Six properties were on display as part of a Port Fairy Rotary Club open day to raise funds for patients in some of the world’s poorest countries.

Open day participants Jill and Darryl Edwards said a careful use of colour was key to the presentation of their Port Fairy garden, which drew dozens of interested observers on Saturday.

Mrs Edwards said her work as an artist inspired her gardening, arranging flower beds, shrubs and trees to create a distinct visual impact.

“Many people commented on our use of colour, which is an aspect we really work on to showcase the garden’s natural assets,” she said.

“We’ve had this garden in Port Fairy only five years but it’s come a long way in such a short space of time. 

“Our garden before that was in Kirkstall and that was 30 years in the making but I think the soil is a lot more adaptable closer to the coast.” 

Mrs Edwards said her garden also served a practical function, with a large vegetable garden filled with French beans, potatoes, beetroot and corn.

The horticultural event raised funds for the Interplast charity, which is focused on providing reconstructive facial operations in developing nations across Asia, Africa and Latin America.

The day wasn’t all about green thumbs, with attendees lapping up an afternoon tea at Don and Ron Cashmore’s garden along the Princes Highway.

Other open day participants were Sandra Jans and Colin Cleary’s Gipps Street garden, Kathryn Weatherly’s William Street property, Carol and Tony Goode’s Bank Street garden, as well as Arthur and Margaret Banks’ property.