Visit spring gardens for inspiration and joy

There are at least two good reasons to go garden visiting this spring. The first is inspiration. Other people’s gardens introduce you to new plants, new ways of seeing old plants, new combinations of plants, clever ways with spaces and nifty solutions to the perennial challenges posed by individual conditions.

The second reason is joy. And there is simply never enough of that.

The action starts next weekend with natives, which hit a peak of flowering brilliance at the end of winter. The Illawarra Grevillea Park at Bulli started life as the collection of grevilleas grown by members of the Grevillea Study Group of the Australian Plants Society, but now showcases a rich array of Australian plants across 2.4 hectares of landscaped gardens.

The large-flowered grevilleas known as tropicals are a feature. Check out ‘Bulli Beauty’, a pink-flowered, medium-sized shrub with excellent flowers for picking, which was developed in the park. There will be plants for sale and experts to talk to. The park is open on the first two weekends of September.

Boongala in Kenthurst is also focused on natives. Owners Mal and Jenny Johnson ran Annangrove Nurseries, a specialist native plant nursery in Kenthurst for many years while developing this garden on the site of a former orchard and poultry farm. Now mature, the garden has its spring open season from September 2 to October 10, Fridays to Mondays only. Give the Johnsons at least 48 hours’ notice to pick up a bunch of freshly picked flowers when you visit.

The daffodils at Rydal, over the Blue Mountains on the way to Lithgow, start their dance in early September. The parks, streets and gardens of the tiny village are all planted with daffodils, in honour of William Wordsworth’s home, Rydal Mount. The poet’s much-quoted line about a host of golden daffodils comes to life in the Daffodil Festival, September 10-11 and 17-18.

Celebrating its first run since COVID, the festival this year includes music, art and sculpture shows and a free bus to transport visitors around the gardens and venues.

Also beyond the mountains is Mayfield Gardens. Part of the extensive gardens are open every day of the year, but during its spring festival, September 23 to October 24, the entire garden, including the private gardens of the Hawkins family, are open. Pick up a picnic and spend the day, or book the glamping option and stay in a luxury two-person tent, enjoy a three-course meal at the restaurant, and watch the sun set and rise over the garden.