Green thumbs to flock to historic estate for gardening festival

The fifth iteration of the popular Botanica Festival will take place at Rippon Lea Estate from 10am-3pm on May 19.

Presented by the National Trust of Australia, this year's event will feature a range of enlightening gardening tours and discussions.

Annette Warner, Lucas Dean and Justin Buckley will host a panel discussion on the significance of heritage gardens and landscapes, covering themes such as sustainability and conservation.

The estate's gardeners will host a massive plant sale, while guests can also check out an array of bonsais at the Victorian Bonsai exhibition.

Visitors will also have the chance to purchase a range of locally crafted artisan products at the Rose St Markets, indulge in delicious scones baked by the Country Women's Association's and explore the spectacular Rippon Lea Mansion.

Read more on The Senior

The festival's inaugural jam making competition proved a hit last year and will also return in 2024.

The mansion was completed in 1868 for Frederick Sargood, who made his money selling soft-goods on the goldfields. It originally had 15 rooms and now boasts 33. Sargood was an enthusiastic gardener with a keen interest in orchids and ferns. A number of plants were imported to the property.

Over the years the mansion has been home to some of Victoria's most influential citizens. At one stage it was purchased by a syndicate headed by Thomas Bent, who went on to become Victoria's Premier in 1904. While he never lived on the estate, Bent regularly used it for entertaining and charity events.

The estate's garden covers almost 14 acres and includes a large lake, extensive shrubberies and flower gardens, an orchard of historically significant fruit varieties, fernery and rose gardens.

Entry to the festival is by gold coin donation.

Botanica Festival, May 19. For more information visit nationaltrust.org.au and search Botanica Festival.