For anyone that had the pleasure of visiting Bloom in the park this year I think you’ll agree with me that it was an absolutely fantastic show. The biggest show ever with 120,000 visitors over the four days of the show and the atmosphere was incredible. For me the show gardens are always the highlight of every show and this year I was absolutely delighted to return with my own garden for the first time since 2013 as Ambassador for Woodies. ‘Everyone has a Dream’ is a double award winning show garden at his years show. The concept for this garden had been in my mind for a long time- the dreamy copper paneling, turquoise water and soft wild planting. This was something that had been on my dream garden wish-list and finally this was the chance to bring it to life.
“In this garden space I wanted to show how humble materials in a small space can create something really special”
I chose some really beautiful materials for this space and really limited myself to three main ones. First of all the turquoise patinated copper which I used in large 670mm x 1.2m panels, contemporary Pembroke silver granite from Kilsaran stone and plastered walls and seating painted in Dulux weathershield grey.
The concept relied on the idea of a small courtyard space for an urban client who wants a space to relax and get away from busy city life. Combining bold architecture and wild planting is something I have long been fascinated with and here in this garden the bold lines of the structures aimed to juxtapose the wild planting.
I was so happy to show so many of you the idea and was delighted to welcome President Michael D Higgins and his lovely wife Sabina into the garden on the Thursday of the show- (he seemed to like the custom made Rachel Quinn raku ceramics). Many of the lovely people I met over the weekend had questions about the detailed planting list so I have included the list below. I hope it inspires you to Dream big in small spaces….and big spaces…dream big full stop.
x
Leonie
Sunny back border and front
Angelica archangelica
Cirsium rivulare Atropurpureum
Centaurea montana ‘Amethyst in Snow’
Deschampsia cesp. Garnet Schist
Deschampsia flexuosa
Deschampsia
Dianthus carthusianorum
Foeniculum vulgare
Hesperis matronalis
Iris sibirica
Plantago lanceolata
Salvia Amistad
Salvia nemorosa Caradonna
Salvia sylvestris Rose Queen
Sanguisorba tenuifolia Alba
Valeriana pyrenaica
shade planting corner
Digitalis parviflora Milk Chocolate
Euphorbia griffithii Fireglow
Euphorbia palustris
Luzula sylvatica Tauernpass
Pratia pedunculata
Specimen tree:
Osmanthus
I am incredibly grateful to all my sponsors and suppliers-most of all Woodies Ireland. Massive thanks also goes out to Kilsaran, Dulux Ireland, Hortus Loci UK, Barry Newell Roofing contractors, Caragh Nurseries, Charlotte Mosse-Hardy Perennials & Colin Campbell plant nursery. Also to Martina Hamilton & Foxford Woollen Mills
Art works:
The incredibly beautiful sculpture was custom made by Bettina Seitz for the garden and more info can be found on her website www.bettinaseitz.eu.
The custom Raku bowls which President Michael D Higgins was a fan of are by the talented ceramic artist Rachel Quinn -www.rachelquinnceramics.ie
The press blurb:
‘Everyone has a dream’ by Leonie Cornelius at Woodies is a small show garden for the popular Woodies brand. This dreamy space which combines old and new aims to show how, through careful design consideration and creative thinking we can build the garden of our dreams on a small scale. It will aim to show how simple products such as stone, copper and painted surfaces can combine to create a truly unique and personalised space which is all about customisation and creative thinking. The garden invites us to ‘Dream big in small spaces’.
The garden will have a double wall-some of which is painted and some of which will be custom built using copper. This new wall will act in contrast to the existing victorian wall at the walled vegetable garden in the Phoenix park.
Built in custom seating will be a part of the wall and feel like it is very much a part of the architecture. The central pond will act as a focal point to give atmosphere as well as frame the base of the sculpture created by well known artist Bettina Seitz. This sculpture will be handmade for show show and will be based on the idea of garden dreams.
Planting will echo the dreamy feel of the concept and give a soft, floaty and airy contrast to the architecture. Colours will contrast with the colours of the pool amd the turquoise copper.
