Latest Laois Event: Laois Garden Designer wows Bloom with show garden

Blooming Lovely! Laois garden designer Brian Burke unveils show garden at Bloom

Brian shares his top gardening tips this bank holiday weekend

Laois garden designer Brian Burke unveiled his Woodie’s show garden entitled ‘As I Live and Breathe’ at Bord Bia Bloom in Phoenix Park yesterday (31/5/23). The Woodie’s gardening expert Brian, who is also a familiar face on our screens as the judge on reality gardening show Super Garden, the design aims to demonstrate how an outdoor space becomes an extension of the home and creates a feeling of “home”. The courtyard-style garden, viewed from a ‘house’ through door-like openings, includes an X-shape path which connects the spaces with mixed planting throughout. The design also includes a covered space along back walls to relax, unwind and take in the garden.

Excited about showcasing the Woodie’s show garden at Bord Bia Bloom, Brian Burke said: “This show garden demonstrates how an outdoor space becomes an extension of the home and creates a feeling of “home”. Woodie’s want Irish people to love where they love so this garden was designed with domestic gardens in mind – it’s an achievable design for your own back garden. There is a natural flow from the house into the garden – an intersecting path leads from two openings from the home to two large, covered spaces at the back of the garden. The x-shaped paths create four large beds that have been planted with flowering perennials and grasses like Salvia, Calamagrostis, and Agapanthus. The inside corner is anchored with multi stem birch trees. The covered spaces are connected with timber decking matching that used on the pathways. The spaces provide a sanctuary and a place to relax, unwind and take in the garden. If you’re visiting Bloom, be sure to pop over and speak to myself and our team of Woodie’s horticulturalists.”

As we start to take a fresh look at our gardens this warm bank holiday weekend. Brian shared his three top tips for green fingered enthusiast and homemakers: 

Location, Location, Location: If you’re planning on planting summer bedding in hanging baskets and planters, it’s important to consider the location. Some flowers do better in certain areas that others, but depending on your designated location choose the best summer flowering bulbs for a spot that they’ll thrive in. There are loads of different options for window and door pots, places in the sun, windy or shaded areas. May is the last real chance to plant any summer flowering bulbs, so make it a priority and if you’re unsure what to plant, your local Woodie’s experts will be able to guide you on the best bulbs and plants.
Short on Space? If you’re short on garden space, opt for a vertical hanging garden. This is a great alternative for anyone who wants to add more colour to the outdoor area, but don’t have the space to do it. There are some great resources and step-by-step guides available from woodies.ie
Water! Watering is an important task when it comes to gardening as it prevents plants from wilting in summer. But how much and how often should you be watering? Most plants depend on even moisture so maintaining good soil moisture levels is extremely important. To keep on top of the moisture levels, invest in a moisture meter to know exactly when your soil needs watering. And more importantly, water in the evening time when it’s cooler. 

All plants and products including furniture, accessories, decking and paint are available from the 35 Woodie’s stores nationwide or online at Woodies.ie . 

Bord Bia Bloom takes place from 1 – 5 June in Phoenix Park, Dublin. Now in its 17th year, Bord Bia Bloom has become one of Ireland’s largest showcases celebrating the best of Irish horticulture, food and drink. Originally created to promote plants, garden design, horticulture and gardening, Bord Bia’s role in promoting food and drink has allowed Bloom to develop further. The show has grown into something which not only makes for a great day out, but also offers a huge range of practical information on everything from gardening, to growing fruit and vegetables, cooking and culture.

For more information on Bloom see bordbiabloom.com and for gardening tips and all the tools, you’ll need for your next gardening job, visit one of Woodie’s 35 stores nationwide or see www.woodies.ie