THE Red Cross Bush Fire Appeal and the new rose garden at Saumarez will be the benefactors from the proceeds of three open gardens in Armidale this weekend.
Two of the gardens, Eynsford and Yarrobindi II, opened recently for the Australian Garden History National Conference and are outstanding examples of exemplary historic gardens.
The gracious two-storey residence, Eynsford, at 109 Jeffrey Street, was built in 1927 of Armidale blue brick combined with a distinctive mock Tudor timber and stucco and designed by prominent local architect Robert Hickson.
Eynsford is clearly a garden which has always been loved and tended, especially by its current owners Brian Thomas and Scott Carter.
They have contributed a potager, more than 40 azaleas, 80 roses, 50 camellias, peonies and several pieces of sculpture and the garden continues to go from strength to strength under their care.
At nearby 54 Faulkner Street, Yarrobindi II flourishes.
This elegant 1914 home in central Armidale is built of local blue brick and has been sensitively restored to original condition.
When John and Ann Maurer realised the property’s charm and potential in 1991 they embarked on a major renovation project of both the house and garden.
Poplars, box elder and two magnificent desert ash provided the framework for a new garden with generous borders of shade loving hellebores, hydrangeas, woodland geraniums and camellias.
The third garden open for inspection is the specialist rose garden which is owned by Catherine MacLean.
On entering the small block at 101 Donnelly Street it is clear to see how this garden could be the source of the roses which are steadily filling the new rose garden at Saumarez.
Some 800 roses have been collected of the many different family members to make each collection as complete as possible.
The gardens are open on both Saturday and Sunday from 10am until 4.30pm with refreshments provided by the local branch of First National.
Entry is $6 per garden or $15 for the three, with group tickets available at the gardens. For more information, contact the Armidale Visitor Information Centre on (02) 6770 3888.
