487 Cudgegong Road, Rylstone – 5 minutes south-west of Rylstone on the Cudgegong Road, between Rylstone and the Castlereagh Highway
It’s no surprise the Homestead garden won The Sydney Morning Herald Garden Prize in 1967. Sweeping lawns dotted with well-established trees, such as golden elm and desert ash, are bordered with lush garden beds (planted five years ago) to provide a gentle, shady retreat. An edge of Elina roses – a subtle cream – frames the house.
This garden is being renewed in a grand style. One can imagine a table set with white linen and Royal Albert ‘country roses’. Across the paddock and past the shearers’ quarters, the Guest House garden sits beautifully in the farming landscape, providing 360° views of hills and fertile paddocks. Many of trees here were planted by Tim and Helen Evans in the 1960s: pin oaks, lindens, English elms, liquidambars and plane trees.
Refreshments: Morning and afternoon teas by Rylstone Public School
Market stalls: Joan Schultz garden art; Grew Some Plants by Charlie and Lisa Page
Kaye and her husband Barrie (recently deceased) settled here in 1964, built their house and established a pastoral property that currently runs 1800 sheep and 30 cattle. The garden surrounding the house is an ornate cottage garden with whimsical elements, and will reward careful scrutiny.
This garden is of interest for its structural features as much as its plantings. Note as you enter, the 30cm thick stone wall on 10cm footings, which Pat built herself. The back stone section of the house was built in the 1890s and of even greater historical interest is the beehive well (learn more from the sign).
Rae and Guy Sim built their house and began planting this sweeping nine-acre garden 12 years ago. Guy is the structural builder and designer and you will see his handiwork in water courses, rock culverts, climbing frames, stonework, terraces and well-placed, eye-catching sculptural pieces. Rae is the green-fingered artist, designing, planting and nurturing a spectacular range of trees (deciduous, fruiting and native) and bushes; as well as perennials, bulbs, succulents and annuals in pots, beds and paddocks. Their garden continues to evolve, relying on spring water pumped up to two 22,500 litre tanks sitting near the highway.
Meaning the spirit of the northwest wind, “Keewaydin” has its origin in the story of Hiawatha. Great location and first garden to visit for those travelling from Lithgow, Sydney or the Blue Mountains.
This is our fifth Kandos Gardens Fair and will not disappoint enthusiastic gardeners. The theme is “Every garden tells a story…” and we have a diverse range of wonderful gardens open for our visitors. Eleven town and country gardens will represent the Kandos Rylstone area – they range from iconic pastoral properties, to town gardens and even a Convent. Different gardens, different locations, different styles.
This beautiful parkland retreat of one and a half acres is a haven for wildlife. A mixture of native and hardy introduced species have been chosen for texture and colour and placed to suit soil and drainage, demonstrating a lovely mix of native and exotic in a waterwise environment. Bonnie and Peter are meticulous in their maintenance and enjoy the process of developing their garden. The raised home veggie garden is constructed from recycled water tanks and provides produce for delicious eating and home processing. There is a small hothouse for propagating seeds for veggies and native plants.
CWA Kandos Gardens Fair 2018 