Castlemaine & District Festival of Gardens

Welcome from the Committee

AS WE STEP GINGERLY into the post-Covid world once more we are pleased to offer twenty-one gardens who are opening in Melbourne Cup Week this November. As we did not have a festival in either 2020 or ’21 we will try again — for the third time.

As I write this in July we have had very good winter rains which should lead to a bumper spring and beautiful gardens. We would like to salute our sponsors for this Festival, ASQ, Mount Alexander Shire, Jellis Craig and the Stoneman Foundation and thank them for their support. Our advertisers are some of our regulars and we hope you will support them and our sponsors where possible.

Finally a very big thank you to our committee who have worked hard to make this Festival possible, they are: Peter Morris (President), Sue Arnold (Secretary), John Rudolph (Treasurer), Geoff Hocking (Brochure Editor extraordinaire) Margaret Beyer, Bev Lewis, Sally Leversha, and Sue Proeve. Ex-officio on the committee is Denise Button from Colourful Language who does a great job doing our Publicity and Marketing.

We hope you enjoy your visit or stay in our wonderful part of Victoria and appreciate the work that the gardeners have done over the past two years. Peter Morris — President

Our Sponsors

We would like to thank our generous sponsors: ASQ, Jellis Craig, Bendigo Bank, the Shire of Mt Alexander, the Stoneman Foundation and our supporters — the advertisers, who we trust you too will support while you are visiting.

Also, with heartfelt thanks toJohn Patrick has been our patron and supporter for many years.

Stay in touch with the Festival of Gardens online, where you can preview some of the gardens which will be open. www.festivalofgardens.org Castlemaine & District Festival of Gardens CM Festival of Gardens

This event is supported by the Mount Alexander Shire Council Events Grants Program | #castlemainemaldonsurrounds

DEAR GARDEN LOVERS, WELCOME TO THE 2022 CASTLEMAINE AND DISTRICT FESTIVAL OF GARDENS.

For all its faults, Covid has granted gardeners the time and opportunity to garden! Families who lockdown together, no doubt garden together, and it may well be that many of those long promised projects, distant aspirations in normal circumstances, have now been completed. A new pergola, a garden house clad in roses, that delightful informal pond surrounded by native plants or simply a new path and seat offering distant views of Mt Alexander, all become realities in Covid times!

As a result, the Castlemaine Garden Festival offers visitors not only the opportunity to get away from their homes to explore the gorgeous goldfields country of the Castlemaine District, the opportunity to stay in a friendly Bed and Breakfast in an historic cottage but also the chance to view the efforts of Castlemaine’s many gardeners through the extended enforced Covid break! Regular visitors will be eager to spot the changes and to share the stories of how these visions came to be.

As luck would have it gardeners in southern Victoria have also benefitted from excellent winter rains. For once the gardener’s cry of “But it’s been so dry!” is not appropriate though no doubt some will still fall back on it as a crutch for gardening inadequacies. Without being able to predict conditions through the coming spring, all seems set fair for a splendid Garden Festival, good gardening weather, enthusiastic and proud gardeners, passionate visitors eager for an opportunity to travel beyond their own five kilometres. What more could we want!

Congratulations to Castlemaine Festival of Gardens organising committee for their tenacity in trying circumstances but most of all, thanks to the many garden owners who ensure the Festival’s success — John Patrick.

Forest Edge at Muckleford

The Festival of Gardens has a long history

What began more than twenty-five years ago as an event to plug the gap in the off-year of the biennial Castlemaine State Festival, the Festival of Gardens has offered visitors, and garden lovers, an opportunity to enjoy more than 200 gardens across Mt Alexander Shire.

IF AT FIRST YOU DON’T SUCCEED, TRY, TRY AGAIN! The Castlemaine & District Festival of Gardens has been Covid-cancelled twice, in 2020 and 2021. This year, 2022, we are trying again — third time lucky.

Gardeners, like gardens themselves, can get a bit weary, and gardens can be hard work. After more than a quarter of a century of dedicated labour and exhibition, some of our gardens have retired.

We would like to thank them for being with us for so long — and trust that their example, and community spirit, may encourage new gardeners to join with us in the future.

Our first programme in 1991, featured fiy gardens over four days

Forest Hall: Opened from 1991-2018

is truly blessed

our Botanical Gardens are a gift all year ’round.

