Gardening in Autumn - 'Lambrigg' Open Garden and Plant Fair 27 3 2010

This is proving to be the wettest Autumn in Canberra for more than 10 years - lawns are actually growing - I was glad that I had decided to reseed and fertilise mine during a rainy day in Summer - because it is now showing the results.

Last weekend, I went to Lambrigg, the former home of William Farrer, known as the "Father of the Australian Wheat Industry" and his wife Nina, as it was open for the first time in more than a decade under the Australian Open Garden Scheme, and was also hosting the AOG's annual Canberra region Plant Fair.

 Nowadays, Lambrigg is the home of Peter and Kate Gullett and Peter grew up there. The garden has been developed over the last half century since the property was purchased in 1949 by Peter's parents. You can view a short interview and video about the garden: here, or read the Canberra Times story. For those with a sense of history, it is possible to walk to the graves of William and Nina Farrer and to stand on the steps in the spot that William Farrer was standing when he died, early in 1906 (but for me there was only time for plants!

It was a great day for plant lovers - a beaut garden, and a host of plant stalls - including stalls by Lambley Nursery from Ascot, Victoria (which specialises in drought and frost tolerant perennials), and by Yamina Rare Plants, as well as specialist hellebore, Clivea, Iris, Dahlia and bulb growers, amongst others, as well as the all important coffee stand and sausage sizzle ( and a stall selling 'glow in the dark' cup cakes - Bring back Anzac biscuits and scones, I say!).

I was pressed for time, so, arriving at opening time, I headed first for the plant stalls. I bought a few plants from Yamina - including the native fern-leaf Polyscias (which grows in a frost free spot outside the NBG Bookshop), Fothergilla major, Nothofagus fuscus (Reed Beech, a NZ evergeeen), Sambucus racemosa plumosa aurea and S. nigra laciniata. I got a range of unusual bulbs from Lambley as well as a couple of perennials. Hope to plant some of them over Easter.

After the plant stalls 'round one', I queued for coffee (along with half a million others), being gallantly made by the guys from one of the ANU cafes. A belated breakfast of bacon and egg sandwich from the Rotary stall, then a visit to the gardena and walk on the homestead verandah.

 
My tour of the garden was fairly quick, but it was a delight to see, and to sit in the shade - no time for the walk to the Graves of William and Nina Farrer, next time perhaps.Thanks to all involved in organising this great event!