The 2019 Mid-Mountains Garden Festival will feature 10 stunning gardens in Hazelbrook, Woodford and Linden, in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney.
Wondering where the gardens are? Our maps here show the locations of all 10 gardens in the 2019 Mid-Mountains Garden Festival.
1 TARRALEAH (courtesy Norma and Andrew Price) 92 Railway Parade, Hazelbrook
‘Tarraleah’ was begun about seven years ago. It features an orchard with espaliered fruit trees, trellised raspberries plus vegies. It is the home to many varieties of heritage chooks. There is also a landscaped sloping garden, a large collection of fuchsias, 1000s of bulbs plus many other flowering plants (mostly labelled). All the fruit produced on the property goes into jams and sauces and is sold as Prices Produce. These will be available for sale at the garden. There could even be some scones to sample the jams on.
As part of the garden festival, fuchsia expert and grower Barbara Cooper will be selling fuchsias at Tarraleah on September 14 and 15. Tea, coffee and light snacks available over both weekends, and pots decorated by kindergarten children from Hazelbrook Public School will be available for sale.
2 PADDA KLOOF (courtesy Donna and John Cooper) 54 Pimelea Drive, Woodford
A newly established terraced woodland garden featuring camellias, rhododendrons, azaleas, gardenias and orchids. Gently sloping paths meander past cascading waterfalls, frog ponds and rocky outcrops.
3 TANGLEWOOD (courtesy Jo Gardiner and Brian Kirkby) 71 Bedford Road, Woodford
‘Tanglewood’ features an impressive display of wellestablished weeping maples, camellias and ferns with pathways that meander down past ponds and ancient bush rocks. The contemporary house reflects the stylish lines and graceful curves of the garden.
4 GLENALVA (courtesy Kristine and Tim Sanford) 154 Valley Road, Hazelbrook
‘Glenalva’ traces its origins back to the end of the 19th century when Henry James planted the first trees, in what was to become the homestead area of his farm in the central Blue Mountains. Planting exotic trees was a feature of the early days, and a ramble through the garden will reward you with towering expels of Henry’s design. During your visit please take your time, amble slowly, and allow the gentle tranquillity of this garden to reach you and share its peace with you. Please be aware there are dogs on this property. Please don’t bring dogs on your visit.
When you’re visiting Glenalva, keep a look-out for scarecrows created by our students, and please vote for the best one!
5 BANOOL (courtesy Philip and Anne Moss) 1 Martin Place, Linden
Banool’s foundations were laid down in the 1800s by Sir James Martin, and the federation stone bungalow was completed about 1908. The half-acre garden’s basic structure was laid down over the next 90 years until the current owners started redeveloping them in 2000. The gardens are planted in a series of rooms and include cold climate, native and succulents. They are bordered by long, magnificent lilli pilli hedges which form a walled garden with a beautiful Wisteria walkway. The wide circular driveway and its surrounding lawn is bordered by linden, maple, flame and wheel of fire trees. The treasures that ensue are boundless and will delight garden lovers and newbies alike.
There will be plenty of plants for sale at Banool, as well as creative plant pots painted by the Kindergarten students from Hazelbrook Public School.
6 ALDEBARAN (courtesy David and Amber Thurston) 39 Martin Place, Linden
An informal mixture of a classic Mediterranean and Spanish mission-style that utilises water-wise plants, including many rare species of succulents. The garden, which complements a 1920s bungalow with extensive views, showcases low-maintenance design such as water storage and reuse, irrigation techniques, and the use of local stone in a challenging horticultural aspect.
7 RYDAL COTTAGE (courtesy Dr L and E Boshell) 47 Martin Place, Linden
Rydal Cottage is an informal cottage-style garden with established trees, camellias, roses and azaleas on a ridgetop with amazing views to the east. Areas of lawn give way to informal low-maintenance gardens of salvia, ornamental grasses and succulents. An outstanding example of low-water planting in a challenging aspect.
8 TOTORO (courtesy Marilyn Pride and Lewis Morley) 60 Martin Place, Linden
Named after an Anime movie nature-spirit, this rustic cottage-style garden grows on a terraced slope. The emphasis is on scented, medicinal and edible plants, especially those favoured by bees, butterflies and honeyeaters. Peeking through the foliage are fantasy sculptures from the films the owners have worked on. Don’t miss the earth roof on the mudbrick house, covered in succulents, or the new ‘Totoro Teahouse!’
9 KINGSCLIFF (courtesy Tony and Janet Richardson) 25 Glossop Road, Linden
Kingscliff garden, dating to the early 1880s, was created on a hanging swamp and is dominated by a north-east-facing view. Stone walls built in the early 1900s, along with more recent dry-stone walls and gabion cages, control the slope to the valley, which is subject to massive weed invasion and is now in the process of weed removal and regeneration. A vegetable garden and orchard help feed the family.
Hazelbrook Public School recordergroup will be performing both Sundays at 1pm.
10 NO. SEVENTY-TWO (courtesy James Heighway and Claudia Iacovella) 72 Bedford Road, Woodford
Through twists and turns, you will discover the surprises of this canvas. No. seventy-two consists of sculptured deciduous trees, solar-powered water features, natives and fruit trees. The terraced garden utilises up-cycled materials. Situated with city views, this garden is not what you expect.