The creator of the gardens was Dr James Smart, who moved to Marwood in 1949. The land that is now Marwood Hill Gardens consisted then of an old broken down walled garden and a few fruit trees. The rest of the land was pastureland with a small stream running through the valley. Between 1960 and 1970 many trees and shrubs were planted in the 8 acres that was then the gardens. A 20 acre garden with 3 small lakes. It has an extensive collection collection of camellias under glass and in the open. Daffodils, rhododendrons, rare flowering shrubs, rock and alpine scree, waterside planting, bog garden and many clematis and Australian native plants. National Collections of Astilbe, Iris ensata and Tulbaghia. We garden with wildlife always in our minds and providing habitats for them is extremely important. Tucked away around the gardens are piles of branches and mounds of leaves home to lots of lovely bugs and beasts. Kingfishers are regular visitors to the lake and the areas of rough grass provides both food and hibernating sites for the young of many butterflies and moths.