Frog Hill invites you into the garden

FROM humble beginnings as a simple rural yard in a dairy farm, Frog Hill has been transformed over the past 12 years into a romantic and productive country garden, which will be open to the public later this month.

Located at Freshwater Creek and with views to the foothills of the Otways, the two-and-a-half-hectare garden originally comprised hardy daisies and roses with a windrow of cypress and some older trees.

While the seasons are more temperate in this region of south-west Victoria, the property also sits in the “Otway rain shadow”. This means Frog Hill receives only about a quarter of the annual rainfall of the nearby Otway Ranges – a major learning curve for the garden owners whose previous garden had been in the cooler and wetter climate of Macedon.

Taking on this new climate challenge, the owners discovered a whole new palette of plants that could be grown at Freshwater Creek. Of particular interest are the beautiful but tough salvias, which bring a splash of colour year round. The salvias also entice the nectar feeding small birds and flocks of New Holland honeyeaters are regular visitors.

Another plant species of interest in the garden are pelargoniums (often known as geraniums). The tapestry of planting around the house at Frog Hill is intermixed with hardy perennials and romantic roses that complement the salvia and the pelargonium collection.

The garden is very productive with a small orchard growing delicious apples, apricots and nectarines. There is an enclosed berry house that produces an abundant crop of fruit that is harvested and frozen or transformed into preserves. A vegetable patch, fowls and bees are included in the patch.

Kylie Treble, an author specialising in practical ways to grow and prepare sustainable food will be at the garden opening along with Chris Tournier, a local horticulturalist and nursery owner from Cottage Farm Perennials, who will have a plant stall with lots of favourites on offer from the Frog Hill garden. Birregurra CWA will provide refreshments.

The Frog Hill open garden at 270 Bogans Lane, held in conjunction with Open Gardens Victoria, will be held on October 28 and 29 from 10am-4.30pm both days. Entry is $8 for adults, $5 for students, and free for children under 18.