Spectacular scenery and seven beautiful gardens to enjoy

The Lions Club of Queanbeyan is proud to present the Annual Burra Open Gardens weekend on Saturday 29 October and Sunday 30 October 2011.

This year, seven stunning local gardens – including a new garden at Little Burra Estate, Googong – will be open to the public over the weekend. Gardens will be open to the public from 10 am to 5 pm on both days.

The Burra Open Gardens are organized by the Lions Club of Queanbeyan. Profits from gate-takings are used by the Lions Club to support needy individuals in the local community and for other community projects or organisations. Your support of our event is much appreciated..

Special events

A sausage sizzle at Solace (Garden 7) will aid Queanbeyan Wildcare. Plant – including the famous Tijara Bearded Iris – biodynamic jams and preserves, quality vintage and antique jewellery are for sale at many of the gardens. Morning and afternoon teas and light lunches are available at many of the gardens and at the Burra Park.

Dog agility demonstrations at Woowoolarah (Garden 1) will feature at 2 pm on Saturday and Sunday. A woodwork display is at Solace (Garden 7).

Tickets on sale at all gardens.

• A ticket provides for 1 person to visit each garden once and may be used over 2 days
  $20 per person ($15 for Concession Card holders)

• Single garden visit (pay at garden) $10 per person (Concession rate $5)

• Children under the age of 15, free

• Gardens open 10 am to 5 pm, Saturday 29 October and Sunday 30 October.

Refreshments

Refreshments can be purchased at:

• Burra Hall and Park, Burra Road. Morning and afternoon teas, lunches for sale in aid of the Burra Community Association

• Garden 1, Woowoolara – London Bridge Road
  Refreshments, light lunches, morning and afternoon teas for sale

• Garden 2, Glenbog – Plummers Road
  Morning and Afternoon teas

• Garden 4, Nankeen,
  Light lunches, morning and afternoon teas (to aid St Paul's Anglican Church, Burra)

• Garden 5, Felix
  Light refreshments for sale

• Garden 7, Solace
  Sausage sizzle and drinks for sale (to aid Queanbeyan Wildcare Inc.)

Toilet facilities at Burra Park, London Bridge Reserve, and Woowoolahra (Venue 1) and Glenbog (Venue 2)

Plant and local goods for sale

• Garden 1, Woolwoolarah – quality vintage and antique jewellery on display and for sale

• Garden 2, Glenbog – A variety of products for sale including plants, teas, lavender products and preserves

• Garden 3, Tijara – Established potted tall bearded iris plants (including a selection bred at Tijara) for sale. Orders can be taken for irises not available in pots

• Garden 5, Felix – Biodynamic jams and preserves for sale

• Garden 7, Solace – ‘Corrugated’ garden cow display: orders can be taken for purchase

• Burra Park and Hall – Hand-made items by the Burra Stitchers for Sale

Directions

The visiting sequence below is one of several possible. Visitors coming from Monaro Highway may prefer to visit Garden 7 first (in Little Burra estate off Old Cooma Rd), followed by Garden 6 (opposite Burra Church on Old Cooma Rd, then head on down Burra Rd for the rest. Coming from Queanbeyan, the order below may be simpler.

All turn off points and gardens are well sign posted over the weekend. All gardens can readily be visited within a few hours depending on how much time you want to spend in each. A rest for refreshments in the Burra Community Hall
or in one of the gardens is highly recommended.

• Print version of the Open Garden's brochure (PDF 1Mb)

Please note

• Picnics welcome
• Dogs not permitted
• All gardens have dams or ponds Children and others at risk must be closely supervised
• The gardens are only open at the times specifi ed unless other arrangements are made
• Do not enter a house unless invited by the owner

The Gardens

Garden 1 – Woowoolahra

Monica and Allan Schmidt
6 London Bridge Road
(Corner Burra and London Bridge Rds)

Woowoolahra is a mature, tranquil garden which is at its best in spring. It features beautifully constructed rock walls which divide the space into garden rooms. Paths ramble through cypress woodland to open areas and dams abundant with birdlife.

Established exotic trees are surrounded by large areas of lawn and frame delightful views of the Burra Valley. Espaliered fruit trees surround a berry garden.

Other activities at Woowoolahra

• Refreshments for sale
• Dog agility demonstrations at 2 pm on Saturday and Sunday
• Quality vintage and antique jewellery on display and for sale

More information

• Parking: outside the property on London Bridge Rd
• Toilet facilities

Garden 2 – Glenbog

Lyn Blair, David Williams and Jason Beaupeurt-Smith
314 Plummers Rd, Burra
(3.1km from Burra/Plummers Rd corner)

Glenbog’s private, five acre garden has developed sequentially over eight years on what was an exposed rocky hillside. The garden takes full advantage of the stunning views over the Burra Valley to the Tinderry peaks beyond. The driveway is lined with plum, Manchurian pear & eucalyptus species. Large beds of ornamental trees, shrubs and roses border the garden entrance. Arbours of climbing roses, wisteria and ornamental grape lead into enclosed garden ‘rooms’. Plants have been chosen for their cold, wind and drought hardiness. Commercial plantings of waratah and other species line banks overlooking the valley. New garden areas are added each year. Glenbog is also home to a commercial nursery.

