Colour pop: Love for spreading happiness keeps gardens blooming

Bringing joy to others is the motivation behind what has led Ruby Brunner to enter the garden competition for more 35 years.

Ruby Brunner in her Chronicle Garden Competition entered garden in Crown St. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Sharing the beauty of her garden with others has always been something that Ruby Brunner has enjoyed.

In fact, she has been participating in the garden competition for almost four decades and has only ever missed one judging.

Back and better than ever, the experienced gardener has won awards over the years, but said her favourite part was bringing joy to others.

Ruby Brunner in her Chronicle Garden Competition entered garden in Crown St. Picture: Nev Madsen.

“The people you meet are so nice and seeing their enjoyment feels incredible,” Ms Brunner said.

“Every year I learn something new and this is how I relax – a part from bingo.”

Ruby Brunner's Chronicle Garden Competition entered garden in Crown St. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Moving to her then bare block of land in Rangeville, in 1962, Ms Brunner and her late husband did all the paving and landscaping of their garden themselves.

Committed to the cause, Ms Brunner used to trim the edge of her grass by hand with neighbours often complimenting how neat her work was.

But the now 85-year-old’s love for gardening started when she was just a little girl.

“My mum loved gardening and I was always outside helping her and my dad with the garden,” Ms Brunner said.

“I lost my mum quite young at 58-years-old and my husband at 53, but I guess it’s them that inspired me to get involved in this.”

Ruby Brunner in her Chronicle Garden Competition entered garden in Crown St. Picture: Nev Madsen.

The mum-of-three boys now receives help in her garden from her family and hopes she can pass her hobby down to her six grandchildren and great grandson too.

Featuring an array of bright colours, the gardener’s yard is filled with Echium, Arctotis and Nasturtium flowers, as well as daisies in shades of white and purple.

The avid gardener also has three large orange trees and a macadamia tree.

“I know not everyone loves orange flowers, but to me all colours go together … plus the bees love my flowers,” Ms Brunner said.

“I’m very happy with this year’s garden because it’s all come together really well, despite the frost, and the bit of rain we got has helped too.

“It’s very rewarding and I love when my grandchildren visit and run through the yard to look at everything.”

Ruby Brunner's Chronicle Garden Competition entered garden in Crown St. Picture: Nev Madsen.

The Chronicle Garden Competition guide and map will be in the newspaper on Friday, September 17.

Gardens will be open to the public between 9am and 5pm from September 17 to 19 and 24 to 26.