Easy Steps to Dream Gardens 2024

Looking for inspiration on how to plant your garden or outdoor space? Easy Steps to Dream Gardens is a series of garden designs from award-winning Bloom designers help you grow a show garden at home! At this year's Bloom Festival from May 30th to June 3rd, the Family Friendly Garden by Maeve O'Neill will take prominent position in the Show Garden area.

The design comes with an easy-to-follow planting plan and planting list that can be implemented in your garden according to the time, space and budget you have available. Details of the garden and products can be found below.

The Family Friendly Garden

Maeve’s design for this split-level garden features three distinct zones: a patio with a vibrant raised bed encased in Cor-ten steel; a lawn with a solid wall where the children can play ball; and a relaxed seating area at the back of the garden. There you’ll find a green-roofed* playhouse with a sandpit and a studio room which can be used for an office or storage, or converted into a den when the kids are older. A pergola adds privacy, creating an intimate space to enjoy the morning sun. 

The planting throughout this garden is designed to encourage pollinators and wildlife. Low maintenance and low toxicity, it suits a busy family with young children who have a keen sense of adventure. ‘The plants are robust and will stand up to exuberant play,’ says Maeve. ‘You don’t want to be the parent that’s always shouting “be careful off the plants!”’ 

For a full information pack which contains design tips as well as full plant listings click here >>> Family Friendly Garden Information Pack

Update: A final planting list was added on 30th May 2024 as some plants on the original list were substituted due to availability and flowering times - Final Plant List.

To view a collection of plants we have available online that are inspired by this garden click here >>>

Maeve O'Neill

Maeve O'Neill is a landscape architect, sculptor, former art teacher and design fellow in UCD and founder of Realise Landscape Architects. She has won a number of awards at Bord Bia Bloom including a Gold Medal in 2019.

 

If you're interested in last years 'Coastal Garden' entry you can view this here >>>

For the 2022 "Natures Enthusiast" and "Shared Spaces Family Garden" you can view these here >>>

You can also find further information and download the full design packs from www.BordBiaBloom.com as well as finding plants from each design available to purchase in our store.

#bordbiabloom #bordbia #dreamgardens #plants