Wandering Paths—Gardens at the Heide Museum of Modern Art

The magnificence of some things in this world brings anything around them to life. A visit to the Heide Museum of Modern Art
on a quintessentially overcast and drizzly Melbourne day is one such example. In many other places, the vibe would have probably been resolutely blah – but certainly not here. Somehow, the gloominess became something special.

Heide spans 16 acres in Bulleen, on the land of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. The property has seen much change
on its journey to becoming the storied institution it is today. Its buildings and sculpture park are remarkable, yes – but its gardens also have stories to tell.

A number of them hark back to the days of founders John and Sunday Reed; the walled garden, original kitchen garden and the wild garden near Heide Cottage. Of particular note is the Heide Modern kitchen garden, where Sunday worked daily until just before her death. Now, it is presided over by heritage gardener Michelle Stewart.

“It’s a bit of a long story, but [this is] all relevant to be working in a kitchen garden at an art gallery,” Michelle laughs. Given Michelle previously worked as a chef and also studied fine arts, it’s easy to understand why.

This functioning produce garden is replete with ornamental flowers, herbs and medicinal plants. At the time of writing, the ensemble includes pumpkins, kohlrabi, silverbeet (“Always silverbeet!” says Michelle) and chillies. Garlic, carrots, lettuce and broad beans had just been planted.

This plot – and another on site – supply the restaurant, Heide Kitchen, along with The Mulberry Group’s Common Ground
Project regenerative agriculture farm. The Heide Kitchen menu heroes organically grown, seasonal produce, a cause close to Michelle’s heart.

“Fresh, beautiful food that’s grown on site … it blows me away,” she explains. The produce gracing the plates at Heide Kitchen is
usually planned three months ahead by the team. Michelle enjoys taking the opportunity to grow more interesting varieties, such as grey zucchinis. “Not a very flattering name, but they were fantastic!” she says.

Importantly, the presence of Sunday Reed is still felt in the Heide Modern kitchen garden, where Michelle now cares for roses chosen and planted by Sunday herself.

Sunday’s affinity for gardening was a point of inspiration for Heide’s recently completed Healing Garden, located within the grounds of the heritage-listed Heide I kitchen garden. Designed by landscape architects Openwork, the award-winning plot draws on the curative qualities of plants and the natural environment.

It features six clusters of planting styles, including a bush garden which will also supply the Heide Kitchen with indigenous edible plants. At the moment, it’s growing finger lime, prickly currant, river mint and Prostanthera.

The Healing Garden makes deft yet reverent use of the site, with some modern touches like bespoke seating crafted from
limestone previously leftover on site. “Using existing structures and plants, the design looks to heighten the experience of nature and create a protective space within the wider Heide garden,” Openwork’s senior landscape architect, Elizabeth Herbert explains.

While all are welcome to visit, the Healing Garden has been facilitated by partnerships with community groups for co-designed programs, including disability service providers and aged care facilities.

For head gardener Dave Murphy, seeing how the Heide gardens make an impact on visitors is a highlight of the job. “[If] someone’s a bit stressed or upset, they come and visit the gardens and they’re better for having visited. You think, ‘Yeah, I’ve played a role in that’.”

The Heide Museum of Modern Art wouldn’t be the place it is today if not for many people playing many roles along the way, including those that work well away from the spaces that house the art. All that’s left to wonder is who that might be next.

Inside issue 92—Grab your copy here.