REVEGETATION expert Jo Ferguson garden at Flinders is an experimental mix of wind-tossed native and exotic grasses, alongside colourful perennials.
Her Family Garden in Flinders will open to the public with Open Gardens Victoria on the weekend of 21-22 January.
The garden designer and environmental horticulturist’s home garden is on an exposed hilltop paddock, with views out to Bass Strait.
“This is a family garden; a garden to immerse ourselves in, to work in, and to relax and experience deep peace and joy,” Ferguson said. “Gardens are transient; nothing stays the same year to year, and it is the experience of impermanence that reminds us to have gratitude for this moment and excitement for what the future may bring.”
Ferguson draws on the knowledge she gained from studying native grasslands at Burnley (School of Horticulture, Melbourne University).
Mixed with the tall grasses (natives and exotics) are coneflowers, Russian sage, hyssops and other perennials.
Two 80-year-old olive trees transplanted from South Australia add maturity to the relatively young garden.
Ferguson said she also seeks inspiration from happy childhood memories of family holidays on the Mornington Peninsula.
“Dust and insect-filled light and indigenous plants, especially native grasses, make me happy,” she said.
“For my partner Simon, seeing bees on flowers fills him with joy and reminds him of the beehive and veggie garden he tended at boarding school when he was young.”
A percentage of proceeds from the opening of the garden will be donated to the Global Gardens of Peace.
The Family Garden, 2351 Flinders-Mornington Road, Flinders, 10am – 4.30pm Saturday 21 January and Sunday 22 January. Adults $10, students $6, under 18 free. Tickets at the gate or via TryBooking. Global Gardens of Peace stand tea and coffee available.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 17 January 2023
