Childhood memories conjure up visions of the variety of textures, intertwining climbing branches adorned with tiny thorns that catch us occasionally as we pass by.  The green backdrop enhances the splashes of floral colour providing delicious inviting scents that linger long into the late summer evenings. The promise of delicious fruit and berries popped into our mouths there and then. Or patiently awaiting the tantalising taste of a baked crumble of a dark autumnal evening.

A vast network of complex intricacies within. A thriving myriad of organic life flourishing symbiotically. The mix of Native Irish species successfully supports and provides endless benefits to its immediate and wider community functioning from soil to sky; microorganisms and fungi, insects and smaller mammals, plants and humans alike.

Pollination, seed dispersal, the provision of food and shelter, and the regeneration of nutrients deep within the soil are protected. The wider variety of species, the greater the resilience from climate changes that we are experiencing more and more.

But how do we design with native species to achieve this? How can we successfully integrate key elements ensuring our green spaces remain functional and not become overgrown and unusable?

It is possible and easily achievable. Over the past few years there has been a significant shift and a strong positive response to the increased inclusion of hedgerows and native species within the design world. From projects on a larger commercial scale to smaller gardens, green spaces and ever more increasingly in the world of the show gardens.

Most recently in the realm of Show Gardens, Nora Tombor, a former Austen landscape architecture student intern, now fully realised, designed and built the beautiful ‘Rewild!’ garden at the Bloom Garden Design festival this summer. Successfully awarded a Silver Gilt in the Small Show Garden category, Nora’s Garden was elegant and demonstrated a soft naturalistic design that was rich with a predominantly Irish native planting palette. The garden celebrated and embraced pollinators and humans together, a welcoming haven from the pollinator friendly structures to the cosy swing. Her inclusion of species such as Crataegus monogyna as a hedging even within a smaller space was well noted, further proving we can incorporate them on any scale! Other native species included the delicate Achillea millefolium and Anthriscus sylvestris, native ferns, sweet woodruff and playful Briza media culminating in the result of a beautiful and tranquil sanctuary.

Using native species such as Crataegus monogyna, for example, is the most ubiquitous plant used in hedgerows. It is thorny, stockproof, weather resistant and produces attractive white flowers in May. Rosa canina, Rosa rubigosa, Prunus padus, Prunus spinosa and Ribes sanguineum are some further examples of the wide variety of fruiting shrubs and climbers to incorporate maximising biodiversity and proven to show climate resilience. Irish Nursery growers are beginning to focus their intentions on growing and ensuring there is a wider variety and supply of native Irish species outside of the popular demand for specimen perennials.

The noticeably positive effects and benefits are immediately evident on an environmental, community and personal level of well-being by all that interact with them, and we want more.

For many years, we have recommended native hedging and inclusion of native species within all our design projects where possible. Hedges at the perimeter are a starting point in this process, they are easy to plant, to source and maintain. The benefits are immediate and the rewards are ongoing.

In Tim’s own Renishaw garden, the insertion of a variety of species to form his native hedging frames and demarcates the perimeter effortlessly. The hedging continues to flourish and there is a high reward sensorially when wandering through the gardens, even if for only a few minutes.

The insertion and incorporation within a design of key native species are simple and achievable on any scale or space available. Do keep this in mind when spending time in your green space as we progress into the Irish summer months, consider how you could incorporate, include or even substitute within your own.

The rich rewards reach far beyond the visual when successfully integrated. Feel your shoulders drop, your breathing becoming deeper and steadier as you take in the scents and the peaceful moment you have created and taken with intention. Arrive at a feeling of peace and a sense of well-being, maybe even lift, just a little, the corners of your mouth into a smile.

I may have embellished Hamlet’s infamous opening line in his soliloquy; however, I find some relevance to the current discussions and or pressures of undertaking: ‘No Mow May’.

There is truth and so many benefits to leaving areas of your lawns and grassy areas grow long for May.

By hitting the pause button, we are allowing our grassy spaces to mature to their full untapped potential. You’d be surprised how many hidden gems in the form of flowers may emerge. Additional flowers, a much-appreciated, food source for pollinators emerging from winter slumbers. These pollinators then provide a food source for larger species, like birds and so on.

