A spectacular native garden created by a peerless gardener.

Author: Jane Munro.

“Coongie”, 18 Macquarie Drive, Mudgee.

The property goes by the name of “Coongie” honouring a wonderful lake on the Cooper’s Creek north-east of Innaminka in South Australia. Native plant enthusiasts will love the Moffatt garden with its carefully curated trees and shrubs, and charming ceramic sculptures and water features also created by Virginia.  The garden’s success is the result of diligence and hard work. An outstanding garden such as this requires dedication: tireless soil improvement, research, experimentation, the embracing of self-seeding and other propagation techniques, and the combination of Australian natives with exotics. Soil improvement through mulching remains an on-going focus, supplemented by a selection of suitable fertilisers.

Favourite native plant varieties include various eremophilas, hakeas, kangaroo paws, grevilleas (including winter-flowering varieties, generally planted in groups of 3 or more), correas, eucalypts (red- and white-flowering), and a wonderful grove of banksias which form a backdrop to a sensational selection of salvias.

The unusual colours of some of the natives’ flowers are striking against their often silvery foliage. In spring, expect to see sprays of native orchid buds, new, bright green fronds of birds nest ferns and kangaroo paws, popping out of the earth everywhere.

Virginia works tirelessly in her garden every day. She says “I don’t want the garden to look its age. It has an aging attendant, but I keep the garden constantly changing.” There’s a big emphasis on on-site plant propagation. Birdsnest ferns, elkhorns and staghorns are propagated from spores. Tree fern suckers are chopped off with an axe and planted out. Banksias, mallees and a host of other natives are allowed to self-seed and the sprouts nurtured to produce the next generation.

It’s lovely to see the native plants thriving side by side and harmonising with the exotic ornamentals. Light and shade are beautifully balanced in this garden, enabling a variety of plants to flourish and bloom beneath the canopy of stately eucalypts. This has been carefully planned because, as Virgina says, “I love gardens with plants you can see through.”

“Springdale”, 1313 Ulan Rd, Budgee Budgee.

Author: Jane Munro.

History speaks to the future in a tranquil haven

Springdale, on Ulan Road, has a rich history, and the current owners have enhanced and sympathetically added to the original historic house and garden, to create a welcoming home and peaceful country haven, which speak of their great affection and devotion to the property.

Three very large white cedars, laden in springtime with the fragrant, lilac-coloured blossoms, stand at the entrance to the new section of the house. Their canopy dapples the sunlight on the lawn and adjacent verandah, which is edged by neat box hedging, enclosing a pair of Japanese maples with vivid, burgundy-coloured foliage, flanked by standard white iceberg roses. Underplantings in circular dry-stone beds below the cedars are full of flowers and foliage, notably windflowers, roses, acanthus, delightful lemon and white aquilegias and white foxgloves, with seaside daisies and dichondra spilling over the edge.

Adjacent to the house there’s a neat, compact kitchen garden with herbs and vegetables in containers, and a trellis of fragrant pink sweet peas.

Further from the house, garden beds give way to featured trees, with more box hedges containing shrubs and annuals. Occasional sculptures and vintage items evoking the property’s history- a lawn roller, a burnished milk can, an old, rusty decorative garden gate- form points of interest.

There’s a pretty group of young silver birches, and a sturdy old iron farm gate, opening onto an avenue of cypresses.

A nostalgic atmosphere hangs in the air near some disused stables. Here, grape trellises from a small, long-gone, home vineyard, are now graced with climbing pink roses, calling to mind previous owners’ hopes and dreams. A grand old pepper tree complements the rural vista to the east.

As the lawn gives way to paddock grasses and eucalypts, raked windrows of leafy fallen gum tree branches have been used to establish bed boundaries in a newly established native garden- the soft hues of grey and russet brown pleasantly harmonious with the surrounding bushland trees and shrubs.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.