Open garden: Redwoods on the Yarra Valley

Redwoods, a stunning garden on a steep part of the Yarra River Valley, was built by a couple of passionate amateurs.

Redwoods For Life Open Garden Jun 27 Image supplied

Redwoods on the south side of the Yarra River Valley is steep, with panoramic views of the township and the mountains, say owners Janice and Kevin Hince.

Describe the garden: Redwoods is just over an acre (4000sq m) in size, located on the south side of the Yarra River valley. The site is steep, with panoramic views of the township and the mountains on the opposite side of the river valley. The property is named for three massive redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens), nearly 100 years old, on the western boundary. We came here in 2005 when most of the difficult landscaping had been done but we set out to develop the bare lawn areas, adding garden beds, doing extensive terracing, and planting many more trees through the lawns.

A large, fenced vegetable patch, surrounded by more edible planting, keeps us well supplied for most of the year. The orchard has many different citrus, persimmons, stone fruit, a prolific avocado, quince, medlar, fig, apples, guavas and blueberries.

What makes it special?Apart from the views, it’s the wide range of plants we can grow. The nights are cool at this elevation and although we sometimes see snow on the mountains opposite, we seldom experience frosts. The soil is deep and rich, and we receive at least twice Melbourne’s rainfall. We have dogwoods, smoke bush, many varieties of maples, berberis, salvias and peonies. A number of weeping elms, Kilmarnock willows and a beautiful blue spruce were here when we came. Rare trees include Emmenopterys henryi, Japanese spice bush (Lindera obtusa), a weeping form of Nyssa sylvatica, sorrel tree (Oxydendrum arboreum) and a silk cotton tree (Bombax ceiba). We’re both interested in unusual plants and when we see something new we like to give it a try.

Biggest challenges: Managing the steep slope has meant constructing a series of retaining walls and terraces. The other main challenges are strong winds and the ever-present threat in summer of bush fires.

Most proud of:That we have created this garden by ourselves with little outside assistance. It’s a great pleasure to end a day’s work in the garden, sitting on the front veranda and looking over the garden to the views beyond. We don’t claim to be good gardeners but we like what we do.

Advice to aspiring gardeners: Plant your favourite trees as early as possible. The rest of the garden, shrubs and perennials, can develop around them. And don’t be afraid to try something different; if it doesn’t work out then you have learned something.

What’s in flower:Some rhododendrons, camellias and late salvias will be flowering, but with the trees bare the garden will have a more architectural look.

Extras:Tea and coffee for a $2 donation.

Redwoods, 17 Leila Road, Warburton, Victoria. Owners: Janice and Kevin Hince. Open: This weekend 10am-4.30pm, entry $5, under 18s free