The gift of winter

July has arrived and it feels like winter is finally settling across Victoria, after a mild start to the season. With winter solstice now passed, the days are once again beginning to lengthen. It is one of nature's subtle milestones, bringing the welcome knowledge that even though we are entering our coldest month, each day now holds a little more light than the last.

Gardens are also settling into their winter rhythm. Growth slows, many plants retreat into dormancy, and deciduous trees stand bare against the winter sky. Our garden asks less of us at this time of year. It is a season that encourages patience, with fewer demands and a chance to enjoy the garden at a gentler pace.

One of winter's gifts is the chance to see our gardens more clearly. Without the distraction of lush growth and abundant flowers, the shapes of trees, the lines of pathways, and the structures of planting beds come into sharper focus. This is a month for observation as much as action — a time to assess what is working, consider future changes and undertake the pruning and maintenance tasks that help set the garden up for a successful spring.

In this month's newsletter, we embrace the winter garden with a visit to Buda in Castlemaine, one of Victoria's most remarkable surviving historic gardens, and catch up on our growing list of spring garden openings, with more gardens to come in the weeks ahead. It’s also time to renew (or sign up) for our annual Friends of OGV and Student Pass memberships, offering another year of garden exploration, inspiration and special offers. And a reminder to enter our winter competition and share what is bringing interest and enjoyment to your gardens this season.

Happy gardening,
The OGV Team

Winter at Buda: Discovering a family story in the garden

A winter visit to Buda Historic Home and Garden offers a fascinating glimpse into Victoria’s gardening heritage. This story explores the garden’s rich history, resilient plantings, and the enduring legacy of the Leviny family, whose long residence helped shape the distinctive character of this remarkable 160-year-old Castlemaine garden.

Get your Friends Pass or Student Card now

As we look ahead to a new season of garden openings, we're delighted to once again offer our Friends Card and Student Pass. The Friends Card provides two-for-one entry to two gardens, along with discounts at over 30 nurseries across Victoria. Our Student Pass offers affordable access to garden openings, helping to inspire and support the next generation of gardeners to learn, explore and connect with gardens.

Enter our winter competition!

Share your winter garden photos with us and you could win an OGV merchandise prize pack. From soft light and dewy petals, to bare trees and pops of winter colour, we’d love to see what is happening in your winter garden or a garden near you. Send us your high-resolution photos by 15 August and we’ll announce our winners in the September newsletter.

Plan your spring diary

We’ve passed the winter solstice which means spring is getting closer and our calendar of garden openings is filling up. We’ve added more garden openings to our website and there are more to come. Here’s a snapshot of what’s coming up for spring. Keep an eye on our socials and website for more in the next few weeks.

Winter’s hidden colours

While winter can bring a sense of stillness to the garden, there is no shortage of colour to discover. From the vibrant orange of the Redlead Roundhead mushroom to the bright pink blooms of hakeas and proteas, these seasonal splashes of colour continue to delight, even as many plants settle into their winter dormancy.

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