As the chill of winter continues to bite, it was lovely to see the large turnout of members for the August meeting to hear Peter Olde speak on Grevilleas. Peter was a reluctant gardener in the earlier years and when it was suggested he grow a native, take heart gardeners… it died! However, that all changed with Grevilleas. These hardy plants encourage the honey eaters into your garden, which he found a wonderful experience. From there Peter has co-authored, with Neil Marriott, the three volume “Grevillea Book”, as well as a number of published papers on Grevillea Taxonomy. He encouraged us all to plant grevilleas which not only encourage native birds but native insects as well.
So… are we ready?? Excitement is building as this year’s Open Gardens Weekend on Fri 18th – Sun 20th Oct is not far away. Time to start planning how you will visit the 8 gardens as well as Northholm Grammar School’s aquaponics garden. Whether you have a few hours, a day or the whole weekend to devote, you will be spoilt for choice.
Just remember whatever you decide to do your ticket covers you for the whole weekend (one entrance each garden only though). To whet your appetite starting in the Dural area and if pretty is what you are after then the Wallace’s garden at 20 Uralla Rd is sure to delight, with masses of Salvias and roses as well as bromeliads, there is colour wherever you look.
Tall Eucalypts, the lovely cool of the creek that you walk along and seeing how an older lovely garden is being cared for is found at the Sutherland-Harris garden 39 Derriwong Rd, then it’s on to the Fergusson’s garden 78 Quarry Rd, this is the first time it has been open and we are all looking forward to seeing this beautiful garden.
Time to head up towards Galston and where you come to the Graham’s garden at 10 Belbowrie Cl which is filled with gorgeous garden beds – a very steep entrance but once in lots of garden ideas that can be recreated in your own garden, then it’s onto our second garden that has not opened before the Wickham’s at 4 Gribbenmount Rd, this garden has been under restoration since the property was bought several years ago and it is exciting to see it being brought back to life.
These are 5 of the 9 gardens that will be open, keep a look out for next month’s article to see the other gardens that can be explored over the weekend. Once again, we could not have an Open Gardens Weekend without the generosity of the garden owners and the hard work that goes into presenting the gardens, especially with these dry conditions.
The gardens are open from 9.30-4.30 tickets are $25 which gives entrance to all gardens, or $5 per garden, children under 18 free. Tickets can be purchased at each garden or from outside the Galston Club. For enquiries: Bill Fleming 9653 2394, check our website or email: [email protected]
Please note new start time of 7.30pm! The Galston Garden Club meets on the 2nd Weds of the month at the Galston Community Centre 37 Arcadia Rd., Galston 7.30pm, new members and visitors are warmly welcomed, as well there is a lovely supper provided. For more information, visit our website: www.galstongardenclub.com.au
