The central focus of Luffman's design of the gardens is a large open lawn area, bisected by a curving path. A magnificent English Oak (Quercus robur) dominates the southern lawn, which is named the Oak Lawn in its honour. Over one hundred years old, the oak is of a size comparable to 300-400 year old trees in the northern hemisphere, due to the mild weather conditions and the longer growing season that it enjoys in Melbourne. A summer-flowering herbaceous border edges the western side of the lawn. The Herbaceous Border is especially beautiful in summer. Colour and form are the two ingredients that dictate the success of this display. Plantings are done in the traditional English style pioneered by Gertrude Jekyll in the late 19th century, with "drifts of colour" creating a panorama of dark to light and hot to cold. Notice how the backing "hedge" of an evergreen climbing plant forms a neutral curving backdrop to the brilliant flowers.
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