Australian garden history : journal of the Australian Garden History Society

Joanne Morris

GARDEN

JOURNAL OF THE AUSTRALIAN GARDEN HISTORY SOCIETY

Published by the Australian Garden History Society Incorporated

ISSN 1033-3673 Vol 5 No 4 January/February 1994

Contributors

Clive Lucas, OBE, FRAIA is principal of Clive Lucas, Staple-
ton and Partners, conservation architects in Sydney, a
firm well known for work on some of Australia’s most
important historic buildings, including the two glass
houses discussed in this issue.

Joanne Morris is a garden lover who has published widely.
She has produced a number of gardener’s diaries for
Collins publishers and has a keen interest in garden pho¬
tography.

Cover: A touch of formality at Esk Farm

1994

Australian Garden
History Society

Tours

Following the success of the 1993 tours, Helen
Andersson is planning to run two tours for Garden
History Society members and friends during 1994.

Gardens of Southern NSW

April 1994
6 days

Gardens of Victoria

October 1994
5 days

(Planned as a pre-conference in association with
the Garden History Conference in Melbourne)

For details phone or write to:

Helen Andersson
PO Box 542
Bowral NSW 2576
Tel. (048) 864 337
Fax (048) 864 295

Branches

ACT/MONARO/RIVERINA BRANCH

Mr Bmcc English
GPO Box 1630
Canberra ACT 2601
Ph: (06) 247 0665

QUEENSLAND BRANCH

Ms Jan Seto
PO Box 459
Toowong Qld 4066
Ph: (07) 393 2254

SOUTH A USTRALIAN BRANCH

Mr Richard Nolan

C/- Tire Botanic Gardens of Adelaide and State Herbarium
North Terrace
Adelaide SA 5000

SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS/SOUTHERN NSW BRANCH

Mrs Elizabeth Webster
Salisbury Downs
Blanket Flat
Bigga NSW 2583
Ph. (048) 352 205
Fax (048) 352 241

SYDNEY AND NORTHERN NSW BRANCH

Jan Gluskie
13 Claremont Rd
Burwood Heights NSW 2136
Ph. (02) 747 3301
Fax (02) 744 3924

TASMANIAN BRANCH

Mrs Fairie Nielsen
Pigeon Hill, RSD 469
Bumie Tas 7320
Ph: (004) 33 0077

VICTORIAN BRANCH

Ms Gini Lee

c/- Royal Botanic Gardens
Birdwood Avenue
South Yarra Vic 3141
Ph/Fax: (03) 650 5043

WEST A USTRALIAN BRANCH

Ms Anne Willox
PO Box 1323
SubiacO WA 6008
I'll: (09) 381 1675

The Australian Garden History Society was formed in 1980 to bring
together those with an interest in the various aspects of garden
history—horticulture, landscape design, architecture and related
subjects. Its prime concern is to promote interest and research into
historic gardens as a major component of the National Estate. It
aims to look at garden milking in a wide historic, literary, artistic
and scientific context.

The editorial content of articles, or the products and services
advertised in this journal, do not necessarily imply their
endorsement by the Australian Garden History Society.

CHAIRMAN Margaret Darling

TREASURER Robin Lewame

SECRETARY Lester Tropman

JOURNAL EDITOR David Beaver

4 Dewrang Avenue
Elanora Heights, NSW 2101
Ph/Fax (02) 913 3528

Correspondence should be addressed to the Secretary, AGHS,
C/- Royal Botanic Gardens, Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra,
Victoria 3141. Ph/Fax (03) 650 5043.

2

Two Historic Glass Houses Conserved

(jlass houses or conservatories are something we regard
as quintessential!)? Victorian, yet in Australia they are com¬
paratively rare. With the exception of those in botanic
gardens they are rarely extant, although many more existed
in Victorian times, particularly in the south of the country
in Victoria and Tasmania.

In Tasmania perhaps the greater numbers of Australian
glass houses survive. This is of course to do with climate,
but also Tasmania has on the whole tended to preserve its
nineteenth century buildings intact.

Perhaps the best early Victorian glass house surviving is
that at Entally in northern Tasmania, fifteen kilometres
from Launceston on the South Esk River. This glass house,
which contains two chambers, is twenty five metres (eighty
feet) long and was built in the mid 1840s by the Rev. and
Hon. Thomas Reibey (1821-1912), sometime Premier of the
State, and first native-born cleric.

The Reibeys came to Entally in 1818 when the property
was taken up by Thomas Heydock Reibey (1796-1842), son
of Mary Reibey of Sydney, but it was his son Thomas to
whom the present appearance of Entally is due.

Like the sons of many rich families, he and his brother
Charles were sent to England to be educated at Oxford,
and Thomas returned to Tasmania newly married in 1843.
He soon set about refining the estate of Entally he had
recently inherited from his father.

The house was rebuilt, a chapel erected, and by 1846
the glass house constructed. A visitor in January 1846 men¬

tions the ‘grand house; the flower garden and greenhouse
veiy handsome’. From then until his death he added con¬
siderably to the property, engaging the architect W H
Clayton (1823-1877) to add Gothic cottages and to aggran¬
dise a wing in the 1850s- 1860s.

