Event details
Open Gardens Victoria is delighted to announce the opening of Elaine, a richly layered and character-filled private garden in Canterbury, set across a double block and opening to the public for one weekend only.
Elaine is a significant Victorian timber residence built in the 1880s and recognised on the City of Boroondara Heritage Register. Once part of the Shenley Estate owned by Charles Wentworth, a 19th-century florist and orchardist, the property today retains a legacy of productive and ornamental planting, expressed through owner Annie James’ contemporary gardener’s eye.
The garden is welcoming and generously planted, reflecting over 30 years of thoughtful stewardship. With its informal design and wide variety of plantings, Elaine is a celebration of seasonal change and the joys of gardening without rigid constraints.
“We’ve tried to keep a relaxed feeling to the garden,” says Annie. “I love having so many different plants, even if it’s not ideal for a perfect design! I find joy in seasonal variation and could never be at home in a strongly designed, limited plant-variety garden.”
Gardener Alex Kardamitsis has worked alongside Annie to refine and enhance the layout while preserving the personal, plant-rich approach that makes Elaine so special.
Majestic mature trees, including 3 listed as significant by Boroondara Council, anchor the space and provide dappled shade over lawns perfect for children at play or quiet reflection:
- a Blue Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica ‘Glauca’)
- a Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra)
- an English Elm (Ulmus procera).
Garden highlights include:
- the Driveway Garden with seasonal colour from Clivia miniata, a productive persimmon tree and vibrant maples
- the Pool Garden, alive with citrus, roses, clivias, and fragrant Murraya paniculata
- the North Garden, a cool, shaded retreat beneath the large elm, where gardenias, plectranthus and camellias flourish
- the Front Bed, a work in progress, adapting to the demands of large trees and changing seasons
- the Eastern Verandah Bed, home to camellias, azaleas and crepe myrtles, and the perfect backdrop to leisurely breakfasts and visiting birdlife.
This is a garden that values life and biodiversity. With no chemical use, Elaine has become a haven for birds, butterflies and beneficial insects.