Windback Wednesday - Leawood Gardens

Did you know that the small foothills suburb of Leawood Gardens gets its name from the Leawood Gardens nursery, which was founded in the area by the renowned horticulturist George Stevenson in 1842?

George Stevenson (1799-1856), known as the ‘Father of Horticulture in South Australia’, created the nursery for his mother-in-law, Margaret Gorton. By 1846 it was thriving, offering an impressive variety of plants including 30,000 rooted vines, 300 figs and 100 Jordan almond trees.

Leawood became famous for its camellias, drawing visitors from near and far. People would often take weekend drives to admire the gardens and enjoy Devonshire teas under the shade of a massive mulberry tree.

Photograph: People walking towards Leawood Gardens via Mount Barker Road, circa 1905.