Whether the glass house was prefabricated in England is
unclear. Its timber is Baltic built on a brick base. All is
beautifully put together with components numbered and
so on. The earliest photos of the building were taken in
January I860 when Professor John Smith of Sydney Univer¬
sity stayed at Entally and took a number of significant pho¬
tographs.

Growing interest in the State acquiring an historic prop¬
erty led to its purchase in 1948 and in 1950, following
restoration, Entally was opened as a museum.

By the time of its purchase the property was in a run
down condition and just as work was done to the house
itself, so to the glass house. At this time the sills and top
plate appear to have been replaced together with a
number of rafters and mullions. The building since then
had become neglected and new gutters seem to have
added to its plight.

In 1990 when the architects were first consulted, the
building was in a perilous state and leaning markedly in a
western direction.

Research established the significance of the glass houses
as the oldest large glass houses extant and a One Nation
grant in 1992 as well as funds provided by the Tasmanian

The derelict glass house at lintally in June 1991

3

Clive Lucas.

Clive Lucas Clive Lucas

Above: The conservatory at Entatty, Tasmania, photographed daring November 199.1 shortly after completed conservation works
Below: The newly conserved palm house at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, photographed in November 1993

4

Mrs Thomas Riehey, her mother-in-law Mrs Thomas Haydock Rieby, and her niece, Miss Arthur, photographed at the eastern end of the
Entally glass house on 6January 1860 by PmfessorJohn Smith of Sydney University.

5

Macleay Museum, University of Sydney

Ian Stapleton

Work in progress on the palm house, June 1993

Government has allowed it to be thoroughly restored
during 1993.

The building has been taken down to its brick base, the
sill has been entirely replaced in local hardwood, the top
plate repaired and rotten rafters and (millions replaced in
red Baltic from which the building is primarily built. The
sashes have also been taken apart and stiles, rails and bars
replaced as necessary. The original sash doors have simi¬
larly been repaired.

The ground levels were found to have risen almost three
hundred millimetres. Most of the original architectural
hardware, such as spring catches and rollers, was intact,

which allowed every second bay of the roof to open by
means of pulleys. This has been put into working order
once again. The sides contain hopper sashes which have
also been put in order. The joinery has been repainted in
its original broken white and the hardware blackened.

One half of the green house once had its glass frosted;
this has been done again. As much as possible of the origi¬
nal glass (250mm xl50mm panes) has been salvaged. This
wonderful little building now functions as its builders
intended.

The glass house in Sydney, built as a palm house, in the
Royal Botanic Gardens is not as complex as Entally's late
Georgian example. Here the glazing is fixed. Instead of the
small Georgian panes it is glazed with patterned glass of
the Edwardian period, both floral and pressed.

Unlike Entally, it is heated and retains its 1876 boiler
house.

The palm house at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney,
dates from 1876, however all except for the plinth was
replaced by a new superstructure in 1912 to the design of
the then NSW Government Architect, George McRae (1858-
1923).

By 1992 the palm house was in need of substantial refur¬
bishment. Many of the timber members were rotten and
haphazard glass replacement had led to a motley effect.
More seriously, the heavy angle steel elbow brackets which
made the stnicture act as a portal frame were badly corrod¬
ed.

Wood rot had led in the 1970s to the replacement of all
the lower section of woodwork with historically inaccurate
timbers.

Following historical investigation and search for docu¬
ments, it was decided that refurbishment works should
reconstruct the glasshouse to its 1912 form, introducing
some new pivot sashes to improve ventilation for the
building's new use as an education space.

After propping, all of the elbow braces were removed,
repaired, hot dipped galvanised and reinstalled. All of the
rotten timberwork was replaced. This included the actual
reproduction of the Redwood lower woodwork complete
with beaded glazing stops and repair of the two end sash
doors.

About fifty percent of the 1912 ribbed glazing had sur¬
vived and this was rearranged on the southern side and
northern roof of the building. Later patterned, cl920s
pressed glass was concentrated on the east and north
sides. Miraculously new matching pressed glass was found
to make up missing areas. The building's electrical system
was also replaced. The completed work was painted in the
colour scheme chosen to complement the adjacent build¬
ings in the Gardens.

The glass house was available again for use in Septem¬
ber 1993.

Because of the rarity of historic glass houses their
restoration is not often part of the conservation architect’s
repertoire. It is therefore interesting that the conservation
of two such important garden buildings should occur
almost simultaneously.

The builder at Entally was Anstie Constructions and in
Sydney, G & Z Builders.

Clive Lucas

6

Tasmanian Gardens in the Spring

fin: 1993, Australian Garden History Society Conference
hosted by the Tasmanian Branch in October was a most
enjoyable event. However, for those lucky enough to join
Helen Andersson’s tour there were five extra days of
sheer indulgence.

The tour commenced in Launceston, the second oldest
city in Tasmania. The charm of early colonial buildings,
largely unspoilt landscapes, helpful taxi drivers (no worries
about five in a cab) and general kindness soon had us all
altering our pace to suit that of the locals.

Our first expedition was a visit to a remarkable garden
not far from Launceston. The garden of Dunedin is the cre¬
ation of Annabel Scott, a gardener formidable. In the space
of twelve years she took a neglected and heavily shaded
garden, removing twenty-six enormous Pinus radiata as
her first priority, and turned it into a beautifully designed,
superbly hedged garden of enormous plant interest. It was
no surprise to learn that this garden was included in the
Open Garden Scheme.

