Sorrento couple open garden to public

The Effie Crump Theatre founder, and fellow actors Jenny Davis and Michael Loney, will read poetry at 11am daily while a capella quartet, The Hope Street Harmony Singers sing out at 2pm.

Established over 40 years from a barren sand dune, Paul’s Garden is testimony to his backbreaking work including carrying discarded limestone boulders on to the windy property to create terrace walls.

‘We then scrounged and begged plants from everywhere and everyone, and soon learnt that this area was not for soft and pretty plants, everything needed to be hardy,’ he said.

Now a ‘sunny hilltop oasis,’ 11 Hawkins Avenue features Paul’s sculpture, pots brimming with flowers and large trees sheltering ferns, groundcover and roses, and climbing plants spilling over arches.

‘Three levels of terraces lead to a loggia (open-sided gallery) offering tantalising views over the garden to the sea through a Juliet-style balcony window,’ he said.

‘All three of our sons were married in the garden.

‘We have had a great deal of pleasure from our little patch of paradise.’

Paul’s Garden is open April 5 and 6, 10am to 4.30pm.

Part proceeds will benefit Save the Children Australia, a cause close to Elizabeth’s heart after several years as a northern suburbs’ branch president.

Garden entry is $8, under-18s free and Devonshire teas will be on sale.