Historic New South Wales dairy transformed into award-winning garden
The Greyleigh garden, a historic estate in New South Wales, won an award for excellence at the 2024 National Landscape Architecture Awards. Landscape architects Kirsty Kendall and Emily Simpson transformed the property, which was originally a dairy in the 1880s, into a diverse and harmonious garden.
Kendall and Simpson retained original plantings while adding local and exotic species. They encourage gardeners to observe their spaces and select a mix of plants that enhance biodiversity and adapt to climate change. Their design philosophy emphasizes a natural, loose aesthetic rather than a rigidly structured garden.
Kendall advises considering seasonal changes and light patterns when planning a garden. She suggests using a variety of plants to create a balance between openness and enclosure, enriching the space's biodiversity.