By Jade Lawton
PAKENHAM Garden Club co-ordinator Meryl Waterhouse will open her expansive garden to the public next weekend for charity.
Mrs Waterhouse’s cottage-style garden, currently in full bloom, covers two acres of her Pakenham property.
It incorporates more than 200 roses, as well as perennials, and an area of natives including eucalypts, bottlebrushes and Grevilleas.
“It’s something that should be shared with everyone. We have made quite an effort to get it to what it is, so it is nice to share it with others,” she said.
Mrs Waterhouse and husband Keith have been cultivating the impressive grounds for 14 years.
Roses include hybrid teas, David Austen varieties, heritage and Alistair Clark roses.
“You name it, and we’ve got it, in all colours,” Mrs Waterhouse said.
“My favourite is the shot silk, a very old pink rose. There is lots of red. The David Austen have a nice shape and perfume and I like the Alistair Clark roses as he was an Australian, and there are not a lot of Australian breeders,” she said.
The Waterhouse’s enviable garden also has climbing Clematis’ in various colours. The garden, despite its large size, is well maintained.
“I garden every day. Weeding is like the Sydney Harbour Bridge – you finish and have to start all over again,” she said.
Mrs Waterhouse founded the Pakenham Garden Club and has run it for the past 11 years.
The club, which has excursions to different gardens across the state, will visit Mrs Waterhouse’s favourite garden, Sunnymeade, in December.
“It’s an English cottage-style garden owned by Craig Irving. It’s magnificent and would have to be one of the best I have ever seen,” she said.
Sunnymeade is in Strathbogie but gardeners or those who appreciate the cottage-style surrounds can enjoy Mrs Waterhouse’s garden much closer to home.
The property will be open to the public from 10am to 4pm on Friday 20 November, Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 November.
Patrons are encouraged to pack a picnic and enjoy the fragrant surrounds on Friday, when all proceeds will go to the Cardinia Diabetes Awareness Group.
Devonshire teas will be available on Saturday and Sunday, when proceeds will go to the Rotary Club of Pakenham’s Shelter Box Appeal.
Traf Tractor and Machinery will match donations on the weekend dollar for dollar.
Entry is $5.
Mrs Waterhouse’s garden is at 315 Pakenham Road, Pakenham.
>>>Have you got a green thumb? Get your garden in to Me and My Garden by phoning 5945 0666 or by contacting the Gazette at editor@starnewsgroup.com.au on email.
