‘It’s a hidden secret. A peaceful, beautiful colourful garden in the middle of suburbia, within a busy area on a residential street.’ That’s how head gardener Darren Blackwood describes his office of nearly two decades. ‘We’re pretty lucky to have something like this in a built-up area like Hornsby.’

Lisgar Gardens covers 6.5 acres of native and exotic plants, on multiple levels that are separated by cobblestone pathways, walls and steps. Within the garden, picturesque bush tracks through native red and blue gums pave the way to explore. Academic horticulturist Max Cotton originally created the mysterious garden, which was purchased by Hornsby Council in 1968, and celebrated its 54th year open to the public on 21st September.

‘Mr Cotton was friends with Professor Eben G. Waterhouse (a linguist and camellia expert), who LOVED camelias. And so, he had this stonemason, Cyril Jago, who would do the gardens and Max would plant camelias,’ said Mimi. She is the daughter of Benaud W. Smith, the man who decided to ‘beautify the street’ by planting the fragrant springtime blooms of crabapple trees, which now form a majestic procession to the gates of Lisgar Gardens.  

With over 300 camelias consisting of 200 different unique and rare varieties, Lisgar Gardens is always filled with colour, especially the clivias which provide pops of oranges and yellows, treetops with native wildlife like red, king parrots, and ponds swimming with koi fish. Currently, the Gardens hold the annual seedlings of primulas, calendulas, peppered with English daisies, chalet daisies, dianthus, and cineraria. By the end of October, 2,400 seedlings will be planted, including dahlias, coleus, and three different types of marigolds.

Tony, a Hornsby resident for the past forty years, remembers the gardens as a place of mischievous fun and childhood memories, hoping more people would leave their ‘computer and experience the fresh air.’ While laughing, he said, ‘About thirty years ago, myself and my younger brother used to run around the gardens. One day, we were playing down there and this Red Setter jumped in the pond and started eating the fish. The head gardener chased us out because he thought it was our dog. I’ll never forget that.’

With beautiful lamp posts surrounding the paths, seats to rest throughout, waterfalls, picnic tables, a grassy lawn for a game, wedding or memorial service, and a covered pavilion, Lisgar Gardens is truly an enchanting place to make memories.

Head gardener Darren, said, ‘It’s for people that want to step outside, step off the grid to discover something unique, bring a dog. I’d like to keep it a secret, but I’m happy to share it.’