Spend a day in country gardens

Val Anzin with a Gypsy Queen Clematis. Val and Michael Anzin’s Terrigal garden and Dot and Jim Evans’ Clematis Cottage garden will open at Upper Beaconsfield as part of the     Australia’s Open Garden scheme. Val Anzin with a Gypsy Queen Clematis. Val and Michael Anzin’s Terrigal garden and Dot and Jim Evans’ Clematis Cottage garden will open at Upper Beaconsfield as part of the Australia’s Open Garden scheme.

TWO spectacular gardens in Upper Beaconsfield are to go on public display.
Michael and Val Anzin’s Terrigal garden and Dot and Jim Evans’ Clematis Cottage garden will open on 5 and 6 November as part of Australia’s Open Garden Scheme.
Both are among the district’s leading gardens.
Mrs Anzin said her garden was the product of plenty of hard work, as well as the “odd bolt of divine inspiration”.
“I garden nonstop, spring is always a busy time but I like the autumn as well,” she said.
“It takes up a bit of time but I love it.”
She said the garden was a wonderful voyage of discovery, with vibrantly planted sunny areas as well as cool, lush woodland plantings where delicate plants shelter beneath a canopy of blackwoods.
Spread over more than an acre, softtoned roses mingled with poppies and a wonderful range of silver toned perennials, she said.
Hot colours are teamed with strappyleafed phormiums, towering grasses and a broad range of other foliage plants.
The woodland is home to Mrs Anzin’s special treasures and ariseamas, hostas, bulbs and alpine species shelter in the cool shade.
About 1000 roses bloom at Clematis Cottage, with countless perennials and a diverse and large collection of clematis.
There is also a romantic shady woodland and a spectacular irislined walk, which leads to the lake.
In early November, the lake is pictureperfect, surrounded by day lilies and iris, with waterlilies in full bloom.
The Terrigal garden is at 55 Blue Ridge Road while Clematis Cottage is close by at 167 Stoney Creek Road.
Both gardens will be open between 10am and 4.30pm on Saturday, 5 November and Sunday, 6 November at an entry fee of $5. Children will be admitted free.