Open Gardens is back-on Saturday for Colour City
UNFORTUNATELY THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED - OCLIFE WILL KEEP YOU POSTED ON THE NEW DATES.
Orange Open Garden is back on! So don’t miss it this weekend.
Major annual fundraiser for Orange Public School looked like being another casualty of the coronavirus lockdowns, until being revived a few weeks ago.
“We ran it in 2018 and 2019, but we had made the call to not hold it this year because of restrictions and everything, but then we’ve decided to have a pop-up event with three very special gardens,” spokesperson Sophie Durham explained.
“The three gardens chosen out of the dozen or so that we’re initially planned for the event, are all quite extensive ensuring value for money for those supporting this event sponsored by Peter Fisher Real Estate.
“it’s going to be a beautiful day and all the gardens are very large, we didn’t go with any in-town gardens. We wanted to maximise everyone’s enjoyment,” Sophie explained.
“We’re open this Saturday (September 13) from 9–3pm with the cost only $20 for all three gardens, or $10 for each garden, with kids free.”
Sophie added that the decision to hold the event has provided a lift to everyone’s spirits after the last two interrupted years.
“We originally made the call in August to cancel, we just thought it wasn’t going to be feasible and, then we thought three weeks ago, ‘gosh, we can make this happen!’.”
The sudden turnaround as restrictions started to ease in NSW had also lifted everyone’s spirits, she added.
“We are so excited to be able to to run an event, not just for the garden-owners who put so much effort in getting their places ready, but also for the community that get such enjoyment out of the event.
“This is also our biggest fundraiser for Orange Public School for the year, and the whole thing is run by a wonderful team of volunteers with Peter Fisher our sponsors,” she added.
The three gardens on show are Bloomfield House at 15 Catto Close (with parking on Leewood Drive); Anfield Gardens, at 21 Moriarty Crescent, and the Shapter Residence at 74 Thomas Kite Lane, Windera.
Bloomfield House is described as: “a hidden treasure within the Leewood industrial Estate with garden surrounding the beautifully-restored bluestone cottage built by the Moulder family c 1901”. It also features: “historic and decorative features through a series of paths weaving between trees with colourful understory plantings.”
Anfield Gardens is a more than two-hectare property of: “over 350 trees, mostly made-up of ornamentals such as maples, ash, birch, poplars, willows, pears, conifers, planes and pines,” with “multiple rose gardens with a preference given to David Austin Roses, along with a vegetable garden, fruit orchard, olive grove, citrus, and a kitchen herb garden.”
Shapter Residence is spread over two hectares and: “consists predominantly of exotics, with some native species. A spectacular feature of the garden is the area close to the house which showcases the owner’s talent in transforming a blank canvas into a stunning display. The tree-lined driveway is exquisite in spring and autumn.”
Locals and visitors can also support the event and the school while getting a bite, buying a plant, or topping-up on merchandise designed for the event, Sophie said.
“One of the gardens will have a barbecue, another has got a plant stall, and ‘Spilt Milk’ is going to be at the third.
“Oh, and we’re also going to be selling tote-bags, tea-towels, and aprons with the event logo designed by artist Freya Blackwood on them,” Sophie concluded.