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Cloudehill Garden - a work of art

- by Paul Brooker -

 

You might wonder whether a garden is an appropriate topic for an art society newsletter. However Cloudehill is arguably Australia's finest serious garden with features and vistas that will provide inspiration to many an artist. And if you enjoy sculpture you will find some excellent examples including water features.

cloudhill garden

 

History

In the 1890's the Woolrich family cleared bush in Olinda to create a ‘working garden' growing cherries and raspberries. In the early twenties they established Rangeview Nursery and then developed a cut flower and foliage farm. The family prospered for many years however in 1962 bushfires devastated the farm and the business languished.
Jeremy Francis had long sought land in the Dandenongs to create a garden. He was introduced to the owner Jim Woolrich, an aging second generation family member, and learned much of the history of the nursery trade. After Jim's death the family offered the property to Jeremy and in 1992 Cloudehill was established.

Design

cloudhill garden 2A considerable asset from the garden's earlier times were rows of large European beeches that had been used for the foliage trade. Well established feature trees date from as far back as the twenties and include weeping maples and a rare rhododendron. The setting is unique with views to the dividing range to the north with a backdrop of mountain ash. Building on this base the design was modelled on the Arts & Crafts gardens of England such as Hidcote and Sissinghurst.

There are about twenty different garden compartments connected by generous paths including long vistas of herbaceous borders. Visual isolation is achieved in part by hornbeam hedges. More formal arrangements are contrasted with meadow areas with Spanish bluebells and daffodils. These are best seen in early spring. The landscaping provides many different paths to meander down with hidden elements and mood changes. It is accompanied by superb plant selection. So there is always something of interest and the balance of colours and shapes is perfect. Even in hot February the relative coolness of the Dandenongs allows the herbaceous borders to be at their best with the summer blooms and foliage being the most varied.

Autumn brings colour to the beech trees and then with winter the silhouetted branches are reminders of European landscapes.
The garden architectural features are of a very high quality and these provide an extra interest for painting projects together with the sculptures and water features to be found in the garden.

Sculpture

cloudhill garden 3Apart from formal pieces the gates and railings are works in their own right. The first is the intricate gate found at the garden entrance just to the left of shop. Sculptures by Leopoldine Mimovich, Rudi Jass, Kim Kennedy, Ted Secombe and Lazlo Biro can be found as you wander down the paths. The water features by Rudi Jass are also particularly attractive on a hot summer day.

Visitor information

Cloudehill is to be found on the Olinda Monbulk road, Olinda. Opening hours are 10 am to 5 pm
7 days a week. There is a modest entrance fee to the garden with concessions. Plein Aire painting is not welcome but photography is permitted.
There is also a nursery shop and Chatterley's restaurant.
Website http://www.cloudehill.com.au/

Other gardens

Another nearby lesser known public garden is Pirianda. With 11 hectares (25 acres) of hillside plantings it is for the fit. The rewards include an extensive arboretum including perhaps Victoria's only huon pine, an avenue of European beeches, and a blackwood and tree fern gully. It is particularly attractive in autumn. Reserve some energy for the long climb back to the parking area.