Kariong, Mornington and Tamborine Mountain host open gardens

Garden lovers and plant enthusiasts have more treats in store as the spring fair season rolls on this weekend.

Musk Cottage, the garden of famed designer Rick Eckersley, on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria.

Garden lovers and plant enthusiasts have more treats in store as the spring fair season rolls on this weekend.

NSW

The annual Plant Lovers Fair at Kariong on the central coast is a favourite event for those seeking rare and unusual plants. More than 40 specialist growers offer covetable plants along with their invaluable expertise and advice. Native plant expert and Gardening Australia presenter Angus Stewart has free talks at 11am both days, and a range of kangaroo paws for sale that he has bred. The speakers’ program also covers native bees, orchids, Chinese herbs, organic gardening and weeds. There are Q & A sessions, books, tools, food and ample parking.

Kariong Mountains High School

Festival Drive, Kariong

9am-4pm. Entry $10, under 18 free

plantloversfair.com.au

Bowral Tulip Time continues this weekend.
tuliptime.net.au

VICTORIA

Open Gardens Victoria is up and running from this weekend, joining Open Gardens South Australia in filling the gap since Open Gardens Australia folded. Its launch event is at Musk Cottage, the garden of famed designer Rick Eckersley, on the Mornington Peninsula. Covering 4ha, it is a diverse and distinctly Australian garden, rich in creative ideas and planting combinations. Guided tours, food, local wines, plant sales, children’s activities and door prizes are on offer.

371 Musk Creek Road, Flinders

10am-4.30pm. Entry $10, under 18 free

opengardensvictoria.org.au

The Victorian Spring Garden and Lifestyle Show at Mornington Peninsula Racecourse this weekend is a new event for gardeners, offering plants, products, ideas and information. Experts presenting talks and demonstrations on three separate stages include garden guru Phil Dudman hosting the Garden to Kitchen area, and Graham Ross. Garden displays from local landscapers and suppliers will showcase ideas to upgrade your garden using the latest plants and products. There’s also a rare plants collectors’ corner, an interactive children’s space, floral displays and a fresh flower market.

10am-5pm. Entry $19, under 15 free.

springgardenshow.com.au

The Tesselaar Tulip Festival continues at Silvan this weekend. tulipfestival.com.au

QUEENSLAND

Springtime on the Mountain is an open gardens trail presented by Tamborine Mountain Garden Club. Seven private gardens are open, plus the Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens, on the one ticket. Additional activities at Tamborine Mountain Showgrounds include the Garden Club Cafe, plant stalls, pottery, local produce, chainsaw sculpting, botanical art, music and a program of talks.

9am-4pm. Entry $20, dependent children free

tmbotanicgardens.org.au/springtime

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers continues this weekend. tcof.com.au

OTHER OPEN GARDENS

Retford Park, 1325 Old South Rd, Bowral, NSW

10am-4pm, Entry $10, under 18 free

Gardenalia, 5 May St, Robertson, NSW

10am-4pm, Entry $10

St Austell, 364 Glynburn Rd, Kensington Gardens, SA

10am-4.30pm, Entry $8, under 18 free

Wirrapunga Indigenous Garden, 7 Williams Rd, Aldgate, SA

10am-4.30pm, Entry $8, under 18 free