The Royal Oak in winter, planted 1863

ANOTHER OUTSTANDING feature of our historic goldfields’ community are the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens and Lake Joanna.

This beautifully maintained public gardens sits between Barkers Creek, the railway and the historic Thompson’s Foundry. It was first set aside for a public reserve in 1860.

The first curator of the gardens was Phillip Doran, a former apprntice to British landscape designer Sir Joseph Paxton. During his time in Castlemaine Doran fostered a close relationship with Baron von Mueller, the Director of the Melbourne Botanical Gardens.

Hungarian emigré, silversmith Ernest Leviny, developed the Victorian home once known as Delhi Villa, into the mansion known today as Buda. Leviny was also an acquaintance of von Mueller, and the Baron’s influence can be seen in Buda’s extensive gardens.

There are many significant trees in the Botanical Gardens, with several on the National Register, including the magnificent oak planted in 1863 to celebrate the marriage of HRH The Prince of Wales to Princess Alexandra of Denmark. Believed to be the oldest planted tree in the gardens, in 2021 the ‘Royal Oak’ was voted Victoria’s Tree of The Year.

The Botanical Gardens are opposite the popular Mill Vintage Bazaar, Shedshaker Bar & Brewery and Das KaffeeHaus. You can park by the gardens, and stroll from there to visit Harley at 116 Hargraves Street and the Garden of Waverley at 112 Hargraves, Buda at 42 Hunter Street and Loddonia at 69 Hunter Street before you make your way back to your car.

Buda. Historic Home & Garden 42 Hunter Street

1

Antares Iron Art Garden

EVER EXPANDING beyond its boundaries, this enticing garden of sculptural wonders will intrigue and inspire!

Created of found and re-imagined objects of stone, bone, wood, glass and iron, there is always more to see and explore.

Perched above the Loddon River at Newstead, Antares enjoys wide views of the surrounding landscape, including majestic Mount Franklin.

Featured on Gardening Australia, ep.19:

Owner:

McKindley

“Always a surprise and a delight!”

2

Birdsong

AN ABUNDANT AND ENTICING URBANgarden block overflowing with natives, flowering perennials and annuals. The garden was developed to have a positive effect on the environment and to encourage biodiversity.

An extensive verge garden using a modified Hügelkultur technique was established on a difficult slope and is a talking point for locals.

Vegetables and fruiting trees are grown in wicking pots. Chickens happily entertain and assist with composting. Quirky, creative yet practical upcycled materials add to the garden’s functionality reducing waste in land

Owners:

Urban Garden embracing the verge”

3

Chapmans Road

“A Rural Garden on the

Edge of Town combining mass plantings of natives among well-established European exotics’ ”

ON THE EDGE OF TOWN a predominately native garden has been established over the past six years. The aim has been to create a welcoming family garden and year round habitat for birds, insects and wildlife.

Hardy water-wise plantings have been incorporated with original large deciduous and native trees. Extensive use of gabion walls and terracing provides shape, interest and quiet sitting areas.

A productive raised bed organic vegetable garden is bordered by espaliered olive trees. Rural views from the northerly aspect of the garden are enhanced by an ornamental dam, creating a tranquil setting and entertaining bird watching.

Owners: Robyn & Harry Fleury

Address: 31 Chapmans Road, Castlemaine

Special Details: Restricted wheelchair access; on site parking

Restrictions: Water hazards; no dogs

Open: Every day Sat 29th October to Sunday 6 November

Times: 10.00 am – 4.30 pm

Entry fee: $5.00 per adult, children free

ESTABLISHED C. 1862 is the original house, double-storey stables and outhouse cottage on 1.2 hectares.

The garden consists of exotic trees, old gums, new plants including perennials, fruit trees, and a walled vegetable and herb garden with large tanks to collect water and a worm farm.

The borrowed landscape adds significantly to the property including a sandstone walled paddock, once called The Pleasure Garden opposite the Botanical Gardens and next door to beautiful Forest Hall.

Owners: Beverly & Anthony Knight

Address: 1 Burnett Road Castlemaine

Mobile: 0407 974 038

Email:

Special Details: Wheel chair access. Restrictions: No animals.

