There are records of protected woodland retreats going back at least 10,000 years. These highly valued groves were significant because most ancient civilizations considered the woods and forests represented danger, evil spirits and uncivilised ignorance. While they have been recorded in diverse cultures from China to the Mediterranean, in Europe they were often referred to as 'sacro bosque' or 'Bussaco Woodland'. The term Bussaco takes its name from famous sacred woodland in Portugal established by the Barefoot Carmelites in 1628 as a secluded retreat.
Trees were usually protected in these areas, exotic trees were often introduced, and particularly Magnolias, and old trees were particularly highly valued. The Bussaco Woodland at Hamilton Gardens is spread along a steep isolated riverbank. An outdoor chapel, many Magnolias and the isolated atmosphere already exist and it is intended to add further pavilions and outlooks for quiet contemplation.
Hamilton East Cemetery
The Hamilton East Cemetery was developed in 1863 - 1866 in a simple symmetrical layout, and falls into the category of the Symmetrical Rural Park Cemetery, in the English style.
The Rural Park Cemetery movement, of the early 19th Century, offered a place beyond the city limits that allowed family burial plots, interspersed with trees, shrubs, and flowers in a woodland or landscape garden. These Park Cemeteries were significant in the development of the first public parks, with a movement away from the rigid, structured traditional cemeteries, with their formal plots and lots of iron railings and masonry.
There were parallel Cemetery movements throughout Europe, as the belief burgeoned that providing natural park settings would improve social behavior and morals. The Victorians, especially supported this view, and also developed a floral code and symbolism of plants relating to death. Trees such as cypress, yew, willow and laurel were associated with sorrow and loss.
The Hamilton East Cemetery shows an early influence of John Loudon (1943 - 1843) in the symmetrical layout and use of evergreen trees, and later in the 19th century, an influence of the more relaxed and natural American cemeteries with an introduction of deciduous trees, flowers and a less formal layout. More recently the 'Lawn Cemetery' section was developed and the Returned Servicemen's area, influenced by the War Graves tradition - both typical additions to Park Cemeteries.
Echo Bank Bush
This area of Landscape Garden Collection represents the most recent movement of Naturalism now known as the ecological or conservation approach. It preserves the original landscape using only local genetic stock, the removal of any non-indigenous plants and the creation of a self-sustaining plant community.
Echo Bank Bush is one of the best-preserved stands of original genetic material in the district possibly because of its location on a very steep isolated riverbank. It is proposed to eventually build a boardwalk and decks from the lower river path into this steep woodland.
Valley Walk
The Valley Walk is intended to represent the 'Naturalistic / Aesthetic Style'. This style is characterised by the use of plant material that is indigenous to the region although not necessarily sourced from local seed. Planting is supposed to be appropriate to the habitat so where possible it functions according to the principles of the natural ecosystem. In theory this should mean less weeding, less use of chemicals, more layer of plant growth and more plant diversity. So while the planting is artificial it should appear reasonably natural.
The main feature of the 'Naturalistic / Aesthetic Style' is that it is usually planted over a man-made landscape, in this case an old tip site. It is usually created to integrate both resource protection and natural processes with the practical and aesthetic requirements of the site.
