Springtime Open Gardens

Springtime Open Gardens  in Springwood 22nd - 23rd September 2018.
 
The Rotary Club of Springwood Inc. was proud to be part of  the Open Gardens of the Yellow Rock/Winmalee held in September 2018.
 
A number of gardens were open to the public during the weekend. 
 
 Gardens included
  • Heatherbrae   363 Hawkesbury Rd Winmalee
  • Winmara    228 Singles Ridge Rd Yellow Rock
  • 226a Singles Ridge Rd Yellow Rock
  • Avonlea - 58 Lee Rd Winmalee    * Plant sale
  • 60 Bunnal Avenue Winmalee
  • The Old Farm - 35 Purvines Rd  Yellow Rock
 
Springtime Open Gardens  were open to the public on Saturday and Sunday    22nd and 23rd  September 2018.                                       
 
The Rotary Club of Springwood Inc. invited the public to take in the splendour of the Mountains in Springtime by visiting  five of our local gardens in 2018. 
 
Gardens include
 
1. “Heatherbrae”   363 Hawkesbury Rd,  Winmalee is one of the earliest homes built at “ North Springwood”, and the surrounding gardens are now being tastefully recreated to compliment the old sandstone and timber residence and out buildings. A entrance driveway of sentry like conifers, a promenade of Manchurian pear trees, tall hedges, old iron gateways and fencing, standard roses, sandstone paved patios and walk ways, raised vegetable garden plots, large old date palms and wandering guinea fowl, compliment the fabulous old property and sympathetically lend themselves to a time gone by.
 
2.  228 Singles Ridge Rd  Yellow Rock - With imposing street presence, this established garden is a real pleasure to the eye. From the sweep of green lawns, curved driveway to the home, the paved walk way to the front verandah with its border of standard roses and box hedges. A graceful formal fountain, extensive array of azaleas and camellias under planted with low growing perennial plants and mix of deciduous exotic tress ensures year round colour. Situated on a level half hectare, this property is an entertainer’s delight.
 
3. 226a Singles Ridge Rd  Yellow Rock - 
Situated on a one hectare lot, this is a new home with a young garden that is fast changing from a work in progress to a surrounding treasure of            landscaping. The front of the ho me is predominately formal exotic plants and landscaping ,however this gives way to mainly native plants at the rear of the dwelling.  Inspired by the adjoining bush valley the gardens have impressive Doryanthes “Gymea Lilly’s” Callistemon, Banksia, Grevilleas, and Syzygium “ Lilly Pilly” that are encouraging the birds to feed in  the garden. Of note are the  impressive driveway entrance pillars, the formal “prancing horses”      fountain , cylindrical wisteria clad archway and large fish pond.
 
4. 60 Bunnal Avenue Winmalee.   This is a most deceptive ten year old residential garden with winding paths and terraced corners filled with a wonderful variety of textures, and plant contrasts.  An orange flowering gum, a Cercis (Crimson forestry pansy) and Malus Ioensis (Blooming Crab apple) providing a cool microclimate for  understorey flowering scadoxus, veltheimias, sprekelia and much more. Backing to a bushland valley, the tall tree ferns create natural shade for the variety of orchids, bromeliads and cycads, interesting nooks and crannies filled with garden decoration and planted Springtime colour.
 
5. The Old Farm - 35 Purvines Road   Yellow Rock – Once part of the old 1950’s Purvine Farm, the property features many of the gardening styles, made popular during earlier years…. Extensive perennial and cottage garden beds, dry stone garden walls, extensive sandstone paving, a winter tea house, a wisteria walk, and dam. The solar passive house has been designed with four courtyard gardens, each with its own theme, and further from the home, an Asian inspired section.
 
6. “Avonlea” - 58 Lee Rd  Cnr Pentlands Drive Winmalee– Access from Pentlands Drive
This well established garden features banks of Azaleas interspersed with young rhododendrons and camellias growing in dappled light of large trees planted along boundary fencing. In the central front garden, the focus is on roses and spring flowering bulbs. An  interesting compact Stachyurus tree with its signature draping tendrils of buds, is something for knowledgeable gardeners to admire.The covered side entrance walkway provides a wonderful micro climate for ferns and orchids to thrive.
 
 
 
 All gardens are level to gently sloping allowing ease of pedestrian access in these tranquil acreage settings.
 
Sales:   A  plant stall, was held at Avonlea where plants were purchased assisted in our  fund raising for the  Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children
 
This Rotary Club of Springwood inc. community project was organised to support the Blue Mountains Lantern Club and proceeds from the Open Gardens weekend has been donated to the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, who provide wonderful support for those less able young members of our communities.
 
Ticket Cost :   $5. per Garden per person 
                     $25.  for all six gardens