Open: Saturday 29, Sunday 30, Monday 31, (closed Tues-Fri),

Open Saturday 5, Sunday 6 November. Times: 10.00 am – 4.30 pm. Entry fee: $5.00 per adult, children free

5

Congdon

“A Rural Garden on 10 Acres at Barkers Creek”

Rural garden surrounding house, pool studio and veg patch. This unfenced garden is open to all manner of wild life, birds, kangaroos, rabbits, lizards and the occasional snake..

Goldfield Sedimentary soils, skeletal stony slates and sandstone shot through with granite proximal to Mt Alexander (rubbish).

All soil has been imported premium topsoil, mushroom mulch, compost, pea straw, council mulch and dynamic lifter. All household vegetable waste is composted.

Owners: Marie and Maurice Molan

Address: 107 Congdon Rd, Barkers Creek

Phone: 0408 130 727

Special Details: Planting terraces made up by using rock found on the block. I plant everything and see what grows and sometimes a microclimate will support a surprise and I replant; after plants fail I move on.

I copy what I see growing in gardens in the area, I propagate as much as possible.

The garden is a Covid garden as we moved from Melbourne early in 2020.

I installed a tank and pumps to access water from a dam at the bottom of the block for Christmas 2021

Restrictions: Scones and jam and cream available. Toilet available if necessary Wheelchair access with some small limitations. Studio open paintings, plants for sale. Fundraising for View Smith Family. Open: Every day, Sat 29 Oct to Sun 6 Nov Times: 10.00 am – 4.30 pm

Entry fee: $5.00 per adult, children free

6

Forest Edge

A LARGE FARM GARDEN watered by a dam, with many ideas and features.

A love of all plants makes for garden rooms of roses, irises, self-seeding annuals, perennials, bulbs and trees.

A vegetable garden, an orchard growing soft fruits and nuts, ponds, rock walls.

A ruin of a Hobbit’s Home also adds interest, and areas to sit and take in the delights of a variety of birds which help keep the garden in harmony.

Owners: Jill & Graham Hiscock

Address: 140 Butchers Rd, Muckleford

Phone: 03 5472 3753

Special Details: Plants for sale; toilet available; wheelchair access; buses welcome.

Restrictions: Water hazards; no dogs

Open: Every day, Sat 29 Oct to Sun 6 Nov Times: 10.00 am — 4.30 pm Entry fee: $5.00 per adult, children free

“Organic Country Garden with Formal and Cottage Aspects.”

7 The Garden of Waverley

‘After more than 150 years, this garden continues to delight’.

‘WAVERLEY’ WAS BUILT IN 1864 by Melbourne based barrister Mr George Smythe, who moved to Castlemaine to be closer to his recently married daughter.The current owners, Sally and Rob Leversha, have occupied the property since 1987.

The garden itself is of two parts — the front garden faces west — this features an original granite block front wall, and an elevated garden behind.

A magnificent very old twenty-five metre tall callistemon dominates the driveway side of the garden.

Roses, agapanthus and irises are seen in the garden beds, with a pathway of hardy mini-cog acacias as well as a variety of other shrubs throughout.

The rear garden faces east: the feature of the garden is the original two-storey stables, and the large European trees, which give height, structure and important shade in summer. A crazy slate sitting area is located under a large pergola supporting very old grapevines and with the stables behind, this Tuscan like area is the perfect place to sit and enjoy.

There are several garden beds with a mixture of Australian, exotic and classical English plants, dominated by the deciduous trees.

Owners: Rob and Sally Leversha

Address: 112 Hargraves Street, Castlemaine, Mobile: 0437 683 469

Email: sal.leversha@bigpond.com

Special Details: There is wheelchair access to most areas of the garden. Car, Coach and bus parking is available in the street or side street (Doveton St) close by — where there is shade as well. Public toilets — toilet available at the house with one step into the house (unlikely to be wheelchair suitable) & there is a cafe across the road with facilities.

Refreshments: cold drinks, tea coffee and Devonshire Tea may be purchased

Cautions: there are water features — children need to be supervised

Restrictions: No dogs allowed

Open: Every day of the festival Times: 10.00 am – 4.00 pm and/or by appointment for bus groups

Entry fee: $5.00 per adult, children free

8

Glovers on Merrifield

“A bush setting transformed”

SITUATED ON THE VERY EDGE of town in a natural bush setting Kay and Len Glover have transformed a neglected vineyard into a lush sward of lawn fringed by more than seventy Cleveland Select pears, conifers and extensive native plantings.