The charm of early colonial
buildings, largely unspoilt landscapes,
helpful taxi drivers (no worries
about five in a cab) and general
kindness soon had us all
altering our pace to suit that
of the locals

Annabel was adamant about preparing her beds. This
involves an application of two lethal doses of Roundup at
two-weekly intervals. The beds are then layered with
newspaper covered by cow manure from the farm (shov¬
elled by her impressed, or, more accurately, unimpressed,
children), followed by a final mulch of pea straw, fennel
heads, Pyrethrum, or whatever suitable local crop happens
to be available. The whole is left fallow for six months
before planting.

Annabel was as hospitable and gracious as all the other
gardeners we subsequently met. She was infinitely patient
with our repeated questions and keen to share her knowl¬
edge, which was considerable. Her garden was a lovely
tribute to her propagating skills.

For Richard Nolan, our invaluable arboreal expert, it was
the choice of trees which made this garden special; a
superb Hawthorn Maple (Acer crataegifoliurri), a large
Trident Maple (Acer beurgemntun), a Celery Top Pine
(Phyllocladus aspenifolius), and a handsome Taxodium
distichum. Crab-apples in full bloom vied with the fresh
spring growth on Magnolias and Birches.

For me, the manicured Cypress hedges which walled the
garden on one side, with a matching hedge creating a
Hidcote-style Long Walk that to the outbuildings at the
rear, was the last thing I expected to find in a Tasmanian
country garden.

The mayhem inflicted on it by the family bull (which

must have thought it was paradise when it ambled into the
garden the week before) was not as obvious to us as it was
to the recovering Annabel.

The following day we visited four private country
gardens in the Cressy and Longford districts.

A well-clipped Hawthorn hedge greeted us when we
arrived at the first garden, putting us on notice that there
were better things to come. According to Judy I Iumphries,
the owner of Newiy, unruly hedges all over Tasmania are
being put into order now that machinery is available to do
the job.

Accompanied by our hostess we wandered along a drive
bordered by ancient pines underplanted by masses of
White Honesty and Bluebells, to enter a cottage-style
garden of tremendous charm. Although Judy started on the
garden seventeen years previously, she was still planning
new areas, like the geometrically laid out vegetable garden
which had as its centrepiece an enormous copper whaling
vat rescued from her grandmother who was planning to
throw it out. Intersecting convict-brick paths and standard
Iceberg roses gave this area a feeling of relaxed formality.
Beyond the post-and-rail fence lay a pastoral scene which
had us all frantically reaching for our cameras.

The garden surrounding the house was a blissful con¬
glomeration of roses (sadly not yet in bloom), perennials,
bulbs and shaibs. The top of a drystone wall beside the
tennis court was home to a variety of small and interesting
succulents. Shiny Giant Angelica made an unusual and
interesting backdrop to Peonies, Rugosa, shrub and old-
fashioned roses, Euphorbia, Cranesbills, Honesty, Arum
Lilies, and a variety of other familiar cottage plants.

The second garden, Ravensworth, was interesting more
for its plantings than for its design. It did much to extend
our knowledge of cold climate and small alpine plants.
Fortunately labels were to be found hidden under stones,
the owner’s artist son having previously made the droll
observation, The garden looks like a cemetery with all
those labels sticking up out of the ground’.

The majestic wall of elms
which lined the approach to
the farmhouse was an indication
that the property had been
established for some time

The third garden was a former Carmellite convent com¬
plete with grotto. Although this garden was a pleasure to
walk through, it was even more pleasant relaxing on the
lawn under the shade of enormous Oaks and Poplars with
a glass of wine and a splendid lunch provided by Longford
Hall’s enthusiastic owner. A Dove Tree (Davidia involucra-
ta), a tri-coloured Beech, a contorted Fillibut, numerous
Dogwoods and a small but perfect white and pink tinged
Flowering Quince ( Cydonia oblonga) were some of our
hostess’s contributions.

Esk Farm was our final garden for the day and once

7

Joanne Morris Joanne Morris

8

)

I

Above : The romantic charm of Calzean

Below: The Clematis draped veranda at Malabtde with elms in the backgmund

9

Joanne Morris

again we were made to feel very welcome by its owner, Jo
Johnson. The majestic wall of elms which lined the
approach to the farmhouse was an indication that the
property had been established for some time. The garden
is included in the Open Garden Scheme.

Although not a very big garden it is nevertheless very
interesting. A descending pathway lined with clipped Box
leads the visitor down one side of the garden towards the
boundary fence where an urn on a plinth provides a
charming focal point. A meandering path continues around
the bottom of the garden under a fresh canopy of green
towards a recently established bog garden.

The splendid 1930s house
overlooks a spring-fed lake fringed with
Irispseudoconis , Louisiana Iris, and
other bog plants. An island in the
centre shelters Chestnut Teal, White and
Grey Herons and Egyptian Geese from
marauding Tasmanian Devils

From there one wanders back via a Wisteria walk
towards the house where the verandah of a new extension
groans with the weight of a prolific white Clematis, unex¬
pectedly intertwined with Pandorea pandorana. Of the
many lovely trees, a vibrant yellow' flowered New Zealand
Kowhai ( Sophora let rapt era) demands the most attention.

