Big gardens a drawcard for homebuyers searching in the surrounding ACT region

Big gardens offer plenty of scope to realise a grand landscaping vision, but where can you find properties which offer that kind of room to move?

Denver Shoemark of Ray White Braidwood says properties within commuting distance of Canberra often come with square metres to spare.

“Many of these are well-established with the landscaping and gardening hard work already,” he says.

“And a considerable amount of thought has usually gone into their design.”

Shoemark highlights the selection of plantings, the creation of zones, and innovative features, such as a suspension bridge, that highlights the Solus Street cover property.

And he promotes Braidwood’s love affair of big gardens and estates with Mona Farm one of the best and the impressive showcases in the annual Open Gardens event.

Samantha Granter of Luton Properties Manuka says there are plenty of outstanding big gardens within the ACT.

“I can think of some recent sales in Red Hill, Campbell and Lyneham where big landscaped gardens have been the point of difference,” she says.

“Canberra’s really big blocks tend to be found in the longer-established suburbs.”

Granter says one member of the family usually has the “green thumbs” and drives the design of the garden, often in consultation with landscaping professionals.

“People who derive great pleasure from their gardens are also usually right on top of the maintenance,” she says.

“Preparing one of these for sale shouldn’t take any more time if the grounds have been kept in tip-top shape.”

• Big blocks. Buy and create yourself or take over an established garden. Look to the older established suburbs around Canberra or toward cross-border options like Wamboin, Sutton, Googong, Jerrabomberra and Murrumbateman.
• Design. The secret to the creation of a winning large garden is design. As with most grand visions, the success lies in attention to detail. Get the plan right on paper first.
• Maintenance. A big-format, meticulously designed garden will need continuing attention to present at its best. It is a time-consuming commitment and owners need to be prepared – or to outsource the maintenance.

Allhomes’ top pick of homes for sale with great gardens:

Braidwood

14 Solus Street (also pictured above)

Price guide: $1.5 million-$1.6 million

4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3 car spaces

It’s hard to believe this stunning Braidwood garden property was once little more than a weed-infested sheep paddock.

Today, it stands testament to the vision, passion and sheer hard work of its owners who have created a haven of beauty and tranquility, crowned by a majestic 120-year-old English oak that’s on the register of Australia’s biggest trees.

When they bought this property some 35 years ago, they had a vision to restore the old home and to create an unrivalled garden.

The original property consisted of an old shearing shed and a small bluestone cottage, built in 1840. The cottage was extended in the 1870s and a detailed restoration followed more than a century later.

It now features four bedrooms plus study, three bathrooms, an attic, a spacious sun room and a courtyard joining the kitchen.

The old shearers’ shed has also been lovingly restored and repurposed into a deluxe workshop – and occasional wedding reception venue.

This property keeps on giving. The Monkittee Creek runs through it and kids will love the impressive suspension bridge that crosses the burbling waterway.

And the meticulously designed garden will deliver endless enjoyment as family and friends explore its winding paths and discover each of its special “rooms” that bloom with native and other plants.

The Solus Street property has been an inclusion in Braidwood’s annual Open Gardens event.

Auction: 11am, April 13

Agent: Ray White Braidwood, Denver Shoemark 0408 762 517