Six Private Gardens, Plant Stall, Botanic Artists Exhibition, the Garden Club Cafe and the wandering Harmony Singers were all part of the popular “Open Gardens Trail” 2011 during the Springtime on the Mountain Festival.
The weather was unpredictable but crowds turned out for the annual three day “Open Gardens Trail” during which residents of the mountain open their private gardens to the public during the Springtime on the Mountain Festival.
Visitors to the mountain had a choice of six stunning gardens to wander through and enjoy the delights of spring in full bloom. After a stroll through the magnificent gardens visitors were invited to relax at the garden Club Cafe and enjoy the sounds of the wandering Harmony Singers.
It was easy to navigate around to the gardens at the six locations by taking advantage of the Park & Ride, Hop on Hop Off Mt Shuttle Trolley service or by following the prominent signs on all roads leading to and from the gardens.
The Daily Star stopped in at three of the six gardens on the “Trail”.
Dranoelann in Caryota Court, North Tamborine is an immaculate half-acre cottage garden which the owners had designed and grown from a bare block over nine years ago.
Weeping Cherry, Japanese Maple, Flowering Pear, Wygelia, Deutzia and Magnolias mixed and matched with the Hippeastrum, Iris, Bulbs and annuals on the well planned landscape.
Owner, Annie Edie said. “We are very happy how the weekend has gone and are thrilled to see how much interest we have had - all the hard work has been worth it."
Dawn, a member of the “Potty Potters” was also pleased with the money raised from the sale of the plants from the Garden Club Plant Stall.
"Our members work hard to pot up as many plants as possible to raise funds for the upkeep of the Botanic Gardens - one of the jewels of Tamborine Mountain,” she said.
Tamborine Mountain Garden Club Inc. has developed and maintained the Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens since 1983.
Just a short stroll from Dranoelann, Holly Cottage was on show. This three quarter acre garden has been lovingly created entirely by the owner, Jim Stathis.
"I feel that the six individual gardens of this year’s “Open Gardens Trail” has given people a lot more to look at. Personally, the response from the visitors has made all the work put into it well worth it."
"After my wife passed away five years ago, I developed this garden into what it is today and it is dedicated to her memory,” he said.
The garden features displays of Roses Begonias, Gardenias, New Guinea Impatiens and a rainforest area under planted with shade plants.
A very healthy crop of spinach and other vegetables act as a camouflage to the large hen house in another section of the garden. The garden boasts three water features including a Dutch windmill powered by a water wheel circulating the water in the pond full of healthy looking gold fish.
"Everyone wanted their photo taken in front of the windmill,” said Jim.
The third garden, Wollumbin in Slingsby Road, Mt Tamborine is a mature country garden. The sweeping lawns lead the visitor around established trees framed by forest and astonishing views to Mt Warning.
Visitors to the “Open Gardens Trail” were given the option of having a picnic in the grounds amongst the Maples, Ginkgo, Magnolias, Ornamental Pears, Camellias, Tibouchinas, Azaleas, perennials and bulbs that all seem to thrive here.
Owner, Mary Wallis said that she and her husband had developed the extensive garden over nineteen years they have lived on the mountain.
Other gardens featured were:
- Ashcar Cottage in Ben Nevis Street, Mt Tamborine
- Harmony Gardens, also in Ben Nevis Street
- Fig Tree Hollow in Esme Street, North Tamborine