Autumn Delights will have eight gardens opening in the area from Friday 4 May to Sunday 6 May 2012. Programme now online as a pdf.
Bridgetown will have five gardens open: Sunnyhurst, Doust St; Ford House, Eedle Tce; Cottonwood, Walter Rd; Bellavista on Blackwood, River Rd and The Clouds, East Blackwood Tce. The Cidery is holding a Sundowner on Friday evening, 4 May from 5 pm. Ford House will host a Fashion Parade on Saturday 5 May from 3.30 pm.
Balingup will have Bridge House open (1111 Balingup/Nannup Rd on the banks of the Blackwood at Wright's Bridge) with special guided excursions to the Golden Valley Tree Park which shows beautiful autumn colour in its large collection of deciduous trees. As well there will be a Firewise workshop with a tour of Montaza Park from 3 pm on Saturday 5 May to show a garden being 'retro-fitted' to become more firewise, followed by a Sundowner on the property.
For the first time in the Festival Kirup will feature two gardens, both of real interest to gardeners, namely Lloyd and Lorna's Joint, Lot 185 Radford Rd, and Evergreen, 122 Castle St.
Keen gardeners, who cover a wide range of expertise and interests, open their gardens to fellow gardeners to show what they can achieve in this great gardening area. It is a pleasure to meet the garden owners and swap stories and tips about gardening techniques and ideas.
The gardens will provide real-life examples of what can be achieved in a few short years, in some instances, or what can be achieved over a longer time frame.
Some gardens are being 'retro-fitted' to take into account the need to take precautions against bush fires, ie to become firewise whilst at the same time trying to be waterwise. See the blog on firewise happenings.
The soils are often clay-based and water-retentive which can support orchards for warm and cool temperate trees, such as peaches, apricots, apples and pears. The flower garden is well represented as are collections of camellias, roses including the old favourites, Tea roses, and other flowering shrubs.
Be inspired!
Good soils and a warm, dry summer with little rain means that roses perform very well in the Festival area with blooms less prone to mildew and other diseases.
The old-fashioned climbing rose, "Madame Gregoire Staechelin", pictured below, is testament to these good growing conditions.