Helen provided us with a wonderful day on Monday,
but, unlike the words of the song, Tuesday was just as
good.

For some of us, Culzean (pronounced ‘Cullane’), turned
out to be the high point of the tour. This English-style
woodland garden was a mass of Bluebells, Lily of the
Valley, Daffodils, Solomon’s Seal, Foxgloves, Iris and
Violets under mature Pine, Beech and Elm. We were
seeing it at its peak. Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Camellias
and Magnolias completed the scene.

At Red Hill Farm, our next
port of call, the Ranicars feted us
to a memorable alfresco luncheon of
Smokehouse salmon

The splendid 1930s house overlooks a spring-fed lake
fringed with Iris pseudoconis , Louisiana Iris, and other bog
plants. An island in the centre shelters Chestnut Teal, White
and Grey Herons and Egyptian Geese from marauding Tas¬
manian Devils.

The lake also supports a quantity of rainbow trout and
an escalating platypus population.

Although they were not in bloom, Dr Laker proudly
showed us his many roses and his equally fine conifer col¬
lection.

At Red Hill Farm, our next port of call, the Ranicars feted
us to a memorable alfresco luncheon of Smokehouse
salmon. This was the family who pioneered the salmon
farming industry. Seated at long tables under the silver
birches, we were treated to an outstanding meal and an
equally superb view of the Great Western Tiers across the
valley.

Our return trip to Launceston included a visit to the Eliz¬
abeth Town nursery at Mole Creek. There we tracked
down the recipe for the attractive hand-made tufa-like
troughs and containers we had frequently come across and
admired in the gardens we had been visiting. (Recipe avail¬
able on application to the writer.)

Our final day presented us with a very different Tasma¬
nia when we headed for the drier east coast via the noted
historic property Malahide, which was established in the
1930s.

We entered the property through a cobbled courtyard
and emerged to an expanse of sweeping lawn planted
with fifty or so Crabapples in full bloom. Closer to the
house, a spectacular pair of large and leaning Allepo Pines
(Pinus halapensis ) framed the distant view of Mount
Nicholas.

Clematis clambered happily up the verandah posts of
this Early Georgian house. English Elms, smothered in
blossom, towered even higher than the Pines. On the
eastern side the smooth white trunks of a grove of birches
(Betula jacquemontii) rivalled the fresh white paint on the
picket fence behind.

We entered the property
through a cobbled courtyard and
emerged to an expanse of sweeping
lawn planted with fifty or so
Crabapples in full bloom

Nearby, a Magnolia grandiflora had been trained against
the cool south wall of an old barn, while white roses
basked in protected warmth on the sunny side.

Once again Helen pulled the rabbit out of the hat and
presented us with another splendid picnic on the grass in
the sheltered Cypress hedged cottage garden at Combend.
Combend, which dates back to 1842, boasts what seems to
be known as a ‘boutique’ vineyard, but we were disap¬
pointed to learn that their entire vintage had sold out
shortly after it was exhibited, so that even a tasting was out
of the question. Our hosts, on the other hand, were mod¬
estly jubilant.

The final garden on our itinerary was spectacular for the
age and size of its trees, which bestowed an air of peaceful
timelessness. An avenue of one-hundred-year-old Oaks
lined the drive of what is one of the earliest farming prop¬
erties in the Derwent Valley.

It was an appropriate choice for the conclusion of a truly
enjoyable Australian Garden History Society pre-conference
tour.

Joanne Mortis

10

State News

Victorian Branch

Marysville and Lake Mountain Tour

On the weekend of November 6 and 7, 1993, thirty five
members of the Victorian Branch visited several delightful
gardens in the Marysville district, and on Sunday toured the
Big Trees Reserve and Lake Mountain alpine region with
Rodger and Gwen Elliot. The weather forecast was not
promising as showers were predicted for the weekend.
Only 48 hours earlier, snow fell on Lake Mountain which
we were later to enjoy under blue skies.

The tour began in Burrengeen Park, Marysville where
we were met by members of the Marysville Garden Club,
who had arranged the garden visits. First settled in 1863,
Marysville became a popular holiday resort in the 1920s.
The tree-lined streets of planes, oaks and elms provide a
pleasant setting for many guesthouses and homes. Cool
climate plants, especially the rhododendrons and dog¬
woods were in full flower and provided plenty of colour.

At Cumberland, the bright pink leaves of Cedrella sinensis
were on show and other plantings included a fine Weeping
Elm (Ulmus glabra ‘Camperdownii’), Pin Oaks (Quercus
palustris), Spanish Chestnut (Casta)wet saliva), a very large
Magnolia x sottlangeana, an uncommon Styrax japonic a,
Azara lanceolata , Enkianlhus campannlcitus, and many
Rhododendron cultivates in shades of white, pink and red.

Other fine garden plantings included Copper Beech
C Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’), Tricolor Beech ( Feigns sylvati-
ca Tricolor’), numerous Flowering Dogwoods (Conuts
florida and Conuts florida ‘Rubra’) and Primus serrulatet
cultivars.

