Development

The garden has been established to grow a very wide collection of Australian Plants and in so doing provide not only a haven for birds but a showcase for the incredible diversity of our plants, and to prove what plants will be grow in this area. Already 115 bird species have been recorded in the garden.

Approximately 1,000 species of Australian Plants are being grown with many Acacias, Eucalypts, Grevilleas, Hakeas, Banksias, Dryandras, Dampieras, as well as many representatives of additional genera. We have collected cuttings and seed and propogated most of the plants ourselves. The bird life in the garden is wonderful.

At the same time because we have the space, we have a large exotic garden as well. The exotic section of the garden has many bulbs, irises, roses with other perennials and annuals.

In 2003 the Wartook Gardens flowered very well and in the Horsham Spring Garden Festival we were awarded "Best Mostly Australian Native Garden".

In 2005 Wartook Gardens was awarded "Best Mostly Australian Native Garden" in the Horsham Spring Garden Festival Garden Competition.

Wartook Gardens was one of the original gardens in Australia's Open Garden Scheme and will be opening again in 2007 for the Scheme's 20th Anniversary.

The Gardens have the Ornamental Plant Collections Association's official Victorian Hakea Collection (now over 95 species from all over Australia) and we belong to the Australian Plant Garden Network.

A lot of effort has been spent creating well-drained garden beds to ensure that a greater number of species may be grown. Many of the garden beds have been built up, whilst at the same time paths have been dug to form "islands". Logs have been used to hold edges of the garden beds and many have now been mulched with scoria in order to prevent weed growth, assist moisture retention and give plants a cooler root run.

Part of the garden has been transformed into an exotic garden with many bulbs, irises, 150 roses, aquilegias and other species. This section not only provides lots of spring color each year, but also cut flowers for the house and guest rooms.

Wartook Gardens also has a large vegetable garden, which provides vegetables in season and in addition strawberries, black currants, boysenberries and raspberries in the warmer months.

The Australian Plant section of the garden now boasts in excess of 1,000 species. There are many species in flower at any time, with lots of color in the months July to December. The most colorful display is in October each year with the many Dampieras and Lechenaultias providing lots of blue throughout the garden. This coincides with the best floral displays of wildflowers in the northern and western areas of the Grampians National Park. Most of the Hakea collection are winter & spring flowering.

The majority of the plants in the garden have been propagated ourselves from seed and cuttings collected over many years. Western Australia is very well represented with Eucalypts, Acacias, Banksias, Dryandras and Dampieras, but there are also many many, plants from Eastern and Central Australia. Parts of the garden are being replanted as older plants die or need to be replaced.

As a result of the diversity of flora in the garden, we have already recorded 100-110 bird species. The honey-eaters, rosellas, parrots and lorikeets are the most colorful birds, but the blue and scrub-wrens are the most delightful. Many bird species may be observed at any time of the year. Take a seat in the garden and enjoy the antics of the many Wartook Gardens' birds.

Guests are welcome to walk any where in the garden or on the property at all times.

Wartook Gardens also hosts tours of the garden.

Open:	By appointment (best July to December).
Admission:	Individuals $5. Groups $4 per head.
Amenities:	Parking, toilets. Morning and afternoon teas are available by arrangement. Coaches and groups welcome.