It’s spring time, which means it’s the perfect season to lose yourself in some beautiful, colourful flowers. From cheerful wattle, to delicate cherry blossoms and pretty tulips, there’s lots of places to soak in the seasonal splendour. If you can’t get enough of the blooms, why don’t you pop over to Alowyn Gardens in Yarra Glen? There, you’ll find a breathtaking wisteria arbour, as well as flowering crab apple trees, cheerful daffodils, brilliant irises and more. The gardens are open all year round, seven days a week, and spring is a particularly lovely time to visit. If you’re keen on seeing the wisteria in all its glory, the archway blooms for about four weeks each year. It usually looks its best from mid-October.
Alowyn Gardens
Venture out into the Yarra Valley, and wander through these gorgeous gardens. Spanning across seven acres, you’ll find nine key gardens in which to lose yourself. Connecting them all is the wisteria arbour.
Stretching out over 100 metres, this freestanding timber and steel structure acts as a central spine for the location. It features radiant Japanese wisteria, which provides plenty of cool shade in the summer. During autumn, this wisteria tunnel is awash with hues of gold. But for a few precious weeks in October, it blooms into an utterly dreamy curtain of purple.
Walk underneath this dreamy canopy, admire the purple hues and take some stunning photos. As this is a natural event, the best way to stay updated on the blooms is to keep an eye on social media.
The rest of the gardens
If you can’t make it while the wisteria is in bloom, that’s ok! Alowyn Gardens is gorgeous throughout the year, and filled with plenty of other wonderful flowers. In the French Provincial Garden, you’ll find a row of Crab Apple trees, which are now blooming with soft pink blossoms. You’ll also find a pretty lavender field. Stroll among tidy hedges in the Parterre garden, and see pops of colour from the violas. Look out for daisies, salvias and irises in the Perennial Border garden. Walk through a birch, where you’ll see daffodils, hellebores, freesias, cyclamen and more planted beneath the trees.
When you’re not admiring the display, relax with a cup of coffee, a light snack or a sweet treat in the cafe courtyard. You’re also welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy in the gardens. If you’re feeling inspired, pop into the nursery and find something for your own garden at home.
The kids will also have lots of fun, with a labyrinth to navigate and some fish ponds.
Key details:
📅Open daily
🕒10am to 5pm (although this may vary due to private events)
🎫$17 for adults and $15 concession. Entry is free for children aged 12 and under.
To plan your visit, click here.
