Open Gardens in Adelaide this Spring

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Posted 2015-07-06 by Steve Hudson ⇒ follow

Sun 04 Oct 2015 - Mon 05 Oct 2015

The sun rises earlier and with it comes some warmth. The warmth encourages activity, and with that activity comes some magnificent blooms and color within spring gardens. This spring, Open Gardens SA have arranged an extensive program of the best of Adelaide's spring gardens for your viewing, admiration and inspiration.

29-30 August : Bellevue Heights Succulent Garden
81 Highlands Drive, Bellevue Heights

Succulents in spring is a fantastic way to open the 2015/16 Open Gardens season. This garden has a fascinating collection of shapes and textures spread over terraced garden beds and bordered by many different aloes, agaves, aeoniums, cycads, cactus and yuccas. The hillside property is also alive with a variety of salvias, acacias, grasses and bromeliads, each providing a stunning visual across the backdrop of the Adelaide coastline.

29-30 August : The Looking Glass Garden
2 Caralue Road, Marino

Steep sites create challenges for gardeners, particular those close to the coast. The Looking Glass Garden is a working example of how to overcome these challenges, and to create a garden that is worth exploring. A mix of spring-flowering native and exotic species suited to the dry coastal conditions combined with several garden seats and garden art all create interest along with a pond and waterfall, sitting serenely under a canopy of taller eucalypts.

**12-13 September : Gables End
27 Carrick Hill Drive, Mitcham**

Gables End is a wonderful multi-level garden suiting the era of the Heritage listed 1845 stone house. Mature trees are a feature of this stately garden, with elms, judas trees, eucalyptus and other Australian natives. There are many hardy and water wise plants, including roses, wisteria, salvias, lavender, iris, succulents, clipped westringia balls and garden art giving structure and interest.

20 September : Richwyn
3 Linwood Avenue, Aldgate

Originally started in 1974 from a bush block, Richwyn has developed in to an attractive hills property with a woodlands style look. The garden is built under a canopy of gum trees, and has a collection of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, japonicas, williamsii and reticulate hybrids. Spring also sees the wisteria, magnolias, viburnum, cherries and crab apples blossom and provide bright vibrant colours throughout the garden.

26-27 September : St Austell
364 Glynburn Road, Kensington Gardens

St Austell is a grand old house that has one of the best and beautifully maintained ornamental and productive gardens close to the city. Luscious lawns, a small orchard, tall trees and hedges all feature prominently. Perennials line the gravel drive, while vegetables and herbs pop up in many different and strange places. There is also an outstanding collection of fruit and nut trees – apples, pears, citrus, avocados, macadamias, olives, persimmon, pomegranates, quinces, medlars, almonds – and in some instances several varieties of each.

26-27 September : Wirrapunga Indigenous Garden
Williams Road, Aldgate

Over two decades of nurturing has resulted in the creation of this beautiful indigenous garden aimed at creating what might the Aldgate Valley might have looked like over 200 years ago. With over 400 species, many of them rare and endangered, visitors will see many flowering orchids, grevilleas, lilies and acacias and grasses to name just a few of the better known plants. Extensive labelling alongside pathways provides access without damage to the plants.

4-5 October : Al-Ru Farm Plant Fair
1016 One Tree Hill Road, One Tree Hill

The plant fair at Al-Ru Farm is an annual event for garden lovers where a select group of specialist plant nurseries offer the opportunity to find a variety of interesting specimens for spring plantings. The garden at Al Ru is one of the largest and most admired gardens in SA with a series of garden rooms each with its own distinctive style and palette of plants. In Spring the woodland garden is awash with shocking pink silene, lime green euphorbia, bluebells, Dutch iris and crabapple blossom. There are colour themed perennial borders, a wisteria and rose covered arch leading into the white garden, a formal rose garden and a delightfully informal wild garden where freesias and white lawn daisies run wild.

4-5 October : Bribre Wirra
3 Leaker Avenue, Aldinga Beach

Bribre Wirra hosts many different fruit bearing trees and shrubs which have been cleverly integrated into the garden design. Favourite flowering plants mingle with productive species in garden beds, bounded by pebble paths which wind throughout and link different areas. The selection of fruit trees is extensive and there are many unusual varieties which have been used in non-traditional and imaginative ways. An assortment of herbs are planted amongst Australian plants chosen for their drought tolerance as well as flower colour, foliage and texture.

Open Gardens SA is a not-for-profit organisation helping gardeners and admirers enjoy sharing the love of beautiful gardens. Each open garden is open from 10am to 430pm daily, with an entrance fee of $8 per adult. Most gardens have beverages available for sale as well as some stalls selling relating products. The majority of funds raised at each open garden are donated to a charity nominated by the host gardener. Further details are available from the Open Gardens SA website or their facebook page .