Visitors may catch a glimpse of one of the resident ducks at the open garden.
By Tania Martin
A GARDEN paradise with Australian plants, ducks, and a baby Joey will be open to the public on the weekend.
The Jacobs garden in Montrose appeals to those who love native plants and exotics.
Elspeth Jacobs loves opening her garden for others to enjoy and is now preparing to open her little patch of paradise for 10th time.
The Jacobs moved to Montrose 16 years ago and transformed the garden from nearly five acres of bush into what it is today.
“It was a big job but we couldn’t have done it or lived here if we didn’t love gardening,” Mrs Jacobs said.
This garden has beautiful red and white waratahs and perfumed boronias, surrounded by natural bushland.
A highlight is the large pond teeming with birdlife.
Two resident ducks, a kangaroo and a Joey also call the garden home. Visitors may be lucky to catch a rare glimpse of these Australian icons of the bush enjoying the garden.
Plants propagated from the garden and posies will be on sale on the weekend, with all the proceeds going towards the Alola Foundation.
The foundation was first set up to raise awareness of the widespread sexual violence against women and girls in East Timor during the military attaches of September 1999.
Mrs Jacobs said supporting women in East Timor had always been close to her heart.
“I felt what was happening over there was shocking and wrong,” she said.
Funds collected from gate takings and morning and afternoon teas will go towards the Dandenong Ranges branch of Oxfam.
Entry to the garden costs $5 per person, with gates open from 10am to 4.30pm on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 October. The location is 377 Cambridge Road, Montrose.
