Open Gardens Victoria - Saint Cloud

Created by owner and landscape designer Phillip Kavanagh, this relaxed Baroque-style garden offers a gentle nod to the great formal landscapes of Europe, while remaining firmly connected to its Australian setting.

Established on a former dairy property purchased in 2014, Saint Cloud has evolved into a series of 14 interconnected garden rooms, where structure and informality sit side by side. Classical statues, a fountain, formal hedging and urns create a sense of arrival, while expansive perennial borders overflow with colour-matched plantings of generous, blousy blooms.

Inspired by his early work experience at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew and a lifetime in garden design, Phillip has carefully layered the landscape with lakes, waterlilies, maple avenues and repeated plantings of silver birches, tupelos, crab apples, cherries and tulip trees.

In spring, rhododendrons, azaleas, crab apples, cherry trees and early roses bring the garden to life. Tea, coffee and lunch available for purchase.