Country Garden Events

Phone Freecall 1800 001 357 to answer your queries

Balingup_popl

Wending your way along country roads and exploring the delightful gardens of the inland South West are the principal events of the Festival of Country Gardens.

A robust old poplar stands alone in a Balingup paddock, late Autumn.

The Lively Plant Fair is on again this Autumn as part of the Festival of Country Gardens - Autumn Delights.

Friday 2 May
6 Gardens open

Festival Centre at Nelsons of Bridgetown, 38 Hampton St - the main street of Bridgetown.

Centre open 9 am to 4 pm Friday and Saturday;
9 am to noon Sunday.

Function	Time, venue	Details	Contact
Festival Centre open	9 am to 4 pm at Nelsons of Bridgetown, 38 Hampton St	For programmes, maps, information, tickets to Sundowner	Peta Townsing on 9764 1111, 1800 001 357
Historic Farm Excursion	10 am meet at Festival Centre to travel in convoy to an historic valley at the junction with the Blackwood River Valley. Cost $7.50, includes a cup of tea or coffee with cake on the veranda.	A century-old farm with significant trees and a charming homestead garden. Not usually open to visitors.	Peta Townsing on 9764 1111, 1800 001 357
Celebration of the Season - Autumn Delights	From 10 am to 5 pm at Ford House (Garden No. 14). Cost $4, includes entry into garden.	An autumnal display of growers' produce set up in the 100 year-old Barn. Resourced from Festival towns including Manjimup and Balingup.	Jenny Rotman on 9761 1816
"Sample of Balingup" Excursion	2 pm meet at Taste of Balingup, central shops main street of Balingup, to travel in convoy to sample aspects of the Balingup Brook Valley. Finishes at 4 pm. Cost $15, includes afternoon tea.	Discover an Avenue of Honour, view orchards in full autumn colour from a very high lookout, visit a special purpose garden, have afternoon tea at the Taste of Balingup and then visit an early settlers' cottage with clever water usage.	Enquiries: Peta Townsing on 9764 1111, 1800 001 357. Bookings, payments: Taste of Balingup 9764 1344.
Sundowner with Author and Garden Historian, John Viska.	4.30 to 6.30 pm at the Cidery, Bridgetown, a tasting with nibblies. Bar open. Cost $15.	Illustrated presentation from John Viska on the grounds and gardens of the former Osborne Hotel, Bindaring Parade, Claremont. In 1901 the once grand hotel became Loreto Convent. Today only the grotto remains. John is the founding Chairman of the WA Branch of the Australian Garden History Society and principal author of "A Guide to Conserving and Interpreting Gardens in Western Australia". John will have copies for sale at $10 of this excellent reference.	Enquiries, bookings desirable: The Cidery 9761 2204, Festival Centre at Nelsons (has tickets or you can pay at the door), or Peta Townsing, 9764 1111, 1800 001 357.

Pictures relating to the events for Friday

Historic Farm Excursion

The historic homestead near Bridgetown

"Sample of Balingup" Excursion

The Avenue of Honour at Balingup.

