News

Mudgee Gardens are Ready

Two weeks until the six gardens for the 2023 Gardens of Mudgee will be open for display to the public from 10am to 4pm on 14-15 October.
The gardens are looking fantastic with the warmer weather and will be ready and at their peak. Bring the family and plan a pleasant stroll through some of these wonderful gardens.
Tickets can be purchased either on-line from Mudgee Tourism for all gardens) or directly on the day. You can visit one garden or the whole six and pricing reflects this.
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Gora and Ellie Singh-Mann

Gem Manor- a grand vision nestled in the hills.

39 Hill Sixty Drive, Mudgee

Author: Jane Munro

Gem Manor’s garden is on a large scale, starting with 2 rows of poplars along each side of the driveway, flanked by rows of ornamental pears and prunus. Many broad beds feature cypress, roses, lavender and iris. A lake with views to Mount Frome has a graceful pavilion and a pagoda, surrounded by formal gardens with many weeping cherries, roses and gazanias. Fish jump and water birds circle lazily overhead. The breeze carries the tinkle of wind chimes and the powerful fragrance of hundreds of roses. A new native garden features gorgeous lemon scented gums, callistemons and dramatic rock features.

The residence houses a remarkable display of art works- paintings, sculptures and ceramics, collected from 170 countries and a huge collection of Aboriginal Desert acquired over 40 years, including significant works by artists from Papunya, Broken Hill and the Central West. Blue Mountains artist David Hill’s colourful landscapes are well represented. There’s room after room filled with exotic lamps and glass sculptures, rich Chinese tapestries, ornaments and furnishings and ancient porcelain. A must-see for anyone with an interest in painting and the decorative arts.

Please note that there is an additional $5 charge for an optional visit to the house internal art collection at the Singh-Mann Garden, payable at house entrance. 

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Tom and Sharon McMahon

Chemical-free market garden on small acreage showcases smart designs

953 Spring Flat Road, Spring Flat

Author: Jane Munro

Tom and Sharon have lived at their 10Ha property since 2005. In 2014 they made the decision to become market gardeners. Initially selling their chemical-free produce at local markets, the decision was soon made to diversify by using their surpluses to create small batches of chutneys, relishes, pickles and jams. These delicacies they now sell at a small shop on-site, as well as at the markets.

The property is situated on the north-facing slop with views towards Mount Knowles. In addition to their raised vegetable beds, there are also sheep, alpaca and chickens.

In the vegetable gardens they grow garlic, herbs, brassicas, silver beet, root vegetables, lettuce, beans, zucchini, pumpkins, cucumbers, tomatoes and asparagus. Being chemical-free, they use companion planting and natural remedies to control pests including fruit fly. Caterpillars are removed by hand.

Tom and Sharon have developed a great understanding of how to manage a property of this size and will share their wealth of information and lessons learned from their experiences in scheduled talks and farm walks over the Gardens of Mudgee weekend. As well as information about plants and soil, you’ll learn about efficient watering, versatile garden bed and infrastructure construction, smart ways of reducing unnecessary labour and minimising cost of equipment, fencing and many other gems of information.

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John McCrea

Rewilding creates a haven for wildlife and humans

18 Wiradjuri Close, Putta Bucca

Author: Jane Munro

Entering John McCrea’s property at 18 Wiradjuri Close, Putta Bucca via an avenue of claret ash, the extensive lawn areas with established deciduous trees and broad beds of flowering perennials reveal enticing secluded pathways and pleasing vistas. The house block is bordered by tall hedges of photinia and honeysuckle, and an avenue of pines. Around the perimeter of the block’s 5 acres, John has planted hundreds of native trees- particularly casuarinas and callistemons. The birds love this garden, with 125 species recorded over 23 years.

