Kingsley Dunstan's Bullsbrook Garden: A 40-Year Labor of Love in Western Australia
Kingsley Dunstan's garden in Bullsbrook, Western Australia, stands as a testament to long-term vision and dedication. Over four decades, this expansive 10-acre property, with two acres meticulously cultivated, has evolved into a lush oasis, deeply connected to the plant world and inspired by childhood books.
A Guided Journey Through a Magical Landscape
Movement through the garden is guided by concrete pathways that meander gracefully, creating a magical atmosphere. These paths have been hand-laid over the years using recycled materials like broken concrete and bricks, forming a practical and informal network. Reptiles and mammals have left their footprints along these trails, adding to the natural charm. Visitors are drawn from fern-rich areas to open clearings filled with woodland violets, clivia, and vibrant red Scarborough lilies, which lead the eye toward an old tiny home with a fireplace.
Botanical Wonders and Sustainable Practices
As a long-time member of the WA Fern Society, Kingsley has centered much of the garden around palms, ferns, and shade-loving plants, many sourced from society sales. In the early years, he collected fallen seeds along the South Perth foreshore, which have since matured into giant palms providing canopy for the ferns below. Fallen stumps now host beneficial fungi and insects, while fertiliser is used sparingly—only when plants show signs of nutrient deficiency—allowing mycorrhiza to handle most of the work.
The fern collection is a highlight, featuring an outstanding Silver Lady fern, noted as the tallest observed, rising confidently above the ground. Palms offer structure and contrast, with rare specimens like the Wollemi pine adding an ancient presence. Giant Monstera plants hanging from trees evoke a tropical rainforest feel, and seasonal changes are thoughtfully integrated, such as a mature Rhus tree providing autumn color in a predominantly green landscape.
Canopy Trees and Wildlife Integration
Canopy trees planted by Kingsley over the years include Chilean willow, swamp mahogany, eucalypts, and tree ferns that reach for the sky. Wildlife is actively encouraged, with water bowls positioned at ground level to ensure access for quendas, turtles, birds, lizards, and snakes, fostering a harmonious co-existence.
Distinctive Spaces and Thoughtful Design
One of the most distinctive areas is a naturally occurring cathedral of paperbarks, located beside a wetland resource enhancement area. The closely spaced architectural trunks create a serene, quiet space supported by the surrounding ecosystem, contrasting with the lush, cool green of the man-made fern garden. Throughout the property, wrought iron furniture in various hues appears at thoughtful intervals, collected over many years to provide informal spots for sitting, pausing, and reflection.
Preservation Amid Urban Encroachment
As clicking frogs bid farewell, there is hope that this unique microclimate, where temperatures are about 10 degrees Celsius cooler, will be preserved. With suburbia rapidly encroaching, Kingsley Dunstan's Bullsbrook garden serves as a significant sanctuary where people, plants, and wildlife co-exist, offering a protected place for displaced creatures impacted by urban sprawl.
