Open Gardens Victoria - The Apiary

About this event

In the picturesque township of Mirboo North, among the towering eucalypts of the Strzelecki Ranges, Margaret and Peter have spent 34 years creating The Apiary on the site of the original Mirboo North Pound. Peter has planted generously to provide forage for his bees, while Margaret has created peaceful spaces that invite visitors to slow down and explore.

Winding paths connect a series of garden rooms, where productive gardens, ornamental borders and naturalistic plantings create a richly layered landscape.

Visitors will discover silver birches and ginkgos underplanted with spring bulbs, stately beeches and oaks, a mature oak and a 200-year-old Grey Gum. A hazelnut walk and indigenous plantings add further interest, while rare shade-loving perennials mingle with violets beneath the oaks. Bright poppies bring seasonal colour.

A much-loved moss lawn provides a tranquil green carpet surrounded by shade-loving plants. Near the house, the productive vegetable garden features unusual edibles including sea kale and walking stick cabbages, framed by bay and box hedging. A nepeta parterre, herb garden and citrus orchard, home to Margaret's chickens, complete the garden.

After more than three decades of planting and experimentation, The Apiary is a garden shaped by a love of trees, bees and peaceful places. A portion of gate takings will support Opening The Doors Foundation.