This year I visited the Chelsea flower show and, although I found some of the main show gardens a little “samey” e.g. variants of the same colour paving (beige Yorkstone) were repeated over the first five main showgardens, there was still plenty there to provide food for thought, particularly from...
Read MoreWhen it comes to planting design, I respect the view of the nurseryman and horticulturalist. They know what plants need to grow and be healthy and how they should be handled to best effect. I do have knowledge in those areas - I have a masters degree in landscape management...
Read More[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="442"] Image from powerscourt.ie[/caption] In support of Bord Bia’s ‘Autumn Time is Garden Time’ campaign, I will be giving a complimentary talk at the Powerscourt Garden Pavilion on planting design and what plants to choose for your garden this autumn. Did you know that trees, shrubs, roses, heathers,...
Read MoreI have been composting with my "pig" for a number of years now and whilst it is somewhat more expensive, at initial outlay, than other traditional composters, I do find it is far more effective. Thus your initial investment is recouped over the medium to long term. My pig is a...
Read MoreGarden designers are always looking for design inspiration for their next project. Most design ideas are stimulated by something a designer will have seen or experienced whether directly related to garden design or not. Another thing that garden designers ought to be doing is keeping on top of developments in the overall...
Read More[caption id="attachment_2182" align="aligncenter" width="553"] Red currants - an easy to grow garden fruit[/caption] I have just harvested my annual crop of red currants from my garden's solitary red currant bush. This tough, easy-to-grow, garden shrub does so well each year and satiates my need for breakfast berries - the rest of...
Read MoreA video of my interview with media guru and former The Apprentice finalist 2011 Joanne Sweeney-Burke of Mediabox at the Northwest Garden Show, Donegal May 27th 2012. I am interviewed by Joanne about trends in garden design, investing in your garden, growing your own vegetables, hiring a garden design consultant, and...
Read MoreI bet you are wondering did we ever finish our garden project outlined in my posts: garden design live 1 and garden design live 2? Well, I am pleased to report that we did finish the garden and that it looks great! "It is totally amazing, we did an awesome...
Read MoreBloom in the park, Ireland's largest annual garden festival opened yesterday in Dublin’s Phoenix Park. Having completed show gardens there over the previous four years it is slightly strange not to be there. I find that both my mind and body have to make adjustments to a new routine for...
Read MoreThis day, three years ago, I finished my second large show garden at Bloom in the Park at precisely 8am in the morning when all garden designers are firmly ejected from the build area by exhibition staff. Show gardens are huge undertakings involving serious personal commitment by the garden designer and...
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