Moidart Garden - Edridge Park Road, Bowral

This fairly well known nursery/garden was surprisingly difficult to locate. A hunt it was, but whether it can be considered a treasure is arguable.  

http://www.highlandsnsw.com.au/gardens/moidart/index.html

Without a street number, the search was an uphill task to start with. To add more obstacles on the course, Moidart was erroneously marked on the internet maps. Fortunately, the map from Mittagong information centre was more accurate and offered a fall back position after a few rounds of wild goose chase. 

The only sign was inconspicuous and could not lead the driver into the long road before reaching the nursery garden gate.  The entrance fee is $7 is not very expensive. However, there aren't that many thriving and wide varieties of flowers. Perhaps spring comes late in the highlands.  

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If one is driving from Sydney or Melbourne and don't mind travelling another hour or more, Canberra was would be a feast for the eyes. 

http://ausletters.blogspot.com.au/2008/11/canberra-floraide-show.html

Leura (Blue Mountains) gardens hopping is another option for visitors who enjoy colourful spring blossoms.  

http://ausletters.blogspot.com.au/2009/10/leura-garden-festival-spring-flowers-in.html

Leura Garden Festival - spring flowers in NSW

The annual two-week Leura Garden Festival was partly clouded by unusually rainy weather this spring. We managed to catch the last days of the display despite sporadic showers and windy conditions.

Tulips

These bulbs thrive in temperate climate. Though Leura is on the highlands in the Blue Mountain region of NSW, there are not many tulip blossoms this season compared to Canberra Floriade and the Tesselaar Farm in Victoria.

Violet tulips are not as common and a natural favourite of garden appreciators.

The champagne white tulips are lovely. The photo probably did not do justice to the actual flowers.

Camelias, Rhododendrons, Azeleas

Stunning hues

Solitary but not aloof? Fortuitous to capture the flowering stages of a magenta blossom in cascade.

Beautiful bright red orange Clivia blooms in multiple sprays from spring to autumn. These bulbs serve as a colourful hedge in gardens and do not require much work.

The shy apple blossoms emerged unscathed after days of rain.

A very nice arrangement of iris bulb flowers in this rockery garden.

Is this a butterfly, bird or flower? Looks like a merger between blue pea and pansy.

Cultivated orchids are majestic and refreshing to the viewer.

Liliacs leave a long lasting impression for their stunning looks and fragrance. Do they look like flower clusters or a bunch of purple grapes?

How do like having the Blue Mountains as your backyard? Many visitors simply fell in love with the spectacular view, envious of the enjoyment bestowed on the owners of one of the Leura gardens.

A giant windchime hanging on a century old pine tree.

Autum colours in spring time - a surreal feast for the eyes.

Frosty and evergreen leaves are visually deceptive. (above)

What a creative and practical idea it is to grow small succulents in the cracks between pavers and steps! (below)

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Reference : for more information on spring flowers and gardening, please follow this link -- http://www.types-of-flowers.org/spring-flowers.html

Crimson Rose Blossoms

Red and pink roses from my garden

I sympathise with friends and other color blind people in the world who are unable to differentiate and appreciate the extreme light and dark shades of pink and green.

Roses after the rain and before the storm

We had a bumper rose blossom for the last two week. After many days of light showers and meticulous fertilising of the fussy rose plants, the result was 27 small pink roses and a huge pink rose the size of a adult human's fist.

The storm this week will certainly damage the delicate petals. But I have taken pictures to serve as reminder of their beauty, albeit transient.

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Mount Tomah - cool botanic gardens

Mount Tomah is 100 km west of Sydney in the Blue Mountains. Because of its elevated ground, some 1000 metres above sea level and irrigation from a constant supply of mountain water, many temperate plants that are not suited to the local climate are able to thrive in this garden.

Conifers, Rhododendrons and Heath gardens




Rock Garden and succulents









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Wollongong, Illawara region and Nan Tien Temple

The scenic drive enroute to Wollongong inevitably lure visitors to detour and have a glimpse of the surroundings. There's a good reason why this lookout is known as Sublime Point.

The ocean looks deceptively calm an still from elevated ground but the surfs are rolling towards the shore on closer examination.

Nan Tian Temple 南天寺

One of the many Buddhist temples in the world affiliated with the International Bright Light Association, the Nan Tien temple is built on the slope of the hill backing sprawling greenery.

The many beautiful stone figurines are beautiful and serves to impart moral values. My favourite are these two novice monks fetching water. Further up the steps are many stone figurines depicting various movements and styles of taiji.

Looking down from the peak - the Buddhist shrine on the third level.

The seven storey pagoda could be accessed after climbing about 100 steps. The ground floor comprises a reception area, a learning area with booklets for free distribution, copying Chinese calligraphy (see wordings below), a side hall where the wishing bell stands.

肯定自己 才能向前
尊重別人 才能助緣

Self recognition helps us move forward

Respecting others helps us obtain favourable conditions

The lotus is a symbol of purity in Buddhism. The flower remains untainted and beautiful despite growing in muddy waters. Summer is nearing its end. When the lotus flowers wither, the lotus pods carrying many fresh green lotus seeds take its place, and so the natural cycle continues.

The dining hall on the third level is opened to the public daily (except Mondays) for lunch. A full course vegetarian meal (menu changes daily) comprises rice, noodles, tempura vegetables, curry potatoes, stewed mushroom, root vegetables, beans, beet root, fresh vegetables and fruits. All for $9 per person. Ala carte cafe finger food and snacks could be bought at the ground floor al fresco cafe.

The museum entrance is a gift and book store. Inside are many treasures from past and present, sculptures, landscaping on display. There's also a small art gallery at the side of the museum.

Guan Yin and disciples by the lotus pond. The Boddhisattva is a key feature of Mahayana Buddhism which emphasizes compassion and helping others in the path towards enlightenment -- Buddhahood.

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