Clik here to view.
Plant power!
Here’s a few pics to show the impact that a relatively simple planting design can have on the appearance of a building. Before: During: After: The three multi-stemmed trees are Betula pendula...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Amazing azaleas
At this time of year, no blog on garden design would be worth its salt without a post on Rhododendrons . Alongside the Magnolias these are some of the plants (both trees and shrubs) that lend a real...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Planting trees in your garden
Fabulouos oak tree avenue in Kilmacurragh, Co. Wicklow Yesterday’s ‘tree day’ for schools, organised by the Tree Council of Ireland, got me thinking about how important trees are to the Irish landscape...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Using trees to create an interesting garden
In my last post I said that I would explain some of the ways in which landscape gardeners use trees in their garden designs. I have realised that (surprise, surprise) I have got quite a lot to say on...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Coppicing trees in the garden and coppice woodlands
Mature coppice in Herefordshire Whilst I was working with the BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) a number of years ago (quite a number actually!), I completed a super training course in...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Garden hedges using native, wildlife-friendly plants
The weather is a bit windy, wet and wintry here at the moment and maybe the very last thing you are thinking about is the state of your garden. But if you had been considering a revamp of the garden...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Tree stakes and ties
Small tree with adjustable tie We are all feeling a bit battered by the recent strong winds here in Ireland. Spare a thought then for your garden trees, some of which will have felt the worst effects...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Construction story at Bloom in the park – Giardino della mostra
Ok, so things just got way too busy at Bloom to give you the rest of the updates on construction. Apologies! We obviously finished on time, thanks to huge efforts and ridiculously long hours over...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Using plants to divide up and create an interesting garden space
Just mulling over something I come across repeatedly on garden consultation visits which is that many gardeners are under confident when it comes to extending planting from the boundaries of the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Emeralds and the gathering
Gardening trends Gardening, like other design-related professions has its trends. Sometimes these are created by the horticultural industry itself through clever marketing campaigns. At other times...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Water with care!
My last “outpouring” about watering was in March 2012, and back then I was describing having to water my perennials due to the unseasonably hot weather we were experiencing. This year too, we did have...
View ArticleClik here to view.
It’s all about the plants, the plants!
One thing that strikes me, when I think of the portfolio of gardens that we have designed and installed this year, is that whilst the practical aspects of the design are of the utmost importance –...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Keep gardening, the more so in retirement!
Flowing grass areas for ease of maintenance. Dense Verbena bonariensis planting. Photo from Coolaught gardens A couple of things have made me think about how important gardens and gardening are to the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Gardens and plants from down under!
Much of the time, we take our trees and plants for granted, never thinking too deeply about where they are from. I have mentioned the importance of native plants in several previous blogs but in our...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Visit to Ballintubbert gardens
The grand canal water feature at Ballintubbert In the summer, our design studio took a study tour to visit some gardens across the southwest of Ireland. En route to Cork, we stopped to have a look at...
View Article
