Robertson Open Gardens

Robertson Open Gardens

Robertson garden owners will open seven private gardens for visitors. Set among rolling hills amidst the stunning country scenery, these beautiful gardens range from large country gardens to smaller town gardens and are guaranteed to inspire gardener visitors. Five of the gardens are large country gardens on the outskirts of Robertson, with three in the village. These gardens demonstrate all the beauty of gardening in the Southern Highlands. Wide open spaces with smaller intimate gardens, walks and wonderful displays of dramatic plantings, including parterres, knot gardens, pergolas with climbing roses and wisteria. Fabulous conifers combine with deciduous and evergreen trees to highlight the design elements of these interesting gardens.

All gardens are open 10am to 4pm on both days, and tickets are on sale at all gardens.

$5 each garden, or $20 for all gardens

Robertson Open Gardens 2017 includes:

This year there are five new gardens:

The Kaya is a 6 acre garden of a horticulturist and a botanical artist. It is an outstanding garden of exceptional design and wonderful plant combinations, with a gravelled parterre showcasing purple and grey foliage plants including arches of trimmed ‘Crimson Century’ maples and wisteria covered pergolas.

The Secret Garden is a large country garden with several garden rooms with both formal and more relaxed styles, featuring a fountain garden, a birch walk and large expanses of lush green lawn. There are banks of rhododendrons and azaleas, a cherry blosssom walk, a vegetable potager and a number of espaliered fruit trees.

Deirdre’s Garden is a smaller lovely formal garden planned by the previous owner, a horticulturist. Fir trees, magnolia and waratahs make a stunning first impression. A formal rose garden screened by a 2 metre high Pittosporum hedge includes several statues. Deciduous trees include cherry trees, magnolias and maples and in the native garden kangaroo paws and waratahs are sheltered by gums and native shrubs.

Dragon Farm is a splendid country garden with spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. From the top of the hill there is a fabulous view to the lake with a delightful Celtic knot garden featuring Buxus hedging surrounding white Meidiland roses on the side of the hill above the lake. Many species of deciduous trees grow throughout the garden including two large chestnut trees and a birch grove. Dotted throughout the garden wonderful statuary can be seen.

The Garden The framework of our garden was created in 1974 by the original owners of the block bought by them when the subdivision was first done.  It was apparently an empty block and they planted it fully with a wide variety of plants and trees. Rhododendrons, camellias, azaleas, roses, maples and a large number of conifers which were to serve as hedges.  When we bought the block in 2001 the garden was not just established but heavily overgrown as they had been unable to spend the time necessary to care for it.

The conifer hedges had not been hedged and in fact dwarfed most of the other plants.  The front hedge of cyrus pines were huge with little vegetation on them.  After a substantial cull we found that many of the plants that had been dwarfed had survived albeit they were in need of a lot of care.  We commenced with a new Camellia sasanqua hedge in the front with over 60 plants in 4 inch pots.  They looked more like a hair transplant but in the 13 years they have been in they have blossomed into a wonderful hedge.

And back again in 2017, two very popular Robertson gardens:

The Moorings is a 100 acre farm with a 4 acre garden surrounding a restored/ rebuilt 1870’s house. The present garden is basically a foliage garden with specific areas dedicated to conifers, azaleas, camellias, and rhododendrons amidst three lawn areas. Many trees and shrubs are close clipped in a variety of shapes. A rose garden, a hydrangea garden, a vegetable garden, and a small orchard are also featured as well as a summer house and a small “lake”. Everywhere in the garden presents spectacular views of the countryside. Throughout the garden beautiful sculptures can be seen.

The Willows is a 5 acre property with extensive established gardens.  Mature trees include maples, crabapples, cherries, ginkgo and a Davidia under planted with camellias, azaleas, Pieris and Kalmia.  The rear garden contains a Japanese style conifer island, plus a mini arboretum of rare and unusual trees.  A large bonsai collection greenhouse with orchids, tuberous begonias and Streptocarpus.  There will be nursery stock for sale especially plants suitable for bonsai and a horticulturist will be on hand to answer your questions.

And there’s more!

There will be art work on display from our local artists, and stop and buy plants at the Robertson Garden Club’s large plant stall.

Over the weekend there are many attractions to be seen in Robertson. Browse the local galleries, antique shops and visit The Old Cheese Factory’s large collectable stalls. Have coffee at the local cafes and pop into Robertson Village Woodworks. Check out the local market on Sunday. Picnic among the beautiful waratahs at the Heritage Railway Station where the Fettlers Shed will have an art exhibition and the museum will be open. Visit Robertson’s Nature reserve where you can wander through remnants of Yarrawa brush and rainforest.

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Tickets are valid over both days:

$5 single garden

$20 all gardens

Tickets can be purchased at the CTC in Robertson (main road - Illawarra Highway) as well as in each garden