The rear of the property has been made ready for more grass and meadow to be seeded. The unforgiving soil has been dug, turned and tilled to enable the planting of hundreds of native plants in and around the large, existing gum trees, attracting native birds and other fauna.

Owners: Kay and Len Glover

Address: 13 Merrifield Street, Castlemaine

Special Details: Children welcomed but supervised

Restrictions: No toilet; dogs on leads only; water hazards; some steps

Open: Every day of the Festival Times: 10.00 am – 5.00 pm

Entry fee: $5.00 per adult, children free

M

Blackjack is nestled in the beautiful Harcourt Valley just 2kms south of Harcourt. Blackjack Vineyards offers a friendly welcome and a chance to taste some excellent award winning full bodied reds made from Shiraz, Cabernet and Merlot grapes. Wine that has twice won the trophy for the ‘Best Shiraz’ at the Royal Melbourne Wine Show.

9 Hallstead Farm

“A rambling rural property — this is stunning.”

LOCATED ON A HILL TOP ONLY 5kmfrom Castlemaine, Hallstead Farm with its commanding views in every direction to Mt Franklin, Wombat Hill in Daylesford and Mt Alexander. Winding paths through an extensive garden has something to see at every turn.

The garden is designed to offer a cooling reprieve from the summer heat with plenty of water features amongst a large collection of trees and shrubs offering lots of shaded areas to sit and relax.

Other features include a large dam, a double decker bus, citrus grove, an extensive

Owners: Ben, Emma, Brooke, Ashton and Aiden Hall

Address: 130 Congdon Road, Barkers Creek

Phone: 0411 315 613

Special Details: Coffee, tea, juices and light snacks for sale, dogs allowed on leash

Restrictions: Water hazards, steps, no toilet

Open: Sat & Sun both weekends, and Tuesday (Melbourne Cup Day)

Times: 10.00 am –5.00 pm

Entry fee: $5.00 per adult, children free

chicken run, large vegetable garden and plenty more. This is a garden to discover and explore that you won't want to miss.

10 Harley “A Classic Victorian Town Garden”

THIS GARDEN CAMEwith good bones but a lot of gaps due to the ravages of the millennium drought.

Over the last 10 years the gaps have been filled and new garden beds created with an emphasis on texture and colour.

Under-storey planting, ground-cover alternatives to lawn and a variety of paving materials add further interest. While the garden is still evolving, it has settled attractively around the late Victorian house.

Owners: Bronwyn and John Rudolph

Address: 116 Hargraves Street, Castlemaine, 3450 (corner of Berkeley Street)

Mobile: 0400 051 511

Special Details: Some level changes in the garden but mainly flat. Good parking with shade in the side street (Berkeley Street). Seating available.Toilet available. Café close by with facilities.

Restrictions: Dogs on lead only.

Wheelchair access: some gravel and steps

Open: Every day, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm. Entry fee: $5.00 per adult, children free.

11 HavenonBarkers

HAVEN ON BARKERSis a five-acre property which has been carved from the rugged Australian bush into a unique paradise: undulating with surprises around every corner, a meandering creek frames the property with elegant gum trees scattered around. Also bulbs and cottage garden perennials, and much more.

To the rear of the property you’ll find a small orchard, comprising stone fruits, quince and pear trees. Flanking both ends of the property are the animal paddocks for goats, a miniature pony and chickens.

Owner: Judi Watts & Lou Marsal

Address: 8867 Midland Hwy, Barkers Creek, 3451

Mobile: 0402 147 269

Email: barkerscreek@bigpond.com

Special Details: Bus groups welcome. Wheelchair access. B&B self-contained accommodation available.

Restrictions: No toilets, no dogs, water hazards. Open: Every day of the Festival. Times: 10.00 am – 5.00 pm. Entry fee: $5.00 per adult, children free.

“Relax and enjoy the many sculptures and discover what it’s like at “Haven on Barkers”

12

Hedgehogs

A DELIGHTFUL LARGE GARDEN with curved sculptural paths, terraces and stone gardens, sculptures and granite ponds and a lawn sweeping to a dam surrounded by iris. A magnificent food garden with enclosures for fruit and berries. Roses abound. This very peaceful garden is a haven for people and birds.