More information

• Morning and afternoon teas
• Plants, teas, lavender products and preserves for sale
• Parking inside – at top of driveway
• Caution – narrow driveway
• Toilet

Garden 3 – Tijara Iris Garden

Len and Shirley Pain
100 Williamsdale Rd

Nestled under the brow of Warri Hill this delightful garden has commanding views of the Burra Valley and Tinderry Mountains beyond. Commenced 23 years ago with the planting of a westerly windbreak of evergreen and deciduous shrubs and trees, the garden now has gravelled lawn areas meandering through delightful rockeries. Mature eucalypt trees are under-planted with camellias, myriads of shrubs and border plants. Beyond a small bridge and past Chinese elm and silver birch trees lies a circular cottage garden of annuals, perennials and herbs.

Over 900 registered varieties of colourful tall bearded iris frame the panoramic valley view. A horseshoe-shaped cottage garden planted with low maintenance, drought-tolerant plants demonstrates the beneficial effects of mulching. The garden relies mostly on natural watering, and garden pests are generally controlled by the resident ducks.

More information

• Established potted tall bearded iris plants (including a selection bred at Tijara) for sale.
• Orders can be taken for irises not available in pots.
• Parking inside property - at the top of Warri Hill
• Road hazard caution - please follow instructions of traffic guides on site

Garden 4 – Nankeen

Brian and Rosemary Flanagan
28 Finlay Place, Burra (follow signs off Williamsdale Rd)

Begun in 1986, this 3 acre garden has been a challenge to develop - exposed to winds, severe frost, and drought. Windbreaks and shelter plantings have enabled the establishment of a mix of delightful exotic and native plants. The native areas are now bringing great pleasure with many species of birds and other animals finding sanctuary here.

The garden rooms now include a native walk, native bird haven, Japanese garden, cottage garden, rose gardens, conifer garden, lawns, vegetable garden and orchard.

With its 360 degree views of the beautiful Burra Valley this garden offers relaxation and inspiration

More information

• Light lunches, morning and afternoon teas (to aid St Paul’s Anglican Church)
• Parking within property

Garden 5 – Felix

Anne Jarrah and Christopher Smith
1386 Urila Rd, Burra
(Follow signs off Burra Rd. Garden approx. 14 km along Urila Rd on right)

Accessed through a gateway of colourful totems crafted by the resident artist, these beautiful gardens overlook the spectacular Tinderry Mountains and are a testament to the intensive work and biodynamic practices of these garden partners.

Terraced beds of mint, oregano and thyme, joined with lilliums, irises, red hot pokers, cardoons and roses in vivid shades of pink, red, orange, yellow and white, provide a delightful contrast to the native bush surrounds. There is an orchard and berry patch.

Enjoy a relaxing picnic around the restful pool area, and be inspired by the owners’ colourful murals and walkways. Make sure to buy some of the delicious home grown produce on sale!

More information

• Biodynamic jams and preserves for sale
• Traffic caution - gravel road with some narrow corners
• Parking inside property
• Toilet

Returning for 2011 Open Gardens

Garden 6 – Roselawn

1291 Old Cooma Rd, Googong
(12.9 km from Q’byn, 0.7km from Burra Rd turnoff)
Carol Paterson

Roselawn covers a tranquil 3.5 acres, with the first modern plantings commenced in 1997 around the remnants of the original 1930s garden. A central feature of the garden is the Monet-inspired footbridge. This arches over a delightful pond
with water fountains sparkling in the sunlight and with flashes of darting fish. A second water feature is the waterfall that cascades into a pebbled channel winding its way to a shaded rock pool.

The garden is planted with old fashioned iris, drifts of evening primrose, lavenders, roses and penstemon. An adjacent dam with its native plants provides a haven for birds. There is an extensive vegetable garden, with eleven raised beds, near the site of the old 1930s homestead.

• Queanbeyan High School Agriculture plants for sale
• Parking in the adjacent paddock – signposted on Old Cooma Rd

New for 2011

Garden 7 – Solace

14 Hamilton Pl, Little Burra Estate, Googong
(Approx 14 kms from Qbyn or 8 km from Monaro H’wy, turn into Little Burra estate at Cooke Drive, then take 1st exit off roundabout into Binowee Dve, then Right into Boulder Pl, and Left into Hamilton Pl.)
Kelly and Andrew Lizzio

Solace is a relatively new garden, planned eventually to extend to encompass the full 6 acres of its site. The landscape designer’s brief was for an aesthetically pleasing yet practical garden which blends seamlessly with its natural bush
surrounds. Creating a habitat where native animals can be rehabilitated and released back into the wild was also part of the brief.

A feature of the garden is a large naturalised pond, overlooked by an ancient eucalypt and planted with natives that meander up the slope to highlight the home above. A range of original garden sculptures are dotted about the garden, including some cheeky cockies to greet visitors at the front gate.

Whilst the garden is still a work in progress, it will offer visitors a little bit of “Solace” in their day

• Sausage sizzle & drinks on sale to aid Wildcare Queanbeyan Inc
• Woodwork display
• ‘Corrugated’ garden cow display: orders can be taken for purchase
• Parking outside property in Hamilton Place.

More information about the Burra Open Gardens

The Burra Open Gardens are organized by the Lions Club of Queanbeyan. Profits from gate-takings are used by the Lions Club to support needy individuals in the local community and for other community projects. Your support of our event is much appreciated. Enquiries Margaret Dorsch Telephone: 0409 141 595 Email: opengardens@burra.org.au Spackman Real Estate, Queanbeyan is proud to support the 2011 Burra Open Gardens