BIRKDALE gardener’s Ian and Judy Wintle have decided to open their spectacular garden for the last time.
Mr Wintle said visitors he had been building new gardens so there were plenty of things for visitors who had been before.
“You could be forgiven for believing you’re lost in a tropical paradise walking through our garden,” he said.
“Our one acre labour of love is fondly called ‘the giving garden’, providing many years of satisfaction and solace to our family, friends, and visitors ... not forgetting the wildlife.”
The pair has raised about $60,000 for charity through openings and this year on Australia Day was recognised as “local heroes” by Redland City Council.
“After 15 years of opening our garden we have decided this year will be our last,” Mr Wintle said.
“We will open our garden on the weekend of the 18 and 19 November,” he said. “The entry fee will be $7 and there will be refreshments available all day.
“Lions ladies will be cooking home-made delicacies and there will be Devonshire teas, a sausage sizzle and, of course, a raffle.”
The Wintle’s eldest son, Scott, broke his back in a motorbike accident which claimed his ability to walk. Since then the garden has given the family a place to heal.
“It was our rehabilitation and two decades on it has blossomed into a lush sub-tropical oasis, featuring some of the world’s most exotic unusual plants and fruit trees,” Mr Wintle said.
“We have over 60 (40 different) fruit trees growing and it is these which provide the micro climate needed for a sub-tropical garden.”
The Wintle’s plant passions have changed and over the years. Ian’s latest passion is amorphophallus of which he has more than 70 different varieties and Judy still loves her bromeliads.
“Establishing this garden has not been easy as all top soil was removed by developers leaving solid clay, so all soil had to be brought in and did we ever get some rubbish delivered,” he said.
“We have done all the work ourselves, with the help from our trusty wheelbarrow and shovel, everything has been done on a budget, in other words it is a ‘gardener’s garden’.
“Water has always been a big problem and about 10 years ago we decided to sink a bore, this was a disaster because all we found was salt water.
“We now have seven tanks holding 109,000 litres of rain water.”
The garden was part of Australia’s Open Gardens from 2002 to 2013, with thousands of visitors.
”After 49 years of marriage Judy and I know that the time and love we have invested in our garden has given us and our visitor’s joy over many years,” he said.
There will be plants for sale, refreshments from the Lions Club and a raffle at the Wintle’s at 5 Carlton Court, Birkdale.