Owners: Margot and Morry Rottem

Address: 60 Hagues Road, Barkers Creek

Mobile: 0409 014 533

margot.rottem@gmail.com

Special Details: Toilet available.

Plants for sale. Marginal wheelchair access. Picnic area available

Restrictions: No dogs allowed. Water hazards, young children to be supervised

Open: Sat 29, Sun 30, Mon 31 Oct, Tues 1, Sat 5, Sun 6 Nov. All proceeds Sunday 30 Oct to Australian Conservation Foundation. Times: 10.00 am to 4.30 pm Entry fee: $5.00 per adult, children free

“A beautiful, tranquil garden.”

13 Inclinations

“Flowing from one vista to another.”

A GARDEN, NOW EIGHT YEARS OLD, that is settling into its landscape. Suited to our goldfields environment with a large variety of carefully selected plants providing year round interest. A haven for birds and insects. Features include a sunken courtyard complete with fishpond and waterwall. A unique range of materials have been used for landscaping and shedding. Our garden gives us much pleasure (and exercise!)

Owners: Larraine Martin and Rod Millard

Address: 55 Bowden Street, Castlemaine

Mobile: 0439 035 382

Email: larrainegmartin@gmail.com

Special Details: Wheelchair access to most areas. Seating available .

Restrictions: No dogs

Open: All days

Times: 10.00 am — 4.30 pm

fee: $5.00 per adult, children free

14 Lacey’s

“East Meets West. The Lacey’s Hidden Garden.”

OUR GARDEN IS IN TWO SECTIONS.The ‘Western garden’ is an eclectic display of horticulture splendour with a wide variety of plants and quirky pieces of art.

The ‘Eastern Garden’ consists of two oriental arches with over 100 bonsai of various shapes and sizes. This area also contains a fish pond and a frog pond. The gardens are both peaceful and happy and continually changing.

Owner: Barry and Jennifer Lacey

Address: 6 Canrobert Street, Newstead

Mobile: 0417 581 808 | 0447 581 808

Email: barrytaichi12@gmail.com

Special Details: Toilet available. Bus parking. Plants for sale. Handmade cards for sale. Free tea and coffee for bus groups. Free bonsai trimming (by appointment)

Restrictions: Water hazard, dogs must be on a lead, wheelchair (some gravel paths)

Open: Every day, Sat 29 Oct to Sun 6 Nov Times: 10.00 am — 4.30 pm, every day of festival (or by appointment) Entry fee: $5.00 per adult, children free. $2 from entry fee to be given to Newstead CFA

AN ESTABLISHED MEDITERRANEAN style garden and olive grove. Limewashed mud-brick house & studio overlooking distant hills, garden terraces and dam fringed with yellow water iris, willow, birch and paper barks.

Old entwined wisteria and Cherokee rose. Mixture of cordylines, pencil pines, exotic and native trees; clipped, rounded forms and soft flowing plantings. Beautiful dry stone walls.

Owners: Margaret & Max Beyer

Address: 24 Hagues Road, Barkers Creek (VicRoads 59 2E; Melways 509 D6)

5474 2747

0458 386 547 (Margaret)

gardenatlixouri.com.au

margbarking@gmail.com

Details: Gallery open.

No toilet; dogs on leads only; water hazards; children to be supervised.

First weekend. Sat 29, Sun 30, Mon 31, Tues 1 Oct. Second weekend Sat 5, Sun 6 Nov Times: 10.00 am — 5.00 pm

fee: $5.00 per adult, children free

15 Lixouri “One of Castlemaine’s jewels.”

16

“A Romantic Shady Garden”

THERE IS A SEnSE oF PEACE& tranquility in this garden, reflecting my interest in eastern philosophy.

My many years of traveling give it a touch of belonging to another place. Whilst it also replicates my previous garden at Mulberry Cottage Harcourt, but on a much smaller scale.

It is not about rare plants, but mainly interesting design & foliage use. It is a shady place with lots of pots & interesting statuary.

17 Mossbank

“A Stunning Garden filled with Inspirational Ideas”

MOSSBANK has many noteworthy ideas, such as dry stone walls and solar water features.

The owners have crafted a series of distinct areas with each presenting a different feel.