There is a fear of the dandelion and similar ‘weeds’ appearing, but in fact, just eight of these will produce enough nectar sugar for an adult bumblebee’s basic requirements.

What other gems?

A relative, Hawkbit, nimbler and smaller, with a sweet honey scent strong enough for our noses, is adored by bees, hoverflies, butterflies, and moths. Yes, moths, let’s not forget our night-time pollinators!

Clover, gorgeous little pops of white and purple, pollinator savvy – yes! Did you know they also are nitrogen-fixing? Essentially, they will repair poor soil quality. You are feeding your lawn and treating it well whilst doing nothing!

Cowslips and primulas might appear, also nitrogen-fixing, gorgeous miniature splashes of colour amongst the green.

Wheat and oat grasses grow tall and move with the breeze giving such character. These are ideal for spiders to make their webs. Do look out for them first thing in the morning, their gorgeous tapestries will be glistening with drops of dew. 

Sometimes some rare oddities such as wild strawberry, wild garlic, adder’s tongue fern and even meadow saxifrage will arise. This latter plant will attract solitary bees, hoverflies, and flies. All necessary elements of our bio-diversity life cycles. You won’t know until you give it a go!

We have been hearing more now in passing conversations, and even seen for ourselves evidence of orchids, native to Ireland making an appearance in urban lawns that have been allowed to grow long. Orchids are habitat-specific. It is wonderful to hear they are re-emerging. These have mostly included Early Purple’s and on occasion the albino variety of the Early Purple. Very dainty and pretty and usually lost to a neatly clipped lawn.

If you are ever in the botanical gardens of Kilmacurragh, look out for the large areas of traditional lawns left go and become wildflower and long grass meadows. There are many delights to behold within.

But why stop at just May?

Why not leave these areas long into the first few weeks of June?  

Sure, why not, the whole of June?

‘Ah go on”, says, Mrs Doyle, go on into July!

I can hear the slight resistance to doing this. The worry and concern that your garden will become an unruly mess:

‘It’s the weekend, the weather is finally improving, and I won’t be able to use my garden because I’m trying to do my part for the environment’.

‘The weather has been so rotten I haven’t been able even to cut the lawn for months. Can I still do my part?’

It does not have to be that way at all. A balance can be found. If your lawn needs mowing now, go for it, it’s ok. If you intend to leave it longer than the advertised ‘May’ then it is ok to mow it now and leave it grow.

It does not have to be the whole lawn either. A small, designated area or multiple areas within your space is also ok. Do not feel the pressure of having to leave everything go at once.  Mow some pathways through the long grasses or keep the area hugging your flower borders neatly. The balance between crisp and trim green against blowsier and fuller lawn is a lovely contrast and allows for interaction. Observe where the changes are occurring and where forgotten treasures will arise.

In summary, there are so many benefits to leaving the grass to grow longer in areas:

You are improving your soil quality, giving it a breather from all the lawn treatments throughout the years, contributing to pollinators in all shapes and sizes and keeping an eye out for any unusual and unique species emerging. Of course, an opportunity to get creative and have fun designing these spaces with your lawn mower!

So don’t just ‘No Mow May’.

In the words of Mrs Doyle, ‘Go on, go on, go on!’

Unfortunately, Eeyore, the rain we have been experiencing in the last few months has been endless and providing quite a challenge for those in the garden and landscape design, horticultural and construction industry!  The below image, much closer to home, is all too familiar and the knock on disruptive effects we feel.

In tandem, the most recent coverage of the unusual and extreme volume of rainfall seen in the Middle East. In only a short 24 hours they experienced the most amount of rainfall recorded in 75 years! The equivalent to 5 months of consistent rainfall. Yikes.

The topic of prolonged and excessive rain and water joins the many similar thread of conversations surrounding very noticeable changes in weather patterns, seasonality interruptions or delays. The knock on effects everyone is feeling and experiencing becoming all too frequent and very real.

Climate ‘change’ or ‘crisis’ ultimately sits on the tip of everyone’s tongues and for years now we have all committed to the process of  brainstorming, discussing and striving to do we can to adjust, improve and ultimately action necessary changes to combat what we can and where we can!

