Under the spell

Under the spell of the ages : Australian country gardens by Trisha Dixon.
The National Library of Australia publishes some beautiful books, and this is one.
Lovers of landscape scenery will delight in ‘Under the spell of the ages’ which showcases 25 of Australia’s most elegant and exquisite historic gardens. Trisha Dixon's superb celebration of Australia's most memorable gardens counterpoints photographs and illustrations with quotations from famous Australian writers.

Fountain at Micalago

Following the theme of gardens created around rivers and waterways, Dixon journeys to many special places – the gardens surrounding the towers of Bontharambo near Wangaratta. The words of Miles Franklin, Hardy Wilson, Betty Casey Litchfield, Louisa Meredith and Sunday Reed are inspired by the gardens of Brindabella Station, Brownlow Hill, Elsey Station, Coolringdon Station, Cambria, Wallcliffe House and Heide, among many others. While Bolaro Station in Adaminaby, is immortalised with the last poem ever written by Banjo Paterson.
The view on the front cover is a pergola on Micalago Station, just south of Canberra. The garden at Micalago is one of discovery, with stepping stones leading from one courtyard to another, inviting exploration of the outer reaches of the garden – to where Judy Davis climbed trees in the film version of ‘My brilliant career’.

The wisteria pergola is at Frenshaw near Mittagong, similar to the Edna Wallings style, it also has a sunken garden.

Gracemere near Rockhampton, a timeless old homestead with cane squatter’s chairs on the verandah surrounded by a sea of colourful bougainvillea.


The Cedars near Hahndorf, was the home of artist Sir Hans Heysen, it has the beauty of billowing roses, fragrant lilac, drifts of foxgloves and hidden corners – a child’s delight.