By Megan Backhouse
Open gardens
Two large, established gardens – one in Hawthorn and the other in Camberwell – are open this weekend. The Hawthorn one (at 4 Coppin Grove) extends over three levels and overlooks the Yarra River with views extending to the city skyline. Predominantly formal with espaliered beeches and hornbeams, the garden includes a range of mature trees, shrubs and mixed perennial beds as well as a succulent-filled courtyard. The 0.4-hectare garden in Camberwell (35 Prospect Hill Road) sits behind a high lilly pilly hedge and includes many large and significant trees as well as the original 19th-century hothouse, which has recently been restored and is used as an artist's studio. The Hawthorn garden is open 10am to 4.30pm today and tomorrow, $8, while the Camberwell garden is open 10am to 4pm today and tomorrow, $10. See opengardensvictoria.org.au.
Clivia show
The clivia in all its permutations will be on show in the 2016 Clivia Expo being held today (September 24) at St Scholastica's Community Centre, 384 Burwood Highway, Bennettswood. Hosted by the Melbourne Clivia Group, the event includes displays, plant sales and sowing and growing demonstrations, and runs from 10am to 4pm. See melbournecliviagroup.org.au.
A secret pathway at Fairholme.
Ramble
The 1856 System Garden at the University of Melbourne will be the site of the Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne spring ramble. It is at 10am on Tuesday, October 4, $25/$20 Friends. See rbgfriendsmelbourne.org (by September 28) for bookings.
Workshop
Learn how to make terrariums in a workshop by terrarium-maker Sascha Andrusiak on Saturday, October 8. The workshop, hosted by Friends of Burnley Gardens, runs from 10am to 1pm at Burnley College, 500 Yarra Boulevard, Richmond, $85/$65 members. Bookings essential, email friends.burnley@gmail.com or phone 9035 6815.
Enjoy the specialist skill of topiary while touring the gardens.
Trade market
Encouraging Women in Horticulture is hosting a visit to next month's Nursery and Garden Industry Victoria Trade Day in Scoresby, at which plants and other goods will be available for sale at trade prices. The market starts at 7am on Tuesday, October 4, at 1280 Ferntree Gully Road, with those visiting with EWHA to meet at the exterior cafeteria at 6.30am, $15/ $10 EWHA members. Email events@ewha.com.au to secure a place.