Sustainable Drainage Systems, A.K.A, ‘SuDS’ made its way onto the scene roughly 15 years ago. SuDs would ultimately address  concerns over water quality, water quantity, amenity and biodiversity by managing the run off volumes of water thus endeavouring to reduce flooding and pooling whilst preserving the natural water cycles.

Initially achieved through a series of engineered systems and controlled structures that would tackle any drainage issues head on by gathering surface waters and either storing them or re-directing them to join existing water systems.

These methods took the forms of permeable paving, attenuation lakes and ponds. Whilst there have been many benefits to this approach over the years, there are some noticeable downsides. Time and effort would be put into calculating the potential volumes of water, its movement, appropriate storage containment and of course, where will it eventually go and how quickly or slowly? How will that be controlled? There has been too much emphasis on water storage solutions. A further knock on effect has been the requirement for large areas of land to accommodate this continuing to pose further challenges.

However, lets be positive, in more recent years, there has been a significant shift in the design industry and a huge change away from the engineered solutions to consider and really explore more ‘nature based’ solutions.

These changes have incorporated, included and embraced a wider scope of terminology concentrating on bio -diversity, naturalistic and environmentally supportive and beneficial designs. As well as continuing to be sustainable and realistically manageable! The aforementioned ‘hot topic’ continues to lie at the centre of these concerns and are being addressed and developed carefully to aid in our present climate crisis.

These super SuDs nature-based solutions are now taking the form of rain gardens, swales and natural ponds. What is already working so well in nature has been emulated and replicated but on a larger, more widely available and a more effective scale. The below images are being actioned, are being proven successful and can contribute to the continued problems we face in a more naturalistic and effective way.

But how? How does it work? And where can we see these examples?

Want to know more? Watch this space for more upcoming information about the different nature-based solutions and technical aspects on our design solutions page.

Have any thoughts? Do let us know in the comments below!

Steps perform a functional necessity as a means of addressing any level changes but also provides a design opportunity introducing a bespoke and unique approach that links the overall aesthetic,  atmosphere and elements of the garden together.

Steps can be grand, bold and striking, drawing the eye and physical self immediately to them with a clear purpose and intent to arrive upon the designated destination as yet unseen. Or secretive, coquettish and full of intrigue as they transition with a subtle change of direction, partially obscured by rich foliage and planting to be highly rewarded on arriving in the carefully curated space.

Steps have been present throughout the history of garden design and have been evidenced as far back as the Hanging Gardens of Babylon in the early 6^th Century. King Nebuchadnezzar II defied the ‘norm’ and created an array of interconnecting multi-level raised terraces adorned and filled with plants of varied size, shape and form. This feat was driven by the desire to soothe his desperately homesick wife and provide a space that would represent her native mountainous home of Media (now modern Iran). The presence and functionality of steps continue to present themselves in a variety of forms throughout the ages, evolving eras and ranging regions of the globe.

We are lucky to be able to visit and see iconic historical gardens that have been carefully preserved and maintained across Europe, Asia and then some. From grand engineering feats of enormous and intricate staircases, adjoining water fountains, plinths and statues that cut through the landscape dramatically to more romantic, elegant and whimsical invitations leading us into smaller garden rooms or down to secret grottos and pools below.

One of the most iconic examples in Ireland is our very own Powerscourt Estate and Gardens found within the luscious greens and rolling landscapes of County Wicklow. The Italian inspired garden presents a dramatic staircase bringing the visitor gently down through the terraces towards the key focal point of the pond and fountain. From the viewing platform wide and detailed steps branch out in different directions providing a slow and gentle meander taking in the views that have been carefully curated and managed. Bring your eyes down to your feet and take in the intricacies of the detailed cobble design, it is incredible. From its first lain stone in 1843 it is wonderful to see how this fine example of design and execution has resisted thus far the challenges of time to still be appreciated today.

Modern garden designers continue to take inspiration from these achievements and be influenced to push the creative boundaries providing a bespoke style in new and modern ways that addresses more than just functionality. A recently completed project in Dunmore East is an interesting example that demonstrates how we successfully married need, desire and functionality. More about how this project was approached and achieved can be found on https://www.timaustengardendesigns.com/garden_design_portfolio/garden-near-the-sea/ .

