The joy of gardening lies in the patience and care it requires. Every plant you tend to is a reminder of the beauty of growth, and each bloom is a small victory. Gardening becomes more than a hobby—it’s a peaceful escape where you find joy in each stage of a plant’s journey.
Galston Garden Club Open Garden Weekend 18th-20th October 2024
The Galston Garden Club is proud to present eight outstanding acreage gardens which will delight and inspire any visitor. You will find a host of plants of all shapes and sizes, spectacular flowering shrubs, wonderful specimen trees, water features, garden architecture and lots of ideas. It is always fascinating to see how different owners have developed their gardens to suit the topography of the land and their own tastes and interests.
TICKETS are available on the open days outside the Galston Club, 21 Arcadia Road, or at any of the gardens. An inclusive ticket for $25per person gives entry to all the gardens (ticket is valid for three days), OR entry to a single garden is $5 per person. EFTPOS is available at the Galston Club and at Garden 4 for plants and teas etc, But if you are going directly to one of the gardens please bring CASH. Children under 18 years are admitted free.
All the workers for this Open Gardens Weekend are unpaid volunteers from the Galston Garden Club and other community groups. All profits are distributed to medical research, charities and community projects.
OUR GARDENS ON DISPLAY FOR 2024
Garden 1: “Taliesin” 5 Jane Place, Dural. Presented by John Bailey
A stylish entrance with formal hedging leads to a beautifully maintained garden with sweeping views in all directions. The Garden is set around a large lake with an island, with scattered specimen trees and informal dredging. There is a large rose garden framed with box hedges, and lots of salvias, iris and ground covers. Formal areas surround the house and there are espaliered fruit trees in this wonderfully maintained garden. Toilet.
Garden 2: 78 Quarry Road, Dural. Presented by Wendy and David Ferguson
The entry to this newly developed garden features hedges, trimmed conifers and impressive urns. A formal garden with roses and geranium leads to a delightful pavilion near the pool. An unusual feature is a cantilevered tennis court. There are large beds of Australian natives, agaves and cordylines. The rear of the property has rock ledges blending into natural bushland. Toilet
Garden 3: “Wendover” 8-10 San Remo Place, Dural
Presented by Marcia and Ron Geekie
This garden is a shady old traditional garden. As you follow the winding gravel driveway the garden opens to a more formal area in front of the house which is lined with a bed of standard roses. A selection of different varieties of unique large trees and conifers are one of its features. The planting includes a variety of azaleas, camelias, rhododendrons, roses, clivia, birds’ nests ferns. As you follow the stone paths through the centre garden you will come to a garden with bromeliads and ageratum. .
Garden 4: “Savannah” 51 Mid Dural Road, Middle Dural Presented by Hugh Crompton and Richard Howard
A sweeping driveway flows through this park like garden towards the house, which is at the rear of the property. Scattered throughout are interesting conifers and other specimen trees, complemented by a range of statues and ornaments. Lots of camellias, azaleas and moisture loving plants along the watercourse, which flows through the garden. Morning and Afternoon Teas available. Stalls. Toilet.
Garden 5: “Elgans” 21 Fishburns Road, Galston Presented by Bill Fleming
This is a collector’s garden based on coloured foliage effects, with a huge range of plants including lots of maples, camellias, conifers, abutilons, begonias, ferns, bromeliads and cordylines. Set around four large ponds it incorporates many bridges and arches into an informal “paradise” style with pathways wandering off in all directions. There is an extensive succulent collection, including many hanging baskets of epiphyllums and rhipsalis, and a shade house with many interesting plants. Toilet.
Garden 6: “Boulevard” 20 Wylds Road, Arcadia Presented by Craig Teece
A landscaped award-winning garden with something for everyone: multiple native gardens, conifer garden, a hothouse full of interesting epiphytic plants, shade house containing rare rainforest plants and a Halloween inspired ‘Garden Cave’. Integrated throughout the garden are over 150 pieces of garden art/sculpture including dinosaur sculptures. Come and enjoy the aura of the native birdlife which abounds throughout the garden. Parking in front of Linga Longa nursery.
Garden 7: “Willow Glen” 2 Marrakesh Place, Arcadia Presented by Karen Lindley
Characterised by large rock shelves, and old native trees, creating a unique and informal atmosphere. A watercourse traverses the property feeding into a large dam adorned with water lilies, which serves as a focal point for outdoor living areas. The garden supports non-invasive weeds alongside herbs in garden beds. Bridges, seating areas, and a children’s play area enhance the garden’s appeal. There is a fully meshed enclosed productive organic vegetable patch with fruit trees and self-watering raised beds .
Garden 8: “Highlands” 12 Ridge Road, Arcadia Presented by Esther Ronco
An old favourite 5 acre parkland garden with new features and plantings. In addition to the formal rose gardens around the house you will discover new plantings of camellias, hydrangeas and rhododendrons. Meandering woodland pathways lead beyond begonias and massed cliveas to a redesigned dam with steps leading to a deciduous woodland featuring magnolias and maples. Add a shrub border, an olive grove and views to the distant mountains and there is something for everyone.
