The Stones, an ever-evolving tough climate garden, created around an 1850s stone farmhouse in central Victoria, will celebrate its first autumn opening with Open Gardens Victoria on April 26 and 27.  

Owners Jeremy Valentine and Grant Francis purchased the historic Clydesdale  property over a decade ago and were faced with waist-high grass and a sea of weeds.  

The property’s tough utilitarian past meant there was little in the way of a garden, except for a few walnut and fruit trees.

There was much work to be done, and the  owners had little experience of gardening in savage winter frosts and dry summer heat.  

The pair embarked on a journey of discovery, looking at what thrived in local  gardens, particularly the neglected ones, on ruin sites, and on roadsides where hardy plants survived.

Slowly they expanded the garden’s repertoire of plants, concentrating on doing their own landscaping and building many of the stone walls and steps.  

The garden now expands beyond the house grounds, with new beds and plantings  in less traditional styles.

The cactus garden makes a bold architectural statement while  also adding a subtle whimsy to the landscape with swaying grasses.  

In late April, visitors will discover a garden in transition, with summer growth  fading and the hot, dry conditions mellowing.

Jeremy describes it as a “romantically  shabby scene of spent seed heads and new autumn growth” set against the backdrop of  the wonderful colours of autumn leaves.  

The Stones is at 1530 Hepburn-Newstead Road, Clydesdale and open on the  weekend from 10am – 4.30pm.

Enjoy CWA-inspired morning and afternoon tea  including lamingtons, tea, cakes and biscuits, served in old china cups and saucers .

Tickets at the gate or Trybooking. Adults $10, students $6, under 18 free.  

Maverick, the Clydesdale, has died at the age of 25 after a long battle with cancer.
He came to the district as a three-year-old from Echuca and immediately became a local favourite with
his community and media involvements.
Maverick first appeared on television show Postcards at the Farmers Arms in Daylesford, ridden into the front bar. From there he appeared in numerous ChillOut parades with his buddy Tom Shaw, in guises including Batman, Dolly Parton, a cowboy and “the bride”.
Their ChillOut Batman and Robin entry, pulling the milk float/Batmobile, was prize winning.
With his owner Allison Sloan, Maverick took part in Christmas Celebrations at John Curtin Aged Care,
protested on Spring Street with the Stop AusNet Towers group, paraded at the Kingston Avenue of Honour Centenary and escorted brides on their wedding days.
On Anderson’s Mill Open Days he was a favourite and would wander through the crowds for the children’s (and adults’) pats and hugs – and sometimes fairy floss.
Too quiet to work in a team, he was a gentle giant.
His final days were spent with his mate Andy on the green grass of Rocklyn. Maverick was much loved and will be missed by all. Vale.