Garden Design Projects
Explore a selection of planting schemes I've created for gardens in Raheny and across Dublin.
The videos are how I present these designs to clients, helping them visualise how the plants will look and feel in their own garden.
Every planting plan I design is tailored specifically to your garden, your needs and what you like.
A front garden transformation in Raheny
Who says front gardens can’t be as attractive as the back garden?
I was delighted to work with Frank and Linda on the planting scheme for their front garden in Raheny.
We integrated some of their existing plants — including cardoon, Rudbeckia and Rodgersia — and introduced a layered mix of evergreen and deciduous shrubs, ornamental grasses, and hardy perennials.
Key additions to their garden included Parahebe ‘Alba’, Hydrangea ‘Annabelle’, Verbena 'Bonariensis' Deschampsia ‘Goldschleier’, and Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’.
The front garden’s sunny, south-east orientation informed the planting design, with more shade-tolerant selections like Heuchera and Sarcococca placed in the semi-shaded area near the front boundary wall.
The garden is already looking gorgeous in its first summer; watch the video of the design which shows how the garden will mature in the coming years.
Video of the design
Natural and Elegant themed garden
in Sandymount
It was great working with Jennifer and her family on a planting scheme for their back garden in Sandymount.
Jennifer envisioned an elegant, natural look, with plenty of evergreens to provide structure throughout the winter months.
The design combines ornamental grasses with flowering plants like Persicaria and Achillea, alongside evergreens such as Pittosporum and Phillyrea latifolia.
The mid section of the garden gets the most sun and this is where the sun-loving plants have been placed.
Looking forward to seeing it all come into its own over the coming years!
Video of the design
Coastal-themed garden in Portmarnock
Other plants included Geranium ‘Rozanne’ and Anisodontea—both favourites of mine as they provide months of colour and are really easy to manage.
Had a lovely time working with Emma on her back garden. She fancied a bit of a refresh for her borders—she wanted lots of colour but still easy to manage.
We settled on a coastal-inspired scheme, which we achieved with a mix of ornamental grasses and plants like the coastal loving Erigeron ‘Sea Breeze’.
Video of the design
We kept about half of the existing plants that were in the borders already, but we did move the Bergenia into a semi-shaded spot where it'll be far more content.
We finished it all off with a gorgeous olive tree in a big pot on the patio. Olive trees grow well in the milder areas of Ireland such as the Dublin coast.
Looking forward to seeing it all come into its own over the coming years! 🌿🌸🌾
And the two Amelanchier canadensis we planted will be stunning come autumn, not to mention it'll give the garden some lovely structure along that back wall in time. Amelanchier are great trees for small gardens as they don't grow that large.
Front garden in Raheny
It was a joy working with Ronan and Sapna on a planting plan for their front garden in Raheny 🌿💚
They had a great wish list:
✔️ Native Irish plants
✔️ Some drought-tolerant Mediterranean plants
✔️ Something for every season including early blooms
✔️ Pollinator-friendly
✔️ Safe for pets
✔️ Low maintenance
✔️ Shallow-rooted in spots than due to recently added hardcore
Video of the design
They already had a lovely olive tree and magnolia tree, so we worked that into the design.
I added plants such as the native Irish primrose, Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’ and Geranium 'Rozanne' for a long season of colour.
I included some alpines too — dianthus and campanula — perfect for growing over the hardcore.
I completed the design over the summer and recommended that the client wait until September to plant, as the soil would be more moist and provide the plants with a stronger start.
Check out photos of the planting area (before and after) and a video of the designed planting scheme.
A shady garden
Video of the design
If you garden is shady, don't worry. There are loads of options for you. Transform your shady border into a lovely space with a planting scheme with plants that thrive in shade.
This design features a mix of height layers, textures from lush ferns and graceful grasses, and light-coloured flowers.
Three clipped yew balls (Taxus) at the front add a touch of elegance and structure to the area.
The design includes includes Geranium nodosum 'Silverwood' which grows well in dry shade.
Tropical-themed garden
Welcome to this tropical-themed garden! Who knew you could have a garden like this in Ireland?
This design has lush, large-leaved plants, graceful bamboos, and a selection of exotic flowers, all thriving in the Irish climate.
Designed for semi-shade, this garden offers a tropical escape that requires minimal maintenance once established.
Video of the design