Formality and ease make blissful bedfellows in this romantic garden overlooking Sydney Harbour. Landscape designer Anthony Wyer of Wyer & Co has created what he calls an ordered lushness, with exuberant sweeps of foliage juxtaposed with manicured detail.
Curved garden beds brimming with hydrangeas and mounds of buxus lend a fluidity, punctuated by palm trees cheekily jutting up from the dense understorey.
And on the grand Gothic-style home, with its Victorian verandahs and gables, a classic arbour is draped in wisteria, French urns grace sandstone paving and climbers entwine latticework.
The ivory pebbled driveway and entry lead to sandstone steppers and a Sir Walter buffalo lawn; orange jessamine (Murraya paniculata) forms the hedges. Southern magnolias (Magnolia grandiflora ‘Exmouth’) reside over beds of gardenias (Gardenia augusta ‘Florida’). (Photography: Anson Smart)
Bay trees (Laurus nobilis) in antique French urns, underplanted with mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus), flank the entry. (Photography: Anson Smart)
When the owners bought the property in 2020, they fell in love with the 1850s two-storey mansion, beautifully preserved and with postcard views. But the starchy garden lacked cohesion. In short, it needed a more relaxed approach.
“While the owners wanted a garden that matched the formality of the home’s exterior, they also asked for open spaces and a flow that reflected the relaxed way they entertain and live,” says Anthony, hired in 2023. “They have young children, so open, usable spaces with a large, level lawn topped the wish list.”
And, in keeping with the English-style home, a traditional plant palette, consisting of exotics in greens and whites, while highlighting their favourite florals: hydrangeas.
A Canary Island dragon tree (Dracaena draco) grows from a Sir Walter buffalo lawn. Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spectabilis ‘Jamaica White’) frames a setting from Bonacina 1889. Interior design by Iain Halliday. (Photography: Anson Smart)
A lemon tree (Citrus limon) is underplanted with busy lizzie (Impatiens walleriana). (Photography: Anson Smart)
Because the garden had been tweaked over time, this proved both a virtue and a vice. “Patches of stonework defined areas, but in different sandstones in different patterns,” says Anthony. As well as stripping much of the garden to bare soil, the initial stages involved pulling up the sandstone, retaining it and mixing it to achieve consistency in size and tone. This was then relaid on the patio, path and pool surrounds in patterns that echoed the thick bullnose sandstone on the verandah.
Landscape designer Anthony Wyer. (Photography: Anson Smart)
“I love the delicate balance between tradition and formality, fluidity and organic forms.”
ANTHONY WYER, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
Herald’s trumpet (Beaumontia grandiflora). (Photography: Anson Smart)
Many mature trees, including a huge Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia), a 50-year-old Japanese wisteria (Wisteria floribunda) gracing a new arbour, Canary Island date palms (Phoenix canariensis), sasanqua camellias (Camellia sasanqua) and two camphor laurels (Cinnamomum camphora) were all retained.
“The mature trees balance the garden with the home’s heritage, adding a sense of continuity to the landscape,” says Anthony.
The new garden wraps around the home, with an entry leading to lawn on the northern and western sides, then to the pool and an outdoor entertaining courtyard at the rear.
A large existing Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia) reaches out over the garden, underplanted with Japanese box (Buxus microphylla japonica) and hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla). White jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum) grows over the embankments to the pool. In the background are soaring Canary Island date palms (Phoenix canariensis). (Photography: Anson Smart)
An antique furniture setting offers a moment of calm within the tranquil garden scene. (Photography: Anson Smart)
The home’s intricate facade remains fully visible to the street. “No attempt was made to shield this – the rest of the garden offers privacy and retreat, but the classic entry, characterised by a white-pebbled driveway and time-worn sandstone, sets the scene for what lies beyond,” says Anthony.
Two bay trees in French urns flank the front door, the 50-year-old Japanese wisteria climbs over an arbour and fragrant orange jasmine (Murraya paniculata) forms a clipped low hedge.
An antique setting on a hardy Sir Walter buffalo lawn is framed by herald’s trumpet (Beaumontia grandiflora) trailing across a verandah. In the background are kentia palms (Howea forsteriana), Hill’s weeping fig (Ficus microcarpa), cast-iron plant (Aspidistra elatior), Japanese box balls (Buxus microphylla) and orange jessamine (Murraya paniculata) hedging. (Photography: Anson Smart)
“The mature trees balance the garden with the home’s heritage.”
