Top gardens on show

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LOCAL residents will have the chance to visit five beautiful gardens as part of today’s Ararat Retirement Village Ladies Auxiliary Open Gardens Day.

Among the featured gardens are Bill and Penny Jones’s personal oasis in Banfield Street, which has been lovingly developed over the past 42 years.

Bill and Penny have transformed their once bare plot into a lush sanctuary, abundant with shade-giving trees and vibrant plants.

“It’s taken us a long time to develop, and it’s still ongoing,” Penny said.

“There are a few original plants left, like a rose, a maple tree, and a big camellia. But now, we’ve got over 60 camellias.”

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Bill said the property was a blank canvas when they started.

“It was bare gravel when we started, with three flowering peach trees that were virtually dead and a couple of almonds down the back,” he said.

“We try to create a lot of shade because it keeps the whole area cool.”

Visitors can enjoy exploring the gardens at 10 Banfield Street, 2 Port Fairy Road, 2 Jenkins Street, 40-42 Barkly Street West and the retirement village gardens in McGibbony Street TODAY, Sunday the 27th of October from 10am to 4pm.

Entry to all five gardens is $20 per person and Devonshire teas will be served at 40-42 Barkly Street for an extra $5.

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