A SPECTACULAR passionfruit vine, laden with fruit, covers the front veranda of Richard and Gwenda Bramley’s lovely home, which hints at the lovely rear garden with tussock grasses, climbing roses, fruit trees, a three-level pond, veggies, chooks, winding paths and breathtaking views that stretch over bushland to the hills beyond.

“We moved here in 1967, when this house was at the southernmost point of Canberra,” says Richard. “There wasn’t a house in sight, a dream come true, although for years the reality was that both of us worked and with four kids, there wasn’t time to focus on the garden. It was a mass of extensive lawns and acacias – we used to be glad to get out to work!”

When they retired, the house and the garden were reinvented, says Gwenda.

“The view inspired us to create a native garden that would blend with the view and become seamless, fitting perfectly within the landscape here,” she says.

The Bramley’s gently sloping garden of native trees and shrubs will open as part of Open Gardens Australia on the weekend of October 6-7.

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As a keen cook, Gwenda’s herb garden just outside the kitchen is full of chervil, thyme, parsley, chives and oregano. They are also currently growing rockmelon, figs, apricots and pomegranates, and have the “Hen Hilton” with seven different varieties of chooks.

“When you grow up in a family that grows their own produce, you just do it yourself, too,” says Richard. “Also, Gwenda is a very good cook, which is great because I’m a good eater!”

At the top of the garden is a little picnic spot, where Gwenda says she loves to sit and listen to the water.

“You feel like you’re in the middle of the country,” she says. “It’s just wonderful.”

Richard agrees, and says he enjoys looking out from the house and taking in the view.

“There’s nothing better than sitting in the back, looking over the swales of grass, having just eaten something delicious made with our own produce.

“These days, it’s great to come home.”

The garden at 65 Gouger Street, Torrens, will be open on Saturday, October 6 and Sunday, October 7, 10am-4.30pm. Adults $7, children under 18 are free. There will be food and cakes on sale, made by members of the South Woden Uniting Church. Funds raised will go to the Open Garden Scheme and the Blue Door at Ainslie VIllage. More information at www.opengarden.org.au.