ANTHONY WYER, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora ‘Exmouth’). (Photography: Anson Smart)
Groupings of kentia palms (Howea forsteriana) “add scale and additional privacy, and also an element of looseness with their long slender trunks and soft cascading foliage,” he says. In front, within the generous beds, sit broadleaf lady palms (Rhapis excelsa) and mounds of Japanese box (Buxus microphylla japonica), adding structure and scale.
“Here, the massive Chinese elm plays a starring role,” says Anthony. “Its branches frame the harbour view in a romantic way and balance the property’s proportions.” Beneath, hydrangeas add colour and charm, alongside buxus. Accessed by sandstone stairs, bordered by dense jasmine groundcover, the pool is flanked with clipped buxus balls. Feature pots sit at each end, planted tall to add scale. At the northern end, hydrangeas sit opposite a pool cabana and explode with seasonal colour.
Kentia palms (Howea forsteriana) among Japanese box (Buxus microphylla japonica), hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) and broadleaf lady palms (Rhapis excelsa). (Photography: Anson Smart)
Beneath an olive tree (Olea europaea) and Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis), the entertaining courtyard by Wyer & Co enjoys sweeping harbour views. Gervasoni lounge chairs and side table, all Anibou. (Photography: Anson Smart)
Meanwhile, at the rear is the new western terrace and alfresco dining area, delineated by the reclaimed sandstone laid as crazy paving. The area offers flexible seating options, together with a barbecue and fire pit. Two European olives (Olea europaea) and two pygmy date palms (Phoenix roebelenii) “pop out of the paving and mark the boundary of the terrace and add a vertical element”, says Anthony. White bougainvillea trails over the house’s ornate verandah and a herald’s trumpet (Beaumontia grandiflora) climbs up the wall.
Armchairs, Bonacina 1889. Japanese box topiary (Buxus microphylla japonica) sits in a French urn. (Photography: Anson Smart)
Paver lights, Gardens at Night. (Photography: Anson Smart)
Mass plantings are key to the ordered lushness the owners desired. “This is a large property, and the garden beds are deep and generous. The mass planting, especially the hydrangeas, lends a romantic and soft feel. It also suits the style of the garden. While it may seem a little repetitive, it builds a feeling of tradition and formality. And it’s cohesive in a garden of this scale,” he says.
Custom wood storage; Japanese wisteria (Wisteria floribunda) climbs a new arbour. (Photography: Anson Smart)
(Photography: Anson Smart)
FEATURE PLANTS
Trees
Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis)
Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia)
Dragon tree (Dracena draco)
Kentia palm (Howea forsteriana)
Pygmy date palm (Phoenix roebelenii)
Sasanqua camellia (Camellia sasanqua)
Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora ‘Coolwyn Gloss’)
Shrubs
Broadleaf lady palm (Rhapis excelsa)
Fragrant gardenia (Gardenia augusta ‘Florida’)
Herald’s trumpet (Beaumontia grandiflora)
Hill’s weeping fig (Ficus hillii)
Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)
Japanese box (Buxus microphylla japonica)
Kentia palms (Howea forsteriana)
Climbers
Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea ‘White Cascade’)
Groundcover
Australian violet (Viola hederacea)
Star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides)
Sasanqua camellia (Camellia sasanqua) and southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora ‘Exmouth’) overlook orange jessamine (Murraya paniculata) and gardenia (Gardenia augusta ‘Florida’). (Photography: Anson Smart)
“I love the delicate balance between tradition and formality, on the one hand, and fluidity and organic forms on the other. It honours the home’s history and architecture, but also provides for relaxed family living. And the lovingly repurposed sandstone on the western terrace is set for perfect days, entertaining and simply enjoying those views.”
The home is grounded by a series of large mature species including a large Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia). The verandah is draped in herald’s trumpet (Beaumontia grandiflora) climber. Architecture by BKH Architects. (Photography: Anson Smart)
The Design Team:
Wyer & Co: wyerandco.com.au.
Find this garden and more in the new book Harbourside Gardens: Outdoor Living on Sydney’s Iconic Waterfront by Anthony Wyer ($100, Thames & Hudson Australia).
Writer
Chris Pearson
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