NSW

Nov 21-Dec 7 – ‘Life, Not So Still!’ exhibition
Paintings by Sally D’Ovelle and Myriam Kin-Yee, celebrate the beauty of their Kangaroo Valley environment, the fruits of the orchard and the delights of the garden. At the Palm House Art Exhibitions, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, 10 am-4 pm daily. Free entry; phone (02) 4465 2122.

Until Dec 28 – Meryl Bell Botanic Art Exhibition
Inspiring Australian floral art exhibition by acclaimed Western Australian artist Meryl Bell. Her images of brilliant colour and tactile appeal are botanically accurate while demonstrating masterful artistry. Mount Tomah Botanic Garden, 10 am-5 pm. Garden entry fee applies. Booking/enquiries: phone (02) 4567 2154.

Dec 7 – Hills District orchids summer open day
See Dark Star orchids at the open day at 183 Windsor Rd, Northmead. Please park in Mary Street or Windermere Avenue; phone (02) 9674 4720 or visit www.hillsdistrictorchids.com

Dec 6 – Carols at the gardens
Hunter Valley Gardens will host a free community night to celebrate Christmas, on December 6. Carols at the Gardens will be staged in the Hunter Valley Gardens Village Green at the foot of the Brokenback Mountain Ranges where families are encouraged to bring a picnic rug. Pre-show entertainment will commence at 6pm where kids will be treated to a special interactive Christmas music show performed by the Little Scallywagz. The main show will begin at 7:30pm with this year’s big band featuring a brass section, 15-voice choir and professional backing vocalists. The Hunter Valley Children’s choir will also be back, along with a visit from Santa. The evening will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display. Phone (02) 4998 4000 or visit www.hvg.com.au

VIC

Nov 29-30 – Carnivorous plants and bromeliads
At the Collectors Corner Carnivorous Plant and Bromeliad Spectacular, members of the Carnivorous and Bromeliad Societies will be in attendance over the weekend. This has been a very popular event for visitors over the last six years and a great chance to see a range of plants not normally seen in nurseries or shows. Admission is free. It’s at Gardenworld, 810 Springvale Rd, Braeside; phone (03) 9798 5845 or visit www.gardenworld.com.au

Dec 9 – Craft demonstration
Members of the Fibre Craft Group will demonstrate their work at The Plant Craft Cottage (near H gate) at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, from 10.30am to 2pm. Entry is free, and it’s a good time to go and see if you would like to join the fibre craft group; phone (03) 9650 3235.

Dec 13 – The gardens market
If you are shopping for Christmas presents, then come along to The Gardens Market at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, where over 100 stallholders will be offering a beautiful selection of botanic-themed products including plants, seasonal produce, food, garden sculptures, and craft. It’s open from 9am-2pm and entry is free. Phone (03) 9899 5979 or visit wwww.marketsinthegarden.com.au

Dec 14 – Yuulong Lavender Festival
To celebrate the start of the lavender harvesting season, this festival from 10am-5pm will feature jazz bands, wine tasting, harvesting lavender with llamas, aromatherapy and relaxation massage, lavender culinary delights, skin care and craft products for sale. There’s a plant nursery plus local farm produce stalls, too. It’s a Yendon No 2 Road, Mt Egerton, just off the Western Highway, between Melbourne and Ballarat; phone (03) 5368 9453 or visit www.yuulonglavender.com.au

Dec 14 – Great Christmas presents
Writer Cathy Hope will be signing copies of her two new books, ‘A Wild Australia Guide – Native Plants’ and ‘Amazing Facts about Australian Native Plants’ at the Gardens Shop. Produced by renowned photographer Steve Parish, these books make great Christmas presents and a wonderful addition to any gardener’s library. It’s at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne; phone (03) 5990 2245.

Qld

Dec 20 – Carols in the Gardens
In the Tropical Sun Garden Lawn, Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens. Bring along a chair or picnic blanket and enjoy a family night of carols under the stars. Visit the Gardens Friends’ stall and purchase safe glow candles and bracelets. Lagoons Cafe open until late – reserve a front row table by phoning (07) 4952 7300.

Dec 27-Jan 1 Woodford Folk Festival
This six-day music festival presents more than 2000 performers and 400 events with concerts, dances, workshops, film festival, comedy, children’s festival, art and craft workshops and late night cabarets. Tickets can be purchased online or call (07) 5496 1066 (9am-5pm weekdays). Located in between the Brisbane Valley and Queensland’s beautiful Sunshine Coast Hinterland, the Woodford Folk Festival takes place in a rural valley surrounded by natural bushland with plenty of native wildlife and a superb view of the Glasshouse Mountains from the hilltop above the festival grounds. The festival is about a 90-minute drive north of Brisbane, or 40 minutes west of Caloundra or an hour south of Noosa. For more, visit www.woodfordfolkfestival.com

WA

Dec 5-6 – Osborne Park agricultural show
This show will include a floriculture display; phone 0417 173 737.

Dec 9-Mar 15 – Moonlight Cinema
Relax under the stars in Kings Park’s Synergy Parkland outdoor cinema for the newest release movies and some of the best films of all time. Gates open at 7pm and movies start at sundown every day, except Mondays and public holidays. Tickets can be purchased at www.moonlight.com.au from Monday, November 3 or at the gate from 7pm each screening night. For a detailed listing of films, special events, menus and further information visit the Moonlight website at www.moonlight.com.au

Open gardens

The following gardens are open with Australia’s Open Garden Scheme. For more information visit www.opengarden.org.au

Tas

Dec 6-7 – Mole Creek
Art in the Garden at Wychwood, 80 Den Road, Mole Creek, 10am-4.30pm, adult entry is $5. An outstanding cool climate garden featuring a fine display of Tasmanian artworks.

Dec 6-7 – Mole Creek
Ceili-Rose Garden, 69 South Mole Creek Rd, South Mole Creek, 10am-4.30pm, adult entry is $5. A magnificent deodar is a focal point in an outstanding country rose garden with a backdrop of eucalypts, deciduous trees and mountain views.

Vic

Dec 7 – Langwarrin
Cruden Farm: enter from Cranhaven Rd, Langwarrin, 10am-4.30pm, adult entry is $10. The perennial borders and the picking garden will be at their peak when Dame Elisabeth Murdoch’s renowned garden opens to celebrate 80 years since she went to Cruden Farm as a young bride.

Copyright 2008 CTC Productions