edna Walling almost 100 years ago and named after the Devonshire village from her childhood.
Jennifer Vardy and her husband have lived at The Barn for almost 10 years.
She said the gardens are a true reflection of Edna Walling’s vision to create houses and gardens harmoniously with each other and the natural environment.
“The gardens are not overly manicured, there is a wildness to them and their appeal lies in the Edna Walling features of garden rooms, light and shade, layered planting, use of stone and simple colour palettes of white and green,” she said.
“There is often as much interest in the English styled cottages as the gardens and while most have been greatly extended since Ms Walling’s time they all remain sensitive to her original vision.”
The gardens will be open from 10am to 4.30pm and tickets cost $25 for all eight gardens (free entry for children under 18).
For more information visit www.opengardensvictoria.org.au.
