Open Gardens Victoria: Hydrangea House, Colac

“Hydrangea House” is a circa 1960’s mid-century house beautifully located by Lake Colac and the Bird Sanctury, providing spectacular views from both the house and the large deck. The garden is on the Esplanade in Colac is set on a small irregular block and is very relatable to the home gardener.
The house is a modest mid-century modernist /MCM house and demonstrates many elements of the era, particularly the concept of “bringing the outside in” that merges living spaces with the surrounding landscape. Careful siting of the house on the sloping block and the use of “walls of windows” achieves the indoor-outdoor flow of the mid-century style. The owners, Ken and Marg have called “Hydrangea House” home for 25 years.
This beautifully cared for garden has evolved over that time without any professional planning. Marg is a passionate plantswoman and over the 25 years she has adapted the planting as the garden has become shader and different plants have earned their place. Some of Marg’s favourites are the Camillia sasanqua hedge, the perennial beds including David Austin roses that line the small driveway, the Jacaranda particularly in the summer and the hellebores and camellias in the winter. The New Zealand Rock Lily, Anthropodium cirratum and other shade loving perennials, have been trialled and used extensively throughout the garden providing a solution to many challenges of the site.
The mass planting of hydrangeas attracts a lot of interest throughout the seasons as they tumble through the picket fence and provide splashes of warmth throughout the garden.
Entry: $10 Adults, $6 Students (with ID card). Free for visitors under 18 or students who have purchased an annual Student Pass (with ID).
Tickets can be booked and pre-paid online via TryBooking. You can also pay on the day.