The conifer group were also well represented with fine
specimens of Cupressus, Chamaecyparis, Thuja, Picea,
Cryptomeria and Pinas. At Kooringa Guesthouse we were
able to view Victoria’s finest Tulip Tree (Lirioelendron tulip-
iferei). This tree has a trunk circumference of three metres,
a height of twenty seven metres and is listed on the
National Trust Register of Significant Trees of Victoria.
Other fine trees included Paulownia tomentosa, Quercus
paliistris, Pinas wallichiana and an unusual narrow form
of Cupressus lusitemica.

Late in the afternoon we travelled to St Fillan on the
Maroondah Highway. This historic garden was established
in the early 1880s by the Hon. James Munroe, an early
Premier of Victoria. The entrance to the property is marked
by an attractive cast iron gateway and the long drive is
lined with Pinus raeliata, Acer rubra, Quercus robur,
Populiis alba, Ulmus minor ‘Variegata’ and a rare Launis
azoiica.

The 1.2 hectare garden surrounding the 1930s residence,
contains many fine conifers including some of the finest
examples of the species in Victoria. It is believed that Fer¬
dinand von Mueller assisted with the planting. Notable
trees include Sequoiadendron giganteum, Cupressus toni-
losa, Pseuelotsuga menziesii, Ihujopsis dolabrata (large),
Abies nordmanniana, Chamaecyparis lawsoniana, Cupivs-
sus Itisitaniai var. bentheunii, Quercus cerris, Arbutus
canetriensis, Tilia x eu rope tea, Acer sp. and several large
Carpinus betuIns. Beside the house is an old English Box
hedge ( Buxtts sempervirens) and beyond the drive a
sunken lily pond surrounded by a ring of Italian Cypress

(Cupressus sempervirens). This planting is thought to date
from the 1930s, and the garden has recently been extended
with recent plantings of specimen trees to the west.

At The Hermitage, where we spent the evening, is an
interesting collection of early buildings being restored by
John and Val Stafford. The complex was erected by the
internationally known photographer, John William Lindt, in
1894. The garden is approached along a short drive lined
with Silver Birch (Betiila penduld) to a turning circle domi¬
nated by a large Linden ( Tilia x europaea). On the terraces
between the house and lych gate are numerous Rhododen¬
drons, Hydrangeas and, in the beds beside the house, large
Camellia japonica cultivars and an old Kalmia latifolia.

At the entrance to the Studio is a remarkable Ciyptome-
ria japonica ‘Elegans’. This multi-branched tree is the
largest specimen in Victoria, measuring forty two metres in
height with a trunk circumference of almost four metres,
and is listed on the National Trust Register of Signifciant
Trees of Victoria. Another tree on the Register is a remnant
forest giant of Eucalyptus cypellocarpa with a trunk circum¬
ference of over ten metres and a height of almost sixty
metres. North of the Studio is a row of four large conifers,
Sequoiadendron giganteum and Cryptomeria japonica.
Other large trees include two Abies nordmanniana,
Cupressus sempervirens, Lauras nobilis, and east of the
main house, remnants of an old orchard.

On the terraces between the
house and lych gate are numerous
Rhododendrons, Hydrangeas and,
in the beds beside the house,
large Camellia japon ica cultivars
and an old Kalmia latifolia

On Sunday, the group drove to the Big Trees Reserve
stopping en route to visit the Big Culvert, an early con¬
structed stone bridge for the track leading to the Woods
Point goldfields. Situated in Beech forest we viewed the
new bronze leaves of Notbofagiis cunninghamii and the
young fronds on Cyathea australis. At the Big Trees
Reserve we walked to the Big Tree' located in a stand of
giant Mountain Ash (Eucalyptus regnans). It once stood at
ninety two metres but was reduced ter eighty four metres
by a wind storm in 1959.

At Lake Mountain we walked to Echo Flat, most of it
through snow, much to our surprise. The glistening trunks
of Snow Gums ( Eucalyptus pemciflora subsp. niphophila)
with snow at their base was especially attractive. Many
interesting alpine plants were observed and fortunately a
number were in flower, including Hovea montana with
deep purple flowers, and the large stands of the lemon¬
flowering Phebalium phylicifolium were just beginning.

The tour was very successful and thanks must be
extended to Rodger and Gwen Elliot, and especially Di
Renou who arranged the visits and organised the evening
meal.

John Henvker

11

Victorian Branch

The Landscape of Castle Howard

In November the Victorian Branch was presented with an
informative talk by Dr Christopher Ridgeway on the history
and restoration of the Castle Howard landscape. Dr Ridge¬
way, Librarian at Castle Howard since 1985, has been over¬
seeing and cataloguing the extensive collections and
researching Castle Howard, including the garden and
buildings.

He was in Australia to research the life and work of the
landscape gardener, William Andrews Newfield, who
worked at Castle Howard in the 1850s and 1860s, and
whose papers are held in a private collection.

Using plans constructed from
early drawings and photographs, we
were able to observe a simple building
and garden undergo a transformation
in the 1700s to a grand and vast
designed landscape

Dr Ridgeway provided information on the evolution of
the garden - what surely must be one of the grandest
designs ever attempted. The Castle Howard landscape was
achieved through the efforts of three men: Charles III, Earl
of Carlisle; Sir John Vanburgh, who was also laying out the
grounds of Stowe and Blenheim Palace; and Nicholas
Hawksmoor.

