Fine Romance

Interesting, textural low- and mid-level plantings bring layers of softness to this sydney garden, which pays homage to a bygone era.

- Elizabeth Wilson

Feature plants

TREES

Bull Bay magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)

Tropical birch (Betula nigra)

SHRUBS

Indian hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis ‘Oriental Pearl’ and R. ‘Snow Maiden’)

Japanese box (Buxus microphylla var. japonica)

Hydrangea spp. Mexican sage (Salvia leucantha)

Gardenia (Gardenia augusta ‘Florida’) Camellia japonica

GROUNDCOVERS

Native violet (Viola hederacea)

Chinese star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides)

An opportunity to be part of history is a rare thing. So, when landscape designer Anthony Wyer was engaged to update the garden surrounding one of Sydney’s heritage harbourside homes, he felt privileged to be contributing a chapter in the property’s 115-year-old story. “It’s a unique opportunity and really exciting to work with a garden that has such heritage and scale,” Anthony says. “It’s nice to be part of its history.”

Perched high on the north shore of the harbour, the 2000-square-metre property enjoys panoramic views. At its epicentre is a gracious, heritage-listed Queen Anne-style residence built-in 1905. The garden, a series of outdoor rooms, extends over an area of 1412 square metres.