Como House
Presenter: Melissa King
Are you looking for an escape not far from the city? Well Como House has been here for over 150 years and chances are you have probably driven past it often so now it is time to rediscover Como House.
Como House in South Yarra was named after the beautiful Lake Como in Italy. It has something for everyone, stunning architecture, spacious lawns, a lovely café and a garden steeped in history
It is a stunning Italianate and Australian Regency style mansion built in 1847. The house gives you a glimpse of the colonial lifestyle of the families who made Como their home during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Armytage family, who significantly influenced Melbourne Society at that time, lived here for nearly a century.
But the real draw card is the 5 acres of beautiful 19th century gardens.
Restoring the gardens to their former glory has been the work of The National Trust. They have traced the gardens history using old photos, landscape plans, letters and diaries to establish a picture of what the gardens looked like in their hey day and through the ages. Wandering around the garden today is like stepping back in time.
Most of the gardens design was crafted by the first head gardener, William Sangster. He designed this terrace way back in 1855. He also planted the giant trees on the grounds of Como House, like the Bunya Bunya Pines, Moreton Bay Figs and Cypresses with a grand vision that one day they would frame a view of the surrounding countryside, and today that view is Como oval.
There have been some later additions too so look out for the rock garden and pool designed by Australian landscaper Ellis Stones in the 1960's. It is a reflective pool filled with Egyptian Papyrus and water lilies provides a peaceful and relaxing space.
The latest project has been to restore the old kitchen garden to its former glory. It was originally created some time after 1911 when the property was subdivided. Historical research gave clues as to the original layout which consisted of rows of vegetables planted in an east west orientation and old seed catalogues were used to source vegetables grown during that period.
As you wander around Como with its magnificent trees and colourful garden beds, it is hard to believe that beyond its high fence lies the hustle and bustle of busy Melbourne life.
Waterwise tip:
Now that summer is over take the time to reassess your garden. What plants have suffered in the heat and which ones were the real winners. Then get into your local water saver garden centre and reinvigorate your garden with some stunning dry hardy plants.
If you are looking for plants of an Australian nature then make sure you get your hands on the latest copy of the garden gurus Newspaper and check out the article on new native plants.
To find out more about water saver garden centres visit the Water Saver Garden Centres page.
Como Historic House and Garden
Corner Williams Road and Lechlade Ave
South Yarra, 3141
Ph: (03) 9827 2500
Web: www.nattrust.com.au
Are you looking for an escape not far from the city? Well Como House has been here for over 150 years and chances are you have probably driven past it often so now it is time to rediscover Como House.
Como House in South Yarra was named after the beautiful Lake Como in Italy. It has something for everyone, stunning architecture, spacious lawns, a lovely café and a garden steeped in history
It is a stunning Italianate and Australian Regency style mansion built in 1847. The house gives you a glimpse of the colonial lifestyle of the families who made Como their home during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Armytage family, who significantly influenced Melbourne Society at that time, lived here for nearly a century.
But the real draw card is the 5 acres of beautiful 19th century gardens.
Restoring the gardens to their former glory has been the work of The National Trust. They have traced the gardens history using old photos, landscape plans, letters and diaries to establish a picture of what the gardens looked like in their hey day and through the ages. Wandering around the garden today is like stepping back in time.
Most of the gardens design was crafted by the first head gardener, William Sangster. He designed this terrace way back in 1855. He also planted the giant trees on the grounds of Como House, like the Bunya Bunya Pines, Moreton Bay Figs and Cypresses with a grand vision that one day they would frame a view of the surrounding countryside, and today that view is Como oval.
There have been some later additions too so look out for the rock garden and pool designed by Australian landscaper Ellis Stones in the 1960's. It is a reflective pool filled with Egyptian Papyrus and water lilies provides a peaceful and relaxing space.
The latest project has been to restore the old kitchen garden to its former glory. It was originally created some time after 1911 when the property was subdivided. Historical research gave clues as to the original layout which consisted of rows of vegetables planted in an east west orientation and old seed catalogues were used to source vegetables grown during that period.
As you wander around Como with its magnificent trees and colourful garden beds, it is hard to believe that beyond its high fence lies the hustle and bustle of busy Melbourne life.
Waterwise tip:
Now that summer is over take the time to reassess your garden. What plants have suffered in the heat and which ones were the real winners. Then get into your local water saver garden centre and reinvigorate your garden with some stunning dry hardy plants.
If you are looking for plants of an Australian nature then make sure you get your hands on the latest copy of the garden gurus Newspaper and check out the article on new native plants.
To find out more about water saver garden centres visit the Water Saver Garden Centres page.
Como Historic House and Garden
Corner Williams Road and Lechlade Ave
South Yarra, 3141
Ph: (03) 9827 2500
Web: www.nattrust.com.au
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