Leura Gardens Festival, Blue Mountains Spring Gardens

"Illion", 89 Railway Parade, Leura, courtesy of Deborah Whitford.

"Illion" is a layered garden. It sweeps the street front with a magnificent New Dawn rose hedge, backdropped by a perfectly formed Cedrus Atlantica 'Glauca' surrounded by herbaceous borders and climbing roses. At the rear of the house some magnificent hundred year old Deodar trees create an urban forest within the garden although it abuts the busy Leura shopping centre carpark. The footprint of the old garden has been preserved through various trees, roses and shrubs. However, "Illion's" garden was transformed from a residential garden into principally an office garden about five years ago.

The practical requirements to provide parking and other facilities for the changing situation led to creating a gated secret garden beyond the car-park. Within this large area of perennial gardens and grass a stone-walled vegetable garden was created. The aim was to keep the integrity and intimacy of the older garden and utilise the space for sitting, eating and practical production of some fresh food. The garden has a wild quality which has been maintained and reaches its zenith in late summer. In spring it is awakening with soft greens, lush velvety lawns and soft-coloured bulbs.

The garden is owned by Deborah Whitford through her company Arunta Investments and employs a community of local workmen and artisans. The garden was developed and is maintained as an organic garden. "It is a garden that is part of our daily experience as we walk through it, drive through it and eat the food that grows in it. We watch the seasons change and take refuge in its changing rhythmical beauty."