Using plans constructed from early drawings and pho¬
tographs, we were able to observe a simple building and
garden undergo a transformation in the 1700s to a grand
and vast designed landscape.

The history of many of the buildings were explained,
including the Temple of Four Winds (designed by Van¬
burgh, and built after his death in 1726 by Hawksmoor);
New River Bridge (c.1744) and Hawksmoor’s Mausoleum
(begun in 1728, completed c.1745); the pyramid, gateway
and obelisk (1714); and lost buildings including the
Temple of Venus, designed by Hawksmoor. The restora¬
tion work that has taken place to these buildings was also
discussed.

The design of the Castle Howard landscape has under¬
gone several changes. In 1710 Ray Wood was a maze of
paths and statuary, and the forecourt was dotted with
statues and obelisks. In the 1850s and 1860s, William Nes-
field (1793-1864) laid out an elaborate parterre around the
Atlas Fountain which was bought from the Great Exhibi¬
tion in 1851. Nesfield also laid out the formal gardens radi¬
ating from the Palm House at Kew. The parterre was
removed in the late nineteenth century and replaced with
lawn and hedges.

In 1984 George Howard died and his son, the Hon.
Simon Howard, decided to ‘restore’ the Castle Howard
landscape.

After years of neglect, the ponds had silted up and
become over-run with tree seedlings and rushes. In the

1980s, funding was obtained from grant aid and the
resources of Castle Howard to restore the South Lake,
central pond and New River. The cascade and New River
bridge were restored and many of the missing stone orna¬
ments were found in the lake bed. Recently the Prince of
Wales jets were restored and the elaborate water system,
fed by a half-million gallon reservoir in Ray Wood, and
finishing at an old mill on the New River, has been
returned to working order.

This is not the end, however, as many of the buildings,
especially the Mausoleum, require urgent conservation
works.

John H clicker

Italian Gardens

Ethne Clarke, keynote speaker for the Hobart Conference,
spoke to forty members and friends on the influence of
Renaissance gardens on twentieth century design.

Ethne’s interest in Italian gardens began as a child
looking at her great grandmother’s photo albums of the
Tuscany region. Several years ago, she and her family
spent a prolonged visit in Tuscany. From that visit she
wrote The Gardens of Tuscany, following in the tradition of
Edith Wharton, Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe, Georgina Mason and
Harold Acton.

We were shown beautiful slides of Renaissance gardens,
Ethne emphasising the design elements of topiary and
evergreen hedges, terraces and water, the movement
between light and shade and the splendid views over the
Tuscan landscape.

We were shown beautiful
slides of Renaissance gardens,

Ethne emphasising the design elements
of topiary and evergreen hedges,
terraces and water, the movement
between light and shade and
the splendid views over the
Tuscan landscape

In this century Villa Gamberaia, severely damaged
during the Second World war, was restored by Dr Marchi
shortly after the end of the war. There were many wealthy
American and English expatriates who made Tuscany their
home. Bernard Berensen, the art historian, with the young
English architect Cecil Pinsent, designed a garden for II
Tatti in the Renaissance tradition. Pinsent then designed Le
Baize, a new house and garden for an American. Mean¬
while, Arthur Acton recreated the gardens at La Pietra. The
villa gardens were a chief source or inspiration for many
English designers, Harold Peto, Lawrence Johnston and
Vita Sackville-West.

Interest in Italian Renaissance gardens has again been
revived with many people including these gardens on their
itinerary.

Di Ellerton

12

Sydney/Northern NSW Branch

Gardenesque at Vaucluse House, Sydney,

31 October 1993

Historic Vaucluse House in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, a
twenty seven acre garden estate that was the residence of
William Charles Wentworth from 1829 to 1853, was again
the venue this year for Gardenesque. In past years this has
been a Spring fair event but the Curator of Vaucluse
House, Michael Bogle, changed the focus this year to what
he considers the Historic Houses Trust do best, that is
provide information about heritage, and in particular nine¬
teenth century gardens.

The Sydney branch of the Australian Garden History
Society was invited to participate. Members staffed a stall
for the day, thus providing a great opportunity to promote
AGHS and its aims.

After threatening to rain in the morning, it cleared to a
wonderful spring day, and though crowds were not large,
there was a steady flow of people past the stall. This made
for a very pleasant day of meeting and talking with visitors
about AGHS activities, handing out membership applica¬
tion material, and answering queries.

Visitors to Gardenesque, from such disparate places as
Quirindi, Orange and Bringelly, as well as Sydneysiders,
came seeking information sources and advice about restor¬
ing gardens from remnants surrounding their old cottages
and houses. It was reassuring to AGHS members to find
such keen interest in rebuilding and preserving the old
rather than ignoring the historical aspect of a garden when
creating something new.

It was also heartening that some of these people were
young couples with lots of enthusiasm and energy for the
task ahead, wanting to know how to research and develop
their projects in order to faithfully represent the period of
the building.

