The gates of home gardens to open

PRIVATE gardens in the Soldiers Hill and Lake Wendouree areas will be open to the public next month as part of the Open Gardens Victoria program.

On Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 February, Craigie and The Oaks, both designed by landscape gardener Paddy Milne, will welcome visitors as part of the not-for-profit statewide event that promotes gardening and its benefits.

The Oaks property, owned by Harry and Alison Zehnwirth since 1989, has a long history.

Fenwick and Sarah Hamilton established the St Ernan’s homestead on the site in 1856, and planted 100 oak trees a few years later which had been shipped from England.

“This places our four oaks, the oaks in neighbours’ gardens as well as those in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, at around 160 years old,” said Mrs Zehnwirth.

“They are an integral part of our garden. Nothing has been built or planted without recognition of their importance.”

The Zehnwirths created a “stroll garden” when they first moved in, and in 2020, made the decision to rejuvinate it with the help of Milne, The Scape Artist.

Now with a parkland feel, it has pops of red, orange, purple, white and green, and includes Dogwoods, hellebores, clivias, little orange Abutilons, Cymbopogon citratus, and Matapouri Bays. It has flowing garden beds a vertical edible garden, and a big lawn.

The Craiglie garden surrounds an 1860s home which has been owned by David and Maria Cook since 1991. They acquired more adjacent land four years later to expand the yard.

The garden was greatly impacted by the millennium drought.

“Our once thriving English-style trees and shrubs withered, and the lush green lawns turned a brittle shade of brown,” Mr Cook said.

“The watering system lay unused, leaving the garden to endure the harsh conditions.”

When the time came to bring it back to life, Milne was on the job transforming it from a cottage style garden to one that is sustainable and low-maintenance.

“The goal was to create a visually striking garden with multiple spaces for relaxation and contemplation, while also emphasising environmental sustainability and maximizing the production of organic produce,” he said.

“The design balances aesthetic appeal with practicality, blending beauty and function to create a serene yet productive outdoor space.”

The gardens will be open from 10am to 4.30pm. At each site, adult entry is $10, students $6, under 18s get in for free.

Tickets can be bought at the gate or via Trybooking. Visit opengardensvictoria.org.au/The-Oaks-2025 and opengardensvictoria.org.au/Craigie for more information.