A group of 16 from the Gardening Interest Group were looking forward to a day in the Macedon Ranges.  Firstly, we headed off on the highway to Macedon and drove through the little town to have a morning tea at the Centennial Park, opposite Honour Ave on Mt Macedon Road, Macedon. The town put on a splendid day with the autumn colours were in full swing. 

We then headed to the Dicksonia Rare Plants Nursery, 686 Mt Macedon Road, Macedon, where we were met by the owner Stephen Ryan.  Stephen had run the family nursery until he started his own nationally recognised nursery in 1980 and has been a passionate plant collector ever since. He spoke about the difference of his nursery where he cultivates nearly all his plants for sale rather than buying plants in bulk to sell onto his customers.  While he said his plants were rare, they were still hardy and most were well suited to the Ballarat climate.  He also spoke about his life outside the nursery and was a regular on a radio program Melbourne's 3CR and his time on ABC television's Gardening Australia.  Also, he runs a YouTube channel ‘The Horti-Culturalists’ for weekly episodes about growing rare plants. One of his other sidelines is his tours which he runs within Australia and overseas.

His next tours are: 

2022 Tours

·         Autumn in the Macedon Ranges (26 – 29 April 2022)

·         Western Australia: Wildflowers, Wineries and Private Gardens of the South West (23 September – 5 October 2022)
Natural Landscapes and Gardens of New Zealand’s South Island (4 – 20 November 2022) 

2023 Tours

·         Gardens in Spanish Culture (9 – 28 May 2023)

·         Gardens, Villages & Châteaux of Normandy and Brittany (3 – 23 June 2023)  

 After spending time looking at the Nursery, we then headed to the Macedon Regional Park for lunch.  While the temperature dropped substantially, we enjoyed the walk after lunch to the Memorial Cross Monument and viewing the surrounding countryside. 

The Mount Macedon Memorial Cross stands 21 metres high on it’s Mount Macedon vantage point.  1001 metres above sea level, it is Victoria’s most significant war memorial after the Shrine of Remembrance.  The memorial is visited by thousands of tourists each year, who walk where Major Mitchell walked, the Cross has for many been a symbol of courage and survival. 

We then headed back to Macedon to visit the Forest Glade Gardens, 816 Mt Macedon Road, Mt Macedon.  This was a self-guided tour and we spent the next 1 and 1/2 hours wandering this magnificent private garden.  The many paths, and steps, lead you to the beautiful landscape of the 14.5 acres of gardens.  Many of the areas are influenced by English, Italian and interesting Japanese traditions.  The other fascinating part of the garden were the many amazing and different sculptures found amongst the landscaping.

We were advised by one of the gardeners that the best time to visit is in November.  He gave the gardens a score of 12/10 at this time during autumn.  I'm sure a number of us will visit this garden again as there was just so much to see, which will allow an opportunity to enjoy each of the seasons showing off the garden’s amazing exotic trees, plant and displays.

Thankyou Coral and Geoff for organising such a great day out.

Rick Holt