So, take a step back, look at the bigger picture and seize the opportunity to design your garden with a unique and bespoke approach. If you would like to contact us about taking a step forward with your garden, please click here https://www.timaustengardendesigns.com/contact-us/ and we will be in touch.

First, we must consider the size of the garden and how we are maximising our use of the space. We want to be encouraged to get outside for both our physical and wellbeing, so we must ask ourselves what will entice us about this garden design? Someone might say an ice bath, someone else might say an outdoor pizza oven, others have a hankering for a simple seat…. we can then design the surrounding elements of the garden design around these desired features.

I notice while I am writing this blog that we are approaching the depths of winter. This is another aspect of the garden design that is worth considering – is it accessible all year round? I have introduced heat lamps on the terrace of my own garden but the likes of a fire pit or an enclosed gazebo are other garden features that help with combatting the cold and wind).

The great outdoors….your garden should be great and it should fulfil your needs in terms of comfort. While aesthetics are important, it is fundamental to ask yourself what you would like to get out of your garden design (functionally) and the rest will fall into place with good garden design.

Be sure to check out the rest of my blogs and website for inspiration!

Consider for a moment an artist’s approach to a painting. Mixtures of various colours are meticulously chosen by the artist to create a striking tableau. A similar outlook can be adopted with regards to garden design. What colours will blend harmoniously to project a certain atmosphere within your  garden? For example, recent Chelsea 2023 gold medal winner Sarah Price designed her show garden through the lens of a fine art painter with soft complementary tones and textures. (https://www.gardenista.com/posts/sarah-price-2023-chelsea-flower-show/)

Also worthy of note is the colour wheel. How do we incorporate cool and warm colours into different sections of the garden design? White tones also help blend colours together to make them “pop” and pleasing to the eye. Helen Dillon, the inspired Irish gardener, separated a “hot” coloured border from a “cold” one in her garden in Ranelagh. Colour is a key ingredient with regards to the visual and sensory affect you wish to create in your garden design.

Another alternative to an impressionist approach to a garden (think Monet) is splashes of colour amongst a more uniform colour palette. Taking a filmic point of view, Spielberg utilises colour in this way in Schindler’s List. This use of contrasting colour makes for a striking design point within one’s garden. This can be achieved through plants, wall features or even a boardwalk.

To conclude, let us not forget another key colour in garden design– green. A colour to unify and bring the other colours, be it hot or cold, into a succinct harmony.

In an ideal garden design, there would be every plant under the sun and zero limitations in terms of what we could plant, regardless of the climate we live in. This, however, is not sustainable, neither for the maintenance of our garden nor for our pockets. To remedy this planting problem, we would suggest repetition of planting or “block planting” in your garden design. And I don’t mean square planting beds here either! Here are a few reasons why this planting is effective:

1. Uniformity in your garden design

Block planting can add seamlessness to your planting design. This does not have to mean blocks of lawn or shrubbery, but repetition of a particular plant can add richness and depth to your garden and make the space appear larger than it is.  I recently visited Tenerife (check out my previous blog for more on this) and I was struck by the abundant green landscape, absolutely laden with cacti amongst other “green goodies”. Repetition of planting elevates the appearance of your garden design giving it a quality that is pleasing on the eye.

2. Ease of maintenance

Upkeep of gardens, as we are all aware, requires some effort. Block planting is a great way to reduce weeds and to maximise space usage in our gardens. When designing your kitchen, you wouldn’t separate your utensils into different cupboards– the same principle applies to planting in gardens.

3. The (literal) fruits of your labour

Block planting through use of raised beds, for example, is the perfect way to introduce home-grown produce into your garden design. Both aesthetically pleasing and edible- what’s not to like?

4. Wild ideas

Whilst planting for nature can sometimes feel like it should be a messy look, to the contrary, we often see examples of mass planting or repeated groupings of plants in nature where they have taken hold and established expanding niches of a particular habitat (refer the Tenerife example above or think of a Wicklow mountainside where natural or semi-natural reapeated groupings or “blocks” of heathers, bilberries and bracken abound to create a pleasing motif for the eye and for the wildlife that resides there.

