Galston Open Gardens from October 14-October 16 2022

A kaleidoscope of colour and imagination awaits nature lovers across Sydney and beyond, as green thumbs show why they live in the “garden shire” and open their properties to the public.

It’s been three years since garden lovers had the chance to amble through the stunning properties that make up the annual Galston Open Gardens in The Hills but the drought is over and the public is being treated to a showcase of picturesque properties more akin to botanical gardens.

Seven properties will be open to the public from Friday October 14 to Sunday October 16 when green thumbs will host visitors and share their knowledge of plants and dispense inspiration on how to see their gardens thrive.

The Galston Garden Club will sell tickets at its base in 21 Arcadia Rd or any of the gardens. A $25 ticket enables entrance to all gardens and is valid for three days or a single garden is $5. Funds support charities.

We preview three gardens, from mini rainforests to an English-style cottage oasis.

Elegans, 21 Fishburns Rd, Galston

Like many Galston properties, Bill Fleming’s vast two hectare yard was once a horse paddock but now it’s more like a “jungle” thanks to the thousands of plants he has lovingly cultivated.

He used the property as a weekender when he lived at Fairfield 40 years ago and made it his permanent home 20 years ago. The garden’s transformation is so established it appears closer to a century.

From the moment one steps into the double gates, the almost-100m driveway is bursting with dense green foliage punctuated with flowers including lilac eupatorium that add a splash of colour.

Bill Fleming in the Chinese garden part of his property at Galston.

“It’s a collector’s garden,’’ Mr Fleming said. “It’s a very wide range of plants as you will see.

“Every single thing here has been planted over the last 40 years.

“Every nursery in Sydney has seen me.’’

The garden includes the Port Jackson fig and its wide network of protruding roots, Mr Fleming’s beloved Japanese maples and cashmere cypress trees, which he crowns the “most beautiful of all the conifers”.

The garden also boasts 300 camellia varieties.

“Camellias brighten up winter, they’re the main floral display in the middle of winter and the Japanese maples’ new growth they’re quite extraordinary when they first come out,’’ Mr Fleming said. “It’s like a jungle.’’

Ferns are bountiful and the glossy leaves of calatheas are also eye catching. Angel’s trumpets and iresine border the lake while Angus cows graze in the neighbouring property.

The garden’s twists and turns lead to sweeping vistas, including the slope leading to one of four dams that demonstrate the hard yakka that has been poured into the garden.

The gazebo provides some respite for visitors.

There are ‘thousands’ of plants at Elegans.

Water flows naturally through the property and Mr Fleming crafted a waterfall for the stream that provides a tranquil sound along with “dozens of different birds”.

Recent downpours have turned the stream into a gushing torrent. Soon we discover more small lakes and spot a turtle, ducks and brushturkeys that are common in this neck of the woods.

“They’re completely arrogant, they’re a complete menace, there’s no way you can get rid of them,’’ Mr Fleming concedes.

“After you see them rip up your garden a few times you’re not impressed.’’

There are two Chinese-themed gardens with red bridges sure to be snapped in many photos.

Unlike visitors who can admire the view, such an intensely-planted garden means the owner is pruning the roses more than smelling them.

“I can always see more jobs to do so I don’t sit around much,’’ Mr Fleming said.

“It appears larger than five acres — it’s just the fact the pathways meander and each bend you find something new.

“It’s not hard work for me, I just like doing it and if you can share it with other people, well and good.’’

After Covid forced the garden scheme to be suspended in 2020 and 2021, the retired TAFE chemistry teacher cannot wait to share his passion for gardening with visitors.

Despite the garden’s size and countless plants, Mr Fleming loves gardening for the exercise and relaxation it provides in spades.

“I did some botany in university,’’ he said.

“I’ve always been interested in it.’’

Hunterdale, 9 Hunt Ave, Dural

Retired doctor and nurse Stewart and Margaret Hunter are well versed on the healing power time in the garden can provide.

“Medical health is looked after completely by your garden and exercise,’’ Dr Hunter said.

“We certainly didn't get depressed like people did during Covid.’’

Getting their hands dirty was an antidote during the pandemic and is an ongoing source of happiness.

“It was just peaceful. We were able to exercise every day,’’ Mrs Hunter said.

“You couldn’t go anywhere out of your area so we were fortunate to be here.

“My parents were very keen gardeners so it’s in the blood.’’

The couple, who will be Galston Open Gardens debutantes, built their house and cultivated the two-hectare block with two walled, English-inspired gardens and a miniature rainforest seven years ago.

Stewart and Margaret Hunter at their replica cattlemen’s hut.

They retired after raising their children in Forster and made the tree change from their seaside home to be closer to their children in The Hills.

Features in the garden are named after their seven grandchildren including Cadel’s Cubby House, which was a construction project during lockdown.

The backyard is an adventure playground for the grandchildren who also relish the 17 chickens and the flying fox.

Rows of lavender greet visitors at the property entrance.

“It’s meant to look like a lavender farm with rows of lavender,’’ Dr Hunter said.

“Bees love it. Two or three times a year we cut them off and they come back.’’

The lilac flowers were all planted from cuttings.

“Gardening doesn’t have to be expensive,’’ Dr Hunter said.

The lavender runs riot.

“There’s probably 150 plants there and it cost us nothing.’’

The couple treasures the miniature rainforest, which includes Australian rainforest species, and transformed a neglected corner of the property.

“It’s fairly unique in Sydney,’’ Dr Hunter said.

The lush and established parcel belies the fact it is less than a decade old.

There are 160 species and 450 plants that were chosen with the assistance of a friend who is an expert on Aussie rainforest natives.

