The stunning autumn colours of the Forest Edge gardens in Blackwood will be on show for visitors next weekend as part of Open Gardens Victoria autumn program.
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The 2.5 acre cool-climate garden, which features a wide variety of trees renowned for their vibrant autumn colours, is framed by a backdrop of the Wombat State Forest but there is much more to see.
Visitors can wander down paths to a small bridge which crosses a stone-lined creek, landscaped to run down to an ornamental pond.
Sculpture, found objects and various pieces of garden art are scattered throughout the landscape.
In keeping with the heritage of the owner's home, which was built in 1861 and was once a bank, the builder who completed the house renovations and was a film set building disguised outbuildings behind the house as a replica of an 1860s streetscape including a wheelwright and a blacksmith.
The property also has an entertainment history, operating as a tearoom in the 1990s servicing the cast and crew from The Man from Snowy River television series, filmed in Blackwood and nearby Trentham.
Because of the age of the property it is also home to several significant aged trees including two historic cedar trees and a 160-year-old Irish Strawberry with a massive canopy at the front of the property.
"The wide variety of trees at Forest Edge, including golden ash, maples, ornamental pears and pinoaks, will be absolutely beautiful at this time of year," said Open Gardens Victoria spokesperson Sophie Milcev.
"This is a really lovely garden to visit if you really want to catch autumn colour."
Ms Milcev said most open gardens planned for last year, including Forest Edge, were cancelled because of the COVID pandemic so garden lovers were keen to get out and explore this year.
"Most of these gardens are only open once a year, if the garden owner is willing to open because a lot of preparation goes in to these open gardens. It really is a one weekend a year opportunity to visit some of these magnificent private gardens," Ms Milcev said.
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Profits from the Forest Edge open garden weekend will be donated to the nearby Blackwood Outdoor Specialist School camp, which provides school camp experiences for students at special schools from across Victoria.
During the open garden the owners will also be selling antiques, second-hand books, metal garden art and plants.
Forest Edge will be open from 10am to 4pm on April 17 and 18 at 26 - 28 Martin Street, Blackwood. Tickets are available at opengardensvictoria.org.au
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