Dot Evans in her garden at Upper Beaconsfield, open this weekend as part of Australia’s Open Garden Scheme. By Paul Dunlop
WHEN Dot and Jim Evans bought their property at Upper Beaconsfield, the scars of the Ash Wednesday bushfires still ran deep across the landscape.
Even more than 20 years later, blackened bark remains visible on many of their gum trees.
At the time of their purchase, the Evans’ property was described by a local as a “house in the middle of a paddock”. The transition from long grass into the beautiful Clematis Cottage garden has been the product of two decades work by the greenthumbed pair.
The results of Dot and Jim’s labours can be seen in all their pungent, blooming glory this weekend when the Evans’ garden in 167 Stoney Creek Road opens to the public as part of Australia’s Open Garden Scheme.
Another Upper Beaconsfield garden, Val and Michael Anzin’s Terrigal, will also be open in what should be a terrific opportunity for garden lovers around the district.
Dot describes Jim and herself as “enthusiastic amateurs” when it comes to gardening.
“Actually, he does the real work and I just do the design, lawns and some of the weeding,” she said.
“We’ve made many mistakes, but we now also reap the benefit of a few really good decisions made back in those early years.”
At Clematis Cottage, 1000 roses bloom with countless perennials and a diverse and large collection of clematis in this joyously romantic cottage garden.
Long pergolas are swathed in roses and clematis and they provide a division for each of the many colour themed areas.
There is also a romantic, shady woodland and a spectacular irislined walk, which leads to the lake.
In early November, the lake is picture perfect, surrounded by day lilies and iris and with waterlilies in full bloom.
“A feature of this property is the formal rose garden located between the keyhole garden and the citrus bed here at the rear of the house,” Dot said.
“A passion for David Austen roses led me into an appreciation of the lovely old roses available and many of them have found a place. Most of the roses in it are strongly perfumed.”
Terrigal at 55 Blue Ridge Road, Beaconsfield Upper, is an abundantly planted garden designed in a spectacular series of colour coordinated areas.
Spread over more than an acre, soft toned roses mingle with poppies and a wonderful range of silver toned perennials.
Hot colours are teamed with strappy leafed phormiums, towering grasses and a broad range of other foliage plants.
The woodland is home to Val’s special treasures and ariseamas, hostas, bulbs and alpine species shelter in the cool shade.
Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic and take time to enjoy the two Upper Beaconsfield gardens, regarded among the finest and most exciting private gardens in Australia.
Both gardens will be open between 10am and 4.30pm this weekend (on Saturday, 5 November and Sunday, 6 November) for $5.
Children are admitted free.
