open gardens canberra

With hot summers and cold winters, Canberra’s seasonal conditions affect how plants grow. Gardens also need to be resilient as climate change brings more extreme weather events. Choosing the right plants for Canberra’s climate and soil is key to building a climate-wise garden that will thrive now and into the future. Suburban Land Agency’s (SLA) Innovation Precinct in Whitlam has a thriving climate-wise garden, planted in 2022 and showcasing resilient garden design. The garden has been designed with its natural context in mind- supporting local plants and wildlife while thriving in the local weather conditions across all four seasons. The garden was designed by Place Logic as part of SLA’s Innovation Precinct, a place for demonstrating sustainable homes and gardens to inspire more sustainable living. The plants chosen for the garden were selected from the SLA’s Climate Wise Garden Designs booklet, a key resource for residents in new suburbs and available to visitors on the day for free.

The Cook Community Garden, established in 2001, is situated at the southern end of Bindubi St. The 5000sqm garden is leased by Canberra Organic Growers Society Inc from the ACT Government. Currently the garden has 46 very active gardeners of all ages and backgrounds working 55 allotment style plots ranging in size between 50 and 15sqm. The garden is always on the lookout for keen gardeners to join and embrace organic growing principles, especially the younger generation. There is an off street carpark adjacent to the garden. The nearest toilets are located at Cook shops. Entry is free.

A garden not to be missed. Set in rolling countryside, this beautifully designed and maintained 40 year old garden comprises sweeping beds of interesting and unusual Australian native plants and trees, including Gymea Lily, Angophora, banksias, kangaroo paws, grafted Grevilleas, Lomatias, unusual Hakeas and so much more. You will also find an exotic plant section, extensive rock retaining banks, a dam, ponds with fountains, and an attractive bog garden with a winding wooden walkway and massed with pretty native violet. Productive garden buffs will also enjoy an amazing fully-enclosed orchard full of berries and espaliered fruit trees, a separate large set of raised rabbit-resistant vegetable beds and a sheltered circular garden for cut flowers, roses and citrus. Refreshments and food will be available and there are places to sit and relax if you want to bring your own picnic. There is also a toilet on site.

Located at the centre of Reid, this well-established garden is enclosed by a curved camellia ‘Yuletide’ hedge. Behind it is a lawn area with leafy borders featuring a variety of maples. In the back garden a formal area near the house features hedges and clipped balls, along with fruit and flowering trees and a small vegetable garden. Autumn brings scarlet tones to the large vine-coloured pergola while in a secluded   corner an enormous old fig tree stands proud. At the rear the garden takes on a wilder aspect with bulbs and groundcovers sheltering beneath birch trees. Over time the garden has been adapted to change with family needs, maturing plants and the climate.

Tea Gardens Homestead, dating back to the 1860s, is one of Canberra’s oldest residential homes, located on a peaceful half acre block, overlooking the 4th hole of Gungahlin Lakes Golf Club. Since 2021 the garden has been completely transformed from a steep sloping block suffering from drought and overgrown with periwinkle, to a beautiful blend of cottage, native, traditional and productive styles. It perfectly complements the homestead’s historic charm. ‘The Vineyard’ was established in July 2024. The front garden development has been ongoing since the property was purchased in 2020. They are highlights of this truly inspiring garden.