By Romy Stephens
Open Gardens Victoria will open the gates to two picturesque Olinda gardens next month.
The Gaythorpe garden and Eungella garden will open to the public on 1 and 2 February.
As visitors step into the Gaythorpe garden, they will be greeted by a one hectare hillside space owned and created by Simon Gaythorpe.
“The garden’s about 25 years old. It was started from a bare paddock, my nana had a garden up in Olinda so I was inspired by that,” Simon said.
“It’s a garden that has a lot of rare and unusual plants that would be hard to find nowadays.”
Simon added that the most unique feature of the garden is its abundant number of flowers that spring to life year-round.
“It’s a garden that has a lot of rare and unusual plants that would be hard to find nowadays,” he said.
“I do gardens for other people and my gardens are only flower. They flower throughout the year not just in the springtime.”
Only a 10 minute walk away, Eungella hosts a two hectare garden with numerous areas to explore such as the native garden, the lower orchard, a vegetable garden and a bottom garden with old camellias, chestnuts and walnuts.
Eungella is flanked by regrowth Mountain Ash and the National Rhododendron Gardens are just across the road.
Proceeds from the Gaythorpe garden will go towards the local CFA and Eungella’s proceeds will be donated Karwarra Australian Plant Garden and to Save-A-Dog.
Both gardens will be open from 10am to 4.30pm. Tickets for each cost $8 for adults, $5 for students and entry is free for Under 18s.
For more information, visit opengardensvictoria.org.au.
