Saturday, October 23, 2010

Sylvan Grove

A twenty minute walk from my place, or a five minute drive if your companion has short legs, is Sylvan Grove. It's a garden displaying the diversity and beauty of Australian native flora and its attendant fauna. As the website states it was started in the 60's and has grown in popularity over the last few decades. Sadly although it is open weekdays all year round, it only opens weekends, (when I can go), between August and November. Perhaps that is to do with funding, I don't know. I feel that if they requested a gold coin donation to visit they might make a little more money and have the opportunity to open more often which I would love.

It's not a big place, but what it fits into its limited borders is wonderful. Much of the flora has been donated from a diverse range of areas across Australia and is lovingly tended by its few staff. They are always friendly and really seem to want you to see the magic of the garden in the same way that they do. For me they have. I can't give you many of the plant names, but I can show you the photos that I took this morning when Imogen and I visited. One of the great things is that you could wander for an hour or more, or get around in the time frame dictated by a three year old bladder.

Just a couple of pictures.











 











 Here is the fruit that bears the warning
















 Someone has a sense of humour.


















6 comments:

Malay-Kadazan girl said...

Thank you for taking me along to this beautiful place. Wow you are lucky just 20minutes walk from your place. Imogen seems to enjoy her walk.

Rusty in Miami said...

You are lucky to have such a beautiful nature trail near your home

Anonymous said...

The bush is awesome - it looks all very green and brown from a distance, but up close you find those tiny splashes of bright reds and blues and purples.

Anonymous said...

So much to see at Sylvan gardens along those 'bush tracks'. Some lovely flowers, and what were those eyes peaking out from under the rock? and colorful parrots too. How fun to live so close to the garden. Thanks for the visit Paul. One day we'll get over there and we'll be sure to visit the garden.

Anonymous said...

Hi Paul, Thanks for visiting my blog.

Imogene is a cutie pie. Congrats to you and wifey on the new baby.

I love the huge Hart's Tongue fern. If mine ever makes it to that size I'll die a happy woman. What a fabulous place you have practically at your doorstep. I agree, asking for donations is totally appropriate.

Sue Catmint said...

Dear Paul, this is the most wonderful place, wonderfully photographed. The only thing I miss is the exercise and the smells and the sounds.
btw, I thought of you the other day when my daughter was reading my grandson a book about a mouse with a very large moustache.
cheers, catmint