Leura Gardens Festival, Blue Mountains Spring Gardens

"Tandella" 6 St. Andrews Road Leura. Garden courtesy of Messrs.B. Demeulemeester and P. Narsoomamode

"Tandella" was first established in the mid 1950's as attested by the mature treeswhich are a feature of this property covering an acre of land.  Over the last eight years the owners have worked towards reconstructing a park-like calming garden.

As you enter the property a small area is dedicated to mostly native plants above the dry-stone wall.  To the left, two standard weeping Japanese maples book-end the flowering beds along the driveway.  In the front garden bed, behind a hedge of camellia sansaquas you will find a profusion of hellibores, fuschias, azaleas and lacecap hydrangeas.  You will also notice the two elegant standard weeping elms.

Further along the northern fence the owners have created a flowing garden bed which holds many new plantings replacing the previously invading agapanthus.  The soil in that area has been enriched and now offers ideal conditions for many varieties of bulbs, perennials and shrubs.

Towards the end of this expanse you will observe the splendid Sequoia.  Beyond the expanse of lawn is the work area and composting site.  Above the stone steps is an extended lawn reclaimed over blackberry bushes and which is bordered by a bank of azaleas on one side and a rose bed along the driveway.  Along the driveway as you walk back towards the gate more agapanthus have been cleared and dead eucalypts removed.  Plantings are progressively taking place in the new garden beds along the southern fences to regain privacy.   There are a few seating benches throughout the garden, so do take time to enjoy the serenity of the space and observe the bird life.