Autumn colour at Wildwood Garden, Bilpin NSW

Traditionally, I used to visit a garden (or two) with deciduous leaves every autumn, usually one in the Blue Mountains or Southern Highlands, to immerse myself in the vibe of the season by gazing and gazing at the coloured foliage. During COVID, the annual ritual was disrupted but this year I was determined to start it up again. So last Friday, a perfect, glittering autumn day, we set forth to visit Wildwood at Bilpin, a garden I had never seen before.

Hydrangea at Wildwood Garden, Bilpin NSW

Hydrangea at Wildwood Garden, Bilpin NSW

I had no real notion of what the garden would be like, and it was a joy to visit. Over more than 40 years, Wayne and Sue Tapping have carved a delightful 6-hectare garden on a sloping bush block. There are shady woodland and rainforest areas with winding paths, contrasted with wider sunny open areas that run down to a lake at the lowest point of the garden. In the shaded areas, ferns, tree ferns, Clivia, rhododendrons, azaleas, Japanese windflowers, myriad camellias, hydrangeas and other shade-loving plants form a restful green tapestry of different shapes and texture, and the flowering shrubs and perennials bring blooms in their seasons.

Maple trees at Wildwood Garden, Bilpin NSW

Maple trees at Wildwood Garden, Bilpin NSW

Some deciduous trees, including dogwoods and maples here sport colour with their bright leaves in autumn. In spring, the dogwoods and weeping cherries have gorgeous flowers. A waterfall, pond and bog garden provide interest. There is a whimsical fairy garden and unusual objects to look out for in the woodland section, a delight for children and adults alike.

Pistachio trees and dwarf Nandina with Salvia leucantha in foreground, Wildwood Garden, Bilpin

Pistachio trees and dwarf Nandina with Salvia leucantha in foreground, Wildwood Garden, Bilpin

The remaining original 5 hectares of natural bushland provide a soothing green backdrop to the flaming colours of an extensive avenue of pistachio trees down near the lake. These were in their full autumn cloak the day of our visit and were a delight to behold with red, gold, and yellow hues. Their tints are echoed at a lower level by a long hedge of dwarf Nandina, which also encircles the lawn. Other evergreen shrubby hedges provide a foil for the autumn hues.

Camellia sasanqua underplanted with Salvia hedge at Wildwood Garden, Bilpin NSW

Camellia sasanqua underplanted with Salvia hedge at Wildwood Garden, Bilpin NSW

The garden is renowned for its Salvia collection, and at this time of year there are many in bloom in an enormous border nearby the pistachio trees. The dainty red spires of Salvia elegans repeated the tints of the hot colours of the trees' foliage, whilst those with blue and purple flowers - such as Salvia leucantha, 'Anthony Parker', 'Indigo Spires', 'Marine Blue' and 'Blue Abyss' provided a brilliant and dramatic contrast to them. The salvias are grown in impressive masses here and elsewhere in the garden and are also used as robust hedges and under-plantings to taller hedges such as one of Camellia sasanqua, in bloom now. Many other cultivars and species of Salvia can be seen in the garden, and all are well labelled for identification. We were thrilled to see some eastern spinebill birds darting amongst the Salvia blooms, eager to sample the nectar. Other birds such as whip birds and parrots abound in the garden and provide a background chorus.

White and purple versions of Salvia leucantha at Wildwood Garden, Bilpin NSW

White and purple versions of Salvia leucantha at Wildwood Garden, Bilpin NSW

The nursery attached to the garden has an impressive number of Salvia for sale - more than I have seen for a very long time - along with other interesting plants. Near the nursery there are lots of informative posters about different types of Salvia, with photos for identification. I really admire the way the garden is promoting these plants, which have long been a passion of mine. There is also a cafe and an amazing gift shop, with all manner of interesting things for sale. The garden is a good destination for outings for garden groups.

It was a very enjoyable day and I felt satisfied with my dose of autumn colour. Embracing each season in its turn is a great way to stay in the present moment!