Set in the leafy, semi-rural surrounds of Research, where the city meets the country, Nillumbik Cottage is a charming miner's cottage surrounded by a garden lovingly transformed over more than 25 years.
Once dominated by agapanthus and ageing prunus trees, the one-third-acre property needed a great deal of imagination when owner Felicity arrived in 1999. Drawing on her background in gardening and floristry and a lifelong passion for plants, she gradually reshaped the garden and continues to evolve it through the changing seasons, guided by the plants that thrive and new ideas that find their way into the garden.
The welcoming front garden and verge showcase the luminous lime-green flower heads of Euphorbia lambii, underplanted with herbs, succulents and aloes, creating a colourful, drought-tolerant entrance that delights walkers on the nearby aqueduct trail. Throughout the garden, Felicity's distinctive fused glass and blacksmith-crafted metal sculptures are placed, adding interest and moments of fun.
On the left boundary, a recycled reo-fence features Felicity's quirky glass panels. A path leads past the woodpile, while in a secluded corner, an old footed bath offers a peaceful place to soak. On the right side boundary smoke bushes, aloes and succulents add height and structure. A pathway edged with salvias and overflowing pots takes you past a hand-built blacksmithing shed, constructed entirely from recycled doors, windows and donated materials, before reaching a pair of reclaimed doors that mark the entrance to the wider back garden.
Beyond the doors, a series of garden rooms unfold beneath the magnificent canopy of a towering Canadian oak and two graceful weeping elms. Japanese maples, crepe myrtle, abutilons, roses, salvias, clematis, summer bulbs, natives and exotic treasures provide a profusion of rich colour and texture, while bamboo offers privacy. A tranquil fish pond attracts frogs and birdlife, and a collection of old garden ornaments adds charm and character.
Created by one of Open Gardens Victoria's volunteer garden selectors and self-described ‘out of control plant collector’, Nillumbik Cottage is a delightful and inspiring oasis.
Across the weekend, there will be plant sales and Felicity will be selling her glass and metalwork. The nearest toilets are a 5 min drive at the Research shops on Main Rd.
A portion of gate takings will be donated to Eltham Rural Group (https://elthamruralgroup.org/).
Nillumbik Cottage is located on the lands of the Wurundjeri People. Open Gardens Victoria wish to acknowledge the Traditional custodians of this land and we pay respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging.
Extra activities in the area:
Visit Montsalvat, Australia's oldest continuous artist community in Eltham.
Drop into Panton Hill Vineyard and Winery for lunch.
Walk the Maroondah Aqueduct Trail, a 4km walking and cycling path from Research to Eltham, following the path of a decommissioned aqueduct.
Strictly only opening 10am to 4.30pm on the dates listed above. Please respect the garden owners' privacy and visit only during opening hours. There will be no early entries.
Entry: $10 Adults, $6 Students (with ID card). Free for visitors under 18 or students who have purchased an annual Student Pass (with ID).
Tickets can be booked and pre-paid online via TryBooking. You can also pay on the day.
Sustainable practices are important to OGV, therefore where possible please either print your own garden notes or save them for viewing on your mobile device.
If you’re a tertiary student, why not purchase our OGV Student Pass, providing you with entry to all our garden openings for the year for just $25. Find out more and purchase your pass via TryBooking.
Become a Friend of OGV and receive two x 2 for the price of 1 garden passes, plus a one off 10% discount to some of Victoria's best garden centres via Trybooking.
Please stay at home if you're unwell