John’s garden reflects his dedication to conservation and love of wildlife. Shrubs such as buddleia, grevillea and callistemon attract and provide safe refuges for small birds and butterflies. Fallen branches are sometimes left in situ to encourage organisms essential for healthy soil. In spring the lawn area blooms over months with several varieties of naturalised golden daffodils, flowering in waves over the season.

Bird baths and nest boxes attract Striated Pardalotes, Eastern Rosellas and King Parrots for breeding. A romantic style garden close to the house features iceberg roses, and a magnificent display of cannas. You may see Eastern Spinebills hovering as they sip nectar from the salvia flowers, or Superb Blue Wrens splashing in the bird bath. Several varieties of finches provide entertainment as they feed from the elegant bird feeder which John designed and built.

John created a rewilded mini wetland by excavating into a low-lying area and planting a few casuarinas and callistemons around the perimeter. Over 20 years, visiting water birds have brought in species including cumbungi, phragmites, swamp lily, cyperus and spiny rush on their feet. These are all now flourishing in this thriving, rewilded aquatic ecosystem.

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Anne and David Knight

A garden for all moods and seasons

3 Stockmans Drive, Mudgee

Author: Jane Munro

The front section of the Knights’ acre of garden on Stockmans Drive makes a statement. Its manicured circular lawn is surrounded by uncluttered, open, well-mulched beds. These beds are dotted with spherical and ovoid shapes of topairied variegated euonymus interspersed with clumps of liriope, and roses (Iceberg and Seduction, bush and standard) around a central water feature. Pencil cypresses and prostrate conifers grow along the eastern boundary. From here there’s a relaxing view across Mudgee to the western hills.

At the rear of the block is an extensive, less formal park-like expanse of garden, The theme of well clipped shrubs (including a beautiful weeping rosemary, salvias and mays) continues here. There’s also an abundance of flourishing groundcovers, shrubs and perennials which soften the overall effect and provide interesting detail in every direction. In between the garden beds there are broad areas of lush green lawn. There are many varieties of trees but some standouts are the prunus, ginkgo, cypress and crabapple. The selection of groundcovers includes seaside daisy, lambs ears, scabiosa and buttercups.

There’s also a secluded section of the garden shaded by a golden ash, which has some surprises- cunjevoi and aspidistra, as well as columbines, more buttercups and ivy. This garden provides a place to be for quiet contemplation, for enjoyment of nature’s diversity or the appreciation of the grandeur of the Mudgee landscape.

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Cherie and David Boland

Elegant landscape created by trees and hedging

30 Tinja Lane, Putta Bucca.

Author: Jane Munro

Cherie and David Boland’s garden is an elegant landscape of vistas and hidden places. Skilled design and unrelenting dedication to trialling and identifying the best plants for their block’s soil and microclimate, are the foundations for this garden’s success.

Curvaceous, sweeping lines of clipped hedges, avenues and groves of trees entice the visitor to explore the garden, moving from one beautifully designed area to the next, each with its own character and plant selection. Many of the plants are clipped into spherical or ovoid shapes and these are equally at home in the formal gardens as in the more free-flowing, informal areas.

You will see poplars, maples, casuarinas, silver elms, willows, Forest Pansy, Magnolia grandiflora, Viburnums, and delicate variegated pittosporums.

Accepting that some favourite plants won’t prosper in their garden’s microclimate, alternatives have been planted with great success. Simonii poplars thrive in place of silver birches and there’s a naturalistic grove of them, underplanted with ivy and graced with an elegant central sculpture. Avenues of ornamental pear varieties look stunning and bloom in succession to produce a long flowering season. Hedges and trees are selected for low maintenance- Gleditsia, groves of Acer rubrum “October glory” and casuarina. The great variety of plants and the stunning sculptures and outdoor features (including a spectacular sculptural firepit) will inspire everyone.

