Kojonup Open Gardens

This event is part of the 2022 Great Southern Treasures Bloom Festival.

Hosted by The Shire of Kojonup.

Below is a brief description of each of the Open gardens, you will be able to select at checkout which gardens you would like to visit.

For all enquiries please contact Kristel or Nat 9831 0500

Garden 1: Eric and Cathy Wright

Eric and Cathy’s garden is approached through an avenue of 70 year old Pinus Pinaster. A large pergola leads onto the front lawn where the eye is drawn to the view of the surrounding farmland. A long Prunus Nigra walk complemented with deciduous trees and heritage roses creates year round seasonal interest. Eric’s dry stone walls are a feature providing structure to the garden and protection to plants. Generous use of timber from the property provides climbing roses, glory vine and wisteria ample opportunity to romp and weave. 

Garden 2: Wayne and Peta Zadow

1920 Built House. Original roses, Mrs Harold Brocklebank and one which as yet remains unidentified, grow on either side of the north facing steps, whilst Bloomfield’s Abundance and Blackboy are found at the bottom of the garden. Turners Crimson Rambler growing near the shed is also an original. Other surviving original plantings include the loquat and lemon trees, several grape vines and a currant vine. The bottom of the garden is home to a small collection of Eremophilias. A grove of bamboos is also being developed and Native plants are favoured as they require little work and attract birds to the southwest section of the garden.

Garden 3: Roberta McGuire

50 roses thrive surrounding the house, hidden from the parrots amongst densely planted perennials and exotic shrubs, whilst native shrubs and trees - a haven for the birds, are planted around the perimeter. Roberta loves the combination of the climbing rose Zephirine Drouhin and Clematis Montana on one of her archways. A hedge of Rosa Chinensis ‘Mutablils’ flourishes with the western aspect, whilst rose Sally Holmes romps around in the southern part of the garden. Japanese landscaper, Age created the Japanese garden, which has become Roberta’s special place for reflection.

Garden 4: Simon and Diane House

The Starhaven garden has evolved from our love of nature. Trees, flowers, birds and other critters. The original design had the “garden room” concept in mind with the provision of “nooks” for quiet moments. The Front garden is largely ‘cottage garden’ with ‘ornamental’ plantings, and a few roses interspersed. The Secret Garden has a few favourite roses which are netted to safe guard them from parrots. Various succulents are scattered through the garden adding valued contrast in colour and form. Lawn area is minimal as we endeavor to reduce water usage. Plants have been selected and located in various parts of the garden in “water usage” groupings and in the hope of attracting birds, and providing habitat for nesting. We have many species of birds living here whilst others visit seasonally. The frog bog and lily pond are the newest additions to our garden.

Garden 5: Colin Rourke

Although Glenlossie is one of the oldest surviving buildings in Kojonup my garden is fairly new
and started life as a blank canvas. The previous garden had been cleared and it was basically a 1 acre paddock with sheep employed to keep the grass down. The only plants that survived were a massive bougainvillea, a gangly Contoneasta (now hedged) and a magnificent pine (name unknown) which has been carefully lopped and sculptured into a beautiful shape. All the new trees were planted in 2010 after the house was completely refurbished and restored to its original glory with Jacarandas, Tipuana’s, Bottle Brush & 2 stately date palms. The garden is slowly taking shape and is a constant work in progress.

Garden 6: Anita and Tim Eyres

We moved to the cottage 5 years ago and I had the daunting task of starting from scratch yet again, only this time I was 40 years older than when I first came to Doreenup, so I have tried to create a much easier and smaller garden than at the homestead. The large gums, the Prunus, Chinese Elm, Desert Ash and citrus were here, thank heavens because I started with very little and it’s just generally harder now days, so I have really staged my areas to cut down on the work load. The gardens at the north and west fences are the newest, but are taking shape. On a small scale we renovated the house and extended the decks which has given me a little more scope around the house - a good spot for the roses and a bit of flower power. I would love heaps more roses and heaps more garden but have refrained in order to be able to lock up and leave. We wanted to stay in the paddock to cut down on maintenance outside the garden and I have had to limit what I put on the fences or run the gauntlet with our woolly friends, especially lambs who are undaunted by my concerns! The Gums, Leucoxylon Rosea, although pretty, are challenging to other plants, I found the tough agaves and grey plants can cope, but have lost a lot of badly thought out planting under there, likewise the Salt River Gum at the back of the house, tricky! The sandpit is an easy care, water wise area that has improved the back lawn and I’m gradually making progress with the planting in that area. The Camellia’s are some of my favourite plants, they do well here, flower for a long time and need very little help. I also love the Daphne in the old garage bed with Camellias and I have planted 2 more but they’re a different type dammit and not growing very fast. I have tried a few climbers up the power pole, now trying the wisteria that I’ve moved from the back verandah (dumb place as rampant and threatened to topple the house after 3 years). I’ve mulched heavily with Lupin straw which I carted from the next door paddock, I think it’s pretty good. I enjoy the lawns, as do the parrots, but we share over the winter and early spring!

Garden 7: Mary Jones

Responding to a drying climate this Kojonup garden drums to its own beat. The garden reveals the creativity and ingenuity of its owner who has stitched together an eclectic mix of plants and is full of colour, texture and form. Many of these unusual plants are housed in repurposed vessels crafted from what others have discarded, all nestled in a setting of richly coloured mosaics. The combination of planting, art and garden layout gives this unusual and visually stunning garden heart and soul. It really is a feast for the eyes and a celebration of the owners love and dedication to her garden over many years.

Photo credit Kim Woods-Rabbidge