Get out and into the garden

TWO iconic Kangaroo Valley gardens will be open this weekend as part of the Open Gardens Australia scheme.

Ellerslie Cottage, owned by Barbara Woodney and Keith Learn, and Kookaburra Hill, owned by Pamela Davis will open their gates to the public.

Ellerslie Cottage, an exuberant cottage garden, is a tumble of vibrant colours and generous plantings.

The garden owners’ whimsy can be seen in arches, benches, pathways, a magic doorway and a pretty pond, while their practical streak comes to the fore in the greenhouse, the “Palais de Chook”, solar panels, composting system and the 11 water tanks hidden all over the property.

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 garden.

Kookaburra Hill, set on five acres just east of the main Kangaroo Valley township, features more than 400 heritage roses, which are a stunning feature of 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 a couple of hundred self-seeded Cabbage Gums underplanted with swathes of irises and daisies, while the back two acres of the property provide a beautiful bush garden.

Pamela will donate proceeds from her open garden to Friends of the Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby. Light refreshments will also be available and she welcomes guests to bring a picnic and enjoy time in her garden.

It has been a tough challenge for the keen gardeners, battling the extreme heat in January which at one stage reached 50 degrees, but their gardens have managed to bounce back and will be a picture this weekend.

Kookaburra Hill is located at 230 Moss Vale Road, Kangaroo Valley and Ellerslie Cottage is at 1747 Moss Vale Road, Kangaroo Valley.

Both will be open from 10am to 4.30pm, entry is $7 for adults (under 18s free).