Open Garden: Eden Rise

Nestled in Woolamai's rolling Bass Hills, Eden Rise has stunning views out to Western Port Bay, French Island, and Phillip Island. Originally a horse agistment property with little more than sheds and a handful of trees, owners Daphne and Joe Proietto have spent the past 13 years transforming grassy paddocks into a stunning five-acre garden.

With a degree in botany and a diploma in horticulture, Daphne and Joe's eldest daughter, Claire was responsible for selecting most of the plants in the garden, including a multitude of flowering Australian natives such as kangaroo paws, banksias, bottlebrushes, and the tufted perennial grass Themeda trianda, all of which attract a variety of wildlife, especially beautiful birds.

An interesting sculpture garden adds another dimension, along with a walled vegetable garden and a chicken coop with a large run. The spectacular children's play area includes a shallow wading pool, a sand pit, a hill designed especially for rolling down (what fun!), a large playing ground for ball games or kite flying, and a giant outdoor chess set. Visitors will discover a garden in springtime bloom with natives, succulents, and fruit trees in flower.

Eden Rise, 42 Clematis Road, Woolamai.

Extras include morning and afternoon teas, exhibition and sale of outdoor sculptures, live music, native plant sales, bird watching guide and indigenous plant guide supplied

Open: Saturday September 28 and Sunday September 29, from 10am - 4.30pm.

Tickets are Adults $10, Students $6, under 18 free. Available at the gate or via Trybooking.com.
For more information visit: www.opengardensvictoria.org.au