Benalla Botanica Co

Benalla Botanica, featuring outstanding designers and horticulturalists, provides a unique opportunity to participate in a topical event for both garden lovers and garden professionals alike.

There will be garden tours, workshops, trade displays and delicious food and wine. The Rural City of Benalla is only 2 hours north of Melbourne via the Hume Highway or V/Line. Benalla’s location is magnificent, with the Lake, Botanical Gardens, Art Gallery and environmentally significant Riverine Trail right in the middle of town.

Dan Hinkley. Dan Hinkley is a world-renowned expert and collector of botanical rarities. This endeavour has led Dan to the wilds of China, South & Central America, Asia, South Africa and Tasmania. His Washington State nursery, Heronswood, grew to become highly successful.

Dan writes frequently for American gardening journals, has published two books and is a regular contributor to Martha Stewart Living magazine & television. With his partner, architect Robert Jones, he has now established, on a nearby sun-drenched site overlooking Puget Sound, another wonderful garden called 'Windcliff' which combines American native plants with plants found around the world.

Other participants include: Michael McCoy: One of Australia's most knowledgeable and engaging garden writers/designers will mesh the Conference together as MC and also as a presenter. Zoe Monotti, garden designer Cathy Newing and Michael McCoy will discuss drought-induced opportunities in the garden.

Zoe Monotti's confrontation with extreme drought conditions forced her to change her garden dreaming, and her garden, 'Strathbrae' has never looked better. Georgina Martyn from BoldSimplicity, is well known for her contemporary, naturalistic approach to designing spaces with an emphasis on foliage and beautiful objects d'art.

Peter Nixon: Peter's Award-winning Sydney-based Paradisus Garden Design firm designs and constructs sustainable gardens for mainly domestic clients. Arron Wood. Environmentalist and Winner of the 2006 United Nations Individual Award for Outstanding Service to the Environment.

William Martin: Designer of the renowned Western District garden Wigandia. David Glenn: Owner, with artist wife Chriss Canning, of acclaimed Lambley Nursery and gardens near Ballarat. Philip Stray from Crafted Landscapes specialises in stone and pebble work, and works with artist and designer Kate Herd on a diverse range of projects.

How to Book: The cost is $450 (students $200), which includes all meals, drinks and garden tours. Contact the Convenor Jane Grimwade.