Saturday 3 May
7 Gardens open

Function	Time, venue	Details	Contact
Festival Centre open	9 am to 4 pm at Nelsons of Bridgetown, 38 Hampton St	For programmes, maps, information	Peta Townsing on 9764 1111, 1800 001 357
Balingup Golden Valley Tree Park Tour	At 9.30 am meet at carpark of "World Collection" in Golden Valley Tree Park, just 2 km south of Balingup off Southampton Rd. Gold coin donation welcomed.	A one-hour botanical-historical tour of the biggest collection of exotic trees in WA, many of which contribute to a splendid autumn display. More than 500 trees from all continents of the world.	Chrissy Sharp on 9764 1148
Celebration of the Season - Autumn Delights	From 10 am to 5 pm at Ford House (Garden No. 14). Cost $4, includes entry into garden.	An autumnal display of growers' produce set up in the 100 year-old Barn. Resourced from Festival towns including Manjimup and Balingup.	Jenny Rotman on 9761 1816.
Flower Arranging with Christopher Curtis	At 3 pm at Sunnyhurst (Garden No. 82). Cost $10 including garden entry.	Christopher uses a wide range of materials to make both exquisite and grand table decorations, which are given away to participants at the completion of the demonstration.	Enquiries: Laine and Mark Staniford on 9761 4525.
Vineyard and Winery Visit	At 3 pm at Sunnyhurst (Garden No. 82). Cost $10 including garden entry.	Join Winemaker and Vigneron, Mark Staniford, in the vineyard where he will demonstrate the most common pruning and training methods for wine grapes. Then taste wines straight from the barrel and compare the same wine variety over several vintages.	Enquiries: Laine and Mark Staniford on 9761 4525.
"Autumn Leaves" Sundowner	At 4.15 meet at the Festival Centre at Nelsons and travel in convoy to Chudacud or go direct to arrive at 4.30 pm (Garden No. 122), Bridgetown Boyup Brook Rd. Cost $7, includes nibblies. Net proceeds to Festival.	An interesting rural property - with grazing, viticulture, garden produce and garden paraphernalia - all in open undulating country. Worth the drive!	Enquiries, bookings preferred: Jennifer Duncan on 9764 4053.

Sunday 4 May
7 Gardens open

Function	Time, venue	Details	Contact
Festival Centre open	9 am to noon at Nelsons of Bridgetown, 38 Hampton St	For programmes, maps, information	Peta Townsing on 9764 1111, 1800 001 357
Bridgedale Garden Book sale	At 10 am to 2.30 pm at Bridgdale (Garden No. 7), Lot 1 Hampton St, Bridgetown, southern part of town just before bridge. Cost: by donation, entry proceeds shared between the National Trust and the Festival.	Peta Townsing has sorted through her thirty-year old collection of garden books to provide an interesting range for sale. Includes rose books, copies of that fabulous magazine, “Gardens Illustrated”, and “how to” type books. Other members have also provided books. Part proceeds of book sales to the Festival and to the National Trust. The house will not be open but there will be information about the rose collection.	Peta Townsing on 9764 1111
Celebration of the Season - Autumn Delights	From 10 am to 5 pm at Ford House (Garden No. 14). Cost $5, includes entry into garden and to the Fair.	An autumnal display of growers' produce set up in the 100 year-old Barn. Resourced from Festival towns including Manjimup and Balingup.	Jenny Rotman on 9761 1816.
The Lively Plant Fair	At 10 am to 3 pm at Ford House (Garden No. 14) in the riverside grounds. Cost $5 includes entry into Fair, Barn and garden	Around 20 stalls with garden-related products including specialist plants. Delicious food. Café open during Fair. Super raffle with a wheelbarrow full of garden goodies, proceeds to Festival.	Jenny Rotman on 9761 1816.
Revegetation Walk and Sundowner	At 4 pm at Wattle Ridge Vineyard, Greenbushes Boyup Brook Rd. Turnoff the South Western Highway to the east, about 300 metres north of the Stanifer St turnoff to Greenbushes. No charge.	Take a guided walk to see the revegetation led by Jim Henderson, then back to the winery for a tasting with wine and cheese. Admire this lovely vineyard in its autumn finery set in some of the highest country around with magnificent views to the north.	Enquiries: Jim and Vicky Henderson on 9764 3594.

Pumpkins and other harvest vegetables are a feature of "Celebration of the Season - Autumn Delights" at Ford House Friday 2 to Sunday 3 May as part of the Festival of Country Gardens.

Photo taken outside the Old Barn at Ford House.

The Lively Plant Fair is on again this Autumn!

For speciality garden plants and that select garden piece be sure to visit the Fair.
Great ideas for Mothers' Day

Sunday 4 May 2008.

10 am to 3 pm at Ford House, Bridgetown.

Choosing an old-fashioned rose can be hard when there is lots to choose from.

Call Ken and Jenny Rotman at Ford House on 9761 1816.

"A Guide to Conserving and Interpreting Gardens in Western Australia" will be available at the Sundowner on Friday 2 May at the John Viska presentation. Price $10 a copy.