Certain gardens have a magical quality that is indefinable, yet unmistakable. This one-and-a-half hectare patch of heaven, tucked into a small valley on the edge of rainforest just 10 minutes from the beach on the Central Coast of NSW, is one such place. Owners Celia and Brian Esplin were not even looking at properties to purchase when, by chance, Celia saw an ad for it.

“When I saw the house and garden for the first time that was it,” she says. “I fell in love. It has such a calming essence. When I drive over the little bridge across the creek it’s like leaving the rest of the world behind.”

Totally private, the garden is one in which to wander, discovering its unfolding secrets. There are open spaces to contrast with hidden nooks, shady trees, grassy glades, and meandering pathways that invite exploration. “There’s always somewhere special depending on the season, time of day and my mood,” says Celia. A favourite spot in winter is a Moroccan-inspired courtyard that traps the sun.

The house was originally built by Australian artist Ken Johnson, who owned the property for many years. Since buying it in 2000, the Esplins have gradually developed the garden with local landscape designer James Headland from Pangkarra Garden Design. James also believes this garden is a special place.

“The garden had good bones but we enhanced different areas to include quiet spaces and dynamic elements,” he says. “Near the barn it’s sub-tropical, with palms and lush foliage plants that respond to the adjacent rainforest. Around the house it moves into a Moroccan feel with more structure. I love the eclectic mix of styles. The valley gets cold in winter so there is a surprising amount of seasonal change. An interesting mix of plants, from cool-climate to tropical, thrives here.”

The garden is an inspiring example of how to mix forms and textures in planting design. “I’ve tried not to include too much colour,” says Celia. “There’s enough for me in the bougainvillea that drapes over the barn. I love greens, especially silver-greens and rich, deep greens that impart a restful feeling.”

James included flowering perennials for seasonal interest, and he loves the contrasts different plants provide. “It’s a rambling style of garden, but the use of clipped plants such as the Buxus balls and hedges provide balance,” he says.

Clumps of swaying tall grasses such as Miscanthus add texture and movement compared to the sculptural but static succulents with their perfect rosette shapes. The mature Washingtonia palms, essential to the garden’s sense of age and history, are complemented by many other palm species throughout the garden.

“It’s a reasonably low-maintenance garden for its size,” says James. “Most of the garden is planted with foliage plants that look after themselves and even the perennials like the Salvias only need pruning once a year.”

A feature of the garden is the use of highly individual pieces as focal points. In the front courtyard, a large Turkish pot is a souvenir from a time when Celia and Brian lived in the Middle East. The rustic iron gate took years to track down because the opening for it is so narrow – and was eventually imported from Turkey by Orientalia. White fantail pigeons once graced the pretty white dovecote chosen especially for this location, but unfortunately the resident diamond python was a big fan of the birds, so it’s now a favoured perch of cagier kookaburras.

The garden is a haven for an extraordinary range of birdlife whose songs pierce the quiet seclusion. “It’s a great joy to just sit and watch the birds,” says Celia. Native birds are supplemented by a gaggle of chooks and geese, while all are lorded over by Mr P, a peacock who arrived one day and has never left. He knocks on the front door looking for dog biscuits to eat and roosts in the tallest gum trees above the dam. Lucky him.      
                                                                                         
Pangkarra Garden Design, Central Coast, NSW; 0404 016 237.

Story Helen Young
Photography Brigid Arnott