The Gardens
Weather update
1 November
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FESTIVAL AND MARKET DAY CANCELLED DUE TO SEVERE WET WEATHER AND FLOODING.
We are saddened to make this call but most of our beautiful gardens are under water, the weather has been relentless.
2022 Crookwell festival gardens
Hudson Garden
72 Cowper Street
Crookwell 2583
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This place is simply magical. The front gate is flanked by a gorgeous flowering cherry on the left and an ancient and imposing holly on the right. As you look through the gate a mysterious shape looms over the path: a very large, interesting and somewhat spooky weeping cyprus. It's just like something from a Harry Potter movie!
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This garden has many more interesting trees and shrubs, including a lovely selection of rhododendrons in shades of cerise, pink, mauve and creamy white.
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It’s truly a garden for all seasons, with massed hellebores and bulbs flowering in winter, and an abundance of aquilegias and other cottage garden gems, and yet more bulbs celebrating the arrival of spring. As the spring blooms gently fade away, they are followed by a delectable selection of gorgeous roses and yet more exciting blossoms in the hotter months. Of course, there is also plenty of autumn colour too.
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It was the garden that inspired owners Margaret and Brian Hudson to buy the property. Margaret says, “We were really looking for a different style of house, but we saw the garden and that was it. The decision was made!”
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The foundations of the garden were established by previous owner Alan Craven, a well-known local weaver who had somewhat of a cult following for his fantastic and beautifully crafted woven tweeds, used to create wonderfully exquisite garments.
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His talents also clearly extended to the field of horticulture and resulted in this enchanting town garden. It was Alan who designed the basic layout of the garden, who planted the various trees including the wonderful weeping cypress, and who created this special place.
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Under the loving care of Margaret and Brian, who bought the property in 2010, this charming garden continues to evolve and develop. It will surely delight visitors for many decades to come!
Watson Garden
Mark and Gae Watson
66 Cowper St
Crookwell 2583
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'Myahgah' is a delightful small town garden. Gae and Mark have worked meticulously on creating an eclectic blend of country, cottage and garden whimsy!
It is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when combining cold climate hedges and plants with vision, mission and purpose.
This hidden gem features different garden rooms, with interesting structures, including an Ajax wool press, fairy garden, and two bird aviaries.
Jackson Garden
Ray and Anne Jackson
45 Cowper St
Crookwell 2583
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The Jackson’s small town garden is a testament of their love of gardening, sharing and the appreciation of cool climate plants.
From an empty block, lots of hand collected rocks were used for dry stone walls and paths under Japanese maples.
Ray’s keen hand skills are evident throughout the garden while Anne’s love is the soil, plants and creating areas that work. Roses, hellebores, clematis, heuchera and Japanese maples share the garden space.
Tea House
Stephen Carroll and Mandy McDonald
Cowper Street
Crookwell 2583
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With undulating mounds of purple lavender and rosemary set against the pale blue, sea foam green and lilac décor of the fence and house, the front garden evokes a sense of oceanic energy. There is a distinctly Mediterranean feel about it, a sense of sea cliffs and salt spray, villas in the sun and the play of light on water.
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But this is just the appetiser. The rear of the property has been transformed into an entirely different space that is secluded and tranquil, yet strangely exciting.
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It is hard to believe that just six years ago the main feature of this part of the garden was a square of tired turf and an old Hill’s Hoist. Two fully mature, but sadly neglected trees were present in the garden when Stephen and Mandy bought the property: a magnificent Magnolia grandiflora and a huge pear tree.
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Careful pruning and sensitive landscaping have ensured that these trees are now showcased to their best advantage. Since renovation works were completed, the newer plantings in the garden have matured to create a haven sheltered by dense growth, including camellias, gingkos, Japanese maples, buddlejas and crepe myrtles.
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Stephen Carroll is an international Tea Master and has studied tea culture in many parts of the world, including Korea, China and Japan. With his deep interest in medicinal herbs and their properties, and a passion for horticulture, you can understand and appreciate that he has created an ever-evolving garden full of horticultural treasures for those with a keen eye for the unusual, including an interesting selection of Oriental medicinal and culinary plants such as yuzu, Szechuan pepper, tea, Korean radish and perilla.
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As if this were not enough, there are fascinating sculptures strategically placed throughout the grounds. Mandy McDonald is a well-known Crookwell artist and sculptor. A selection of her art works, and those of other local artists, will be on display in the garden and gallery.
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This is a garden that is sure to inspire!