Set on nine acres in Tylden, Verdicus garden is a stunning display of horticulture and landscape design and will be open to the public over one weekend this November.
The property is owned and was designed by retired landscape designer Bruce Honey, who was also a gardening writer with Home Beautiful magazine.
Mr Honey said that the property was designed with a detailed master plan that he “stuck to.”
“It looks like it’s been here forever … it comes down to plants I’ve used … I wanted to achieve a country garden that was reminiscent of England but had an Australian twist,” he said.
“There are all sorts of the trees that you can’t grow on a normal block – cedars, oaks, elms, tulip trees, there’s a massive variety. I think there are 11 different types of oak tree, for example.”
He said that the magnitude and detailed work of the garden often surprises guests when they first walk into his property.
The garden includes private screened areas, avenues, boundary hedging and birch groves, along with more intensive flower and vegetable gardens.
Bought in 2001, the property was once farmland that was riddled with blackberries and gorse.
The garden was built over 15 years with, and Mr Honey said that unlike most gardens, he “put the house in to complete the garden.”
Verdicus will be open to the public for ticketed entry between 10am–4pm on Saturday, November 16, and Sunday, November 17.
Mr Honey will also lead two tours per day, and proceeds from the event will be donated to the Tylden CFA.
The event is hosted by not-for-profit organisation Open Gardens Victoria, which promotes the benefits of gardens and gardening for all Victorians.
Details: opengardensvictoria.org.au/Verdicus-2024
Oscar Parry