Repetition is not boring… at least not in the case of block planting. Keep this in mind if you are looking to refresh your garden design and check out the rest of my portfolio for more garden design inspiration!

When you are contemplating your garden design, it is important to consider aspects that will have a transformative effect on your day-to-day life. There are many places from which you can get garden design inspiration: other gardens, parks, natural landscapes. However, it is important to make your garden design personal to you and your own life experiences. Perhaps a place to start is your favourite holiday destination – this allows you to make a link between a place where you feel at peace and your back-garden haven.

I recently visited Tenerife and I was struck by the volcanic landscape, cradled by cacti and agave plants. If we consider a garden design in Ireland, it is difficult to replicate this 100% given the climate. However, we can take inspiration  from this destination when we consider elements such as paving and planting. An incorporation of rich tawny colours and spiky vegetation will transport you to Mediterranean coastlines, sun beating down and a jug of sangria waiting for you poolside.

Starting your garden design may appear an overwhelming prospect but ultimately it starts with situating yourself in a place that makes you feel happy. Mediterranean ambience is just one option, perhaps a Tundra inspired patio is more up your street. The options are endless- put yourself into the garden design.

In terms of garden design, structural elements can be added to your outdoor spaces be they paving, water features or new planting. However, as we ring in the new year, it is important to recognize the regenerative value of nature within our gardens during the catatonic, rattling off resolutions, atmosphere that is the “New Year”.

Bulbs begin to re-emerge, demonstrating their resilience against the harsh frosty winters. I have recently noticed the reappearance of the snow drops in my garden, a sign of the new year but also the restorative essence of nature. Perhaps one could say that while this symbolises new beginnings  it is also a nod toward the circularity of life. There is strength in a renewed sense of routine, both in nature and in daily life.

Regarding this notion of circularity, one might introduce a vegetable patch into their gardens. Different seasons bring about different produce and when the season commences again these vegetables reappear (provided they are tended to correctly). It is a question of trusting the process and trusting the constant entities in your life. If they are meant to be there, they will appear again and you will enjoy the fruits of the obstacles you have overcome in the past.

Your garden design should be a reflection of your state of your mind or the state of mind that you wish to achieve. Even if you are starting from scratch, think of the circularity of the different elements of the garden. How do they change with the seasons? How do they adapt to social situations? How does nature react with them? Allow your garden to flow with the natural course of life as opposed to confining it to prescribed resolutions.

Take this woodland garden in Kildare, for example (see above). The wooden decking is a practical part of the garden design but it is also a viewing point from which one can appreciate all the other elements of the garden. From this position one can perceive the depth of the garden and can move directly forward into the garden passing next to the water feature alongside, which is highly visible from the elevated perspective. Nearby, the stepping stones across the water also heighten an air of playfulness that one might associate with a woodland, fairytale-esque garden (with a splash of modern lines and structures in this case).

An elevated space could also be a bridge, as seen in my 2008 Bloom entry (see below). It harmoniously connects each side of the garden while providing a tranquil space of contemplation.

The elevated space can be, however, the central feature of a garden design. My parents’ garden, for example, is adjacent to a wild bog. The juxtaposition of the bright red boardwalk and  the wilderness of the bog is incredibly eye-catching as well as practical (not even the sturdiest of welly boots would survive that bog!). 

Boardwalks should be constructed of sturdy and sustainable sourced timber. A horizontal frame is usually made that is held in place by vertical posts that are driven into the ground at suitable intervals. Then the boards are laid and fixed at right angles to the direction of the main frame. In terms of finishes it is possible to leave the boardwalk as a natural timber finish if the idea is to blend it a bit more with the surrounding landscape. The timber used in the garden design in the first, top image above is composite decking and in this case it was supplied to us by Millboard. Alternatively, you can paint whatever the preferred colour is – the latest incarnation is purple! For paints we recommend water based paints that will decompose naturally.

Boardwalks and elevated spaces are adaptable. Whether you want it to blend in with the other features of the design or stand alone, it is definitely worth considering. Think dimension, think movement and think practicality.