SERVING UP SPRING DELIGHT

THE elegant and charming gardens of Richmond will be on show in all their springtime glory today in a Garden Trail event to raise funds to resurface the town’s tennis courts.

Three ornamental home gardens and two commercial farm gardens will be open to ticket-holding green thumbs.

Jane Dening planted the seeds and saplings of her Coaldale garden and walnut farm on Prossers Road 22 years ago.

Her gardeners paradise with walnut and fruit orchards, a mix of herbaceous perennials, mature trees, grassy walkways, a rose garden, vegie patch, birch grove and herb garden is one stop on the trail.

“As a keen gardener you often slave away behind the scenes making a gorgeous garden and no one ever sees it,” Ms Dening said.

“Now to be able to open the garden is an absolute pleasure for people to see what I’m doing.”

Ms Dening acquired “quite a few” rare trees and shrubs

“before there was quite so much biosecurity around bringing things into Tasmania”.

Stops also include cottage gardens, a property by the river and Richmond Cherries and Peonies with its once small peony patch that has flourished into more than 2km of rows with at least 10 varieties.

Three local cafes will provide morning and afternoon tea.

Organiser and Richmond Tennis Club committee member Penny Wadsley said the club’s two courts were well overdue for resurfacing and the required funds would take years to raise.

The trail begins at 16 Ogilvie Lane and will run from 11am-4pm. Tickets are $25 and can be bought online at eventbrite.com.au or at any of the venues.

All proceeds go to the Richmond Tennis Club.