Inspired by my mother Antonia van Gaal, the gardens were established in 2013. Antonia’s Irises is located beside the café at the Beekeepers Inn, 2319 Mitchell Highway, Vittoria, between Bathurst and Orange in NSW.
The cool climate central west region of NSW provides ideal conditions for not only sensational wines and ales but bearded iris too. Our tall varieties (70 cm to 1 m) are located in the paddock between the forest and the café. The median varieties (40 to 70 cm) are planted alongside the 1859 Brewery.
A few strides up the paddock from the brewery and function centre, guests often use the iris garden as a backdrop for photos. Most varieties bloom during October and November beginning with the ‘Medians’ which flower first.
We advertise our Open Garden weekends via local and social media. We also sell iris rhizomes from local farmers markets from February to April. Please text Dianna on 0437 316 891 for times and dates.
Our customers tell us that they like to see iris blooms in their gardens throughout the whole of spring. For this reason we have categorised our stock under Early, Mid and Mid to Late season varieties.
We hope you enjoy shopping in our on-line store. If you have any questions regarding cultivation or discount prices, please contact us via sms 0437 316 891 or via email to antoniasirises@bigpond.com.
Dianna van Gaal