Opening for a colour splash

PEOPLE are invited to take a stroll through a wonderland of manicured gardens in Mt Evelyn on the weekend.
Kelly Allen and her mother, Ingrid, are opening their garden Minton Park as part of the Australian Open Garden Scheme (AOGS).
The AOGS is a non-profit organisation that promotes the knowledge and pleasures of gardening and each year it opens the finest and most exciting gardens across Australia to the public.
Kelly and Ingrid have been working on their garden continuously since they purchased the property four years ago.
Kelly said when she first took over the property there was a lot of work to be done in the garden.
“It was overgrown and there were weeds everywhere,” she said. “We spent nine months fixing up the garden from top to bottom.”
Kelly said she has seen a few local gardens in the AOGS and decided it was time to open Minton Park to the public.
She would also like to eventually be able to host weddings in the garden.
Hedges of English box, both gold and green lonicera, pittosporum and rosemary, a riot of jewel-like irises and perennials are just some of the fabulous features of this garden.
Visitors will be invited to enjoy a cup of tea and a sausage sizzle over the weekend or bring along a picnic rug and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of the garden.
The garden is open on Saturday, 11 and Sunday, 12 November from 10am to 4.30pm, at 4 Littlejohn Avenue, Mt Evelyn. Entry is $5.