By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
Nestled in the heart of the Dandenong Ranges, Monbulk’s stunning English garden, ‘The Nook,’ lovingly tended by Val Jackson and her late husband Don, will open its doors to the public for the 16th time on Saturday 16, and Sunday 17 November, from 10am to 4.30pm, with all proceeds supporting the Monbulk CFA.
‘The Nook’ located on 5 Tavistock Road, Monbulk, is not only a charming cottage and vibrant garden that invites visitors into a realm of beauty and serenity, but it also opens its doors to a community spirit of compassion, care, and support for the volunteers who dedicate their time to keeping our communities safe.
“The peace and tranquillity of the garden, created alongside Don, fill me with a sense of continuity even after his passing,” Val said.
“Carrying on this work has become my life, and without the garden, I don’t know where I would be, it allows me to communicate with him in spirit – it’s a loving and caring atmosphere that I cherish, as I truly enjoy caring for others.”
As the couple walked through the garden for the first time, the sunny atmosphere immediately captivated them – it revealed a perfect space for growing the plants they loved, all of which thrived in sunlight, and they fell in love with it right away and moved in just six weeks later – beginning the process of creating their very own dreamy English garden.
Initially, it featured mostly native plants and a few others that didn’t quite fit their style, so Val took on much of the rock work, which she truly enjoys to this day.
Val and her late husband Don moved to Monbulk in 2000, and began establishing the garden naming it ‘The Nook’.
He was not only a loving husband but also her mentor, inspiring her to open the garden in his memory in 2007, she continued their dream by inviting others to enjoy this special place.
The garden was featured on Gardening Australia, in November 2010.
The original cottage, built in the 1920s, once housed fruit pickers, but it has been lovingly refurbished to create the inviting home and garden you see today.
“This garden holds a special place in my heart, even after Don gone, we want to share this beauty and knowledge with others and our motto has always remained the same – to feel at peace and content in the surroundings,” she said.
Val said she has had a very happy and content life and loves her garden, which’s quite evident in its fragrances and vibrant colours, featuring azaleas, camellias, and other flowering shrubs that are especially striking in winter and spring.
“I have people who come to the garden just to sit and find some peace, especially if they’re feeling unwell or need a moment alone, I let them sit as long as they like without bothering them, and many have found it very healing,” she said.
“I haven’t faced any great challenges, I just take things one day at a time, Don and I used to do the same—we’d have a plan and go for it.”
Having worked in the garden for over 40 years, it all feels very natural for Val.
She said that in the early days after Don’s passing, it felt lonely, but he was always in her heart, so she didn’t find it taxing—she knew he would have loved all the extra plants and roses she was adding.
People often tell her she works very hard, but for Val, it’s not work at all – it’s all about passion, and the therapy she receives from it is truly rewarding.
On the day of the opening, upon entering the garden, visitors are greeted by a trio of silver birches, a signature feature of Edna Walling, with whom Don, a contemporary horticulturist, shared a deep passion for gardening.
She’s hoping for sunny weather on the opening days because a garden like hers doesn’t handle heavy rain well, especially the roses, which can get weighed down.
“I will set up tea and coffee on a table with cushions for seating to allow visitors to sit wherever they like, I also have a visitor book and cards for sale featuring a painting of the garden from about 12 years ago,” she said,
Val’s next door neighbours Gill will be setting up a little canopy along with her husband, to sell their “Nature Inspired Art” and her other neighbour, Lorraine Forrester will be on the veranda selling special plants.
Strolling through the garden, visitors will find a variety of plants – to the right of the first picket gate are lovely fuchsias and blue rhododendrons – on the left, a herbaceous border showcases both well-known and rare perennials, and of course the gorgeous climbing roses like ‘Souvenir de Mme. Leonie Viennot’ add charm to the landscape.
Next, a beautiful clematis-covered arch leads to the Walnut Garden, where shade-loving plants thrive beneath towering walnut trees – many hellebores here were grown from seeds imported from the UK.
Continuing along the path, visitors will see a vibrant display of roses, including ‘Golden Showers’ and ‘Sally Holmes’, which fill the air with their sweet perfumes.
“I welcome everyone, and I hope they find a little piece of heaven here like Don and I did – and all for such a worthy cause,” she said.
