The Lions Club of Blue Lake City Lioness will open four diverse gardens in Mount Gambier this Sunday, some for the first time.

The open gardens will be a fundraiser for the group, enabling them to continue their work in the community.

Garden 1: 78 Ferrers Street

A different and varied garden, including a formal front garden.

The driveway leads you past camelias, both trimmed and espaliered, inter dispersed with copper fountains, designed, and made by the owner.

Hanging baskets of petunias and pots of Red Riding Hoods leads to the fruit and vegetable gardens where you will see the wicking beds.

The owner has built these wicking beds and will speak on how they were made in two sessions, the first at 11.30am and the second at 2.30pm and welcomes questions on these or anything else to do with the garden.

A sausage sizzle and cool drinks will be available for purchase from 11am.

Garden 2: 37 Power Street

When the owners purchased their home 18 years ago the backyard was completely covered in wandering Jew and convolvulus that rolled up like a mat.

It is now a delightful cottage garden, and the back garden has three terraced levels, laden with all sorts of plants.

In the back corner there is a veggie garden, where the owner has a constant battle with possums.

One needs to visit this beautiful garden to fully appreciate it.

The garden raffle prize is located here, with tickets available at all gardens.

Garden 3: 413 Commercial Street West

The original heritage homestead purchased by the owner 30 years ago has been a labour of love.

The front two rooms of the home were built in 1875 and added to again in 1912.

It sits amongst a large garden graced with old trees, expansive lawns, a vegetable garden with fruit trees and berries, mostly netted to keep the possums and wallabies out.

Areas of flowers including roses, Iris, and various cottage plants.

This garden with its tables and chairs under the 100 plus years old trees make a lovely place to purchase a Devonshire Tea, which will be available all day.

A trading table of plants and bric-a-brac will be situated under the shady trees.

Garden 4: 11 Casuarina Court

This garden has been gradually developed by its present owner over 30 years.

As a working lady, a few plants and shrubs were initially added, with planting beginning around the three trees that were established in the yard.

Over time it has grown into an easy-care garden with geraniums (some of these are cuttings from her mother’s garden many years ago) hydrangeas, camelias, alstroemerias, and salvia.

The shade house features ferns, begonias, fuchsias, nodding violets, chain of hearts and a fishpond.

A small beautifully presented relaxing garden, with a large tree to sit under and have a cuppa, read a book, talk to the little dog Molly, and watch two fluffy chooks wander and enjoy their life.

A produce and plant stall will be available at this garden.

Entry Cost: $8 per person per garden or $25 to visit all four.

No need to pre-purchase tickets, available from the entrance at any of the gardens.