Mount Wilson is an elevated region in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney just off the Bells Line of Road. As well as having a cool, mountain climate due to its elevation, the area is also endowed with deep, fertile basaltic soils. The combination of the two make it an ideal place to establish a garden. Many beautiful gardens can be found at Mt Wilson, many of which are open to the public during spring and autumn.

Yengo house and sculpture garden

The stone house and garden of 'Yengo' has been restored by the owners Peter and Ann Piggot. There are several 100 year old conifers from the Himalayas and North America including: Deodars (Cedrus deodara) and Western Red Cedars (Thuja plicata) which were all planted about 1880. The garden at the rear of the house has also been restored and there is an interesting range of plants in the garden. These include Clematis montana and a white wisteria (Wisteria brachybotrys 'Alba') which has a wonderful scent and also Wisteria floribunda 'Macrobotrys' a Japanese form which has been trained over a pergola.

Best climate - Wisteria

The garden of 'Yengo' is a beautiful setting for some very beautiful garden sculptures. The pieces are the work of two international sculptors, Lloyd Le Blanc and Judith Holmes Drewry, who both work in bronze. Both people, says garden owner Peter Piggot, are leading sculptors who are based in England.

Lloyd Le Blanc is renowned for his sculptures of animals. They are so carefully formed that they seem real. Some of Le Blanc's work, which was shown during the segment, included gazelles, a brolga fountain and a lyrebird. The pieces, which are all limited editions (some limited to as little as six, nine or perhaps 12), fetch good prices.

The sculptures in the garden are for sale. The prices range from $1700 up to $50,000 each. The $50,000 price tag is attached to a magnificent fountain which features brolgas.

Judith Holmes Drewry is a leading portrait sculptor who has a real feeling for depicting the female form through her work. Her work is also on sale at the garden.

Further information

Yengo is at Queen Street, Mt Wilson in New South Wales. It is approximately two hours drive from Sydney. It is open to the public daily during spring 1998 (October and November) and autumn 1998 (April and May), or by appointment (phone: (02) 4756 2002).

Admission charges are $6 for adults and $2 for children (10 and under) and are donated to support the upkeep of the parma wallaby, an endangered species of wallaby. Yengo has Australia's first endangered wildlife reserve.

Copyright CTC Productions 2006