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Sylvan Grove Native Garden
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Sylvan Grove Native Garden
 Situated in a pleasant and natural bushland setting, Sylvan Grove Native Garden is a unique haven of natural bushland displayed along a winding bush track. To download brochure click here
It has over 1500 species of native plants which have been lovingly gathered and nurtured from all over Australia by Council's Parks and Gardens staff during private and sponsored trips. Donations of species have also been received from interested persons and groups.
During the Spring months, from mid-August to the end of November, you will see a spectacular display of flowers, but it's still well worth visiting at other times of the year when different species are in bloom.
Guided tours may be arranged by appointment.
Sylvan Grove is particularly interesting for TAFE horticulture students of , other educational institutions, native plant societies and tour groups, as most of the plants are labelled.
| Location: |
Sylvan Grove, Picnic Point
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| Hours: |
Weekdays, throughout the year
7:00am - 3:00pm
Weekends, Mid August to End November
9:00am-4:30pm
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| Phone: |
02 9707 9699
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| Facilities: |
Toilets
Limited Parking |
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How did the Garden begin?
In 1963 Council began developing a small site at Padstow Heights as a native garden. But it soon became obvious that a much larger site would be required for a wider range of native plants that would provide an attraction for visitors.
 In consultation with the Georges River Parkland trust in 1964, the present 1.5 hectare site was selected which adjoins Yeramba Lagoon to the east of the Garden.
With care and control of the site shared by the Trust and Council, development has been carried out carefully and as finances permit.
Public interest in the Garden has grown over the years. Initially only invited or pre-arranged inspections were made, but as expansion took place and public enquiries increased, a caretaker's cottage was added to the site in 1970.
The Garden is now open to the general public all year round during the week and on weekends in peak season.
The visitors' book shows the Garden's reputation is spreading as people come from interstate and overseas, indicating their pleasure at the high standard of the plantings and the general ambience of the site.
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Sylvan Grove's Bird Life
The abundance of proteaceous shrubs (Grevilleas, Banksias, Hakeas, Lambertias, etc) makes the garden a haven for honeyeaters, such as Wattle Birds, Eastern Spinebills, New Holland Honeyeaters and Yellow Faced Honeyeaters. Crimson and Eastern Rosellas and Sulphur Crested White Cockatoos make use of the many capsule and follicle fruits. Also to be seen are Grey Fantails, Rose Robins, Willie Wagtails, Pardelotes and Noisy Miners. In summertime Bearded Dragons are often seen basking in the sun. Echidnas are sometimes sighted here as well.
Photo taken by K Stepnell
Sensory Plants
Many of our native plants have oil glands that release strong fragrances (or odours), when heated or touched. Brushing past some of these species adds to the pleasure of the Native Gardens' experience, for example Prostanthera, Eriostemon. Other plants are unusual to touch, such as Ficus coronata, which feel like sandpaper, and Persoonia pinifolia, which is delightfully soft.
Rare and endangered species
Sylvan Grove Native Garden also serves as a conservation area for rare and threatened plants. Some of the Bankstown species protected include Acacia pubescens, Epacris purpurascens var. purpurascens, Pimelea spicata and Callistemon linearifolius. Many additional plants listed as regionally significant are also preserved in the gardens.
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