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John and Chris Bentley

The Best of Both Worlds

19 Mortimer Street, Mudgee

Author: Jane Munro

The Bentleys’ house hides in seclusion behind a tall hedge of well-shaped standard buxus. That theme continues with low borders of buxus hedging and tall grandiflora magnolias lining the front path on both sides. The impression is of order and formality, attention to detail and pleasing geometry, anchored by 3 standard Manchurian pears spaced at regular intervals along the frontage, and reflected in a row of cubic planters which define the edge of a shady pergola. Covered with wisteria, this is clearly a favourite spot to sit and contemplate the garden.

There are more outdoor living areas on the eastern and western sides. An outdoor dining area has large planters, star jasmine and potted citrus; and there’s a softer, quieter retreat area hidden behind trellised star jasmine, with beds of liriope, ferns and vibrant potted geraniums.

In contrast, the rear of the block presents the delights of an abundant cottage-style garden. There’s a profusion of flowering perennials, many with silver-grey foliage to contrast with the bright blossoms. You will see dahlias, santolina, roses, lavender, gaura, unusual salvias, cannas, irises, daisies and callistemons. There are orange and lemon trees planted among the flowers and a fragrant honeysuckle screen. Trees include a weeping mulberry underplanted with bulbs, a prunus, a graceful weeping golden elm, and crepe myrtles.

Aspiring gardeners will be inspired by the interesting infrastructure features- compost bins, greenhouse, glasshouse, utility sheds and potting area, all essential to the process of creating the Bentleys’ lovely garden.

News

2022 Gardens of Mudgee is Going Ahead Despite the Major Rain Event (Updated)

In spite of the recent rain, the Gardens of Mudgee event is definitely going ahead next weekend 15-16 October…yes, the forecast is for a fine and sunny weekend.
All the gardens look magnificent and the recent spring rain has encouraged even more growth and colour.
Unfortunately, Rick and Steph Gordon’s garden at ‘Wilgowrah’ has had to be withdrawn because of access issues. Sure you will understand looking at the photo above taken on Sunday. Fortunately water has subsided but access remains an issue. We thank Steph and Rick for the efforts they had made in their garden prior to this rain event and their forced withdrawal. Kempton’s garden at “Uambi” is also affected (see below).
Replacement gardens have been secured at Windeyer’s with a spectacular cottage garden in Mudgee and at Charters’ also in Mudgee, again a magnificent cottage garden.
However, as the food and coffee van were to be located at ‘Wilgowrah’, new arrangements have been necessary. There will be a coffee cart with coffee and a selection of cakes and other goodies at “Bowfield”, 1788 Sydney Road, Mudgee. We have had to abandon other planned catering for the general public.
The will be limited access only to Kempton’s garden at 43 Rocky Waterhole Road, Mudgee, again due to flooding and limited driveway access. The garden will be offered as a bonus, seventh garden. It will be necessary to walk approx 700m from the nearest accessible parking point to gain entry. However, the walk is worthwhile and you will be very welcome should you choose to visit.CAUTION : ACCESS FROM LUE ROAD END ONLY. CASTLEREAGH HWY END CLOSED DUE TO RIVER FLOODING AT CAUSEWAY.
Tickets are still available as planned…on-line at www.visitmudgeeregion.com.au or cash at any of the gardens. EFTPOS is only available at the Middleton’s garden.
Check this website for garden locations and our Facebook page  for the latest information as we re-organise the arrangements this week.
A revised brochure will be available at garden entrances. We apologise for these changes which have been forced on us by the flooding resulting from our weather last weekend.
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2022 Gardens of Mudgee gardens finalised

In 2022, Gardens of Mudgee will be showing six gardens, four from the cancelled 2021 Show and two new gardens. All are gardens not previously seen in the Gardens of Mudgee show.

The Mudgee climate is well known for its challenges. Six gardens whose owners have learnt to deal with those difficulties and create gardens of beauty and durability will be open for inspection during the 2022 Rotary Gardens of Mudgee on the weekend of 15th and 16th of October, 2022.

