Australia's Open Garden Scheme

Victoria Special Events

As well as our weekly program of wonderful open gardens, which can be found here, Open Gardens Australia also has an exciting range of Special Events throughout the year.

Some events require pre-booking and as numbers are strictly limited we urge you to book well ahead of time to avoid disappointment.

Upcoming Special Events in Victoria

Cooking with Beverley Sutherland Smith, Mount Waverley. 19 February
Plant Fair at Cruden Farm, Langwarrin. 3 & 4 March
Sustainable Water Use, Warrandyte. 17 & 18 March
The Wonderful World of Herbs, Sandringham. 29 March & 14 April
Trees of Duneira, Mount Macedon. 15 April

Cooking from the Seasonal Garden,
with Beverley Sutherland Smith
Mount Waverley

Sunday 19 February 2012. 11am-2pm

Booking details:
We regret that this event is now SOLD OUT

The delightful garden of renowned cook Beverley Sutherland Smith is a celebration of floral and edible delights, demonstrating that productive gardens can also be highly decorative.

No matter what the season, there is an abundance of produce with a vast array of vegetables, herbs and fruits growing among roses, perennials and annuals.

Join Beverley for a tour of her garden, a cooking demonstration using her produce, and a delicious lunch featuring a 3-course tasting menu and a glass of wine.

You'll also be given the recipes to take home. What a fabulous way to spend a Sunday!

Plant Fair at Cruden Farm
Langwarrin

Saturday 3 & Sunday 4 March 2012
(No bookings required)

Gardener's heaven - possibly Australia's most famous garden and the opportunity to buy a wide selection of rare and unusual plants.

Over this one special weekend, we're once again bringing together around 40 exhibitors from Victoria and interstate. You can talk to the expert growers of the most interesting and unusual plants, and find something out of the ordinary. With everything from bulbs to trees, natives to exotics, plus garden art, tools, guest speakers and demonstrations - it's an enticing destination for garden-lovers.

This year's Fair is at Cruden Farm, the lifetime achievement of national treasure Dame Elisabeth Murdoch.

Dame Elisabeth designed and planted the renowned herbaceous borders, picking garden, shrub walks, tree-shaded lawns and one of Australia's most famous avenues, all contributing to a place of rare beauty. You can leave your purchases in our plant creche while you take a leisurely stroll around the garden. Teas & lunches will be available throughout the day.

A list of exhibitors is available here

Address: enter from Cranhaven Rd, Langwarrin.
Directions: Melway 103:G5.
Open: 10am-4.30pm. $15.00, no charge for children under 18

Information for bus groups & garden clubs:

Please note that there is NO access to Cruden Farm for buses of over 25 seats unless they have pre-booked and pre-paid.

Please read the important information for bus companies & groups here about ensuring access for your bus.

Information for the public:

The public do not need to pre-book.

Parking, including disabled parking, is in paddocks adjoining the garden. Most areas of the garden are accessible for wheelchairs and walking frames.

Public Transport Access: Train to Frankston Station & then Bus (routes 789, 790 or 791) to Veronica Street.

Please note that OGA do not organise buses for the public to travel this event.

All enquiries should be directed to our National Events Office: EMAIL or phone (03) 5568 1138 during business hours

Sustainable Water Use
Warrandyte

Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 March 2012
(No bookings required)

As well as a spectacular collection of salvias, perennials and natives in their substantial garden, Pat and John Anderson also have a large and very productive vegetable patch. They have devised a sustainable water supply of collected rainwater, linked tanks and a gravity-fed system of drippers.

While most of the plants in the flower garden are drought-tolerant, this excellent and achievable watering system ensures the garden's all-round success.

John is a scientist and he will give talks and demonstrations on how he and Pat collect, measure, store and use their water. Notes outlining their water practices will also be available.

Address: 98 Bradleys Lane, Warrandyte
Directions: Melway 23:C12. Parking: at State Park carpark at end of roas. Dibled parking available on site
Open: 10am-4.30pm. $8 adults, no charge children under 18.

The Wonderful World of Herbs
Sandringham

Thursday 29 March & Saturday 14 April 2012
9.30am-12.30pm

Booking details:
Bookings are essential for these events as places are very limited.

Tickets $65.00 includes morning tea, pot of herbs & recipes to take home.

You can book online via our secure site here or phone (03) 9682 8227 during business hours.

Nancy Bulner is a talented and experienced gardener with a particular passion for herbs.

Around her rammed earth house is a delightful and tranquil garden run on organic principles and brimming with herbs and produce. Nancy's practical workshop will cover how to propagate, grow and care for herbs, the why's and how's of companion planting, their culinary and medicinal uses and how to grow herbs in any sized garden - from a pot to a paddock.

You'll also enjoy a herb-themed morning tea and have a pot of herbs and recipes to take home.

Trees of Duneira
Mount Macedon

Sunday 15 April 2012
(No bookings required)

A grand avenue of 90 glorious Dutch Elms leads into the beautiful hills station garden that embraces an historically significant house dating from the 1870s.

Duneira boasts a notable collection of mature trees including Himalayan holly, rare cut-leaf walnut, maples, dogwoods, rhododendrons and impressive conifers such as the Noble and Nordmann firs. Sweeping lawns with shrubberies lead to a holly-hedged 'secret garden' showcasing a beautiful old Japanese flowering cherry.

There will be talks about Duneira's magnificent trees at 11am & 2pm.

Address: Officer Lane, Mount Macedon
Directions: Melway X909:G10. Vic Roads 415:C9. From Melbourne exit Calder Fwy (M79) at Mt Macedon; take Mt Macedon Rd (C322) to Mt Macedon shops; travel further 2.4 km to Officer Lane on left.
Open: 10am-4.30pm. $10.00, no charge for children under 18