Bentleigh’s Mary Graham is opening garden to the public in October with Open Gardens.

For four decades a Bentleigh woman has been cultivating her garden — now she is showing it off, so come and take a look.

A Bentleigh landscape designer is opening her suburban sanctuary — a 40-year labour of love — to the Victorian public this month.

When Mary Graham and her husband Rick purchased their home in 1978, Ms Graham had a lot to work with.

“The original garden had fruit trees, and all sorts of things in it,” she said.

“Over time, I’ve moved things around and replaced things, but there is still a grape tree from the original property.”

Tucked away the suburbs, Ms Graham’s garden is her pride and joy, and a private oasis about to be in full spring bloom.

Curating and caretaking perhaps Melbourne’s most beautiful garden, Ms Graham said anyone could be a gardener.

“You just have to adopt the motto — any amount of time is enough time to do something,” she said.

“Even in tiny spurts of time, you can do quite a lot.”

Memories were planted across Ms Graham’s garden, which she said was essential.

“A garden has to be full of plants that you love. It can be about memories too,” she said.

“I’ve got hydrangeas that are cuttings from my mum’s garden — and I’ve created a new garden bed around them. I have a birch tree at the front that we planted in the first week we were in the house.”

“I also have a Jacaranda that I got from my sister. I had it in a pot for seven years, and eventually I planted it, but now it’s enormous.”

Ms Graham said having plants connected to memories can also help gardeners to remember their names.

“I have plants all over my garden that remind me of people in my life,” she said.

“It’s like word association.”

And the garden has changed with the major climate events.

“It’s very different now, especially since we’ve had droughts, and since Black Saturday,” she said.

“My planting habits changed over the years as we’ve had drier conditions, I’ve had to plant more perennials and drought resistant plants.

“It’s been a fun journey, working out what will grow beneath my trees.”

The Graham Garden will be open to the public on October 8 and 9.

Tickets for adults: $10, students: $6, and free for under 18.

Tickets can be purchase here, and to find out more about Open Gardens and what they do click here.

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