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Two of Ballarat’s beautiful private gardens set to open

January 21st, 2025Two of Ballarat’s beautiful private gardens set to open

Open Gardens Victoria will open two stunning Ballarat gardens for the first time on Saturday and Sunday, February 1 and 2.

Open Gardens Victoria will open two stunning Ballarat gardens for the first time on Saturday and Sunday, February 1 and 2.

Located just 10 minutes apart, both gardens are set within historically significant precincts with rejuvenated gardens by award-winning landscape designer and TV host Paddy Milne.

The Oaks is a stunning 3500 sqm garden just five minutes’ walk from Lake Wendouree and the Ballarat Botanical Gardens.

Owners Harry and Alison Zehnwirth purchased the land in 1989, and have continued the historic garden legacy dating back to 1856 when Fenwick and Sarah Hamilton established a homestead called St Ernan’s on the site.

According to a local nineteenth-century arborist’s account, the Hamiltons shipped 100 oak trees from England around 1860.

“This places our four oaks, the oaks in neighbours’ gardens as well as those in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, at around 160 years old. They are an integral part of our garden. Nothing has been built or planted without recognition of their importance,” says Alison Zehnwirth.

In 1989, the first contemporary landscape design was completed, resulting in a ‘stroll garden’ that provided a variety of experiences and activities for the growing family.

At this time, the property’s entry and large stone driveway were created to accommodate the root systems of the oak trees.

A ten-minute drive will find garden lovers at Craigie, the beautiful circa 1860s home and expansive garden of owners David and Maria Cook, located in the precinct of Soldiers Hill with the suburb covered by a Heritage Overlay.

David and Maria purchased Craigie in 1991 and within four years re-acquired two sections of the previously subdivided property.

In 1998 they undertook extensive renovations that stayed true to the house’s original character and established the foundational structure of the garden, including a vegetable garden, where beautiful historic bluestone paving was unearthed.

Like many gardens in Ballarat, Craigie’s garden suffered during the millennium drought’s harsh Stage 4 water restrictions.

“Our once thriving English-style trees and shrubs withered, and the lush green lawns turned a brittle shade of brown,” says David.

“The watering system lay unused, leaving the garden to endure the harsh conditions.”

Many garden projects were planned over the years and David and Maria recognised the need for assistance and turned to Paddy Milne to complete the task. Link: opengardensvictoria.org.au

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