4 Country Garden Nurseries for City Green Thumbs

Garden Tap Nursery

The delectable little boutique Garden Tap Nursery is wild and eclectic. It stocks rare and unusual plants as well as garden classics, bare-rooted plants, perennials and indoor plants. You’ll also find seeds, seedlings, local garden art and high quality gardening tools.

The lovely owner, Mary, is passionate about plants and full of wit and charm to boot. She’s always on hand to help source that something special for your garden.  Mary usually has a radio tucked under some plant fronds playing some great tunes to hum along to while you browse too. It’s a character-filled, charming nursery where you’ll really feel the plant love.

What to do while you’re here

Located on Kyneton’s historic Piper Street, the nursery is only a hop, skip and a jump from the peaceful Campaspe River Walk. Pick up a tasty pork pie from the Piper St Food Co., some homemade relishes from Emelia’s and a sweet treat from Dr Scroll, then enjoy a picnic along the river.

On a hot summer’s day you might want to stop by the dog-friendly Animus Distillery on the way back for a tipple of artisan, small-batch gin.

96 Piper Street, Kyneton

Open 10-4pm, Thursday to Sunday

Dicksonia Rare Plants

Dicksonia Rare Plants is located in the village of Mount Macedon. It is one of Australia’s most unique nurseries, with over 2000 different rare plants available.

Owned by celebrity gardener, TV host. lecturer and author Stephen Ryan, it’s only fitting Mount Macedon offers this type of nursery. The mountain is one of Australia’s prime destinations for gardening enthusiasts, kicked off in the post-Gold Rush era when Melbourne’s elite built grand estates to escape the heat, planting many rare and exotic species.

What to do while you’re here

Enjoy a Devonshire Tea at the Mount Macedon Trading Post Cafe next door. Go on a hike in Macedon Regional Park and discover an amazing world of funghi and wild mushrooms around Sanatorium Lake during the cooler months. Or visit Mt Macedon Memorial Cross on the summit and have lunch with views at Top of the Range Tea Rooms.

If you love good wine, aim to fit in a tasting at Mount Towrong Vineyard or Mount Macedon Winery Cellar Door and Restaurant.

The mountain is also known for seasonal and year-round Open Gardens such as Forest Glade (bring a picnic rug) and events held by Open Gardens Victoria. There is usually a very popular annual Garden Lovers Fair held each October, well worth a visit.

686 Mt Macedon Road, Mount Macedon

Open 10-5pm, Friday to Tuesday 

Post Office Farm Nursery

This is one to schedule in your diary for the winter months. Post Office Farm Nursery are specialist breeders and growers of Hellebores (winter roses).

All of the Hellebores sold at the nursery are grown from their own breeding stock. They are even registered with The Garden Plant Conservation Association of Australia as the holders of the national Hellebore collection.

As a production nursery Post Office Farm is not normally open to the public. However, visitors are welcome at the nursery on Sundays from June to September.  This coincides with the peak flowering time for Hellebores and you’ll see an unmatched selection of stunning Hellebores for sale. They even give tours and talks during their Open Sundays.

What to do while you’re here

Ashbourne is a short drive from Woodend, where you’ll find a great range of gift shops, bookstores, cafes and clothing.

If you’re peckish, enjoy lunch and local craft beer at Holgate Brewhouse or The Victoria Hotel. The ice-cream at Woodend Icecream Co. is also worth a stop on a hot day.

Many locals love to stroll along Five Mile Creek Walk and the Woodend Children’s Park is a great spot for kids to let off steam.

Time your visit with the Woodend Farmers’ Market on the first Saturday of the month to pick up some fresh produce and tasty treats.

934 Ashbourne Road, Ashbourne

Open Sundays from June to September, 10-4pm

Just a taster of plant nurseries in the Macedon Ranges

These are just a handful of the plant nurseries dotted throughout our villages, from Riddells Creek to Woodend to Macedon and beyond.

See our Gardens page more information and a Macedon Ranges Plant Nursery brochure