If you ask Benalla local, Deidre Griffin what her favourite time in the garden is, she’ll tell you it’s early on a summer morning when it’s cool and the birds are just waking up; but a close second is spring when her beloved Aquilegias otherwise known as Granny’s Bonnets are coming into bloom.
This spring, Benalla garden-lovers will get to experience it themselves when Deidre and her husband John’s beautiful garden on Mitchell Street is open to the public on 17 and 18 October.
Redding House, Benalla’s oldest residence, sits in the midst of a formal garden which features a parterre garden at the front, a distinctive ‘window hedge’ (pictured above) and Deidre’s favourite section, the walled garden at the rear. “Much of the garden is quite formal but the rear garden is something that’s just happened. There are some beautiful roses growing over the wall and I’m hoping they will be in flower for the opening.”
Three other gardens will open on 1 November as part of the Benalla Festival, with all four raising funds for Benalla’s community foundation, Tomorrow Today.
“Over the years John and I have been supporters of Tomorrow Today so I’m more than happy to be opening the garden for them.”
Lois Smith, who is organising the garden openings this year, assisted by Kathy Ellis-Ragg, agrees; “I think Tomorrow Today is an amazing thing. And I think that it’s something very worthwhile that should be supported. So if we can do that in some small way, then we are happy.”
Lois and her husband Neil have been busily preparing their Thomas Street garden, “Mont Alto” for the event too. Under the gentle guidance of Deidre and her artistic eye they’ve remodelled parts of their garden to include focal points including an antique garden mirror and chaise lounge. The ornamental elements complement roses, sculptured palms and a magnificent Chinese Elm.
“We last opened the garden in 2018;” explained Lois “But we’ve made some significant changes since then so returning visitors will have a new experience of the garden.”
Another garden that will be open on 1 November is Sarah and Richard De Cresigny’s “Florence Court” on Samaria Road. When Sarah and Richard arrived at Florence Court in 1989 the garden had a wonderful outline created by many mature deciduous trees but the rest was rather disorganised. Since then they have spent many years establishing lawns, creating a classic English border garden, planting extensive daffodil areas and tending to the trees. This established country garden features an impressive ha-ha wall and an interesting range of plantings that complement their beautiful home.
The fourth garden to open is Georgina Burston and David Elford’s “Holland Park” on Emu Bridge Road. This large garden has been designed to withstand the extremes of hot dry spells, heavy rains and deep frosts. Its survival is a testament to Georgina and David’s tenacity and their vision to create a balanced garden that sits comfortably within the landscape. “We do not see ourselves as gardeners but rather practical farmers! But we have had fun designing and then creating everything within this space and maintaining it ourselves;” explained Georgina. “We are not sure that this garden is ready yet for ‘public viewing’ it is still very much a work in progress; but if a garden can inspire or give some ideas to others it is always worth a look!”
EVENT DETAILS:
Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October, 10am-4pm
“Redding House” 9 Mitchell St. Includes performances by Benalla Guitar Club.
Sunday, 1 November, 10am -4pm
“Mont Alto” – 30 Thomas Street. Includes stall with local honey, and botanical art display and performances by Rose City Band.
“Holland Park” – 270 Emu Bridge Road. Includes a coffee van and stall selling preserves and jams made by students in the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program at Benalla P-12 College, with the proceeds of going back into the program.
“Florence Court” – 758 Samaria Road.
Entry cost $7 per garden (cash only) – all proceeds will be donated to Tomorrow Today.
Raffle tickets available at each garden $2 each or 3 for $5. The raffle will be drawn on 1 November.