The Royal Botanic Gardens of Sydney

Ornamental Gardens

This regal area of the Garden contains four layered garden spaces abundant with native and international plant life that showcase a variety of ornamental plants and stunning horticultural designs.

Cherry blossom tree in flower

The Ornamental Horticulture Garden area hosts four gardens:

World Heritage Viewing Deck and Rooftop Garden

Start your visit with sweeping views of Australia’s prominent native wilderness and an eagle view of our Garden areas. At the World Heritage Viewing Deck, visitors can experience breathtaking views of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area and explore the unique natural environment of the Garden.

From here, you can appreciate the Garden’s iconic Spiral, a ramp constructed of locally mined basalt, and the way the cultivated garden integrates with the heritage-listed wilderness beyond.

The green-roof garden on the deck also displays unique local flora found on the sandstone ridges of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.

Man on viewing deck gazing at sweeping mountain views at Blue Mountains Botanic Garden

Enjoy the magnificent view of the Blue Mountains from the Visitor Centre

From here you can see how the cultivated garden integrates with the heritage-listed wilderness beyond.

 

Aerial of a formal manicured garden with symmetrical winding paths

Aerial view of the intricate Formal Garden.

See ornamental plants, climbers, and bulbs in a kaleidoscope of vibrant colours.

 

The Formal Garden

Situated close to the Visitor Centre and the Garden’s entry, the Formal Garden is a stunning place to behold. Drawing influence from the grand gardens of Europe, the three terraces of the Formal Garden are an ever-changing display of the art of formal gardening and horticulture, tailored to an Australian context.

The lower terrace is filled with ornamental plants, climbers, and bulbs in a kaleidoscope of vibrant colours. The middle terrace is a manicured lawn, perfect for events and weddings. The upper terrace pays tribute to gardeners Gertrude Jekyll and Edna Walling. In mid-late summer visitors can also find the Garden's incredible Dahlia collection here. The Formal Garden, designed to educate and inspire gardeners, also doubles as a tranquil space for peaceful contemplation and is a popular choice for wedding ceremonies and receptions, providing an enchanting and beautiful atmosphere.

Residence Garden

The Residence Garden is known for its seasonal beauty and maple collection.

In Autumn, this garden's Japanese maples create a patchwork of gold, russet, and merlot colours.

In winter, the garden's camellias add vibrancy to the landscape, and the exposed architecture of the trees creates a mesmerising framework for the soft afternoon light.

In springtime, cherry blossoms make a carpet of petals on the lawn. The Wedding Tree Terrace offers panoramic views for special occasions every time of year.

Maple trees with red leaves, winding Garden path. Credit: Nick Wood

Explore the Garden's shady, winding pathways

In Autumn, this garden's Japanese maples create a patchwork of gold, russet, and merlot colours.

 

Field of yellow daffodils, person on bench

Find a bench to relax and enjoy the tranquil surrounds.

The Brunet Garden's meadow is covered in daffodils and jonquils in mid-August.

 

Brunet Meadow and Garden

Large trees, including sequoias, walnuts, oaks, chestnuts, cedars, and rhododendrons, provide shade making the Brunet Garden a favourite for families to relax and play, with sheltered barbecues and four picnic tables.

The living collections in this garden include rare and unusual cultivars of woodland perennials and traditional garden favourites like hydrangeas and camellias. The most prominent feature of the Brunet Garden, however, is the sloping meadow, covered in daffodils and jonquils in mid-August. Fragrant patches of daphne and lilacs are a sensory delight, while the wisteria collection bordering the Brunet Pavilion is a vision of purple when it blooms in late Spring, into summer.