THE ELMS - Australian Open Gardens

By Meredith

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of visiting ‘The Elms’ at Wonga Park as part of the Open Gardens Scheme.

It was a glorious Spring afternoon, with a clear blue sky above and gentle zephyrs caressing the skin. We were encouraged to stroll freely through the grounds surrounding the huge house of three stories and several wings.

Different parts of the grounds were divided into contrasting gardens occasionally dotted by almost life-size bronze sculptures of children playing, a mother nursing her child, or a young flautist.

The rose garden was criss-crossed by several paths, leading us past bushes laden with many-coloured, sweet-perfumed blooms. As well as roses, there were beds of bearded iris. These were not only in the more familiar colours of purple, white and yellow, but also egg-shell blue, pale salmon-pink and apricot. At one end of the rose garden was an arbour for climbing roses. They were at their prime.

Walking down the gently-sloping, grassy hill towards the man-made lake, I could appreciate the vista of rolling farmland stretching towards the distant Yarra Ranges.

Features of the lake were a 2 metre waterfall and a rather ugly large glass sculpture of a pink waterlily, surrounded by real lilies in bloom.

Around the lake were examples of Australian native plants, including red and yellow kangaroo paws, flannel flowers and candlestick banksias. The bees were working double time.

I enjoyed walking past the infinity pool through the cool and leafy rainforest to the aromatherapy garden where I sat and enjoyed the quiet.

This is a truly beautiful garden on a large, well-situated block. It was difficult not to be extremely envious of the owners and their obviously luxurious lifestyle. I was, however, somewhat cynical about their claims in the brochure about the joy and pleasure that tending the garden brings to them. They suggest that even weeding is a pleasure. I happen to know some of the professional gardeners who tend the grounds on a regular basis. While the brochure acknowledges their ‘constant contribution to the delightful outcome that we see here today’, I am aware that the mistress of the property does not lift a finger to assist them, but stands over them criticising their every move.

Nevertheless, if you ever get a chance to visit this beautiful garden, I can thoroughly recommend it.