Take a look around Anglesea gardens

TWO carefully-curated Anglesea gardens will be open for inspection this Australia Day weekend.

“Melba” and “Sunnymeade” are being promoted by Open Gardens Victoria as two outstanding examples of the state’s private gardens.

Ocean Road Landscaping’s Peter Shaw has a personal connection to both gardens – “Sunnymeade” is his own garden, and he was contracted to help with a major redesign of “Melba” in 2015.

Mr Shaw described “Sunnymeade”, at 48 Harvey Street, as “a rambling coastal garden set high up on the ridge in Anglesea”.

“The family-friendly space is made up of interesting and quirky bits and pieces, with plenty of surprises and good gardening ideas”.

The formal design incorporates many noteworthy features such as extensive drystone walls, a sunken garden, fire pit and sculptures.

The redesign of “Melba”, at 26 Melba Parade, recognised that it was important for the garden take into account the history of the original Robin Boyd-designed house and garden style to authentically link the landscape to its place in time.

The fire pit and stonework are key features in the central back garden, and the muted and verdant planting scheme throughout sits underneath the old gums, complementing its coastal position.

“Both (gardens) are quite different to each other and show how a coastal garden can be installed to thrive and look good in the harsh conditions along the Great Ocean Road,” Mr Shaw said.

Both gardens will be open on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6pm.

Mr Shaw will give a talk about creating coastal gardens at “Sunnymeade” on Saturday at 3pm and at “Melba” on Sunday at 4pm.

Nick Day from Otway Indigenous Nursery will give a talk on using indigenous plants in the garden at “Melba” on Saturday at 4pm and at “Sunnymeade” on Sunday at 3pm.

Entry price to either garden is $8 for adults and $5 for students (free entry for children under 18) or $12/$8 for entry to both gardens.