Diverse and inspiring gardens open to the public this weekend

A SPECIAL treat is on offer this weekend for gardeners and those who enjoy beauty and the out-doors.
Five diverse and inspiring gardens around Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale will be open to the public this Saturday October 19.
The event, which is hosted by the Queenscliff Uniting Church, will feature the Billabong Garden in Point Lonsdale.
Open for the first time, this large three-year-old garden was landscaped by designer Phillip Johnson.
It features creeks and bridges and a billabong with a stunning waterfall.
There’s also a fire pit and sitting area, meditation platform all curated using large rocks.
Meandering pathways lead you through garden beds filled with Australian Native and Indigenous plantings, fruit trees and raised vegetable beds.
Also, in Point Lonsdale is the abundant and whimsical garden of local landscapers Mia Cooke and Ken Adam.
The front indigenous garden leads to an informal backyard with surprises around every corner.
Twisting paths take you through archways of verdant growth and around walled and sunken gar-dens filled with hardy natives and exotics.
Colourful annuals, perennials and vegetables abound and artworks created in the studio dot the spaces. This garden is a feast for the senses.
The Old Vicarage Garden in Queenscliff is an established formal heritage style garden, with clipped hedges and many garden rooms, while nearby, the Gas Works Garden features, mediterranean courtyards, kitchen gardens, wisteria covered pergola and abundant pots of colourful flowers.
The garden is built around an architecturally designed house which represents the dimensions and layout of the original gas works.
Also in Queenscliff, overlooking the bay, is the Manse Garden, a colourful and constantly evolving garden that welcome birds, bees, reptiles and people.
Lunches, morning and afternoon teas, plant stalls, raffles and organ recitals will also be available to add to your gardening experience.
Start your garden adventure at any of the five gardens and receive a pamphlet with activities, location and descriptions of each garden.
You can visit gardens individually between 10am and 5pm for $8 or see all five, for $25.
For more information and tickets, visit unitingqueenscliff.org.au or 0425 736 805.
The Open Garden Day helps sustain staffing and caring for our vibrant community centres at the Uniting Church in Queenscliff and Kirk’s Place, with New Hall in Point Lonsdale.