Leura Gardens Festival, Blue Mountains Spring Gardens

Brabourne 42 Woodford St. Leura
Courtesy Mr. M & Mr. P Fogarty

"Brabourne" and its surrounding garden, occupy a commanding location on the rise of Woodford Street, and are  known for the magnificent trees and sweeping lawns.

The most colourful part of the garden is above you when you enter from Woodford Street. Here the tulip terraces, are enclosed at one end by a pink flowering cherry tree, and at the other, by a recently planted maple. The colours are mainly pink and carmine interspersed with highlights of red, orange and the pretty green of new foliage.

Take the steps up toward the house, and follow the path around beside the retaining wall. Vividly coloured tulips and fragrant hyacinths in pots greet you, and your narrow path will open out onto the spectacular view of the emerald lawns on the east side. Large established conifers and maples border these lawns on their north side, beyond which you might see the pink and white flower-laden cherry trees lining Megalong Street.

Admire the magnificent trees that demand attention at the upper and lower lawns. Closest to the house is the colossal pin oak, reaching out over the Sorensen pool and stone walls; look up at its canopy, and marvel at nature.

Two equally impressive liquidambars frame the lower lawn, and are complemented by one of the most beautiful copper beeches, whilst at the bottom of the garden a pink- flowering dogwood,a huge linden, a tulip tree and rhodendrons form an impressive border.

We should mention the white gravelled lilac walk. Take this path from its lower end at Gladstone Road, up its slightly winding course between lilacs and azaleas to the upper lawn.

This garden is professionally cared for by Sandra Hill

Please note that this garden is not wheel chair friendly