Several visitors joined as new members of AGHS and
along with a number of others, purchased copies of the
Journal and other AGHS items which were available for
sale. Those attending this event included landscape and
horticulture students, gardeners from other historic proper¬
ties and interested members of the public. Some of our
current members also called in to support AGHS efforts.

A special visitor to Gardenesque was F.thne Clarke,
keynote speaker at the AGHS Conference in Tasmania.
Ethne was enjoying a short holiday in Sydney after the
busy time spent lecturing in Tasmania, Victoria and South
Australia, before retuning home to Norfolk in the U.K.
Sydney AGI IS members were pleased to have this opportu¬
nity to meet Ethne and to extend their hospitality.

Stalls of many types offered merchandise in keeping
with the theme, such as seeds, plants, craft items, garden
books, ornaments and furniture, as well as providing infor¬
mation about heritage gardens. Vaucluse House was open
for inspection.

At various times during the day talks were given by
experts. Topics included ‘Garden History & Landscape
Architecture' (Michael Lehany), ‘Nineteenth Century Paint¬
ing’ (James Broadbent), ‘Vaucluse House in the Twentieth
Century’ (Sally Webster), and ‘Art and Science of Water

Features’ (Dirk Slotboom). These talks attracted much inter¬
est and were well attended.

Also of interest was the restored garden of Vaucluse
House which was reopened in 1993 after parts of it had
been completely rebuilt using archaeological evidence and
old photographic records. The gravel used for paths
(restored from concrete) was analysed to obtain an identi¬
cal match with the existing gravel. The original drainage
system was identified, unearthed and reinstated.

Refreshments were available in the garden and tea
rooms, and some visitors enjoyed a picnic in the bushland
area adjacent to the carpark. Hay rides and an ice cream
vendor delighted the children. The visitors to Gardenesque
obviously enjoyed the opportunity to inspect this remark¬
ably intact nineteenth century estate, and to collect infor¬
mation about heritage gardens. The organisers of the event
were well pleased with the attendance on the day. AGHS
members working on the stall also enjoyed themselves,
and felt the promotional opportunity' for the Society was
very worthwhile.

Jan Gluskie

Southern Highlands/Southern NSW
Branch

Robertson Rainforest

On Sunday, 30 October, members of the Southern High¬
lands/Southern NSW Branch of the AGHS spent a day in
Robertson. The most eastern town in the Southern high¬
lands of NSW, Robertson sits high on the escarpment
above Wollongong. Members gathered for morning tea and
a walk through the garden of Robin and Ron Jeffcoat at
Longfield outside Robertson.

Robin, as well as being a past member of the National
Committee, is well known as a painter and craft teacher.
Her sense of colour is reflected in brilliant plantings of
rainbow shading cascading down a sloping site to a lake.
Unusual plants such as Blue lxia, Tree Peony, Geums and
perennial Digitalis mingle with flowering shrubs; all against
a green meadow covered with Buttercups - truly an artist’s
palette.

Robin and Ron are generous in their hospitality and we
thank them for co-ordinating the day, and for allowing us
to meet in their garden.

Members then drove to the Robertson Nature Reserve, a
five hectare area of warm temperate rainforest. The
Reserve is of great importance as it is one of the few rem¬
nants of the Yarrawa Brush (as it was called) which, prior
to European settlement, covered some 2,500 ha around
what is now Robertson township. We were met there by
Mr Leon Hall who is the local expert on this reserve. He
gave us a short talk on its history and told us what to look
out for. Mr Hall is the son of Dorothy Hall, well known
herbalist and environmentalist. When we entered the forest
we were immediately aware of the overshadowing canopy
and a drop in temperature - it was like entering another
world.

The dominant tree in the canopy is the Sassafras
C Doryphora sassafras), the leaves of which have a distinc¬
tive smell when crushed. Another canopy tree is the Pos-

13

sumwood ( Quintinia sieberi), which has the unusual habit
of beginning its life on the trunks of Tree Ferns; Leon actu¬
ally pointed out remnants of Tree Ferns supporting the
Possumwood. We saw many beautiful Coachwood (Cer-
atopetalum apetalutri) which have smooth whitish bark,
often mottled with lichens.

In the understorey, the plants have adapted to the soft
dappled light, and we had pointed out to us the Tree
Violet ( Hymenanthera dentata), Lilly Pilly ( Acmena
smithii ), Featherwood (Polysoma cunntmghamii) and
Brush Pepperbush (Tasmania insipida). Throughout the
whole area vines hang from the branches, epiphytic ferns
attach themselves to branches and ground ferns abound.
We were told that the area supports a wealth of bird life -
we heard many, particularly the Eastern Whip Bird and the
Satin Bower Bird, but saw few.

We finished the walk and left that magic world behind
us and I am sure with a greater appreciation and under¬
standing of this unique and beautiful rainforest.

After thanking and showing our appreciation to Mr Hall,
we headed off to the Robertson cemetery.

Irish Goodman

Report on Christmas Special Dinner, Rother-
wood

A Christmas Special Dinner was held recently at historic
Rotherwood at Sutton Forest to celebrate another enjoyable
and productive year for the Southern Highlands/Southern
NSW Branch of the AGHS.

Over sixty members and their friends were served cham¬
pagne and savouries on the northern terrace overlooking
the formal rose garden that was in full bloom, followed by
a sumptuous candle-lit dinner.

