Found in the heart of the Yarra Valley, Alowyn Gardens showcases a breathtaking display garden divided into distinctive styles. Owners John and Prue purchased the land in 1997 and began creating these exquisite gardens in 1999. Together, they’ve blended their expertise in landscaping and horticulture, bringing Alowyn Gardens to life.
In addition to the gardens, visitors can relax at the Wisteria Café, savouring coffee and various freshly baked treats. Visitors can also explore Alowyn Gardens Nursery. It offers an extensive selection of plants, supported by a team of knowledgeable horticulturists ready to assist.
A beautiful weekend visit
I recently visited Alowyn Gardens after closely following their social media updates. I eagerly awaited the announcement that their Wisteria was in bloom. The Wisteria Arbour tunnel is a showstopper, stretching an impressive 100 metres. Initially planted in 1999, this stunning plant has had twenty-five years to establish itself and continues to improve with age.
This particular variety, Wisteria floribunda ‘Longissima’, is rare compared to other types. Due to its size, it typically takes seven years to produce its first flowers. At Alowyn Gardens, the longest flower recorded to date measures an astonishing 1.68 metres! I managed to beat the crowd and loved slowly strolling through, appreciating this Wisteria’s beautiful colours and size.
What surprised me at Alowyn Gardens was that while I initially came for the Wisteria, I stayed for the other equally impressive garden areas.
Here are my thoughts on the different garden styles:
As I wandered through the Parterre Garden, it was easy to imagine I was on the grounds of a grand castle. I learned that parterre gardens feature a formal arrangement of tightly clipped hedges and symmetrically arranged pathways. This style was all the rage in the 18th century and is understandably still cherished today for being evergreen and hardy (usually planted with Buxus).
Inspired by John’s travels to France, the French Provincial Garden felt like being transported to the heart of the French countryside. Buxus sempervirens, Lavender, and Acer freemanii take centre stage, creating a peaceful atmosphere.
The Perennial Border Garden is a vibrant delight, showcasing a stunning array of plant varieties. I thoroughly enjoyed strolling through and taking in the beauty of each bloom. The plants here are resilient, capable of withstanding temperatures ranging from -5°C to 42°C and varying moisture levels and winds. Among the diverse selection, you’ll find grasses, succulents, and repeat-flowering perennials, including Salvia nemorosa, Shasta daisies, and penstemon.
Alowyn Gardens has two forests: the Birch Forest and the Casuarina Forests. The Birch Forest features 400 closely planted birch trees. Under-plantings of hellebores, jonquils, clivia, and irises complement the birches, which adds a lovely pop of colour. The second forest, home to Allocasuarina littoralis and Allocasuarina torulosa, is impressively known as the ‘Dry Garden’, relying solely on natural rainfall.
As the name suggests, the Labyrinth Maze is a playful garden section. You can lose yourself in the photinia maze, and I appreciated the meticulous care that must go into regularly shaping this.
What took me by surprise?
My favourite part of Alowyn Gardens was the Kitchen Garden, which provides an organic food source for the Wisteria Café. It’s all thriving with various vegetables, fruit trees, and berries. You can wander through the different sections and see what has been recently harvested and what is almost ready to go.
Whether you’re interested in classic French planting, native Australian trees, or vibrant colours, there’s something for everyone at Alowyn Gardens. I didn’t get to see everything, so there are still areas I haven’t explored in detail, but I can highly recommend visiting for a lovely day out.
Please remember that while the Wisteria may still be flowering, it is nearing the end of its season. Be sure to follow Alowyn Gardens on social media for updates next year if you intend to visit when the Wisteria is flowering. Alternatively, this is a year-round garden with a unique experience each season. You’re sure to discover something beautiful no matter when you visit. Explore more here.
