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.  

The tranquil private garden of Gibbards Crossing at Redesdale is opening this October as part of Open Gardens Victoria.

The garden is part of “Gibbards Crossing” – a 40 acre property growing grapes and olives that sits besides the Campaspe River.

Because the garden is nestled within the undulating hills of the landscape, the stacked stone walls help to create beautiful individual areas of mass plantings.

There is a paved labyrinth with citrus and herbs and a nearby bed of vigorous caperberries.

A young orchard does very well here and produces copious amounts of fruit and pomegranates The lovely Buddha Pond overlooks a small Casuarina Forest. There are lots of quiet areas to sit and wonderful views of water and dams.

Visiting is a chance to enjoy standing on the monticule (little volcanic hill) with a pergola on top with stunning views over Redesdale.

The garden is set to open on the weekend of october 19-20 and there will be a local artist’s botanical photography of the flowers from this garden on exhibition and available for purchase.

In addition, the owners own Gibbards Crossing wine and extra virgin olive oil will be available for sale. 

Some of the proceeds from this garden opening will be donated to both the Redesdale CFA and the Redesdale Recreation Reserve Committee (RRRC). 

Two other Redesdale gardens will also be opening under the Open Gardens Victoria scheme over this same weekend: Coliban Springs and Rocklands.

The beautiful Coliban Springs private garden at Redesdale will open to the public over two days in October as part of the Open Gardens Victoria scheme.

Once a sheep paddock, this amazing mature garden is full of native plants, many propagated by the owner.

Located at 866 Coliban Park Rd, Redesdale, it will be open from 10am-4.30pm on Saturday October 19 and Sunday October 2.

This large garden is drought tolerant and a wonderful home for birds. The landscape is undulating with paths leading to deep beds with massed plantings and to quiet areas to sit and look at the garden.

There is also a large lake that is home to water birds including crakes and rails and with places to sit and admire the view.

The many garden sculptures are placed either in open spaces or near the lawn. A children’s play area is integrated into the garden plan.

Another planting surprise is the row of grass trees with a backdrop of a forest of casuarinas.

Highlights of this garden include Beryl’s Deck overlooking the lake, the grass trees with casuarina forest and the peacefulness as one walks around the many paths in this large garden.

Some of the proceeds from this garden opening will be donated to the Bridge Connection Community Newspaper and the Redesdale and District Association.

Further details are available on the Open Gardens Victoria website with tickets able to be purchased online through Trybooking, or on the day.

Local garden lovers are girding themselves for a special Open Gardens Victoria event coming up next month on Saturday, September 28, at the historic Clunes Presbytery and Garden.

In fact two sessions of the Talk, Tour and Tea event at the Clunes Presbytery House and Garden are scheduled on the day with the first from 10-12noon and the next from 2-4pm.

It’s a rare opportunity to enjoy a fine tea experience at the Clunes Presbytery built circa 1905 and explore the Edwardian house and garden situated at 3 Hannah Street, Clunes.  

The event includes a house and garden tour with a focus on the use of herbal and medicinal plants, a chance to purchase unique plants and vintage wares and most importantly, savour a blend of tea with cakes and biscuits in the comfort of a home furnished with an elegance and warmth of the period.  

Some of the proceeds from this event will will go to Paws for Diabetes with further details for bookings available through the Open Gardens Victoria website and also via Trybooking online.

Garden lovers are in for a weekend treat, with the chance to visit three very different private garden openings in Castlemaine, Barkers Creek, and Flora Hill (Bendigo) with Open Gardens Victoria on November 11 and 12.
First stop is Clontarf – a stunning three-acre garden opposite the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens, next is Hedgehogs, a three-acre garden surrounding a 1923 farmhouse and finally, Lee Adams Garden in Flora Hill, an example of what can be achieved on an average-sized suburban block. Link: www.opengardensvictoria.org.au