After dinner we were entertained by author and pho¬
tographer Trisha Dixon who gave an excellent illustrated
talk on the recent AGHS annual conference held in Tas¬
mania.

Katie Gay

Australian Garden History Society Publications

Historic Gardens in Australia:
Guidelines for the preparation
of conservation plans by Chris
Betteridge and Howard Tanner,
1983. Limited stocks of this title are
still available for $10 (includes
postage) from the AG1 IS, d- Royal
Botanic Gardens, Birdwood
Avenue, Victoria, 3141.

Historic . Gardens

Australia

l.LIPI UMS KM TUB PUPAHATION Of
I. ONSE It VATtON PLANS

Garden History and Historic
Gardens in Victoria: A
bibliography of secondary
sources, just published by the
Victorian Branch. Lists over 300
books, reports and journal articles;
essential reference work for
students and researchers. $5
(postage paid) from AGHS Office.

Open to View: Historic
Gardens and the Public,
proceedings of the ninth
annual conference of the
Australian Garden History
Society (1988). Includes articles
by Paul Fox, Peter Watts, James
Hitchmough, John Foster and John
Sales. $10 (postage paid) from
AGHS Office.

14

Calendar of Events

FEBRUARY MAY

VICTORIAN BRANCH_

• Thursday 24

Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens. Tour of grounds
with Head Gardener, Greg Mulchay. Picnic tea fol¬
lowed by lecture on the history of the Melbourne Zoo
by Catherine de Courcy. Meet inside the main entrance.
Time: 6.00 to 9.30 pm. Cost: Members $30; Guests $35
(includes Zoo entry, guided tour, lecture and picnic
hamper). Bookings: essential and close Friday 18
February. Enquiries: National Office (03) 650 5043.

ACT, MONARO AND RIVERINA BRANCH _

• Saturday 26

Visit to Burnima at Bombala and Curry Flat at Nimmita-
bel; gardens that need to cope with the cold in winter.
Enquiries: ACT, Monaro and Riverina Branch, GPO Box
1630, Canberra, ACT 2601.

MARCH

VICTORIAN BRANCH _

• Thursday 17

An illustrated talk by Barry Moignard on the well-
known Kelways Nursery, England, breeders of Paeony-
roses and Irises, instrumental in establishing the
Chelsea Flower Show, and plant exporter to Europe,
including Monet’s garden at Giverny. Venue: Merton
Hall, Anderson Street, South Yarra. Time: 7.30 pm.
Cost: Members $5; Guests $7. Bookings: essential.
Enquiries: National Office (03) 650 5043.

SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS/ SOUTHERN NSW BRANCH

• Saturday 19

The day will take the form of a lecture by John
Brookes, famous English landscape designer and
author, followed by lunch and then visits to some inter¬
esting gardens in the district.

SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS/SOUTHERN NSW BRANCH

• Sunday 22

Please keep this day free for a picnic at Bundanon -
famous property of Arthur and Yvonne Boyd given to
the nation in 1993- The day will include an inspection
of the garden and a conducted tour of the house and
studio.

VICTORIAN BRANCH_

• Tuesday 14

Illustrated talk by Trisha Dixon on the Gardens and
Plants of Edna Walling. Venue: National Herbarium,
Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra. Time: 8.00 pm Book¬
ings: essential. Cost: Members $7; Guests $10; Students
$5. Enquiries: National Office: (03) 650 5043.

AUGUST

VICTORIAN BRANCH _

• Tuesday 9

Annual General Meeting. Venue: National Herbarium,
Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra. Time: 7.30 pm

SEPTEMBER

VICTORIAN BRANCH

• Sunday 11

Lecture and tour on Melbourne’s Parks and Gardens -
Past and Future by Georgina Whitehead. Venue:
National Herbarium, Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra.
Time: 10.00 am.. Cost: Members $10; Guests $13; Stu¬
dents $5. BYO lunch. Enquiries: National Office (03)
650 5043.

APRIL

OCTOBER

VICTORIAN BRANCH _

• Sunday 24

Tour of Nobelius Heritage Nursery, Lake Emerald
Arboretum, and ‘Glen Harrow’, the J C Cole Nursery at
Belgrave. Talks on these two early Victorian nurseries
and inspection of remnant plantings and rare trees.
Venue: Nobelius Museum, Crichton Road, Emerald -
Melway Ref: 127 G4. Time: from 10.00 am. Cost:
Members $10; Guests $12 (includes morning tea), BYO
lunch, self drive. Bookings: essential. Enquiries: John
Hawker (03) 628 5477.

VICTORIAN BRANCH_

• Friday 21 to Monday 24

1994 National Conference ‘A Changing Landscape’ - A
study of the Macedon Ranges. Venue: Exhibition Build¬
ing, Nicholson Street, Carlton.

• Monday 24

Post Conference Garden Tour

DECEMBER

VICTORIAN BRANCH _

• Monday 5

Christmas Party. Venue: Williamstown Botanic Gardens.

15

Above: The bare limbs of a shapely Catalpa, which will notflower until Chistmas at Culzean
Below: The stunning grove o/Betula jacquemontii designed by Dr. Brian Motley ofMalahide

Registered by Australia Post Publication No. NBH 1733