THE PAST can be PERFECT

LET HISTORY OFFER INSPIRATION FOR WHEN YOU WANT TO ADD TO YOUR GARDEN

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1 It’s called the pride of Madeira (Echium sp) for its magnificent flower spikes. Position it in a corner and make it the pride of your place!

ABOUT THE GARDEN

Ornamental gardens can draw on this brilliant example!

2 Rippon Lea is a classic example of Victorian high life, but in Australia it was also a time when the middle class was emerging, making these garden ideas achievable for modest aspirations. It’s full to the brim with inspiration for everyone!

3 Wisteria is usually grown as a vine, but you can train it into a tree with regular pruning or use it as groundcover. Fabulous!

Rippon Lea is one of the largest surviving 19th century grand suburban estates in Australia. The house was completed in 1868 and the 6ha of gardens have been evolving ever since in the fashion of the time – formal flowerbeds that are neat, symmetrical and precise rather than a flowing flower garden or the cottage garden look. At the time, the world was opening up and there was intense interest in exotic plants such as palms, ferns and orchids. It was added to the Australian National Heritage List on 11 August, 2006.

SEE IT!

WHERE 192 Hotham St, Elsternwick, Melbourne. WHEN Daily, September to April, 10am-5pm (last entry 4.30pm); May to August, 10am–4pm (last entry 3.30pm); closed Christmas Day and Good Friday. COST Adult $15, conc. $12, kids 3-15 $9, family (2 adults, 2 children) $40. MORE INFO ripponleaestate.com.au.