Mixtures of exotic and native plantings, beautiful trees include white cedars, pinoak, chinese elms, grevilleas, acacias and leptospernums. Features an espaliered, enclosed vegetable gardens, orchard, olives, grapevines and beehives. The garden has a harmonious array of texture, colour and structure and is also a ‘Land for Wildlife’ property.

Latest additions, added to the garden are the greenhouse and green-door garden room.

Owners: Judy & Peter Sherlock

Address: 81 Odgers Road, Castlemaine

Phone: 5470 5041 | Mobile: 0409 021 842 Email: mossbank@mossbankcottage.com www: mossbankcottage.com

Special Details: Tea, coffee & light refresh ments available. Bus groups welcome.

Wheelchair access. Art Gallery open. B&B self-contained accommodation available

Restrictions: No toilets, no dogs, water hazards

Open: Every day

Times: 10.00 am — 5.00 pm

Entry fee: $5.00 per adult, children free

18 Pangbourne

“A deeply sloping garden with its own inner-city vineyard”

FROM ITS COTTAGE STYLE ENTRY at the front, this garden opens up into a large, meandering Mediterranean style garden set on an extremely steep and tiered block.

With vine covered courtyard, fountains, stairs and vistas, this garden embraces the good life with Mediterranean plantings including an array of fruit and olive trees and a small but productive vineyard – with views!

Owners: John and Barb Rowland

Address: 115 Gingell Street, Castlemaine

Mobile: 0409 413 427

Email: barb@rowlands.com.au

Special Details: Multi-level, distinct garden sections incorporating a natural reef running through the property and Mediterranean style plantings. Toilet available. No wheelchair access — steep gravel paths. Buses welcome with advance notice

Restrictions: Dogs welcome — on leashes

Open: Every day of the Festival Times: 10.00 am — 4.00 pm

Entry fee: $5.00 per adult, children free

“A rustic garden crafted from a harsh environment”

ROCK GARDENS, deciduous trees and a network of paths harbor hardy plants that must survive the extremes of heat and cold. The addition of cottage and Japanese elements to shady Chinese elms and a large oak tree make this an unusual and charming garden.

The garden has a small vegetable patch as well as a small orchard and features two dams, a ruin, a bridge over the ephemeral creek, a sculpture garden and a wildflower walk. Unusual features include a rustic clock tower and a pirates’ tavern where you can sit and relax.

Owners: Margaret Kirby

Mark Wardle

access to about 50% of the garden

all of the wildflower walk

Water hazards for small children, unfenced dams. Dogs on leash only.

Some rough paths and steps

29, 30, 31 Oct, 1st Nov.

3 Nov. Open 4, 5, 6 Nov.

4.30

adult,

20Tranquillo

AN INSPIRATIONAL AND CREATIVE Italianate Town Garden, framed by mature evergreen trees in a borrowed landscape.

Elegant dry stone walls, with a persimmon walk, leading to garden beds designed around a natural reef.

Peaceful areas to sit and contemplate. Forest Creek below.

A garden designed for outdoor entertaining, so come and stroll and enjoy the serenity.

Owner: Mary Stuart

Address: 23 Britton Street, Castlemaine

Phone: 03 5472 3319

Restrictions Caution: Steep incline at rear of property

Special details: No toilet, no wheelchair access, no dogs please.

Parking in street, buses welcome

Open: Every day of the festival

Times: 11am-4pm

Entry fee: $5.00 per adult, children free. Entry fees donated to Red Cross Ukranian war effort

“Tuscan Paradiso”

21 Weemilah

SITTING ON TOP OF A HILLon the outskirts of Castlemaine with views to Mt Franklin and Mt Alexander the garden has been taking shape since the house was built in 1990.

The property is 5 acres with approx 2 acres under garden. There are formal, cottage, vegetable and native gardens with an orchard.

With very little top soil initially, trees, perennials and the 48 red standard roses that line the brick path to the front door have been planted and are thriving with lots of all year round colour and interest.

Owner: Sue Grimes

Richards Rd,

Special Details: Kevin Walsh designed garden with plans on display, buses welcome.

No dogs,some steep paths, some steps, water hazard

Open: Everyday except Wednesday.

10.00 am – 4.30 pm

fee: $5.00 per adult, children free

the