Orange Open Gardens returns on Sunday, October 26, with six stunning local gardens for you to explore.

Launched in 2018 by a dedicated group of parents and teachers from Orange Public School, Orange Open Gardens has grown to become a much-loved fixture on the local social calendar and is the school’s major annual fundraiser, helping with the purchase of classroom supplies and playground equipment.

Each year, hundreds of visitors – many of whom return year after year – jump at the opportunity to explore the six amazing local gardens generously opened to the public.

As in the past, this year's selection includes a variety of large and small gardens located in and around Orange. From a classic, small cottage garden to a lovingly curated showcase of native planting, there will be something to ‘wow’ and inspire all who attend.

Among those opening their garden gates for a good cause this year is former Orange Public School principal Dennis Croucher and his wife, Lindy, who have spent the past 13 years completely transforming their suburban home.

“When we bought this, it was a two-year-old home with a very raw, very different garden,” Lindy said, producing an old photograph showing sparse garden beds of agapanthus finished with red scoria. “So Dennis pulled it all out, and we started again.”

Both keen gardeners, Dennis and Lindy’s previous home on acreage at Clifton Grove attracted hundreds of visitors as part of the Australian Open Garden Scheme. Lindy said, the most difficult part of transforming their new home was adapting to the smaller scale.

“Going from landscaping six acres to landscaping 1500 square metres and getting the proportions back to scale was challenging,” she said

“We used to go to the nursery and buy 50 of anything and everything and then you have to learn to buy two - at most.”

Dennis and Lindy’s garden has been developed to make the most of the block, which is dominated on one side by a large concrete driveway, rear shed and two water tanks. What they have managed to achieve is an example of how any space can be transformed and softened by thoughtful plantings.

“There's lots of aspects of the garden that wouldn't be our choice, but that's what we bought and we've tried to live with it and rearrange things as much as we could to give it a different look,” Lindy explained, pointing out decorative frames and plantings that break up the Colorbond boundary fences.

Earthen paths wind through the rear of the garden, which features extensive native plantings that even extend over the rear fence towards the railway line beyond.

Adjacent to the home’s shaded alfresco area, you’ll find a stunning display of azaleas and other flowering plants.

“We tried to create this like a walk in the bush, paths just sort of ramble,” Dennis explained. “We don't keep the shrubbery back in too much of an organised way. You just have to find your way through,” he continued, pointing out his favourite native plants along the way.

“Since we've been here, we've increased the bird life enormously. Not only the numbers but the variety. We've got blue wrens, honey eaters – a couple of different types of honey eaters. When we first got here there were just magpies and peewees and black birds – so we’ve done a lot.”

Orange Open Gardens takes place from 9am–4pm on Sunday, October 26. Tickets for all six open gardens are $25 per person, with children under 16 free.

Start your day at The Hub (Orange Public School Infants campus) from 9am where you can buy tickets, grab a garden map, and enjoy coffee and a bacon-and-egg roll, before setting off on your garden adventure.

Visit www.orangeopengardens.org.au for more information.