Harpers Mansion - Berrima
Direct Phone Number : (02) 4877 1508
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High on the hill overlooking the historic colonial village of Berrima is Harper’s Mansion. The 1834 two storey brick house proudly sits in a couple of acres of fine cool climate gardens. Its newly completed maze is the only one of its kind in NSW.
Plants in the garden include Achanthus, Achillea (yellow ‘Moonshine’), Aquilegia, Artemesia (wormwood), Arum lily, Aster Daisy, Ceratostigma tomentose, Echinacea, Erigeron, karvenshianus (fleabane), Geranium endreseii (cranesbill geranium), Gunnera manicata (swamp rhubarb), Heliotrope, Helleborous, Hermeocallis lily, Houttuyania, Incavillia, Iris (ensata, Siberian), Iris unguicularis, Lavender angustafolia, Nepeta, Penstemon var., Polygonatum, Salvia (at least 12 var. both large & small), Scabiosa, Sedum, Sisyrinchium striatum, Stachys byzantina, Tradescantia (spiderwort), Veronica. Bulbs include Grape hyacinths and Jonquils.
The roses planted along the fence line from the front of the house down to the gate were selected for their suitability by Heather Cant, a local National Trust member and noted gardener and rose collector. The selection was based on the period when Harpers was built and for their continuous flowering habit. These roses include Rosa Lamarque, Cecile Brunner, Honorine de Brabant, Belle Poitevine, Duchesse de Brabant, Souvenir de Mme Leonie Viennot, Mme. Alfred Carriere, Mons. Tillier, Blanc Double de Coubert, Irish Rich Marble.
The garden also boasts a long hazelnut walk, a large pond home to native frogs and an old well.
A special delight for children, young and old, is the extensive maze, formed by a tall leylandii hedge, planted in 2000, and now coming into its own.
The House has been extensively restored and is now a superb example of an early Australian Georgian country house.
Local Trust members, and Berrima residents, recently formed a new group Friends of Harper's Mansion to again open the grounds of this superb National Trust property to the public. Funds raised by the Friends will be used to furnish the House in early colonial style and to support the Trust.
The house and garden are available for functions, weddings and other events. For further information and bookings telephone 02 4877 1508.