Firewheel trees, brown silky oaks and pink phyllanthus thrive in the space.

As a bird lover, Mrs Hunter dotted baths through the forest.

Satin bowerbirds, whipbirds, crimson rosellas and eastern spinebills like to flit through the canopies and take advantage of the fruit-yielding quandong trees.

Nearby, macadamia and avocado trees grow near traditional veggie patch plants of lemon trees and silverbeet spinach. Once crushed by hand, the native Australian mint bush leaves emit a delightful fragrance similar to eucalyptus.

Orange blossoms perfume the air and grow alongside angel’s trumpets. Red geraniums, port wine magnolia hedges and violas please the flower lovers.

After a tough day babysitting the grandchildren and toiling away in the yard, the replica cattlemen’s hut beckons and a glass of wine by the fireplace eases the chill in winter.

Inside the cosy hut.

Some plants are not thriving as they should courtesy of La Nina but the Hunters are ready for the throng of visitors. Regular hosts say 1000 file through the gates.

“Often in October we get nice days and people are just pleased to be out,’’ Mrs Hunter said.

“People who live in units or are a bit confined like to get on acreage, and it’s nice to chat to people.’’

Any concerns they have about the rain keeping the garden from being its best should be quelled with a sign outside the hut that quotes Abraham Lincoln: “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice that thorn bushes have roses.’’

The Hunters’ ‘rainforest’.

A bearded iris.

Palarang, 7 Hunt Ave, Dural

Like most seasoned gardeners, Janet and John Sefton can easily rattle off the botanical names of their oasis which they have lovingly tendered for 41 years.

Mrs Sefton has clearly labelled the plants for her visitors at the weekend open garden, which the couple first participated in more than 20 years ago.

Before they moved in and raised their five daughters, Mary Davis, formerly of Dural’s Colonial Cottage Nursery, designed the garden as it transitioned from an apple orchard to a vast yard that Mr Sefton describes as “cottage-y”.

Janet and John Sefton's garden at Dural features a duck pond.

“We always loved acreage and we moved here from Beecroft,’’ the retired accountant said.

“We just loved the space.’’

A magnificent golden elm tree greets visitors at the driveway and sphere hedges and 100 camellias add to the charm.

Rows of tall cypresses line the property and a drawcard is the circular rose garden that includes heritage blooms such as the 1909-bred Gipsy boy.

The Japanese maple adds a striking touch by the swimming pool.

Torrential rain caused a tree to topple and smash part of the rose fence in June so the garden is not at its blooming best but still a pleasant sight.

Mr Sefton counts the duck pond as his favourite space near the tennis courts.

The yard has also provided an idyllic backdrop for family weddings and 21st birthday parties.

There are 10 chooks living comfortably in a pen and taking advantage of free range time. Visitors will also spot citrus trees, snowball bush viburnum and Japanese maples.

Mr Sefton also loves how Galston Open Gardens raises money for charity.

“I like the fact that it’s non-profit and normally there would be a dozen or so properties,’’ he said.

Janet and John Sefton are well versed on the species of plants they grow.

“This year there’s only seven because of the rain.

“It’s also very social. We enjoy seeing our friends and garden club members.

“A lot of people love the garden. We get a lot of positive feedback.’’

Mrs Sefton said: I love walking around here and relaxing during the different seasons and different fragrances.’’

She is especially fond of the Dublin Bay roses. “This is meant to be the truest red of all the roses,’’ she said.

Other gardens on display:

Brackenridge, 11 Ballanda Place, Dural, presented by Sue and Ian Fisher

This is a steep block with magnificent rock outcrops and views across the adjacent bush

valley. The owners have restored an older garden which had been neglected and overgrown for years. There is a waterfall and ponds, and a wide range of azaleas, camellias, orchids, cacti and succulents scattered throughout, all surrounded by natural bushland.

Not suitable for wheelchairs.

Boulevard, 20 Wylds Rd, Middle Dural, presented by Craig Teece

This is a two-hectare landscaped property containing natural rock outcrops and broad expanses of lawns and gardens. Native plants predominate but there is also a conifer garden, a hothouse

of epiphytic plants and cacti as well as a shadehouse of shade-loving plants. Scattered throughout the gardens are over 100 sculptures, artworks and water features. Entrance to

the garden is via a 160m “ boulevard” of wisteria and photinias. “ Toilet available. Parking in

front of Linga Longa nursery.

Garden 5 Willow Glen, 2 Marrakesh Place, Arcadia, presented by Karen Lindley

An informal garden where non-invasive weeds are allowed to mingle with perennials,

annuals and natives in garden beds among large rock shelves and old native trees.

A natural watercourse feeds the dam bursting with water lilies and iris providing a backdrop

for a wisteria-covered pergola over a dining area. Bridges, a children’s playground, hidden

reading and relaxing nooks and a newly created bush entertainment area with a large gum tree stick solar chandelier are at the rear of the property.

There is a substantial fully enclosed self-sustaining organic veggie patch complete with wicking beds and fruit trees with Harry and Louie the friendly turkeys waiting to greet you. Toilet available.

Garden 6 Kettlzon, 4 Gribbenmount Rd, Galston, presented by Greta and Graham

Wickham

A landscaped watercourse with a stone bridge leads through several ponds to a rainforest

near a dam. Large established trees include maples, elms, magnolias, a white mulberry and

conifers. Other features include a wisteria arch and a gazebo covered with banksia rose, and

lots of camellias, azaleas and abelias. Newer sections around the house feature salvias,

grasses, sedums and artemisia. Toilet available.

Originally published as Galston Open Gardens from October 14-October 16 2022