Serena Kirby, Denmark Bulletin
Garden lovers can wander through two of Denmark’s biggest private gardens on Friday, November 15.
The Denmark open garden day has been arranged as an offshoot to the larger Albany Open Gardens event that is held every second year.
The Denmark gardens are side by side on Sheoak Drive and one of the garden owners, Geoff Osborne, said he was opening his garden to raise funds for the Albany Community Hospice.
Geoff’s garden spans 4ha and was the creation of him and his wife of 50 years Ruby. She died in June 2021 after spending her final days in the Albany Hospice.
The garden features swathes of manicured lawns, magnificent trees, lily ponds and a mix of native and exotic plants.
Geoff’s love of deciduous trees is evident with the 40 liquid ambers that line his long driveway.
His favourite deciduous tree is the pin oak of which he has two towering examples.
Geoff said his past career working in the construction and maintenance of golf courses influenced the garden’s layout.
“We bought the block back in 1993 and travelled back and forth from Perth every two weeks to come and plant and mow before we built the house and moved here,” he said.
“It used to be covered with bracken fern and Yorkshire fog grass so it took a lot of work to rid the block of those.
“The overall garden layout was never really planned, it just sort of evolved.”
He said he was not a slave to the garden, as he didn’t have the time to be.
Geoff’s involved in dragon boating, various motorcycle clubs and is a weekly volunteer at the William Bay National Park where he helps plant natives to revegetate areas.
Geoff has also recently found a ‘lovely lady friend’ who he said had given him added reason to get out and do things. His new partner had helped him prepare for the open garden event.
The two Denmark open gardens are at 113 and 123 Sheoak Drive and access to both gardens is via the 113 property.
The gardens will be open on Friday, November 15 from 10am-4pm.
A $10 cash entry fee applies with all proceeds going to the Albany Community Hospice.
To coincide with the Denmark open gardens The Dam is hosting a Hospice charity luncheon on the same day.
Tickets are $130 and include a glass of wine on arrival, three-course meal, entertainment and auction.
Bookings are essential and can be made by contacting Paperbark Merchants on 9842 8044.
This article appeared in the Denmark Bulletin, 24 October 2024.
