BEAUTIFUL: Barbara Woodney and Keith Learn in their stunning Kangaroo Valley garden Ellerslie Cottage.
TWO Kangaroo Valley gardens will open to the public early next month as part of the Open Gardens Australia scheme on March 2 and 3.
Kookaburra Hill, owned by Pamela Davis is set on five acres.
Ms Davis spent almost 10 years transforming her property into a stunning garden.
It features more than 400 heritage roses in the large country garden.
Close to 100 rugosa roses line the driveway, while the pool is bordered by hedged China roses and the verandah is draped in rosa crepuscle.
The front acre contains about 200 self-seeded cabbage gums under-planted with irises and daisies, while the back two acres provide a beautiful bush garden.
Pears, peaches and apples grow, protected by ironbark frames that echo the structure of the architect-designed, solar-passive house.
“I have just established a big new permaculture based mandala vegetable garden,” she said.
“It is split into segments, and my chooks move around each section of the garden.”
Pamela will donate proceeds of her open garden to Friends of the Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby and light refreshments will also be available.
Kookaburra Hill is located at 230 Moss Vale Road, Kangaroo Valley and will be open from 10am-4pm March 2-3, admission is $7 for adults (under 18s free).
Not too far away is Ellerslie Cottage, an exuberant cottage garden that keeps owners, Keith Learn and Barbara Woodney busy.
There are arches, benches, pathways, a magic doorway and a pond and a greenhouse, chook house, solar panels, composting system while 11 water tanks are hidden all over the property.
A thriving vegetable garden is enclosed by hedges of lavender and rosemary, while strawberries, blueberries and raspberries provide jewels of delicious fresh fruit.
“We have had the property since 1989 and have been tinkering with the garden ever since,” Mrs Woodney said.
“We have been able to create a fabulous garden and we love it,” she said.
“There is just a peace and serenity when you are out in the garden.
“We have built things between us and we have planted everything under the sun.”
As well as the garden, on the verandah and elsewhere in the garden will be quilts made by Barbara over the past 27 years, while her sewing group friends have also contributed.
Plants will also be for sale during the open gardens.
Ellerslie Cottage is at 1747 Moss Vale Road, Kangaroo Valley and is open from 10am to 4.30pm, entry is $7 for adults.