City of Monash: Open Gardens

Four varied and exciting gardens are open free to the public. Join us for a day exploring the old and the new, the large and the small, the native and the exotic. Presented by Waverley Garden Club in conjunction with the City of Monash.

First:
Mary’s Garden , 777 Waverley Road Glen Waverley

This is a large established garden with a variety of camellias, maples, roses, azaleas and
hydrangeas, a large lawn and several large shady trees. There has been a more recent planting of
native bird-attracting shrubs and three Wollemi pine trees, purchased when they first became
commercially available.
A new, key feature of the garden is the conversion of a tennis court into an orchard with a very
impressive formal layout of gravel paths, with a raised vegetable garden bed, along with a large
number of fruit trees, including heritage apple varieties, plums, cherries, figs and more, as well as
a variety of berries.

Second:

Nick’s Garden, 9 Blue Hills Avenue, Mt Waverly

Nick’s unique front garden “Dreamtime,” is a representation of Australia. Its Aboriginal focus
includes symbolic ceremonial, boomerang, rainbow serpent and billabong gardens. There is a
sculpted rock Uluru, the Murray River meanders tranquilly through a section, and the nature strip
continues the indigenous planting theme. Plant and flower colour is used to complement various
aspects and provide a variety of ‘bush tucker’ for the local fauna.
The back yard provides a range of native and exotic plants and there is a number of bonsai in
various stages of development. There is also a small but productive vegie garden, a fernery and a
fire pit area. Large gum trees tower over the front and rear of the property providing a micro-
climate and cover for a vast amount of birdlife throughout the year.

Third:

Jack and Marie’s Garden, 31 Rosaline Avenue, Mt Waverly

Jack and Marie moved here in 2016 with the aim of downsizing to a sustainable small house and
garden. Karen Sutherland was engaged to establish a “permaculture forest’ of edible plants. Some
original plants – roses, a North American maple, a Japanese maple and a hibiscus remain. Two
plants were brought from the previous garden: a single hardy rhubarb that has produced
vigorous offspring, and a small bayleaf now as tall as a ship’s mast.
The remainder of the garden – replete with strawberry guavas, feijoas, a trio of hazelnuts, a
loquat, a quartet of citrus trees and three raised vegetable beds – speaks for itself. First time
visitors are advised to look for the drive with the bed of strawberries in the middle!
Warning: Bee hives on property.

Fourth

Ashwood High School Community Garden,  50 Vannam Drive, Mt Waverly

This large Community Garden was established in 2007 based on the permaculture model.
There are no individual plots, with members working throughout the garden as tasks need to be
completed.
There are several wicking beds, bee hives, hot and cold compost bins and a worm farm.
Volunteers grow seasonal fruit and vegetables. There are more than 30 fruit trees with some
unusual ones, including yakon, babaco, avocado, a rare Indian apple tree (no fruit yet), a
cherimoya, a white sapote, plus many, many more.
Volunteers will be selling various seedlings including a wide variety of tomatoes unavailable
commercially.
Warning: Bee hives on property.