Mayfield Garden

The Water Garden is 2.5 hectares (6.2 acres) in size, displaying a canopy layer of red oaks and copper beech that are matched by an preponderant mid-layer of gaudy rhododendrons and maples, with hellebore and alchemilla ground covers and an ostentatious display of spring and summer flowering bulbs. There is a prominent stone cascade that was designed after the sandstone cliffs of proximate Kanangra Walls. There is a large collection maples, possibly the largest in Australia, which go with a collection of Hydrangeas and the flashy water lilies, which bloom in the summer.

Shaped like a valley, the Valley of the Five Ponds contains woodland collection of deciduous oaks, maples, birch and beech, with a shrub groundcover of viburnum, Rhododendron molle and cornus, and winter-flowering Hellebore and summer-flowering heuchera. Other spring blossoms include; tulip, daffodil, fritillaria, crocus, grape hyacinth and allium. The region also contains a summer-blooming meadow wildflowers and hostas. A stone water trough weaves through the valley and links the five ponds. There is also an alley of London plane trees, a 12.5-metre Obelisk Pond, Bluestone Bridge and The Copper Tree Fountain, several amphitheatres, interactive garden games (chess, croquet and ping pong), among other attractions.[2]

The Hawkins’ Family Garden is the private garden portion of the Hawkins family, which is an additional 49 hectares (120 acres) beyond Mayfield Garden. It features the second largest maze of its kind in Australia and plant species such as dahlias, zinnias, poppies, delphiniums, lilies, hollyhocks and lupins. The area also includes an introduced pine forest with an understory of rhododendrons and ferns, a chicken coop, a rose garden with David C.H. Austin roses and hybrid tea, wisteria, climbing hydrangea, columnar juniper. The heath gardens include Erica and Calluna species. The lake and boardwalk garden beds are aggregated with many types of Rhododendron and Mollis Azaleas.