Garden opens for the first time in 14 years

THE garden at Clear Springs, 9km east of Mirboo North, is opening on the weekend of April 30 and May 1 to make the most of the autumn display of flowers and foliage.

Clear Springs is a hilltop garden with magnificent views of the Tarwin Valley. Hedges, vistas, focal points and pathways draw you through the collection of diverse plants and interesting vignettes.

Garden owner Matthew Henry has been busy preparing the garden.

“It is actually quite a creative process,” he said.

“The pressure to have the garden looking its best by a deadline means that new ideas are popping up all the time.

“Mainly, I am looking at how to refine the layout, how to rationalise the materials, and the deadline forces me to make decisions about what plants can stay and what must go, what needs clipping and what can be left to grow free.”

He concedes that not all of these ideas are feasible to be completed in time, “but I am enjoying the flow of the process all the same”.

There will be a plant stall with an assortment of plants, with an emphasis on perennials and unusual plants.

The Mirboo North Primary School Chaplaincy committee will be providing refreshments.

Nearby attractions include the cafes and bakery in the town of Mirboo North, not to mention the Mirboo North Garden Centre for more plant shopping. Mossvale Park, Lyrebird walk and the rail trail can offer more opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. You can book online beforehand at trybooking.com/BXRSG or buy tickets on the day. For more information, look at the Open Gardens Victoria webpage at opengardensvictoria.org.au and find Matthew Henry Gardens on Instagram.

Head to 40 Clear Creek Valley Road, Mirboo North, on April 30 or May 1 between 10am and 4.30pm.