Ingenuity and Creativity

The Kemptons’ garden on the slopes of Mt Frome has views north to the Buckaroo hills and is set amongst native trees. Wander around a series of graceful garden plots containing a variety of plants chosen to withstand the vagaries of Mudgee’s climate, and enjoy the charming pool adorned by irises and bulrushes. In sheltered spots around the house you’ll find more tender plants such as orchids, and examples of Trishs’ creativity. Make sure to check out stunning district views from the top of the drive.

 

A masterly transformation.

‘Wisteria Ridge’ the home of Col and Val Stubbs, is a beautiful haven with glorious views over the Cudgegong Valley. The garden was formed from a rocky site eighteen years ago by the addition of tonnes of imported topsoil. The many native shrubs and trees are home to a number of species of birds, and careful planting over a long period of time has resulted in a garden of great interest.

Throughout the garden are scattered Col’s marvellous quirky sculptures fashioned from found farm objects. They add a special touch to this spectacular, much loved garden.

In A Hidden Valley

When the Bowmans purchased their property ‘Bowfield’ five years ago, there was a small number of established trees around the original nineteenth century buildings but no garden. A spectacular garden has been accomplished in a short space of time by using tonnes of compost and a great deal of mulch spread on top of the rocky site.

The garden has been planned with tree plantings and hedges to provide shelter from the western sun and prevailing wind and there has been an emphasis on the addition of hardy Mediterranean style shrubs. Taller plants within the garden beds create spaces for roses or other plants that might need some protection.

There is so much to see in this garden you might need some extra time!

A traditional homestead garden.

Steph and Rick Gordon’s 1920s house at ‘Wilgowrah’ is surrounded by a homestead garden which has been many years in the making as its mature trees indicate. A ramble along the old paths reveals borders bursting with perennials and bulbs, accompanied by a variety of mature roses.

Follow the paths around to the north side of the house to discover an open grassy area full of sunshine, boasting views of farmland and planted with stands of silver elegant birches.

You’ll be amazed at the single Virginia creeper which grows along two sides of the house, providing summer shade.

New energy revitalises a historic garden

The honeysuckle hedge along the Church Street frontage of June Middleton’s garden, and the canopy formed venerable trees, give a sense of stepping into a secluded, shady forest. The atmosphere speaks of the history of the house and garden. A magnificent Chinese Elm, pepper trees and ornamental pear trees provide dappled shade to the expansive lawn and broad beds of agapanthus and irises, flourishing sedums, and graceful oleanders.

In spring, you can expect to see massed beds of geraniums, including very pale pink and a vibrant red trailing variety, and there will be colourful displays of bulbs throughout the garden.

Lose yourself in a hidden wonderland

The neat street frontage of the Julius’s Bawden Road residence gives no clue as to the wonderland hidden away beyond the car port. The magical mystery tour begins with an eclectic array of succulent-filled planters and sculptures made from repurposed and scrap metal materials. Softly trickling water can be heard, its source hidden amongst liriopes, cannas and water lilies.

 Enticing pathways lead through a succession of walled garden rooms, each providing shade and growing surfaces for a wide variety of plants and containing fascinating relics and industrial memorabilia.

This fantastical garden is the result of 30 years of passion, imagination and hard work, and pushes the boundaries of what can be achieved on a quarter acre block.

More details can be found here.

News

Gardens of Mudgee Gardens 2021 Videos available for all gardens.

We understand many were disappointed that Gardens of Mudgee had to be cancelled in 2021. So, we have made videos of all gardens so you can at least view the gardens in all their magnificence in October at the time of the Show.

The link to a playlist for all gardens is here. 

Links for individual gardens are :

Bowman’s 

Brierty’s

Gordon’s

Kemptons’

Reeves’ 

Stubbs’

Watch them all or come back often and watch one at a time with a glass of wine in hand.

We hope you enjoy them.

Watch for an announcment soon on the 2022 Gardens of Mudgee.