This lovely large, heritage-listed Mediterranean garden is lovingly maintained by volunteers and provides many examples of tough, heat-loving shrubs and perennials. In late summer, flowering shrubs including white and blue plumbago, purple solanum and pink and white hibiscus provide a backdrop to many different coloured salvias, sedums, pelargoniums and roses. Mauve tulbaghia edges the lawn paths and the huge fragrant cream trumpets of brugmansia are breathtaking.
The garden and grounds at Beaumont House provide a fascinating glimpse into colonial life in SA. The land was purchased by Samuel Davenport in 1846 but leased to Augustus Short, the first Anglican bishop of Adelaide, who in 1849 built a small cottage and lived there until 1856 when Davenport and his wife Margaret moved in. Davenport was an enthusiastic and enterprising farmer and experimented with growing olives, wine grapes, fragrant plants to make perfume, and mulberry trees to raise silkworms. Many of the trees Davenport planted are still standing – the heritage-listed olive grove, huge stone pines, pencil pines, palms, almonds, pears and fig trees.
After Davenport’s death in 1906, Major Vincent purchased the house and added three front rooms and the arched verandahs. The property was donated to the National Trust in 1969 and is managed and maintained by the Trust. Beaumont House became its state headquarters in 2009 and since that time, a dedicated group of volunteer gardeners, led by horticultural consultant Merilyn Kuchel, has worked hard to redevelop the gardens. Old outbuildings and an aviary have been restored and a fountain installed. The Olive Grove has been rejuvenated and the old trees are now producing a quality olive oil every year.
Extra activities: Zonta will offer morning and afternoon teas.
Size: 1 ha, 2.5 acres
Please note: While the property is easily accessible to wheelchairs and prams, the gravel paths and lawns may make it difficult.
General entry to each garden is $8 and $6 for OGSA Members and for those with a Commonwealth Government Pensioner Concession Card or Health Care Card (not Seniors Cards). Current Season Garden Owners and TAFE Horticultural Tertiary students are also entitled to the $6 concessional entry. Children Under 18 are FREE. These cards must be shown at the gate.
