Open garden: Sommer Garden, Queensland

A LARGE, 2ha garden in western Brisbane, half of which is natural bushland, for the wildlife.

Sommer Garden is essentially tropical.

Sommer Garden, Queensland. 61 Vyner St, Pinjarra Hills. Owners: Isobel and Walter Sommer. Open this weekend, 10am to 4.30pm. Entry $7, under-18s free.

DESCRIBE YOUR GARDEN: We have a 5-acre (2 ha) garden in western Brisbane, of which 1 acre is natural bushland, for the wildlife. The central point is the dam, one of the first things I put in when we came here in 1974. Although it’s essentially a tropical garden, it has many different sections such as the secret children’s garden, the rainforest, formal garden, large lawns, orchard and native garden, and lots of little ponds and features scattered throughout. The most recent project is the rock garden, planted with low water use plants. There’s something for everyone, and I hope it serves as inspiration whether you have a large or small garden, or are just starting out.

WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL: Its size and diversity, with one owner for 40 years. It’s still evolving. Many people visit the garden regularly (this is our thirteenth garden opening) and I like to have something new for them to see. I’m still out in the garden most of every day — my husband says I’m obsessed.

BIGGEST CHALLENGES: Water and the sheer size of the garden. The soil is difficult – it’s Brisbane schist, which is clay and shale that needed lots of building up.

FAVOURITE PART: A thatched hut, which catches the breeze, overlooking the dam with its waterlilies and irises. I grew up in Bougainville and it reminds me of there. That’s why I love colour from tropical foliage and flowering trees. I’m now adding orchids to the tree trunks.

EXTRAS: Art exhibition, plant sales, sausage sizzle and coffee shop with home-baked goods. We are fund raising to help support the children of the late Allison Baden-Clay.