Secret garden opens

By Kath Gannaway
THE secret garden of John Van de Linde is about to be revealed.
A stretch of red roses along the driveway gives a hint of what might be found behind the hedges which shield Alowyn’s gardens from the Melba Highway traffic.
Once inside, however, the scope, form and colour of John and wife Prue’s four acres of garden on the outskirts of Yarra Glen is astounding.
Over the past three years John, a landscape contractor, has transformed four acres of horse paddocks into a series of gardens designed along strong symmetrical lines.
There are five clearly defined areas, including a forest of about 500 silver birch trees, an edible garden, a formal parterre garden and small individual courtyards and garden spaces.
Fruit trees such as quince and persimmon, espaliered olive trees, old-fashioned and new apple varieties, and an avenue of lime trees are just some of the orchard varieties which line the walkways in the edible garden.
A rose- and wisteria-covered arbour provides a focal point with a sunken rose garden and fountain as a centrepiece.
Mass plantings of perennials provide swathes of colour.
In summer tree-lined pathways and covered arbours will allow people to stroll through the garden in complete shade.
“The garden will never be totally finished,” said John. It is a continually developing and evolving space with new areas being added and changed every year.”
Alowyn, at 1210 Melba Highway, is one of 30 professionally designed Melbourne gardens opening to the public as part of the Rotary Club of Kew’s Garden DesignFest 2006.
The gardens are open on 18 and 19 November from 10am to 4.30pm.